At the end of Year X780.
Fairy Tail's S-Class Exam began...
It was time for the guild's S-Class Exam again. All the guild members who could make it back had gathered at the guild, chatting happily in small groups.
"Ah..." Zorn sighed as he lay across a table. He looked up and saw Cana in the distance, chatting happily with Erza, Mirajane, Levy, and the other girls. His eyes were full of aimless dejection and hurt.
As if sensing his gaze, Cana turned and saw the aggrieved Zorn. When he saw her looking, his eyes filled with hope and happiness again. The last bit of displeasure in her heart vanished, but she still didn't want to pay him any attention. She turned away again, ignored him, and went back to her conversation.
The hope in Zorn's eyes vanished when Cana turned away. He remained sprawled on the table, tapping it with a finger to vent his feelings.
"Hey, Cana, did Zorn do something wrong?" Mirajane leaned close and whispered in Cana's ear. She had noticed the awkwardness between the two of them, and the aggrieved look in Zorn's eyes had piqued her curiosity.
Levy and Erza also stopped talking at once and pricked up their ears to hear Cana's answer. The exchange between Cana and Zorn hadn't escaped their notice. Some time ago, beneath the cherry blossom trees, Zorn's pledge of love to Cana and the dazzling diamond ring he gave her had moved many people.
It turned out that Laxus had appeared near the ruins during their mission that day because Zorn had written to him beforehand, asking him to bring the reward from a previous mission that he had yet to collect. Zorn had then asked him to buy the most dazzling diamond ring, made from a meteorite, at the most famous place near the ruins of this final mission.
But Cana had found out. Besides carrying out his normal S-Class Missions, Zorn had secretly taken on missions issued by the Magic Council to wipe out dark guilds in his spare time. He had wiped out many dark guilds in the process. This had left Cana deeply worried about the danger he faced, because with missions that demanding, even someone as strong as Zorn might inevitably slip up one day.
"Oh, so Zorn's been working so hard, and he's so good to you, Cana. You're really lucky. I wish I had a boyfriend like that." After hearing how it all began, Mirajane threw an arm around Cana, her voice full of envy. Her words struck a chord with the other women nearby. They all nodded in unison and gazed enviously at the diamond ring on Cana's hand.
"Well, that's true. Zorn usually takes good care of me, but I still need to talk to him. He can't keep doing dangerous missions behind my back," Cana murmured, lowering her head slightly, the blush still on her face.
"Ahem, everyone, quiet down. I'll now announce this year's S-Class Exam candidates." Makarov stood on the raised platform, wearing a dignified fur coat bearing the emblem of the Ten Wizard Saints. He coughed twice, drawing every guild member's attention.
"This year, in accordance with the guild's regulations and following a year of observation, the following people have qualified for the S-Class Exam:"
"Mirajane Strauss."
"Erza Scarlet."
"Those two."
When Erza and Mirajane heard that they could finally take the S-Class Exam this year, they looked at each other, both full of fighting spirit and determined to pass.
"Damn it, I'm still not on the list this year? Ah, I'm fired up! I've gotta keep working hard!" Natsu was disappointed as always, but, as always, he refused to give up, cheering himself on with a fighting spirit.
"Laxus and Zorn will serve as examiners. Each of them will set his own rules for the exam. The location will once again be the guild's sacred ground, Tenrou Island."
A flash of lightning and a gleam of light flashed from Laxus and Zorn respectively, and they appeared behind Makarov, one on either side.
"Yo. Just like the master said, Laxus and I are the examiners this time. The condition for passing is simple: your strength just has to earn our recognition. It'd be best if you can beat us."
"That's right. Strength is the gold standard for the S-Class Exam. You can use any means you want. When you land on the island, there'll be two paths. Zorn and I will be waiting for you at the ends."
Zorn and Laxus explained the exam they had discussed earlier, point by point. In their view, strength was what mattered most. As for the various other factors and conditions, the candidates had to gather and prepare for those themselves. Once their strength was recognized, they would pass the exam.
"Ah, the S-Class Exam really is still hellishly difficult."
"Yeah. We don't even know how strong those two have gotten now."
"We need to work harder too."
"All right, after this year, I'll train hard..."
Hearing what the exam involved, the guild members began whispering among themselves, discussing and marveling at how difficult it was.
"We're not finished. Everyone, quiet down." After Zorn called out for the guild members to stop talking, he nodded to Makarov to signal that he could give his final remarks, then turned back to the crowd with a neutral expression.
"The exam will take place in one week. Mirajane, Erza, make your preparations. That's all. Dismissed." After announcing the date, Makarov resumed his little old man expression, hopped onto the bar, and clamored for a drink.
The guild returned to its previous lively state. The members congratulated Mirajane and Erza, then some took missions, some held drinking contests, and others argued.
Natsu and Gray were among those arguing and fighting. Apparently, they had come to blows again over which of them would become an S-Class Mage first.
With the exam on her mind, Erza had no inclination to deal with them. Lisanna and Happy were the ones trying to pull them apart and make peace.
When Erza and Mirajane both went off to prepare what they would need for the exam, Cana was left alone at the bar, drinking tea. Zorn crept up behind her, one hand hovering back and forth over her shoulder, tentatively lowering and raising it.
He also glanced carefully at Cana's expression from time to time. Only after confirming that she was no longer angry did he lower his hand and put his arm around her shoulders, gently promising that he would be sure not to take on too many missions in the future.
Upstairs, Laxus leaned over the railing and watched everyone below. In particular, seeing how much Zorn had changed since becoming a henpecked man, he decided that out of sight was out of mind and lay down on the sofa upstairs to rest with his eyes closed.
"Hey, Zorn, how are you and Laxus going to conduct the exam? Will there be any traps on the way to find you?" On their way home, Cana spoke as though making casual conversation, hoping to coax something out of him.
Although neither Erza nor Mirajane had any such thoughts, Cana was their best friend and still wanted to secretly use her connections to do something for them.
"Well, there aren't any traps. There are just some animals on the island, and not much else. Laxus and I are the main thing. Don't worry, they'll be fine." Zorn ruffled Cana's hair, reassuring her as she continued to worry.
Cana felt a little relieved after hearing that, but then realized Zorn was teasing her about her height again. She jumped up and playfully punched him again and again, venting her embarrassment and annoyance.
Zorn hurriedly caught Cana's hands and asked if they hurt. With a tender look on his face, he drew her into his arms and began whispering to her.
Cana looked at Zorn in surprise, and he held an index finger to his lips, signaling her to keep it secret.
The two snickered together and went home hand in hand.
To be continued~