Nothing Without It

Chapter 4: The S-CMPT Thingamajig

Suddenly the thick green curtains opened, revealing Master, Mira, Erza, and Gildarts all standing in a line.

There was murmuring in the crowd, until Master spoke up, which silenced everybody. "In accordance with the Fairy Tail Guild's modern tradition, I will now announce this year's participants for S-Class Mage Promotion Trial." He finished.

The guild broke into cheers, with some members getting more fired up, and the new ones being utterly confused. The noise continued until Erza and Gildarts shushed them.

"The trial this year will take place on Tenrou Island. Our guild's sacred ground!" He continued proudly. The crowd was cheering once again.

"The strength that you possess inside, your character, and your heart. These are what I considered while making my selections. And I have chosen 8 participants." Master stopped for a while, making the mood more suspenseful. 

"Natsu Dragneel!" He shouted out first. He's been wanting this for years, thank god he passed.

"Gray Fullbuster!" Came next.

"Juvia Lockser!" It was quite surprising that Juvia got in, despite being a new member. 

"Elfman!" He was saying something about being a man again while Lisanna cheered him on.

"Cana Alberona!" My brows furrowed in worry, she looked kind of sad when she was chosen, but why?

"Freed Justine!" Freed made one of his cool comments. 

"Levy McGarden!" Jet and Droy seemed to be happier.

With the 7th participant, I knew I wasn't going to be chosen. But hey! The training was worth it, no? I should just try harder next year.

"Last but not the least, Mest Gryder!" People around me were talking about how he almost made it to S-Class last year.

The Master let everyone celebrate for a while, most of the guild members were happy, but some looked down because they weren't chosen even though they tried their best, like a certain someone named Alzack who was sobbing in front of Bisca

"Only one will emerge victorious. the trial will begin in one week's time, so you better step up your preparations!" Master's loud voice boomed.

I wasn't quite listening anymore, because I was thinking about Cana's Mood. But from what I've heard, the participants are supposed to choose a partner that is a member of Fairy Tail and not and S-Class Mage. And that the participants and their partner was going to meet in the Port of Hargeon in a week.

I was eating with Wendy, Juvia, Elfman, Gray, and an annoyingly flirty couple, whom I didn't mind. Because Elfman didn't either. I saw that Freed had already gotten Bickslow as his partner, and they were talking about regaining their pride as the Thunder God Tribe. I already knew that Natsu was going with Happy, so no point in asking.

The two dimwits hurriedly left the guild, so it was just me and the others. Juvia was saying something about withdrawing because she'd rather be Gray's partner than a rival.

"Sorry, but I've already got someone lined up." Gray said, before Loke started walking towards us. There was a commotion about who Juvia was going to partner up with, until Lisanna volunteered.

"Edolas Juvia happened to be my best friend, but I'd rather choose you!" Is what she said.

"Really?" Juvia answered, until she got paranoid and rambled on about Lisanna using her to get closer to Gray. Elfman protested until Lisanna pointed out the deadly stare of Evergreen, which shut him up.

Jet and Droy were fighting about who was going to be Levy's partner, but Gajeel intervened. 

While Natsu and Happy were out jumping with boulders and pushing logs, I found Cana passed out in the middle of the rain. I shrieked a little and carried her to my house.

"I owe you one," she started, adjusting her blanket, "if you hadn't noticed me I would've frozen my butt off tonight."

"No joke," I answered. "Why don't you tell me why you've been acting like such a lunatic lately?"

"I get crazy during S-Class Mage Promotion Trial time." She answered simply.

"Is this related to why you were saying that you wanted to quit the guild?"

"This is my fifth trial. I've lost four of them. Cause I suck."

That time, I realized something was very serious. I tried to console her, but all she answered with was, "I have to get in this time, or else I won't be able to look him in the eye."

Then, she told me a story. A sad, yet interesting one. One thing led to another, that's why I was inspired and I decided to become her partner. 

- A WEEK LATER -

The participants and the S-Class Mages gathered in Hargeon, with everyone having a look of inspiration and hope plastered on their faces.

This is it. I thought as I boarded the ship, along with my guildmates.