Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 450: Fairy Tailʼs Prospective S-Class Mage Assassination Plan

”Lucy, youʼre back?”

”How did the job go?”

The moment Lucy entered the guild, Mirajane greeted her warmly.

Although the usually lazy Fairy Tail mages had all become unusually diligent, constantly lining up in front of the request board looking for jobs, Mirajane, who worked part-time as the guild receptionist, was as gentle as ever, welcoming her companions back from their completed missions with a smile.

”The job went pretty well...”

”If Natsu hadnʼt accidentally burned our clientʼs entire acre of farmland into fertilizer while defeating the bandits at the very end, I guess we couldʼve called it a successful mission...”

The corner of Lucyʼs eye twitched as she recalled the unpleasant memory. Because of Natsuʼs reckless stunt, the client deducted most of her reward, leaving her with only enough to pay this monthʼs rent. Fortunately, Fairy Tailʼs benefits were excellent, and meals at the guild were basically free.

”But thatʼs not important! Mirajane, come here for a second. I want to ask you something!”

”Mirajane, whatʼs going on? Why is everyone suddenly working so hard?”

”This is completely different from our guildʼs usual atmosphere!”

”Could the worldʼs about to end or something?”

Lucy hurried over, pulled Mirajane into a corner of the guild, then pointed toward the long line of mages waiting in front of the job board.

”Oh, that~”

”Itʼs probably because December is almost here... the end of the year.”

Following Lucyʼs gaze, Mirajane finally understood what she was asking and smiled in realization.

”Decemberʼs almost here?!”

Lucy rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

Being both a clever girl and a novelist, Lucy possessed an exceptionally active imagination. The moment Mirajane mentioned December, countless possibilities sprang into her mind.

”I get it!”

”So everyoneʼs trying to earn more money before the yearʼs over, so they can enjoy the New Year, right?!”

Lucy lightly smacked her fist into her palm and looked at Mirajane expectantly.

”Uh...”

”Now that you mention it, thatʼs actually part of the reason.”

Mirajane blinked before nodding.

Lucy really was smart. She had thought of something Mirajane herself hadnʼt considered.

Just as Lucy guessed, many guild members really were desperately taking jobs to save enough money before the New Year.

After all, January and February were relatively slow seasons for requests. If they didnʼt save enough beforehand, theyʼd have no choice but to sleep inside the Fairy Tail guild—a place comparable to hell.

”So thatʼs it!”

Lucy nodded with relief.

At least the world wasnʼt ending.

”But thatʼs only one reason.”

Just as Lucy relaxed, Mirajane continued.

”Thereʼs another reason?”

Lucyʼs heart immediately sank.

Her sixth sense began screaming.

Something bad was about to happen...

”Mm!”

”Every December, no matter whether theyʼre constantly traveling or out on missions, Fairy Tailʼs mages all return to the guild to participate in Fairy Tailʼs grandest annual event...”

Mirajane deliberately paused, watching Lucyʼs expression.

”Fairy Tailʼs grandest annual event?!”

Lucy looked utterly shocked.

”Thatʼs right.”

”Its name is... the Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Exam!”

”Each year, candidates are selected based on their performance throughout the year and the missions theyʼve completed.”

”So everyoneʼs working desperately now because they want Master Makarov and Master August to notice them before the month ends. They all want to earn a place in this yearʼs exam... and ultimately become one of Fairy Tailʼs proud S-Class Mages!”

Mirajane smiled with satisfaction at Lucyʼs expression before revealing the answer.

”The Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Exam?!”

Lucyʼs eyes widened instantly.

Everything finally made sense.

She now understood why Natsu and Happy had abandoned her to take missions alone.

She understood why everyone in the guild was lining up for jobs.

Everything revolved around the guildʼs greatest event...

The S-Class Mage Promotion Exam!

Lucy knew just how obsessed Natsu was with becoming an S-Class Mage.

He and Happy had undoubtedly been giving it everything they had so they could finally pass this yearʼs exam.

”S-Class Mage...”

”I really want to take the exam too...”

”I want to become an S-Class Mage someday...”

”But... with my strength, thereʼs no way Iʼd even be selected...”

Lucy couldnʼt help imagining herself defeating Natsu and everyone else before proudly becoming an S-Class Mage.

The mere fantasy made her blood boil with excitement.

Of course...