That afternoon, through Descartes' arrangements, the three Strauss siblings successfully obtained the qualification to enroll in the Fairy Academy.
At the same time, one hundred Exceed cats also successfully signed up.
With the enrollment of the new students, the Fairy Academy suddenly presented a scene full of youthful vitality. Every morning on the way to school, human children walked on the ground while cat children flew in the sky; the two groups would chase and scuffle from time to time, adding a bit of fun to their academic lives.
This day was the monthly school assembly. All students and faculty gathered at the academy's large playground to listen to the principal's speech.
On the playground, the cats sat together in the front row, their long tails swaying left and right behind them. this made the lower-grade students sitting behind them feel an itch in their hearts, wishing they could rush forward and grab them a few times.
On the high platform, although Principal Erza was advanced in years, her mental state remained quite vigorous. Not only were her eyes and ears sharp, but her voice was also very loud, lacking any trace of elderly weakness.
"...Regarding the bad atmosphere of students fighting privately outside the arena within the academy, I must emphasize this point again!"
Hearing this, the homeroom teacher for the first year of middle school felt his heart skip a beat, and cold sweat began to pour from his forehead.
Sure enough, every sentence of Principal Erza's subsequent speech was within expectations.
"The academy has repeatedly stated in the school rules that students must not fight 'privately'!"
"It is normal for conflicts to arise between wizards and for problems to be solved with strength. The academy also allows magic sparring between students, but whether it is sparring or a contest, it should take place in the arena, not in the classroom—and certainly, public property should not be damaged because of it!"
"However, just last month, three students ignored the school rules and fought privately in the classroom, causing serious damage to the teaching building. The economic loss exceeded 500,000 J, and the impact was extremely negative!"
"Here, I must criticize these three by name and simultaneously record a minor demerit!"
"First-year middle schoolers: Natsu Dragneel, Gajeel Redfox, and Gray Fullbuster!!"
"I hope the homeroom teacher of these three students can do a good job with their education, supervise the students more, and at the same time rectify the bad atmosphere of private fighting. Do not let the same thing happen again!"
The homeroom teacher: "..."
Is it that I haven't supervised them? Is it that I haven't rectified it?
Of course not!
I've lectured them countless times and punished them countless times, but these three children forget it as soon as they turn their heads and do it again next time. What can I do?
I just feel so tired! Why am I always the one getting hurt...
Not far away, Anna was also full of embarrassment. In her view, with Natsu and Gajeel being publicly criticized by the Principal in front of the entire school, she, as their guardian, bore a heavy responsibility.
As for the named Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel, they were currently looking at the white clouds in the sky with perfect silent understanding.
Seeing this scene, Erzi, standing in the student ranks, couldn't help but whisper a complaint to the classmate beside her.
"Sigh..."
"I feel like the Principal is nagging for nothing again. They didn't listen at all!"
Her deskmate Cana let out a hiccup smelling of alcohol, then smiled drunkenly: "The most pitiful one should be the homeroom teacher. I heard that because of this, his salary last month was directly cut in half..."
Lyon, standing nearby, couldn't help but say: "To be dead drunk on an occasion like this—I think sooner or later you'll be on the list for a school-wide public criticism too!!"
On the high platform, Principal Erza's speech continued.
"Our Fairy Academy and the Royal Capital Magic Academy have a long-standing tradition of conducting an 'exchange' every three years. This year, it is their turn to dispatch students here to study."
"The exchange student team will arrive in one week. I hope everyone can get along with them amicably when the time comes."
This simple piece of news immediately caused a flurry of discussion among the students below.
"Exchange students?"
Lisanna looked curiously at Erzi. She was new and not yet familiar with the Fairy Academy's systems, so she wanted to hear the views of locals like Erzi.
Erzi thought for a moment and said, "I think I have indeed heard of such a system, but I've never seen anyone from the Royal Capital Magic Academy before."
Elfman was stunned: "Didn't the Principal say the two schools exchange every three years?"
"An exchange every three years means 'we send people over, then three years later they send people here, and only after another three years is it our turn to send people over' again..."
"In other words, the last time they sent people over was already six years ago."
"Exchange students are usually middle school and university students. Six years ago, we had just started the first grade of primary school, so naturally, we had no chance to see any exchange students."
After Erzi's explanation, the two siblings understood the reason.
Erzi continued: "Generally speaking, those who can be sent to study at the other school are the outstanding students of their own school."
"My mother, Gray's parents, Uncle Bluenote, and Uncle Serena, who is always elusive in the guild—I heard they were all students sent by the Royal Capital Magic Academy to the Fairy Academy in the past. Then, during the year they were exchange students, they established deep friendships with my father and Uncle Gildarts, and that's why they stayed in Fairy Tail later."
Lisanna seemed to realize something upon hearing this: "Then... when the Principal said just now to 'let us get along amicably with the exchange students,' does she mean she wants us to learn from our guild seniors, establish friendships with them, and then keep them in the guild?"
Eh?? Is it like that?
Erzi was stunned: "I think... probably... not... right...??"
But having said it, she was a bit uncertain. Although she rarely met this great-grandmother of hers and didn't know her personality well, she was familiar with her own dad, Descartes. He was someone who looked serious but was secretly a bit "black-bellied." From a hereditary perspective, maybe this Principal really did have such intentions.
"In addition, there is one last thing."
On the high platform, Principal Erza's speech was not yet over.
"From the 11th to the 15th of next month is the day for the Fairy Academy's quadrennial school sports meet."
"According to custom, the academy will be open to the public at that time, and the town residents will also come to watch."
"I hope the students can participate actively and show off their magical talents to their heart's content."
This time, even Natsu and the others who had just been scolded perked up. They had only traveled to this era for a little over half a year, so they naturally hadn't experienced the sports meet from four years ago.
"A sports meet?! That sounds very interesting!"
"I say, idiot fire dragon..."
Gajeel hadn't finished his sentence, but Natsu already understood.
"Since the Principal has spoken and wants us to perform well, let's take this opportunity to cause a huge scene to our heart's content!"
"I'm fired up!!"