Year X780 — The End of the Year.
The Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Exam was about to begin.
The guild was buzzing with excitement, as members who'd been away on jobs had finally returned, filling the hall with laughter and chatter.
"Ahh…" Kael sighed dramatically, his head buried on the table. When he lifted his eyes, he caught sight of Kana laughing happily with Erza, Mirajane, and Levy across the room. His gaze dimmed with quiet loneliness and frustration.
As if sensing his stare, Kana turned her head and spotted Kael's pitiful expression. But the moment their eyes met, Kael's face lit up with hope and warmth. Her annoyance melted slightly—but she still refused to give him the satisfaction. Turning away, she continued chatting with the girls, pretending not to notice.
Kael's brief spark of hope faded just as quickly. With a groan, he slumped back onto the table, tapping the wooden surface rhythmically with his finger to vent his gloom.
"Hey, Kana," Mirajane leaned closer and whispered mischievously, "did Kael do something wrong?"
She had clearly noticed the tension between them—and Kael's dejected look had her curiosity burning.
Erza and Levy instantly stopped talking, tilting their heads slightly to listen in. They hadn't missed a thing about Kael and Kana's awkward exchange. Everyone in the guild still remembered that night under the cherry blossoms—Kael's heartfelt confession of love and the starlight diamond ring he'd given her.
It turned out that Laxus's sudden appearance near the ruins during that mission wasn't random at all. Kael had secretly written to him, asking him to deliver an unfinished mission payment so he could buy a special ring—a radiant jewel crafted from a fallen meteorite at the most famous workshop near the ruins.
Of course, Kana had found out. She'd also discovered that, on top of his regular S-Class missions, Kael had been secretly taking on dangerous assignments from the Magic Council—clearing out dark guilds. The risk terrified her. Even with Kael's immense strength, a single mistake could cost him his life.
"Ohhh~ so Kael's been working that hard… and all for you?" Mirajane teased, wrapping her arm around Kana with a grin. "You're such a lucky girl. I wish I had a boyfriend like that."
The other women nodded in unison, eyes shining with envy as they glanced at the brilliant diamond ring on Kana's hand.
"Well… Kael does take good care of me," Kana murmured softly, cheeks flushed pink. "But still, I'll have to talk to him. He shouldn't hide dangerous missions from me."
Just then, Makarov's voice echoed through the hall.
"Ahem! Everyone, quiet down! It's time to announce this year's S-Class Exam candidates!"
Standing proudly atop the platform, Makarov wore a heavy coat emblazoned with the symbol of the Ten Wizard Saints. Clearing his throat twice, he drew every eye in the guild to him.
"This year, based on guild regulations and performance evaluations, the following members have qualified for the S-Class Examination—"
"Mirajane Strauss."
"Erza Scarlet."
"That is all."
At once, Erza and Mirajane's eyes met. Both women smiled fiercely, their mutual determination burning—neither planned to lose this chance.
"Damn it! Still not me?!" Natsu groaned, then clenched his fists in renewed determination. "Alright! Time to train even harder! I'm fired up!"
"The examiners this year," Makarov continued, "will be Laxus and Kael. Each of them will set their own trial. The location, as always, will be the guild's sacred ground—Tenrou Island!"
At that moment, Kael and Laxus both appeared behind him, lightning and golden light flickering around their forms as they stood on either side of the master.
"Yo," Kael grinned, "as the old man said, Laxus and I will be your examiners. The rules are simple—earn our recognition through strength. And if you can defeat us? Even better."
"That's right," Laxus added, folding his arms. "Power is the one and only standard for S-Class. You're free to use any means necessary. Once you reach the island, there'll be two paths. We'll be waiting for you at the end."
The guild erupted into murmurs.
"Ugh, still sounds like hell-level difficulty."
"Yeah… who even knows how strong Kael and Laxus are now?"
"Guess we'd better train harder!"
"Yosh! After this year, I'll get stronger for sure!"
The air buzzed with excitement and tension as guild members whispered among themselves about the trials ahead.
"Quiet, everyone!" Kael raised his voice, halting the chatter. He nodded to Makarov, signaling that he'd finished speaking.
"The exam will take place one week from today," Makarov announced with a final clap of his hands. "Erza, Mirajane—be ready. That's all! Dismissed!"
With that, the old man reverted to his casual self, hopping down to the bar and demanding a drink. The guild immediately burst back into chaos—cheers, laughter, congratulations, and the sound of mugs clinking filled the air.
Natsu and Gray were already at it again, brawling over who'd become S-Class first, their fight sending tables flying.
Erza, preoccupied with the upcoming exam, ignored them this time. Lisanna and Happy rushed in to break up the chaos instead.
As Erza and Mirajane later headed off to prepare their equipment for the test, Kana remained at the bar, sipping her tea.
Kael quietly approached from behind her. His hand hovered uncertainly over her shoulder—up, down, up again—until he finally mustered the courage to rest it there. Watching her expression carefully, he only relaxed once he saw she wasn't angry anymore.
Smiling sheepishly, Kael slipped his arm around her shoulders, whispering a gentle promise that he'd stop taking on excessive missions without telling her.
From the second-floor balcony, Laxus leaned against the railing, watching the scene below. Seeing Kael—once so bold—turning into a lovestruck pushover made him groan. With a sigh, he flopped back onto the couch, deciding he'd seen enough.
Later, on their way home, Kana turned to Kael casually.
"So… you and Laxus. What kind of exam are you planning? Any traps along the way?"
Her tone was innocent, but Kael could tell she was fishing for information—probably to help her friends.
"Haha, no traps. Maybe a few beasts on the island, but nothing serious. The real challenge will be Laxus and me. Don't worry—they'll be fine."
Kael reached over, ruffling Kana's hair gently.
Kana relaxed at his words, though her relief quickly turned to mock annoyance as she realized he was teasing her height again. She pouted and started lightly punching his chest.
Kael caught her hands, checking if they hurt, his eyes full of tenderness. He pulled her close and whispered something softly in her ear.
Kana blinked, eyes wide, surprised at what he said. Kael pressed a finger to his lips—"Shh, secret."
They both laughed quietly, fingers intertwined as they walked home beneath the evening sky.