Honorable Mentions
25. Lucy "Princess" Heartfilia
24. Freed "The Dark" Justine
23. Ikaruga
22. Juvia "The Great Sea" Lockser
21. Rustyrose
20. Meredy
Future Rating: 9 - Wizard Saint Class
Being a master in the usage of a Lost Magic, Meredy can find herself easily into being one of the top mages in the future. But still, she has a lot of competition in her generation who empowers even stronger magics like Dragon Slayer Magic and God Slayer Magic.
19. Midnight
Future Rating: 9.2 - Wizard Saint Class
Another one that could be put even higher on the list. Midnight's dark magic and reflector magic are powerful enough to move Natsu and Erza to exhaustion, but until we see more of his destructive side, the 18th spot is arguably just right.
Future Rating: 9.2 - Wizard Saint Class
I am sure he may become just as strong as Gray, but I'm not sure if he has a powerful Ice-Make spell like Gray's Ice-Make Unlimited. Otherwise, he will have no problem beating Rufus and be on the same par as Gray.
Future Rating: 9.2 - Wizard Saint Class
Although she does not employ any particular powerful magic, Kagura is no doubt a beast. Her swordsmanship is as skillful as Erza's and I believe that she can improve way more in using her gravity magic.
Future Rating: 9.2 - Wizard Saint Class
Would have even been higher on the list if he could be faster and keep up with magical attacks that come in large quantities. If Rufus has perfected his Memory Make, he could be even stronger than Gray and Lyon.
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Why is she placed lower than Wendy? Well, this is because throughout the series, we've seen Wendy improve so much while Chelia is just a side character. Also, I personally favor Dragon Slayer Magic over God Slayer Magic, so Chelia's potential may not reach Natsu's or Gajeel's or Wendy's.
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
How much has Wendy improved since the Oracion Seis Arc? ... A LOT. Once a shy girl who can only use support magic, she has now mastered some forms of Secret Dragon Slayer Art and can now enter Dragon Force.
13. Gray Fullbuster
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Gray is so high on the list? Yes, of course. Even though Ice-Make may not be as strong as Lost Magic, he has demonstrated his boldness and chaos (in a good way) with his Ice Magic through defeating Rufus and Doriate. Also, if Gray manages to somehow gain his devil slayer magic again, there is definitely no doubt that he will reach WS level one day.
12. Orga Nanagear
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Orga might not be the smartest mage on the list, but his Lightning God Slayer magic is undoubtedly one of the most destructive. But he has room for improvement with his black lightning, and may soon even reach Laxus' level.
11. Mirajane "The Demon" Strauss
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Mira is probably the most underrated S class mage in Fairy Tail, and might even be underrated in general. But don't forget that she still hasn't revealed what her strongest Takeover (Satan Soul: Sitri) can do. We know that she gains super strength and super speed from it, and that can already allow Mira to take down an ordinary mage with much ease.
10. Rogue Cheney
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
We have already seen how powerful Future Rogue is in the GMG arc. Natsu could not deal with Future Rogue at all. This is the beast Rogue is going to become in the future. But I just hope that Rogue won't turn evil.
9. Sting Eucliffe
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Of course, when Rogue is this high up on the list, Sting will automatically be this high ranked as well. I can predict that his White Dragon Slayer Magic will grant him even more power and speed, since it is some sort of "holy" magic.
8. Cobra
Future Rating: 9.3 - Legendary Class
Yes, Cobra is in the top 10. Why? Well think about what he can do, he can listen to anyone's thoughts. When he even does that faster as he improves and perfects his Poison Dragon Slayer magic, how strong would he be?
Future Rating: 9.5 - Legendary Class
I wasn't going to put Minerva up on the list since she is considered a demon now. But whatever, she still has her human qualities. With her improved form, she can easily gain even more potential. Additionally, she already employs an extremely powerful magic.
6. Jura "Iron Rock" Neekis
Future Rating: 9.5 - Legendary Class
Jura is only number 6? Yes, He might be one of the strongest in his generation, but is he able to keep up in the future... when Natsu, Erza, and Laxus can improve even more since they're way younger?
5. Gajeel "Black Steel" Redfox
Future Rating: 9.5 - Legendary Class
Another dragon slayer on the list, and this time, it's Gajeel. We saw how much of a beast he was with his Iron Shadow form! So... imagine him using this form to fight against Natsu's Flame Lightning form. A massive amount of things will be destroyed and Master Makarov will turn into a hobo since he will have to pay so much for all the destruction.
4. Erza "Titania" Scarlet
Future Rating: 9.5 - Legendary Class
Of course, our sexy Titania is this high up on the list. Everyone knows that she will become as powerful as a Wizard Saint once she hits her adulthood. Well, she is already nearly there and she's only 19! Also, after Makarov and Gildarts retire as masters, Erza is probably the one who will inherit the title as Fairy Tail's master.
3. Laxus Dreyar
Future Rating: 9.5 - Legendary Class
He already defeated Jura, and he is only 23 years-old. Laxus is amazing... and he will be even more powerful in a few years. Just like Jellal, Laxus can move in absolute speed, and he may even get faster. Laxus already knows Dragon Slayer Secret Art, but what more can he do in the future?
Future Rating: 9.7 - Legendary Class
Already reached the Wizard Saint level, Jellal is definitely the strongest mage of his generation in X791. After seeing his most powerful spell of his Heavenly Body Magic, I am convinced that he still has room for improvement, and may even be as good as Master Hades.
1. Natsu "Salamander" Dragneel
Future Rating: 9.8 - Godly Class
Who else but Natsu? Some of you might disagree, but in most of the animes, the main protagonist is usually not the strongest yet but definitely has the highest potential to be the best (Natsu, Ichigo, Luffy, Naruto etc.). This is the case in Fairy Tail, where Natsu seems like the one who will defeat Zeref!
As you can see, all of these mages will reach an extremely high level when they gain more experience, for their generation is indeed filled with prodigies from all around Fiore. They will most likely exceed the SS Class level and possibly peak at a Wizard Saint level.
