On the vast ocean.
A sailboat carrying the S-Class Mage candidates of the Fairy Tail Guild was slowly sailing.
"Yue…"
On the sailboat, Natsu was sprawled over the railing like a half-dead corpse, his face ghastly pale, continuously vomiting countless indescribable things into the beautiful, clear sea.
"Natsu, pull yourself together…"
"What did you tell me? We absolutely can't let others look down on us."
Happy, as Natsu's most intimate partner, flapped his cute little wings around him, constantly encouraging him.
"Aye~"
Unfortunately, Natsu had completely turned into Happy at this moment.
Besides continuously saying 'Aye'…
He didn't even have the strength to say one more word~
"Hehehe…"
"That Natsu fellow is truly laughable, he can't even overcome a mere vehicle?!"
"If he only has this much spirit, Natsu shouldn't have come to participate in our Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Examination this year."
Freed, dressed in a red knight's uniform, took in Natsu's embarrassing state and mocked him.
"Exactly!"
"Natsu is truly weak…"
"Unlike our Laxus, he wouldn't be defeated by a mere vehicle."
Bickslow stood beside Freed, and at this moment, he joined Freed in mocking the seasick Natsu, taking the opportunity to flatter Laxus.
"Uh…"
Unfortunately, Bickslow's flattery missed its mark.
"Yue…"
Laxus was sitting alone in a corner of the sailboat, eyes closed, resting. He could feel a burning sensation in his stomach, and his gastric juices were churning…
Even the milk he had for breakfast that morning had already surged out of his stomach and reached his throat.
"Hold it, Laxus, you must hold it…"
"Absolutely cannot let anyone know that you're actually seasick too."
Laxus's face was ashen like Natsu's, and his palms were sweating. He desperately wanted to spray it all out over the railing like Natsu, but he knew he couldn't, because he was the invincible Laxus.
To this, Laxus silently cheered himself on and used his magic power to suppress all the churning gastric juices back down.
It must be said, while Laxus was tough on the outside, he was also uncompromising with himself…
"How come I feel like Laxus seems a bit uncomfortable too?"
Bickslow first glanced at Laxus's extremely pale face, then he looked at Natsu, who was continuously vomiting over the railing. No matter how he looked at it, Laxus's current state was no different from Natsu's; he must have been seasick.
"Impossible…"
"Laxus would absolutely not get seasick."
"This is just a side effect of Laxus training on the boat."
"As expected of Laxus, he's constantly striving to improve even during his rest time."
To this, Freed shook his head with incredibly firm eyes.
Well, it must be said, Freed's filter for Laxus was truly cranked up to the max.
"Is, is that so?!"
Upon hearing this, Bickslow looked at his surrounding puppets with a puzzled expression.
"So noisy!"
"The examination is about to start, and these guys still can't settle down."
Gray sat on the deck of the sailboat, looking at the noisy Natsu and the others in the distance, speaking helplessly.
"You're right, they're really immature."
Lyon nodded vigorously, seemingly agreeing with Gray's words immensely.
"Gray, Lyon, your clothes…"
Cana held her tarot cards, seemingly divining something. She merely heard Gray and Lyon's discussion, lifted her head for a quick glance, and saw two, regret-filled, Kuroko's Basketballs. This made Cana weakly remind the two.
"Oh no…"
"I forgot to wear my clothes again."
Gray and Lyon, reminded by Cana, instinctively looked down. When they realized they were completely naked, their expressions showed a slight panic, and they immediately picked up the clothes scattered on the ground.
"So why don't you put them on?!"
Cana looked at Gray and Lyon, who had picked up their clothes but remained motionless, and shouted loudly.
"Sorry!"
"My brain just crashed for a moment…"
"I suddenly forgot how to put on clothes."
"Secondly, it's really too hot here…"
"I feel like I'm about to melt from the heat."
To this, Gray looked at Cana and spoke with a serious expression.
"Hey, hey, hey…"
"Gray, you didn't, by any chance, get hit in the head by Natsu during your last fight, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to severe cognitive dysfunction, did you?!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of nervousness appeared in Cana's eyes as she looked at Gray.
"Cana, you're completely overthinking it…"
"Gray, this guy, simply forgot how to put on clothes because he hasn't worn them for too long. Also, it's really hot here, even though it's winter, why is it so hot? It's incredible…"
To this, Lyon looked at Cana and explained for his junior, Gray.
How to put it?!
Lyon was, after all, Gray's senior…
In this world, besides Gray's parents and master, probably no one understood Gray's character better than Lyon.
"What about you?"
"Did you also forget because you haven't worn them for too long?"
At this moment, Cana looked at Lyon, who was also not wearing clothes, and asked.
"Please mind your words…"
"I'm not an idiot like Gray; I haven't forgotten how to put on clothes."
"I just thought that when we fight later, I'd have to take off my clothes anyway, so I simply bothered not to wear them. That's all."
After hearing Cana's words, Lyon smiled smugly and spoke earnestly.
"Master, after this year's S-Class Mage Examination is completely over, why don't we just send these two perverts to the Magic Prison BLACK VOX?!"
"Keeping them in the Fairy Tail Guild brings no benefit…"
Cana was deeply shocked by Lyon's words…
She had seen perverts, but never one this perverted.
"What are you talking about? I'm not a pervert…"
Gray, who had already put his clothes back on, looked at Cana and emphasized.
"It's worth considering." At this moment, Makarov held a fan, gently fanning himself, and nodded slightly: "I've long felt that all the cute young girls in the guild were scared away by Gray and Lyon."
Yes, after Cana finished speaking, Makarov thought for a while and suddenly felt that what Cana said wasn't without reason.
Perhaps, it was precisely because Gray and Lyon were always naked in the guild that no cute girls with lovely faces joined their Fairy Tail Guild.
In fact, what Makarov understood as those cute and delicate girls were all scared away by the 'harmonious' and 'friendly' guild atmosphere of the Fairy Tail Guild.
"Master, please don't add to the chaos…"
To this, Gray and Lyon simultaneously turned to Makarov and said in a deep voice.
"…"
On the other side, Mirajane's team, Erza's team, and Ultear's team did not get involved in the conversation between Natsu, Gray, Lyon, Cana, and Laxus's team…
The few of them were either resting with their eyes closed or contemplating what strategies to use when they got to Tenrou Island and faced other teams?!
Also, it was really hot here; in short, a calm mind naturally brings coolness.
Just like that…
Time passed by minute by minute.
Several hours later.
The sailboat bearing the Fairy Tail Guild emblem suddenly stopped in the middle of the ocean.
"Everyone, we've arrived."
It was also the moment the ship stopped…
Makarov, who had been sitting at the bow, resting, suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes. He looked at the huge island silhouette shrouded in thick fog directly ahead and spoke loudly to all the S-Class Mage candidates present.
"Boom!"
It was also the moment Makarov's words fell, all the S-Class Mage candidates present stood up from the ground, and a terrifying aura was released from their bodies…
One powerful magical force after another collided in the air, emitting a piercing 'zzzzzz' sound, clearly indicating that everyone present was ready to fight at any moment.
"See, you're all in a hurry again…"
"I haven't even finished explaining the rules for this year's S-Class Mage Examination yet."
"Now is not the time for you to fight."
To this, Makarov waved his hand, and as he spoke, he interrupted the group of S-Class Mage candidates who were preparing to fight even before setting foot on Tenrou Island.
"Old man, that's easy to say…"
"But, if I eliminate all the competitors present right now, then won't I need to know the rules of the S-Class Mage Examination that you're about to explain?!"
After the ship stopped, Laxus, who had revived on the spot, had eyes as sharp as a soaring eagle, surrounded by golden lightning, seemingly ready to challenge everyone present by himself.
"Hehe…"
"If you think your strength is great enough to eliminate everyone present within a short hour…"
"And after that, successfully reach Tenrou Island and pass all the tests given by the examiners, then you truly don't need to listen to the rules I'm about to explain."
"But if you cannot meet the requirements I just mentioned! Or rather, if you're unsure whether you can meet the above requirements, then it's best to let me finish explaining the rules."
Makarov spoke forcefully, with his arms crossed in front of him.
"Tsk~"
Laxus, who was already ready to fight, listened to Makarov's words, his brows furrowed tightly, and he clicked his tongue helplessly…
To eliminate everyone present within an hour and also pass all the stages prepared by the four examiners on the island seemed like a pipe dream no matter how he looked at it.
"Since you can't do it…"
"Then let me explain the rules for this year's S-Class Mage Examination."
"You should be able to see the island behind me now…"
"There's a fire at the bottom of the island; you must first go to the burning place, and after extinguishing the flames there, eight holes will appear…"
"The holes are divided into two paths: fierce battle and arduous battle…"
"Fierce battle is fighting against the guild's active S-Class Mages!"
"As for arduous battle, it's competition among your respective S-Class Mage candidate teams."
"Only the victor can proceed to the next stage."
Makarov explained the upcoming battles in the S-Class Mage Examination to the S-Class candidates present.
"Um…"
However, just as Makarov finished passionately explaining the rules for this year's S-Class Mage Examination, Ere, who had been silent, suddenly raised her fair little hand.
"Ere, do you have any questions you don't understand? Feel free to ask…"
Makarov looked at Ere, and asked with a kind smile.
At this time, Makarov did not understand the seriousness of the problem; he only mistakenly thought that Ere, being a Dragon, had a weaker comprehension ability than others.
"Guild Master Grandpa, you mean to say..."
"As long as I can eliminate everyone on this ship within an hour, and take my older sister to Tenrou Island, passing the examiners' assessment..."
"Then Erza older sister can successfully pass this year's S-Class Mage Examination?!"
Ere had a kind smile on her face, similar to Makarov's, and she looked at Makarov seriously, asking curiously.
"Eh..."
Upon hearing this, Makarov froze in place. He seemed to have forgotten that the conditions he had previously set were based on Laxus's standards!
So, although it indeed seemed very harsh, it was not impossible to achieve...
At least someone present...
More precisely, a certain Dragon present could indeed do it.
For a moment, an endless sense of oppression enveloped the entire Fairy Tail Guild's sailboat.
Even the clear sky, at some point, became covered with a layer of clouds, casting everyone on the deck into an invisible, hazy shadow.
"Hey, don't be so arrogant!"
"I originally thought you were different from Erza; I thought you were a good child!"
"But I didn't expect you to even utter such an exaggerated boast as eliminating all of us within an hour?"
"Sure enough, no matter how much you pretend to be a lady, you are no different from Erza in essence."
Mirajane seemed to be angered by Ere's words; her eyes flared with fire as she angrily spoke to Ere.
"Hehe..."
"Eliminating all of us within an hour, you really dare to say that!"
"So, do you want to try? I'm somewhat curious to see if you can truly eliminate all of us within an hour?!"
"Or are you saying you can't even defeat me alone?"
Laxus crossed his arms in front of him, the surrounding lightning continuously roaring at this moment. He lifted his chin, looking down at Ere, who was much shorter than him, his words filled with arrogance and confidence.
"Exactly, exactly..."
As for the others present, they also chimed in.
"You seem to have misunderstood."
"It won't take an hour to deal with you guys~"
"One strike is enough..."
As Ere spoke, her golden, jewel-like shining eyes suddenly shifted, transforming into beast-like eyes, carrying a hint of cruelty.
"Uh..."
In an instant, Laxus and Natsu, both Dragon Slayers with senses beyond ordinary people, each retreated several steps, unconsciously leaning against the railing at the edge of the deck! There was no longer any underestimation in their eyes when they looked at Ere; instead, there was a sense of disbelief.
This powerful strength, which made them feel danger and fear with just a glance, was by no means something an ordinary person could possess! The threat Ere posed to them at this moment was absolutely unprecedented.
"Laxus, what's wrong with you?"
Freed, who was not a Dragon Slayer and had no idea what had happened, was still bewildered. He looked at the constantly retreating, uncharacteristically behaving Laxus, and asked in confusion.
"..."
Laxus did not answer Freed's question immediately. Even now, his heart was still pounding 'thump, thump' incessantly, unable to calm down for a long time.
"This woman is problematic."
"Her strength is by no means small..."
"She might even be above Laxus and Erza."
At this moment, everyone present finally noticed Laxus and Natsu's uncharacteristic behavior. They gradually became alert and, like Laxus and Natsu, stared intently at Ere, waiting for her next move, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
"Ere, this is my S-Class Mage Examination..."
"If it's not absolutely necessary, don't interfere."
Just as the atmosphere in the arena gradually began to solidify...
Erza suddenly spoke, breaking the rigid atmosphere for everyone.
Hmm, Erza stopped Ere, who was planning to take the initiative...
After all, at the end of the day, she, Erza, was this year's Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage participant. She couldn't just leave everything to Ere, her partner, could she?!
Ere was merely a last resort for her!
Moreover, Erza herself was very curious: how far could she go on her own?!
"Okay, older sister."
Upon hearing this, Ere silently withdrew her aura.
"Then, everyone, we'll see you on the island."
As Erza spoke, she changed into her Black Wing Armor, transforming into a dark lightning bolt, and was the first to fly towards Tenrou Island.
"Goodbye."
Ere bowed slightly to everyone, then also ascended into the air. She floated freely in the sky, chasing Erza's figure, and flew towards Tenrou Island.
"That aura can't be wrong, it's a Dragon!"
"Happy, quickly take me after her, I need to ask clearly..."
After a brief moment of daze, Natsu finally recovered. He strode towards the front of the deck, leaped into the sky, and called out to his partner, Happy.
"Aye~"
Happy was as fast as lightning, appearing behind Natsu in the blink of an eye. He gripped Natsu's shoulders tightly, becoming Natsu's wings, and carried Natsu towards Tenrou Island.
"That's strange..."
"Could it be because Happy is a living creature that Natsu doesn't get motion sickness?"
Behind Natsu, Laxus looked at the scene before him, deep in thought.
"Laxus."
Freed looked at Laxus nervously, afraid that something might be wrong with Laxus.
"Sigh..."
Laxus took a deep breath.
Since Natsu said so, then his previous guess was indeed correct: the girl who claimed to be Erza's younger sister and Medivh's daughter was not human, but a Dragon.
In other words, Medivh and a Dragon...
Unbelievable, truly unbelievable.
"Damn it, now is the S-Class Mage Examination! This is not the time to think about such random things." Laxus shook his head at this thought. He quickly said to Freed: "No time to waste, let's hurry over too, we can't let Natsu and the others get ahead."
"Okay..."
"Dark Ecriture: Wings!"
Freed looked at Laxus, who was gradually regaining his composure. He breathed a slight sigh of relief and used his Specialties Dark Ecriture Magic to add a pair of wings to their backs.
"Whoosh!"
Accompanied by a roar...
Freed and Laxus also took flight into the sky.
"Damn it, Erza, wait for us..."
"Take Over, Satan Soul!"
"Take Over, Bird Soul!"
How could Mirajane sit idly by?!
After a brief moment of daze, she immediately took over the Demon Soul, transforming into a demon with devil wings growing from her back. She then took over the Bird Soul, and flew over with her younger brother, who also grew wings.
"Ultear older sister, let's hurry up too!"
After that, Lisanna also took over a bird's beast soul. She grabbed Ultear's shoulder and flew towards Tenrou Island.
"Apologies, my dear junior disciples, I'll go ahead first as well."
Ultear waved to her two junior disciples, Gray and Lyon, then allowed Lisanna to help her soar through the sky.
"Gray, grab my BABY~"
At this moment, Bickslow snapped his fingers softly, and his wooden dolls immediately flew in front of Gray, allowing Gray to play with them as he pleased.
"Okay."
Gray did not hesitate. He stretched out his hands and firmly grasped the armrests on both sides of the doll. After Gray tightened his grip, the doll immediately carried Gray into the sky under Bickslow's control.
"Seriously, who else can't fly?!"
After Bickslow flew into the sky with Gray, riding on his dolls, they looked at Lyon and Warren, who were standing on the Fairy Tail sailboat's deck at a loss, and mocked them.
"What should we do?"
After everyone had flown into the sky, Warren looked at Lyon and asked.
"Hehe..."
"Let me show you my strength."
"Ice Make: Ice Dragon."
Lyon struck an Ice Make pose and created a giant dragon with wings.
"So amazing!"
"This thing actually has wings, it must be able to fly, right?!"
Warren looked at the Ice Dragon in front of him and said excitedly.
"Of course..." To this, Lyon was first proud for a moment, then a hint of helplessness flashed across his expression as he said unwillingly: "However, it can only fly by itself. Currently, it can't carry people yet. Although it's regrettable, I haven't yet developed an Ice Make Magic that can carry people into the sky."
"This..."
"Then why did you make it?"
Upon hearing this, Warren was speechless.
"We can ride it and swim over."
Lyon looked at Warren and said with a smile.
"Six."
Warren could only utter the word 'six', not knowing what else to say.
On the other side.
When Natsu arrived at Tenrou Island, Erza and Ere were already nowhere to be seen on the island. However, this was no problem for Natsu; he simply twitched his nose slightly and chose a cave, walking straight into it.
"Natsu, is it okay here?"
Happy followed behind Natsu, asking nervously.
"Don't worry, it's fine..."
Natsu's expression was full of confidence upon hearing this...
He could smell that the aura inside was very close to Erza's aura.
Apparently, Erza must have entered the channel for intense battle...
As long as he entered this channel, he would eventually meet up with Erza.
At that time, he could ask Ere about Dragons. He wanted to know where his father, Igneel, had gone?!
Then...
"Erza, I know you're here, come out now!"
When Natsu rushed into the deepest part of the cave and activated the cave's combat spell, accompanied by the gradually brightening light, the person who came into Natsu and Happy's sight was a dashing young man with short black hair, wearing a brown coat.
"Yo! Natsu..."
"I didn't expect you to find me after all~"
"We really are fated, aren't we~"
The young man moved his stiff body, letting out a series of 'crack, crack' sounds, and greeted Natsu, who had burst in front of him.
"Can we go home now?"
Happy looked at the man in front of him, revealing a bitter smile. He was already prepared to go home.
After all, the examiner in this cave was Medivh~
Second update, six thousand words long chapter! A picture with Gray was stuck in review. As expected, Gray is indeed Fairy Tail's number one welfare princess, ahem...
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