Internet Magic in Fairy Tail (Re-upload)

The S-Class Promotion Exam of X784 concluded with three new S-Class mages.

Fairy Tail's S-Class roster expanded from five to eight, making it one of the guilds with the highest number of S-Class mages in the entire kingdom.

Afterward, the group returned to Hargeon Port the same way they had arrived. This time, however, Makarov broke tradition and accepted Nate's suggestion to use the Flying Thunder God Magic Circle for instant teleportation back to Magnolia.

In front of Fairy Tail's guild hall, a golden magic circle unfolded on the ground, humming with energy before bursting into dazzling light.

Everyone had returned.

The temperature shift was dramatic—it felt as if spring had suddenly turned into winter. Even Fairy Tail's elite members couldn't help but sneeze as they stepped into the chill.

The guild members inside noticed their arrival and rushed out of the tavern to greet them.

"Congratulations, Natsu!" Macao cheered, clapping the fire mage on the back. "You're an S-Class now!"

"Better luck next time, Gray," Warren said sympathetically. "You were so close!"

"Alright, time to prepare the banquet!" Makarov declared with a theatrical cough, his joyful mood evident.

And why was the old master so happy?

Simple—he could finally start preparing for his retirement!

"Yeah! A banquet!"

The guild erupted in cheers.

Back in the tavern, Mirajane and Lisanna busied themselves serving drinks and preparing a lavish feast. Those who hadn't participated in the exam gathered around the examinees, chatting excitedly about the trials and sharing stories.

Nate, however, shook his head and found an empty table to sit at, planning to retreat into the game world for a while to check on Irene. But before he could disappear, Cana approached him with two mugs of beer in hand.

"Why're you sitting here alone? Come on, drink with me!" She placed one of the mugs in front of him.

"Shouldn't you drink less? You failed the exam but seem so happy," Nate teased, accepting the mug.

"That's exactly why I should drink!" Cana replied matter-of-factly.

"And if you'd passed?"

"I'd drink even more!"

Nate chuckled inwardly. Fine, you win. Drinking is the solution to everything, huh?

He clinked his mug against hers and took a sip to humor her.

As soon as he did, Juvia approached, carrying a plate of food. She eagerly sat down next to him.

"Nate-sama! Juvia made your favorite dish in the kitchen!"

"Ah, thanks. That's kind of you."

Nate couldn't bring himself to reject her gesture, though he began strategizing ways to sneak away from the increasingly crowded table.

But before he could act, Erza arrived.

"Why are you all hiding in the corner during such a lively banquet?" she asked with a warm smile, sitting on Nate's other side.

"By the way," she added, "congratulations, Nate. You're officially an S-Class mage now."

Her pride in her boyfriend was clear.

But then, Ultear's voice rang out from behind them, curious yet teasing:

"Speaking of which… Nate, what was your exam?"

Wait, did she almost say darling just now?

Nate felt cold sweat forming on his back. What are you trying to do? Get me killed?

One by one, they were all gathering around him. Why does it feel like I'm the main course at this banquet?

"About my exam…" Nate stalled, realizing he needed to come up with a plausible story fast.

This wasn't just idle curiosity; it felt like a deadly test in disguise. Could this be the true S-Class Promotion Exam? Theirs might be over, but his was only just beginning.

"Take your time," Ultear said with a sly smile, sitting down as well. "I'll wait to hear all about it."

The other women seemed equally intrigued, their beautiful eyes locking onto him expectantly. It wasn't just a question anymore—it was a trap.

Nate straightened up, preparing to navigate what might be the most dangerous challenge of his life.

Not far away, Lucy and Levy were chatting quietly. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy noticed the growing crowd around Nate's table.

Why is everyone gathering around my boyfriend?

Lucy felt a twinge of irritation. As his girlfriend, she figured it was her responsibility to step in.

Turning to Levy, she said, "I just remembered—I need to discuss something with Nate."

With that, she stood up and headed toward him.

Levy blinked in surprise, then glanced at Nate's table. A sly grin spread across her face as she whispered to Evergreen, "Hey, let's join them. That corner looks very interesting."

"Eh?"

Evergreen paused mid-sip of her beer before turning to look. Her expression shifted to one of amusement. "Oh, absolutely. Let's go!"

And so, the two followed.

Before Nate could finish processing the current group of girls, Lucy, Levy, and Evergreen had already joined the table.

Nate scanned the growing group of women, feeling a faint twitch in his temple.

"Is it just me, or is the guild really warm tonight?" he muttered. "Did someone turn on a heating magic?"

"What heating magic?"

"It's not warm at all~"

"If you're hot, Nate, you should take off your jacket."

"Drink some more; it'll cool you down."

"Come on, tell us already! What was your S-Class exam?"

My S-Class exam is dealing with all of you! Nate screamed internally. Why are you all crowding around me? I'm dying here!

Determined to escape, he thought fast. If he could make up a compelling story about his S-Class exam, maybe he could divert their attention.

"My exam," he began, "was actually very critical—"

Before he could continue, Mirajane passed by with a tray of fruit.

"What are you all doing in the corner?" she asked, smiling. "Do you want some fruit? These are winter-exclusive!"

Nate: "…"

No, please, not you too!

Seeing this unfold, Cana covered her face with her hands. She couldn't help but think: You're cursed to attract women, aren't you?

Who's even his actual girlfriend?

I can't tell anymore. Maybe they all are?

…

While Nate endured his impromptu "S-Class Exam," the rest of the guild enjoyed a lively banquet.

Happy broke a pair of chopsticks, sticking one end in his nose and the other in his mouth as he danced on a table performing his ridiculous "Dojou sukui."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"That's amazing, Happy!"

"Natsu, you should perform something too!"

On the second-floor stage, Gajeel strummed his guitar, his horribly off-key singing causing a mix of laughter and wincing from the audience.

Wendy sipped her juice, sitting with Carla as they enjoyed the bizarre performances.

Meanwhile, Gray sat with Loke, who was furiously typing away in private messages on the Magic Net.

"What are you doing?" Gray asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Explaining to my girlfriends," Loke replied, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "I'm going to disappear for a while to help Nate make maps for the [Magic Arena]."

Gray stared at him, deadpan. "How many girlfriends do you even have? And to think you're ranked one of Sorcerer Weekly's… yada yada…"

Loke adjusted his glasses and held up five fingers.

"Five. I even tried to break up with them all during the Harvest Festival, but… didn't work out."

"Scumbag," Gray muttered, recalling a recent buzzword he'd seen on the magic network.

"Hey, single guys like you wouldn't understand my pain." Loke sighed dramatically but froze mid-sigh when his gaze landed on Nate.

Surrounded by a growing number of women, Nate looked more like a cornered animal than an S-Class mage.

Loke smirked, suddenly feeling a lot better.

"On second thought," he said, "maybe my life isn't so painful after all."

At least all his girlfriends were people he'd met outside the guild.

What Nate was dealing with? That was a whole different level of chaos.

"You think he'll survive the night?"