The Coming Storm
While the Fairy Tail members were busy preparing for the second test, no one noticed that a huge shadow had been cast over the azure sky above Tenrou Island.
A gigantic, black airship with a menacing appearance is breaking through the clouds and heading towards this holy land of fairies.
The enormous statue at the bow, resembling a demon's head, underscores its ominous nature.
This airship belongs to "Grimoire Heart," one of the three major dark guilds of the Balam Alliance!
The atmosphere on the spaceship's bridge was solemn and oppressive.
A tall woman, clad in a magnificent robe, was quietly gazing at the outline of an island displayed on a magical screen in front of her.
It was Ultear, the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
"It seems we've found him, Guild Master Hades," Ultear said softly without turning her head.
Behind her, an elderly man, tall and frail, with a head of thick, snow-white hair, a face covered in deep wrinkles, and wearing a black eye patch over his right eye, slowly opened his left eye.
He is Hades, the second guild master of Fairy Tail and now the leader of the strongest dark guild.
"Yes!"
Hades' voice was old and hoarse, yet it contained a chilling power.
"But it seems he's still asleep."
"I can't wait!"
A burly man with a calm demeanor walked over; he was Bluenote, the vice president of "Grimoire Heart".
A cruel excitement lingered on his face. "Just how powerful is he? For four hundred years, he has pushed black magic to its limits, creating countless demons that have plunged the world into chaos. The strongest and most evil person in the world—the Black Mage Zeref."
Upon hearing the word "strongest," Ultear's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
The image of that man uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
The man who left her powerless to resist, yet inexplicably let her go.
The man who, with just one sentence, made her never dare to harm any life again.
Infinity -- Jiang Bai!
Ultear shook her head silently in her heart.
Impossible! How could Jiang Bai be stronger than Zeref?
One is a legend who has lived for four hundred years; the other is just a young man in his early twenties.
Let's get started!
Hades rose from his throne, spread his arms, and proclaimed with a fervent expression:
Full speed ahead! Destination: Tenrou Island!
"This day has finally arrived! The key is now in our hands! The legendary dark mage Zeref, I will help him awaken from his slumber and usher in a true Great Magic World!"
"Oh oh!!"
The people on the bridge immediately erupted in excited cheers.
"However, on our way to Fairy Tail's sacred ground, we still have an enemy we cannot ignore."
Ultear's voice was like a bucket of cold water poured over the crowd's fervent emotions.
"Fairy Tail's ace, the monster known as 'Infinity' — Jiang Bai!"
Is Ur afraid of him?
A petite little girl with short, fluffy light pink hair, round golden eyes, and a youthful appearance peeked out from behind Ultear.
She is Meredy, and one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
"Then let me help you deal with him!" Meredy's voice was both innocent and cruel.
Looking at the girl beside her who relied on her like a mother, Ultear felt a surge of indescribable guilt once again.
But for the sake of her unattainable wish, she forced herself to suppress this guilt, and simply reached out and gently patted Meredy's head.
"What are you afraid of?!"
An extremely arrogant voice suddenly rang out.
A man with explosively long, golden hair and distinctive crimson, swirling pupils stepped out from the crowd.
A faint black divine flame swirled around him, and his expression was extremely arrogant and conceited.
He was Zancrow, the God-Slaying Mage among the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
"Just a mere fairy mage! Let me use the flames of the gods to burn him to ashes! Hahaha!"
Never underestimate any enemy.
Another deep voice sounded.
A humanoid creature with a goat's head, dressed in a retro dark robe and wearing sunglasses, emerged from the shadows.
He is Zoldeo has taken over the body of Capricorn Celestial Spirit Caprico.
"I was born for this day."
"Hmph, whether it's a monster or a fairy, as long as it stands in our way, we'll just take care of it."
Bluenote snorted coldly, his words filled with absolute confidence.
Ultear didn't speak again, but instead focused her gaze on President Hades.
Perhaps only he, as the former guild master of Fairy Tail, truly understood the monster's strength.
However, Hades' reaction disappointed her somewhat.
"It doesn't matter."
Hades waved his hand, his face full of contempt and disdain.
"Jiang Bai is just a talented but inexperienced young man. How could he possibly understand what the true demonic path is?"
"No one in this world can stop us from awakening Zeref!"
"Oh oh!!"
Watching her companions once again swept up in the fervor of their guild leader's bold words, Ultear sighed silently in her heart.
What a bunch of self-important idiots.
Even President Hades probably never truly cared about Jiang Bai's existence.
After all, those who haven't personally experienced that kind of power will never believe that the gap between themselves and that monster is even greater than the gap between heaven and earth.
But it doesn't matter anyway.
Ultear's gaze turned cold and indifferent once again.
In any case, her goal, from beginning to end, has only been one thing— Zeref.
What happens to the Grimoire Heart, or to Fairy Tail, is none of her concern.
On this island, there were only three people who were worth her attention.
Jiang Bai, Zeref, and...
Gray Fullpasta, the junior brother who inherited his mother's magic.