A New S-Class Exam

End of 779

This year, Erza and Mirajane had both become capable of completing missions independently. Because they competed with each other, the guild's mission completion rate had become remarkably high.

But Makarov was not happy at all. Those two little girls were far too good at causing trouble. Bills of every kind flooded into Fairy Tail, and not only did they fail to make any money, they even lost quite a bit.

Their mission completion rate was high, sure, but their ability to cause trouble was even higher. Looking at the brats gathered around Mirajane and Erza, Makarov thought about what they would be like once they grew up...

No! Don't think about it! The guild was out of money!

Makarov looked at Qian Guang, who was drinking, and adjusted his mindset. Among this bunch, only Qian Guang had a good reputation. He had even single-handedly made up for the losses caused by those two.

Qian Guang had been taking things easy this year. After all, he did not need to worry about whether he would be included in the S-Class exam. Those who failed previously would automatically participate in the next exam unless there were special circumstances.

Most of the time, he stayed in the library or the back mountains learning new magic. When he accepted missions, he usually chose ones in the forest, where he could train his magic and gather herbs at the same time.

As for his reputation, he had earned it by treating illnesses in the villages he passed through. He barely charged anything, and word spread from person to person until his name gradually became known.

"Ahem! Quiet down!"

The guild master began exercising his authority, though it usually did not work very well.

Everyone stopped fooling around. At this time of year, they could all guess what this was about. Still, it was strange—where was the big notice board?

Makarov looked around. Aside from two troublemakers—one yellow hedgehog and one black-haired girl with long straight hair—everyone stared at him nervously.

That included the carrot-headed bunch led by Natsu and the others. Qian Guang looked at them strangely. You guys haven't even been taking missions, so what the hell are you nervous about? If any of you get picked, I'll eat this table.

"Mm, I believe everyone knows what this is about. We'll keep it simple this time. There is only one candidate for the S-Class exam: Qian Guang Meredith!"

"Tch." ×n

There was no cheering, only a chorus of boos. Everyone already knew the result, so they turned back to their own business.

???

Qian Guang felt deeply insulted, but he could not figure out exactly how he had been insulted.

"Uh, that's all. Qian Guang, come over here."

The guild master had expected that reaction and was not surprised. Still, to save Qian Guang some face, he added that formal line, though no one was listening anymore.

Qian Guang walked over with a dark expression. He almost wanted to flip the table. "So, Guild Master, am I being promoted directly?"

Since nobody was competing with him, and Laxus had already lost to him, he felt invincible. There was no need for an exam at all.

Makarov rolled his eyes. "Still half-asleep? There will still be an exam. This time, you only need to complete one mission. Once you finish it, you'll be S-Class. But this is an S-Class mission!"

Makarov took out the mission request he had prepared long ago and handed it to Qian Guang, warning him not to open it yet. He called it preventing Qian Guang from preparing in advance.

Though Qian Guang did not know why and felt there might be a trap, he accepted it anyway. He had gotten cocky. He felt that dealing with an S-Class mission would be easy.

"An S-Class mission!" Lisanna, the little angel eavesdropping nearby, cried out as soon as she heard them. Realizing what she had done, she quickly covered her mouth.

Her shout drew everyone's attention back again. In their eyes, whether he took the exam or not, Qian Guang was already guaranteed to become S-Class.

But when they heard that the exam mission was an S-Class mission, they began to doubt it. After all, even Laxus had yet to complete an S-Class mission.

Laxus stared intently at the mission request, wanting to know which mission it was.

After mentoring Erza, he had tried to complete an S-Class mission. Aside from one he had considered beneath him, the rest were all quite difficult. He had casually chosen one and failed.

Since the old man dared give Qian Guang an S-Class exam, Laxus figured it had to be the one he had looked down on, because that one was basically not dangerous.

Of course, looking down on it did not mean he could definitely complete it himself. Still, it suited Qian Guang perfectly. Thinking of Qian Guang's first mission, Laxus could not stop himself from laughing.

Everyone looked at Laxus in confusion as he suddenly started laughing. Qian Guang stared at him too.

Stare~~

Perhaps feeling a little embarrassed under everyone's gaze, Laxus silently took a sip of alcohol to compose himself and pretended nothing had happened.

Seeing Laxus smile, Qian Guang became even more uneasy about the mission. While everyone questioned the guild master, he turned around and tried to sneak a peek.

Suddenly!

A huge hand landed on Qian Guang's shoulder. "You want to fail the mission and wait until next year, kid?"

Qian Guang had only opened one corner and did not dare move. He quietly rolled it back up. "Aye!"

"Very good. Remember! You are not allowed to peek at this mission before leaving the city. I'll be watching you the whole time. If you look, it means you've failed. Go pack up now."

"Aye!"

Feeling the terrifying strength in that huge hand, Qian Guang stole Happy's line again. After all, he was the mascot. If he did not show up, people would forget about him.

As Qian Guang ran off dejectedly, everyone continued bombarding the guild master with questions.

"Guild Master, isn't that a little too difficult? Even an S-Class mage might not be able to complete it."

"Guild Master, Guild Master, what mission is it? Tell me! I promise I won't tell Brother Qian Guang." Lisanna, the little angel, hugged the guild master directly.

"Ha! Old man, I want to do an S-Class mission too!" Natsu, representative of the reckless fools, declared, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by that giant hand!

"Hmph. Don't come back covered in injuries again." Though Mirajane said that, she headed home to help Qian Guang pack his things.

Elfman looked left and right, then decided to stand there like a block of wood.

Gray and Cana had originally wanted to ask as well, but somehow the two started discussing where their clothes had gone again.

"Alright, alright. This S-Class mission is difficult, but he won't get hurt. And I haven't set a time limit. He only needs to finish it." Makarov was getting fed up with these little brats.

If they were all like Natsu, one slap would settle it. But how could he bring himself to do that to someone like Lisanna?

Hearing that, Laxus confirmed his guess. He laughed loudly, drained his cup, and went off to train.

Erza watched Laxus leave, then looked back at the guild master. "Guild Master, why do I feel like you just want to send Qian Guang away?"

Makarov froze when he heard that. He had not expected Erza, this little brat, to guess it.

He sighed as though recalling something. "Erza, the New Year is coming. I want to prepare for it in peace."

Everyone in the guild stopped what they were doing again, but this time, every face was especially heavy.

They remembered last New Year.

After Qian Guang lost to Laxus and refused to accept it, he decided to find another way to improve his strength.

He began researching a medicine that could resist lightning, and he actually succeeded. But the potion evaporated quickly. No matter how it was stored, it would completely evaporate within a minute.

To preserve its effects, Qian Guang made countless improvements, but none of them worked. During that process, he began developing another potion.

The other potion was also intended for Laxus: Lightning-Brand Laxative!

Doesn't Laxus love eating lightning?! Then I'll let him eat it! I'll feed him until it kills him!

Porlyusica visited him once and was shocked by his bizarre idea. At the same time, she kept backing away from him, distancing herself, and declared that she would expel him from her tutelage. Makarov had to stop her with his life on the line.

But Qian Guang still developed it. Though he did not know why it still evaporated, it could be stored for half an hour. He felt that was enough, so he continued improving it, preparing to give Laxus a surprise after the New Year!

What none of them knew was that the potion Qian Guang had previously allowed to evaporate had continuously gathered in the sky above Magnolia, forming a dark cloud that grew larger and larger.

On New Year's Day, Magnolia suffered an exceptionally rare torrential downpour. A downpour alone would have been fine, but lightning kept striking as well. From afar, the city looked like a prison of thunder.

The residents all hid in their homes, too afraid to go outside. Even so, many things were damaged. Qian Guang's house, the guild, and Porlyusica's home received the special attention of the lightning.

It was said that a certain yellow hedgehog-haired man tried to absorb the heavenly lightning and did not leave the toilet for an entire day. According to reliable sources, Makarov carried the yellow hedgehog-haired man into Porlyusica's house.

And for some unknown reason, the rain became even stranger the next day. Not only did it turn green, anyone who got soaked by it had to run to the toilet.

Everyone had a very healthy New Year. On average, each person lost five pounds.

Remembering those terrifying days, everyone's eyes instantly reddened. Though they had eventually forced Qian Guang to drink all the medicine himself, they were still not satisfied!

Macao and Wakaba instantly bit through their cigarettes and crushed their wine glasses.

The two had gotten drunk and walked home through the rain. Halfway there, they had lost consciousness. By the time someone found them, there was not a single clean spot left on their bodies! That medicine could still work even after someone lost consciousness!

After that incident, Macao's wife did not touch him for a month. It was said that she had given him a pile of steel wool balls and told him to handle it himself.

Macao felt that if he were guild master, he would have given Qian Guang a 100-Year Quest!

City Gate

At that moment, Qian Guang had no idea everyone was digging up his old debts. He was currently having a sweet, affectionate farewell with Mira.

Or at least, that was what he thought. Mirajane had not even touched him. She simply kept giving him instructions at the city gate and reminding him what to bring.

"You're not allowed to get hurt again this time, understand? And don't go picking herbs everywhere..."

Qian Guang quietly listened to her nagging, feeling like a husband leaving on a long journey while listening to his wife's reminders.

"Did you hear me? Come back early! It'll be New Year soon!"

"Alright, alright, I heard you."

Qian Guang opened his arms, preparing to hug Mira, but Mira blushed and crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you doing!"

"Hey, when a husband leaves, shouldn't there be hugs and kisses?"

"Go die!"

Mirajane completely understood now. This guy had not listened at all. She kicked him away, then turned around to leave.

But the moment she turned, someone gently hugged her from behind. "Stop fooling around. I'll be back early. I'll bring you all gifts then."

For once, Mirajane did not struggle. She simply stood there obediently, her face red as she answered, "Mm~"