Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

18 - S-Class Trials

[X779, One and a half years later]

— Laxus Dreyar —

"Laxus-sama, are you sure you do not wish to participate?" Freed asked as they sat on the train, on their way to a mission on the borders of Fiore.

"Nah, me being there won't change a thing. He's the only one worthy to become S-class in the guild. The only reason I had it easy last year was because he didn't participate."

Laxus gazed at the passing treeline from the window in their cabin, his head resting on his palm as he listened to music from his earphones.

Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen just kept quiet as usual when conversation revolved around their former teammate. His former best friend.

It was approaching that time of the year again, when the old man would choose potential prospects from the guild to be chosen as S-class. But he knows. No one else in the guild had the strength to become S-class. Only him. Like always, it is the two of them who are the only ones who always seek strength and never once stop in their path to power.

He is confident that the next time he visits the guild, it would be news to Dannis becoming S-class. There is no longer any competition since Laxus is already an S-class. They had always been each other's rivals.

While usually, it is customary for all active S-class mages to work with the guildmaster to conduct the trials, he opted out since he knew he's not really needed. He already sent word to his gramps, although it was a breach in protocol, the old man would understand.

The only person that would really be tested during this year's trials was Dannis, similar to his trials last year where Laxus was the only viable candidate. Gildarts and the Master are more than capable of being the only proctors.

Laxus rubbed his cheek as the phantom pains from Gildarts punch appeared suddenly. He had to force back a shudder. That monster really didn't hold back in his trials. He could only pray for Dannis to survive.

'Good luck, Dan. You're gonna need it.'

______________________________________________________________________________________

— Dannis Martell —

"Fucking bastard! What the hell did I ever do to you?!" A man screamed, his words coming out in pants as he was obviously exhausted by the ordeal. His clothes already bloodied by the numerous cuts that adorned his figure.

"You didn't do anything to me." I tell him as I lift up a slightly torn paper, depicting a masked figure with a rather heft bounty on it. "This is you right? The Masked Killer of Drag Town? A serial killer with over thirty deaths to your name. Not bad."

His eyes widened in shock. No doubt due to me attacking him at his home. As far as he knew, no one knew his true identity as the Masked Killer. So me being here must be quite a surprise.

"I'm here to bring you in, as per Fairy Tail traditions, I'm gonna give you the chance to surrender. Kneel." I flare my magic power slightly, the air becoming heavy as he grunted in exertion and fear.

"No fuckin way...! NO FUCKING WAY!" He screamed in defiance as he raised an arm, fire already coalescing in his palms. "Fire-Make–"

Unfortunately for him, he was way too slow.

I appeared behind him in a blur, calmly sheathing Obsidian in its sheath. With the sound of a click from my sword being put back, a red line appeared on his torso as a trickle of blood escaped from his mouth.

"W-What.." Were his last words as he fell with a thud.

I lit up a cigarette as my other hand drew a quick seal in the air.