"Macao, I bet a whole 5,000 Jewels on you passing this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial! Don't let me down!"
"Wakaba, show them what you're made of! Even if no one believes in you, you have to believe in yourself!"
In the guild, members who weren't selected for the S-Class trial surrounded Macao and Wakaba, cheering them on and pumping them up.
"Don't worry, I'll win."
Macao held his head high, oozing confidence.
"Easy, easy."
Wakaba puffed on his cigar, flexing his muscles to show he was a man of strength.
"Hmph."
On the other side, in a shadowy corner of the guild, Ivan watched Macao and Wakaba basking in the attention with cold eyes. He scoffed disdainfully, thinking to himself, "Just two pieces of trash."
"Father."
"You'll win, right?"
Five-year-old Laxus stood in front of Ivan, his eyes filled with adoration and expectation for his father.
"Of course, Laxus."
"This year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial is just a stage for me to show off."
"If it wasn't for that bastard Gildarts, I would have passed the trial long ago."
Ivan saw the expectation in Laxus's eyes. The corner of his mouth twitched up slightly. He patted Laxus gently on the shoulder and spoke with confidence.
Even though Ivan's thoughts were corrupt, before he completely fell into darkness, he wasn't overly cruel to his own son.
In fact, Ivan wasn't entirely wrong. Although he failed to inherit the massive magic power of his father Makarov, he had diligently trained for decades. While he was still far from the threshold of the Ten Wizard Saints, according to Ide's system rating, he was at least LV6.
After all, he was the son of the famous Makarov; he must have received some guidance from the old man.
Just as Ivan said, he had already met Fairy Tail's S-Class standard last year.
It was just that Gildarts, acting as the examiner, had disliked him for years and insta-failed him, telling him to "reflect" for another year.
Just as Macao, Wakaba, and Ivan all believed the S-Class promotion was in the bag, Makarov announced that Ide and Ur would also be participating in this year's trial.
"What?"
"Didn't Ur and Ide just join the guild?"
"They haven't even been here a year, have they?"
"Are you kidding? That Ide and Ur are participating too?"
The expressions on Macao, Wakaba, and Ivan's faces changed instantly, replaced by looks of disbelief.
"Alright."
"The pre-trial assembly for this year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial is over."
"The members on the list must gather at the train station in one week."
After finishing his speech, Makarov left, leaving the guild members staring at each other in shock.
"Not good."
For a moment, the entire guild froze. Then, someone quietly sidled up to the beautiful dealer Makarov had hired specifically for the betting pool on this year's trial and asked, "Is it too late to withdraw my bet?!"
"No can do~"
The professional dealer smiled sweetly and shook her head.
"My money!"
After repeatedly confirming with the dealer that refunds were impossible, the gambling addicts clutched their heads and wailed. "That was my entire year's earnings from missions!"
"It's over."
"No chance this year."
As for Wakaba and Macao, upon learning that they would be competing against Ur and Ide for the S-Class title, looks of utter despair washed over their faces. They were already considering forfeiting.
After all, Ide was a monster who could fight Gildarts to a draw, and Ur, as his wife, surely wouldn't be weak either.
"Damn it."
Ivan ground his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, his face twisted in resentment.
But the trial wouldn't stop just because of their dissatisfaction.
---
One week later.
The candidates on the list arrived at the Magnolia train station on time.
"Are we taking the train to the exam site?"
Ide looked at Makarov with a grim expression and asked.
As a qualified Dragon Slayer, he felt true despair at the prospect of transportation.
"Of course not."
Makarov shook his head first, then pointed to a Magic Four-Wheeler parked nearby and smiled. "Trains are expensive! A Magic Four-Wheeler is much more suitable."
"Pfft."
Ide, who had initially felt relieved at not taking the train, almost spat blood onto Makarov's face upon hearing the second half of the sentence. He pointed at the old man's face and shouted, "Finish your sentences in one breath next time, Master!"
"Anyway, everyone get in."
Ignoring Ide, Makarov opened the door to the vehicle's passenger cabin and directed everyone inside.
The cabin was spacious, with seats on three sides, so even with five passengers, it didn't feel crowded.
After boarding, Macao and Wakaba sat facing the door. Ivan sat on the seat behind the driver's cabin. Ide and Ur took the remaining seats facing Ivan.
"Everyone, let's go."
In the driver's seat, Makarov put on the magic-infusing armbands, then slammed his foot on the "gas."
VROOOM!
Infused with magic power at the "Limit of Human Potential," the four-wheeler let out a terrifying roar and vanished from the streets of Magnolia like a bolt of lightning.
"Blurgh."
The moment the vehicle started moving, Ide had already "died" inside.
"Is Ide okay?"
Inside the cabin, Wakaba looked at the silent, green-faced Ide and asked worriedly.
"Not a big problem."
Since Ide was incapacitated by motion sickness, Ur answered for him.
Outside, fueled by Makarov's immense magic, the four-wheeler reached ridiculous speeds, nearing 300 km/h.
Even so, the journey to the exam site took a full seven hours.
"Get out."
The passengers, who had long since dozed off, felt the vehicle shudder to a halt and heard Makarov's voice.
"Where is this?"
As they filed out of the vehicle, they were greeted by a fantastical sight: half lush oasis, half barren desert. It was a marvel of nature's artistry.
"They're here."
Meanwhile, an old man who looked remarkably like a withered tree watched them silently from the forest nearby.