In the venue of Fairy Tail's S-Class Mage Trial…
"S-Class Mages are existences completely different from other Mages! S-Class Mages represent a Mage's identity and status within the guild. As long as one becomes an S-Class Mage, they can enjoy privileges in Fairy Tail Guild that ordinary Mages cannot enjoy, and will also possess the qualifications to go to the guild's second floor and accept S-Class missions, even missions above S-Class! At the same time, you will receive the respect of the guild members, respect second only to the Guild Master…"
"People like His Maj—like Mr. Evan, Her Majesty Irene, and Goddess Selene, they are all S-Class Mages within the guild. In other words, Sonya, for the sake of our grand plan, this time we must become S-Class Mages within the guild…"
Animus, who had transformed into a purple cat, stood on Sonya's shoulder. His gaze was serious as he looked around at the guild companions who, like Sonya, had obtained the qualifications for this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial.
However, for the sake of his so-called grand plan, in his eyes right now, there were no companions, only opponents.
Even if they had to use any means necessary, he and Sonya absolutely had to win. Everything was for the greater good!
"I-I understand…"
After hearing Animus's words, Sonya nodded hard.
Her eyes carried a hint of seriousness. Although she did not have much confidence in her own strength, for Animus's sake, she was willing to try and willing to work hard.
In truth, her four hundred years together with Animus had long since made her regard Animus like family, and he was also the person she trusted most…
"These humans here are indeed extraordinary. Even four hundred years ago, they would be rare experts among humans. Unfortunately, in the end, they are merely at the level of humans and are fundamentally not worth mentioning before you and me, Sonya. Of course, if they now switched to cultivating Dragon Slayer Magic, perhaps they would cause us quite a bit of trouble. However, there are never ifs in this world. They are not Dragon Slayer Mages, so they pose no threat to you or me! As expected, these humans are not worth fearing. The only ones who might truly threaten you and me are the Dragon Slayer Mages within the guild…"
As for Animus, although he looked at the Mages inside Fairy Tail Guild while calling them humans one after another, appearing as if he were a higher lifeform surpassing humans, and although he could not compare to Evan, Irene, and Selene in status and identity, he still seemed to stand one level above the other Mages in the guild. However, he had never said anything about Sonya. Perhaps even Animus himself did not know that deep in his heart, in his subconscious, he had long since regarded Sonya, who had accompanied him for four hundred years, as someone incomparably important to him…
Especially whenever Animus was inside Sonya's body and saw Sonya being bullied because of her weakness, he would feel incomparably furious! Whenever such a moment appeared, Animus would control his absolute power and give those who bullied Sonya absolute punishment!
Animus had even built the Kingdom of Stella, a country belonging to humans, so that Sonya would not become disconnected from humans. Although Animus usually always acted high and mighty, and even his attitude toward Sonya seemed somewhat unfriendly, the way Animus treated Sonya was completely different from the way Animus was unfriendly toward others. Animus's attitude toward Sonya was more like a feeling of hating iron for not becoming steel.
Every time Sonya was bullied, Animus would question Sonya, "You are special. Your body houses the power of a great dragon! How can you be bullied by these foolish fellows? Unreasonable…"
As for Animus's concern for Sonya, it was more like the mentality of an old father. Unfortunately, among dragons, male dragons, including father dragons, even including the Fire Dragon King Igneel, were relatively scummy, and because there was no custom of educating or protecting younglings.
As a result, Animus did not have any experience interacting with a daughter. After all, his own father had been the same. After he was born, his father simply let go and stopped caring. Therefore, he also did not know how to educate Sonya, whose constitution had silently changed under his power and who could use Dragon Slayer Magic. He could only use his own way of doing things to tell Sonya what was good and what was bad…
It was just that Animus carried the pride of dragons, so he looked incomparably rough! And Sonya was also somewhat too weak, never daring to refute Animus and always silently obeying.
So, over time, the relationship between Animus and Sonya became one where Animus issued orders and Sonya carried out the contents of Animus's orders, a way of getting along that looked slightly pathological.
"Sonya, remember this. In this exam, your greatest opponents are the child of Fire Dragon King Igneel and the child of Iron Dragon Metalicana. These two children are your greatest competitors in this S-Class Mage Trial!"
During these few months in Fairy Tail, Animus had already confirmed the identities of Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy. He had also communicated with Igneel and the others, so he naturally knew that Igneel and the others temporarily could not come out of those children's bodies. At the same time, he also knew Igneel and the others' plan…
However, knowing Igneel and the others' plan did not mean Animus approved of Igneel and the others. In Animus's eyes, dragons like Igneel and Grandeeney, who placed their hopes on humans, were all betrayers of the dragon race. As for Igneel's behavior, that was even more a form of escape! It was unworthy of the other party's title of Fire Dragon King…
The Black Dragon King Acnologia was indeed powerful, but precisely because the other party was powerful, they dragons had to personally defeat him and avenge the dragons who once died tragically at Acnologia's hands!
Yes, although Animus's strength was very weak, he possessed great ambition. Especially after recognizing Evan as king! The ambition in his heart grew even stronger. Animus believed that if someone truly appeared in this world who was capable of defeating the Black Dragon King Acnologia, then that person, or more accurately, that dragon, could only be Evan Belserion, and absolutely not the Fire Dragon King Igneel who had fled before battle four hundred years ago.
And today's S-Class Mage Trial was the first battle to prove his thoughts. He would have Sonya, whom he had raised, forcefully smack the backside of Igneel's son Natsu, to prove that Igneel placing his hopes on Natsu was purely a waste of time…
"Fire Dragon King Igneel, you have already lost your mind! Believing in humans itself is a mistaken choice, and this mistake on your body will be awakened by me!"
At this moment, Animus's heart was filled with great ambition.
It was just that the current Animus had not yet experienced society's beating. However arrogant Animus was at this moment, the battle later would inflict an equal amount of trauma on him…
"Huff, huff…"
Beside Animus, Kagura held a katana and continuously adjusted her breathing. Her eyes were sharp. She was determined to obtain victory in this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial.
"Oh my, it seems everyone is very excited~"
"I did not expect that this old man would also need to participate in this year's trial."
The Magic King August stood beneath Fairy Tail's platform and listened to Makarov's words on the stage. His heart was somewhat emotional. When he was in the Alvarez Empire, he, August, had always been the one assessing others. After coming to Fairy Tail Guild, there was actually a day when others assessed him.
"I didn't expect that an old grandpa like you would also have to participate in the trial!"
Natsu looked at August beside him and inexplicably felt somewhat close to him. After sizing August up and down, he spoke with a smile.
"Hehe, is that not so?"
"This old man also did not expect that I would still have a day to compete on the same stage as children like you!"
After hearing Natsu's words, August laughed lightly.
"Being together with children like you makes this old man feel much younger…"
"Speaking of which, this old man has a granddaughter named Brandish. Her age is around the same as yours~"
As August looked at Natsu, he suddenly thought of something. He remembered his young disciple, who was also his good granddaughter, Brandish.
"Oh, oh, old grandpa, you actually have a granddaughter? I wonder how strong she is?"
After hearing August's words, Natsu lightly nodded. Then his eyes flashed with desire, the desire for battle.
"Her strength~"
"She is about the same as you all~"
After hearing Natsu's words, August smiled slightly. He reached out and stroked his snow-white beard as he spoke with a chuckle.
"Is that so? Then if one day she comes to Fairy Tail, I definitely have to compete with her!"
Hearing this, the corners of Natsu's mouth rose slightly. His eyes flickered with pure light. He simply wanted to fight August's granddaughter.
"Is this child really a child of our Dragneel family?"
"Why does he look not very smart…"
After hearing Natsu's words, August felt somewhat helpless.
He also did not know whose family had raised this child Natsu. Why did he look like a battle maniac? He completely lacked the steadiness of their Dragneel family…
Yes, August was only the name of the old man before him. His full name was August Dragneel, or August Vermillion. He was the child of Fairy Tail's First Guild Master, Mavis, and the Black Mage Zeref.
At the same time, August was also the nephew of this brat before him, who had cherry-pink hair, was filled with obsession toward battle, and had a white dragon-scale scarf wrapped around his neck.
Yes, although August looked incomparably old, he was one generation younger than Natsu. Natsu Dragneel was the younger brother of Zeref Dragneel, August's biological father. This was very awkward.
"The candidates for this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial have now all been announced. Now, allow me to briefly explain the rules of the match to everyone…"
Just as August looked at Natsu with doubtful eyes, wondering about the bloodline within Natsu.
Makarov, as the Guild Master of Fairy Tail Guild, stood on the platform and spoke to the many Mages of Fairy Tail Guild below. Makarov announced the rules of Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trial for X779.
"The rules for this year's S-Class Mage Trial are very simple. We will conduct grouped battles for all twelve members participating in this year's S-Class Trial in Fairy Tail Guild, namely Natsu, Gray, Lyon, Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, Seilah, Mystogan, Kagura, Gajeel, Sonya, and August. These participating candidates will draw lots and fight in pairs. The winner advances and continues fighting the others. The final winner of the ranking battle will be the one who passes this year's Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial…"
Just as August looked at Natsu with suspicion and wondered about the bloodline inside Natsu.
Makarov, as Guild Master of Fairy Tail Guild, stood on the platform and spoke to the Mages of Fairy Tail Guild below. Makarov announced the rules of the X779 Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial.
"And the location for this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial will be decided as inside the guild. After all, last year's S-Class Mage Trial placed too much pressure on Tenrou Island. If it experienced a few more rounds of exams, our guild's holy land, Tenrou Island, would be destroyed…"
Immediately afterward, Makarov announced the location of this year's S-Class Mage Trial.
Regarding the fact that the location of the S-Class Trial was not Tenrou Island, Makarov's expression was serious and carried a hint of helplessness.
"Sigh…"
When Makarov reached this point, he helplessly sighed. One had to know that last year, the S-Class Mage Trial held by Fairy Tail, because of the participation of Selene and Irene, ultimately caused Tenrou Island, the holy land of Fairy Tail Guild, to endure pressure it should not have endured at its age. And this year, in order to protect Magnolia Town, protect Tenrou Island, and protect Fairy Tail Guild.
Makarov not only canceled the tradition of going to the holy land Tenrou Island to hold the trial, he also canceled the examiner system. Yes, Makarov had not called even one active S-Class Mage in the guild to serve as an examiner for this year's S-Class Mage Trial.
In any case, in Makarov's eyes, Kagura, Seilah, Sonya, and August all possessed the strength to pass the guild's S-Class Mage Trial and become S-Class Mages of the guild. It did not matter which of the four passed. In fact, in Makarov's plan, it was not impossible for multiple people to pass the guild's S-Class Mage Trial this year.
"Oh! This year's S-Class Mage Trial won't be held on Tenrou Island?"
"Speaking of which, Mirajane's year also didn't go to Tenrou Island~"
"Looking at it this way, Kagura has a very high chance this year~"
"Indeed! But Kagura has already participated in Fairy Tail's S-Class Mage Trial for four years, so it's about time she passed…"
"Yes, yes! If Kagura-chan still doesn't pass this year, that would be far too tragic…"
As witnesses of several years of S-Class Mage Trials in Fairy Tail Guild, Macao and Wakaba lightly nodded, expressing their approval of this year's trial rules.
According to their understanding of Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trials in previous years, Kagura indeed had a high possibility of becoming an S-Class Mage of the guild this year.
After all, in these years, the only person who did not become an S-Class Mage of the guild as a dark horse, but instead passed Fairy Tail Guild's trial after participating twice, was Mirajane. That year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial was held inside the guild.
At that time, Mirajane, who was participating in Fairy Tail's S-Class Mage Trial for the second time, won directly with an overwhelming posture, convincing all the Mages in the guild. This matter was still something countless people talked about with great interest even now.
"Kagura, do your best!!"
"Kagura, you are the best! Kagura, don't care about other people's gazes, you are the best!"
Because Kagura's appearance was very cute, and because Kagura was powerful and had a very good personality, she had a group of loyal fans inside the guild. These people called themselves members of the Kagura Support Association.
At this moment, the Mages of the Kagura Support Association were cheering Kagura on!
"I will do my best. I absolutely will not fail everyone's expectations of me…"
Kagura lightly nodded. At this moment, she had already opened her eyes, lowered her center of gravity, and could draw the katana at her waist at any time.
"Kagura, do your best~"
On the second floor of Fairy Tail Guild, Evan stood in the corridor and waved toward Kagura, cheering her on.
And the person standing beside Evan was none other than Erza. At this moment, Erza also greeted Kagura together with Evan.
"Don't worry! Big Brother Evan! And Big Sister Erza!"
"I will definitely work hard…"
Kagura noticed the special viewing seat on the guild's second floor, where only S-Class Mages were allowed to go, and nodded hard. This year, she was not fighting alone. Behind her were countless masters of blades from the continent of Ishgar.
"Cana, don't forget your ultimate move~"
After greeting Kagura, Erza looked at Cana downstairs and reminded her.
"Don't worry. This year, I must obtain victory."
Cana held magic cards in her hand. This year was her third time participating in Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trial.
She absolutely had to fulfill her long-cherished wish, successfully pass the trial, and then confess her identity to Gildarts.
Although Gildarts was a super scumbag, no matter what, he was still her dad!!
"Lisanna, Elfman, do your best~"
Mirajane stood below the platform before Elfman and Lisanna, cheering the two of them on.
"Don't worry! Sister…"
"We are already different!"
After hearing Mirajane's words, Elfman and Lisanna revealed confident smiles.
During this year, Elfman and Lisanna had also not been idle. They completed several S-Class missions together with Mirajane! Elfman even successfully received the Beast King's Soul during a mission.
In other words, the current Elfman already fully possessed the foundation to become an S-Class Mage. In fact, aside from Fairy Tail Guild, S-Class Mages from other light Mage Guilds might not necessarily be opponents of Elfman when he fully received the Beast King's Soul.
"Gray, Lyon, do your best~"
Ur, Ultear, and Silver stood on the second floor of Fairy Tail Guild, silently watching Gray and Lyon.
At this moment, Ur was excitedly waving at her two disciples and cheering them on.
"Gray…"
"Lyon!"
"This year, we absolutely cannot lose!"
Below the platform, Gray and Lyon looked at each other, and the two instantly entered battle mode.
"How strange. I remember Seilah should have issued an order in the guild forbidding stripping clothes, right? So what is going on with you two?"
Cana looked at Gray and Lyon, who were full of fighting spirit, then turned her head and felt like her eyes were about to go blind. Gray was wearing a pair of sexy boxer briefs, the corners of his mouth raised, abnormally confident.
Lyon, meanwhile, held his chin high, completely naked, displaying Kuroko's Basketball beneath his crotch, looking like a pervert…
"Idiot, we stripped outside the guild before coming in~"
After hearing Cana's words, Lyon revealed a hint of pride.
"You didn't expect it, did you? Cana! Trying to use this method to restrict our power is useless…"
Gray smiled coldly, his eyes carrying a wise light.
"Uh…"
In response, Cana was simply somewhat speechless. She no longer knew how to answer these two perverts, Gray and Lyon.
"Mystogan, don't lose again because of carelessness."
Laxus looked at Mystogan, who wore a face covering, and reminded him.
"Don't worry, I have replaced my equipment this year."
After hearing Laxus's words, Mystogan's eyes carried some gratitude. At the same time, his gaze was blazing, and he revealed an expression of certain victory regarding this year's S-Class Trial.
"Damn it. If that guy Freed had not gotten injured, he would never have missed this year's trial…"
After hearing Mystogan's words, Laxus said nothing more.
He stood on the second floor of the guild and looked at the guild Mages preparing to participate in the trial, his brows tightly furrowed as he thought inwardly.
Because Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen had been injured while independently challenging an S-Class magical beast, they missed this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial. However, Laxus knew very well in his heart that with the strength of his Thunder God Tribe, they were fully qualified to become S-Class Mages of the guild.
Of course, the strength of the Thunder God Tribe that Laxus referred to was calculated by treating Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen as one whole…
"Seilah, you must work hard~"
Aside from Natsu and the others, because Seilah had always worked in the guild's logistics, she had long since gotten along with Kinana and the others, who also worked in logistics with her.
At this moment, Kinana and the other logistics staff of Fairy Tail Guild were waving small flags in their hands, cheering Seilah on.
"Don't worry! I will not lose to humans…"
Seilah felt Kinana and the others' concern and revealed a sweet smile. She was no longer alone either.
"Brother Natsu, Brother Gajeel, and Sister Sonya, do your best!!"
Wendy, as the only Dragon Slayer Mage in the guild who was neither an S-Class Mage nor chosen to participate in the S-Class Mage Trial, cheered on Natsu, Gajeel, and Sonya.
"Oh! Leave it to us!!"
"I absolutely won't lose to the Fire Dragon~"
"T-Thank you! Little Sister Wendy, I will work hard…"
Natsu, Gajeel, and Sonya simultaneously looked at Wendy and expressed their firm determination.
"The atmosphere of this guild is truly good! As expected of Mother's guild~ If I could stay in this guild carefree, that would be quite good."
August stood inside the guild and felt the atmosphere in Fairy Tail Guild, where every guild member cheered for their companions and every guild member had someone who cared about them. The corners of his mouth rose slightly. Even though no one cheered for him, he still felt incomparably happy.
"I will just casually find an excuse to lose the match! In any case, I do not particularly care about the guild's S-Class Mage Trial."
August looked at the boys and girls inside the guild who had all used their full strength for this year's S-Class Mage Trial and smiled slightly. After all, his age was there, and he had already passed the age of competing with these children. Furthermore, the reason he came to Fairy Tail Guild today was not to participate in Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trial this year. He had other matters and intended to ask Evan for help, and merely happened to run into the trial! Therefore, he did not intend to pass this year's trial, until…
"August, do your best! August, don't lose the match~"
At the bar counter of Fairy Tail Guild, beside Fairy Tail's third Guild Master Makarov, a cute young girl with light golden long hair and emerald-green eyes, like a fairy, bare white feet, was loudly cheering August on.
"That is!"
August, who had originally been prepared to directly lose the match, trembled slightly after hearing this voice. He turned around and looked at the fairy-like young girl sitting on the platform, her body illusory, visible only to Mages who had Fairy Tail Guild's emblem engraved on their bodies, and froze.
"August, you must not lose~"
The young girl revealed a sweet smile toward August.
'First Master, you came.'
After announcing the rules of Fairy Tail's exam, Makarov had sat back at the bar counter. After seeing the young girl beside him, he revealed a respectful expression.
Yes, this young girl was precisely the founder of Fairy Tail Guild and also Fairy Tail Guild's First Guild Master, Mavis Vermillion. At the same time, she was also August's mother.
"Mm~"
After hearing Makarov's words, Mavis smiled and nodded. In truth, she had long since come to the guild and had been observing the expressions and states of the members of Fairy Tail inside the guild. She could sense that only August had no one encouraging him, so as the First Guild Master, she naturally took on the responsibility of encouraging August…
However, what Mavis did not expect was that her encouragement, when placed on August, triggered enormous energy!
Who was August? He was a man who, for the sake of his mother Mavis, would not hesitate even if he had to directly fight the Black Dragon Acnologia head-on!
"Boom!!"
It was precisely at the instant Mavis's words fell that the originally kind and amiable August disappeared.
August's long hair stood on end, his body turned crimson, covered in strange patterns, and terrifying magic power coiled around his body.
"All of you come at me together! This year, I, August, am definitely becoming the guild's S-Class Mage. Even if my fath…"
"Cough cough, even if that legendary Black Mage Zeref came, it would be useless! I, August, said so…"
August stood quietly on the platform of Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trial like this. His eyes were solemn as he looked at the guild Mages participating in the S-Class Trial and spoke coldly.
Win, he had to win! He, August, could not embarrass his mother Mavis…
At this moment, August had only this one voice in his mind.