Night.
In an unknown forest,
Jelf, having just quenched his thirst, sat quietly, savoring the serenity that nature brought.
Under the moonlight, silver shadows flickered between the trees. A pack of wolves approached silently, mouths foaming, eyes fixed hungrily on the man before them.
"Grr~"
Low growls came from every wolf, their forms emerging from all directions.
"Stay back! I'm not your enemy!" Jelf spread his hands in a gesture of peace, a tremor of fear in his voice.
"Absolutely… absolutely…" he began, but the wolves paid no heed.
Hunger had made them relentless. To them, this man was already their prey.
The pack lunged forward.
But a mysterious energy emanated from Jelf. In an instant, all the wolves fell from the air, eyes glazing over, lifeless.
"...You mustn't come near me… I'm sorry."
Jelf slowly crouched, head bowed, mourning. Around him, life drained rapidly—birds fell from the sky, and every living thing seemed to succumb.
"I never intended to take a life. It's this world that rejects me!"
"Natsu… I want to see you so badly!"
Jelf's eyes lingered on the lifeless forest around him, and he whispered the name of the one he thought of from that other world.
Meanwhile, over Fairy Tail's guild in another world, a figure plummeted into the river with a splash.
"I didn't expect Natsu to pull that move!"
Lucy leaned on the riverbank, frustrated. She had just been watching Natsu sleep, thinking how cute he was, only to be knocked aside by a punch as she approached.
The next afternoon.
"Damn it, this mission is mine!"
"Let go, Natsu! I got it first!"
Kael, feeling refreshed, walked into the guild holding Kanala's hand. His eyes immediately spotted Natsu, still sporting a bump on his head, playfully sparring with Gray, completely ignoring his injuries.
"Well, Lucy, Natsu's just like that. He didn't mean to barge into the bath."
Wendy was quietly trying to calm an annoyed Lucy.
"Ugh, that guy! Carefree to the max!" Lucy glared at Natsu, still irked from her bath being interrupted by a large, dangling head that suddenly fell from above with a cheerful "Yo~ Lucy!"—a clear payback for last night's punch.
Kael could only smile wryly. Kanala, however, released his hand and ran to comfort Lucy, ready to teach her a little something.
Kael's gaze, however, landed on someone in worse shape—Laxus, wrapped entirely in bandages, leaning against the second-floor railing.
"Hahaha! Laxus, what's with that outfit?" Kael laughed heartily. Laxus merely flicked his head and snorted, clearly not in a good mood.
"My bad… got carried away. Didn't hold back." Kildas rubbed his head apologetically.
From the bar, the guild master's voice rang:
"Kael, come here for a moment!"
Elsewhere, Erza and Pansa-Lily clashed swords fiercely inside the guild. Their skills were well-matched, but Erza's relaxed composure revealed her superior mastery.
"Enough! But you're strong, Lily." Erza said, lowering her blade.
"No… you truly are incredible, Erza. An S-class mage of the guild, indeed!" Pansa-Lily shrank back to its smaller form. It had given its all but was effortlessly countered, and the surrounding area remained untouched—a testament to Erza's control.
The small cat's gaze shifted toward Kael and Kildas, speaking with the guild master, then to Laxus upstairs. Its keen eyes had already measured his strength.
The other two glanced briefly at Mira Jane and Ul, smiling as they waved, startling the cat.
"Haha, well done, Pansa-Lily! Truly my cat!"
"See, Erza? My cat's pretty great, huh?" Gajeel lifted it proudly, grinning.
"What's wrong, Kanala? Still worried about the exam?" Kael asked, holding her small hand as they walked.
"It's nothing… I just… I don't know how to face him. And…" Kanala murmured, her expression troubled. She had trained for years, hoping her father would witness her growth—but now that the moment approached, her nerves surged.
"Don't worry. Your strength is already impressive!" Kael reassured her. "He'll be amazed. And Uncle Kildas… he's a bit scatterbrained. If you don't tell him directly, he won't figure it out."
Kanala chuckled softly, tension melting away, leaving only determination in her eyes.
"I need to ask him directly… what he truly thinks." She clenched her fists, joints cracking audibly.
Kael swallowed. He remembered all the names Kildas had once shouted in the original story and hoped Kanala wouldn't explode with anger this time.
Three days later, Fairy Tail Guild.
On a high platform, a curtain dropped from the second floor, concealing the events behind it. The guild members were tense; they knew what was about to be announced.
"So excited… so nervous…"
"Natsu, calm down!" Habi said, watching Natsu bounce anxiously.
"Hmm… Kael's not here…"
"Don't worry. He's there, he'll be out soon."
Kanala held Shimi gently, whispering comfort, pointing toward the curtain, giving the little cat some reassurance.
"Shimi, stay strong. Those on that platform are some of the guild's strongest!" Tami hovered proudly, eyes shining.
"Ahem~" With a cough, the curtain slowly rose. The guild master and several S-class mages appeared before everyone.
"According to Fairy Tail's long-standing traditions, I now announce the list for the S-class mage promotion exam…"
"Oh! Yes!"
"I'm fired up!"
The guild members cheered excitedly. Natsu was practically bursting with flames of excitement.
"Quiet! The master hasn't finished!" Erza and Kildas quickly restored order, matching the master's serious expression.
"Exam Location: The Guild Sanctuary—Tenrou Island!"
"I've carefully observed your performance, skills, and spirit this past year. Eight participants in total:"
"Natsu Dragneel"
"Gray Fullbuster"
"Juvia Lockser"
"Elfman"
"Kanala Alberona"
"Freed Justine"
"Levy McGarden"
"Mest Glade"
The crowd reacted differently—some saddened, some excited, some anxious.
"S-class exam?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"The real challenge comes next!" Lisanna whispered to her.
"These people on the platform…" Lucy stared blankly.
Erza, Mira Jane, Laxus, Kael, Ul, and Kildas stood there, ready to examine the participants.