At the Fairy Tail guild, the morning sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patches across the wooden floor.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the enormous egg in the middle of the bar.
After several days of careful tending by Natsu and Lisanna, the egg had finally begun to move.
"Crack... crack..."
The fissures spread rapidly. A dazzling white light burst forth, and the eggshell shattered completely.
"It's hatching! It's hatching!"
Natsu shouted excitedly, leaning so far over the table that he was practically on top of it.
As the light faded, a little blue cat appeared before them. It had a white belly and a pair of tiny white wings on its back. Blinking its big eyes, it gazed curiously at the world around it.
"Huh?"
The whole room fell silent for a second.
"A cat?!"
Gray's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"I thought it was a dragon! Why is it a cat?!"
"And it can fly!"
The little blue cat took to the air, landed on Natsu's head, and let out a clear cry:
"Aye!"
Natsu froze for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile.
"Whatever it is, it's my partner!"
He scooped up the cat and held it high.
"I've decided! Your name is Happy! Because you showed up, everyone's happy!"
"Aye! Happy!"
At the sight of them, the guild's tense, expectant atmosphere instantly turned warm and cozy.
"How adorable."
Lisanna clasped her hands, her eyes sparkling.
Even Mirajane, who was usually so fierce, couldn't help taking another look. A small smile appeared on her face, but she quickly turned away as if to hide it.
"Tch, it's just a cat."
Time flew by, and before long, it was Year X780.
Fairy Tail was livelier than ever—and even more "ferocious."
As newcomers like Natsu and Gray grew stronger, the guild's repair bills soared. Natsu had learned to use Dragon Slayer Magic with ease. He still often botched his missions, but no one could deny his strength. Gray's Ice Make Magic had also grown more and more refined. Of course, his habit of stripping had gotten worse, too.
But the biggest headache in the guild was the rivalry between Erza and Mirajane.
That year, the two of them fought practically from morning till night.
To hone her swordsmanship, Erza took on a steady stream of monster-hunting missions, going through suit of armor after suit of armor.
Mirajane was even more reckless. Determined to surpass Erza, she kept challenging all manner of dangerous demons, hoping to take in a stronger Satan Soul. Whenever the two met, the air crackled with tension. One wrong word was all it took to start a fight, and the tables and chairs in the guild hall rarely lasted more than three days.
By comparison, Lu Chongwei, one of the S-Class Mages, had been exceptionally "lazy" lately.
Leaning listlessly against the second-floor railing, Lu Chongwei held his usual cup of hot milk and watched the chaos below. He yawned.
"Ah... another peaceful day."
"Peaceful, my foot!"
A huge hand smacked him hard on the back, nearly knocking him over the railing.
Makarov had appeared behind him without a sound. He glared at Lu Chongwei, his mustache bristling.
"Lu Chongwei! You've been lounging around the guild for two whole months! Two months!"
Makarov held up two fingers and waggled them in front of Lu Chongwei's face.
"Do you know how many S-Class Missions have piled up in those two months? Do you know how bad the budget deficit is? How can you sleep at a time like this?!"
"Easy, old man."
Lu Chongwei took a leisurely sip of milk, looking entirely innocent.
"I'm just balancing work and rest. Last time, I chased that Abyssal Dragon for three days and three nights straight. Surely two months of rest after that is reasonable?"
"Reasonable, my foot!"
Makarov was so angry he jumped up and down.
"Laxus may have a lousy personality, but at least he goes out on missions every month! Look at you—you're practically growing mold!"
"He's got too much energy."
Lu Chongwei shrugged.
"Besides, I'm leaving some opportunities for the newcomers. If I finish all the missions, what will they eat?"
"Stop making excuses!"
Makarov took a deep breath, apparently trying to calm himself.
Then he suddenly changed his expression. His eyes grew serious, and he lowered his voice.
"Since you're so free, that works out perfectly. This year's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial is about to begin."
At the words "S-Class Exam," Lu Chongwei's eyes finally flickered with interest.
It was an important event held once a year.
It was also the promotion opportunity every guild member dreamed of.
"Oh? It's starting again?"
Lu Chongwei straightened and glanced at the young faces still brawling below.
"We've got some good prospects this year. Those two girls, Erza and Mirajane, are already close to reaching the threshold, aren't they?"
"That's right."
Makarov nodded, his gaze profound.
"Their growth has exceeded my expectations. And a few of the other kids are ready for some real experience, too."
With that, Makarov suddenly turned to Lu Chongwei, wearing a knowing smile.
"So I've made up my mind."
"Made up your mind about what?" A sudden sense of foreboding welled up in Lu Chongwei.
"You and Laxus will be the examiners for this year's trial."
"Pfft—!!!"
The mouthful of milk Lu Chongwei had just swallowed sprayed out in a white mist.
"Cough, cough, cough... What did you say?!"
Forgetting to wipe his mouth, Lu Chongwei stared at Makarov, eyes wide.
"You want me to be an examiner? With Laxus? Old man, you're not joking, are you?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Makarov said sternly.
"No, no! Absolutely not!"
Lu Chongwei shook his head like a rattle, waving his hands in protest.
"I'm not qualified for that! And you know Laxus and I don't get along. Put us together, and we might start fighting before the exam's even over."
"And being an examiner sounds exhausting. We'd have to come up with challenges, protect the candidates, write reports... I refuse! I'm taking a vacation!"
With that, Lu Chongwei turned to make a getaway.
"Stop."
Makarov's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
A huge golden hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Lu Chongwei by the collar, and hauled him back like a kitten.
"It's an order from the guild master."
Makarov crossed his arms, looking like a man who knew his target wasn't getting away.
"And Laxus has already agreed."
"What? That stuck-up grouch agreed?" Lu Chongwei looked incredulous.
"He said he wants to see whether those 'weaklings' are qualified to stand on the same level as him." Makarov mimicked Laxus's tone.
"..." Lu Chongwei was speechless. "That does sound like him."
"Anyway, it's settled."
Before you continue