章 560: Before the x787 S-Class Promotion Exam

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Hargeon.

December 15, x787.

Around 9:45 a.m., Alfonzo, who had docked at the port an hour earlier, stood with Ur as they waited for this year's S-Class candidates to arrive. However, unlike what Alfonzo expected, Ur, when she arrived twenty minutes ago, did not come alone to the port. Instead, she was accompanied by Irene and Brandish.

For the next twenty minutes after Ur, Irene, and Brandish's arrival, the quartet engaged in small talk, which mostly revolved around Alfonzo and Elicia taking out Junko and her group of criminals. However, it was clear that Alfonzo had something on his mind, and Ur knew exactly what it was.

"It's obvious you've got a question for me, Kid." Ur said in an irritated tone. "So, just spit it out already."

"Um… Okay… So, I thought that newly appointed S-Class wizards who were promoted without being tested couldn't be examiners in their first exam." Alfonzo said while looking at Ur in confusion. "I mean, that's how it was for you and Lici, right?"

Having expected Alfonzo's question, Ur's left eyebrow started to twitch. However, she did her best not to lash out at Alfonzo. His question was perfectly reasonable, after all. However, Ur's irritation rose quickly when she noticed Irene staring at her with a smirk. And what she said next did not help, either.

"Oh my, I didn't know that was the rule." Irene said in a mock tone of surprise. "Ur, why didn't you tell me? Now… This is really awkward."

While Brandish looked at Ur in amusement, Alfonzo quickly understood what happened. Meanwhile, Ur's eyebrow started twitching much more fiercely.

"No, don't worry about it, Irene." Ur replied through gritted teeth while waving her hand dismissively. "That was the last master's rule. Now that I'm the guild master, things are different. It's perfectly fine for the two of you to be here."

"Are you sure?' Irene asked, now feigning concern. "I wouldn't want to upset anyone. You don't need to give me or Brandish special treatment."

'Yup, it's just like what I thought.' Alfonzo thought to himself while trying not to laugh. 'Irene was irritated that she got left out. So, she intimidated Ur into bringing her along.'

As if she could sense that Alfonzo was laughing at her on the inside, Ur glared fiercely at her friend's son.

"Anyway, it's almost time to leave." Ur said, forcefully changing the subject. "Those kids sure are taking their time. Even Masa is cutting it close. I really didn't expect that from him."

"*Sigh* Something tells me Masa is only late because of Gozaburo's stupidity." Alfonzo replied in an exasperated tone.

"*Sigh* Unfortunately, you're probably right." Ur said. ""I just hope that man child doesn't cause him to be disqualified."

"Gozaburo? That's Sun's dad, right?" Brandish asked in a slightly interested tone. "Doesn't that make Masa one of his subordinates? So, why would he make him late?"

Not only Brandish, but even Irene looked to Ur with a slightly interested gaze, as well.

"It's because he's jealous that Masa is an S-Class candidate." Ur replied. "According to Ren, for at least a decade, Gozaburo had not allowed Masa to take the Magic Council's S-Class exam. His pride would not allow one of his subordinates to be ranked higher than him."

"Hmph" Irene snorted in disdain. "He's a small-minded fool. The reputation boost an S-Class wizard would have brought to his Seto Group would have been massive."

"Yeah, we're all aware of that, even Gozaburo knows that." Ur said while shaking her head. "But pride is the devil, as they say. And it can lead us to make some pretty bad decisions just to keep it intact."

"Hmph!" Irene snorted once again. "Then, perhaps I should help in lecturing him about pride and its follies."

Upon hearing that, Alfonzo, Ur, and Brandish all made a silent prayer for Gozaburo. Because when Irene was done with him, there was a good chance he would be a completely different person.

Not long after they mentioned Gozaburo, who started feeling a chill around the same time the conversation about him ended, the eight S-Class candidates, Edward, Alphonse, Masa, Wendy, Rika, Alzack, Lucy, and Gajeel, arrived at the dock.

"Good, you're all on time. " Ur said once all the candidates were standing in front of her. "I was scared I might have to disqualify some of you before the exam even started. Now, everyone get on board. We're leaving immediately."

Then, after speaking, Ur turned around immediately before boarding Sixth Sense. She was quickly followed by Irene and Brandish. The S-Class candidates were next to board. And lastly, Alfonzo, after talking to the port personnel, boarded and unfastened the mooring from the pier before steering the ship away from Hargeon.

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Open Seas.

The next two hours would be spent on the open sea. And because they already knew all the rules of this year's exam, everyone relaxed on the ship while Alfonzo steered it towards Tenrou Island. Wendy even cast [Troia] on Gajeel. However, both Wendy and Gajeel were surprised when they saw Irene, who should technically be a Dragon Slayer, acting completely unbothered by the ship ride.

"Um… Excuse me, Miss Irene." Wendy said nervously after she could no longer hold back her curiosity. "May I ask you a question."

Turning towards the petite Dragon Slayer, Irene smiled at her meek appearance. At the same time, a hint of sadism flashed through her eyes. However, she promptly squashed that feeling, knowing that Wendy would probably not handle her more… "mischievous"… side very well.

"What would you like to know, young one?" Irene asked. "Though, I have a feeling I already know what your question may be."

Surprised that Irene was speaking to her so gently, Wendy flinched. However, she quickly regained her composure and asked her question.

"Um.. You are a Dragon Slayer, right?" Wendy asked.

"That's right." Irene replied with a nod.

"Then, um… Why isn't the boat ride bothering you?" Wendy asked.

Before answering Wendy's question, Irene's smile widened.

"You indeed asked the question I was expecting." Irene said with a nod. "And the answer is simple, like you, I am using a spell that negates the effects of a moving vehicle on a Dragon Slayer's senses. It's just a different branch of magic than you use."

"Really?" Wendy asked curiously. "What kind of magic is it?"

"It's my specialty, [Enchantment Magic]." Irene replied, her smile widening once again as Wendy's eyes opened wide in interest. "Would you like to perhaps learn the art of [Enchantment], young one?"

Immediately, Wendy began nodding her head rapidly, causing Irene's smile to turn into laughter, drawing a few curious glances in her direction.

"Excellent." Irene said after getting her laughter under control. "And from what I can tell, you have quite the talent for [Enchantment], as well."

"Really? But how can you tell?' Wendy asked in a confused tone. "I've never used [Enchantment Magic] before."

"Oh, you are quite mistaken about that." Irene replied. "Those spells you use, [Vernier], [Arms], and [Armor] are minor enchantments afforded to you by your [Dragon Slayer Magic]. And after seeing the ease with which you wield them, I'm certain that you have the talent to learn [Enchantment magic]."

Hearing that, Wendy's excitement rose exponentially. However, she quickly remembered her manners. Then, she bowed respectfully towards Irene.

"I would be honored to learn from you, Miss Irene." Wendy said enthusiastically.

In response, Irene simply patted Wendy on her head. At the same time, Ur, who watched the entire interaction, gritted her teeth in frustration.

'Not only did she bully me into letting her come on this trip, now she's taking one of my students for herself.' Ur muttered internally. 'So what if my magic isn't exactly helpful to Wendy, I've been training her for the last three years. And it's definitely partially my credit that she's as strong as she is now. Even if Tsunade's [Magic Power Strengthening Technique] played a big role as well. She's still spent the most time training under me.'

As those thoughts were running through Ur's head, Irene turned towards her. Then, without uttering a word, she smirked a very triumphant smirk. And with that, everyone on the ship thought they heard the sound of someone gritting their teeth in anger. But then they remembered that no one could possibly grit their teeth that loudly without completely destroying their molars.

"Well, I didn't expect that." Lucy said from next to Alfonzo in the wheel house. "To think that Irene would take on a student. She doesn't seem the type to me."

"That's only because you don't know her well enough.' Brandish replied from the other side of Alfonzo. "Irene enjoys imparting knowledge to those who seek it. Whether it be magical or historical in nature, she likes teaching all the same."

"I guess you're right." Lucy replied with a contemplative expression on her face. "I really don't know her that well. Maybe I should try to get to know her better. I mean, we're guild mates, after all."

"Go right ahead." Brandish said in a bored tone. "But I didn't expect that you had such a masochistic streak, Lucy."

In response, Lucy's first reaction was to blush before glancing at Alfonzo, who was grinning at her playfully. A moment later, however, she took control of her emotions. There was no way Brandish knew about any of her sexual tendencies, after all.

'I can't believe that was the first place my mind went when I heard the word "masochistic." I mean, it's not like she knows that I like being pushed to the brink of mental exhaustion by Alfonzo and all the girls when we're all together..' Lucy thought to herself. 'Alfonzo and the girls have really corrupted me. I used to be such a pure and innocent girl.'

Brandish , on the other hand, noticed Lucy's blush and could only wonder what kind of kinky things she, Alfonzo, and the other girls in his harem got up to behind closed doors, her mind immediately moving to some of the more racy scenes from her favorite novels, causing her face to redden, as well.

"Anyway, Brandish, what do you think of my ship, Sixth Sense?" Alfonzo asked, trying to clear the awkward air. "I built the whole thing myself."

"I figured as much." Brandish replied after shaking her naughty thoughts away. "I've sailed on quite a few ships over the years. However, none of them were as advanced as this one. But I've come to expect that since I joined the guild. Everything you create is far ahead of its time. I'd really like to crack your skull open and see how your brain works."

"Haven't heard anyone say that in a while." Alfonzo muttered with a smile. "I think Wakaba was the last one to say it… it was during my first quest, I think."

Hearing that, Lucy's eyes lit up. Alfonzo took his first quest a long time before she joined the guild. And she was curious to hear about it.

"What was your first quest like?' Lucy asked in a curious tone. "Was it like my first quest? The one we took to steal that book from Duke Everlue? Did you and Lici take it together?"

"Hahaha! No, it was nothing like that one." Alfonzo replied with a smile. "It was only a D-Class quest, after all. I mean, I was only nine."

"Oh… I guess that makes sense." Lucy replied with a slightly embarrassed blush on her face.

"And no, Lici and I didn't start taking quests together until we were allowed to take B-Class quests." Alfonzo continued. "We did all our D and C-Class quests solo."

"Hold on, did you say you started taking real quests on your own at nine years old?" Brandish asked, finally internalizing what Alfonzo said. "They use the same classifications for quests and monsters on Alakitasia, too. Even if the wizards on Alakitasia are stronger on average, the difficulty of the quests are still the same. And most young wizards don't get started until they are eleven."

"What can I say?" Alfonzo asked in a borderline conceited tone. "Gramps recognized my greatness early. And I gotta say, he had a pretty good eye."

Hearing that, both Lucy and Brandish looked at Alfonzo blankly. But they eventually decided not to dignify his words with a response. So, they asked about the details of his first quest. And Alfonzo happily told them about it.

Like that, the voyage continued harmoniously until the Sixth Sense docked on Tenrou island. And when it did, all the S-Class candidates' expressions changed. Although they were still comrades, they were no longer allies. Not until the S-Class Promotion Exam ended, anyway.