Arc 8Preparing for Acnologia

Allen strengthened Fairy Tail through Dragon Cores, trials, and new magic while uncovering the Ankhseram God’s influence and preparing the guild for Acnologia’s awakening. The arc ended with several young mages unlocking Second Magic Sources and the Dragon Slayers’ Dragon Seeds becoming Digi-Eggs.

  • Allen implanted the Dragon Type Digital Core in Erza, making her a Holy Knight Digimon and a reserve member of the Royal Knights.
  • The Dragon Kings revealed why they had sent the Dragon Slayers into the future, and Allen warned that the Ankhseram God might be upgrading Acnologia.
  • Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon completed Allen’s graduation challenges, then helped defeat a Magic Beast that Allen identified as carrying the Ankhseram God’s power.
  • Fairy Tail members trained in the Trial Magic Circle, while Allen put them through Lord Dragon Emperor’s Dragon’s Roar pressure test.
  • Anna explained the Dragon King Festival and the Dragon Kings’ conflict with the Ankhseram God, and Allen required guild members to complete quests before using the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Lucy and Layla developed Psychic Power through their trials, and Layla agreed to give Allen sixty percent of the Heartfilia trading company’s shares.
  • After Acnologia awakened, Allen organized patrols and preparations for war, then approved Second Magic Sources for Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Rogue, Sting, Lucy, Gray, and Lyon.
  • Allen helped Lucy, Gray, Lyon, and Sting unlock their Second Magic Sources, extracted five Dragon Seeds, and transformed them into Digi-Eggs.
Chapters 177–201 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 177Erza's Evolution: Erza Beast!

Erza chose to receive the Dragon Type Digital Core so she could become a Royal Knight and fight alongside Allen. After a painful transformation, she became Erza Beast, a Holy Knight Digimon and reserve member of the Royal Knights.

  • Allen introduced Irene as a Fairy Tail guild consultant and school teacher, then explained the effects of the Dragon Type Digital Core.
  • Erza volunteered to use the Digital Core, and Irene agreed after Allen reassured her that Erza would remain human in essence.
  • Allen implanted the Digital Core in Erza, suppressing its Dragon Energy as it transformed her two Magic Sources into Digital Cores.
  • By nightfall, all three Digital Cores in Erza's body had begun rotating, and Allen confirmed the implantation had succeeded.
  • Erza's appearance changed, her height increased, and Allen declared her a Holy Knight Digimon and a reserve member of the Royal Knights.

Ch. 178A New Path

Erza received three Digital Cores and gained a major increase in power, while Allen explained that the transformation offered a path to further evolution. The guild members considered receiving Digital Cores themselves, and Allen agreed to work on making the process safer and more efficient.

  • Erza confirmed she felt no discomfort after the three Digital Cores stabilized inside her, and Irene checked that she was well.
  • Laxus challenged Erza to a match after she adapted to her new power, and she accepted.
  • Laxus resolved to seek a Digital Core so he could grow stronger for the future battle against the Ankhseram God.
  • Allen warned that Erza's exceptional increase came partly from absorbing Irene's accumulated Dragon Slayer Magic, and that others might not gain as much power immediately.
  • Gildarts and the other guild members asked Allen to make Digimon transformation more convenient, and Allen agreed to study and refine the process.

Ch. 179Opening the Door and Getting Straight to the Point

Irene had joined Fairy Tail, and Igneel and the other Dragon Kings revealed why they had sent Natsu and the others four hundred years into the future. Allen warned them that the Ankhseram God was their greater enemy and that Acnologia might return stronger, leaving the group to prepare for a wider conflict.

  • Allen approved Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon for the graduation exam scheduled for Friday, while rejecting Rogue and Sting’s applications.
  • Allen used magic to put Natsu and the other Dragon Slayers to sleep so the Dragon Kings could meet with the guild’s strongest mages and Anna.
  • Igneel explained that the Dragon Kings had sent Natsu and the others into the future to give them a chance to grow stronger and fight Acnologia.
  • Igneel said the Dragon Kings had chosen to let Allen train the Dragon Slayers after sensing his strength, and they would not have revealed themselves if Irene had not been present.
  • Allen told the Dragon Kings that the Ankhseram God was their real enemy and might be upgrading Acnologia, so the Dragon Slayers and others would need to strengthen their combat abilities.

Ch. 180The Night Before the Graduation Exam

As the graduation exam approached, Irene accelerated Natsu and Gajeel’s understanding of Dragon Slayer Magic, while the group trained for the challenges ahead. On the night before the exam, Natsu, Gajeel, Rogue, Sting, and Wendy realized they had all dreamed of their dragons flying out of their bodies, but Irene refused to explain what it meant until the right time.

  • Irene guided Natsu and Gajeel in Dragon Slayer Magic and the Dragon Slayer Secret Art as the graduation exam drew near.
  • On the guild roof, Natsu and Gajeel talked about missing Igneel and Metalicana, then revealed they had both dreamed their dragons flew out of their bodies.
  • Rogue and Sting said they had dreamed of Scyadrum and Vercyloxya doing the same, and Gray suggested they ask Wendy if she had shared the dream.
  • Natsu and the others found Wendy with Irene, and Wendy confirmed she had dreamed of Grandine flying out of her body.
  • Irene said she knew what the shared dreams meant but would not explain yet, and the group chose not to ask Allen and left to train or sleep.

Ch. 181Graduation Exam! (1)

Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Lyon prepared to take their graduation exam, while Natsu and Gray’s breakfast-time antics drew Erza’s reprimand. Mirajane announced that the exam would begin shortly and told everyone to gather in the guild hall in ten minutes.

  • Natsu woke Happy early and hurried to breakfast, while Gray, Gajeel, and Lyon also got up for the exam.
  • Macao showed Natsu betting odds that favored Natsu and Gajeel slightly over Gray and Lyon, and Natsu used them to taunt Gray.
  • Natsu, Gray, and Happy chased each other around the cafeteria until Erza arrived and stopped them.
  • Erza tore up the betting sheet and warned Natsu and Gray to take their graduation exam seriously.
  • Mirajane announced that the exam was about to begin and instructed everyone to gather in the guild hall in ten minutes.

Ch. 182Graduation Exam (2)

Allen and Mavis sent Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon into separate illusions for their S-Class exam, each with a timed challenge. Natsu defeated the Fire Dragon with his Dragon Slayer Magic and returned to reality with ten minutes left.

  • Allen explained that each mage had to enter a ring and complete its challenge within an hour, while Happy was excluded from the exam.
  • Natsu chose the red ring, Gajeel chose green, Lyon chose yellow, and Gray entered the remaining blue ring.
  • Allen and Mavis's illusion magic drew the four mages' consciousnesses into separate challenges while their bodies remained in place.
  • Natsu faced a Fire Dragon on an active volcano and fought it with his Dragon Slayer Magic.
  • Natsu defeated the Fire Dragon and returned to reality with ten minutes remaining on the countdown.

Ch. 183Graduation Exam (3)

Gajeel fought Venusaur in a forest exam arena and defeated it despite its draining, poisonous attacks. With five minutes left, he believed he had passed before losing consciousness and returning to reality.

  • Gajeel entered a forest clearing, saw Venusaur, and received the one-hour requirement to defeat it.
  • Gajeel cut through Venusaur’s vine whips, blocked its razor leaves with an iron wall, and broke its green shield with twin lances.
  • Venusaur shook the ground and poisoned Gajeel, leaving him weakened and drowsy as it charged Solar Beam.
  • Gajeel stabbed his thigh with an Iron Dragon Sword to stay awake and countered Solar Beam with Iron Dragon’s Roar.
  • Gajeel’s roar overwhelmed Venusaur and knocked it down; he saw five minutes remaining, then lost consciousness and returned to reality.

Ch. 184Graduation Exam (3)

Gray faced Wartortle in his graduation exam on an island and used Ice-Make Magic to overcome its varied attacks. He defeated Wartortle with a risky charge along the surface of its Hydro Cannon, completing the exam requirement.

  • Gray appeared on an island and learned that he had to defeat Wartortle using his own magic within one hour.
  • Gray blocked Wartortle's water jets with an ice wall, then evaded its steel Cannonballs and raised a blizzard.
  • Gray's Lancer spears were swept aside by Water Pulse, so he slid across the frozen ground and blocked Wartortle's Ice Breath.
  • Gray pursued Wartortle with homing Diamond Ice Blades, but Wartortle countered with Rock Smash and then cracked the ground with an earthquake.
  • Gray escaped onto an ice platform but struggled to hold back Wartortle's Hydro Cannons with an ice wall.
  • Gray formed an icy surface over the Hydro Cannon, charged along it, and defeated Wartortle with Ice Blade: Seven Consecutive Dances.

Ch. 185Graduation Exam (4)

Lyon faced the Desert Dragonfly in a desert exam where the heat and sandstorm made his Ice-Make Magic costly and difficult to use. He wounded the creature with a close-range attack, but it vanished before he could finish the fight, leaving him in darkness.

  • Lyon woke in the desert and learned that he had to defeat the Desert Dragonfly using his own magic within an hour.
  • Lyon tested the Desert Dragonfly with Ice Eagles and Lancer, but it shattered the eagles, dodged the spears with Dragon Dance, and strengthened itself.
  • The Desert Dragonfly trapped Lyon in quicksand and battered his Ice Wall with a Sand Wall, while the desert rapidly drained his magic.
  • Lyon used all his magic to summon an Ice Dragon, then rushed through the blast and stabbed the dazed Desert Dragonfly with ice blades.
  • Lyon struck the Desert Dragonfly with Whirlwind Sword and thrust at its head, but it vanished, and everything went black before his eyes.

Ch. 186Graduation Exam (Final)

Natsu and the others realized they had passed their graduation exam as the crowd applauded them. Natsu waved to the crowd, and Gray, Gajeel, and Lyon began to react as well.

  • Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Lyon opened their eyes and found themselves facing a crowd.
  • The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause, startling the four.
  • Natsu recognized that they were taking their graduation exam and smiled.
  • Natsu waved to the crowd, followed by Gray, Gajeel, and Lyon reacting.

Ch. 187The Unexpected Discovery During the First Mission

Natsu and the others returned to school after a celebration and gathered with Allen to watch footage of their battles. Natsu laughed at the sight of the three fighters in their sorry states.

  • Natsu and the others returned to school and found Allen waiting for them.
  • Natsu excitedly asked Allen to begin, and Allen turned on the screen.
  • The screen showed Natsu fighting Fire Dragon, Gajeel fighting Gray, and Lyon fighting Desert Dragonfly.
  • Natsu laughed as he watched the three fighters during their battles.

Ch. 188Moonlight

Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon investigated a Magic Beast that had grown unusually powerful and discovered that moonlight was affecting the forest’s animals and attacking people’s minds. Allen examined the captured beast and confirmed that it contained the power of the Ankhseram God.

  • Gray and Lyon watched the Magic Beast while Natsu and Gajeel searched the forest for clues.
  • Natsu and Gajeel found that unusually large, aggressive animals gathered under the moonlight, and a mental force from the moon briefly overwhelmed them before Allen’s Spirit Shield restored their awareness.
  • Gray and Lyon reported seeing the Magic Beast absorb moonlight and grow stronger, while Natsu and Gajeel explained the moon’s mental attack and urged the group to return to the guild.
  • The four defeated the Magic Beast, brought it back to the guild, and told Allen what they had discovered.
  • Allen examined the Magic Beast and confirmed that it contained the power of the Ankhseram God.

Ch. 189Trial Magic Circle

Allen concluded that the Ankhseram God had altered the world and suspected that the moonlight’s control targeted Fairy Tail members. The chapter ended before he finished explaining how the control worked.

  • Allen confirmed that the Ankhseram God had altered the world.
  • Allen guessed that the Ankhseram God had specifically targeted Fairy Tail members with the moonlight’s control.
  • Allen noted that he had heard no reports of other guild members or Council members being controlled despite the moon’s earlier change.

Ch. 190Trial Magic Circle Setup

Allen explained how the completed Trial Magic Circle worked and sent the guild members inside to fight simulated opponents. Most participants quickly returned defeated, while several of the guild’s strongest fighters remained inside.

  • Allen outlined the trial opponents at each level, the circle’s opponent and battlefield selection, its cooldown, and the limits for students.
  • Allen warned the guild that repeated losses could cause mental strain, then watched as eager members rushed into the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Natsu entered hoping to fight a full-powered Fire Dragon, while the chapter noted that Dimaria Yesta, Agil Ram, and Invel Yura had joined the guild and Brandish had enrolled after recovering.
  • Macao said Alakazam had defeated him with an attack he could not hit, and Wakaba complained that Agumon’s fighting was brutal.
  • Allen let Wendy, Rogue, Sting, and Brandish face Rookie Form opponents, while stronger fighters including Laxus, Gildarts, Erza, Natsu, and Gajeel continued their trials.
  • About ten minutes later, Natsu’s group emerged looking unwilling to accept defeat, with none appearing to have beaten their opponents.

Ch. 191Each Had Their Own Gains (1)

The guild members emerged from the Trial Magic Circle after facing randomly assigned opponents, while Sorano and Yukino celebrated their Digimon evolving into Perfect Form. Mira, Ultear, Erza, and Jellal later returned from their chosen trials, and Ultear had used her fight with Dialga as a lesson.

  • Natsu complained that Wartortle had frustrated him with its defenses and Water-type attacks, while Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon described their own defeats.
  • Sorano and Yukino emerged with Machinedramon and WereGarurumon after Tyrannomon and Garurumon evolved during their trials; Kana explained that Garchomp had exposed weaknesses in her tactics.
  • Allen encouraged Kana, who resolved to train harder, while Macao started a betting pool about which of the remaining mages would emerge first and last.
  • Mira emerged after losing to Goldramon by one move and said she had enjoyed the battle; the first group then returned to the Trial Magic Circle for another attempt.
  • Ultear, Erza, and Jellal emerged, and Allen explained that S-Class Mages and consultants could choose their opponents; Ultear had chosen Dialga to learn from the God of Time.

Ch. 192Each of Their Gains (2)

Allen trained Ultear, Jellal, and Erza by drawing on powerful beings’ use of energy. The chapter left the extent of their gains unclear, though their expressions suggested they had learned a lot.

  • Allen explained that Super Ultimate beings could improve through trials and study.
  • Allen said most trial subjects were not physically present, but he had drawn on the original work’s depictions of their energy use.
  • Allen considered whether further improvement might eventually let them turn the false into reality.
  • Ultear chose Dialga, while Jellal and Erza learned from Jesmon and Gankoomon.
  • Jellal and Erza appeared to have gained a lot, despite the gap in combat strength.

Ch. 193The Pressure of Dragon's Roar!

After the guild members trained in the Trial Magic Circle, Allen returned to the training grounds and summoned Lord Dragon Emperor to expose them to the pressure of Dragon’s Roar. The pressure knocked out the weaker members while the Dragon Slayers and other capable Mages struggled to endure it.

  • Gildarts, Mavis, Zeref, August, and Irene emerged from the Trial Magic Circle, and Allen urged the others to train again instead of trying to learn from their greater experience.
  • After the guild’s banquet, Allen and Ultear took a relaxing walk through Magnolia, and Allen rested for ten hours.
  • The next morning, Allen told an exhausted Erza to stop training and warned the guild members to prepare for Lord Dragon Emperor’s pressure.
  • Allen summoned Lord Dragon Emperor above the training grounds, and the Dragon Emperor gradually increased the pressure of Dragon’s Roar.
  • The weaker guild members passed out as the pressure intensified, while Natsu, the other Dragon Slayers, and the remaining capable Mages struggled to stay conscious.

Ch. 194Uru's Guidance

After the Dragon Emperor’s pressure trial left the guild members exhausted, Allen and Makarov saw the older mages resolve to grow stronger. Allen promised the Dragon Slayer Mages he would explain what happened to their dragons that night, while Uru encouraged Gray and Lyon to trust their own abilities.

  • The Dragon Emperor ended the pressure trial and sent Laxus into the Trial Magic Circle for more training, while Natsu collapsed after Happy shook him and knocked his head against the ground.
  • The mages who had passed out woke up and, chastened by their performance, entered the Trial Magic Circle to train; Allen and Makarov welcomed their newfound determination.
  • Gajeel led the Dragon Slayer Mages to ask Allen why they had sensed their dragons during the trial, and Allen promised to explain that night.
  • Wendy clarified Allen’s promise to Rogue and Sting, who grew eager to learn what had happened to the dragons.
  • Uru told Gray and Lyon not to doubt their Ice-Make Magic and urged them to keep training and learn from their rivals.

Ch. 195People and Dragons Meet Again!

Allen brought the Dragon Slayer Mages together with their Dragon Kings, and Anna explained the events surrounding the Dragon King Festival and the dragons’ plans. After the Trial Magic Circle drew the guild away from quests, Allen and Makarov required members to complete monthly quest hours to retain access.

  • Allen led Natsu and the other Dragon Slayer Mages to the school field and summoned their Dragon Kings.
  • Anna explained the Dragon King Festival from 400 years ago, the Dragon Kings’ plan, and their unexpected conflict with the Ankhseram God.
  • Igneel reassured Natsu that the Dragon Kings could remain conscious for a long time and guide them in future battles.
  • Allen updated the Trial Magic Circle so defeated members received a battle review and advice before leaving.
  • After noticing guild members had stopped doing quests, Allen and Makarov required them to complete 350 quest hours each month to keep access to the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Allen challenged Natsu to consider whether he wanted to become an S-Class Mage, develop his Second Magic Source, and help Igneel regain his physical body.

Ch. 196Lucy's Awakening of Psychic Powers!

Allen explained how Natsu and the others could help restore Igneel and the other Dragon Kings, while insisting they balance Trial Magic Circle training with missions. Lucy then revealed she had awakened psychic powers, and Allen gave her instructions to study with her mother.

  • Allen told Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Lyon that they needed to complete guild missions before using the Trial Magic Circle, and they headed to the mission hall.
  • The guild members accepted missions to meet the new monthly requirements and earn time in the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Lucy demonstrated that she could move a cup with psychic powers, which she had developed after fighting Alakazam in the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Allen explained that psychic powers could become a trump card for Lucy and her family, then gave her documents on how to develop and use them.
  • Allen told Lucy to take the documents to her mother and have her try the Trial Magic Circle to see whether she could awaken psychic powers.

Ch. 197Heartfilia's Resolution

Allen confirmed that Lucy had awakened Psychic Power and gave her materials for Layla to study, believing strong mental strength could allow people in any world to develop it. The Heartfilia family discussed the discovery and how to repay Allen, ending with Jude proposing they give him most of the chamber of commerce’s shares.

  • Allen concluded that Psychic Power could be awakened by anyone with sufficient mental strength and kept the discovery from the guild until Layla could verify it.
  • Lucy demonstrated her Psychic Power to Layla and gave her Allen’s materials, prompting Layla to summon Anna and Jude for a family discussion.
  • Lucy, Layla, Anna, and Jude reviewed the materials, and Layla said her attempts had already improved her mental strength.
  • Layla proposed that Psychic Power could become a Heartfilia family trump card and worried about repaying Allen for his help.
  • Jude suggested giving Allen most of the chamber of commerce’s shares, even though he doubted Allen would care about them.

Ch. 198Heartfilia's Resolution (2)

The Heartfilia family visited Allen to thank him for helping them develop superpowers, and he reluctantly accepted a majority share in their trading company. Lucy, Layla, and Anna began training in the Trial Magic Circle, where Layla and Anna quickly discovered how much combat practice they needed.

  • Layla offered Allen ninety percent of the trading company shares and promised the Heartfilia family would support him for generations, but Allen negotiated the offer down to sixty percent for himself, thirty percent for the family, and ten percent for their business partners.
  • Allen advised Layla on developing superpowers and gave the Heartfilia family permission to choose their opponents in the Trial Magic Circle.
  • Lucy told Layla and Jude that she wanted to apply for the graduation exam after becoming more proficient with her superpowers, and they encouraged her.
  • Lucy explained how the Trial Magic Circle worked, then Layla and Anna entered it together to practice their superpowers.
  • Layla faced Metagross and Anna faced Alakazam, but both were defeated after enduring only two attacks because they lacked battle experience.

Ch. 199Year X784!

By X784, Fairy Tail’s mages had grown stronger through Allen’s upgraded Trial Magic Circle, while Dimaria had become an S-Class Mage after defeating Natsu. Allen suspected Ankhseram God had finished preparing for war after discovering signs that Acnologia had awakened, and he and twelve allies waited for the enemy’s next move.

  • Kana, Sorano, and Yukino became S-Class Mages, and in X783 Dimaria defeated Gray and then Natsu to earn her S-Class rank.
  • Natsu challenged Dimaria repeatedly for a month but lost more often than he won, gaining confidence for the next promotion exam without knowing Lucy was waiting for him.
  • Allen’s upgraded Trial Magic Circle helped the guild’s S-Class Mages reach the advanced stage of Super Ultimate, while Gildarts and Laxus made major gains.
  • Allen sensed Arceus watching him, and Ultear reported that the Level 1 Gods in the Trial Magic Circle had regained their original consciousness.
  • Allen found traces of Ankhseram God’s magic in Ishgar and suspected the god had modified Acnologia, so he and twelve others prepared for the coming war.

Ch. 200~

After returning without finding Acnologia, Allen planned for an approaching war with the Ankhseram God, while Ultear revealed a new Time Room that could accelerate training. At a guild meeting, Allen proposed three months of patrols by Ten Saints-level Mages, but Gildarts warned that there might not be enough people to cover the three continents.

  • Allen told Ultear that Acnologia had awakened and proposed scaling back travel while the guild’s S-Class Mages patrolled around the clock.
  • Ultear proposed unlocking Second Magic Sources for Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, Lyon, and Lucy, and Allen agreed to raise the idea at a meeting.
  • Ultear showed Allen her Time Room, where one day outside passed as ten days inside.
  • Allen proposed organizing Ten Saints-level Mages from the three continents into patrol groups for three months.
  • Gildarts questioned whether fewer than a hundred Ten Saints-level Mages could cover the vast territories, and Allen said patrols would focus mainly on Great City Town.

Ch. 201The Dragon King's Rebirth!

Allen organized preparations for the coming battle against the Ankhseram God and arranged for Natsu and the others to unlock their Second Magic Sources. He extracted the Dragon Slayers’ Dragon Seeds and transformed them into Digi-Eggs, leaving them to take the eggs to Ultear.

  • Allen proposed making an exception so Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Rogue, Sting, Lucy, Gray, and Lyon could unlock their Second Magic Sources, and the gathered mages agreed.
  • Allen assigned tasks for preparing against Acnologia and the Ankhseram God, then went with Ultear to his laboratory to help the chosen mages.
  • Lucy, Gray, Lyon, and Sting unlocked their Second Magic Sources, after which Ultear took Lucy, Gray, and Lyon to the Time Magic Circle.
  • Allen led the Dragon Slayer Mages into a hidden space in his laboratory and explained that extracting their Dragon Seeds would not stop them from using Dragon Slayer Magic or put them at risk of Dragonification.
  • Allen extracted five Dragon Seeds and transformed them into Digi-Eggs, then sent Natsu and the others to find Ultear.
Arc 8 of 9