Chapter 42: Junior S-Class
-Later on that day!-
"Kuma Scarlet, Cobalt Loxar. Please step foward."
Stepping up to Gramps, Im trying to figure out what's going on. We havent done anything! I was about to get deffensive when Cobalt put a finger over his lips, quietly shhshing me.
"A meeting with the masters of Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus is what I just arrived from. And we have made up an event for the kids your age in each guild." Cobalt and I shared a glance and Uncle Natsu looked up from his plate. "An event?" He questioned. "For their age?" Aunt Juvia finished and a swarm of murmers errupted through out the guild. Honestly this had me excited.
"Yes. I have noticed that you two have strength like no other and there are more brats like you. So we have put together an exam. A Junior S-Class Exam shall take place. And you two are candidates for representing Fairy Tail!"
"S-Class?!" I yelled and that brought up a storm. Gramps simply nodded and I turn to Cobalt. "Awesome!" He yelled and he high fived me. Some people wished us luck and some patted us on the back. There could actually be a chance that I could become an S-Class mage! I could finally prove to everyone that Im strong enough to be a Fairy Tail modoshi. No not could, will. I will prove that Im strong enough to be a Fairy Tail wizard.
"The tournament will be held in the country of Stella in the town of Forza. That way none of the contestants will be on no ones turf. We will leave in two days. Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention." Looking up at Gramps he smiled softly. "There are only two from Fairy Tail while there are four from both Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus. There are only two spots available for the title of Junior S-Class. The winner of that spot is determined by who has the most confidence in themselves an the guild name that they hold. So one of you bring back the title of S-Class, alright!" Nodding, Cobalt grabs my hand and raises it to the sky. "AYE SIR!" We yelled with the confidence we were sure he was talking about.
"Good luck, my children."
The guild began to party and Uncle Gray picks me up and spins me around. "Your gonna become S-Class before me? How dare you!" He joked with a bright smile. I laughed and he put me down. "Maybe. But I dont wanna underestimate the opponents Ive never even met."
Aunt Lucy laughed and grabbed my hand. "True! But you read all those books about diffrent types of magic and you train every single day. No one is determined like you! And then you have Cobalt on your side. Those two titles will both belong to Fairy Tail!" I giggled and sat down beside Mom.
"Reading all of those spells are just ways to protect myself Aunt Luce. I have no idea who I will fight in the future. It's just a refrence guide if I do end up fighting someone with a strange magic." Cousin Mira poured a glass of pomergranate juice for me and a glass of orange for Cobalt.
"While that is true you have to look at your strengths, Kuma. Sure you didnt intend for a daily routine to be useful but it really could be a leverage for you. Think positive!" Sighing, Mom drags me in for a hug. "Oh my baby girl! Already on her way to S-Class! I remember when I took the exam. It seems so long ago.." I laughed at Mom who was having a flashback memory. Her dazed look snap back into reality and she stroked my hair.
"You'll do great. I know it! But if you want to back out now, that's understandable." Why did she sound hopeful?! Cousin Mira laughed while cleaning a mug. "Erza, she's your daughter. That means she has your spirit for competition. Im pretty sure she's not going to back out. Quit worriying!" Mom pouted and brightened when Cousin Mira said something about cheesecake. "Cant help it. Mother's intuition I guess." Honestly Mom could act like a little kid.
"So, do you think Dennevah and Claire will be in it?" Cobalt asked, toasting a drink to us. Shrugging I drink some juice, my eyes wandering to Cousin Kana's barrel. What I would do for a hard drink right now. "Most likely. Although its four kids competing it could be the only four they have at Lamia Scale. Just like Koga might be on Blue Pegasus side. We'll just have to wait and see."
It was a crisp fall day as we exited the train into the town of Forza. The town of strength as legends had it to be. Hints the name.
I felt something slung over my shoulders. I sighed and could feel a vein pop.
"Uncle Natsu, get off!"
"Everything's spinning...!"
Sighing I hear Aunt Lucy, Mom and Uncle Gray laugh. "Dont worry. He just wants a hug and is disguising it to keep as tough as he can look." Aunt Lucy laughed and I give a small smile. "If thats's all you wanted Uncle N, just say so!" Squeezing him in a tight hug I could have sworn I heard a crack but I just ignored it. "Kuma...please...stop it! Im... dying!" Uncle Natsu begged and I let him go. He sighed in relief and backed up to lean against Aunt Lucy.
"You knew *huff huff* she had a *huff* iron grip *huff huff huff* didnt you?" Uncle Natsu asked, glaring at the blonde. She smirked and coughed in her hand, covering a laugh. "When I tried teaching her the viola when she was younger, you learn how happy she gets when something goes right." Rolling my eyes I tied my hair in my usual high pony. "What do you mean tried? I was awesome at the violin!"
"Violin, yes. Viola, NO!"
Pouting I hear Mom laughed. "Sometimes you cant conquer every challenge, but what good is it to not try at all?" She mused as we stop in front of our destination. The Illumination Hotel.
"So true." I comment remembering my battle with Uncle Gajeey and Uncle Gray laughed softly. "Way to state the chorus like a trooper."
Walking in we see absolutely no one. "Wow whats up with this place?" Neeya asked and I shrugged. "Whatta ya think Mom? Is this strange or wha...?" Everbody was gone. Only Neeya was here at my side. The lights went out. "What the hell..?!" Taking off my shoes, I sense for anyone coming towards me. And there was. Practiclly buildozing.
Jumping up and landing on what I think was a table, I feel wind and dodge to the right. Something cut my cheek. Neeya knew better than to talk when we're in the dark because that could give away our location. I had two options.
One) go back the way I came or
Two) Fall underground and surprise them.
Number two it is!
Jumping off the surface and touching the floor I dont stop diving intill Im completely underground. The vibrations are stronger than ever and there right above me. Sighing I command the earth to capture whoever it was above me and I heard a muffled scream. Diving back into the world the lights are back on and I know I look a mess. Neeya is just shivering like no tomorrow but she still didnt speak.
"Impressive impressive, Kuma Scarlet. Welcome to the Junior S-Class exams." A female voice taunted. "You just passed the preliminary round." A deep voice finished. In the doorway was Cousin Mira and big brother.
"I had no idea the brat had gotten so strong." Turning towards the rock I had formed, it crumbled to pieces and there stood a burly man with orange hair and strong stuble. I had to wipe my eyes and see if I was imagining things.
"C-Cousin Gildarts?!"
He smiled at me and Mom walked back in with a serious expression. "Really Laxus? Kidnapping?!" She exclaimed and the man chuckled with a truly wicked grin. "Only S-Class wizards were allowed. I had to get rid of the other three." He murmured.
"Wait...Preliminary Round?" I questioned and they all nodded. "So far you were the third out of ten that stopped Gildarts from touching you physically." Mom said with a hint of proudness in her voice. Thats so cool!
"The Priliminary Round was based on strategization. You thought on your toes without panicking and you took the challenge head on." Cousin Mira explained and big brother pointed at my face. "Unfortunately you still did get hit and that took off two points." Nodding, Cousin Gildarts gave me a band aid and placed it on my cheek for me. "I was hoping you wouldnt get into fighting while I was gone. Oh well." Laughing Cousin Mira took my hand and showed me out to my room.
"Here you are! This is your roommate, Hikari DeFourde."
Hikari looked about a year younger than me with short mushroom cut styled purple hair and bright blue eyes. I smiled and introduced myself and she gave a quiet "Hello." Cousin Mira left to go test some other kids and I sat on the unoccupied bed.
"Blue Pegasus, huh? Do you know Koga Delmas?" She nodded with a faint blush on her cheeks. "He fits in with the Trimens. Very flirtatious." She said quietly and I laughed. He was a bit flirty.
"So Hikari, were you one of the other two that got passed the Priliminary Round with little damage?" She nodded and lifted her sleeve to show a burn mark. "Almost got electrocuted by Laxus-sama." Looking at the scorched skin , I sighed. Never takes it easy does he? "So wait...that means for each person they get a diffrent opponent. And since I had Cousin Gildarts and you had big brother, someones about to get Mom and Cousin Mira." We both shivered at that. We both knew the Titania was a tough one but no one has experinced the She-Devil without having nightmares later on.
About an hour or so later, when we were in the middle of playing magic twister, we were summoned downstairs. Quickly untangling from each other, we fix each others hair and clothes and head downstairs. Hikari had changed into a blue blazer and floral undershirt with black slacks and black heeled boots with shoe strings and a buckle. She looked older than she was. While I was wearing a purple long sleeved shirt and a black cropped jacket with black jeans and barefoot. I put my hair in my high ponytail.
What's in store for us?