The Exam Arc gets underway! I hope you like it, but if you don't want to read it, there will be a summary at the end that hopefully gives you a pretty good idea of what you missed. Thank you!
The Rune Knights: Part of the military force of the Magic Council. Though they are significantly weaker than actual wizards, they are quite capable in wielding their Magic Swords and Armors. They also tend to criminal activity or commotions, such as Natsu's destroying Hargeon's port. They are the largest part of the Council's military, but they are not even comparable to a fraction of the 10 Wizard Saints, who form most of the Council's fighting strength. This military is completely independent from the countries in Ishgar and only serve the Council.
Behind Natsu and Happy walked a certain blonde young woman, who was trying harder than necessary to contain her nervousness and curiosity. Sunlight shone brightly through the clear, blue sky, bathing Lucy's pale skin and working to calm her nerves. Men, women, and children of all shapes and sizes weaved in and out of the entrance gate to the town up ahead. Lucy's hand slid along the warm, wooden fence that lined the dirt path, the intermittent gaps allowing access to the fields of lush green grasses, multi-colored flowers, and...a rectangular dirt field? It must have been for some sort of event. To Lucy's left, a forest spanned all the way to the outskirts of the city, and from where she stood, she could see a tall building standing strong. What was the purpose for such a building? Tinted windows prevented anyone from seeing inside.
"It's big enough to be a small guild hall. I wonder what it is," Happy thought aloud as he floated by Lucy's side, looking at the black-brick building.
"We made it!" Natsu exclaimed, ignoring their curiosity and pointing ahead. "This is where they hold the License Exam this side of Fiore! Cedar Town!"
"It's crowded," Lucy deadpanned.
"Aye! There are always a lot of Applicants! Hundreds! It's a popular town to host exams, mainly because of the environment and terrain."
That made sense. Not only was there the large forest to the left of town, but a small mountain range bordered the far end of the city. To the right, the tide from a large body of water washed onto the shores of a busy beach. The varied terrain would surely provide different types of trials for the wizards. Unless...they were just for show? Lucy's question quickly flew to the back of her mind. The sights of the city took away her focus. Great...even more people than outside. Food stalls and merchandise stands lined the complex streets, with queues up to the entrance gate for some.
"Man, this hill is huge! Come on, let's get past this crowd." Natsu reached over and grabbed Lucy's hand without question, taking her down the cement pathway; the steep hill led to another street in the city.
They turned the corner to see a large, white tent in front of what seemed like hundreds of people sitting along the grassy hill, not to mention the the benches over-stuffed with people at the base of the hill. A large wooden fence served as a barrier between the people and the tent.
"What's that?" Lucy asked.
"That tent is where you sign up to take the Exam! Those people behind the fence are Applicants! It's normally a park, but they use it for the Applicants as a sort of waiting room before the Exam starts," Natsu informed her.
Exactly what Lucy didn't want to hear. Apparently, Happy hadn't lied about the about the Exam's popularity. "I see...I didn't realize it would be like this."
"Yeah, I mean, everyone wants a License-really, everyone wants to join a guild!"
"It's not like you have to be special to apply. Literally anyone can sign up," Happy said.
Lucy understood, but for this many people to be here? Come on. Who could have expected that? Every step forward brought forth a harder heartbeat, beating as loudly as if the girl were about to step onto a stage and perform completely unprepared.
"All right. This is where we will leave you!" Natsu said casually, stopping at the street just across from the tent.
"Y-You're...leaving?" Lucy hadn't been anticipating that.
"Only Applicants are supposed to be in the Waiting Area. All of us have to wait our here."
"You mean...all these people are just here to...watch?" Nerves stirred in her stomach once more.
"Well, kind of," Happy said. "If the phases are open to the public, then yeah! But that isn't often the case. They are here to offer support or just check out the town. During exam time, it's a great chance to get your hands on some rare items! Or some yummy fish! And for recruiters, they have to be here to get the performance data of the Applicants."
"I...I don't know." Lucy looked around at all the people crowding the town. "Maybe I shouldn't be doing this. I haven't done any training. I didn't even plan on taking it."
"But you were so cool in Hargeon!" Happy said. "You'll definitely pass!"
"That was just my Celestial Spirit. I'm not really strong without them, and besides, even if I pass, I might not get any offers. Maybe I should wait a little."
Natsu wrapped his arm around Lucy. "Don't be like that! I know you're nervous, but it'll be fine."
Lucy felt her face heat up at the warm comfort. "I just..."
"You said you have a goal to complete, didn't ya? I bet you'll have to get a License to do it, right? So, why not do it now?! I know you can pass!" The amount of confidence that Natsu had in a girl he had just met a couple nights ago was slightly alarming.
"I mean, yeah, but, can't you just...I don't know...put in a good word for me? Get me in through the back door?"
Happy gasped. "Wow, Lucy..."
Natsu slowly shook his head. "That's real low, Lucy. Not cool. Not cool at all..."
"N-No...I didn't mean it like...I just heard that...Please don't judge me." Was it really so bad to ask?
Natsu chuckled. "Well, to be honest with ya, I would put in a good word for you, but no one at the guild really takes me seriously. They kinda think I'm an idiot. If anything, it'll probably turn out worse for you if they find out I'm the one who sent you. But it'll be fine!"
"Awesome," Lucy deadpanned. "That makes me feel so much better."
"Lucy, one last thing...you gotta be careful." Natsu added solemnly, looking straight into Lucy's eyes. "These exams can be dangerous. I'm telling you this because I can tell you're nervous, and I don't want you to be caught off guard. There...aren't really any rules during the exam...anything goes. Just like in the real world. Just make sure you stay safe."
Based on Natsu's change in demeanor, the situation she was in was quickly understood. "You're sure I can do this?"
"I am, Lucy. Happy and I both! We think you'll be a great addition to the guild." Natsu placed his hand on Lucy's head in a big-brotherish way. "We'll see each other soon. Now go kick some ass! Remember, we'll be with ya the whole way!"
Lucy took a deep breath. "Okay. See you later, then."
But once Natsu excused himself and disappeared, she grew uneasy again. Her face wore a much more distance expression. She crossed the street to get in line for one of the many sign-up tables spread outside the tall, wide tent. Several workers sat behind each tables, handing different papers and forms to people a variety of ages. Five stand-alone doors stood at the back of the tent, with many Applicants going through them, most likely to the Waiting Area.
Not exactly the best way to leave me...but if they think I can do it, then maybe it isn't that bad.
Natsu eye's searched the crowd for his guildmates. He jumped on top of a bench with Happy flying up by his shoulders, peering over countless heads walking around town.
"So, who's one the recruiting team this year? Mirajane? Macao?" Natsu asked his furry friend.
"This year, we have three. Loke, Cana, and me! Happy!"
"Wait, what?! How did you get on the team?!"
"I'm a trusted member of Fairy Tail!" Happy informed him smugly.
"Yeah, but how come they never let me-oh, never mind!" Natsu shook his head. "Look! There's Cana and Loke! Let's go!"
"Hello! Welcome to the Wizard License Exam sign-up!" a woman sitting behind on of the tables said.
Lucy timidly stood in front of her. "Hello."
"First, I have to tell you a bit about the exam. It is protocol for all Applicants. You should realize that this is not solely a magic test. This is a test that will make sure you have what it takes to be a Licensed Wizard. It takes much more than simply being strong. The number of phases vary for every exam, and their contents vary per examiner. To put it simply, you have absolutely no idea what is ahead of you. This is also one of many exams that take place during a year. Please be aware that this exam is free to use any area in Fiore, even if it is not nearby, but that nearby surroundings will more than likely be used. Then of course, the most important rule: you cannot fail an exam three times. If you do, you will no longer be allowed to take it. So, if is your third attempt, be sure to focus extra hard!"
Lucy slowly nodded. "Right. I understand."
The woman prepared a clipboard, placing three documents on top. "Fill out these forms, and hand them to one of the people standing in the center of the Waiting Area behind these doors. The first form has places for you to sign, so that you can't hold anyone liable for any injuries or possible death in the exam."
I guess Natsu wasn't kidding...
"The second form is just for you to write the guilds that you want to join. We'll notify them, so they can keep an eye on you while you take the Exam." the woman continued. "Finally, the third form is all about you. Your name, age, sex, and those types of things. Then, you'll talk a bit about your magic, like your Magic Seed Label, any Holder-Type magic, and then anything else you might need to add. It's useful information for the guilds. We won't share it with anyone else. Oh, and here is a Light Pen. It's just a souvenir for the exam, but it's really neat! Any questions about the forms?"
Lucy took the clipboard, tilting her head at the third form. Magic Seed...didn't she hear that recently? Actually...she'd heard it even before recently. But where? "What is a Magic Seed?"
The woman sighed. "Miss, I don't have time for jokes. There's a line behind you. If you don't have any real questions, please, move along."
"No, I'm serious. I don't-"
The woman lowered her glasses, showing how frustrated she was as she glared through the tops of her eyes. "I won't ask again. If you don't move, you will be disqualified. We have a lot of Applicants to handle, so please."
Okay, then. Lucy reluctantly moved away, confused as ever. She knew she'd heard those words more than once. But it rarely ever came up, yet at times, it seemed like random people would say it. This woman, the man at the store, a man she'd met in some random town, that one annoying man she met once...why did she never ask them? Did Natsu know what it meant? Lucy silently gasped as a large gust swirled into the tent. Her papers flew out of her reach. Just as she turned to reach out, a stray rock tripped her. Ouch. She landed flat on her bottom, drawing the laughter of any nearby Applicants.
"You seem nervous," a soft voice said. A cute girl approached, seemingly around the same age as Lucy. Her dark brown hair even styled itself similarly, except her ponytail was braided. The girl crouched down and began gathering the papers. "Here you go."
"Th-Thank you." Lucy took the forms and made sure to securely clip them onto the clipboard. She wasn't particularly concerned with what the by-standers and Applicants were thinking of her little embarrassment. She just wanted to know what the hell a Magic Seed was.
"I'm pretty nervous, too. Is this your first time applying?"
Oh, she's still here? Does she need something? "Yeah. It is."
"Me, too," the girl informed her, despite no one asking. "While I am nervous, I'm also excited. I just don't want to fail and embarrass myself!"
"Yeah." Lucy studied the girl's charming smile. Maybe...she could help. Her calm demeanor certainly felt comforting. And it was obvious she wanted someone to talk to. She was still standing there, after all. "Could you help me with these?"
"What do you mean?"
Lucy pointed at the forms. "I'm not sure how to answer some of these questions. First, what is a..." She hesitated a moment, not wanting to sound like a genuine fool. "'Magic Seed Label'?"
"Is...that a joke?"
"N-No...I really don't know." Another weird response to the question, meaning it must have been common knowledge. Well, common to everyone except Lucy.
The girl laughed. "Maybe you're more nervous than I thought! Well, let's head inside. There should be some place we can sit to do them. Sound good?"
"Yeah."
"What's your name?"
"I'm Lucy. Lucy Hear-" Lucy paused. "Lucy Harkless..."
"Nice to meet you." The girl extended her hand. "I'm Rebecca. Rebecca Pace!"
Lucy shook her hand. The warm, soft touch eased her nerves.
"Come on," Rebecca beckoned. "I'll give you a lesson in magic!"
Just in the nick of time, a new character appears to help Lucy with her forms. Next chapter, Rebecca explains the changes to the power system.
Note: Next chapter is just going to be an explanation of the power system. Feel free to leave a review, whether it be plot related or writing related! Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you next chapter!