Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 413: Kagura: I Just Want to Pass an S-Class Mage Promotion Trial

Continent of Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia Town...

At the end of December, X781, inside the Mage Guild Fairy Tail, whether they were those who usually loved going out on jobs, or those who were usually accustomed to fishing in troubled waters, as long as the flying fairy emblem was still branded on their bodies, as long as they were still members of the Fairy Tail guild, and were part of this mental hospital...

Cough, cough, one part of this big family, they all gathered in the guild. Everyone looked at the Guild Master on the platform, waiting eagerly...

Yes, time flew by, and it was once again time for Fairy Tailʼs annual grand event, the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial...

”Cough, cough. Since everyone has already gathered here, I think there is no need for me to say much! Then I hereby announce that Fairy Tail guildʼs X781 S-Class Mage Promotion Trial officially begins...”

”However, this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class trial is different from previous years. This yearʼs trial will be held by our guildʼs new Guild Master, August!”

”Likewise, this year is also the first time August is independently holding the guildʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial since becoming Guild Master. Please applaud, everyone. Let us cheer August on!”

Makarov had taken off the circus clown outfit he usually wore and instead wore a cloak printed with the emblem of the Ten Wizard Saints. He looked a little less comical and a little more solemn! Perhaps this was also because clothes made the man...

At this moment, the solemn Makarov was standing on the platform at the center of the guild. He bent down and looked at the guild members below the platform, speaking in a deep voice.

”Clap, clap, clap...”

The instant Makarovʼs voice fell, the entire Fairy Tail guild instantly became restless. Over a hundred guild members collectively applauded and cheered for August.

”Good luck, August!”

”August, we think highly of you...”

”Old Master August, you must do your best to properly hold this yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial~”

”Old Master August, we wonʼt say too much here, just one sentence! We hope you can hold it grandly and specially! Grandly and specially!”

There were even some who directly cheered toward August on the platform!

Although they could not pass something like the exam, there was absolutely no problem in making noise and stirring things up~

”Cough, cough! Thank you all for your support!”

”Please rest assured, everyone. This yearʼs trial, I will definitely hold it grandly and well, and satisfy everyone!”

August stood on the platform, feeling the passionate cheers from the guild members below. Amid those waves of sound, his face was slightly flushed.

This year was the first S-Class Mage Promotion Trial he, August, was holding inside the Fairy Tail guild. He had to use all his strength! He had to hold this trial well! After all, his dear mother, Fairy Tailʼs First Guild Master Mavis, was watching from behind~

”Good luck, August~”

At the same time, Augustʼs dear mother, Fairy Tailʼs First Guild Master Mavis, was still wearing a pale yellow dress, with her golden hair scattered down. Just like usual, she sat on the bar, her small white bare feet constantly swaying as her little hands waved, cheering August on.

”Mhm...”

August felt Mavisʼs encouragement, and his face became even more flushed. Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to lessen somewhat, as though he had become over ten years younger.

”So Fairy Tailʼs new Guild Master really is this kid August...”

”I was wondering why that brat Makarov kept asking me how I viewed August in recent years...”

At the same time, after hearing that Fairy Tail had changed Guild Masters, one of Fairy Tailʼs founders, Fairy Tailʼs Second Guild Master, and the current Guild Master of the Mage Guild Grimoire Heart, Precht, had also rarely returned to the Fairy Tail guild. After he discovered that the guildʼs Guild Master had changed from Makarov to August, his expression shook, and he could not help sighing emotionally.

”This kid August is truly outstanding! Sigh, if I had not abandoned him back then, perhaps I would have become an existence like his father...”

Precht looked at August, who fought for Mavis, and thought inwardly. If he had not abandoned August eighty years ago, perhaps he would definitely have become an existence like a father to August now.

Unfortunately, he failed to seize the opportunity. Otherwise, with Augustʼs surpassing talent, not only would he not need to care about the Alvarez Empire Zeref established on the Western Continent, he could even use the name of Augustʼs foster father to get one step closer to Mavis...

Yes, Precht was the only person in the Fairy Tail guild, aside from Evan and August, who knew Augustʼs true identity. However, just like August and Evan, he had told no one...

”Everyone, since you have all gathered here, I will not waste time!”

”Then I hereby officially announce that Fairy Tail guildʼs X781 S-Class Mage Promotion Trial officially begins...”

”According to the usual rules, the people whose names I call will become this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Trial candidates...”

”The first person to participate in this yearʼs trial is Kagura Mikazuchi...”

Just as everyone expected, sure enough, this year Kagura was selected once again and became a candidate for the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial...

”As expected, itʼs Kagura-chan~”

”I wonder whether Kagura-chan can break the curse this year...”

”Itʼs very difficult! Speaking of which, did our guild have any dark horse join this year?”

As Kagura was selected, the old members inside the guild all nodded together.

The scene before them gave the guild members a sense of déjà vu. They seemed to have seen a similar scene for who knew how many consecutive years. Since X776, when Kagura participated in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, to the current X781, a full seven trials had already passed!

Because of this, Kagura had also gained titles such as the legend of never winning, the woman who had participated in seven consecutive S-Class Mage Promotion Trials but was unable to pass, Fairy Tailʼs eternal S-Class Mage seed candidate, and the S-Class Mage without S-Class certification...

Yes, not a single Mage in the guild would question Kaguraʼs strength. Everyone merely felt helpless about Kaguraʼs luck and broke into a cold sweat on her behalf...

”Present!”

After hearing Augustʼs voice, Kagura immediately stepped out from among the Mages and stood at the very front of everyone.

After several years of experience, fourteen-year-old Kagura, by nominal age, was tall and full-figured. She looked as though she were seventeen or eighteen, especially that pair of fullness, which had already begun to take shape!

Therefore, Kagura, who had betrayed everyone, had already been kicked out by Mavis from the Fairy Tail guildʼs womenʼs association branch, the Airport Alliance. Cough, cough...

However, the most eye-catching thing was not Kaguraʼs tall and full pair, but her eyes that emitted a murderous aura, as well as the incomparably powerful magic power winding around her! After Kagura failed the previous trial, she underwent another year of tempering! The current Kagura was already no longer what she had been. Her magic power was almost approaching the Ten Wizard Saints, as though she could step into the threshold of the Ten Wizard Saints at any time. In other words, she was at the limit of Level Six and could reach Level Seven at any time. Without a doubt, the current Kagura already had half a foot stepped into the ranks of the Ten Wizard Saints...

With Kaguraʼs current progress, perhaps if she tempered herself for another half a year, at most one year, before the age of fifteen, she would be enough to step into the domain of the Ten Wizard Saints! That was also the Level Seven standard in Evanʼs system evaluation! This talent was undoubtedly exaggerated, nearly surpassing the magic worldʼs understanding of the age of the Ten Wizard Saints...

”This year, I must become an S-Class Mage!”

”After all, I have replicated Brother Evanʼs move!”

Kagura was filled with confidence. While gripping the samurai sword at her waist tightly, the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

Her strength was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. If Jellal inherited Brother Evanʼs signature True Heavenly Body Magic and always used meteorites to smash people, then Kagura inherited another of Evanʼs signature skills—Gravity Blade!!

After Kagura cultivated swordsmanship and Haki, Kaguraʼs true strength before them, or more accurately, her combat strength, could not be estimated at all by the magic power emitted from her body. Even if Jose Porla, who currently held the title of Ten Wizard Saint, came out of prison now, he might not necessarily be able to defeat the current Kagura in a one-on-one battle.

By the way, ever since Jura and Jellal were violently beaten by Serena, the two of them had gone mad and would come to Fairy Tail whenever they had nothing to do to be abused. Every day, they experienced hellish tempering! Of course, the results of their madness were pleasing. Jellal already had half a foot stepped into the nonhuman domain...

As for Jura, Jura had finally broken the shackles on his body and stepped into the human limit at the age of twenty-five, which was also the Level Eight standard in Evanʼs system evaluation. The current Jura was almost not inferior to his original Grand Magic Games period self. Unfortunately, there was an enormous gap between Level Eight and Level Nine. The road ahead was not something that could be reached through hard work alone!

To be precise, from Level Eight, which was the so-called human limit, onward, every level afterward had an enormous gap that was difficult to cross! After Jura stepped into the human limit, the potential of his body seemed to have been exhausted, and his progress began to become incomparably slow. However, Jura did not lose heart. He believed that as long as he put in enough effort, he would definitely be able to break through the limits of humanity and reach the domain where nonhumans resided...

From this point onward, Jellal and Juraʼs rankings among the Ten Wizard Saints rose. They were now ranked above the elderly Makarov. In response, Makarov was happy to see it happen. After all, he was already old. He could no longer display much of his strength. He also believed he no longer had much potential and had already reached the point where he could no longer advance!

In addition to the hidden injuries Makarov had left behind from battles in his early years, as well as the heart disease angered out of him by the brats in the guild, he now only wanted to properly enjoy his old age. In Makarovʼs own words, the future belonged to the young.

And the last seat of the Ten Wizard Saints was naturally taken over by Jose, who was locked in prison and had no chance to cultivate...

Perhaps when Jose came out of prison in a few years, he would discover that the era that belonged to him had already passed, and with his strength, he was already completely nothing on this continent.

”The second person is Natsu Dragneel, the third is Gray Fullbuster, the fourth is Lyon Vastia, the fifth is Cana... Wendy Marvell.”

After Kagura stepped out, August read aloud the remaining participants of this yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial in order. They were Natsu, Gray, Lyon, Cana, Elfman, Lisanna, Gajeel, Freed, Seilah, and Mystogan, regulars who often appeared in Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, as well as one ”newcomer” participating in the trial for the first time, Wendy Marvell.

”Iʼm fired up...”

Natsuʼs whole body emitted flames, and he was extremely excited.

”This yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, I will definitely pass!”

Gray had already entered battle mode. Only a pair of boxer briefs remained on his body.

Of course, his clothes had been taken off outside the guild...

”Mm! This year, we martial brothers will join forces, and we will definitely be invincible!”

Lyon nodded lightly, carrying Kurokoʼs Basketball, looking like he was about to stick the four words ”I am a pervert” directly on his forehead.

”Gehee~”

”After I pass the S-Class trial, letʼs see who still dares treat me as a weapon?”

Gajeel had already begun dreaming of the scene where, after becoming an S-Class Mage of the guild, the weapon would rise up and become the master of his own body from then on.

”The weapon that needs to be tested for Wisdom this year is the anti-gravity armor...”

Mystogan was still here to test weapons. As for the trial, it was merely something along the way.

”So annoying! Iʼve already fulfilled my wish, so why do I still have to participate in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial?”

Canaʼs face was full of pain. She did not want to participate in the trial. The main problem was that she could not pass...

”Good luck, daughter!!”

Gildarts continuously cheered as he looked at Cana.

”Ah, even more annoying...”

Cana looked at Gildartsʼs irritating face, and her expression became even uglier.

”I-I was actually chosen?”

”Something must be wrong, right?”

Wendy timidly looked around. She could not understand why she had been chosen by August to participate in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial that only Fairy Tailʼs elites could participate in.

”Wendy, you need to be more confident. With your strength, there is absolutely no problem...”

Carla flew beside Wendy and cheered Wendy on.

”As expected, itʼs these people!”

”Thereʼs no other way! Theyʼre too strong! Natsu, Gray, and the others, if you put any one of them in another Mage Guild, wouldnʼt they receive ace treatment? If they werenʼt staying in our Fairy Tail guild, perhaps they would have become S-Class Mages long ago, right?”

After Augustʼs voice fell, the Mages below discussed among themselves. They did not seem surprised at all by the Fairy Tail S-Class Mage candidates August had selected.

Yes, at present, all of Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage candidates had Level Six magic power on average! And now, among Fairy Tailʼs active S-Class Mages, even the weakest in strength had magic power at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints...

Yes, even the weakest had magic power at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints, not combat strength! Because the combat strength of Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mages would only be even more exaggerated. No other Mage Guild had as much actual combat experience as Fairy Tail, after all. They were either fighting or on the way to a fight...

This was the current Fairy Tail guild, which, under Evanʼs urging, was madly rolling inward.

”But speaking of which, it seems thereʼs no dark horse this year...”

”Yeah! Yeah...”

”Looking at it this way, this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage should be Kagura-chan for sure!”

”Yeah! Yeah! Kagura-chan has taken the exam so many times. Itʼs about time she passed and became the guildʼs S-Class Mage...”

”Kagura has finally endured until the end~ It really wasnʼt easy...”

After the Mages inside the Fairy Tail guild sighed for a while, they looked at each other and discussed softly. They discovered that this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Trial did not seem to have any dark horse participating. This made everyone nod together, deciding that the one who would pass this yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial would definitely be Kagura-chan.

For a moment, the FLAG above Kaguraʼs head fluttered directly~

”Then I announce that this yearʼs S-Class exam officially...”

Just as everyone was discussing, and at the same time, Kagura was being wildly poisoned with encouragement by Fairy Tailʼs kind companions...

August finally spoke. His voice was not loud, but it was enough to enter the ears of everyone in the guild. Clearly, he had used a profound magical technique. At this moment, August prepared to announce the start of this yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial.

”Boom...”

”Wait!!”

However, a change finally occurred. Accompanied by a roar, the doors of the Fairy Tail guild were kicked open, and immediately afterward, an incomparably battered man whose entire body was tattered walked into the guild.

”Sorry, everyone. Iʼm late...”

The man had long orange-red hair, which was casually scattered around him at this moment. In his hand, he was holding a young man whom he had knocked unconscious. That young man wore red armor and had purple hair that was GAY-in-a-GAY-way.

”Who the hell are you?”

Everyone widened their eyes at the two savages before them. They did not remember there being such a sloppy Mage inside the Fairy Tail guild.

”How could you forget me?”

”I am the super GOD, GOD Serena!”

Hearing this, the young man with scattered orange-red hair frowned. Then he threw the purple-haired youth in his hand to the side and struck his signature chuunibyou pose.

”Huh? Youʼre Serena? How did you become this savage-like state? Could it be that you encountered some Magic Beast you couldnʼt subjugate?”

The Mages of the Fairy Tail guild identified Serenaʼs identity based on his movements, and immediately, one by one, they exclaimed. They knew Serenaʼs strength. After all, he was the famous Ten Wizard Saints hunter~

Thus, everyone was shocked by Serenaʼs battered state...

”Speaking of which, why does that guy lying on the ground look so familiar?! Hey, hey, hey! Come take a look! Isnʼt this guy Neinhart? He seems to have fainted?”

At the same time, someone came to the side of the purple-haired youth who had been thrown aside by Serena like garbage. In the end, he discovered in shock that the purple-haired youth was actually Neinhart.

”What exactly happened to make two monsters like Serena and Neinhart become this sloppy? Could it be that they encountered a dragonʼs attack?”

At this moment, everyoneʼs expressions changed one after another. Everyone had seen Neinhartʼs outstanding performance in last yearʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial. Looking across the entire Fairy Tail guild, he was also one of the few strong ones.

When the Mages of Fairy Tail discovered that even with Serena and Neinhart teaming up, they had still been beaten into this state, their expressions immediately became incomparably panicked. They silently guessed in their hearts what exactly had happened?! However, based on the speculation of the Fairy Tail guild members, unless Serena and Neinhart had encountered a dragon, there was absolutely no possibility that the two of them would become this battered!

But were there still dragons in this world? At least on the continent of Ishgar, everyone had rarely heard rumors of dragons anymore.

”Boom!”

Before everyone could think too much, accompanied by a roar, a gigantic figure directly smashed through the wall of the Fairy Tail guild. That figureʼs body was nearly twenty meters long, and its entire body was covered in pitch-black scales that seemed like the Netherworld. However, the most eye-catching things were still the monsterʼs enormous wings and its arms that resembled sharp swords.

A dragon! The newcomer was none other than a legendary dragon!!

And this dragon was one that all the Mages in the guild recognized. The dragon that arrived at the guild was precisely ”Sword Saint Dragon” Kurnugi!

”Are you done yet?!”

Serena felt the pressure behind him, and cold sweat continuously appeared on his forehead. He turned around and roared angrily at Kurnugi.

”Master Evan...”

”His Majesty Evan...”

”...does not need humans by his side!”

However, following Serenaʼs angry shout, the ones who responded to him were Kurnugi and Animus, who was possessing Sonya on top of Kurnugiʼs head.

For a moment, the two dragons Kurnugi and Animus confronted Serena, as well as the corpse-like Neinhart lying there.

”Ah, this?”

For a moment, the Mages of Fairy Tail all fell silent. There was no need to say what exactly was happening right now. Everyone all expressed that they understood. Sure enough, the only ones who could beat Fairy Tail guild members this badly were Fairy Tail guild members.

”How long are you all going to keep making trouble?”

Just as the two dragons, the one and a half dragons before them, and half a corpse were confronting each other, Evanʼs voice rang in the ears of the four.

”Uh!”

The four people, who had originally planned to fight fiercely, immediately shook, then dispersed their magic power one after another...

Kurnugi turned into human form, while Animus flew out of Sonyaʼs body and transformed into an Exceed.

”You two, go properly reflect on yourselves.”

Evan raised the hand he had behind his back and gently waved it toward Kurnugi and Animus. Immediately, one dragon and one cat disappeared from the Fairy Tail guild.

At the same time, Earth-land, Black Night Mountain.

”Where is this?!”

Animus and Kurnugi looked at the world before them, and their expressions froze.

”Oh my~”

”Isnʼt this my dear son, and the cute little dragon trapped inside a kitty body?”

”Why have you come?!”

Just as Animus and Kurnugi were stunned, a voice suddenly sounded behind the two.

”Uh...”

For a moment, Animus and Kurnugiʼs entire bodies trembled.

Behind the two of them, a beautiful woman was currently naked, soaking in warm spring water, generously displaying every inch of skin on her entire body. It was just that...

At this moment, this beautiful woman was not soaking in the hot spring in human form, but lazily soaking in the spring water in the form of a fierce dragon.

”Roar!!”

Accompanied by a low roar, nine enormous shadows rising into the sky enveloped Animus and Kurnugi.

”No!”

At this moment, Animus and Kurnugi trembled and did not dare make any resistance at all, because before the being behind them, all resistance was meaningless. That was the great God Dragon, the Moon God Dragon.

At the same time, in Earth-land, inside the Fairy Tail guild.

”GOD Serena has arrived, specially here to participate in Fairy Tail guildʼs S-Class exam!”

At this moment, Serena once again restored the posture of his Eight Dragons. Although he had brought that burden beside him and had desperately sprinted just now, consuming quite a bit of stamina, it did not affect him taking victory in this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage exam at all.

”The final person participating in the trial is Serena!”

August looked at Serena and nodded lightly. The reason he had not called Serena just now was because he thought Serena had given up. Since Serena had arrived, then naturally, he could participate in this yearʼs trial.

Hearing this, Kagura revealed an awkward yet polite smile.