The Fairy Tail guildhall was quiet.
The boss of the local restaurant down the street had already closed up for the night, leaving the streets of Magnolia bathed in the soft light of the moon.
Downstairs, the main hall was empty, the chairs stacked on the tables.
But upstairs, inside the Master's private office, the atmosphere was thick with heavy, suffocating magic pressure.
Makarov sat behind his massive oak desk, his expression serious as he stared down at a stack of parchnt files.
Gathered in the room were the four strongest active mbers of Fairy Tail.
Erza stood tall by the bookshelf, her arms crossed and her eyes sharp.
Mirajanepoured a fresh pot of hot tea, her usual gentle smile replaced by a focused, professional deanor.
Gildarts lounged heavily on a long leather sofa, a large mug of ale in his hand, looking more relaxed than anyone else in the room.
Ace leaned against the window fra, his arms resting on the sill as he looked out over the quiet city.
Makarov folded his hands on the desk. "I've called you four here because it's that ti of year again. The S-Class Mage Promotion Trial."
Gildarts let out a low chuckle, taking a swig of his ale.
"About ti. The kids have been restless ever since we got back from Edolas. Natsu nearly picked a fight with just this morning."
"We're down two S-Class mages," Makarov said, his tone heavy. "Laxus is expelled, and Mystogan chose to stay behind to guide his world. That leaves the four of you. As the active S-Class roster, you'll be participating in the trials to test the candidates."
"I'm ready," Erza nodded firmly. "Who made the cut this year?"
Makarov pushed the stack of files across the desk. "I've selected eight candidates based on their growth, their raw power, and their dedication to the guild over the past year."
Mirajane picked up the first few files, reading the nas aloud.
"Natsu Dragneel. Gray Fullbuster. Juvia Lockser. Elfman Strauss."
"My brother," Mirajane smiled softly, a hint of pride in her voice. "He's grown a lot."
"Natsu and Gray are long overdue for a shot," Gildarts grinned. "Though I don't think Natsu has the brains for it just yet. He just wants to hit things really hard."
"Raw power is a valid path to S-Class," Ace said, pushing himself off the windowsill. "But he needs to learn how to adapt. If he rushes in blindly against any of us, he'll fail in five seconds."
Erza picked up the next three files. "Cana Alberona. Freed Justine. Levy McGarden."
"Levy?" Gildarts raised an eyebrow. "She's a smart kid, no doubt about it. Best script mage we have. But she isn't exactly a frontline brawler."
"The S-Class trial isn't just a brawl, Gildarts," Makarov reminded him. "It tests intelligence, survival skills, and the ability to navigate unknown magic. Levy has a sharp mind. She earned her spot."
Erza frowned, picking up the final file.
She stared at the picture of a dark-haired man with a scar over his eye. "st Gryder? Master, I don't rember st taking many jobs lately. In fact, I barely rember seeing him around the guild at all."
"He was Mystogan's disciple," Makarov said, though a brief flicker of uncertainty crossed his old eyes before he masked it.
"He stays out of the spotlight, but his infiltration and teleportation magic are exceptional. He ets the qualifications."
Ace glanced at the file, 'st huh..'
"So, that's the eight," Ace said, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "Where are we holding the trial this year?"
Makarov stood up, turning around to look at a large, ancient map pinned to the wall behind his desk.
He pointed to a small, isolated speck of land surrounded by dangerous ocean currents.
"Tenrou Island," Makarov declared. "Our guild's holy ground. The resting place of our First Master, Mavis Vermillion."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Tenrou Island wasn't just another location; it was deeply tied to the very roots of Fairy Tail.
The magic density there was overwhelming, and the wildlife was notoriously vicious.
"Tenrou Island," Erza whispered, her eyes widening slightly. "You aren't holding back this year, Master."
"An S-Class mage represents the pinnacle of this guild," Makarov said fiercely. "They carry our reputation, our strength, and our lives on their shoulders. I won't hand that title out easily."
Makarov turned back to face the four strongest mages in his guild. "The rules of the trial are simple. The candidates will form teams of two. Their first task will be to navigate the island's shores and face a preliminary battle. But their true test... is you."
Gildarts smirked, cracking his knuckles. "So we get to be the bad guys?"
"Exactly," Makarov nodded. "You four will wait on the island. If a candidate crosses your path, your job is to crush them. If they can't get past you, they aren't ready for S-Class."
Mirajane placed a hand on her cheek, a dark, terrifying aura suddenly flaring around her despite her sweet smile.
"Oh my. I suppose I'll have to dust off my Satan Soul. I don't want to make it too easy for them."
Erza summoned a sleek, deadly sword into her hand, testing the balance. "I won't hold back. If they want this rank, they'll have to bleed for it."
Gildarts laughed, tossing his empty mug onto the sofa.
"Try not to break them, Erza. And Ace, watch your output. Your summons hit like a freight train. We want to test them, not bury them."
"Don't worry," Ace smirked, the dark golden aura of his Digital Soul flickering across his fingers for a brief second.
"They'll get exactly the fight they deserve."
Makarov smiled, pride swelling in his chest as he looked at the four titans standing in his office.
"Get so rest," Makarov said, waving a hand toward the door. "I'll announce the roster to the guild tomorrow morning. And then, we sail for Tenrou Island."
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