Preparing for the S-Class Exam

"Ho ho ho ho! Thank you so much, all five of you!" The Village Chief was moved to tears as he thanked Feng Lan and the others.

Feng Lan waved his hand and said awkwardly, "Not at all. It was what we should have done."

"No matter what, thank you all so much this time!" A deep voice rang out. Its owner was Adou.

The Village Chief took out a bag of money from behind him. "This is your quest payment. I'll divide it into five equal shares."

Feng Lan shook his head. "Make it four shares. I don't need any."

Mira asked in confusion, "Really? You're turning down money?"

Feng Lan smiled. "Yeah, I've already received a great reward! Besides, I'd like to ask Mr. Adou for a favor."

Upon hearing that, Adou hurriedly clasped his fists. "Please, tell me. As long as it is within my abilities, I will surely repay your kindness."

Feng Lan silently muttered, Equip, and two swords appeared in his hands—Onikiri and Spider Sever. "I'd like to ask Mr. Adou to repair these swords for me."

Adou hesitated. "This... might be difficult."

Feng Lan saw Adou's concerns and explained, "Don't worry. Though these two are Demon Blades, they have both formed contracts with me. They won't harm anyone again."

After hearing the explanation, Adou readily agreed.

Adou and Feng Lan went to the Blacksmith Shop to repair the swords.

Adou drew both swords from their sheaths and examined them carefully. "Setting aside the curses, these truly are peerless blades. And young man, you've maintained them well. There isn't much damage."

Feng Lan said modestly, "I'm not really good at maintaining them. I just don't use them very often, so they only look well cared for."

Adou laughed heartily. "Haha, I can tell you're a man who loves his blades too. How about you keep me company this morning? We can discuss swords."

Feng Lan smiled and agreed. "Mm, that's exactly what I had in mind."

Thus, Mira took Lisanna and the others out to have fun for the morning, while Feng Lan spent half the day talking with Adou. Around noon, Feng Lan and the others prepared to leave and arrived at the Station.

"Excuse me, passenger, please do not play with bladed weapons on the Train." A Conductor approached Feng Lan and spoke to him.

Reluctantly, Feng Lan stored the newly refurbished Onikiri and Spider Sever back into his Equip Space. "All right~"

"Sis Mira, this year's exam is coming up!" Lisanna said excitedly to Mira.

Feng Lan asked with a bewildered look, "Exam? What exam?"

Mira said speechlessly, "You don't even know that? The S-Class Exam. If you pass, you can become an S-Class Mage."

Feng Lan suddenly understood. "Oh! So it's the one the Guild Master told me about a few days ago. I'll be participating too."

Elfman muttered quietly from the side, "Since Brother Feng Lan is joining, doesn't that mean Sis has no chance?" Lisanna and Natsu nodded in agreement beside him.

Mira slapped the table, stood up, and shouted, "What do you mean by that!? He only became Fairy Tail's strongest after beating Gildarts, didn't he? I'll defeat him in this exam and become the new strongest!"

"Excuse me, passenger, please sit quietly in your seat and do not disturb the other passengers' rest." A Conductor walked over and spoke to Mira.

Mira sat down awkwardly. "S-Sorry."

Natsu and the others beside her laughed so hard they could barely close their mouths. As for Feng Lan... he had already drifted off to sleep.

Along the way, Lisanna and Elfman were exhausted from the battle and fell asleep alongside Feng Lan. Mira was thrilled about the upcoming S-Class Exam, thinking about how to get revenge on Feng Lan. Natsu, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with mixed feelings because of his strange magic power—though of course, he was still motion sick.

At around five in the afternoon, Feng Lan and his group returned to the guild. As soon as they entered, the Guild Master gathered every member of Fairy Tail.

Standing on the Podium, Makarov spoke solemnly. "Ahem! Everyone should know why I've gathered you here today. It is for the upcoming S-Class Exam! As usual, this year's exam will be held at Fairy Tail's sacred ground—Tenrou Island.

This year's participants are:

Feng Lan Mistna

Mirajane Strauss

Erza Scarlet

Laxus Dreyar

There are four participants in total. Before the exam begins, each of you must find a partner to complete the exam with. Your chosen partner cannot be a current S-Class Mage or another participant, and they must also be a member of Fairy Tail. The specific contents of the exam will be announced that day. No questions? Then... dismissed!"

With the end of Makarov's speech, the guild returned to its usual bustle, and the four participants began searching for partners.

Mira looked at Lisanna and Elfman, hesitating constantly. Neither of them was particularly skilled at fighting yet. If she wanted to focus solely on winning, it would be better to talk Natsu or Gray into joining her. But although Mira talked tough, she understood the gap between herself and Feng Lan very well. She thought, Since I can't win anyway, I might as well take Lisanna or Elfman along so they can get some training.

Elfman said without confidence, "Sis, you should take Lisanna with you this time. I still need to train harder."

After thinking it over, Mira agreed.

Laxus said to the three members of the future Thunder God Tribe, "Freed will come with me this time. With your magic, maybe we can compete with Feng Lan."

Freed's eyes shone. "Yes, I will definitely make Laxus an S-Class Mage."

After looking around, Erza walked up to Cana. "Cana, be my partner!"

Cana was stunned. "Can I really do it!?"

Erza nodded trustingly. "Of course. I'm counting on you!"

With Erza's affirmation, Cana was filled with determination. "Even though I'm not that strong, I'll definitely do my best."

Feng Lan did not hesitate for long before walking directly up to Natsu. "Natsu, be my partner!"

Natsu agreed with fiery enthusiasm. "Oh! I'm fired up!"

Feng Lan nodded in satisfaction, rubbed Natsu's head, and said to Mira and Lisanna, "Mira, Lisanna, from now on, we're temporarily enemies. I'm not very good at holding back."

Mira and Lisanna both swallowed nervously, but Mira still talked tough. "Hmph! Bring it on! Dragon Force is only thirty percent of your power? I want to see your full strength."

Feng Lan smiled. "Forget full strength. I might tear Tenrou Island apart. But I can show you fifty percent." That immediately made Mira feel like she might have bragged too much. After all, it was said that Feng Lan at fifty percent could crush Gildarts.

Feng Lan smiled at Mira, who seemed to be regretting her words, then turned to Natsu. "Come on. We still have serious business to discuss."

Natsu nodded, but before leaving, he did not forget to turn back and say to the defeated-looking Gray, "No one wants the Ice Block Exhibitionist. Boo hoo hoo, how pathetic~"

Gray stood up, tore off his shirt, and prepared to fight. "Flame Idiot, are you asking for a beating?"

Natsu stuck out his tongue at him, then turned and ran after Feng Lan.