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CHAPTER START---
"Is she pretty?" Alana asks as she, Oberon, and Laxus are at a table to the back of the guildhall, studying Virgo's key.
"How would I know?" Oberon asks.
"Yeah, he's never met her. How do the contracts even work?"
Oberon shrugs, and immediately regrets it as pain flows through his injured arm and shoulder. "Not sure, I'll just flood it with Magic Energy and hope for the best."
Alana frowns. "Doesn't that break things when you do it and aren't careful? What if you break the key?"
"These keys are indestructible. It'll be fine, probably."
"I think she'll be pretty," Alana says. "And she'll wear nice dresses, and hats."
"Hats?"
"She's a maiden," she says. "Maybe a tiara too."
"She's a maiden, not a princess."
"Every girl is a princess…"
The three children chat for a few minutes, discussing exciting Magics and the few Jobs Laxus took while Oberon was away. Minutes later, after they'd finished eating and all of Fairy Tail was gathered in the guildhall, Master Makarov took charge of the small stage.
"Alright, brats!" he amplified his voice with Sound Magic, piercing through all the rowdy conversations in the room. "Time for the big announcement!"
Many people cheer while others are filled with dread, and more than a few clutch their wallets, silently praying for their bets to pay off.
"You've all worked hard this year, especially the past couple months, so now it's time to reward the few among you who've been exceptional lately. The world of Magic is changing. Lines are being redrawn every day, even as I speak, so the pressure, danger, and responsibility of being S-Class is now greater than ever."
Gildarts joins Master Makarov on stage, his usually cheerful and relaxed expression replaced with that of a hardened soldier. "S-Class doesn't just mean you'll have access to higher-paying Jobs, not anymore. Starting all too soon, it'll mean you have a target on your back. A target that a worryingly high number of people will be aiming for. There is no shame in refusing such a risk and burden, so please remember, participation in the S-Class Trials isn't mandatory."
They remain silent on stage, allowing concerned and curious murmurs to spread through the crowd.
"What is he talking about?" Oberon whispers to Laxus.
"Why are you asking me? If any of us would know, it's you."
"But you're his grandson."
"Yeah, but you're Oberon."
Oberon grumbles, "That's just my name…"
Makarov clears his throat, silencing the crowd before speaking. "Now, with all of that aside. It's time to announce this year's chosen participants for the S-Class Trials!"
The crowd erupts into wild cheers, casting glances at certain individuals. Macao and Wakaba each get a few pats on their backs and words of encouragement from friends, fully expecting them to be chosen again.
Some silently pray that their name was chosen, while others, such as Reedus, are dreading being selected for such a dangerous event. But even those who dread it have made up their minds to give it their all, if only to placate those who wish for the opportunity.
"Now, as I call your name, if you accept, join us on stage," Master Makarov says, pausing for a moment to build tension in the crowd.
At the back of the room, Oberon and Alana relax into their seats, enjoying their snacks, while Laxus is at the edge of his seat, carefully studying the event.
"Macao!" Master Makarov says, and Macao eagerly leaps onto the stage, earning cheers from the crowd. A few people look over at Enno behind the bar, who blushes when the man waves at her.
"Wakaba!" The crowd cheers just as loudly, with some people holding their betting sheets and waving them for Enno to see, eager to collect some of their winnings depending on how the others go.
As Master Makarov is calling the other competitors to the stage, Laxus analyzes the crowd, his gaze meeting Reedus's for a moment.
The man flinches, shaking his head and lowering his stance to hide from Master Makarov's sight.
'There aren't many people qualified for S-Class, maybe Reedus…if he were more combat-focused. But he prefers using his Pict Magic for art, so would he refuse? No, he wouldn't refuse, but he definitely wouldn't give it his all. If I were Guildmaster, I'd never promote him.
Most people wouldn't get promoted. And the only people in the running would be Oberon and me, but we're just kids, so no way gramps or Gildarts would let us anywhere near the S-Class Trials. Damn, is Fairy Tail always going to be one of the weaker guilds? We've got Gramps, Gildarts, Oberon, and eventually myself, but…everyone else is so weak.'
Laxus frowns, imagining the future of Fairy Tail and how difficult it would be to become one of the top 10 Wizard Guilds on the continent.
While he's pondering the future, Master Makarov calls a few more guild members onto the stage. They stand in a line behind him and Gildarts for everyone to see, and a few reporters take pictures for Sorcerer Weekly, ready to deliver this exciting story to their editor.
"Now, I have selected those who I believe are worth it, or close to being worthy of S-Class. But only one can win and get promoted. So, regardless of the outcome, standing on this stage today is an honor and a goal to work toward. And reaching it means you're closer than you realize to the summit of Magic itself."
They all nodded in agreement, feeling inspired by his words to redouble their work efforts.
"However, in this vast and wondrous world, there are exceptions to every rule. Nothing is certain, and while our belief may be absolute, the rules rarely are. Being S-Class comes with a requirement for power, sensibility, responsibility, and handling pressure, which is hard to describe.
And while every person on this stage is capable or close to capable of dealing with all of this. Magic is not fair, nor is life. And just as they are not fair, sometimes, they play favourites. And in this case, Magic has a clear favourite. A combination of innate talent and obsessive work ethic that, regardless of age, cannot be overlooked—'
Wakaba and Macao share knowing looks with the other competitors on stage, feeling a sinking feeling in their stomachs, sensing where this is going.
"—So as your Guildmaster, it is my duty to invite Oberon Alwakan to this year's S-Class Trials!"
Macao and the other competitors feel their hopes crumble as the guildhall falls silent, except for Oberon choking on his snacks at the far side.
"What?" he asks between coughs as Alana pats his back.
"You have been chosen," Guildarts says. "Will you compete?"
All eyes and Kameras fall on Oberon as he awkwardly stares back at them. He turns to Laxus, seeing his friend frozen in shock, then to the crowd, noting a mix of awe, amazement, shock, anger, and many other expressions he couldn't quite place.
And lastly, Oberon looks down at himself, frowning at the sight of his bandaged body before looking at the stage. He analyzes everyone on stage, and the other competitors could tell, even with his injuries, that he was confident he could win.
And his smile sealed their fate. "Yes," he says excitedly while flying over to the stage.
Damn near everyone in the crowd groans, with nobody having placed bets on Oberon for the simple fact that they didn't believe Master Makarov would allow an 8-year-old boy to compete in the S-Class Trials.
And now, they and the other competitors could feel their chances of winning and profit fading away. But one person did cheer, so loudly and boisterously that it startled the surrounding people.
"YES!" Reedus's voice nearly breaks from sheer excitement as he rushes over to Enno, handing her his betting sheet.
She facepalms and takes it, confirming his initial bet before turning to the crowd. "He was the only one to bet on Oberon getting chosen, and winning…"
A few people silently cry while Reedus is already thinking about the expensive paints he'll buy with his profits.
Makarov chuckles as hopes and dreams die all around him, and Oberon floats beside his saddened competition. "One last thing. This year will be slightly different. Normally, only Gildarts and I run the S-Class Trials, but now I believe it's time to extend that slightly. So, Laxus Dreyar!"
Laxus snaps out of his stupor at his grandfather's words. "Huh?"
"I will need your help for the trial this year. Are you willing to help me?"
A smile nearly splits Laxus's face before he transforms into a bolt of yellow lightning and appears on stage beside his grandfather, pulling the man into a tight hug.
"Good," Makarov says as they part. "Now, you all have until midnight to get to our ship in Port Hargeon. Good luck…"
There is tense silence in the hall for a moment as the competitors all look at each other, then they all rush to the doors, beginning their S-Class Trials…
CHAPTER END---
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pat.reon: Keanu_Eugene [Read ahead & support me]
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