Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 380: August: All of You Come at Me Together!Chapter 381: Gajeel: I Am Merely a Weapon Anyone Can Use

In the venue of Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Trial…

”S-Class Mages are existences completely different from other Mages! S-Class Mages represent a Mageʼs identity and status within the guild. As long as one becomes an S-Class Mage, they can enjoy privileges in Fairy Tail Guild that ordinary Mages cannot enjoy, and will also possess the qualifications to go to the guildʼs second floor and accept S-Class missions, even missions above S-Class! At the same time, you will receive the respect of the guild members, respect second only to the Guild Master…”

”People like His Maj—like Mr. Evan, Her Majesty Irene, and Goddess Selene, they are all S-Class Mages within the guild. In other words, Sonya, for the sake of our grand plan, this time we must become S-Class Mages within the guild…”

Animus, who had transformed into a purple cat, stood on Sonyaʼs shoulder. His gaze was serious as he looked around at the guild companions who, like Sonya, had obtained the qualifications for this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial.

However, for the sake of his so-called grand plan, in his eyes right now, there were no companions, only opponents.

Even if they had to use any means necessary, he and Sonya absolutely had to win. Everything was for the greater good!

”I-I understand…”

After hearing Animusʼs words, Sonya nodded hard.

Her eyes carried a hint of seriousness. Although she did not have much confidence in her own strength, for Animusʼs sake, she was willing to try and willing to work hard.

In truth, her four hundred years together with Animus had long since made her regard Animus like family, and he was also the person she trusted most…

”These humans here are indeed extraordinary. Even four hundred years ago, they would be rare experts among humans. Unfortunately, in the end, they are merely at the level of humans and are fundamentally not worth mentioning before you and me, Sonya. Of course, if they now switched to cultivating Dragon Slayer Magic, perhaps they would cause us quite a bit of trouble. However, there are never ifs in this world. They are not Dragon Slayer Mages, so they pose no threat to you or me! As expected, these humans are not worth fearing. The only ones who might truly threaten you and me are the Dragon Slayer Mages within the guild…”

As for Animus, although he looked at the Mages inside Fairy Tail Guild while calling them humans one after another, appearing as if he were a higher lifeform surpassing humans, and although he could not compare to Evan, Irene, and Selene in status and identity, he still seemed to stand one level above the other Mages in the guild. However, he had never said anything about Sonya. Perhaps even Animus himself did not know that deep in his heart, in his subconscious, he had long since regarded Sonya, who had accompanied him for four hundred years, as someone incomparably important to him…

Especially whenever Animus was inside Sonyaʼs body and saw Sonya being bullied because of her weakness, he would feel incomparably furious! Whenever such a moment appeared, Animus would control his absolute power and give those who bullied Sonya absolute punishment!

Animus had even built the Kingdom of Stella, a country belonging to humans, so that Sonya would not become disconnected from humans. Although Animus usually always acted high and mighty, and even his attitude toward Sonya seemed somewhat unfriendly, the way Animus treated Sonya was completely different from the way Animus was unfriendly toward others. Animusʼs attitude toward Sonya was more like a feeling of hating iron for not becoming steel.

Every time Sonya was bullied, Animus would question Sonya, ”You are special. Your body houses the power of a great dragon! How can you be bullied by these foolish fellows? Unreasonable…”

As for Animusʼs concern for Sonya, it was more like the mentality of an old father. Unfortunately, among dragons, male dragons, including father dragons, even including the Fire Dragon King Igneel, were relatively scummy, and because there was no custom of educating or protecting younglings.

As a result, Animus did not have any experience interacting with a daughter. After all, his own father had been the same. After he was born, his father simply let go and stopped caring. Therefore, he also did not know how to educate Sonya, whose constitution had silently changed under his power and who could use Dragon Slayer Magic. He could only use his own way of doing things to tell Sonya what was good and what was bad…

It was just that Animus carried the pride of dragons, so he looked incomparably rough! And Sonya was also somewhat too weak, never daring to refute Animus and always silently obeying.

So, over time, the relationship between Animus and Sonya became one where Animus issued orders and Sonya carried out the contents of Animusʼs orders, a way of getting along that looked slightly pathological.

”Sonya, remember this. In this exam, your greatest opponents are the child of Fire Dragon King Igneel and the child of Iron Dragon Metalicana. These two children are your greatest competitors in this S-Class Mage Trial!”

During these few months in Fairy Tail, Animus had already confirmed the identities of Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy. He had also communicated with Igneel and the others, so he naturally knew that Igneel and the others temporarily could not come out of those childrenʼs bodies. At the same time, he also knew Igneel and the othersʼ plan…

However, knowing Igneel and the othersʼ plan did not mean Animus approved of Igneel and the others. In Animusʼs eyes, dragons like Igneel and Grandeeney, who placed their hopes on humans, were all betrayers of the dragon race. As for Igneelʼs behavior, that was even more a form of escape! It was unworthy of the other partyʼs title of Fire Dragon King…

The Black Dragon King Acnologia was indeed powerful, but precisely because the other party was powerful, they dragons had to personally defeat him and avenge the dragons who once died tragically at Acnologiaʼs hands!

Yes, although Animusʼs strength was very weak, he possessed great ambition. Especially after recognizing Evan as king! The ambition in his heart grew even stronger. Animus believed that if someone truly appeared in this world who was capable of defeating the Black Dragon King Acnologia, then that person, or more accurately, that dragon, could only be Evan Belserion, and absolutely not the Fire Dragon King Igneel who had fled before battle four hundred years ago.

And todayʼs S-Class Mage Trial was the first battle to prove his thoughts. He would have Sonya, whom he had raised, forcefully smack the backside of Igneelʼs son Natsu, to prove that Igneel placing his hopes on Natsu was purely a waste of time…

”Fire Dragon King Igneel, you have already lost your mind! Believing in humans itself is a mistaken choice, and this mistake on your body will be awakened by me!”

At this moment, Animusʼs heart was filled with great ambition.

It was just that the current Animus had not yet experienced societyʼs beating. However arrogant Animus was at this moment, the battle later would inflict an equal amount of trauma on him…

”Huff, huff…”

Beside Animus, Kagura held a katana and continuously adjusted her breathing. Her eyes were sharp. She was determined to obtain victory in this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial.

”Oh my, it seems everyone is very excited~”

”I did not expect that this old man would also need to participate in this yearʼs trial.”

The Magic King August stood beneath Fairy Tailʼs platform and listened to Makarovʼs words on the stage. His heart was somewhat emotional. When he was in the Alvarez Empire, he, August, had always been the one assessing others. After coming to Fairy Tail Guild, there was actually a day when others assessed him.

”I didnʼt expect that an old grandpa like you would also have to participate in the trial!”

Natsu looked at August beside him and inexplicably felt somewhat close to him. After sizing August up and down, he spoke with a smile.

”Hehe, is that not so?”

”This old man also did not expect that I would still have a day to compete on the same stage as children like you!”

After hearing Natsuʼs words, August laughed lightly.

”Being together with children like you makes this old man feel much younger…”

”Speaking of which, this old man has a granddaughter named Brandish. Her age is around the same as yours~”

As August looked at Natsu, he suddenly thought of something. He remembered his young disciple, who was also his good granddaughter, Brandish.

”Oh, oh, old grandpa, you actually have a granddaughter? I wonder how strong she is?”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Natsu lightly nodded. Then his eyes flashed with desire, the desire for battle.

”Her strength~”

”She is about the same as you all~”

After hearing Natsuʼs words, August smiled slightly. He reached out and stroked his snow-white beard as he spoke with a chuckle.

”Is that so? Then if one day she comes to Fairy Tail, I definitely have to compete with her!”

Hearing this, the corners of Natsuʼs mouth rose slightly. His eyes flickered with pure light. He simply wanted to fight Augustʼs granddaughter.

”Is this child really a child of our Dragneel family?”

”Why does he look not very smart…”

After hearing Natsuʼs words, August felt somewhat helpless.

He also did not know whose family had raised this child Natsu. Why did he look like a battle maniac? He completely lacked the steadiness of their Dragneel family…

Yes, August was only the name of the old man before him. His full name was August Dragneel, or August Vermillion. He was the child of Fairy Tailʼs First Guild Master, Mavis, and the Black Mage Zeref.

At the same time, August was also the nephew of this brat before him, who had cherry-pink hair, was filled with obsession toward battle, and had a white dragon-scale scarf wrapped around his neck.

Yes, although August looked incomparably old, he was one generation younger than Natsu. Natsu Dragneel was the younger brother of Zeref Dragneel, Augustʼs biological father. This was very awkward.

”The candidates for this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial have now all been announced. Now, allow me to briefly explain the rules of the match to everyone…”

Just as August looked at Natsu with doubtful eyes, wondering about the bloodline within Natsu.

Makarov, as the Guild Master of Fairy Tail Guild, stood on the platform and spoke to the many Mages of Fairy Tail Guild below. Makarov announced the rules of Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial for X779.

”The rules for this yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial are very simple. We will conduct grouped battles for all twelve members participating in this yearʼs S-Class Trial in Fairy Tail Guild, namely Natsu, Gray, Lyon, Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, Seilah, Mystogan, Kagura, Gajeel, Sonya, and August. These participating candidates will draw lots and fight in pairs. The winner advances and continues fighting the others. The final winner of the ranking battle will be the one who passes this yearʼs Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial…”

Just as August looked at Natsu with suspicion and wondered about the bloodline inside Natsu.

Makarov, as Guild Master of Fairy Tail Guild, stood on the platform and spoke to the Mages of Fairy Tail Guild below. Makarov announced the rules of the X779 Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial.

”And the location for this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial will be decided as inside the guild. After all, last yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial placed too much pressure on Tenrou Island. If it experienced a few more rounds of exams, our guildʼs holy land, Tenrou Island, would be destroyed…”

Immediately afterward, Makarov announced the location of this yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial.

Regarding the fact that the location of the S-Class Trial was not Tenrou Island, Makarovʼs expression was serious and carried a hint of helplessness.

”Sigh…”

When Makarov reached this point, he helplessly sighed. One had to know that last year, the S-Class Mage Trial held by Fairy Tail, because of the participation of Selene and Irene, ultimately caused Tenrou Island, the holy land of Fairy Tail Guild, to endure pressure it should not have endured at its age. And this year, in order to protect Magnolia Town, protect Tenrou Island, and protect Fairy Tail Guild.

Makarov not only canceled the tradition of going to the holy land Tenrou Island to hold the trial, he also canceled the examiner system. Yes, Makarov had not called even one active S-Class Mage in the guild to serve as an examiner for this yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial.

In any case, in Makarovʼs eyes, Kagura, Seilah, Sonya, and August all possessed the strength to pass the guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial and become S-Class Mages of the guild. It did not matter which of the four passed. In fact, in Makarovʼs plan, it was not impossible for multiple people to pass the guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial this year.

”Oh! This yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial wonʼt be held on Tenrou Island?”

”Speaking of which, Mirajaneʼs year also didnʼt go to Tenrou Island~”

”Looking at it this way, Kagura has a very high chance this year~”

”Indeed! But Kagura has already participated in Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Trial for four years, so itʼs about time she passed…”

”Yes, yes! If Kagura-chan still doesnʼt pass this year, that would be far too tragic…”

As witnesses of several years of S-Class Mage Trials in Fairy Tail Guild, Macao and Wakaba lightly nodded, expressing their approval of this yearʼs trial rules.

According to their understanding of Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Trials in previous years, Kagura indeed had a high possibility of becoming an S-Class Mage of the guild this year.

After all, in these years, the only person who did not become an S-Class Mage of the guild as a dark horse, but instead passed Fairy Tail Guildʼs trial after participating twice, was Mirajane. That yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial was held inside the guild.

At that time, Mirajane, who was participating in Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Trial for the second time, won directly with an overwhelming posture, convincing all the Mages in the guild. This matter was still something countless people talked about with great interest even now.

”Kagura, do your best!!”

”Kagura, you are the best! Kagura, donʼt care about other peopleʼs gazes, you are the best!”

Because Kaguraʼs appearance was very cute, and because Kagura was powerful and had a very good personality, she had a group of loyal fans inside the guild. These people called themselves members of the Kagura Support Association.

At this moment, the Mages of the Kagura Support Association were cheering Kagura on!

”I will do my best. I absolutely will not fail everyoneʼs expectations of me…”

Kagura lightly nodded. At this moment, she had already opened her eyes, lowered her center of gravity, and could draw the katana at her waist at any time.

”Kagura, do your best~”

On the second floor of Fairy Tail Guild, Evan stood in the corridor and waved toward Kagura, cheering her on.

And the person standing beside Evan was none other than Erza. At this moment, Erza also greeted Kagura together with Evan.

”Donʼt worry! Big Brother Evan! And Big Sister Erza!”

”I will definitely work hard…”

Kagura noticed the special viewing seat on the guildʼs second floor, where only S-Class Mages were allowed to go, and nodded hard. This year, she was not fighting alone. Behind her were countless masters of blades from the continent of Ishgar.

”Cana, donʼt forget your ultimate move~”

After greeting Kagura, Erza looked at Cana downstairs and reminded her.

”Donʼt worry. This year, I must obtain victory.”

Cana held magic cards in her hand. This year was her third time participating in Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial.

She absolutely had to fulfill her long-cherished wish, successfully pass the trial, and then confess her identity to Gildarts.

Although Gildarts was a super scumbag, no matter what, he was still her dad!!

”Lisanna, Elfman, do your best~”

Mirajane stood below the platform before Elfman and Lisanna, cheering the two of them on.

”Donʼt worry! Sister…”

”We are already different!”

After hearing Mirajaneʼs words, Elfman and Lisanna revealed confident smiles.

During this year, Elfman and Lisanna had also not been idle. They completed several S-Class missions together with Mirajane! Elfman even successfully received the Beast Kingʼs Soul during a mission.

In other words, the current Elfman already fully possessed the foundation to become an S-Class Mage. In fact, aside from Fairy Tail Guild, S-Class Mages from other light Mage Guilds might not necessarily be opponents of Elfman when he fully received the Beast Kingʼs Soul.

”Gray, Lyon, do your best~”

Ur, Ultear, and Silver stood on the second floor of Fairy Tail Guild, silently watching Gray and Lyon.

At this moment, Ur was excitedly waving at her two disciples and cheering them on.

”Gray…”

”Lyon!”

”This year, we absolutely cannot lose!”

Below the platform, Gray and Lyon looked at each other, and the two instantly entered battle mode.

”How strange. I remember Seilah should have issued an order in the guild forbidding stripping clothes, right? So what is going on with you two?”

Cana looked at Gray and Lyon, who were full of fighting spirit, then turned her head and felt like her eyes were about to go blind. Gray was wearing a pair of sexy boxer briefs, the corners of his mouth raised, abnormally confident.

Lyon, meanwhile, held his chin high, completely naked, displaying Kurokoʼs Basketball beneath his crotch, looking like a pervert…

”Idiot, we stripped outside the guild before coming in~”

After hearing Canaʼs words, Lyon revealed a hint of pride.

”You didnʼt expect it, did you? Cana! Trying to use this method to restrict our power is useless…”

Gray smiled coldly, his eyes carrying a wise light.

”Uh…”

In response, Cana was simply somewhat speechless. She no longer knew how to answer these two perverts, Gray and Lyon.

”Mystogan, donʼt lose again because of carelessness.”

Laxus looked at Mystogan, who wore a face covering, and reminded him.

”Donʼt worry, I have replaced my equipment this year.”

After hearing Laxusʼs words, Mystoganʼs eyes carried some gratitude. At the same time, his gaze was blazing, and he revealed an expression of certain victory regarding this yearʼs S-Class Trial.

”Damn it. If that guy Freed had not gotten injured, he would never have missed this yearʼs trial…”

After hearing Mystoganʼs words, Laxus said nothing more.

He stood on the second floor of the guild and looked at the guild Mages preparing to participate in the trial, his brows tightly furrowed as he thought inwardly.

Because Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen had been injured while independently challenging an S-Class magical beast, they missed this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial. However, Laxus knew very well in his heart that with the strength of his Thunder God Tribe, they were fully qualified to become S-Class Mages of the guild.

Of course, the strength of the Thunder God Tribe that Laxus referred to was calculated by treating Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen as one whole…

”Seilah, you must work hard~”

Aside from Natsu and the others, because Seilah had always worked in the guildʼs logistics, she had long since gotten along with Kinana and the others, who also worked in logistics with her.

At this moment, Kinana and the other logistics staff of Fairy Tail Guild were waving small flags in their hands, cheering Seilah on.

”Donʼt worry! I will not lose to humans…”

Seilah felt Kinana and the othersʼ concern and revealed a sweet smile. She was no longer alone either.

”Brother Natsu, Brother Gajeel, and Sister Sonya, do your best!!”

Wendy, as the only Dragon Slayer Mage in the guild who was neither an S-Class Mage nor chosen to participate in the S-Class Mage Trial, cheered on Natsu, Gajeel, and Sonya.

”Oh! Leave it to us!!”

”I absolutely wonʼt lose to the Fire Dragon~”

”T-Thank you! Little Sister Wendy, I will work hard…”

Natsu, Gajeel, and Sonya simultaneously looked at Wendy and expressed their firm determination.

”The atmosphere of this guild is truly good! As expected of Motherʼs guild~ If I could stay in this guild carefree, that would be quite good.”

August stood inside the guild and felt the atmosphere in Fairy Tail Guild, where every guild member cheered for their companions and every guild member had someone who cared about them. The corners of his mouth rose slightly. Even though no one cheered for him, he still felt incomparably happy.

”I will just casually find an excuse to lose the match! In any case, I do not particularly care about the guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial.”

August looked at the boys and girls inside the guild who had all used their full strength for this yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial and smiled slightly. After all, his age was there, and he had already passed the age of competing with these children. Furthermore, the reason he came to Fairy Tail Guild today was not to participate in Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial this year. He had other matters and intended to ask Evan for help, and merely happened to run into the trial! Therefore, he did not intend to pass this yearʼs trial, until…

”August, do your best! August, donʼt lose the match~”

At the bar counter of Fairy Tail Guild, beside Fairy Tailʼs third Guild Master Makarov, a cute young girl with light golden long hair and emerald-green eyes, like a fairy, bare white feet, was loudly cheering August on.

”That is!”

August, who had originally been prepared to directly lose the match, trembled slightly after hearing this voice. He turned around and looked at the fairy-like young girl sitting on the platform, her body illusory, visible only to Mages who had Fairy Tail Guildʼs emblem engraved on their bodies, and froze.

”August, you must not lose~”

The young girl revealed a sweet smile toward August.

ʼFirst Master, you came.ʼ

After announcing the rules of Fairy Tailʼs exam, Makarov had sat back at the bar counter. After seeing the young girl beside him, he revealed a respectful expression.

Yes, this young girl was precisely the founder of Fairy Tail Guild and also Fairy Tail Guildʼs First Guild Master, Mavis Vermillion. At the same time, she was also Augustʼs mother.

”Mm~”

After hearing Makarovʼs words, Mavis smiled and nodded. In truth, she had long since come to the guild and had been observing the expressions and states of the members of Fairy Tail inside the guild. She could sense that only August had no one encouraging him, so as the First Guild Master, she naturally took on the responsibility of encouraging August…

However, what Mavis did not expect was that her encouragement, when placed on August, triggered enormous energy!

Who was August? He was a man who, for the sake of his mother Mavis, would not hesitate even if he had to directly fight the Black Dragon Acnologia head-on!

”Boom!!”

It was precisely at the instant Mavisʼs words fell that the originally kind and amiable August disappeared.

Augustʼs long hair stood on end, his body turned crimson, covered in strange patterns, and terrifying magic power coiled around his body.

”All of you come at me together! This year, I, August, am definitely becoming the guildʼs S-Class Mage. Even if my fath…”

”Cough cough, even if that legendary Black Mage Zeref came, it would be useless! I, August, said so…”

August stood quietly on the platform of Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage Trial like this. His eyes were solemn as he looked at the guild Mages participating in the S-Class Trial and spoke coldly.

Win, he had to win! He, August, could not embarrass his mother Mavis…

At this moment, August had only this one voice in his mind.

”Uh, contestant August, what do you mean by this?!”

Makarov sat at the bar counter. He had planned to rest for a bit, then prepare the lottery work for the guildʼs candidates, quickly hold this yearʼs Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial, and quickly end this trial that made his heart tremble, so as to avoid any more messy things happening. Although this yearʼs Fairy Tail Guild trial did not have Irene and Selene interfering, one should not fear the unlikely, but fear the unexpected…

However, just as he sat at the bar counter and was about to drink some water, the thing that made Makarovʼs heart tremble finally still appeared! August, one of this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial candidates, still stood on the arena. He arrogantly looked at the Mages below the arena and issued a declaration of challenge.

”Uh, August, did you say the wrong thing?!”

This made Makarov freeze.

Because the impression August had always given Makarov was that of someone steady, grand, and with many common topics with him. So the instant August exploded, Makarov thought August had misspoken…

”Guild Master Makarov, since what you mean is that only the winner of the ranking battle can become an S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail Guild. Then in other words, as long as I defeat all the other candidates participating in the trial, I will be Fairy Tail Guildʼs S-Class Mage. That is correct, right?”

August looked at Makarov and asked.

”Although that is indeed correct, are you certain you really want to do this? Do you really want to challenge all the other candidates? Actually, as long as you follow the rules and keep winning all the way, you can also become an S-Class Mage of the guild…”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Makarov froze. He raised his head and looked at August as he asked in confusion.

Honestly speaking, although August had always given Makarov the feeling of being unfathomable, Makarov did not know exactly how strong August was.

At the same time, this year, Fairy Tail Guild had many powerful characters.

Among them, there was even an existence like Sonya Animus, who always gave Makarov an inexplicable sense of horror and made Makarov, this veteran Wizard Saint, feel that he absolutely could not defeat her! Therefore, Makarov did not think highly of Augustʼs actions. At the same time, as Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master, he specially reminded August…

”Hehe, since that is the case, then come!”

”Everyone, I am merely an ordinary and unremarkable rotten old man. Just attack me with your magic as much as you…”

August revealed a confident smile, as if August had never doubted whether he could win. In magical battles, he, August, had never feared anyone, because he was the Magic King.

”Iʼm fired up!!”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Natsuʼs eyes seemed to shine with flames.

”Old man, youʼd better be careful…”

Gray and Lyon looked at each other, and incomparably cold freezing air instantly erupted from their bodies.

”Although my blade is not meant to be used against the elderly, for the sake of victory in this yearʼs S-Class Mage Trial, forgive me!”

Kaguraʼs eyes were like sharp swords. Her gaze was blazing like cold blade light, and the katana in her hand emitted intense killing intent.

Her goal this year was very clear. Naturally, it was victory in Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mage Trial…

She would no longer be Fairy Tail Guildʼs number one S-Class Mage seed, but a true S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail Guild…

”All of you come at me together!”

In response, August remained incomparably calm. His expression was emotionless. Honestly speaking, he actually somewhat could not bear it, because with his strength, dealing with Kagura and the others was no different from dimensional suppression.

”Fire Dragonʼs Iron Fist!!”

Just as August looked expressionlessly at the group of boys and girls before him, Natsu moved!

Natsu, who was Augustʼs uncle, had magic power surging wildly within his body.

Without a doubt, judging from the magic aura Natsu currently released, he had already completely reached the threshold of an S-Class Mage. That was a level that, even by Fairy Tail Guildʼs standards, could still barely be rated as S-Class Mage level!

”Natsu…”

Gildarts sat beside the bar counter, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked at Natsu, whose magic power was surging, and revealed a smile. The young dragon had finally begun to grow. One day, that young Fire Dragon would become a terrifying Flame Dragon!!

”Natsu, do your best! Natsu, take him down!”

”Charle, did you see that? Natsu is super amazing…”

Happy spread his snow-white little wings and flew outside the arena, excitedly shouting as he looked at Natsu charging toward August, occasionally turning back to look at Charle beside him.

”Hmph~ Boring! What use is becoming that strong? Hasnʼt he still failed to become an S-Class Mage of the guild?”

In response, Charle, as Happyʼs goddess, merely coldly snorted, her eyes carrying disdain toward Happy.

Only Charleʼs swaying little tail exposed that her current mood was actually fairly happy~

”Natsu has become stronger again. With Natsuʼs strength, Iʼm afraid even Kagura would fall into a bitter battle.”

Erzaʼs eyes narrowed as she looked at Natsu releasing endless flames. She had not expected Natsuʼs progress to be so fast.

It had only been about two years since Natsu joined Fairy Tail. In these two years, Natsuʼs progress could be described as divine speed…

”Big Brother Evan, who do you think will take this yearʼs Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage qualification?”

Erza looked at Natsu, who was releasing endless magic power, and asked Evan beside her.

”If there is only one S-Class Mage qualification this year, then it will absolutely be August…”

After hearing Erzaʼs words, Evan answered without thinking.

He looked at August, who was gradually becoming serious on the arena, as well as the cute young girl sitting at the bar counter with bare feet constantly swaying as she cheered August on, and helplessly sighed…

Right now, Augustʼs buffs were completely stacked. Even Evan did not dare say he could defeat August in this state, encouraged by Mavis! After all, magic was the power of the heart. When a man known as the Magic King, a man who could only be defeated by plot and could be called invincible among humans, began relying on willpower, just how terrifying would he become?

”Sigh…”

At this moment, Evan wanted to cast sympathetic eyes toward Augustʼs opponents. Perhaps even if the one standing before August right now was the Black Dragon King Acnologia, August would directly shout, ”For my mother, for Fairy Tail! I am not fighting alone! Black Dragon King Acnologia, do not always look upward! Occasionally, you should also lower your head and look at your feet. Perhaps those people you trampled beneath your feet have already caught up beside you…”

Then August would instantly copy Acnologiaʼs Dragon Slayer Magic, evolve into a Chaos Dragon capable of copying all dragon power, and directly punch Acnologia into confusion…

”Not bad magic power, but not enough!”

Just as Evan was imagining August transforming into a Chaos Demon Dragon, August on the arena moved.

He turned sideways and dodged Natsuʼs attack. Then the staff in his hand directly poked Natsu, who was leaping in midair, in the stomach.

”I…”

Natsu instantly felt an astonishing force coming from his abdomen. His expression abruptly changed, pain flashed through his eyes, and then he collapsed to the ground, his eyes rolling back as he fainted.

”Natsu?!”

Happy, who had originally been continuously cheering for Natsu outside the arena, froze completely as he looked at August, who had instantly defeated Natsu.

”Haha, Fire Dragon, you really are weak! Just lie there and watch how I perform, okay?”

Gajeel looked at Natsu, who had been instantly defeated by a single staff strike, and raised the corners of his mouth. His body turned into steel as he directly charged toward August.

”Iron Dragon Sword!”

Gajeelʼs arm transformed into a sharp blade, only this blade was covered with countless sharp teeth. Then it rotated like a chainsaw, emitting waves of sound.

”Your weakness is too obvious, young man…”

August looked at Gajeel, whose entire body had turned into steel, with a somewhat speechless expression. As the Magic King, even August himself could not clearly say exactly how many kinds of magic he had learned in his life. Naturally, he knew Electromagnetic Magic, so…

”Electromagnetic Control!”

As August used magic on Gajeel, Gajeel, who had originally still been arrogant, abruptly changed expression. He instantly returned to his original form and turned into a weapon.

”Itʼs over! Now I have completely become a weapon. And I will no longer be Erzaʼs exclusive weapon. I have directly become a weapon for everyone in Fairy Tail Guild…”

Gajeelʼs mentality turned ice-cold. He hated those who could use Electromagnetic Magic.

”Magnetic Magic?”

At the same time, on the second floor of Fairy Tail Guild, Erza and Laxus narrowed their eyes simultaneously.

Erza felt a bit of a headache because August had also displayed Electromagnetic Magic. After all, Gajeel had already been internally decided by Erza as her exclusive weapon. Now that her exclusive weapon had been taken away by August, she was somewhat displeased inside…

As for Laxus, it was because after seeing August use Magnetic Magic to control Gajeel, he was considering whether he should also learn some Magnetic Magic.

After all, as the Iron Dragon, Gajeel was actually somewhat of a counter to him. Especially because Laxus had once seen Gajeel use a move called Lightning Rod when dealing with other lightning-element Mages…

”Now…”

Kagura took advantage of the moment when Gajeel was attacking August head-on and quickly arrived behind August. She held her sharp blade and aimed at Augustʼs neck…

This was the assassination swordsmanship Kagura had learned from Ikaruga…

”Little girl, Assassination Magic is not used like this. You should first find someone to create a curtain of darkness and block your own vision, then attack me from behind…”

August seemed to have noticed Kagura long ago. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and he regarded Kaguraʼs attack with disdain.

”Clang~”

At the very instant Augustʼs words fell, Kaguraʼs blade directly landed on a huge piece of metal. Accompanied by a burst of dazzling sparks, Kagura helplessly withdrew her katana…

And the metal blocking between August and Kagura was none other than the Iron Dragon Gajeel, who was being controlled by August!

”Kagura, run. You are not this guyʼs opponent…”

Gajeel seemed unwilling to be used by August like this. He spoke solemnly to Kagura.

”Run? Where can I run?”

”This is the site of the S-Class Mage Trial! I cannot run anywhere…”

As Kagura spoke, she closed her eyes, and the katana in her hand aimed at Gajeel.

The next second, endless magic power gathered toward the blade in Kaguraʼs hand…

”Interesting…”

”Go! Gajeel…”

August looked at Kagura gathering magic power, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. Controlling Gajeel, he actually made the same movement as Kagura.

”Hmm?!”

As Gajeel in Augustʼs hand made the same movement as Kagura, all the Mages present froze in expression.

”Dimension Slash!”

The next second, as Kagura opened her eyes, a cherry-pink slash directly cut toward Gajeel.

”Dimension Slash!”

However, what shocked Kagura was that Gajeel actually used the same attack as her!

A blue slash, under Gajeelʼs swing, whistled toward Kagura just like that…

And the most terrifying thing was…

The blue slash swung by Gajeel under Augustʼs control was even more powerful than the cherry-pink slash swung by Kagura!

In the short instant when the two slashes collided, the slash Kagura swung directly collapsed…

And that blue slash, carrying endless momentum, landed on Kaguraʼs body.

”Uh…”

Kagura was shocked. However, before she could think further, her figure had already been teleported outside Magnolia Town by this slash.

Yes, the slash August controlled Gajeel to use was not a crude copy of Kaguraʼs magic, but an improved version based on the magic Kagura used!

”Next…”

After sending Kagura away, August looked at the other candidates for the S-Class Mage Trial inside the guild and spoke faintly.

”Together!”

Gray, Lyon, Cana, Lisanna, and Elfman, the full five of them, after seeing even Natsu, Gajeel, and Kagura instantly defeated, had shock toward Augustʼs strength in their eyes. Then they all used magic toward August.

”Ice-Make: Holy Sword!”

”Ice-Make: White Tiger!”

”Card Magic: Elemental Quintet!”

”Take Over: Beast King Soul!”

”Take Over: Cheetah Soul!”

In the blink of an eye, Gray and Lyon instantly used the Ice-Make Magic they had learned from Ur toward August. As for Cana, she used the Five-Layer Magic Circle she had copied from Mystogan. As for Lisanna and Elfman, they immediately completed their Beast Soul Take Over.

”Ice-Make…”

The instant Augustʼs eyes, which closely resembled First Master Mavisʼs, saw these magics, he directly analyzed countless magics and at the same time learned even stronger magic…

Ice-Make Magic was free magic. Ur and Ultear were beautiful roses, Gray was countless weapons, Lyon was wild beasts living in this world, and what August saw within this Ice-Make Magic was a world composed of ice and snow!

”…Za Warudo!”

August instantly used his own Make Magic, Ice-Make: Ice World. The instant August used Ice World, Gray, Lyon, Cana, Elfman, and Lisannaʼs bodies were instantly covered in a layer of white frost and frozen in place in an instant…

”Uh…”

After August displayed strength exaggerated to the extreme, the entire guild was shocked.

Whether ordinary Mages or the guildʼs S-Class Mages, they were all stunned.

”Ur…”

Silver felt the magic power within Augustʼs body and looked solemnly at Ur beside him.

”Mm.”

Ur lightly nodded. She knew that with the Ice-Make Magic August had just displayed, perhaps the title of strongest Ice-Make Mage on the continent of Ishgar was about to change hands!

Not only that, titles such as Ishgarʼs number one Magnetism Mage, swordsman…

And so on, and so on, might all be changing hands…

”What exactly is this magic?!”

At this moment, even Gildarts became serious. He looked August up and down with a puzzled expression. He could sense that August carried an extremely discordant aura, a strange aura that could not be clearly described, but felt incomparably bizarre…

”Next, will you come forward yourselves, or voluntarily admit defeat…”

After freezing Gray and the others, August looked at the final remaining candidates for the S-Class Mage Trial below the arena and coldly asked.

At this moment, the words holding back did not exist in Augustʼs mind. There was only one phrase in his mind: Mom is watching~

August was like a child wanting to prove himself as much as possible before his mother, with only the word win filling his mind.

”I roughly understand the magic you are using!”

Mystogan, who had not gone onto the arena all along, suddenly realized something. He looked at August and spoke.

”Mm?”

After hearing Mystoganʼs words.

August slightly frowned, his eyes carrying a trace of doubt as he looked at Mystogan.

”Mr. August, if I have not guessed wrong, the magic you are using should be Copy Magic, correct?”

Mystogan slightly raised the corners of his mouth. After recording the way August used magic and repeatedly watching it several times, he finally confirmed the magic August was using.

It was not that August knew every kind of magic, but that the instant others used magic, he copied their magic. Combined with Augustʼs enormous magic power, August could accomplish the almost impossible feat of defeating others using their own magic. This was the conclusion Mystogan reached…

”Correct!”

After hearing Mystoganʼs words, August froze for a moment. He had not expected this brat, who did not even have magic power inside his body, to actually see through the essence of his magic.

”Then that makes sense. In that case, Miss Seilah, I will leave this to you…”

Mystogan slightly raised the corners of his mouth and turned sideways to look at Kyoka Heavenly Seilah.

”In the end, I still have to make a move!” Seilah smiled slightly. She walked before August and directly spoke, ”You can copy magic, but you absolutely cannot copy Curses! Human, I command you to admit defeat!”

”...”

As Seilah activated her Command Curse, Augustʼs body trembled slightly.

”Itʼs over…”

Seilah looked at Augustʼs trembling body and raised the corners of her mouth. In the end, August was merely human!

As long as he was human, he would definitely be manipulated by her Curse.

”Mystogan, next it should be a battle between you and me, right?”

Seilah looked at Mystogan and asked aloud.

”Seilah, be careful…”

However, Mystogan was not relaxed and carefree like Seilah. He looked at Seilah with a horrified expression.

To be precise, he was looking behind Seilah.

”Mm?!”

Seilah froze slightly, and a bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart.

”Miss Demon, since when did you have the illusion that I would be controlled by your Curse?”

”I wonder if you have ever heard the name Bloodman…”

Just as Seilah was slightly dazed, Augustʼs voice slowly sounded from behind Seilah.

”Bloodman? That Grim Reaper Bloodman, have you met him?”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Seilahʼs expression abruptly changed. As a demon from the Books of Zeref, she had naturally heard of the famous Grim Reaper Bloodman. He was a super demon possessing Curses above those of the Nine Demon Gates, one whom even Underworld King Mard Geer might not necessarily be able to defeat.

”Of course I have met him…”

”After all, he is my defeated subordinate~”

August looked at Seilahʼs terrified appearance and calmly spoke words that filled Seilah with incomparable fear.

”Boom!”

Accompanied by a burst of dazzling white light.

In the blink of an eye, Seilah collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness.

But perhaps because Seilah was a creation of Zeref, namely Augustʼs father, August was very gentle in his attack and merely temporarily sealed Seilahʼs consciousness.

”Then next, it is your turn.”

After dealing with Seilah, August looked at Mystogan, who had staffs on his back.

”Hmph~”

Mystogan coldly laughed after sensing Augustʼs gaze filled with endless pressure.

Mystoganʼs eyes carried disdain. He held his head high and chest out, then coldly said, ”I surrender!”