Chapter 100: S-Class Mage Promotion Trial Begins! Irene and Selene Announce Their Participation!

"Roar!!"

With Mirajane's assistance, Elfman successfully absorbed the Beast King's soul. As the powerful energy surged through him, vivid memories from the Beast King's life flashed through Elfman's mind.

He felt himself transforming into a formidable Beast King, rampaging through the northeastern forests of Fiore, unstoppable in his might. Whether it was the magical beasts of the forest, the armies sent by local lords, or even mages tasked with subduing him, none could stand against the Beast King.

"Ugh..."

In an instant, Elfman was overwhelmed by these memories.

This Beast King had been a genuinely terrifying creature, powerful enough to rival a seasoned S-Class Mage from the Light Guilds. Its overwhelming strength and indomitable spirit were too much for Elfman, whose abilities were still at a lower A-Class level.

"Roar!"

A low growl escaped Elfman's lips, accompanied by a surging wave of fearsome magic power that radiated from his body, intensifying as it expanded. In this moment, Elfman brushed against the threshold of becoming an S-Class Mage.

Such is the benefit of being a Take-Over Mage...

Their power grows exponentially based on the souls they take over.

But therein lies the risk as well. If the mage's strength is insufficient to suppress the taken-over soul, it's easy for them to lose control.

"Crack~"

Just as the Beast King's soul was about to overpower Elfman, forcing him into a berserk state, a crisp sound echoed in the Beast King's ears.

Mirajane stood next to Elfman, cracking her knuckles as her lips curled into a playful smile. "Hey~ Kitty cat! We only just parted, and you're already so eager to see me again?"

"Meow~"

Instantly, the Beast King's attempt to seize control over Elfman's mind was interrupted, cold sweat forming on its figurative brow. Memories of its previous encounter with Mirajane—when she had mercilessly beaten it, alongside the terror brought by the demon Deliora—resurfaced in its consciousness. The soul let out a whimpering meow before withdrawing its magic power, choosing to remain docile.

"Huh?!"

Elfman, still grappling mentally with the Beast King's spirit, suddenly felt the overwhelming pressure ease. The once-dominant Beast King seemed to shrink into a submissive kitten, allowing itself to be absorbed without the slightest resistance.

Mirajane: "And you call yourself the Beast King? Thinking about going berserk, are you?"

Beast King: "No, ma'am! Not anymore! Calling me Beast King is far too kind; please just call me kitty."

"Sis, I've successfully tamed the Beast King's soul!"

Having fully controlled the Beast King's power, Elfman looked at Mirajane with eyes full of excitement. At this moment, his strength had grown significantly, bringing him one step closer to his sister Mirajane's level. He vowed that one day he would make his family proud by becoming a true man who could protect them.

"Mmm..."

"That's one goal down," Mirajane said, smiling warmly. "Next, we just need to find an appropriate animal soul for Lisanna... but she's still young, so there's no rush. Maybe in a few years."

Mirajane's purpose for taking on the S-Class mission without permission was twofold. First, she wanted to see how far she'd progressed—whether she was capable of completing an S-Class mission on her own. Fairy Tail's S-Class promotion trials were known to be notoriously difficult, and even candidates were on par with S-Class mages from other guilds.

Her second goal was to find a suitable magical beast soul for her brother, Elfman. Now that both missions were accomplished, they could finally return to the guild.

"Mirajane, Master Makarov has found out that you took on the S-Class mission without authorization. He ordered me to bring you back immediately. Now, are you going to come quietly, or will I have to knock you out and drag you back?"

Just as Mirajane was giving Elfman a congratulatory pat on the shoulder, Erza, clad in her Black Wing Armor, descended from the sky, sword pointed directly at Mirajane. Her eyes were filled with confidence and determination, her tone devoid of any politeness.

Well, considering that Master Makarov had sent her, it implied that, in his eyes, Erza was more than capable of subduing Mirajane.

Mirajane stood atop the Beast King's remains, looking up at the hovering Erza, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Is it possible that I'll knock you out instead, take you back, and tell Master Makarov that the one who should have passed the S-Class Mage promotion trial last year wasn't Erza Belserion, but me, Mirajane Strauss?"

"You're dreaming!"

"If you're that confident, come and try!"

With those words, Erza charged at Mirajane like a streak of black lightning.

"Bring it on."

Mirajane swiftly unleashed her powerful magic, transforming into the Satan Soul demon and colliding with Erza.

The battle between Mirajane and Erza erupted with explosive force, the sheer power of their clash causing the entire mountain range to quake. Elfman could only see flashes—their speed far exceeding his ability to follow with the naked eye.

Amidst the chaos, with dust rising and the ground quaking from their magical energy, it seemed as though two monstrous creatures were battling in the mountains, far surpassing even the Beast King.

"Sister! Erza! Calm down, please! If you keep fighting, everything in the mountain will be destroyed!"

Elfman cried out in despair. He had hoped to use the Beast King's power to stop Mirajane and Erza from continuing their fight—not to win, but simply to calm them. Unfortunately, upon realizing that the opponents were Mirajane, who had previously defeated it, and Erza, whose strength surpassed even Mirajane, the Beast King lost its nerve and refused Elfman's summons.

Having no other options, Elfman used a long-distance communication crystal to call for help from Fairy Tail.

Makarov sighed deeply as he watched, via the magic crystal, the devastation caused by Mirajane and Erza's clash. He muttered, "Enough already... Gildarts, you're the only one who can bring Mirajane and Erza back now."

"Got it, Master," Gildarts yawned. In his eyes, it was no big deal. Young people are supposed to be full of energy, right? It's just a few mountains—didn't everyone do something like that in their youth?

Fairy Tail members could only mutter, "Gildarts, your idea of childhood is... different from ours. We didn't tear down mountains in our youth!"

Ultimately, Gildarts stepped in and successfully brought Mirajane and Erza back to Fairy Tail, although not before inadvertently destroying the mountain range during his attempt to stop them.

Makarov shed a tear at the sight of the shattered mountains, regretting his decision to send Gildarts.

As punishment for taking on an unauthorized S-Class mission, Mirajane was banned from taking any missions for six months and forced to work as a waitress in the guild—with an added requirement from Makarov that she serve with a smile, as a way to temper her fiery disposition.

With a stiff smile plastered on her face, Mirajane began her new duties in Fairy Tail, presenting herself with a completely different demeanor.

"Wait, has Mirajane always been this pretty?!"

Members of Fairy Tail couldn't believe their eyes as they saw Mirajane transformed—a change in hairstyle turning her from a delinquent into a gentle beauty.

"Mirajane, give us a smile!"

"You could totally debut as an idol, Mira!"

"You're so cute, Mirajane!"

"You should switch careers and just be our guild waitress!"

The single men of the guild clamored, showering Mirajane with compliments.

"Hehehe..." Mirajane's charming smile didn't waver as she muttered, "Keep yapping, and I'll wipe you all out."

"Guess it's still the 'Demon' Mirajane, huh?"

"Yeah, Mira's definitely not cute... not compared to Lisanna or Wendy."

The members fell silent, a hint of fear in their eyes. It was clear that, regardless of how she looked, Mirajane still commanded respect within Fairy Tail—a true S-Class candidate in their eyes.

Time flew by, and a month later, it was time for the Fairy Tail guild's X779 S-Class Mage Promotion Trial.

December 8, X779.

Magnolia Town was bustling as Fairy Tail mages, regardless of how busy they were, returned to the guild. This was a big day, the day when Master Makarov would announce the candidates for the year's S-Class Mage trial.

"I won't waste time explaining the rules of the assessment!" Makarov stood on the stage, addressing the eager crowd. "Now, let me announce the candidates for Fairy Tail's X779 S-Class Mage assessment! They are Laxus Dreyar, Mirajane Strauss, Ultear Milkovich, Eresh Belserion, and Cana Alberona..."

These five names were no surprise—they were widely acknowledged as the most likely candidates to pass this year's S-Class Mage promotion trial. There was no doubt in the guild about their capabilities.

"Just as expected, huh?"

Wakaba took a puff of his cigar. They had anticipated Laxus and the others being chosen. The candidates were so obvious that no one even bothered to bet on them in the annual S-Class trial pool.

"Of course Laxus was gonna be chosen!"

Macao yawned, finding this year's candidate list a bit boring.

"Laxus, you did it!" Freed said excitedly, looking at Laxus.

"What are you talking about, Freed? This was a given," Laxus shrugged, exuding confidence in his abilities.

"Do your best, little sister!" Erza encouraged Eresh with a smile.

"Don't worry. I'll win," Eresh smiled back. She wasn't overconfident—she simply didn't see Laxus and the others as real threats.

"Sister, good luck!" Elfman and Lisanna cheered for Mirajane.

"Don't worry, I won't lose," Mirajane said, clenching her fists.

Meanwhile, Cana had already started drinking. She hadn't placed much hope in passing the S-Class trial, considering her competition.

"Maybe in five years..."

Cana whispered to herself.

"It's okay, Cana. We'll be here for you," Gildarts said, sitting with Cornelia beside his daughter Cana. He had become a full-blown doting father in recent months.

"Ultear, do your best," Ur gently patted Ultear's shoulder.

"No problem," Ultear smiled calmly, less intense about the trial compared to Laxus or Mirajane.

"Next, the five other candidates are Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Freed Justine, Lyon Vastia, and Mystogan!"

Makarov continued to announce the other five participants. Natsu, Gray, and Lyon had all participated in the previous year's trial, while Freed was teaming up with Laxus, and Mystogan was a newcomer.

"We did it!" Natsu, Gray, and the others cheered in unison, ecstatic to have made the list.

"I'm participating in the S-Class promotion trial?"

Though his true identity was no longer a secret within the guild, Mystogan still wore his mask, his eyes betraying a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected Makarov to include him in the S-Class Mage assessment, considering he technically lacked magic and wasn't a true mage.

"These ten individuals…"

"Will be this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Trial candidates, and they will head to the capital of Fiore Kingdom, Crocus, the City of Flowers, to participate in this year's Grand Magic Games!"

"The ultimate winner who claims the prize money..."

"I mean, the prize money is not important! The ones who eliminate their opponents and strive to the very end will pass this year's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial and become one of the guild's S-Class mages."

Standing on the podium, Makarov declared loudly in front of everyone.

This year's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial was different from previous years—it was conducted individually, rather than in teams.

Moreover, to ensure the peace of the world, Makarov decided not to appoint any examiners for the assessment. After all, Fairy Tail's active and inactive S-Class mages were all extraordinary monsters. If Ian, Gildarts, Ultear, or Warrod—these "Heavenly King"-level individuals or even above that level—were to serve as examiners, the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial might escalate into a massive, chaotic event.

As for why this year's assessment wasn't held on Tenrou Island, Fairy Tail's sacred land?

It was because Makarov was genuinely afraid. He feared that the island might actually get demolished by this group of reckless brats in the guild. He absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen under his leadership, as it would dishonor both the first and second guild masters.

Even if the First didn't particularly care, to be honest.

"Everyone, do your best! Go, Fairy Tail! Go, Fairy Tail!!"

At this moment, the First Master Mavis, swinging her small white feet, sat on the second-floor railing, continuously cheering for this year's S-Class Mage candidates.

After all, Mavis had a naturally chaotic disposition. She was someone who would dance on her own grave, if possible.

As for why the assessment was held at the arena in the capital of Fiore? Well, it was the king's property—no one would feel bad if it got destroyed.

"Ugh..."

However, not all the S-Class candidates selected by Makarov were thrilled. Among them, Freed was visibly upset. Upon realizing that not only could he not take the trial alongside Laxus this year but also had to compete against him, he began crying bitterly and complaining, "I just want to take the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial with Laxus! A trial where I can't team up with Laxus is meaningless to me."

"Freed, do your best," Laxus said as he gently patted Freed's shoulder, speaking earnestly.

"Laxus?!"

"I understand. I'll do my best!" Freed wiped away his tears, his gaze now firm.

Freed was easily persuaded. To him, everything Laxus said was akin to an imperial decree.

"If there are no objections..."

"The participants for this year's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial are these ten individuals."

"Let's give them a warm round of applause!"

Makarov was full of confidence. He refused to believe that, without the guild's monstrous powerhouses serving as examiners, the S-Class Assessment could go awry.

No way! Absolutely impossible!

Clap, clap, clap.

For a moment, the entire first-floor hall of the Fairy Tail guild erupted in applause. Everyone admired Makarov's wit.

"I object~"

However, before Makarov could fully relax, an unexpected event occurred.

Irene, dressed in a mage's robe, suddenly appeared in the guild, standing confidently as she gave Makarov a sincere smile.

"I object as well~"

Following her declaration, a portal resembling flowing water materialized in the guild hall. Selene, dressed in a priestess robe, returned to Earthland after several months and once again stepped into the Fairy Tail guild. She glared fiercely at Irene with a hint of malice in her eyes, although her face bore a seemingly carefree smile.

"Oh my~"

"So, you've finished dealing with your rebellion?"

"I heard your shrine maidens learned Dragon Slayer magic; quite unexpected." Irene remarked with a grin.

"Thanks to you, it's been temporarily resolved," Selene replied calmly, maintaining her own smile.

To an outsider, it might seem like the two were caring, close friends.

At this point, Makarov broke into a wry smile.

"We're doomed."