By the time Ur stepped out of Makarov's office, dusk had already settled over Magnolia. Makarov hadn't called them in for anything major—just a routine debriefing, followed by a thorough scolding for good measure.
Aside from that, he'd also informed Ur that he would be taking the A-Class Mage examination the next day.
With Ur's current strength, it hardly made sense for him to remain a C-Class mage, running errands and handling minor tasks. Technically, promotion required completing a set number of missions. But rules always had exceptions.
In Fairy Tail, exceptions were nothing new.
After heading back to Granny Isse's place to let her know he was safe, Ur rested for the night.
Early the next morning, he returned to the guild.
The A-Class Mage exam was nowhere near as complicated as the S-Class trial. It was simply a practical assessment, a demonstration that a mage truly possessed the strength required to undertake A-Class missions. After all, many A-Class jobs were extremely dangerous. Without sufficient power, a mage could easily lose their life.
By the time Ur arrived, the guild hall was already crowded.
That's right.
They had all woken up early just to watch the show.
An A-Class promotion test was always a modest spectacle. And for this bunch of idlers with nothing better to do, every exam inevitably drew a crowd of eager onlookers.
But this time, the candidate was Ur, the man who had recently earned the nickname "Dragon Slayer."
Naturally, that made the show even juicier.
The examiner wasn't anyone new. It was Wakaba—the same man who had overseen Ur's entrance test into the guild.
Beginning and end, handled by the same person. Something was fitting about that.
As one of the guild's veterans, Wakaba wasn't weak. At the very least, his magical power slightly surpassed Natsu's when the latter wasn't fired up. A seasoned A-Class mage through and through.
For Ur, however, it made little difference.
He wasn't nervous in the slightest. His heart was calm as still water. If anything, he felt like grabbing a skewer of roasted dragon meat.
Ironically, the candidate felt no pressure—but the examiner did.
Wakaba had personally brought Ur into the guild. And now, less than a year later, if he were to lose during the exam.
That would be humiliating beyond words.
It was fortunate he had no idea just how strong Ur had become.
After all, if he knew, he might not have been nervous at all. There was no winning anyway.
❖≔﴾═══════ﺤ
The backyard of Fairy Tail.
Wakaba and Ur stood facing each other. A ring of spectators surrounded them, and even members in the dormitory nearby had thrown open their doors to watch.
Wakaba's expression was grave. Smoke drifted endlessly from the pipe clenched between his teeth, coiling around him without dispersing.
That was his magic.
At Makarov's signal, Wakaba struck first.
"Smoke Assault!"
A small purple magic circle flickered at the tip of his pipe. The smoke instantly condensed into five or six fists, surging toward Ur in unison.
Smoke Magic wasn't known for raw destructive power—it was a technique-based art.
The smoke fists were more flexible than real ones, faster too, striking from shifting angles in rapid succession.
It didn't help much.
Ur moved lightly on his feet, slipping through the barrage with ease.
Thanks to his abnormal recovery ability, half a month of rest had equaled nearly a month and a half for an ordinary person. Though not fully healed, he could move freely so long as he avoided heavy impacts.
Dodging another punch, Ur couldn't help but remark, "Nice magic."
Wakaba: "…"
The hell?
Wasn't that supposed to be my line?
Am I testing you, or are you testing me?
Seeing how relaxed Ur looked, Wakaba immediately realized that Ur's strength far exceeded his expectations.
Even so…If I can't win, I'll at least force you to show your true power, Wakaba swore inwardly.
He was the examiner. If he couldn't even make the candidate reveal his strength, that would be the real disgrace.
"Smoke Clone."
The smoke from his pipe suddenly expanded, swelling and shaping itself into several figures. Within seconds, multiple duplicates of Wakaba stood beside him.
The next instant, Five Wakabas charged Ur at once.
"Smoke Domain!"
All five exhaled thick smoke toward Ur's position. In the blink of an eye, the area around him was completely engulfed. From outside the haze, the real Wakaba flicked his finger. A spark-tipped wisp of ash drifted into the cloud.
Smoke Magic, Smoke Fire!
Whoosh!
The tiny spark ignited the entire domain, flames roaring as the smoke burned away in a fierce inferno.
But when the fire subsided, Ur was gone.
"He dodged that?!"
Not only Wakaba, but even the spectators were stunned. None of them had seen how Ur escaped. Shock flashed through Wakaba's eyes. Slowly, he turned around.
Ur stood behind him.
"Dodging alone won't pass the exam," Wakaba said in a low voice. "Ur, at least show some strength. Give your senior a little respect, you brat!" His words were gruff, almost scolding—but by the end, they carried a bold, spirited edge.
Fairy Tail mages really did have their own kind of charisma.
Ur couldn't help admiring that. "Then, Uncle Wakaba," he said lightly, "you'd better be careful."
The moment his voice fell, an overwhelming surge of magic power exploded outward.
Everyone present changed expression instantly. The pressure alone forced the surrounding onlookers back several steps. Even Wakaba, facing him directly, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
What the hell kind of magic power is this?
The same thought echoed through every mind.
Ur slowly raised his arm. Ripples of magical energy radiated from him.
The instant Makarov sensed it, an ominous premonition struck his heart.
"Wait, Ur—!"
Too late.
"Earth Magic, Great Tremor."
The words left Ur's lips in a low murmur, then he slammed his fist into the ground.
Boom!
❖≔﴾═══════ﺤ
Next Chapter: A Peaceful Daily Life
Next Next Chapter: S-Class Mage Exam?
Next Next Next Chapter: A New Weapon