Chapter 157: FTRJ: Chapter 157

“Aye!” Happy chirped, flapping his wings to catch up with Natsu. Lisanna watched Natsu depart, a thoughtful expression on her face. “To thin

“Aye!” Happy chirped, flapping his wings to catch up with Natsu.

Lisanna watched Natsu depart, a thoughtful expression on her face. “To think, in the two years I was gone, everyone’s grown enough to participate in the S-Class Mage trials.”

Finn smiled in response.

“That’s right, Natsu and Gray have both grown considerably. This year’s trials are sure to be quite spectacular.”

“If Natsu’s that confident, I can’t be left behind!” Gray suddenly stood, his eyes fixed on Finn. “Finn, if we happen to meet during the trials, I’ll give it my all and fight you with everything I’ve got!”

“Looks like Gray’s got his fighting spirit ignited. I have faith in you!” Nancy offered words of encouragement, extending a small paw in Gray’s direction.

Finn nodded with a smile. “To achieve S-Class status, one must possess such unwavering determination. However, I won’t be holding back either.”

“That’s perfect!” Gray declared, clenching his fist. His gaze then shifted towards a figure approaching from behind the group. “I knew you’d be here.”

Following Gray’s line of sight, everyone turned to see the newcomer. A figure with short, light-blonde hair, sporting a pair of glasses, and clad in a sharply tailored suit approached their table.

“Everyone, it’s been a while!” Loki greeted the group with a cheerful tone.

“What?!” Lucy’s eyes widened in astonishment as she gazed upon Loki’s unexpected arrival. She couldn’t help but question whether Loki was still her Celestial Spirit, given this unexpected turn of events.

“We made an agreement last year,” Gray explained, his voice calm and collected. “If I were to be selected for the S-Class Mage trials this year, then Loki would come to assist me.”

“Lucy, I apologize for this,” Loki said, his voice laced with a hint of regret as he addressed Lucy directly. “However, for the duration of the trials, our contract will be temporarily suspended.”

“But don’t worry,” Loki reassured her, his voice laced with a hint of playful confidence, “I’ve arrived here through my own magical abilities, so it won’t prevent you from utilizing your own magic.”

…

With a playful wink directed towards Lucy, Loki attempted to ease her concerns.

Lucy’s smile, however, remained somewhat strained, her expression betraying a hint of apprehension.

“What kind of Celestial Spirit acts so unilaterally?” she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with a mixture of astonishment and exasperation.

“But… I also want to team up with Gray-sama…” Juvia lamented, her voice filled with despair, her gaze fixated upon Gray.

“You’re also a participant, and you two are opponents. So, let’s put aside those unrealistic fantasies,” Finn interjected, his voice laced with a hint of amusement as he addressed Juvia directly.

Observing Juvia’s dejected expression, Lisanna raised her hand, her voice filled with a tone of cheerful determination.

“In that case, I’ll team up with Juvia!”

Elfman’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you serious, Lisanna?!” he exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of astonishment and concern.

Lisanna nodded firmly, her expression unwavering. “Juvia and I were very close friends during my time in Edolas,” she explained, her voice laced with a hint of warmth.

“Besides,” she added, her voice laced with a hint of playful teasing, “Juvia here is incredibly cute.”

“Miss Lisanna…” Juvia’s eyes widened, her expression conveying a deep sense of gratitude towards Lisanna’s unexpected offer.

Witnessing this exchange, Elfman’s face registered a look of considerable anxiety. “Wait a moment, Lisanna! If you team up with Juvia, then that leaves me without a partner!” he exclaimed, his voice laced with distress.

“Oh really?” Finn responded, a cryptic smile playing upon his lips. He gently nudged Elfman’s head in a certain direction. “There’s someone who’s been gazing at you with quite intense interest.”

“Er… Erza!” Elfman exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

“I’m not sure ’intense interest’ is the right term…” Elfman muttered under his breath, the painful memory of being petrified by Erza’s stone magic flashing through his mind.

“She seems a little upset that Freed chose Bickslow,” Finn explained, his voice laced with a hint of understanding. “However, she would likely prove to be an excellent partner for you, Elfman. Erza is certainly no pushover.”

Finn concluded his explanation, his voice laced with a hint of encouragement.

…

Night had fallen, casting a cloak of darkness over Magnolia. Unusually for this time of year, a blanket of snow had begun to fall, blanketing the town in a layer of pristine white.

“Carla, what’s wrong? You’ve been unusually quiet since this morning,” Wendy said, her voice laced with concern as she addressed Carla, who walked beside her through the quiet, snow-covered streets of Magnolia.

“I’m just contemplating things,” Carla replied, her voice laced with a hint of gravity.

“I have a rather unsettling premonition regarding the upcoming trials,” Carla continued, her voice heavy with foreboding.

“This year’s trials seem far more complex than those of previous years. I strongly advise you to reconsider your participation.”

Wendy nodded thoughtfully, her expression mirroring Carla’s concern. “I doubt anyone would want to team up with me anyway, so I’m not particularly worried about it,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of resignation.

“That’s not necessarily the case, Wendy,” a voice interjected, causing both Wendy and Carla to turn their heads to see the source of the interruption.

A figure emerged from the shadows, their presence unexpected yet undeniably captivating.

“My name is Mest,” the figure introduced himself, his voice calm and collected. “I’m a disciple of Mystogan. I was wondering if you would consider teaming up with me for the upcoming trials?”

Mest and Wendy exchanged a prolonged gaze, their eyes locking in a silent exchange of unspoken understanding and mutual respect.

…

Meanwhile, Lucy found herself staring intently at Cana, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“If I fail to achieve S-Class status…” Cana began, her voice low and somber, “I’ll have no face left to show that person.”

Lucy sensed the weight of Cana’s unspoken burden, the depth of her unspoken anguish.

“Can… can you tell me more about it?” Lucy asked softly, her voice laced with genuine empathy.

Cana nodded slowly, her expression resolute.

As Cana recounted her story, Lucy’s face registered a mixture of shock and understanding. She finally grasped the immense emotional burden that Cana carried within her heart.

“If I fail to achieve S-Class status this time,” Cana declared, her voice unwavering, “I will leave Fairy Tail. I’ve made my decision.”

Hearing Cana’s firm and unwavering declaration, Lucy lowered her head, lost in contemplation. After a moment of silent reflection, Lucy, unable to bear the thought of her beloved friend and fellow guild member leaving Fairy Tail, made a resolute decision.

“I’ll be your partner, Cana! I absolutely refuse to let you leave this guild!” Lucy declared, her voice filled with unwavering determination. She was determined to help Cana achieve her lifelong dream of becoming an S-Class mage.

…

Under the cloak of night, a colossal magic airship hovered silently in the inky blackness of the sky. Upon closer inspection, the airship’s predominantly black exterior was adorned with intricate and elaborate designs, the most striking feature being the massive emblem emblazoned at its very center.

The Grimoire Heart! One of the three most powerful guilds within the formidable Balam Alliance.

A woman stood proudly upon the airship’s deck, her long black hair cascading freely over her shoulders. Several crystal balls orbed around her like obedient servants, their movements mirroring her every move.

Ultear Milkovich, the enigmatic woman who had once offered her assistance to Finn during his encounter within the Magic Council chambers.

Following the conclusion of the Jellal incident, Ultear had vanished without a trace, her whereabouts remaining unknown despite countless attempts to locate her.

However, in the present moment, Ultear stood silently, her gaze fixed upon the vast expanse of the ocean far below, her expression unreadable.

Her mind drifted back to the information she had uncovered during her investigations within the Magic Council chambers, specifically the details surrounding the clandestine activities of the Magic Development Bureau. It was a place that had once instilled in her a profound sense of fear and dread.

The director of the Magic Development Bureau, Brain, was none other than the former leader of the nefarious Oración Seis.

It was his actions that had led to the tragic miscommunication regarding Ultear’s supposed death, a deception that had resulted in Ultear’s subsequent suffering.

Upon discovering the truth, Ultear had immediately vowed to seek revenge against Brain. However, fate had intervened, as Brain had met his demise at the hands of Finn.

Ultear could only offer a silent prayer of gratitude towards Finn in her heart, while simultaneously lamenting the lost opportunity to exact her own personal revenge.

“I owe you another debt of gratitude… Finn…” Ultear murmured softly to herself, her voice barely audible above the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of the airship.

“Ultear,” a deep, resonant voice suddenly interjected, causing Ultear to snap out of her reverie.

Ultear quickly composed herself, carefully adjusting her expression before turning to face the source of the interruption, a subtle smile gracing her lips.

“Master Hades, is there something you require?” she inquired politely, her gaze fixed upon the shadowy figure emerging from the depths of the airship’s interior.

“What were you contemplating?” Hades inquired, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

Ultear shook her head, her expression serene and composed. “Nothing of particular significance, Master. I was merely reflecting upon the imminent realization of our long-held aspirations.”

Upon hearing Ultear’s response, Hades shifted his gaze towards a mural depicting a powerful figure, a subtle chuckle escaping his lips.

“Hehehe,” Hades chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of dark amusement.

“That man, who descended upon the ancient lands, who mastered the forbidden arts of black magic to their ultimate limits, who created tens of thousands of demons, and who stands as the most formidable and malevolent figure in the history of magic—Zeref, the Black Mage!”

His voice was filled with barely contained excitement and anticipation.

“We have patiently awaited this moment for an immeasurable length of time. Once we locate him, we shall finally reach the abyss of magic!” Hades proclaimed, his voice resonating with an unwavering sense of purpose.

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