'System!'
As expected, there was no response. He was about to dismiss it and continue walking when—
Ding!
The familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[The host's strength does not qualify to learn the truth!] [Please become stronger and utilize the Memory Fragments to uncover the past.]
'So it was you,' Shun mused, a grim satisfaction settling over him as he walked toward the maze's exit. 'It wants me to become stronger? Fine.'
His Observation Haki had pinpointed the exit from the very beginning. His detour had been purely to satisfy his curiosity about the illusions. Yet, he'd discovered little.
'What in the world did I do in a past life to make such powerful figures want me dead? Whatever it was, if they come for me, I'll return the favor. As all things should be.' A small, cold smile touched his lips. 'But that was… exhilarating. They weren't even at half their strength, limited by being mere illusions. I'm no battle junkie, but a fight where death is on the line is a rush like no other.'
He emerged from the maze exit with a broad, triumphant grin.
"Good jo—" Makarov began, stepping forward to announce his success.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Sorano's voice, bright and clear, cut him off. She hurried over, her Nikora spirit, Kerub, cradled in her arms. She passed the chubby spirit to Shun and then promptly linked her arm with his, beaming an angelic smile.
"…"
Sorano had indeed become far bolder. The surrounding guild members watched the scene with knowing smiles.
"Youth…" Makarov sighed, a nostalgic look in his eyes.
"Reminds me of when I was young. I was quite popular back then…" Wakaba added, stroking his chin.
"Pfft! Wakaba, popular? The only thing you were popular with was the local clinic thanks to your chronic hay fever," Macao retorted, struggling to contain his laughter.
"Shut up! You don't know anything! I've dated more than twenty beautiful women!" Wakaba boasted.
"Mm, is that so? Does your wife know about that?" Macao asked innocently.
Wakaba's face instantly paled. "That was obviously a joke to lighten the mood!"
"Sure, sure."
Their banter faded into the background for Shun. Since their shopping trip, his relationship with Sorano had certainly grown closer, but this public display was new. Seeing her unguarded smile, he let out a soft sigh and decided to simply enjoy the moment. Some questions were better left for later.
"Thanks. How are the others doing?" Shun asked, while Kerub performed its peculiar, waddling dance in his arms.
"For now, only you and Laxus have passed," Makarov answered, seizing the chance to steer the conversation.
"By the way, old man, that was a ruthless first stage. Is the rest of the exam going to be this brutal?" Shun asked with a weary sigh.
"I told you to call me Guild Master!" Makarov grumbled, his expression long-suffering. "The first stage tests your will. Being an S-Class mage isn't just a promotion; countless lives become your responsibility. If the test was too hard, then you simply weren't ready."
"I won't argue with that. Who did you hire for the illusions? Someone named Neinhart?" Shun asked, curious if the anime villain's magic was involved.
"Neinhart? Who's that? The illusionist is a retired friend of mine, a former Fairy Tail mage. Back in the day, him, Rob, Porlyusica, and I…" Makarov launched into a lengthy reminiscence that no one had asked for but everyone was obligated to endure.
---
Evening fell upon Tenroujima.
"With this, the first stage of the Fairy Tail S-Class Promotion Exam is concluded!" Makarov announced from his stone podium.
The crowd cheered, but his next words sobered them instantly.
"The participants who have passed are: Laxus and Shun!"
"What? Only two?" a spectator blurted out.
"The difficulty was doubled! No, tripled!" one of the early failures insisted, his face red with embarrassment.
'Everyone else failed?' Even Shun was taken aback. But when he considered the nature of the test—confronting one's deepest desires and traumas—it made sense. Macao and Wakaba likely fell to greed, while Erza and Gray were undoubtedly tested by their past horrors.
"Tomorrow morning, we will commence the Second Stage!" Makarov finished, ending the day's proceedings.
Later, as Makarov sat alone under the starry sky, a soft, youthful, and utterly familiar voice spoke from nowhere.
"This generation's Fairy Tail mages are exceptionally talented. You've done well, Third Generation."
Makarov froze, his old heart leaping into his throat. He turned to see the translucent, fairy-like form of Mavis Vermillion.
"F-First Generation! A little warning before you materialize out of thin air would be appreciated! This old heart can't take shocks like that!" he complained, though a fond smile betrayed his true feelings.
"Fufufu," Mavis laughed, the sound like tiny bells. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, about the next stage…" A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes.
---
The next morning, the guild gathered in a clearing, encircling Laxus and Shun. Makarov stood before them on his stone podium.
"Attention! I will now explain the content of the second—no, the final stage of the exam!" he declared. "Originally, there were to be three stages. However, with only two participants passing the first, the plan has changed."
"That makes sense." "Right?" murmured the crowd.
"The final stage is: The Legacy of the Founder!"
"OHHHH!" "That sounds impressive!"
"This time, spectators are not permitted! We will head to the final stage area in ten minutes! Prepare yourselves!" With that, Makarov strode off.
---
Ten minutes later, Shun and Laxus followed Makarov deep into the forest. After an hour's walk, they arrived at a beautiful, white stone memorial shaped like a cross.
"Laxus, you will go first," Makarov instructed.
Shun nodded and followed Makarov a short distance away, leaving a confused Laxus alone by the monument.
"What am I supposed to do here…?" Laxus muttered.
He didn't have to wait long. A clear, bell-like voice filled the air. "Let's begin the final test!" Mavis materialized, her usual serene smile in place.
---
"Did you create another nasty test, Master?" Shun asked, making conversation as they waited.
"You brat, finally calling me 'Master'! All that smacking on the head wasn't for nothing! Hahaha!" Makarov laughed heartily.
"Don't change the subject, old man."
"Well, you'll know soon enough," Makarov replied with a resigned sigh, giving up on the title debate.
The sound of approaching footsteps cut their conversation short. Laxus was returning.
"Huh? What happened? It hasn't even been ten minutes. Did you fail?" Shun asked, genuinely curious. He had refrained from using his sensory magic out of respect for the process.
"No… I passed! I'm the first one to become S-Class!" Laxus declared, a smug grin plastered on his face.
"Well, congrats! Guess it's my turn, then." Not wanting to dampen Laxus's victory, Shun simply patted his shoulder and walked past him toward the monument.
---
Shun stood before the stone cross and placed a strawberry shortcake on the ground. "Mom, are you here?"
He waited with a small smile. Before long, a flustered voice rang out. "Who's your mom?!" Mavis appeared, her face flushed.
"As expected, you're the one giving the final test," Shun said, his smile widening.
"And if you want to sound upset, at least wait until the test is over before grabbing the cake."
"Ughh!" Mavis hurriedly hid the cake behind her back, her blush deepening.
"Bribing the examiner… you are a bad child!" she retorted, seemingly proud of her comeback.
"It's not a bribe; it's a gift. Given our relationship, there's no need for bribes. You'd help me for free anyway, right?" Shun replied shamelessly.
Mavis was speechless. She fake-coughed to regain her composure. "I won't help you! There is no final 'test.' You and Laxus have already proven your strength and will. This is merely a question-and-answer session with me. Depending on your answer, there may be a reward." Her expression shifted, the clever "Fairy Strategist" now fully present.
"Alright. Ask away."
"Very well. Here is the question." Mavis's voice became soft yet profound.
"Imagine you are on an S-Class mission to retrieve a powerful, dangerous artifact from a crumbling ruin. You have it in your hands. At that moment, you receive two simultaneous, urgent messages.
"The first is from the Magic Council. The artifact is emitting a magical pulse that is destabilizing the entire region. A nearby town of innocent people, who you did not know were there, will be destroyed in minutes if the artifact is not contained by a specific, complex spell. The spell will take you exactly that long to perform.
"The second is from a distressed, familiar magic signature. It's your youngest, weakest guildmate—someone like Sorano or Cana. They tagged along secretly, disobeying direct orders. They are now trapped in a separate part of the ruin, which is collapsing because of the artifact's pulse. They will die in minutes unless you physically go and save them right now.
"You only have time to do one thing: fulfill your mission and save the town, or abandon the mission and save your family.
"What do you do, and why?"
"…" Shun was silent, genuinely pondering the difficult choice.
Five minutes passed in quiet contemplation. Finally, he spoke. "I would—"
"By the way," Mavis interjected, taking a bite of the shortcake, "Laxus chose the second option."
'I see what you're doing,' Shun thought with an inward sigh. He made his decision. "I choose the third option!"
"Mmm?" Mavis paused, a blob of cream on her nose.
"I'm not a hero of justice, but if I've taken a mission, I'll see it through. I must have judged my own strength to be sufficient to save everyone." His answer was surprisingly straightforward, almost childish, and it brought a genuine, warm smile to Mavis's face.
"Good answer!" she said. "The truth is, there is no single correct answer. If either of you had answered without hesitation or further thought, you would have failed."
"So… I'm an S-Class mage now?" Shun asked.
"Yes. Congratulations."
At that moment…
Ding!
[Congratulations on becoming the youngest S-Class Mage in Fairy Tail's history! A reward has been issued!] [Reward: All Stats +1]
"…"
A surge of pure excitement coursed through him. 'This reward is anything but underwhelming! With this, my Devil Fruit Proficiency is just one step away from awakening!'
Seeing his barely contained joy, Mavis nodded to herself. 'He acts so mature, but he has a childish side, too…' She chuckled softly.
As for Shun, one thought eclipsed all others in his mind.
'Ultear! Where are you?!'
He could barely contain his anticipation.