"Children," Makarov's voice was soft, yet it reached everyone clearly, "after a comprehensive internal guild assessment, this year's S-Class Mage examination is set to take place tomorrow at the holy ground, Tenrou Island."
A ripple of excited whispers spread through the crowd.
Tenrou Island was Fairy Tail's holy ground, the legendary resting place of the First Master, Mavis, and the traditional location for all S-Class examinations.
Makarov unrolled a parchment and cleared his throat: "The selected candidates are as follows—Cana, Marcus, Natsu, Gray, Ikaruga, Gajeel."
Each name called out was met with a burst of cheers from the guild.
The reactions of those named varied—Cana leaned against the bar, a slight smile playing on her lips; Marcus jumped up excitedly; Natsu and Gray both scoffed simultaneously, then glared at each other; Ikaruga simply nodded, continuing to wipe her blade; Gajeel grunted, chewing on a piece of iron.
Ezreal noticed that the order in which the Master called the names seemed to hold a deeper meaning—from the more senior Cana to the relatively new Gajeel, like an invisible ladder of recognition.
"The examination proctors are," Makarov continued, "Laxus Dreyar, Erza Scarlet, and Ezreal."
The wine glass in Ezreal's hand nearly slipped.
Him? A proctor?
As if sensing his confusion, Makarov gave him an encouraging look: "I believe all proctors will fairly and impartially assess the strength of each candidate."
The old man paused, "S-Class not only signifies power, but also responsibility and resolve. Tomorrow at sunrise, all selected members will gather at the port. Those who are late will be considered to have forfeited."
"The examination rules will be announced after we land on the island tomorrow. Now…"
The old man suddenly pulled out a barrel of beer as if by magic, "Let the revelry begin!"
After the announcement, the guild erupted in excitement once more.
The selected members were surrounded by friends, with blessings, teasing, and advice pouring in like a tide… The sea before dawn was lead-Gray, and the slightly salty sea breeze swept over Fairy Tail's ship, rustling Natsu's flame-like cherry-colored hair.
He was hunched over the ship's rail, his face even greener than the waves, his fingers desperately digging into the wooden planks: "I hate ships… I hate the sea…"
"Aye~ Natsu, just hold on a little longer!" Happy flapped his wings, fanning him, his blue tail nervously curled into a question mark shape, "We can already see Tenrou Island!"
Gajeel lay next to Natsu, foam already appearing at his mouth. He didn't have a small cat to look after him, so he was completely seasick.
Ezreal leaned against the mast, the distant, gradually clearer outline of the island reflected in his blue eyes behind his goggles.
Above the island, covered by ancient towering trees, a faint emerald magical glow shimmered—that was the protective barrier left by the First Master, Mavis.
"Time really flies," he murmured to himself, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the Fairy Tail emblem on the back of his right hand.
"It's truly magnificent!" Gray walked over, shirtless, gazing at Tenrou Island in the distance, and casually tossed his jacket onto the seasick Natsu's head.
The ship suddenly rocked violently, and Natsu "whooshed" out a mouthful of flames, nearly setting Marcus's cloak on fire.
The sand Mage agilely leaped back, and gold sand automatically formed a barrier to block the flames: "Hey, hey, don't play with fire when you're seasick!"
"Everyone quiet down," Erza's voice came from the bow.
She had changed into light armor for ease of movement, her red hair fluttering like a banner in the sea breeze, "Prepare to land on the island."
The moment the morning light pierced through the clouds, the ship docked.
Tenrou Island's beach was covered with sparkling white sand, which hummed faintly when stepped on, as if the entire island was alive.
Natsu, as soon as he jumped off the ship, was fully revived, and flames "boomed" around him: "Finally here! I'm already fired—!"
"Too noisy, Natsu," Laxus's voice boomed with thunder.
The golden-haired young man leaped over everyone's heads, and when he landed, a five-meter-diameter scorched crater exploded on the beach, "Old man, announce the rules."
Makarov's figure leaped from the bow of the ship, landing steadily on the beach.
The old man was wearing a white fur-collared coat today, and the golden Fairy Tail emblem on his chest sparkled in the morning sun.
He uncharacteristically held a wooden staff, gently tapping it on the ground, and the sand on the beach automatically gathered into the pattern of the Fairy Tail emblem.
"Gather," two simple words, yet they made the noisy Mages instantly fall into formation.
Makarov walked to the rock wall engraved with the guild emblem, his aged hand pressing on the four-hundred-year-old carvings.
As he began to chant, the gem at the top of his staff resonated with something deep within Tenrou Island, emitting a heartbeat-like pulse:
"In the name of the First, carrying the will of the Fairy."
The beach beneath their feet began to tremble, and the branches and leaves of the ancient towering tree in the center of the distant forest—the Tenrou Tree—moved without wind, shaking down countless specks of light.
"The Tenrou Tree has awakened," Mira, who had come along as the Master's assistant, explained softly.
Everyone felt a gentle magic sweep over their bodies, and then the guild emblems on each of them glowed faintly.
Ezreal raised his right hand to his eyes in surprise; the white emblem on the back of his hand seemed to have come to life, flickering with the rhythm of his breathing.
Ezreal raised an eyebrow, a little surprised, "This is…"
Natsu curiously poked the glowing emblem on his arm: "What does this thing do?"
As if in response to his question, Gajeel suddenly bit his own hand.
Under everyone's bewildered gaze, the reddened part of his arm recovered to its original state at a visible speed.
"Wow!" Natsu's eyes lit up.
Makarov turned to face everyone, his staff carving a deep gully in the sand: "Listen carefully! Tenrou Island is primarily used as the examination site because on this island, those with the guild emblem will be protected—"
"The environment of Tenrou Island is special; the magic power is more abundant than in other places. Fatal injuries will trigger the emblem's protection, and a large amount of pure magic power on the island will flow into your bodies through the emblem, thereby saving your lives."
Makarov lightly waved his staff, and three light screens rose from different directions in the forest: "The East, South, and West ancient arenas are ready. The examination rules are as follows—"
"Three groups of examinees will be tested simultaneously, with two people per group fighting one proctor. The combat method is unrestricted, until one side loses all combat ability or voluntarily surrenders."
The old man's gaze swept over each examinee, "I will remotely record all your performances using a crystal ball in the center of the holy ground."
"A final reminder," Makarov's voice suddenly became solemn, "Although there will be no death, the pain is real." He looked at Natsu and Gajeel, "Especially you brutes."
Natsu and Gajeel only had excitement in their eyes, completely disregarding Makarov's words.
The old man glared at them both, then averted his gaze.
"The groupings are as follows!" Makarov's staff burst with golden light, projecting three battle rosters into the air:
East Arena: Natsu & Marcus vs. Laxus
South Arena: Ikaruga & Gajeel vs. Erza
West Arena: Cana & Gray vs. Ezreal
Laxus erupted in dazzling lightning: "Don't be too slow."
He transformed into a golden flash of lightning and shot eastward.
Erza instantly re-equipped her Flight Armor, pointing her long sword southward: "Let me see your resolve."
Ezreal leisurely walked westward, his shadow suddenly stretching and distorting. The low growl of an Evil Wolf echoed in everyone's ears, and dense black smoke formed a cloud, carrying the golden-haired young man away quickly: "Don't disappoint me."
The three groups simultaneously rushed into the depths of the dense forest, startling countless birds into flight.
Makarov watched their retreating backs, his staff thudding heavily on the ground:
"S-Class Mage Examination—begins now!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"