From One Dragon To Another: The Next Tail

Chapter 4 - Let The Trial Commence!

The two weeks before the S-Class trial passed surprisingly quickly. Training with Freed has been intense, but I still really enjoyed spending time with him and getting to know him a bit more. Everything was going well up to the last couple of days, every morning I've been sick, but I didn't want it to get in the way of my training; a bit stupid I know, but I want to win this trial so bad and if I have a stomach bug then it's just gonna have to deal with the determination and resilience of Akari.

The morning of the trial arrived and I definitely wasn't feeling myself. Again I felt sick, but I felt quite hot as well, maybe I really am coming down with something. I had a quick shower and changed into a white, cropped, loose, t-shirt with a black lightning bolt printed on the front and denim shorts with a pair of black converse trainers. I picked up my pre packed bag full of essentials for the trip. I left Pika back at the Fairy Tail guild with Bickslow until I come back since she's not allowed to come due to the rules of the trial. I put my bag on my back and climbed down half of the stairs, until I realised that I was going to be sick. I dashed up the stairs to get to my bathroom and I luckily managed to get there in the nick of time.

Freed's POV

I arrived outside Akari's house and waited for her to come out so we could catch the train to Hargeon. I waited 10 minutes and realised that we would be late if we didn't get going soon. I knocked on the door and called out to Akari through the letter box.

"Akari! Are you okay in there? We need to get going!" I shouted.

"Freed. I'm coming... I'm just..." I heard Akari attempt to call back to me.

After what she said, all I could hear was vomiting and coughing, causing me to be really concerned for her.

"I'm coming in Akari." I called out as I opened the front door and stood at the bottom of the stairs.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine..." I heard Akari say with a gruff tone.

Akari's POV

Eventually I managed to pick myself back up and I stopped being sick. I walked down the stairs and saw Freed waiting there for me.

"You ready to go? Sorry about the delay." I said with a small smile.

"What's up with your skin, Akari?" Freed asked.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"Look in the mirror." Freed said.

I walked into the living room and looked at the mirror hung up on the wall. I had dragon-like scales on my arms and partially on my face.

"What the hell?" I questioned as I observed my body.

"You haven't entered Dragon Force recently have you?" Freed asked.

"No, I've never entered Dragon Force." I replied.

"That's bizarre. Have you noticed this before?" Freed asked.

"I think it might've happened yesterday morning but I can't be too sure." I answered.

"Right, maybe it's the intense training you've done." Freed mentioned.

"Probably." I replied.

"Anyway Akari, you are not fit to be doing the S-Class trial, if you've got a stomach bug then you would be better off staying at home." Freed advised.

"I appreciate you looking out for me Freed, but I've been training really hard for two weeks building up to this moment, I can't let a little sick bug hold me back." I replied.