Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 420: Since When Was Fairy Tail a Light Guild?

Mage prison BLACKVOX...

An organization funded by the Mage Guild Fairy Tail branch, specially established to imprison Mages around the world who dared to be unfavorable toward the Mage Guild Fairy Tail and had no sense of their own limits, and to carry out private punishment...

Cough, cough, no...

It was a prison funded by the Magic Council ERA, specially established to detain powerful Mages in Ishgarʼs magic world who violated the rules set by the Council and fought fiercely for superiority!

Among the criminals imprisoned in this enormous prison, there was no lack of powerhouses at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints!

Inside this huge prison, the most famous inmates were Jose Porla, the current last seat of the Ten Wizard Saints, and Zero, the inner personality of former Director of the Magic Development Bureau Brain, who was said to possess power rivaling the Ten Wizard Saints!

These two prisoners symbolized BLACKVOXʼs fairness and powerful enforcement! They symbolized that on the continent of Ishgar, even those as powerful as Saints would still be punished by law! However, in such a fair and just prison, a group of clamoring Mages arrived today...

Their bodies were marked with a Mage Guild emblem. The appearance of that emblem was like a fairy freely flying through the sky! Shimmering and mysterious! And the guild these Mages belonged to had an incomparably resounding name on this continent of Ishgar. Its name was—Fairy Tail!

”You are all here to participate in the trial, right?”

BLACKVOXʼs warden, a middle-aged man with short white hair, held a pipe in his mouth and looked lifelessly at the group of Mages before him.

Ever since former warden Tochi Andoba had grown older and increasingly lacked the strength, he had removed himself from the duty of warden and wholeheartedly served as a councilor in the Magic Council, taking on work such as revising laws! As for the duty of warden, it was removed from Tochiʼs shoulders and handed over to the middle-aged man before them, Lutz Andoba...

Although Lutz and Tochi both had the surname Andoba, he was not Tochiʼs child. After all, Tochi had nearly devoted his entire life to the prison. When he was young, he had always charged at the front line and rarely returned home, so he had left no descendants. In old age, he had even less of that energy. As for Lutz, Lutz was an orphan. He had been adopted by Tochi since childhood, and could be considered Tochiʼs adopted son and eldest disciple~

”Exactly...”

At this moment, standing before Lutz were Natsu and the others, who had set out from the Fairy Tail guild and spent three days rushing to the magical prison BLACKVOX.

Because everyone was afraid of being one step later than others, and therefore participating in the trial one step later, not a single one of them had rested during these three days! Because of this, at this moment, whether it was Natsu or Gray, their eyes were all filled with bloodshot veins, looking as though their mental strength was severely lacking. Fortunately, because the Fairy Tail guild held twenty-four-hour endurance competitions, everyone who often trained could still endure three days without sleep.

”Then let me briefly explain the S-Class Mage exam rules to you!”

”The rules of the trial are very simple. As long as, under the supervision of our BLACKVOX staff, you independently challenge either Jose Porla or Zero and receive the approval of our examiners! You can directly be granted an S-Class Mage recognition certificate personally issued by the Magic Council!”

”The effectiveness of this S-Class Mage recognition certificate is the same as the certificate issued by the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial privately held in your Mage Guilds! It is even above the effectiveness of the S-Class Mage certification you obtain from the S-Class Mage Promotion Trials privately held within your guilds...”

”After all, every Mage Guildʼs S-Class trial difficulty is different, and the requirements for S-Class Mage certification are also different. Situations often arise where after an S-Class Mage from a certain guild leaves the guild and goes to another guild, he wants to accept an S-Class Job, but is refused by the newly joined guild, which does not recognize his identity as an S-Class Mage...”

”Regarding this matter, after intense discussion among us councilors of the Magic Council ERA, we finally decided to issue officially granted S-Class Mage certification! As long as you obtain the S-Class Mage certification issued by our Council, then whether you choose to transfer guilds or leave your guild, you will possess the qualification to accept S-Class Jobs...”

”Simply put, as long as you pass the S-Class Mage certification issued by our Magic Council, then starting today, you will be an S-Class Mage recognized by all Mage Guilds throughout the continent of Ishgar...”

Lutz yawned, looking as though he had not woken up properly. His messy hair was like a chicken nest. Facing the Fairy Tail Mages standing before him, he explained the rules of the S-Class Mage trial led by the Magic Council and jointly held with its subordinate organization BLACKVOX, as well as the effectiveness of the S-Class Mage certification issued after the trial.

Just like in the original work, after Juvia, who had already obtained the title of S-Class Mage in the Mage Guild Phantom Lord under the authorization of Guild Master Jose, came to the Fairy Tail guild, she had to start over and participate in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial! Because each guildʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial had different levels of difficulty, every guild generally would not recognize the S-Class Mage status of other guilds! However, in the eyes of the Magic Councilʼs councilors, this situation was far too troublesome...

After all, every guild had its own trial standard. There were so many S-Class Mages on the continent, and although some Mages had S-Class certification, they were completely watered-down goods! In order to prevent watered-down goods from mixing in! In the end, Warrod led the councilors and made a decision to establish an officially recognized S-Class Mage certification! In other words, as long as one had this certification, then there would be no need to repeatedly participate in S-Class Mage Promotion Trials because of leaving or joining a guild...

This was the origin of the current trial. At the same time, in order to make all Mages on the continent of Ishgar recognize the S-Class Mages produced by this trial, Warrod set the standard very high. Only those who defeated Jose or Zero could obtain the certification and become an S-Class Mage certified by the Magic Council ERA...

Of course, Warrod had not yet announced this decided trial. After all, once it was announced, it would definitely stir up an uproar across the entire continent of Ishgar, and at the same time draw countless people who wanted to prove themselves to rush to BLACKVOX and participate in the trial. Of course, Warrod was confident that there probably were not many people on the entire continent who could pass the trial.

”I understand! Then thereʼs no time to lose. Hurry and start the fight!”

”Iʼm already fired up!!”

Natsuʼs entire body emitted waves of scorching flames as he shouted excitedly.

”Aye~”

Happy flew above Natsuʼs head and nodded lightly.

”I can finally become an S-Class Mage...”

The corner of Lyonʼs mouth rose. He seemed full of confidence in his own strength. After all, he had used Ice-Make Magic to copy a certain legendary creature!

”S-Class Mage! As long as I obtain this title, I can stand at the same height as Senior Sister, Master, and Father...”

Waves of cold air erupted from Grayʼs body, and his heart was incomparably excited.

”Gray!”

”Lyon!”

The next second, Gray and Lyon looked at each other, then forcefully stretched out their hands and high-fived!

”What is going on with these two perverts?”

”They are clearly so perverted, so why can they be so fired up?”

Behind Lutz, the staff wearing prison uniforms looked at Gray and Lyon, who were naked and carrying Kurokoʼs Basketball, and the corners of their eyes twitched. They kept feeling that there was probably something seriously wrong with Gray and Lyonʼs brains.

”Big Sister, just watch! Your younger brother will soon catch up with your footsteps...”

Elfman clenched his fists. His eyes were excited, and he looked extremely thrilled.

Elfman had always set becoming an S-Class Mage like his older sister Mirajane as his goal...

”Big Brother Elfman~”

Lisanna looked at Elfman and smiled sweetly. In truth, she wanted to tell her brother that they might not necessarily be able to beat Jose Porla or Zero. After all, no matter how weak Jose and Zero were, they still possessed Saint-level combat strength!

”So why did I also come?”

Cana looked at everyone with confusion. Because everyone was running, she also ran along with them. But after sobering up halfway, she began to regret it, to the point that even now, she did not understand why she still had to participate in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial?! Anyway, she had already acknowledged her father Gildarts. Why should she still work so hard? Would it not be more enjoyable to return to the guild, drink some wine, and chat with everyone...

”...”

Seilah stood beside Cana, silent. She was thinking about whether she should pass the guildʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial or not. For her, defeating Jose or Zero was simply not too easy. But to be honest, S-Class Mage certification was optional for her.

”Eight years! Finally, finally this day has arrived...”

”However, I always feel that passing the trial this way is somewhat opportunistic...”

Kagura held her samurai sword, her eyes tightly closed. She had waited for this day to arrive for far too long.

But when Kagura thought about it again, she frowned! In her view, failing to pass the trial issued by the Fairy Tail guild and instead becoming an S-Class Mage by passing the trial issued by the Magic Council had some suspicion of taking shortcuts...

Yes, in the eyes of other guilds, this S-Class Mage Promotion Trial held by the Magic Council must have gone mad! After all, defeating an active Ten Wizard Saint was far too ridiculous. If someone had the strength to defeat a Ten Wizard Saint, would they still care about some S-Class Mage certification?!

But in the eyes of the Mages of the Fairy Tail guild, the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial held by the Magic Council was truly a bit too easy!

After all, the Mages of Fairy Tail had long since become used to the situation where every year during the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, a monster-level dark horse would suddenly participate in the trial! And the so-called monster-level in the eyes of Fairy Tail people had to be Spriggan-level at the minimum, while the upper limit had to be Dragon King...

As for those examiners in Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial every year?! They were even more a group of monsters! With Evan, August, Selene, Irene, and the others using their full power, even Spriggan-level could not pass the trial! If one wanted to steadily pass Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial, they had to be Dragon King-level at minimum...

What? You say a mere Saint-level entry existence dares to serve as an examiner? This trial is far too easy, right?

”Laxus, watch me! Although I cannot pass the guildʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial...”

”But I can still risk everything for this trial issued by the Magic Council!”

The corners of Freedʼs mouth carried a smile. He had already become eager to try.

Yes, Freedʼs thoughts were the same as Kaguraʼs. He had already grown used to encountering monsters when he was in the Fairy Tail guild. Right now, he planned to gamble with all his strength and see whether he could pass the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial held by the Council and obtain the S-Class Mage certification issued by the Council, although in Freedʼs view, the effectiveness of this certification issued by the Council was below the certification issued by the Fairy Tail guild...

”Then I will announce the rules of this yearʼs trial...”

”The rules are as follows. Because there are two examiners, Jose and Zero, two members participating in the trial may proceed at the same time each round! The two will draw lots to decide whether they will deal with Zero or Jose. If one side surrenders or loses consciousness, the battle ends...”

”After the battle ends, the examiner will be given three days of rest time. The next trial will be held three days later!”

”By the way, in order to prevent some permanent fixtures from staying at BLACKVOX and constantly challenging Jose and Zero! Those who fail the challenge will not be allowed to issue another challenge for one year!”

”Have you all heard clearly?”

Lutz told the Fairy Tail Mages present the detailed rules of the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial held by the Magic Council. After speaking, he did not forget to ask everyone.

”Wait, please wait a moment...”

”You said only two people can participate in the trial each time, and after each trial, there must be three days of rest. In that case...”

”Doesnʼt that mean if someoneʼs luck is bad, some of us will only be able to participate in the trial after several months?”

Natsuʼs expression changed violently after hearing this. One had to know that those who came this time were not only Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Promotion Trial candidates, but also a group of arrogant youths who believed they possessed the strength to become S-Class Mages! In total, there were more than fifty people...

With so many people queuing, who knew when the line would reach them?!

”That is your problem...”

Hearing this, the corners of Lutzʼs mouth rose slightly. If they did not even have the ability to participate in the trial, then what trial were they taking?

”In other words, does this mean we have to first use battle or some other method to decide who has the qualification to participate in the trial?”

Grayʼs brain turned quickly. He soon understood the hidden meaning in Lutzʼs words.

”Hehe...”

Lutz placed his hands behind his back. After hearing Grayʼs words, he only smiled lightly and did not clarify.

Yes, this S-Class Mage exam had already begun from the moment these people stepped into BLACKVOX...

Challenging Jose and Zero was only one part of the exam. In truth, in Lutzʼs view, it was fundamentally impossible for anyone to defeat Jose and Zero. Although those two monsters had committed countless mistakes, their strength was absolutely monster-level!

And the so-called S-Class exam was only to assess the Magesʼ ability to deal with crises and their resistance to pressure when facing Saint-level monsters. No one had ever said they had to defeat Jose and Zero, these two monsters, in order to pass the trial!

As long as these BLACKVOX examiners believed the candidates participating in the trial possessed the ability to pass the S-Class Mage trial, then they could pass the trial...

”Then what will you Fairy Tail Mages do next? You are Mages of the same guild. Presumably, even if you guessed that the first stage of the S-Class trial is to have the candidates decide the victor among themselves, and for the victor to challenge Jose and Zero, it will still be hard for you to act, right? After all, you are family!”

Lutz narrowed his eyes slightly. In truth, he was a person with a terrible personality. He was not interested in power, women, or money. He was only interested in one thing, and that was human nature! In this world, there was no better place than a prison to study human nature! And now, Lutz wanted to see how this group of outstanding people from a Light Mage Guild would pass this first stage...

However, Lutz had roughly guessed Fairy Tailʼs Magesʼ way of passing. It would likely be through hypocritical voting or some peaceful method like rock-paper-scissors, right? But in that case, there would be unlucky people who would have to queue later. Moreover, this kind of game relying on popularity and luck would presumably leave many people unconvinced and hurt many peopleʼs hearts, right?

When that time came, could the Fairy Tail guild still stand in the continent of Ishgar as it did now and become the number one Mage Guild? Lutz looked forward to it...

”Yes, we are family...”

As Lutzʼs voice fell, the Mages of the Fairy Tail guild all nodded together. They gritted their teeth, and their eyes were filled with reluctance.

”Hehe, as expected...”

Lutz looked at the Fairy Tail Mages who were hesitating one after another, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. Everything was within his plan. These Fairy Tail Mages had indeed hesitated. Only, he was somewhat puzzled. He was puzzled as to why these Fairy Tail Mages were shedding tears while mobilizing magic power, as if they were about to start a massacre...

”An illusion. It must be my illusion...”

In response, Lutz silently thought in his heart.

”Damn it! We are companions of the same guild! How can we kill each other over something like this?!”

Freedʼs eyes carried resentment. He had already drawn the rapier at his waist, and lines of magic text continuously flew around him.

”Go die! Trash!”

The instant his voice fell, Freedʼs magic sent several companions around him flying into the sky.

”Yes! Yes...”

”We are loving companions!”

”It really makes one sad~”

Bickslow and Evergreen directly removed their glasses and activated the power of their magic eyes.

In the blink of an eye, five full Mages of the guild were directly controlled by Bickslow and transformed into his dolls!

Evergreenʼs side was even more excessive. She directly turned the nearby three people into stone statues...

”If you really treat us as family, put away your magic!”

The others in the guild looked at the team of Thunder God Tribe members grouped together and roared one after another. As they spoke, countless magic circles lit up with dazzling light on everyoneʼs bodies.

”Iʼm fired up!”

The corners of Natsuʼs mouth rose, and his body was already surrounded by scorching flames. He did not have that many twists and turns. He purely wanted to fight.

”Fire Dragonʼs Crushing Fist!”

With Igniaʼs help, Natsuʼs Dragon Slayer Magic had made a leap in progress, upgrading from Fire Dragonʼs Iron Fist to Fire Dragonʼs Crushing Fist! Natsuʼs punch came with great momentum and instantly landed on the cheek of the person beside him. Accompanied by fierce flames, he sent his companion flying...

”Hahaha...”

”Too weak, too weak!”

After Natsu sent his companion flying, he did not forget to laugh wildly toward the sky, looking very much like a Flame Demon King.

”As expected of Lord END~”

Seilah looked at Natsu, who showed no mercy to his companion, stretched out her snow-white palms, and kept clapping.

”Ice-Make!!”

Gray and Lyonʼs Ice-Make Magic had also finished gathering power at this time.

In an instant, they froze the four Mages who were attacking the two of them into ice sculptures...

”Since as family, we canʼt fight...”

”Then starting now, we are not family!”

”You bastards, prepare yourselves! The one participating in the S-Class exam will definitely be me!!”

At the same time, the other Mages inside Fairy Tail did not fall behind either. Everyone displayed Fairy Tail guildʼs true colors one after another. Each of their expressions was crazed like hell demons! As those shining magic circles lit up with waves of light, accompanied by bursts of powerful magic roaring, the Mages instantly began a massacre.

”They acted! They acted against their companions without the slightest sense of morality!”

At the same time, Lutz widened his eyes. He had stayed in the magical prison for so long, but he had never seen members of a Mage Guild this brutal. One had to know that even a vicious murderer would shed tears when seeing their family, and even an arrogant underworld boss would shed tears for their brothers! They would absolutely not sell out their brothers! Those villains, although they had committed unforgivable deeds, would at least repent before death! They absolutely would not attack their family and brothers...

But the Mages before him were different. Not only did they attack their family and friends without any psychological burden, every move was deadly! Lutz could see the faces of these Mages. These people—were laughing wildly!

”Lord Lutz, are these people really fine?”

”Are they really members of a Light Mage Guild? Even the darkest Dark Mage Guild members I have seen did not look as brutal as them!”

Several jailers beside Lutz looked at their boss in panic and asked.

”Ah? Mm!”

Lutz fell silent. He only wanted to ask, who told him Fairy Tail was a damn Light Mage Guild?

In what way were these people light?

”Hahaha!”

Just as Lutz was puzzled, the Mages of Fairy Tail fought more and more exaggeratedly.

All kinds of powerful magic circles emerged endlessly!!

”These guys arenʼt joking around! Theyʼre serious...”

”Serious about taking down all their companions!”

Lutz looked at the magic circles emitting powerful magic one after another, his forehead covered in sweat. He repeatedly retreated, and his heart was wildly shocked.

”Too terrifying. Do these people not have hearts?”

Lutz retreated while shaking his head. After studying human nature for so many years, this was the first time he felt fear!

Lutz even began to have the thought of giving up his research!