The harvest festival lasted until late at night.
When the reluctant crowd finally dispersed, Makarov let out a long sigh.
He turned his head to the side.
Reis smiled gently at him.
His figure slowly faded.
Little by little, he disappeared without leaving a trace.
Makarov.
Fairy Tail.
I will always remember.
As Reis finished speaking, Makarov raised his glass.
The wine spilled out slowly as he poured it onto the ground.
Reis.
Rest in peace.
…
By the next day, the festive atmosphere still had not fully faded.
The Fairy Tail members slept later than usual.
It was almost noon before the guild became lively again.
Huh.
Where is Caesar?
After sending the people of Edolas back, it seems he went out with Selene.
Elopement?
Boom.
Something must have happened.
Please do not spread rumors.
Mirajane smiled gently and withdrew her fist.
Everyone looked up.
The speaker's head was stuck in the ceiling.
He had turned into a chandelier.
Everyone silently lit candles in their hearts.
At the same time, Caesar and Selene arrived in a desolate land.
This was no longer Earth Land.
It was a completely unfamiliar world.
What is wrong with this place?
The magic power is extremely low.
Caesar sensed the surroundings.
The magic density was only about half of Earth Land's.
Caesar.
Did you not say we needed a place with minimal impact?
Selene chuckled softly.
The magic power here is weak.
Even if those people act wildly, the damage will be limited.
Low magic power means weaker spells.
This place is desolate enough.
Even if it is damaged, it will not matter.
Caesar nodded.
He clapped his hands together.
An alchemy array activated.
Under Selene's gaze, a massive stone labyrinth took shape.
In less than ten minutes, it was complete.
This is?
Selene looked confused.
Fairy Tail holds an S class assessment every year.
Those who pass become S class mages.
Caesar explained calmly.
This year, we will hold it here.
I will give them a little extra help.
Selene looked at Caesar's smile.
It felt far too dangerous.
Caesar entered the maze.
He began refining it.
When he said ingredients, he meant many ingredients.
With his magic power unrestricted, his output was no weaker than before.
Under these conditions, no one could easily resist his traps.
They would be forced to flee for their lives.
Of course, Caesar would not kill his own guild members.
Everyone who entered would receive a mark.
If a trap exceeded a certain threshold, it would automatically disassemble.
Safety was guaranteed.
The traps would also be neutralized.
Caesar grew more excited.
He arranged countless deadly mechanisms.
He even predicted their reactions.
Layer after layer of chained traps was formed.
The existing S class mages will act as floor guardians.
Defeating them will drop amulets.
Each amulet can block ten mechanical attacks.
A draw grants protection from five attacks.
A loss means elimination.
At the deepest part of the maze, Caesar planted the Fairy Tail flag.
The first to reach it will become this year's S class mage.
Once the assessment begins, Caesar plans to leave a reward behind.
A small gift to comfort the winner.
Selene followed him closely.
Even she felt chills from the mechanisms.
Participating in this assessment would be a terrible idea.
Caesar had also set up monitoring magic arrays.
Every moment would be recorded.
Every ugly photo.
Every embarrassing scene.
None would escape.
If that happened, everyone would want to kill Caesar.
But they could not beat him.
So the best solution was simple.
Do not participate.
Caesar did not know Selene's thoughts.
If he did, he would have laughed.
He never planned to let Selene participate anyway.
That would completely break the balance.
After finishing everything, they left the maze.
Caesar set up a magic circle outside.
It prevented locals from wandering in by accident.
This place was prepared for Fairy Tail.
Anyone entering must first receive a mark.
Without protection, the consequences would be terrifying.
That would be an unforgivable sin.
So precautions were necessary.
The magic circle activated.
Caesar clapped his hands.
He turned to Selene.
It is still early.
Take me to other worlds.
Maybe we can find someone interesting.
Alright.
Selene nodded.
The hydrofoil unfolded.
Their journey across worlds began.
…
Is this Fairy Tail?
The strongest guild in the Kingdom of Fiore?
While Caesar was away, a small group arrived at the guild entrance.
They stared at the vast grounds and magnificent buildings.
Their longing grew stronger.
Can I help you?
Laxus walked over with a serious expression.
He felt they might be troublemakers.
He was already considering how to crush them instantly.
Then one of them spoke nervously.
Um.
We want to join Fairy Tail.
Is that possible?
Laxus relaxed slightly.
Come in.
He stepped aside.
The group entered happily.
Everything they saw shattered their expectations.
Is this really a guild?
Why are there outdoor cafes?
Why are there public stalls?
They were selling Fairy Tail merchandise.
Inside the guild hall, a massive fish head stared at them.
Its dead eyes were blank.
They froze.
What is going on here?
Caesar.
You are back.
Laxus looked helplessly at the enormous fish.
It was three to four meters long.
Hey.
I am back.
I brought some local specialties.
Caesar waved while holding the fish up.
Happy and the others stood on top of it.
Their eyes sparkled.
Happy drooled.
He hugged the fish tightly.
He was already thinking about how to eat it.