It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But that didn't mean I had to like the constant whispers that seemed to follow me around as I tried to find information on where the object I was supposed to retrieve was. When I finally found the magic book I almost dropped it after a strangled squeal echoed around the room.

They followed me this way all the way home to the Guild. I stopped at the Cathedral; it had started to become a habit of mine. The Cathedral was familiar and the only thing that hadn't changed in the last 300 years. As I admired the Gothic reliefs I could hear the nervous giggles of "hurry" and "don't let her see!" With a smile I strolled back to the Guild; I couldn't get there before the girls.

I quietly entered the guild. It was in an uproar so my entrance went unnoticed. I slipped through the crowd and up to the bar. The only open spot was next to Master Markov. I took it.

"Morning Master," I said as I waited for Mirajane be available.

"Ah Aiyana, we were wondering when you'd get back," Mira chimed with a smile, "What can I get you?" I thought for a moment, but nothing was coming to me. Suddenly it did came to me:

"I would love to try some chocolate cake," I sheepishly said.

"Ho-oh, do we have another Ersa on our hands?" Markov teased. I blushed at his words but then looked at Mirajane in confusion. Did Ersa have a –cake obsession? Mirajane seemed to understand my unspoken question and pointed to a table that was surrounded by most of the Guild. Laxus sat across from Ersa and they were- arm wrestling?! Beside Ersa lay a crushed piece of what looked like strawberry cake. Neither looked like they had the upper hand until Gajeel, Natsu, and Grey barreled into, or more like, onto the table. And suddenly it was an all-out brawl.

"I think I'm gonna take my cake upstairs," I muttered. Mirajane looked surprised at my statement and opened her mouth, but Master cut her off, "Mira could you give me a refill?" I fled up the stairs.

It was quiet upstairs, and I liked it. I was alone; for a minute anyway. Not a moment after I had sat down, did Laxus walk up the stairs. He looked relived until he looked my way. He looked upset and- resigned? I guess tolerating me was better than being at my throat all the time. It was all good until I went to look at the missions' board.

"What are you doing?" Laxus testily asked. I blinked at him.

"I'm looking for a mission," I said. He narrowed his eyes; I was starting to get used to seeing his face contort into that annoyed and suspicious expression. I wondered if I could ever get a different reaction from him.

"Only S-Class mages are allowed up here," he said as if he was explaining to a child. I just gave him an exasperated look.

"I am S-Class, or have the requirements changed in the last 100 years?" I said. I really shouldn't have been using that tone with him, but he could just be so annoying! He could have just calmly stated that the second floor was reserved for S-Class.

Before our argument could get any more out of hand Markov came up the stairs, "Ah, just the two people I needed to see. I noticed in Mavis's files that you were an S-Class mage, do you think you're up to the challenge of taking on those quests again?" he asked.

I thought for a moment. The girls had trained me to face the worst this new age had to offer, and I had to deal with The Arena and dragons before I was S-Class. I should also probably tell him that the girls knew some about my past. I was thinking of telling them about my other magic abilities on the next mission we went on together. "I'm pretty sure I could handle anything this age could through at me," I answered. Laxus scoffed. I looked at him sharply.

"I doubt there's anything out there that I can't handle," I told him.

"Oh yeah, how about Stymphalian birds?" he challenged. I choked my head to the side; those sounded very familiar.

"You mean those man-eating birds with beaks of bronze and sharp metallic feathers they could launch at their victims?" I asked, "If I remember correctly then I fought one in the Arena."

Master Markov gave me a funny look when I mentioned the Arena, and I couldn't blame him. The Arena was destroyed before I met Mavis. It was a good thing too.

"The Arena was a barbaric practice of forcing mages to fight, often to the death, against monsters and other beings. You would never know when you might be caught and forced to fight. I lost a friend to that thing," I explained and subconsciously fingered my necklace. Normally I kept it under my clothes and tried to not think about it, but it must have fallen out as I leaned down to read some of the job requests.

"Is there anything else you need Master?" I asked looking at the mission board again.

"Yes actually, I do," Master said and I turned to him.

"What is that?" he said and I looked down at what he was pointing at and got surprised.

"This?" I asked pointing at the medallion. At his nod I continued, "Well, when I said that I had fought in the Arena, I meant that I am The Arena Champion."

There was a moment of silence then Laxus scoffed, "You are a champion of some kind of evil tournament?"

I glared at him and then said, "You think Mavis taught me magic? I learned everything I know for shear survival. Nobody walked away from The Arena by being a pacifist. Now if that's all, I really do need to go on a mission."

"About that, do you wish to continue being S Class?" Master asked again. When I nodded he continued, "Normally I would have you retake the S Class exams, but I need you to go on a mission with Laxus. You see all of the other S Class mages are out on missions, and this is a very high paying mission and will do wonders for the reputation of Fairy Tail. And if you do it you can forgo the exams."

I begrudgingly nodded and said, "I'll do it."