Promoted to S-Class Mage

By the next morning, the ship had returned to Magnolia Town's docks, and Ye's group returned to the guild.

"Well? Well? Who became an S-Class Mage?" everyone in the guild asked curiously.

Makarov walked up to the bar and said, "I now announce that this year's S-Class Mage is Ye!"

Makarov's announcement was like setting off explosives in the guild, instantly pushing the atmosphere to its peak. Ever since Gildarts had become an S-Class Mage, no one in the guild had passed the S-Class exam for a long time. What was more, Ye was still so young—he could be called the youngest S-Class Mage.

Becoming the guild's second S-Class Mage was enough to make anyone envious. Once someone became one, they could take S-Class missions, where the rewards started at five million J.

And having one more S-Class Mage meant the guild had grown stronger. High-quality commissions would come pouring in, and as the guild completed more missions and gained fame, its members would hold their heads high wherever they went.

"Ahem. Everyone, to celebrate Comrade Ye's promotion to S-Class, let's throw a party!!!"

"Ooh!!!! Ooh!!!!"

Ye looked at the guild members sharing in his joy. Watching them laugh and smile, he felt incredibly fortunate to have come to this guild, and he swore to protect those smiles. Then he ran over to drink and brag with them, describing how casually he had beaten up Laxus and Gildarts, making it sound as effortless as possible. As those words fell, the atmosphere grew even more heated.

"Duel me, you bastard!"

And so, a massive brawl broke out.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed since Ye became an S-Class Mage. Over those three years, Ye had grown into a handsome, rugged young man. Though, to be fair, he had always been one. Haha.

During those three years, not long after Ye became S-Class, Natsu found an egg. He thought it was a dragon egg, but it hatched into an adorable winged cat named Happy.

In the second year, Laxus also became an S-Class Mage as he had wished. What was unbelievable was that Laxus and Ye's duel destroyed an island as well. Because of that, the guild master was lectured by the Magic Council for ages and had to write tens of thousands of words in self-criticism. In the second year, Erza and Mirajane also took the S-Class examination. Mirajane narrowly lost, while Erza became an S-Class Mage. Mirajane complained to Ye about it for a long time. Of course, their relationship had also developed rapidly over those three years, but no one had pierced that veil, leaving the guild's older members and Mira's younger siblings extremely anxious.

Because of Ye's presence, Gildarts had taken on the Hundred-Year Quest immediately after finishing Ye's examination, so Ye was responsible for all subsequent examinations.

Then, on the third year, the guild received an extremely urgent request. After seeing it, Makarov immediately called for Ye. The reason was simple: a monster riot had erupted in the Great Forest of Monsters, and the request called on major Mage guilds to form an allied force and suppress it as quickly as possible.

So early the next morning, Ye headed alone to Blue Pegasus's base. The allied forces were preparing to take Blue Pegasus's Christina to the Great Forest of Monsters.

"Ah~! I really don't want to go. I'd rather sleep at home. Coming here so early is killing me."

That was right. After several years of hard work, Ye had finally bought the small estate he had long dreamed of. Mirajane and her two siblings lived there too.

Ye arrived at the entrance to the gathering point and knocked on the door.

Yes, knocked. Before he left, Makarov had specifically warned him not to destroy another guild's front door, or he would be dead when he got back!

The one who opened the door was a huge bald man. That was right, Lamia Scale's star ace, Jura Neekis.

"You're here, Sir Ye."

"Long time no see, Jura."

At that moment, a short man suddenly popped out.

"Long time no see, my beloved Ye! Men!"

The instant Ye heard that, goosebumps rose all over his body. There was no doubt about it—this was Blue Pegasus's star ace, Ichiya.

Ye grabbed Ichiya's head with one hand.

"Say that one more time and I'll crush your skull."

Ichiya flailed his limbs in midair and struggled desperately, but it was useless. His head was still firmly caught in Ye's grip, and he could only give up struggling.

"You're as violent as ever. Put me down already."

Ye casually tossed Ichiya aside. "Is it just the few of us?"

Jura stepped forward. "Yes. After discussing it, everyone decided to use Blue Pegasus's Christina to quell this riot."

Ye said helplessly, "All right, then. Let's go. It's getting late. The sooner we settle this, the sooner I can go home."

Ye's group boarded Christina and headed for the Great Forest of Monsters.

Open panel.

Age: 16

Height: 185

Yujiro Hanma: 67.5% (Hanma Bloodline, Yujiro's Martial Arts, Demon Back, Force Release, formal wear)

Armament Haki: Advanced (Hardening, Infusion, Emission)

Observation Haki: Advanced (Perception, Extended Range, Future Sight)

Conqueror's Haki: Advanced (Intimidation, Infusion)

Kamehameha (power based on the amount of ki added)

After three years of hard work, Ye had finally raised all Three Types of Haki to the advanced level. Yujiro's panel was also nearing 70%. He did not know why he had gained no ability at 60%, and it had annoyed him for a long time.

After several hours of flight, Ye's group arrived above the Great Forest of Monsters. Looking down at the dense horde of beasts surrounding the city so tightly that not even water could pass through, they saw that the villages along the way had vanished without a trace. Only wisps of thick smoke and bloodstained ground remained.

Looking at the scene, Jura sighed. "This is truly too cruel. There are too many magical beasts below. Can Christina really wipe them all out?"

Ichiya stepped forward. "Don't worry! We only need to take out the leading magical beast of the stampede. Once that happens, the beast tide will naturally disperse."

Ye activated Observation Haki and discovered a large number of S-Class magical beasts within the horde. There were even one or two at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints. Could the being capable of commanding these creatures really be eliminated by Christina?

Ye's expression turned grave. "Something's not right. This beast tide is far too large. There is something terrifying within it! Christina probably won't be enough."

Then he suddenly saw the garrison forces desperately holding the line below.

"Let's get down there quickly. The army below looks like it can't hold on much longer."

"Fall back, fall back! That side is about to be breached by the magical beasts!! Captain, what do we do? We can't hold on much longer!"

"Everyone, grit your teeth and hold on! If this place falls, the homeland behind us will cease to exist! The Mage guilds will be here soon. Hold on!!!"

"Ah~!! Save me! Save me quickly! I don't want to die yet!!!"

Seeing the scene before them from aboard Christina, Ye's group ground their teeth in fury!!!

"A bunch of beasts."

"Ichiya, hurry up and bombard these scum!"

"No, Christina's cannon fire is meant to finish off the leader, not to be used now."

"It's fine. Leave the rest to me. Support the ground from the air. Jura and I will go down first. There's no time!"

After thinking for a moment, Ichiya chose to trust Ye.

"Damn it, why hasn't the allied force arrived yet? At this rate, we'll really be wiped out!"

A soldier suddenly shouted, "Captain, behind you!!"

The captain turned around at the sound.

"How? When did it get here?! Damn it! No, even if I die, I can't die so pathetically. Come on, you beast!!"

The captain fought the magical beast that had broken through for only a short while before it sent him flying into the wall.

"Puh~!" The captain spat out a mouthful of blood. "I... really... am weak... Is this... how it... ends...?"

The captain slowly closed his eyes and awaited death.

BOOM!!!

The feeling of death never came. The captain slowly opened his eyes.

"Why am I not dead?"

Then a young voice sounded.

"Uncle, it's still far too early for you to die."

The captain asked in shock, "Are you... one of the... allied force's... people?"

"That's right, Uncle. Leave the rest to us. Jura!"

Rock Iron Wall: Chain

Layers of stone walls rose from the ground, blocking the magical beasts' advance.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...

Boom!!!! Boom!!!...

In an instant, swathes of magical beasts died beneath the cannon fire. Yet countless more continued charging forward.

Rock Iron Spike

Stone spikes erupted from the ground, piercing the magical beasts' bellies and further slowing their advance. Many magical beasts died on the rock spikes as they charged.

Jura came over and said, "Sir Ye, this cannot continue. There are too many magical beasts. Sooner or later, we'll be worn down to death."

Ye gave a wicked smile. "You're right, Jura. Do you know where I was born?"

Jura did not understand. "I do not know. Could it be...?!"

"That's right. In this very forest."

Ye leaped onto the stone wall.

"Beasts, your king has returned. Why haven't you come to pay homage to your king? Now... kneel!!!" Conqueror's Haki burst forth instantly.

Hummmm~~~~~ Hummmm~~~~~...

Standing atop the stone wall, Ye was like an asura, radiating a terrifying aura. Everywhere it reached, all living creatures rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground.

The defending soldiers, Jura, and Ichiya aboard Christina all stood frozen in shock at the sight before them.

No one knew how much time had passed before a soldier trembled and said in disbelief, "Did we... win?"

With that cry, everyone came back to their senses.

"We won!!!! We survived o(╥﹏╥)o!..."

The soldiers rejoiced that they had survived. When they looked at the young man atop the stone wall, it was as if they were looking upon a god.