Chapter 47
Two Weeks Later
The guild had become a hive of anticipation, and I could feel it in every corner of the guildhall. It had been two weeks since Makarov's announcement about the S-Class promotion trial, and the day had finally arrived.
The trial wasn't taking place in the guildhall, of course. No, Makarov had insisted on a location far from the guild—several miles outside Magnolia, at a secluded mountain.
The guild's airship hovered above the arena, giving everyone a perfect view of the showdown. It was just the kind of spectacle that everyone had been hoping for.
I stood at the arena, the wind whipping through my hair, and as I stretched.
Across from me stood Gildarts Clive, Fairy Tail's Ace, known for his unparalleled strength and laid-back demeanor.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice calm.
I met his gaze, a smirk playing on my lips. "Always."
Let's be real—this wasn't some underdog story.
I wasn't the dark horse, the surprise pick, or the kid with "potential."
Everyone knew I was strong. They didn't say it out loud—because Gildarts is Gildarts—but I saw it in their eyes.
They weren't watching to see if I could beat him.
They were watching to confirm what they already suspected.
This was the unspoken question:
Is Aiden really stronger than Fairy Tail's #1?
And now, they were about to find out.
Gildarts tilted his head slightly, cracking his neck. "Don't hold back," he said with a grin that was only half-joking.
I didn't respond.
I didn't need to.
His magic pressure spiked—heavy, sudden, unapologetic. The ground cracked beneath him as the air shimmered, distorting like heat off asphalt.
Damn, for the first time I finally saw the monster they called Gildarts Clive.
Above us, I could hear people reacting—gasps, cheers, someone (probably Laxus) shouting "Hell Yeah!"
"Let's dance," I grinned.
—
3rd POV
"Let's dance,"
At the sound of those words, something shifted in Gildarts.
Gildarts heard it for what it was. Not arrogance. Not a taunt.
A warning.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this excited, this focused for a fight.
He knew Aiden was strong, but now he was about to find out just how strong he really was.
Aiden didn't waste time. With a flick of his wrist, a massive warhammer appeared in his hand. He swung it toward Gildarts with tremendous force. The ground trembled as the hammer approached.
Gildarts didn't hesitate. He sidestepped the swing just in time, his movements quick and precise. The hammer slammed into the ground with a crash, sending debris flying.
Aiden's smirk never wavered. That wasn't the point of the strike. It was just a setup.
Before Gildarts could adjust, another portal opened, and a spear—crackling with energy—shot out, heading straight for his chest. Gildarts raised his arm, using his magic to deflect the spear with a swift motion. It ricocheted off him, but the impact left a noticeable dent in the ground.
His eyes narrowed. "You're not kidding around."
Aiden's smirk didn't falter. "Did you think I was?"
With a grin, Gildarts raised his hand and slammed it toward the ground, activating his Crush Magic. The earth trembled beneath them as he unleashed a destructive wave of energy. Rocks, trees, and even the air around them seemed to fracture and splinter.
Aiden's eyes gleamed, the chaotic energy of the moment making him feel more alive than ever. He snapped his fingers, and in an instant, his Celestial Inventory opened.
Countless golden portals erupted around him, and from them came an array of weapons—swords, spears, maces, and countless deadly artifacts—all floating in the air like a collection of lethal artwork.
His power, drawn from the boundless realms of the multiverse, was on full display.
A year ago, while exploring the depths of the Celestial Inventory, Aiden stumbled upon something that intrigued him—the Gate of Babylon.
It was then that the truth hit him. Something he had long forgotten.
The Gate of Babylon wasn't just some noble phantasm—it was an inventory, a repository. Its terrifying reputation hadn't come from the gate itself but from the treasures within it. At its core, the gate was a blank slate, empty by default.
That realization sparked something within him. He could do the same.
For the past few years, Aiden had been pouring everything from the Celestial Inventory into it. Every weapon, every artifact, every tool of war now resided within that gate.
Gilgamesh's gate had been legendary.
But Aiden's? His was something far worse.
A treasury that housed weapons from across all of existence—tools forged by myths, wielded by heroes, lost to time. The battlefield was no longer just a place of stone and dust—it was a canvas for total destruction. The golden gate pulsed with raw energy behind him, spilling forth its endless treasury in waves of weaponry that floated in the air like stars. Each one carried with it a story, a purpose, and an overwhelming power.
For Aiden, the power of the gate had become more than just a tool—it was his signature, a terrifying display of the infinite possibilities at his command.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a storm of weapons. Swords of various shapes and sizes cut through the air, hurling toward Gildarts with devastating speed.
Aiden controlled them with ease, directing their movements like an orchestra.
Gildarts' expression tightened. He immediately threw up his arm, activating his Crush Magic once again, this time to break apart the barrage of swords before they reached him. With each crash of his power, the weapons shattered, their pieces turning to dust.
But there were too many of them. More swords, more spears, and more weapons surged toward him, faster than he could react.
Aiden's smile never wavered. He wasn't just throwing weapons—he was using them to push Gildarts to his absolute limit. Every swing, every move he made was calculated to create chaos, to keep his opponent off balance.
Gildarts, his body crackling with magic, used his Crush Magic to tear apart reality itself, breaking the weapons that came at him. But it was relentless. Even as he tore apart a sword, another one would appear, this time with a massive bow attached to it, firing arrows that exploded on impact.
High above the battlefield, the airship hovered in silent tension, the crew on board straining to catch a glimpse of the battle below. The guild members leaned over the edge, eyes wide as the spectacle unfolded.
Onboard, Fairy Tail's members and Master Makarov stood gathered, all eyes glued to the action. They'd heard the stories, but seeing Aiden in full swing was a whole different experience.
Erza stood at the front, her arms crossed tightly, her eyes hard with concentration. She wasn't just watching the fight—she was analyzing every move, every counter. "This is... insane," she muttered under her breath.
Jellal, standing just behind Erza, couldn't hide his awe. He was clenching his fists, watching Aiden's every move as weapons appeared and vanished in a flash. "He's... unbelievable," Jellal said, his voice almost reverent.
Laxus stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the side of the airship, his usual smirk on his face as he watched the fight unfold below. His eyes followed every move Aiden made, an almost proud glint in his gaze, despite his gruff demeanor. The way Aiden controlled the battle, effortlessly unleashing weapon after weapon, was impressive.
"Typical Aiden," Laxus grumbled, though his voice carried a note of grudging admiration. "Always showing off."
Beside him, Cana glanced nervously at the fight. "Do you think Dad's gonna be okay? This looks pretty intense."
Laxus shifted his gaze to her, his smirk still in place. "Gildarts? He'll be fine. That guy's a walking disaster and still comes out on top every time."
But his eyes flicked back to the fight, watching as Aiden's barrage of weapons pushed Gildarts to his limits. The older man was doing his best to hold his ground, but Aiden's relentless attacks weren't giving him much breathing room.
Laxus rolled his eyes. "Jeez, he's really laying it on thick today. If he keeps this up, he's gonna make old man Gildarts look like a punching bag."
Cana shot him an exasperated look. "Laxus, you sound like you're actually jealous."
Laxus snorted. "I'm not jealous. I just hate how much he loves showing off. He's always gotta make everything look like a damn spectacle."
But despite his words, Laxus's expression softened as he watched the fight. It was clear to anyone who knew him that, deep down, he had a strange mix of pride and frustration when it came to Aiden. The guy was insufferable, sure, but he was also ridiculously strong—something Laxus had to admit, even if it drove him crazy.
Back on the battlefield, the fight between Aiden and Gildarts raged on. The endless storm of weapons from Aiden's Gate of Babylon had forced Gildarts to use everything in his arsenal to hold his ground.
His body crackled with energy as he used his Crush Magic to tear apart the barrage of swords, spears, and other weapons, but it was starting to wear on him, and that alone went to show just how strong Gildarts was. Not many could keep up with Aiden's relentless assault, let alone maintain their composure.
While this wasn't just a friendly sparring match—it was his S-Class exam, and he had to prove he was worthy of the title.. This was about showing Fairy Tail that he could stand among its greatest.
Of course, he held back a lot. Sure, he respected Gildarts, but Aiden wasn't about to humiliate him just for the sake of proving a point.
The golden gate pulsed behind him, weapons of all kinds spilling out. The battlefield was flooded with swords, axes, spears, even entire shields. Aiden wasn't just throwing weapons—he was overwhelming Gildarts with sheer force, using the Gate of Babylon like a canvas for destruction.
Gildarts was starting to slow. His movements were still precise, but the constant barrage was taking its toll. Every time he activated his Crush Magic, tearing apart the weapons in his path, another wave would come. And another. And another.
Aiden could see it—the older man was fighting with everything he had, but he was nearing his limit.
One more push. Aiden knew this was the moment to bring it all together. With a snap of his fingers, the Gate of Babylon flared with golden light, and a massive sword appeared, the size of a building, glowing with untold power. It hovered in front of Aiden, its blade shimmering with ancient magic.
"Let's wrap this up." Aiden muttered to himself. His grin stretched across his face, excitement buzzing through him. This would be the final test.
With a sharp movement, Aiden hurled the giant sword toward Gildarts, the force behind it enough to shatter the ground beneath it.
Gildarts barely had time to react. His Crush Magic flared, a massive shockwave exploding from his body to meet the sword head-on. The two forces collided with a deafening crash, and for a moment, everything stood still.
But Gildarts was still exhausted. His magic flared out in a final burst, trying to shatter the sword before it hit, but he was too drained. The sword didn't shatter—it tore through the shockwave, cutting through the air with unstoppable force.
The impact was massive.
Gildarts staggered back, his breath ragged, and collapsed to one knee, unable to muster the strength to keep fighting. Sweat dripped down his face as he wiped his brow, his body trembling from the exertion.
Aiden lowered his hand, the golden sword vanishing into the air as the Gate of Babylon closed behind him. He stood there for a moment, watching Gildarts catch his breath.
The fight was over.
He looked up at Aiden, still grinning, though exhaustion weighed on his expression. "Damn," he muttered. "I knew you were strong, but this… this is something else."
No one could stand against Aiden when he fought seriously.
Not Gildarts. Not anyone.
And today was proof of that.
—
As the dust settled and the echoes of the fight faded, the members of Fairy Tail aboard the airship let out a collective breath, still in awe of what they had witnessed.
Gildarts, though battered, had nodded in acknowledgment of Aiden's overwhelming strength. There was no question now about who had won; Aiden had bested him easily, but it was clear to him that Aiden had held back—a gesture he truly appreciated.
As soon as they landed Alma went by Aiden's side and gave him a warm, proud smile, she stepped up to him, gently brushing off a speck of dust from his coat. "You did great," she said, her voice soft but genuine. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and there was no hiding the pride she felt.
Aiden had proven himself yet again—not just as the future of Fairy Tail, but as a being beyond the ordinary. He was more than just a mage; he was Oberon, King of the Fairies, and today, they had seen just a glimpse of what that meant.
With a deep, satisfied breath, Makarov turned toward the guild members, who had been watching from the side. "Well," he said with a grin, his voice booming across the deck, "It's official. We have a new S-Class mage in our midst!"
A cheer erupted from the guild. The airship was filled with applause and excited chatter, the entire guild joining in the celebration of Aiden's accomplishment. Even Gildarts, though exhausted, gave a smile and a nod of approval.
Macao stepped forward. "To Oberon, King of the Fairies, and our newest S-Class mage."
Makarov raised a glass, his smile wide and full of pride. "Cheers!"
And as the guild erupted in cheers, Aiden's gaze softened just for a moment. He nodded, acknowledging his achievement, but it was clear that the title didn't define him.
What mattered was the future—the future that he would shape, and the legacy he would leave as the King of the Fairies.
And with that, the celebration continued, the guild united in their admiration for their newest S-Class mage, and the future of Fairy Tail—and Oberon—glimmered brightly ahead.
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