After thinking it over, Shane had to admit: the name "Brain" didn't ring any bells at all.
With so little to go on, he decided to borrow someone else's experience—the "wisdom of the elders."
He'd ask Makarov. As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, the old man's knowledge of the wider world was second to none.
On the way to the guild, the air off the river bit cold.
Late November had settled in; people on Magnolia's streets were bundled up, breath puffing white in the chill.
Shane didn't feel cold, but he still rubbed his hands together out of habit, blowing a plume of white. He glanced sideways at Erza.
She was still in a thin dress, bare shoulders and arms unbothered by the air, strides firm and steady, expression calm.
That constitution… she's catching up to me, he thought, a little taken aback.
Ever since she'd awakened her magic, her body hadn't just toughened—it was climbing fast.
"Is there something on my face?" She felt his gaze and turned away slightly, smoothing a stray lock of scarlet hair.
Shane shook his head and went straight to it. "Erza, you wouldn't happen to be… really strong now, would you?"
He'd been buried in the forge all month and hadn't paid much attention to her progress.
The last clear image he had was of her in the Tower, cutting down the Heaven cultists. With over a month gone, and her talent… it was hard to guess where she stood now.
"Want to go all out for once?" Her competitive streak lit up instantly. Clear eyes locked on his, burning.
"Permission to decline," Shane said, not missing a beat.
Sparing with her was fine. A serious match? Without True Name, he'd probably lose; with True Name, it'd be bullying. No fun either way.
"I think I could fight serious you now," she insisted, undeterred.
Instead of backing off, she stepped in, closing the gap until they were nearly touching. Maybe she didn't realize how close; her usually crisp tone softened at the edges, a faint whine sneaking in. "Just once. Just one time."
He had no idea how to handle this rare bit of wheedling. He did the only thing he could think of—lengthened his stride. "Later. Later."
"…"
Erza frowned and matched his pace.
He sped up. So did she. By the end they were practically sprinting, one chasing the other, barreling through Fairy Tail's double doors like a mini-gale.
"Wow, you two are close," Cana observed from a corner, shuffling her cards. She grinned. "Our busy man actually has time for the guild today?"
Her tone was just this side of snide. The last time she and Levy stopped by, Shane had been so wrapped up in forging he hadn't even come say hi.
Shane knew he was in the wrong and could only give an awkward smile before sensibly changing the subject. "Is the master here? I need to talk to him."
"Makarov?" Cana made a face. "He left for some regular meeting first thing. Won't be back till tonight."
Figures. Shane sighed inwardly. His plan to pick the old man's brain would have to wait.
He considered finally hitting the library for a proper study session while he waited. Just then, Macao and Wakaba burst through the door like a pair of stampeding boars.
They looked rough—dusty, mana frayed, post-job exhaustion written all over them.
But their energy was sky-high. Without so much as a glance left or right, they made a beeline for the request board.
"Whew—"
The door they'd left open let a blast of cold air roar in, rattling the empty glasses on the nearby tables.
Shane didn't mind the temperature, but getting hit by a sudden draft indoors wasn't pleasant. He went over and shut the door. "At least close it behind you, guys," he muttered at their backs.
They didn't hear him. Both were glued to the same request, heads practically knocking together, neither willing to budge.
"Damn it, Wakaba, you wanna fight?"
"Screw you, Macao, I saw it first!"
Before the words were even out, purple flames and white smoke flared around them, tension spiking.
Already? Back to the classics, Shane thought, eyebrows up. Guess some things never—
He broke off mid-step.
In perfect sync, Macao and Wakaba smothered their magic. Fire and smoke vanished.
They glared at each other, grunted, then each grabbed a different request and marched out in opposite directions.
Shane stared. This was… not the Fairy Tail he knew. They'd just… backed down?
Cana saw his expression and sidled up, smug. "Of course. Things are… special lately. No one has time to brawl."
"Special how?" Shane asked, scanning the hall.
Now that he looked, it was obvious. At this hour, there should've been a crowd—laughing, arguing, drinking. Instead, the place was sparse. The people who did come in moved fast, straight to the board and back out, barely pausing.
I'm gone a month and the place turns into a serious workplace? He almost suspected a mass hypnosis spell.
"So what's going on?" he asked Cana, who clearly knew.
"Heh, guess—" she started, clearly savoring the chance for payback.
"The S-Class exam selection," Erza cut in.
"Erza!" Cana stomped, annoyed, but Erza ignored her.
She'd spent most of her days here lately and knew the score.
"Every year around now, the guild holds trials for S-Class mages," she explained. "The master looks at everyone's recent performance, completed jobs, and strength, then picks candidates for the exam.
Pass it, and you're recognized as S-Class."
~~~
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