Just as Makarov and the others were finalizing their itineraries for the coming year, Darwin, Chris, and Erza finally made their late arrival.
As they entered the club, the eyes of the gathered students shifted toward them.
Over the past six years of campus life, these three had not only become the renowned "Fairy Trio" but also the absolute peak figures of Fairy Academy.
Out of the 300 young wizards in the entire grade, they were the elite among elites.
In every field—be it close-quarters combat, the application of magic, or the intellectually demanding cultural classes—the grades of these three always sat at the top, leaving a significant gap between them and the other wizards.
"Over here, over here!!"
Makarov stood up and waved, calling Darwin and the others over.
Once the three were seated, the conversation immediately pivoted to the upcoming field study plans.
Bob and his group shared their recent intentions first, then looked at the three partners: "What about you guys? What are your plans?"
"We've decided to form a team!"
"A team?"
Makarov and the others were stunned. "Wait, you can actually form teams for this field practice activity?"
Chris nodded. "Yes, I've already asked the instructor. Many people in our class have already decided to move in teams."
The group wasn't surprised by this phenomenon.
During their six years at the academy, these students had undergone plenty of "team training," and everyone had gradually grown accustomed to having teammates.
The benefits of moving as a team were numerous: first, it allowed members to better compensate for each other's weaknesses; second, in actions involving combat, teammates could look out for one another.
The field study tasks for the coming year would undoubtedly be heavy; having teammates to support each other would certainly make things much easier.
"A team formed by the three of you is basically the strongest team in the entire academy!"
"So, what are you planning to do?"
"You're not actually going to destroy some Dark Guild, are you?"
Wiping out a Dark Guild was already the most perilous thing they could imagine.
If it were other classmates—even if thirty of them gathered to say they were going to attack a Dark Guild—Makarov and the others would speak up to dissuade them, urging them to abandon such a near-certain suicide mission.
But facing Darwin, Chris, and Erza, no one could say the same.
Because each of these three possessed combat power tens or even hundreds of times greater than the other wizards in the academy. Moreover, their personalities were increasingly independent and stubborn; even if one spoke, it would be in vain.
Dissuade them?
It would have no effect at all!
"Beep-beep—wrong guess!"
Darwin shook his head, crossing his arms in an 'X' gesture in front of his chest. "We aren't going to destroy a Dark Guild."
"Then what is it?"
Bob and the others were even more confused. "Aside from attacking a Dark Guild, what opponent is worth the three of you forming the 'strongest team'?"
"We plan to find the legendary Dragons!!"
Dragons?!
Wraith and the others couldn't help but turn to look at Makarov.
One looking for giants, another looking for dragons...
Should they say it's exactly as expected of those people's children? Even their goals are so similar!
Bob couldn't help but ask: "It's one thing for Makarov to look for giants—at least Joey proved that the Giant Race actually exists. But dragons... does such a species even still exist?"
Goldmine gave him a strange look. "I actually think your idea of 'searching for Pegasus' is more absurd than 'searching for dragons'!"
Yajima chimed in: "Exactly! At least dragons have truly existed in history, but Pegasus seems to have been a fantasy creature from start to finish, right?"
Bob countered: "It's precisely because we don't know if Pegasus exists that exploring its reality is more meaningful! Just like the 'Fairies' in our guild's name..."
Yajima was left speechless. "Uh... put that way, I guess you're right."
The group looked back at the Darwin trio. "So, where are you going to look?"
Darwin gave a cheeky grin: "To the Northern Continent!!"
The Northern Continent?!
Guiltina?!
Under his comrades' puzzled gazes, Darwin said: "Dad once told me that in Guiltina, the species of dragons has not yet gone extinct. So, I want to find them, witness the power of a dragon with my own eyes, and improve my strength under 'Dragon Take Over'."
Since awakening his "Imaginary Take Over" magic years ago, Darwin had relied on reading a vast number of fairy tales and fantasy novels to constantly enrich his transformation targets. By now, the number of fantasy creatures he could "Take Over" exceeded 300.
It was no exaggeration to say that Darwin was absolutely the user with the most transformation targets in the history of all "Take Over Magic" users!!
However, his past frantic pursuit of quantity had caused Darwin to overlook the importance of quality. He wanted to use the training time of the coming year to make up for this deficiency.
"I understand your thinking now."
"Though the decision is dangerous, there's no denying it's full of opportunity."
The others turned to the two girls. "Darwin is going to enrich his fantasies with dragons, but are you two just along for the ride??"
Chris's Celestial Magic and Erza's "The Knight" magic didn't seem to have much to do with dragons.
"Of course not!"
Erza was the first to deny the "along for the ride" claim. "Didn't we learn this before? Alchemy is prevalent on the Northern Continent, so many excellent forging materials can be found there!"
"If I can find rare materials not found in Ishgar—like dragon scales or armor—I can ask a Artisan to forge even more powerful armor and weapons."
Good grief!
Dragon scales...
You really dare to dream!
"And you, Chris?"
"Don't tell me you're going to study the climatic differences between Guiltina and Ishgar!"
Chris asked back: "Is that not allowed?"
"Uh... it's not that it's not allowed, I just don't understand how studying climate can help improve your strength?!"
"Or are you planning to become a meteorologist in the future?"
Chris waved her hand.
"Unfortunately, you guessed wrong!"
"I don't plan to study Guiltina's climate, nor do I plan to be a meteorologist."
"The field practice task only says to embody one's identity as a wizard and verify what has been learned in the academy over these six years. There's no rule saying it must be combined with one's magic, right?"
Ah...
That actually seemed to be true!
"I simply want to see a dragon for myself, then pick a fight with one to see who's stronger!"