"What's the S-class test?" At Wendy's question, I cleared my throat, explaining to them. "The S-class test is a trial consisting of a couple of challenges one must complete to become an S-class mage. Now, don't think it's just about one's strength, it can be anything, down to taking math tests or getting Gramps to laugh from a joke." The three girls nodded, though they seemed a bit confused about the last part.
"Really? That doesn't really seem like a good challenge." "At first glance, it doesn't, but being an S-class mage isn't just about being the strongest; you have to be observant, smart, resourceful, and adaptable." Holding my five fingers, the three girls gave me a skeptical look, causing my face to twitch in annoyance. "You brats, do you only see me as a muscleheaded fool?"
Simultaneously, Wendy, Minerva, and Yukino looked at each other before hesitantly nodding, causing me to snort as I hit their heads, causing them to wince or pout. "Hmph, if that was true, Gramps would've never let me become an S-class mage." "Mu, you didn't have to hit us." Yukino glared at me, though I just rolled my eyes. "You three deserved it."
"Can we take the test?" I looked at Minerva, glancing between her, Wendy, and Yukino, before shaking my hand. "I think you and Wendy could compete, no, I should say try, it would be a good learning experience for your futureselves. Yukino, you're not quiet there yet." "Yes!" "Yay!" "Aww, I don't want to be left out."
Before they could get too happy, I poured some water on their mini-parade. "Don't get happy just yet, you two won't be taking the S-class test; there are many more qualified than you two." While Minerva and Wendy joined Yukino in sadness, pouting, I yawned and stood up, my half-braided hair swaying behind me.
"Anyway, I'm going to rest, I'm tired." Finally getting a chance to sleep, I walked to the corner of the room, stretching, though before I could arrive, Cana grabbed my hand. "Big bro, can you help me train for the test?" Glancing at her, I looked at her hopeful expression with a blank face before nodding mid-sigh. "Yeah, sure." "Yes!"
While Cana led me to the Guild's entrance, I grabbed the back of Lucy's collar, snatching her mid-conversation with Erza. "Eh, what's happening!?" "I'm helping Cana train for the test." "O-Okay, but what does that have to do with me?" "Since I'm helping her, I might as well train you too." "Huh, b-but I'm not Cana! I didn't ask for this!" "Well, too bad." "T-That's not fair! Let me go!" "Life's not fair, Lucy, deal with it." "Arghhh!"
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One Month Later
The past month was a blend of chaos and peace for Fairy Tail. Many people were taking quests to ensure they were eligible and to increase their strength by any margin possible. Since Gramps hasn't spoken about who'd be the contestants or even what kind of test it would be, everyone was a bit on edge.
As for me, I spent the days training, training Cana and Lucy, and resting.
Of course, just because I didn't take quests didn't mean I would slack off on my own training. For the few hours in between my own training and sleep, I would practice with Cana and Lucy, pushing them to their limits. Minerva also ended up joining halfway through, as she didn't want to fall behind Wendy, who was taking quest after quest with Team Natsu.
Although Minerva's joining gave me more work, it ended up working out rather well in further motivating the two; Minerva was no slouch, she wasn't that much weaker than Lucy or Cana, which stung at their pride. I mean, anyone would feel their pride hurt if someone five or six years younger than them was just a little weaker than them; it would mean they could easily surpass them.
Anyway, by the end of the month, Lucy, Cana, and Minvera showed progress; it wasn't comparable to taking a hard quest and nearly dying, but it was still respectable progress.
"So, how do you two feel?" Yawning, I snacked on a kebab while glancing between Cana and Lucy, walking through Magnolia, returning to Fairy Tail. "Good." "Confident, at my absolute best for this test." Lucy and Cana nodded, the latter's gaze intense.
Arriving back at the Guild, which was packed with nervous and eager members, the two headed for the bar, while I napped in the corner for a few hours, only to be awoken by Gramps.
"Alright, everyone is here!" Hearing his loud ass voice, I groaned in annoyance and sat upright, yawning as everyone else looked at him. "The S-class test will take place at Tenrou Island. However, it's time to announce the 8 participants!" The test being at Tenrou Island wasn't surprising; it's always held there, but eight participants were a bit surprising, that's the highest number yet.
'Well, I suppose Fairy Tail has grown stronger.' While I rubbed my chin, Gramps began revealing the eight participants.
"Here are the 8 participants: Natsu, Gray, Juvia, Elfman, Cana, Fried, Levy, and Mest!" The first seven either heaved sighs of relief or shouted in joy, while the others, those who weren't called, lowered their heads in disappointment. I could also hear a few people question Mest, confused about his presence and who he was, causing me to faintly chuckle.
'The first thing the Magic Council does after successfully rebuilding themselves in Fiore is send a spy.' Smirking in amusement, I glanced at Mest, Fairy Tail's double spy, before shaking my head.
"Now, among those 8, only ONE will become an S-class mage. However, to help you achieve that, each of you can choose a non-S-class mage partner… You've got ten minutes to choose." Once Gramps finished speaking, the eight participants began moving.
As for me, I stood up, approaching Mest, even though he was a secret member of Fairy Tail; I still needed to punish him for constantly manipulating everyone's memories. "Oi, Meat, where you think you're going?" Wrapping an arm around his shoulder, I pulled him, grinding my knuckles against his scalp, causing him to yelp as he tried to free himself, to no avail.
"C-Cooper, stop, please, I-I need to find a partner." "Huh? You brat, it's big bro to you, not Cooper, seems you need more punishment." Smirking, I grinded even harder, causing him to hiss and wince; only after several seconds did I free him.
"Ouch, t-that freaking hurt, Coo–big bro. Can't you be more gentle?" "Maybe when you apologize to everyone." "Huh, what are you talking about?" While he rubbed his head in caution and confusion, I turned around and waved my hand, heading to the bar, sitting beside Gildarts.
Getting a cup from Mira, I watched the others look for a partner; most already had one, but a few were still indecisive. Gajeel was currently pressuring Levy to pick him; Elfman was still undecided, and Mest was looking around, probably searching for the strongest gullible member.
After ten minutes, sixteen people stood ready.
"The teams are set, no switching is allowed. Natsu and Happy, Gray and Loke, Juvia and Lisanna, Elfman and Evergreen, Cana and Lucy, Fried and Bickslow, Levy and Gajeel, and Mest and Wendy." As I looked at the teams, I nodded, finding most to be somewhat balanced, save for Fried and Bickslow, who I thought were the strongest.
"Everyone, get ready, tomorrow morning, we'll set off to Haregon and then set sail to Tenrou Island!" With Gramps final words, everyone quickly dispersed, leaving the Guild to prepare.
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3rd POV
In the middle of a barren Island, a large, dilapidated castle surrounded by rocky formations stood. The headquarters of the Dark Guild, Tartaros.
Inside the furthest left section of the castle, deep underneath, a large room filled with tube-like chambers, each one housing some form of creature.
Standing in the middle was a woman of average height, with half-human/half-avian characteristics; she had large talon-like hands and a full bust.
Behind her was a tall, skeletal man wielding a staff; faint purple mist surrounded him, following him as he floated.
"Kyôka, did you release that human?" At the skeletal man's question, Kyôka raised an eyebrow, glancing at one of the empty tube-like chambers, before nodding. "Yeah. He was a failed experiment; he got the strength he wanted, but it's not stable. He only has a week or so to live before his body begins failing him… He should serve as a good test subject."
"Always with the failed experiments." "Hmph, you learn more from failures than from succeeding, Keyes… Besides, it wasn't a complete failure; I managed to increase his strength several times; it's the most I've ever done; now I just need to stabilize it so they can last longer."
"And how long will that take?" "Tch, if you have nothing better to say, then leave; I don't need a skeleton telling me how to do things." "Do you know where that human went?" "I lent him to Grimoire Heart." "Hmm, I see." "If you see, then get the hell out, I'm still busy."