Kapitel 18: S-Class Trials
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[X779, One and a half years later]
— Laxus Dreyar —
"Laxus-sama, are you sure you do not wish to participate?" Freed asked as they sat on the train, on their way to a mission on the borders of Fiore.
"Nah, me being there won't change a thing. He's the only one worthy to become S-class in the guild. The only reason I had it easy last year was because he didn't participate."
Laxus gazed at the passing treeline from the window in their cabin, his head resting on his palm as he listened to music from his earphones.
Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen just kept quiet as usual when conversation revolved around their former teammate. His former best friend.
It was approaching that time of the year again, when the old man would choose potential prospects from the guild to be chosen as S-class. But he knows. No one else in the guild had the strength to become S-class. Only him. Like always, it is the two of them who are the only ones who always seek strength and never once stop in their path to power.
He is confident that the next time he visits the guild, it would be news to Dannis becoming S-class. There is no longer any competition since Laxus is already an S-class. They had always been each other's rivals.
While usually, it is customary for all active S-class mages to work with the guildmaster to conduct the trials, he opted out since he knew he's not really needed. He already sent word to his gramps, although it was a breach in protocol, the old man would understand.
The only person that would really be tested during this year's trials was Dannis, similar to his trials last year where Laxus was the only viable candidate. Gildarts and the Master are more than capable of being the only proctors.
Laxus rubbed his cheek as the phantom pains from Gildarts punch appeared suddenly. He had to force back a shudder. That monster really didn't hold back in his trials. He could only pray for Dannis to survive.
'Good luck, Dan. You're gonna need it.'
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— Dannis Martell —
"Fucking bastard! What the hell did I ever do to you?!" A man screamed, his words coming out in pants as he was obviously exhausted by the ordeal. His clothes already bloodied by the numerous cuts that adorned his figure.
"You didn't do anything to me." I tell him as I lift up a slightly torn paper, depicting a masked figure with a rather heft bounty on it. "This is you right? The Masked Killer of Drag Town? A serial killer with over thirty deaths to your name. Not bad."
His eyes widened in shock. No doubt due to me attacking him at his home. As far as he knew, no one knew his true identity as the Masked Killer. So me being here must be quite a surprise.
"I'm here to bring you in, as per Fairy Tail traditions, I'm gonna give you the chance to surrender. Kneel." I flare my magic power slightly, the air becoming heavy as he grunted in exertion and fear.
"No fuckin way…! NO FUCKING WAY!" He screamed in defiance as he raised an arm, fire already coalescing in his palms. "Fire-Make–"
Unfortunately for him, he was way too slow.
I appeared behind him in a blur, calmly sheathing Obsidian in its sheath. With the sound of a click from my sword being put back, a red line appeared on his torso as a trickle of blood escaped from his mouth.
"W-What.." Were his last words as he fell with a thud.
I lit up a cigarette as my other hand drew a quick seal in the air.
"Sealing Magic: Binding Snake."
A seal in the shape of a snake appeared in my arms as it winded its way around the killer's body. It constricted around him, restricting his movements.
I didn't kill him since the bounty said it would pay more if I brought him alive. The mayor of the town must've wanted to bring him in alive for some reason.
[Hunt down the Masked Killer of Drag Town. A-Rank. 575,000 jewels if alive, 400,000 if dead]
As I dragged him by the scruff of his shirt, I reminisced about the events of the past year and a half.
Makarov's words rang in my mind. Demons were an existence that had plagued humanity for a long time. The Etherious are supposed to be an existence even beyond that.
Demons from the Books of Zeref, each S-rank threats by their lonesome. Master was right when he said that I was not ready for that kind of fight.
Which was why I took his suggestion of bettering myself very seriously. The past year, I've done my best to hone my magic to higher levels. With that, I managed to create a few more spells that cater more towards utility.
I realized after a while that most of the spells I have are offensive in nature. While I have some defensive spells, I was sorely lacking in regards to utility. So I brainstormed a few ways of fixing this, and was rewarded with a few good spells added to my repertoire.
Not only that, I also learned a bit of Sealing Magic. It was a subsidiary magic with little to no destructive capabilities, but the versatility of it pushed me to learn it.
The Binding Snake was one such spell, meant to restrict my target's movement.
I also took the time to read up on as much literature regarding Devils and Demons as I could. Their hierarchy, the many types of demons, their weaknesses, the magics they use. What I did realize was that information regarding the Etherious was sorely lacking.
There were few in Fairy Tail's library, but everywhere else I went to had little to no information regarding them.
It was quite frustrating, but I guess I should expect as such from existences such as them.
This mission that I took was just one of many. At this point I couldn't count the amount of B-rank and A-rank missions I've gone on. Hundreds at least, with over half of it being demon-related. This single minded focus of mine had allowed my name to spread far and wide across Fiore.
The moniker of the Dark Swordsman of Fairy Tail was quickly regarded as one of Fairy Tail's strongest wizards. My penchant for going on hunting missions was also noticed by the Sorcerer Magazine, thus they dubbed me the 'Devil Hunter' as well.
Mirajane made a joke once that despite my title, there's one devil that I would never hunt, and I was inclined to agree. After taking her back to the guild, Mirajane had quickly become the closest thing to a best friend I had since Laxus.
While I don't usually socialize much in the guild since I quit the Thunder God Tribe, she always goes out of her way to talk and spend time with me. Lisanna and Elfman are the same in that regard.
On another note, I had also been awarded in the magazine as number two in Fiore's future bachelors. Apparently, I lost to a guy called Ichiya. I could at least take solace in the fact that Laxus ranked third, right behind me.
Suck on that, bastard.
Reaching the mayor's office, I dumped the killer on their doorstep, took the reward money, and left. There was no time to waste, it was quickly reaching that time of the year. The promised time between me and the master.
It was time to go back to Fairy Tail.
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I stood in one of the shadowed corners of the guild. All around me people huddled in small groups, chattering animatedly and crowding around the stage that sat on one side of the hall.
There was a feeling of anticipation in the air, and I couldn't help but feel the tinge of excitement running down my back. I did wonder if Laxus would attend, he is an S-class mage after all. But no matter how far I extend my senses, I can't pick up his presence anywhere.
Well whatever, what that guy does is none of my business.
The curtains to the stage opened and the master stood there with his hand held behind his back. Gildarts stood behind with his arms crossed, a challenging smirk on his face.
Taking a deep breath, the master announced in a loud voice. "In accordance to Fairy Tail's longstanding tradition, I will announce this year's participants for the S-class mage promotion trials!"
A deafening roar echoed through the room in response to the master's words. People were stomping around the room, others jumping for joy. A confident smirk appeared on my own face, eager to show the results of everything I went through to prepare for this.
"The location of this year's test…is Tenrou Island! Our guild's sacred ground!"
I quirk an eyebrow at that. I've never heard that Tenrou Island was our sacred ground. Hell, I never even knew that our guild had a sacred ground. Must be a pretty special place if this year's trials would happen there.
Laxus's trials last year were done on a canyon somewhere north of Magnolia. I guess I should've expected this year's trials to be held in a different place.
Makarov's voice rose as he continued. "I have spent some time trying to discern each wizard's power, heart, and soul. For this year, there will be four eligible wizards!"
The crows roared in anticipation once more, their faces lit up in excitement. I could see Natsu in particular screaming the loudest, hoping he would get picked.
"Wakaba Mine!"
I was quite surprised that my guardian got picked. Looks like I'm going to compete against him.
"Erza Scarlet!"
The requip mage just nodded at the announcement, proud of being chosen.
"Cana Alberona!"
The brown haired girl that I had befriended long ago had a confident, but slightly shy, look on her face as she is once again chosen for the trials.
"And lastly, Dannis Martell!"
Hearing my name, I could feel my heart beating in my chest in anticipation. I could hear the crowd now talking about me, and how some people bet for me to be the leading winner.
"Dannis! Did you hear that?! You qualified!" A loud voice screamed from beside me. I wasn't surprised to see the form of Mirajane, now a clear contrast from the shy girl I had rescued last year. She now bore a confident outlook at life, proven clear by the type of clothes she chose to wear on a day-to-day basis. She took the gothic look to the extreme, wearing cropped shirts and short biker pants, revealing quite an amount of skin.
"I can't believe that the tincan got picked instead of me though." She pouted.
"You've only been in this guild for a year." I roll my eyes. "Give it time. I'm sure you'll be qualified next year."
"Although four mages have been chosen, only one will emerge victorious!" Makarov continued. "The test will take place in one week! Go and make sure you are all in tiptop shape!"
Gildarts then took over the announcement. "As always, each participating mage must choose one partner to go with them. The only rules is that they must be a Fairy Tail member and you may not partner with an S-class wizard. These partners will be helping you through every stage of the trials, so choose wisely."
"The details of the test will be explained once we arrive on Tenrou Island. Until then, do your best to prepare yourselves! That will be all!" Makarov announced in a tone of finality.
A partner, huh?
I cup my chin in thought. Ideally, they should be someone I'm familiar with. Someone who's also able to hold themselves in a fight and would complement my abilities.
Someone like-
"Heyooo! Dannis! Let me be your partner!" Mirajane said with a wide grin on her face.
I widen my eyes before grinning back. Yeah, Makarov won't know what hit em.
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After the announcements, Mira and I immediately went to training. While I consider her a friend, I haven't done many missions with her as of yet. After the whole debacle with the Thunder God Tribe, I've gotten used to going on missions solo.
It was a good thing I had a role in tutoring her back when she was still struggling with magic. I know a little bit of what she could do.
We spent the whole week preparing. We figured out which parts of our magic synergized. We made sure to include some teamwork in there as well.
Before I knew it, the week had passed and it was time for the trials. I found myself on a massive ship alongside the other participants and Master Makarov.
Gildarts wasn't with us, which I assumed was because he had gone to the island ahead of us, probably to prepare whatever test the master had prepared.
Looking around the ship, I took the chance to study my competitors.
Cana had taken Levy as a partner. Erza is with Gray, and predictably, Wakaba went with Macao. Just looking at the three, I knew the only ones who could potentially be a problem here are Wakaba and Macao.
Even though I trump them in terms of magical power, those two beat me by far in terms of sheer experience. They've been mages for a long time after all, and they've never been one to back down from a challenge.
Sending a challenging smirk towards my guardian, he meets my eye as he smirks back. "Don't think I'll hold back just because you're sleeping in my house brat."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, old man."
Dark clouds cover the blue sky overhead, the rays of the sun barely peeking through. 'Looks like it's gonna rain soon.' I realize.
I took a deep inhale of my cigarette as I let out a puff of smoke. Obsidian hung on my waist as usual. Closing my eyes as I let the winds near this stretch of ocean caress my skin, I use the rhythm of the crashing waves around me to focus.
After a few hours or so, we finally arrived. As the ship stopped a good hundred meters before the beach, I gaze at the majestic island that is the guild's sacred ground. Even from here in the distance, I could feel something from the island.
Raising a palm, I realize that my magic is somehow empowered here. Not by much, but enough to make a difference.
"So that's Tenrou Island." Cana muttered beside me. I could see Levy and Gray looking towards the guild's sacred ground with eyes of amazement.
"Welcome to Tenrou Island, where the grave of Fairy Tail's first master lies." Makarov made his presence known as he stood on the upper deck. "I will now announce the details of the first exam."
I inhaled deeply as I stood on the lower deck gazing up at the guildmaster. Mira standing beside me with a confident grin on her face.
"The first round of the trial is simple." Makarov waved his hand, pixelated blocks of light appearing and formed a screen beside him. From it I could see the chibi versions of the four competitors on the bottom side of the screen, while three circular blue orbs take up the upper half of the screen.
"Three lacrima orbs are hidden somewhere on the island. You have three hours to find them. There are clues in place to help you in your goal. Whichever team that fails to find an orb in the allotted time will be eliminated in the first round!"
Everyone gained determined looks, me included. The first round sounds easy enough. But the question on my mind is one thing, what about Gildarts?
It appears Erza had the same thought as me, as she questioned the master with a raised hand. "Where does Gildarts take place in all this?"
"Well…" Makarov's grin became wider, which sent alarm bells ringing in all of our heads. "Gildarts will interfere during the second phase of the exam. Do try your best to not die, kids."
A momentary shiver appeared on my back at the master's answer. I clenched the handle of my sword as my lips turned upward. In no way did I believe I was a match for the monster that is Gildarts. But facing him is the only way for me to know just how far I need to go to reach him. I have no doubts that Laxus fought him as well in his trials.
"With that out of the way…" I looked back at the master as he finally raised an arm before lowering it in a chop. "EXAM START!"
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AN: Trials are underway. I debated whether or not the trials should be held in Tenrou, but then thought, why the hell not.
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