A New Life in Fairy Tail

When Ur and the others returned from their request and heard the news, they all sighed. None of them had expected someone to be excommunicated from the guild. But after hearing Noah’s explanation, they understood. Since it involved endangering other guild members, being expelled was normal. They just felt bad for Makarov.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the year arrived. Many guild members were rushing to complete requests to meet their quotas, and the atmosphere was bustling with activity.

Everyone from Noah’s house, except for Ur, had come to the guild to rest and chat after their training. Sorano, seeing such a busy scene for the first time, asked with surprise, ”Is something going on? Why is everyone in the guild so busy?”

Noah was about to say something, but he turned and saw Erza beside him, watching the people rushing their quotas with an eager look on her face. He couldn’t help but place a hand on her head. ”Wake up. You’re not qualified to participate yet. If you want to, you’ll have to wait a few more years.”

An incredibly disappointed expression appeared on Erza’s face, and she slumped onto the table.

This made Sorano even more curious. ”Is there some kind of competition coming up?”

Noah just smiled. ”You’ll find out in a couple of days.”

Three days later, everyone gathered punctually in the guild hall, looking at the stage with anticipation. Guild Master Makarov stood at the front, with Noah to his right rear and Ur to his left. All the currently active S-Class wizards were present.

Makarov addressed the crowd with a serious expression. ”I will now announce the participants for this year’s S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial. After careful observation and judgment, there is only one person on the list. That person is Laxus.”

”It’s finally Laxus’s turn? I was wondering when he would take the trial. He’s already so strong.”

”I didn’t make it again this year. The new generation is really amazing!”

”I wonder if Laxus can succeed! I’m so excited!”

”If he succeeds, it’ll be incredible. Laxus is fifteen this year. Although it’s not as ridiculous as Noah becoming S-Class at eight, it’s still extremely rare.”

”I’m excited too! I wonder what this year’s test will be?”

The guild members were all discussing it amongst themselves. Makarov coughed, drawing their attention back to him. ”Since there is only one participant this year, the content of the trial will not be complicated.”

Noah, standing behind him, took a step forward. ”The test is simple. You just have to fight me. Of course, you only need to display sufficient strength and earn our approval.”

When the guild members heard the first half of Noah’s sentence, their hearts skipped a beat. But after hearing the second half, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Laxus had known he would be able to participate, hearing his name officially announced still made him feel a sense of relief. This was followed by excitement. As long as he passed this trial and became an S-Class wizard, it would prove that he had taken a major step forward in his life.

”I will be presiding over this exam, with Ur and Gramps as observers,” Noah continued. ”The location will be a deserted island at sea, and the time is now.”

”Now?” The guild members were all surprised.

”That’s right, right now. Look how excited Laxus is. It’s better to get it done sooner rather than later. If we’re quick, we can even make it back for lunch.” Noah pointed behind him. Everyone turned and saw that small arcs of electricity were appearing around Laxus; he was clearly unable to suppress his emotions, and his magic was leaking out.

Noah didn’t say anything more. He activated his teleportation magic, and in an instant, the four of them vanished from the stage.

Laxus, Ur, and Makarov’s vision blurred, and they found themselves on a deserted island. There were no tall trees or lush vegetation, only some hardy shrubs and grasses growing in the barren, sandy soil. The island was surrounded by the sea, an endless expanse of blue waves that crashed against the shoreline, creating a low roar.

Laxus and Noah stood facing each other, the air thick with tension. Makarov and Ur stood to the side to observe.

”Master,” Ur asked, ”I remember Laxus didn’t participate in the trial last year, but his strength should have been sufficient even then.”

”It was Noah who stopped him from participating. He believed Laxus’s strength wasn’t enough yet.”

”But Laxus’s strength at that time was already comparable to the S-Class wizards of many other guilds. This just goes to show how high Noah’s standards are. But perhaps it’s because his standards are so high that he has his current level of strength,” Ur mused. Noah’s power was now far greater than her own, yet he still insisted on studying, training, and researching various magics every day. It was truly admirable.

Makarov nodded proudly. He had always seen Noah’s hard work. He was, of course, happy that the children in his guild were so diligent. He had also secretly helped Noah in many ways to ensure he could grow better.

”But for now, let’s watch their fight seriously. This is Laxus’s time to show what he’s made of.”

”Mhm.” Ur nodded, and the two of them focused their attention on the battle between Noah and Laxus.

”There’s no need for words. Come at me with your full power!” Noah beckoned to Laxus.

Laxus took a deep breath, and his entire body began to spark with lightning. He pushed off with his left foot and charged. Arriving in front of Noah, he raised his right fist, a massive amount of lightning gathering around it.

”Thunder Dragon’s Crushing Fist!”

A magic circle unfolded in front of his fist, and a huge amount of lightning shot forward along with his punch.

”Ooh, this is impressive. Starting right off with Dragon Slayer magic?”

Golden magic power gathered in Noah’s right hand. He raised it and swatted Laxus’s electrifying punch upwards into the sky.

Laxus used the momentum to lift his right knee, lightning gathering on it, and aimed a strike at Noah’s heart.

Golden magic also gathered in Noah’s left hand, and he slammed Laxus’s knee strike down. With his right hand, he threw a punch at Laxus’s chest.

Laxus retracted his right fist and crossed both hands in front of his chest to block Noah’s punch. Although he knew Noah’s strength was immense and had prepared himself, he was still sent flying, landing eight or nine meters away.

The moment he landed, Laxus looked up, and a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking Noah directly. Noah was enveloped in the lightning, but he showed no signs of pain. With a pulse of his own magic, he dispersed the electricity around him.

~~~

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