Chapter 22: Disciplinarian Erza! I'm the Examiner?
After eating and drinking his fill, Ren lounged lazily on the sofa. Zeus squeezed in beside him, letting Ren lean comfortably against his soft body.
Erza washed the dishes, dried her hands, and walked into the living room.
Seeing Ren slumped on the sofa, she couldn't help scolding him, "You can't just lie down right after eating! Go out for a walk."
Seeing Erza act like the disciplinary committee member she was in the original story, Ren waved his hand. "I don't want to move."
Erza put her hands on her hips and glared straight at him.
"Fine, fine."
Stared down by Erza in silence, Ren finally surrendered. He stood up helplessly and followed her out.
The sun was setting as Erza and Ren walked side by side down the street.
Orange sunset light spilled over them, stretching their shadows long and thin.
"Ren, when are you leaving again this time?"
Walking along the road, Erza clasped her hands behind her back, looking down at the ground.
Ren draped his arm over her shoulders and smiled. "Shouldn't be anytime soon. The Guild Master said he had something to tell me, but I forgot to ask what it was."
With a faint blush on her face, Erza looked up and rolled her eyes at him.
"If the Master is looking for you, it must be important. Shouldn't you go ask?"
"Forget it. If it was really important, the old man would have found me already."
Ren rolled his eyes and shrugged.
Hearing Ren say that, Erza nodded.
That was true.
As the sun went down, the two of them strolled around Magnolia for a long while before heading home.
Since Erza had just returned today, she went to her room to sleep early.
The next day, Ren slept comfortably until late.
After getting out of bed, Ren stretched and let out a strange groan.
"Ah~!"
He walked out of his room, but Erza wasn't home.
After washing up, Ren headed toward the guild.
As soon as he entered, Ren heard Gray and Natsu arguing loudly.
"Yo. You two are full of energy, huh?"
Ren grinned and greeted the two of them, who were butting heads together.
"Ah, Ren. Good morning."
Hearing his voice, Gray looked over and smiled.
"Why do you strip when you say hello?"
Ren's face went dark as he looked at Gray, who was stripped down to his boxers.
"Huh?! When?!"
"Hahaha! Perverted underwear guy!"
"Shut up, flame-breath bastard!"
"What? Naked guy."
"Who are you calling naked guy, bastard?!"
Without another word, the two started fighting again. Ren found a seat and watched them punch and kick each other.
"Ren, come here."
At that moment, a slightly tipsy Makarov called out to Ren from the bar.
Ren looked up at Makarov, stood, and walked over.
"Guild Master, what's up?"
He sat down casually next to Makarov and grabbed a bottle from behind the bar.
"Don't always leech off the guild's booze, you brat!"
"Come on, Guild Master. Don't be so stingy."
Ren grinned, took a sip, and threw his arm around Makarov's shoulders.
"What do you think about this year's S-Class Mage Trial?"
Sitting side by side, watching Gray and Natsu fight in the distance, Makarov suddenly asked Ren.
Ren turned his head in surprise. "What? Is it time for the trial again?"
Black lines filled Makarov's forehead, and he shouted at Ren, "Do you pay any attention to guild affairs at all?!"
Everyone's attention was drawn by the commotion between Makarov and Ren.
Makarov waved them off, then looked at Ren with a serious expression. "This year, you'll be the examiner!"
"Me? Guild Master, you're joking, right?"
Ren looked shocked and pointed at himself.
"Right now, you're the only S-Class mage in Magnolia. If you don't do it, who will? Me?!"
Makarov glared, stood up on the bar, and barely managed to reach Ren's shoulder.
He patted Ren's shoulder and said meaningfully, "Young man, with great power comes great responsibility."
"Guild Master, aren't you afraid I'll go easy on Erza?"
Ren didn't refuse. Since he wasn't planning on taking requests for a while anyway, he smiled meaningfully at Makarov.
"You're not that kind of person. Besides, Erza wouldn't accept it."
Makarov didn't care about that at all and beamed.
"Fine. I accept."
Feeling like Makarov had him figured out, Ren shrugged helplessly.
Because the S-Class trial was approaching, most guild members had returned.
Aside from Gildarts, Laxus, and the Thunder God Tribe, everyone else was gathered in the guild.
Soon, the day of the S-Class Mage Trial arrived.
Ren sat beside Makarov, smiling as he looked at the guild members.
"This year's S-Class Mage Trial officially begins!"
As Makarov announced it, everyone turned their eyes to the three standing in front.
Erza!
Mirajane!
And Cana!
"It was these three last year too. I didn't expect it to be them again this year."
"I hope someone passes this year. Then Fairy Tail will have another S-Class mage!"
"Erza, good luck!"
"Cana, crush them! Go for it!"
"Mira, you're the best! Good luck!"
The crowd cheered, rooting for the three candidates.
"Ren, the rest is up to you."
Makarov looked at the smiling Ren.
Ren nodded, dropped his lazy demeanor, straightened up, and smiled at the three of them.
"Alright. I'm the examiner for this S-Class Mage Trial."
Ren grinned, laughter in his eyes.
"I knew it. Ren is the examiner."
"Ren won't go easy on Erza, will he?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Are you doubting Ren and Erza's integrity?"
"Take these three maps."
Ren waved his right hand, and three maps appeared in front of them.
After they each took their maps, Ren grinned.
"Now, I will announce the content of this trial!"
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