The next day at dawn, Felix alongside Cana arrived at the station where Erza and her teammate Mest Gryder were waiting. Not far from her, Mirajane and her sister Lisanna were there waiting as well, but he didn't see Master Makarov. After looking around, he soon found the old man in his jester outfit chatting with a tall muscular man with slick back shoulder-length orange hair.
Felix scratched his cheek as this is the first time seeing the man. Unlike him though, Cana stared at him longly as did all the other members as they basically had stars in their eyes. Clearly they knew who this man was and basically looked like a super fan meeting their idol.
"Great, you have all arrived." Makarov grinned. "I already booked the tickets."
"Master, aren't you going to explain the exam?" Mirajane asked.
"I will explain on the train." Makarov waved his hand.
"Is it to fight Gildarts?" Erza asked, a bit too cheerful.
"Hahaha, not this time." The tall man let out a loud laugh.
Felix looked the man up and down realizing that the man is Gildarts Clive, one of Fairy Tail's S-rank mages. Due to the man usually wandering and taking on quests far from the guild, he is rarely in the guild. So Felix hasn't met him before but has heard of him many times mainly from Natsu who wants to surpass him in the future.
--
At the back of the train, Felix sat silently as he looked out the window. In the distance the landscape zoomed by as he waited for the master to explain the object of this exam. While Cana was more quiet and not her usual self who would crack a weird or crude joke from time to time. Instead her eyes kept flickering over to Gildarts quite frequently.
"Can you explain the exam now, Master?" Mirajane asked.
"The exam is fairly simple. It is to track and bring down a recently new S-rank monster." Makarov replied.
"What kind?" Erza asked.
"A mutated nine tail fox." Makarov answered.
The overflowing confidence from the two of them quickly withered upon hearing this. Felix couldn't blame them as dealing with a Nine Tail Fox can be a bit difficult even when not reaching S-rank. Now they are being told to fight a mutated one that has reached S-rank for an exam.
A normal nine tail fox strength could contend with the level of a core member of a guild who isn't S-rank. While a mutated one might hover around those that might reach S-rank mage standards without being S-rank themselves. Now being told to fight one that was both a mutant and reached S-rank. It wouldn't be wrong to say that if it fully grew it might contend most of the lower rank Ten Wizards Saint members.
Legend has it that during the time of the Dragon Race centuries ago. One appeared and managed to slay a couple dragons by itself. It died of its wounds, but the record of it soloing a couple of dragons speak of its strength.
"Is it even possible for us to beat it?" Mirajane frowned.
A bit of regret entered her voice for bringing her sister along to face such a creature. She herself didn't feel confident in facing such a magical beast and her younger sister is weaker than her. If something goes wrong, she might be able to face the consequences.
"It was recently promoted to S-class according to the reports. So the strength isn't at its peak but you guys will need to be careful. Even experienced S-class mages will struggle facing it." Makarov replied.
Felix just silently nodded accepting the task, while Mirajane and Erza still looked a bit hesitant. Due to this, Felix noted that Makarov's eyes kept drifting to him as if to cheer him on. Thanks to this, he felt like both Erza and Mirajane were just here to make up the numbers this year. Even if they are, it will at least open their eyes to a broader view than previously.
"Where are we heading?" Felix asked.
"To the Land of Fire, a place full of trees and vegetation. They have their own little mage town there to keep order and keep an eye on the magical creatures. However, they don't have anyone strong enough to contend with this mutated Nine Tails. So they requested help instead of needlessly sacrificing a large number of their mages." Makarov explained.
Felix nodded as he scratched his head for a moment. He vaguely remembers a series full of ninjas and if he recalled correctly was in a nation called Land of Fire. The protagonist also had a Nine Tail fox sealed within him.
--
Time sped by as the trip itself took a few days to complete. During this time besides Erza and Mirajane arguing about this or that. It is mainly just them resting or reading to pass the time waiting for the train to arrive.
"So, brat, what kind of magic do you use?"
Gildart asked Felix who was silently reading. Placing a book mark and closing it, Felix lifted his head to look at him.
"Various." Felix replied.
"Jack of all trades huh." Gildarts murmured.
"I suppose so." Felix thought about it and nodded.
He really just tended to use whatever magic that he felt fit the moment. Such as using Earth Magic in the desert to deal with underground creatures. Ice Magic on the ocean, and Wood Magic to make a towering giant to seal a Demon from the Book of Zeref.
"So why join Fairy Tail and not become a magic scholar?" Gildarts asked.
"Magic scholar? What is that?" Felix asked.
"Bookworms who study magic and mages. They tend to create new magics or revive forgotten or lost magics." Mirajane commented from the side.
"Oh." Felix lost interest.
He didn't really have a strong enough interest to study magic like that. While he might dabble in studying it or creating his own little magic tricks. The desire to try and restore old magic or create new ones as a career wasn't there.
"Alright you six, we are nearly at the station. Once we are there, the exams begin." Makarov looked at his watch. "Gildarts and I will follow, if you feel overwhelmed feel free to give up. Moreover, be careful you guys."
"Yes, Master." Everyone nodded.
--
When the train pulled into the station, Erza, followed by Mirajane, hopped out the window and started running. In their hands following like a kite as their feet didn't touch the ground were their teammates.
"I am off, Master." Felix said as he left the train with Cana.
"He is a strange one." Gildarts scratched his chin.
Makarov just gave out a soft hum that didn't really signify if he agreed or disagreed with that statement. Fairy Tail was full of those that many considered strange.
"Well, let's go follow the other two." Makarov said.
"Not worried about him?" Gildarts asked, gesturing towards Felix's back.
"He can handle it himself. If anything I am more worried about Cana by his side." Makarov said. "Still, Felix should be able to protect her while completing the task."
"Is that so?" Gildarts looked surprised.
Makarov left without answering and quickly caught up to Mirajane. Moving like a shadow, he trailed behind the pair of sisters ready to jump in at any time if they needed it.
'Is that kid really that strong?' Gildarts asked himself.