Standing tall within the Fairy Tail Guild, Makarov who towered above all thanks to his giant magic. He let out a deep cough as the brawl that began ended in less than a minute later. Shrinking downwards as he canceled his giant magic, Makarov began speaking once more to all.
"The time for the next S-class exam has arrived. I shall begin announcing the candidates."
Many perked up once more as they hoped their names were called out. Some even gave out last minute prayers in hopes of boosting their chances.
"The candidates of year x779 Fairy Tails Exams are…Felix Grimms."
"Oh!"
A series of excited claps erupted, but it quickly died down as they waited for the next name to be called. Then Makarov scratched the back of his head with a bit of a laugh. An unease settled among everyone.
"Erza Scarlet."
"Ah!"
The guild clapped wildly that easily surpassed Felix's own applause.
"Mirajane Strauss." Makarov announced next.
The applause continued as cheers continued nonstop for these two.
"Finally there is Mystogan."
Felix watched as the guild members gave a more polite clap that was around his own compared to Erza and Mirajane. They were quite happy for the ones chosen, but compared to the girls, both Felix and Mystogan clearly weren't as popular among the members.
"In the next week, you will need to choose a partner who is not S-class and prepare for the coming trial." Makarov said, ending the announcement.
--
Sitting at the counter facing the guild, Felix wondered who he should pick for a partner for the upcoming trial. His eyes looked over Natsu and Gray and shook his head. They had some strength but not quite there yet to even partner up for the exams. If it were a few years later, it would be a different story, but not now.
The guild is in a slightly awkward spot as the older members are hitting that spot where they are less ambitious, while the next age group are just sprouting. The oldest of their group Laxus who turned eighteen this year. However, he had just become S-class last year.
Erza and Mirajane were both good choices to pick, but since they are also taking part in the exam. Then he couldn't pick either of them so Felix's eyes flickered to Lisanna and Levy before looking away. Both were a bit talented but like Natsu and Gray, needed time to grow some more. Otherwise, he will worry too much about taking them in such a dangerous exam.
As for looking at Elfman, Felix didn't want to think rudely but he sprained his foot pretty bad during his last mission for finding a lost pet. So currently he is on crutches and it wouldn't be wise or good for either if he is picked to take part.
Finally, Felix's eyes landed on a brown hair girl in a dress playing with fortune telling cards. So moving over to her, he sat down across from her.
"Cana, do you want to be my partner for this exam?" Felix asked.
Cana really isn't a bad choice as she had a large pool of magic for her age that even outmatched Erza and Mirajane. The problem is since she chose to specialize in card magic, while her magic is great, her output is limited by her cards.
"Oh, did you finally remember I existed?" Cana raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't we take a bath together a few days ago?" Felix blinked.
"What is with you and baths anyways?" Cana said.
"Erza says it to build stronger camaraderie and friendship. Also isn't it more interesting to take a bath with friends?" Felix replied.
"Isn't it more just to openly see our bodies." Cana narrowed her eyes.
Felix just stared into her eyes blankly as he wanted an answer if she would be his partner for the exams or not. If she didn't want to, he wanted to go searching for someone else instead of playing this game of taking baths with girls.
"Alright, I will partner with you." Cana clicked her tongue.
"Mmm, let's go practice then." Felix stood up.
Cana cleaned up her cards as she followed him out of the guild. She wasn't sure what kind of training he had in mind.
--
In the Great Plains outside the city of Magnolia, Felix looked at the place where he fell through the portal. Beside him Cana stood with a hand on her hip as she looked at the plain before her wondering why he brought her so far out here.
"You're not thinking of doing something perverted by bringing me so far out here by ourselves are you?" Cana joked.
"Perverted? Aren't we kind of young to think of reproducing?" Felix asked blankly.
He didn't know what had gotten into this girl's brain, but they needed to coordinate and build some tactics. If he fell into her step of strange thoughts, it would be a waste of time. Besides, if he wanted to do something perverted, he would pull Mirajane and Erza along. Maybe even pull Lisanna along, but probably not Levy as she tends to avoid him.
"Huh, what? Reproducing?" Cana sputtered as her face turned tomato red in embarrassment.
Felix just looked at her before looking towards the plains where large birds, two legged bulls and wolves roamed around. Near the streams there seems to be large snakes.
While these creatures looked terrifying and would be an issue for normal folk. For knights or mages, they weren't that difficult to deal with unless they were mutated or alpha of their group. Otherwise, it would be troublesome and difficult to fight.
Cana soon recovered but a faint blush still tinted her cheeks as she poked her fingers together. Her mind raced as she tried her best to calm herself down. Only dirty images kept surfacing in her mind thanks to the books Erza picked up by accident and let her borrow.
'It's not impossible in the future.' Cana thought, looking at Felix's back.
Then Cana thought about Erza and Mirajane and shivered. Then there was Lisanna who could smile, but similar to her sister Mirajane. She could be a bit scary at times.
Felix wondered what was going through Cana's mind as she shivered. It wasn't cold, if anything it was a bit hot with the sun beating down from high above.
"Let's get practicing." Felix said.
"Ok." Cana said.
--
For the next week, the beasts in the Great Plains felt like they were being tormented. Each day they would see two teens coming to fight them like clockwork. Their fighting style is different from the last, each time leaving them battered and bruised.
The only good thing is due to beating up most in the plain, main didn't need to worry about being attacked while they recuperated. Since the ones that would fight were also beaten down before or after them.
"Tomorrow we leave for the exam. Are you nervous?" Cana asked.
Unlike himself, Felix could see that Cana was more nervous about the upcoming exam then he who is the candidate is.
"Just relax." Felix said in an attempt to comfort her.