Chapter 703: S-Class Mage, Erza
Chapter 703: S-Class Mage, Erza
Feng Ye tilted his head back, watching as Erza disappeared above him. He slowly lowered his gaze and, quite naturally, raised his hand to his side, where he felt a small head.
It was a little girl, Wendy, who had somehow snuck up beside him without him noticing. She stood at his waist, looking up at him with curious eyes.
"How did you find me here?" Feng Ye asked, gently patting Wendy's head.
Wendy flashed a sweet and innocent smile, her big eyes curving like crescents. "A dragon's sense of smell is very sharp. I could smell where you were, Brother Feng Ye... Was that huge surge of magic power from you just now?"
Feng Ye let out an amused laugh. "You make it sound like I smell strange."
Wendy opened her mouth, suddenly looking a bit flustered and embarrassed. She fiddled with her fingers, trying to explain. "I-I didn't mean it like that..."
"Hahaha!" Feng Ye burst into laughter, then bent down to pick up Wendy. He hoisted her onto his neck and, with a slight sway of his body, took off into the sky.
Wendy let out a startled cry but quickly regained her composure. She wrapped her small arms around Feng Ye's head, enjoying the ride as he ascended.
Being a Sky Dragon Slayer, she was no stranger to soaring through the skies. She had often ridden on Grandine's back, exploring the heavens, so she felt no fear of heights. And just like she had hugged Grandine's neck, she now clung to Feng Ye.
Feng Ye flew with Wendy to the second level of Tenrou Island. He held her legs securely with one hand to prevent her from losing her balance while pointing downward with the other. "Can you see her?"
"Yes, it's Erza!" Wendy nodded, her eyes sharp despite the distance. As a Dragon Slayer, her senses were incredibly keen, allowing her to clearly see Erza, who had just arrived at the second level.
"Has Erza passed the second trial, then? Are there any others who have made it this far?" Wendy asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"No, she's the only one so far," Feng Ye replied with a slight smile. "Mira is close, though. If she could get rid of her bad habit of being overly confident and impulsive, she'd be there too."
Wendy fiddled with her hair, looking a bit embarrassed. "Mira can be a bit rash sometimes..."
She felt a bit guilty talking about someone behind their back, but it was the truth.
Just then, Erza, who had been making her way to the final trial, spotted Feng Ye and Wendy flying above, their figures unconcealed. She waved at them cheerfully.
"Good luck, Erza!" Wendy called out, waving back from her perch on Feng Ye's neck.
Erza greeted them both before continuing on her way to the final trial, which would be overseen by none other than the guild master, Makarov.
"You've arrived, Erza," Makarov said, standing with his hands behind his back. His usual playful demeanor was replaced by a solemn expression. "This is the final trial. While it may not pose much of a challenge to you, you must still pass it."
As he finished speaking, Makarov waved his hand, and magical arrays appeared nearby. He then proceeded to explain the contents of the final trial to Erza.
Indeed, the final trial did not pose much of a challenge for Erza.
This trial focused on discernment and adaptability rather than raw power.
The first trial had tested luck and strength, while the second had pushed their magic power and will to the limit. Now, the overall strength of the candidates had been assessed, and the final trial would be different.
For an S-Class Mage, strength was fundamental, but adaptability and discernment were equally important. They would face challenges and dangers far beyond those encountered by ordinary mages.
If Mira were here, she might have struggled with this final trial.
But for Erza, who had faced the pursuit of the Dark Mage Society with composure and presence of mind at the young age of ten, even going so far as to rescue younger children, this trial at the age of fifteen was hardly an obstacle!
Half an hour later...
Erza had passed the final trial!
"Congratulations," Makarov said, his stern expression softening into a warm smile. "From this day forward, you are one of the S-Class Mages of Fairy Tail."
Erza bowed respectfully to the guild master. "Thank you, Master Makarov, for your guidance."
Seeing Erza's sincerity, Makarov's smile faded, and he returned to a serious demeanor. "From this moment on, Erza, remember the responsibilities that come with being an S-Class Mage."
"As an S-Class Mage, you are now among the elite of all mages. You have the obligation to lead them, and with that comes great honor and responsibility."
Hearing Makarov's words, Erza's expression became even more solemn. She understood the weight of his words.
Indeed, as an S-Class Mage, Erza would often find herself in a leadership position when undertaking missions with other mages. She would be responsible for making decisions that affected the entire team.
Being an S-Class Mage was not just about completing guild requests; it was also about carrying the reputation of Fairy Tail and fighting for the guild's honor.
Makarov's face softened, and he replied, "In that case, I can rest easy."
Just then, Feng Ye descended from the sky with Wendy in his arms, a smile playing on his lips as he gently lowered her to the ground.
Wendy immediately blinked playfully at Erza and offered a cute smile. "Congratulations, Sister Erza!"
"..."
Erza returned the smile and gently ruffled Wendy's hair.
Right after.
She turned to face Feng Ye.
Without saying a word, they simply exchanged a glance, their eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions.
In that moment, without the need for words, Feng Ye could sense Erza's determination, and he responded with a warm smile and an encouraging gaze.
"Oh, right."
Makarov, witnessing this exchange, suddenly recalled something. With a relaxed tone, he said, "Although you've passed the test, Erza, don't go accepting any high-reward S-Class quests on a whim, especially those that are extremely challenging. Don't try to take them on alone just to repay Feng Ye."
Erza's expression froze.
All she wanted to say at that moment was—don't mention the money!
"Ha."
Feng Ye chuckled and added, "By the way, I destroyed your armor during the second trial. Consider that debt settled with the cost of the armor."
Erza exhaled in relief. She had been thinking about that, but felt awkward bringing it up with Feng Ye. Now that he had mentioned it, she felt a sense of relief.
"Alright, let's head back."
Makarov's face softened into a warm smile. Suddenly, his entire body expanded, transforming him into a giant. He reached out his palm and gently grasped Erza, Feng Ye, and the others.
None of them resisted as Makarov gently held them in his giant hand.
Makarov, now giant-sized, sprinted towards the edge of Tenrou Island. With a swift leap, he descended to the edge of the island's second level.
"Sister Erza... you're so hard..."
Feng Ye and Erza were held facing each other in Makarov's giant palm, with Wendy snugly sandwiched between them.
It was a tight fit, so Wendy was pressed right up against Feng Ye and Erza, her body flush against Erza's armored form, making her feel a little dizzy.
"Sorry."
Erza apologized with a smile and quickly changed her armor into a kimono using her Requip Magic.
As soon as she did so, Wendy, who had been pressed against her armor, found herself suddenly pressed against Erza's chest, her head buried in it.
"!!!"
Wendy's body went rigid as she realized her position. Her face turned bright red, and she couldn't help but wonder when she would finally grow taller.
Feng Ye noticed the situation between Erza and Wendy and couldn't help but chuckle. He nudged Erza with his elbow and said, "It's a bit cramped, Guild Master."
With a gentle nudge, Feng Ye gently pushed Makarov's palm away. He extended his right hand forward, and golden beams of light wrapped around Erza and Wendy, carrying them gently towards the shore and the waiting ships.
Makarov, in the meantime, swiftly reverted to his normal size, his massive form shrinking back down to that of a short, elderly man. He jumped onto the deck with agility.
"Yo, Guild Master, how did it go?"
Gildarts, who had been waiting on the deck, smiled as he saw Makarov and the others descend. He greeted them cheerfully.
Makarov replied with a relaxed tone, "Erza passed."
"Congratulations."
Gildarts turned to Erza and offered a warm smile. "From now on, you're one of the S-Class Mages of Fairy Tail. You'll have to work even harder."
Erza smiled and greeted Gildarts politely.
"How did you manage to pass...?"
Mira, now awake and with a white bandage wrapped around her head, popped out from behind Gildarts. She puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy, and glared at Feng Ye. "You didn't go easy on her, did you, Feng Ye?"
Erza crossed her arms over her chest, her posture confident and relaxed. "Feng Ye is impartial and fair. It's your own lack of ability that's at fault. Don't blame others."
"..."
Mira glared at Erza, her fists clenched tightly. Finally, she stamped her foot and pointed at Erza, declaring, "Don't get too full of yourself! Next year, I'll definitely become an S-Class Mage!"
Makarov watched this exchange with a smile, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "Youth is truly wonderful."
Gildarts laughed heartily and joined in, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he looked at Mira and Erza. "Youth is full of vigor. It reminds me of my younger days... But the eldest among us deserves the most respect, Guild Master. It's your leadership that has brought the guild to where it is today."
As he spoke, Gildarts turned to Makarov.
Feng Ye smiled and added, "Indeed, our elders are the most worthy of our respect."
"Hmph, I'm not that old yet."
Makarov shot Gildarts and Feng Ye a glance and said, "Alright, let's head back!"
(End of Chapter)
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