Chapter 9: S-class exam
Shortly after, the guild's tense atmosphere from the earlier confrontation was all but alleviated as laughter rang out in the hall.
Sitting on one of the tables Macao was absently firing flames at Natsu whilst talking to Wakkaba who was drinking.
"Thanks for the supper, I'm all fired up!" said Natsu running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
"Natsu, you need to start behaving yourself in the guild," Gray said in a superior tone.
"Put some clothes on your pervert!" yelled Natsu completely shattering Gray's character causing him to cast a defiant gaze on his cherry-haired nemesis.
"Erza's back!" A shout rang out.
"Erza!" Natsu and Gray trembled thinking of the cruel woman from the past.
Just then, the door creaked open as a scarlet-headed figure proudly walked in.
Erza in the past year had grown significantly in height and the childishness on her face had begun the regress causing her to look more charming.
Scanning the crowd with narrowed eyes, Natsu and Gray came into sight as they began to hold each other shoulder to shoulder like best friends.
"Getting along?" In a deep tone, Erza continued staring at the two who now had a deep sweat on their foreheads.
"Best friends!" Natsu and Gray yelled excitedly causing Erza to put on a happy smile.
With a happy sigh, Erza continued looking at the crowd causing Wakkaba to put down his drink and give a smile looking well-behaved.
"Welcome back," Lisanna said softly as she stroked Erza's head habitually causing the Scarlet-haired girl to lower her head slightly with a cute murmur.
"Erza?" Natsu said tentatively causing her to throw a sword near his head.
"Erza, you will be my partner for the S-class exam." Giving no room for objection Katakuri glanced at her causing her to run over with a giddy smile on her face.
Erza hesitated and said to Katakuri "I don't think I'll be of much use, I'm afraid I'll drag you down"
Seeing the dismayed Erza, Katakuri stared at her intently causing her cheeks to redden slightly.
"You are very strong, stronger than Laxus in some regards, If you wear thunder-resistant armor you will not lose easily either way." Katakuri coaxed softly.
Erza's eyes became firm as she stared at the large figure in front of her.
"Alright, let's beat this exam!" Erza's mouth tilted up in a confident style, the seed of the future S-class superstar sprouting in her heart at this point.
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One week later, the preparations had been completed and both teams followed Makarov and boarded a boat heading to the testing site.
Erza during this time had lost all of her initial hesitance and now showed eyes filled with charm and confidence.
Similarly, Katakuri also had indifferent eyes as if nothing could make any waves in his heart.
Laxus on the other hand held a permanent half smile on his face exuding arrogance as he stared into the crimson eyes of Katakuri however being slightly shorter than him lowered his intimidation by a point and a half.
Freed, a man with long green hair and a red servant-like jacket, had a calm face with eyes filled with loyalty as he stood side by side with the golden-maned Laxus.
Looking at the small island in the distance, Makarov turned around, looking at them with a solemn face "This test is very simple, you will each follow a path and collect the flag at the end however, I advise you not to take it lightly and remain vigilant."
"If you manage to gather the flag, simply continue on the path, hand it in finishing the first trial.
"So, let's begin!"
Waving hands as a signal signified the start of the test.
Wasting no time, Katakuri pulled Erza before leaping toward the shore with a loud thud.
Laxus snorted disdainfully.
Freed gestured with his hands and began to wave wings of words in the air that quickly settled on each of their backs.
Katakuri's eyes flashed with a deep crimson staring at the left path before abruptly pulling Erza to the right path forcing Laxus who was behind to go left.
Under the scarf, Katakuri cracked a slight smile as he pulled Erza deeper into the right path.
"BASTARD!"
In the distance, they could hear Laxus yelling after encountering one of Makarov's surprises.
Shortly after, Katakuri continued along the path with Erza who had tensed up from the warning earlier.
"Wait."
*WOOSH*
An arrow darted through the trees aiming at Katakuri who cracked his neck slightly causing the arrow to sally past and impale itself deep into a tree.
"Continue."
With an unchanging expression, Katakuri walked on ahead as Erza looked at the fading back with reverence in her brown pupils.
"Brother Katakuri! Wait for me!" snapping out of her daze Erza trotted up quickly behind him causing a slight chuckle.
At a steady pace, they continued their journey for a few more minutes avoiding a few other traps used to try and catch them off guard.
Of course, these traps could not escape Katakuri's perception and each one was promptly dealt with as the forest opened up to a clearing.
Sat gently in the middle of the clearing a red flag waved in the wind invitingly.
"Katakuri" Erza looked solemnly at the flag as Katakuri's eyes began to glow crimson again.
"Move." Katakuri pushed Erza as she looked aggrieved for a moment before...
BOOM!
Dust clouds covered the flag as a vaguely humanoid shape of about 15 meters tall raised its head within the dust before roaring.
Dust scattered as the wind forced Erza to take an unwilling step back as four eyes converged into two beastly orange pupils.
"Get ready!" Katakuri yelled over the wind causing Erza to tense as a silver and black sword appeared in her left and right hands
Weekly Power Status
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