Chapter Summaries

Lucy came to Riyao’s manor to practice Star Dress and ended up staying for breakfast, where the household teased her and tried to leave her with the dishes. She escaped, leaving Elfman to wash them again.

• Lucy freed Happy, who had been hanging from the parasol tree all night.
• Lucy admitted she had come to the manor for breakfast, and Wendy offered her fruit.
• Riyao and Mirajane invited Lucy to eat with them, and Lucy accepted after weighing the free meals against watching their displays of affection.
• Riyao and Mirajane left for the guild, followed by Lisanna, while Carla, Wendy, and Happy also headed out.
• Lucy realized she had been left with the dishes, then rushed outside and left Elfman to wash them.

Lucy practiced Star Dress under Mirajane and Riyao's guidance and successfully formed it on her right hand. When Mirajane suggested sparring, Lucy refused, and the infirmary filled with playful drama before Erza made the same offer.

• Riyao suggested that Lucy try combining the powers of two Celestial Spirits, though he admitted he had no experience doing so.
• Mirajane and Riyao repeatedly corrected Lucy as she built her magic circuit until she formed a Star Dress on her right hand.
• Riyao called Lucy's achievement a nerfed version of Star Dress, and Mirajane offered to spar with her, prompting Lucy to refuse.
• Levy entered and joined Riyao and Mirajane in teasing Lucy, then reenacted their antics for Erza, Gray, and Natsu.
• Lucy explained what had happened, and Erza praised her progress before asking to spar; Lucy screamed no.

Natsu dragged Lucy outside for a fight, and the guild gathered to watch and place bets. Lucy matched Natsu's attacks with her Celestial Spirits and improved strength, but their battle was still underway when she yelled at Riyao to stop commentating.

• Natsu pulled Lucy to the training ground, where guild members gathered and Cana, Gildarts, Levy, Makarov, and Riyao reacted to the fight.
• Lucy summoned Taurus and used her Nerfed Star Dress to block Natsu's punch and withstand his kick.
• Lucy summoned Scorpio, whose sand tornado extinguished Natsu's Fire Dragon's Roar.
• Natsu used the dust as cover to attack Lucy from behind with Fire Dragon's Iron Fist, but Lucy turned and blocked it with her arms.
• Riyao continued his loud commentary until Lucy shouted at him to shut up, and the fight remained unresolved.

Lucy fought Natsu using a nerfed Star Dress and multiple Celestial Spirits, but ran out of magic before she could defeat him. Natsu then challenged Riyao, who prepared to fight after Mirajane kicked him onto the training ground.

• Lucy surprised Natsu with Scorpio's tail, then summoned Leo to help fight him.
• Lucy opened a second gate for Sagittarius and attacked Natsu alongside Leo while maintaining her Star Dress.
• Lucy exhausted her magic, causing Leo, Sagittarius, and her Star Dress to disappear; she collapsed and conceded.
• Natsu demanded a new opponent and challenged Riyao.
• Mirajane kicked Riyao onto the training ground, and Riyao faced Natsu, warning him he would not heal him afterward.

Riyao tested his improved Azure Dragon Form against Natsu, overwhelming him with ice, chains, and a tornado during their fight. After Natsu unleashed a powerful fire attack and demanded another round, Riyao knocked him unconscious and carried him to the infirmary.

• Natsu charged Riyao with powerful intertwined flames, but Riyao transformed into his improved Azure Dragon Form and dodged his attacks.
• Riyao created falling snow and ice swords, then chased Natsu across the frozen arena until Natsu erupted in flames and took on dragon-like features.
• Natsu's fire melted Riyao's ice, but Riyao flew out of reach, launched more swords, and trapped Natsu in ice chains.
• Riyao swept Natsu into a tornado with ice fragments and formed a gigantic ice sword, but Natsu countered with Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade and shattered it.
• Natsu demanded another attack, but Riyao appeared before him and tapped him into a deep sleep before carrying him to the infirmary.

Riyao explained the upcoming S-Class Mage exam to Lucy and Wendy while teasing Makarov and Gildarts at the empty guild hall. After describing Gildarts’s dangerous Crush Magic, Riyao was suddenly crushed by a dull impact.

• Riyao told Lucy and Wendy that guild members were taking requests to earn Makarov’s approval for the S-Class Mage exam.
• Lucy asked how to increase her magic power, and Riyao explained that training could open the Second Origin and that magic power continued growing with age.
• Riyao teased Makarov about his weakened body and stolen booze, prompting Makarov to flee into his office.
• Gildarts arrived and ordered chicken cutlet curry while Riyao described his powerful Crush Magic and his childhood struggles to control it.
• Gildarts accused Riyao of making up the story, and after they traded barbs, a dull impact crushed Riyao’s entire body.

Gildarts accidentally split Riyao into many tiny copies, but he soon restored Riyao to normal after Mirajane tried to play with one. Lucy discussed her lack of combat experience, then Natsu and Happy returned with completed requests and admitted to several mishaps as Riyao recorded their damages for compensation.

• Gildarts accidentally created countless mini Riyaos, and Mirajane picked one up and tried to tuck him into her qipao before Gildarts restored Riyao to normal.
• Riyao warned Lucy that she needed to take requests or train, while Lucy said her watered-down Star Dress let her fight more directly.
• Natsu and Happy returned with request sheets, and Mirajane sent Natsu's paperwork to Riyao for registration.
• Natsu described his jobs while Happy told Riyao that Natsu had burned woods, treasure, and bird eggs during them.
• Riyao recorded the destruction and told Natsu that compensation would be deducted from his rewards, making Natsu deny responsibility and eat faster.

Elfman and Lisanna returned from a job, and Riyao healed Elfman and accepted the herbs they had gathered for him. Riyao magically lengthened Lucy’s hair, which she eventually tied into a ponytail, while Mirajane considered trying short hair.

• Natsu and Happy finished eating and left the guild to take more jobs.
• Elfman and Lisanna returned covered in dirt, and Riyao healed Elfman’s wounds with magic.
• Lisanna gave Riyao the medicinal herbs she and Elfman had gathered while completing their jobs.
• Riyao used magic to grow Lucy’s hair, and Caelum tried several haircuts before Lucy settled on a high ponytail.
• Mirajane wondered whether she should try short hair, and Riyao told her she could always grow it back.

Riyao and Mirajane discussed who might qualify for the S-Class Exam and explained the shortcomings holding other guild members back. Mirajane teased Riyao about having teamed up with Erza in his exam, then persuaded him to go shopping with her.

• Lisanna dragged Lucy out shopping, while Riyao and Mirajane discussed Freed and Juvia as likely S-Class candidates.
• Riyao explained that Natsu's inconsistency and Gray's limited Ice-Make techniques could prevent them from passing the exam.
• Ur criticized Gray's rigid approach to molding magic, prompting Gray to flee and leave his shirt behind.
• Mirajane described Levy's teamwork with Jet and Troy, and explained that exam candidates could team up but could not choose an S-Class Mage.
• Riyao said he had teamed up with Erza before Mirajane joined the guild, and Mirajane arranged for him to go shopping with her.

Levy restocked her potions from Riyao and persuaded Lucy to join her on a job. As Levy and the others left, Lisanna tried to slip away on a job but was recruited by Mirajane to help at the guild instead.

• Levy asked Riyao for potions, and he packed her a standard supply plus specially made vine seeds for Troy.
• Levy persuaded Lucy to join the group’s job, and they agreed to split the payment equally while covering their own travel expenses.
• Levy, Lucy, Jet, and Troy left the guild after eating, while Riyao and Mirajane saw them off.
• Lisanna tried to leave on a job, but Mirajane stopped her and assigned her chores at the guild.
• Riyao sided with Mirajane, and Lisanna resigned herself to wiping the bar while Elfman stayed quiet.

Riyao stocked Freed and Bickslow with potions, then returned to the manor and discovered Cana, Makarov, and Gildarts had stolen and drunk his fruit wine. He punished them by hanging them from the Parasol Tree, but let Cana down for dinner, while Makarov and Gildarts remained tied up as Riyao planned to record their punishment.

• Freed and Bickslow carried Riyao to the infirmary to buy potions, and Freed said he planned to take the S-Class Exam seriously if nothing unexpected happened.
• Evergreen asked Riyao for a beauty potion, then reluctantly accepted a leftover face mask made for Mirajane.
• Riyao returned to the manor with Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman, where Mavis pointed him toward the wine cellar.
• Riyao found Cana, Makarov, and Gildarts drunk beside empty fruit-wine barrels, then tied them up and hung them from the Parasol Tree.
• Cana pleaded to be released, and Riyao eventually let her down to eat while Makarov and Gildarts stayed hanging and argued over who had stolen the wine.
• Riyao warned Makarov and Gildarts that he would set up a crystal ball to record them, leaving them unsure what he meant.

Riyao left Makarov and Gildarts tied to the parasol tree with a magical rope that resisted their attempts to escape and began bouncing them up and down. The guild members watched and laughed, while the two old men remained trapped and regretted their greed.

• Cana finished eating and went to bed, while Mirajane persuaded Riyao to leave Makarov and Gildarts tied up for the night.
• Makarov used Giant Magic and Gildarts used Crush Magic to try to break free, but the rope adjusted to Makarov's size and regenerated faster than Gildarts could destroy it.
• Riyao told the men the rope was connected to the parasol tree, then made it flash rainbow colors and swing them up and down.
• Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, Wendy, and Carla came outside to watch; Cana laughed, and Lisanna took pictures of the bouncing men.
• Makarov pleaded with Lisanna and Wendy to ask Riyao to release him, but they went inside, while Cana refused to help and Gildarts begged her for food.
• Makarov and Gildarts admitted they should not have been greedy, as the rope kept bouncing them and Mavis watched with laughter.

Riyao woke Makarov and Gildarts after leaving them tied up overnight, then teased them over breakfast while the household prepared for the day. Riyao and Mirajane left for the guild, while Wendy and Carla headed out and Cana stayed behind with Gildarts.

• At dawn, the rope came undone and Makarov and Gildarts fell from the tree before racing to the toilets.
• Riyao invited Makarov and Gildarts to help turn the soil, but Makarov fled and Gildarts refused after learning the planting was already finished.
• Riyao and Gildarts argued about Gildarts stealing wine and being unable to bathe after being hung up overnight.
• Cana woke and joined Gildarts for breakfast, then pushed his face away when he leaned toward her.
• Riyao and Mirajane left for the guild, and Wendy and Carla followed after breakfast.

Riyao and Juvia discussed the upcoming S-Class Exam before sharing their Gray-related photo collection, while Mirajane rested and Juvia helped Ur at the bar. Wendy and Carla arrived at the guild and found Juvia dressed as a maid.

• Warren said he had taken only two requests and expected to miss the S-Class Exam, while Riyao explained that his increased magic power let him maintain a larger Hundred Battles Spell Formula.
• Juvia brought Riyao two requests, learned that the S-Class Exam was approaching, and asked him for more pictures of Gray.
• Riyao gave Juvia a collector's-edition photo of Gray defeated on the ground and told Mirajane he had taken it after beating Gray and Natsu.
• Riyao carried the exhausted Mirajane to the infirmary, leaving Ur to handle the bar.
• Juvia offered to help Ur, changed into a maid outfit, and worked behind the bar while Ur told her about Gray's childhood.
• Wendy and Carla arrived at the guild and saw Juvia working in her maid outfit.

The guild members returned from their commissions as Makarov, Erza, and Mirajane finalized the S-Class Exam candidate list. Makarov announced that eight members would participate, leaving the candidates’ names unrevealed.

• The guild filled with returning members sharing stories, while Natsu and Gray argued about Natsu’s chances of making the exam.
• Makarov, Erza, and Mirajane reviewed the candidates and removed Gajeel, Bickslow, Evergreen, and members whose teams had too few completed commissions.
• Gildarts and Riyao ate sunflower seeds while Erza and Mirajane led the candidate-list discussion.
• Makarov brought the final list into the guild hall, where the members fell silent in anticipation.
• Makarov announced that eight members would participate in the S-Class Exam.

Makarov announced eight candidates for the S-Class Mage exam, which would begin in one week and allow only one member to advance. As the guild learned about the challenges and chose partners, Carla experienced disturbing visions and Gildarts announced his participation.

• Makarov named Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Cana Alberona, Levy McGarden, Elfman Strauss, Juvia Lockser, Freed Justine, and Mest Gryder as the exam candidates.
• Makarov announced that the exam would begin in one week and only one member would become an S-Class Mage.
• Mirajane and Erza explained the partner rules and the requirement to defeat an S-Class Mage.
• Carla saw fragmented visions of a black-haired man surrounded by withering trees and a dark red sky with red rain.
• Gildarts announced that he would participate, bringing the number of S-Class Mages guarding the stages to four.
• Lucy approached Natsu about partnering with him, but Natsu had already chosen Happy.

Fairy Tail's exam participants chose partners for the upcoming S-Class Exam, with several guild members making awkward or unexpected pairings. After all eight pairs were set, they gathered around Riyao to prepare for the exam a week away.

• Cana recruited Lucy, but Levy joined them before Cana decided to partner with Lisanna instead, leaving Lucy and Levy to plan their tactics together.
• Gajeel awkwardly offered to partner with Juvia, who rolled her eyes at his roundabout invitation.
• Leo appeared without Lucy summoning him and revealed he had arranged to partner with Gray, while Riyao teased him for comparing him to Lucy.
• Freed and Bickslow paired up, and Evergreen claimed Elfman as her partner with Mirajane's encouragement.
• Mest asked Wendy to partner with him, and she accepted while Carla watched.
• All eight exam participants settled on their partners, then gathered around Riyao to prepare for the S-Class Exam a week later.

The Fairy Tail members set sail from Hargeon Harbor for Tenrou Island, where the S-Class promotion exam will take place. As the trip begins, the guild members relax and tease one another, while Freed and Bickslow secretly prepare runes aboard the ship.

• Erza knocked Natsu unconscious and carried him aboard after he refused to board the ship because of his seasickness.
• Riyao and Mirajane settled beneath a sun umbrella, while Freed inscribed runes on the deck and Bickslow helped hide his work.
• Evergreen teased Elfman, and Cana complained about Gildarts as Levy and Lucy asked about his habits on jobs.
• Gray made icy lounge chairs, Juvia took one beside him, and Leo chose to lie in its shade with Gajeel.
• Riyao imagined spending seven years asleep with Mirajane, then tickled her until Erza abandoned her attempt to discuss the exam with them.

Makarov announced that the S-Class exam’s first challenge began aboard the ship, and the examinees scrambled to reach Tenrou Island while Freed’s barrier delayed some of them. The guild members finally set off for the island, where the examiners waited in caves.

• Makarov announced that the examinees had to choose among eight cave entrances on Tenrou Island and declared that the exam began immediately from the ship.
• Freed flew toward the island with Bickslow and trapped the ship behind a magic-seal barrier, but Levy, Evergreen, and Lisanna opened gaps for their groups to escape.
• Mest teleported Wendy toward the island while Natsu and Gajeel failed to break through Freed’s barrier.
• After the barrier dissolved, Happy carried Natsu toward the island, Gray raced across an ice road with Leo, and Juvia carried Gajeel in a stream of water.
• Makarov watched the examinees head for Tenrou Island as Ur remarked that they all knew how to stir things up.

The teams in the S-Class trial found their assigned opponents in the island’s caves, while Makarov and Ur set up camp at the seaside. All eight groups had met their opponents, and the battles were about to begin.

• Makarov used Giant Magic to pitch the tent while Ur, Carla, and Lily helped prepare the campsite.
• Natsu found Gildarts by scent and prepared to fight him, with Happy watching from a rock.
• Gray and Leo entered Riyao’s cave, where Riyao called them out for cursing him in their thoughts.
• Cana and Lisanna found Mirajane, who promised to take good care of them as her magic filled the cave.
• Gajeel and Juvia faced Erza, who revealed that Edgeless was a wooden sword.
• Levy and Lucy encountered Mest and Wendy, while Freed and Elfman’s group faced the Thunder God Tribe; all eight teams found their opponents.