Starting from X703, Fairy Academy opened for enrollment every year from June to August.
Applicants needed to meet two conditions: first, possess the talent to cultivate magic; second, be under the age of 12.
After the registration deadline, the Academy Principal, Weston, would test all applicants over the following three months and screen out 300 individuals.
In December, the Academy would send out admission notices to the students who passed the tests. Students could then enroll in February of the following year with their admission notices.
Fairy Academy adopted a full-time boarding system, similar in form to a modern university, except the duration of study was seven years.
Each academic year was divided into two semesters: the first semester from February to June, summer break in July, the second semester from August to November, and New Year's break in December and January.
X711.
Fairy Academy, Year 7, Class 1.
"This year, your task is slightly different from previous years!"
"For the first six years, you studied on campus. But in this seventh year, you need to go out into society for practice to verify the results of your six years of study at the Academy!"
The person standing on the podium was Irene.
So many years had passed, and even Erza was now an adult, yet Irene's face and figure remained exactly as they were twenty years ago when she first arrived in Magnolia—exquisite, elegant, sexy, and charming, without a single trace of aging.
"Within the next week, all of you must receive or select a topic from me, then leave the Academy to begin your field study activities in society."
"This topic must be related to magic and must be able to reflect what you have learned over these six years!"
"Before the end of the semester, you must return to the Academy with the results of your field study and submit your assignment to me."
"At that time, I, along with other grade-level teachers, the Dean of Students, and the Principal and Vice-Principal, will grade your results and award your graduation certificates."
Irene turned and left after simply explaining the matters. The moment she stepped out of the classroom, the entire room erupted.
"The final year's course is actually off-campus training?!"
"Why are they only telling us such an important thing now?! This is far too sudden!!"
"It sounds like the results of the field study are directly related to whether we can graduate, so the choice of topic is very important!"
"But we are the Academy's first class of students; there are no precedents to learn from!"
Over the past six years, Fairy Academy had organized several field trips to let the students see the outside world, so this group of wizards were not exactly hothouse flowers living purely in an ivory tower.
However, this field study activity was clearly fundamentally different from previous trips.
"Since it relates to the graduation certificate, things like 'visiting a place and writing a reflection' or 'joining a guild to complete a request' probably won't cut it."
"We likely need to do something more significant and meaningful to graduate successfully."
"Like what?"
"Uh... wiping out a Dark Guild or something?"
"Isn't that a bit too early for us?!"
Even if Fairy Academy provided elite education, defeating a Dark Guild was still too difficult for these teenage wizards who were not yet twenty years old.
"What if we can't graduate?"
"I don't know about other things, but your parents will definitely be heartbroken..."
The students' faces instantly turned pale.
They definitely didn't want that to happen!!
Just then, someone couldn't help but ask: "Speaking of which, what is the actual use of a 'Fairy Academy' graduation certificate?"
"Oh? You didn't know?"
A youth dressed in magnificent clothes, looking like a noble scion, said: "Just this year, the Fiore Royal Family opened up registration for 'Court Wizards,' allowing all wizards to compete for the positions. I heard that if you are a prospective graduate of Fairy Academy, they will give you priority consideration."
Everyone asked: "Court Wizards? What do they do?"
"They are wizards who specifically serve the Fiore Royal Family!"
"The Royal Family... huh?!"
At the mention of the word 'Royal Family,' a look of yearning appeared on many faces.
The noble scion continued: "I heard the benefits and treatment for the 'Court Wizard' position are exceptionally good. Our Principal Weston was appointed as the 'Chief' among them many years ago! If we can get in, not only will it bring honor to our ancestors, but we might never have to worry about employment for the rest of our lives!"
A fat youth nearby suddenly chimed in: "Speaking of that, the Council recently established a new unit, and they also offer preferential treatment to our Academy's graduates."
As soon as he finished speaking, the fat youth subconsciously looked at the noble scion, and as expected, the other was looking back.
'Crawford, what's your game, kid?'
'Sorry, classmate! I have a duty to fulfill!'
'So you're like me—here to recruit people?!'
'Exactly! Let's see whose eloquence is better!'
'Eloquence? Don't make me laugh! The treatment from our Fiore Royal Family is many times better than your Council!'
The surrounding classmates didn't notice the silent competition between the two and simply continued discussing topics related to field study and graduation.
"From what you guys are saying, this Fairy Academy graduation certificate is quite useful?"
"That's for sure!"
"But we're all students and have lived together in the Academy for six years—how come you guys know everything and I know nothing?"
A friend nearby nudged him with an elbow and winked: "Did you forget? One of them comes from a noble family, and the other was specially recruited by the Council last year. Of course they know more about these things!"
"Oh, oh! That makes sense!"
Even while studying in the same school, there were differences in wealth and status among students.
"Hey, Bob!"
"I remember you're a member of 'Fairy Tail,' right? Didn't you hear people talking about this in the guild?"
Everyone turned their gaze toward a handsome man in the crowd with short black hair, wearing a black suit, who was silently reading a book.
Bob—the future Master of 'Blue Pegasus.'
Currently, he was still very gallant and heroic, not the "bald transgender master" who loved wearing lipstick, pink dresses, and white wings on his back.
Hearing his name, Bob slowly raised his head: "I joined, yes, but I usually have classes and magic training. I can only go to the guild on weekends, so I'm not very familiar with the others there, and I don't have much of a presence."
"I only just found out about the field study trip, too. Right now, I'm worrying about what topic to choose."
"You shouldn't have to worry, right?!"
The people around him grinned and said meaningfully: "Our homeroom teacher and the school's top brass are all from 'Fairy Tail.' They'll definitely look after a guild comrade like you!"
Bob's expression instantly changed, and he snapped: "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Principal Weston and Ms. Irene are fair and upright; they treat all students equally. They wouldn't give me preferential treatment just because I'm from Fairy Tail!"