Time Flies

(Note: Based on readers' suggestions, starting from this chapter, the protagonist Feng Lan's title has been changed from "Sea Ghost" to "Water Dragon," and the move "Water Dragon's Iron Fist" has been changed to "Water Dragon's Soft Fist.")

Time flew by, and it was now X781. Feng Lan had joined Fairy Tail four years ago, and quite a few things had happened during that time.

In X778, Laxus Dreyar became an S-Class Mage, and the title "Thunder God" resounded throughout the land. Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen also became Laxus's personal guard—the Thunder God Tribe. Another bombshell rocked Fairy Tail when Feng Lan and Mira announced their relationship...

In X779, Misterlan became an S-Class Mage as Fairy Tail's most mysterious member, and he was on particularly good terms with Laxus and Feng Lan from the same guild. (The author doesn't know when Misterlan became S-Class. Readers who know, please enlighten me.)

In X780, Fairy Tail's newly promoted S-Class Mage, the Queen of Fairy Tail—Erza Scarlet—also became renowned far and wide.

Besides them, Fairy Tail had many powerful contenders for S-Class: Demon Mirajane, who excelled at Take Over Magic; Flame Emperor Natsu, the Fire Dragon Slayer Mage (since the protagonist was now the Water Dragon, Natsu no longer needed to be the Fire Dragon); and Ice Emperor Gray, who had mastered both Ice-Make Magic and God Slayer Ice Magic. (I haven't decided yet. If you're dissatisfied, feel free to offer suggestions, and I'll reconsider.)

"We're back!" The doors of the Fairy Tail guild were slowly pushed open, and Feng Lan's group walked inside.

"You brats! You went out and demolished half a city!?" Makarov hurled the wineglass in his hand at Feng Lan.

Used to it by now, Feng Lan caught the glass and casually took a drink. "Hey, it wasn't my fault. Natsu nearly burned down the town, and I was only putting out the fire."

Makarov roared furiously, "Who puts out a fire by causing a tsunami!?"

Natsu looked at Feng Lan with an aggrieved expression. "Bro, why are you pinning this on me right away?"

Gray mocked, "Haha, caused trouble again, huh? You simple-minded Flame Idiot."

Natsu snapped back at Gray, "Hah? Says the guy who turned an entire street into ice sculptures?"

Gray clenched his fists. "What did you say? You wanna fight?"

Flames ignited in Natsu's right hand as he jumped in front of Gray. "Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!?"

Mira said with a grin, "Hehe, got scolded, didn't you?"

Lisanna and Elfman sat off to the side, whispering, "Clearly, Mira sis is the one who wrecked things the most..."

Mira covered both their mouths. "Hey, will you two die if you talk less!?"

"Big brother! You're back!" Wendy ran up to Feng Lan while holding Charuru. "Huh? Where are Dada Liya and Happy?"

Feng Lan rubbed Wendy's head. "The two of them started yelling about going fishing the moment they got back."

Wendy looked down at Charuru in her arms. "Charuru, should we go find them? I want to go fishing too."

Charuru turned her head aside. "Hmph, I don't want to be like those two tomcats. But since Wendy wants to go, I'll keep you company."

"Hehe, thank you, Charuru." Wendy ran out of the guild with Charuru in her arms.

"Old man, where's Laxus?" Feng Lan asked, resting his chin on his hand.

Makarov hopped onto the guild bar. "Him? He went out on a job."

Thud! Just as Feng Lan and Makarov were talking, everyone in the guild collapsed one after another.

Feng Lan smiled. "Seriously, making such a big entrance just to come back."

"Feng Lan, you're here too?" A masked man with five magic staffs strapped to his back slowly pushed open the door and entered.

Feng Lan waved a hand. "Just got back. But you're still as shy as ever... Misterlan."

"Alright, alright, stop teasing me. This is for you, Guild Master." Misterlan pulled out a stack of papers and handed them to Makarov. "These are the bills for the public property Laxus and the others damaged during this trip."

Makarov accepted the bills with trembling hands. "How did they blow up half a town again...?"

Feng Lan nodded. "Indeed. We should've acted together."

Makarov stared at Feng Lan, his face full of black lines. "What, you weren't planning to leave even half behind?"

Feng Lan smiled at the two of them, took down a request from the second floor, and handed it to Makarov. "Guild Master, I'll take this job."

With that, he left the guild alongside Misterlan. The others in the guild gradually woke up as well.

Mira held her head. "Ah... damn it, it was Misterlan again, wasn't it?"

Natsu said regretfully, "Seriously, why did I fall asleep again? I hadn't even challenged him yet!"

Gray sat on the floor bare-chested. "Misterlan really is something. Does he have to make such a huge fuss every time he comes back?"

"Gray, your clothes," Cana reminded Gray while quietly drinking at the side.

"This smell..." Feng Lan sniffed the air around him, shrugged, and said, "Hmph, someone who makes an even bigger entrance is back."

As soon as Feng Lan finished speaking, the town broadcast rang out. "Magnolia has entered Gildarts Mode. All residents, please proceed to your designated positions. I repeat..."

Hearing this, everyone gathered around the entrance. Boom! The next second, the guild doors disintegrated into powder.

Feng Lan walked forward. "Yo, Gildarts. Your entrance is still as arrogant as ever!"

Gildarts scratched his head. "Want the Guild Master to get you one too?"

Feng Lan waved his hand. "Forget it. I don't need to be that arrogant... By the way, how's your Ten-Year Quest going?"

Gildarts shrugged. "Not bad. But it seems like you've only done a Ten-Year Quest twice, right? Why not do more?"

Feng Lan glanced at Mira and Natsu. "Now isn't the time. Once I find the right opportunity, I'll pull off something big!"

Gildarts patted Feng Lan. "Haha, that's definitely your style!"

Makarov took out a request form. "Feng Lan, this job requires Fairy Tail and Azure Pegasus to work together. Take your team."

Feng Lan sighed helplessly. "Yes, yes, can't even let a person rest for a bit... Lisanna, Natsu, go get Dada Liya and Happy."

After Feng Lan's group left, Makarov patted Gildarts's thigh. "Gildarts, come with me. I have something to ask of you."

Gildarts hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed Makarov inside.

On the street

"Natsu, are you confident about taking part in this year's S-Class Exam?" Lisanna and Natsu walked toward the riverside.

Natsu pressed his fists together. "Of course! This year's S-Class Mage will definitely be me!"

Lisanna looked at the clouds in the sky. "Then... Natsu, if you take part in the S-Class Exam this year, let Lisanna be your exam partner!"

Natsu scratched his head. "But is your sister-in-law okay with that?"

Lisanna thought for a moment. "Hmm... it's fine. There's still big brother Elfman. Don't tell me Natsu thinks I'm too weak?"

Natsu hurriedly waved his hands. "How could that be! How could I possibly look down on you?"

Lisanna said with a smile, "Hehe, I was just teasing you! Come on, let's go. Don't keep big brother Feng Lan and the others waiting too long."

Natsu blushed. "Got it, already. You're teasing me again..."