"The S-Class Exam?"
Laxus suddenly realized, "That's right, another year has passed. Its indeed the time to hold the exam."
Gildarts nodded and said, "Moreover, since Mystogan went to Edolas, the guild has one less S-Class Mage. We really need to select a new one."
Makarov looked at Ankh and explained, "I plan to suspend the S-Class Exams for a few years after this year's event concludes."
Ankh understood Makarov's meaning and agreed.
"I understand. Everyone needs time to consolidate their skills, and only over a longer period can we clearly see who truly stands out."
The reason the S-Class Exams were held annually in the past was because there were indeed enough qualified candidates, leading to the selection of Ankh, Erza, and Mirajane over several consecutive years.
But this year, frankly, no one met Fairy Tail's S-Class standards.
Although they could proceed with the exam without officially promoting anyone, it would be better to simply suspend the exams rather than demoralize the members too much.
Cana was a perfect example of how the pressure could weigh on someone.
Simply put, the guild had reached saturation in terms of selectable S-Class Mages.
Continuing the selection process right now would only lower the guild's prestigious S-Class standards.
"Then we will announce the participant list in a few days," Makarov said, images of several hardworking members flashing through his mind.
This year's exam might not produce any new S-Class Mages, but it should be quite entertaining to watch, as many participants were nearing S-Class in combat ability.
Unlike previous exams where the winner was obvious at a glance—except for that early competition between Ankh and Laxus—Makarov hadn't found much genuine amusement in them lately.
Just as Makarov was looking forward to this year's competition, Ankh suddenly asked, "Master, will this year's exam venue be Tenrou Island?"
Makarov blinked in surprise, scratching his head. "Huh? Did I mention that to you?"
Ankh shook his head. "I guessed. But Master, could we change the location this time?"
"Oh?" Makarov was even more puzzled.
But seeing Ankh's serious expression, he casually agreed.
"Though I don't know why... we will do as you say. It is not a big deal anyway."
Makarov felt that Ankh always had his reasons for such requests, and this minor matter could easily be changed.
At worst, they could take the children to pay their respects to the First Master another day.
Seeing Makarov agree, Ankh fell silent again, an unease stirring deeply within him.
In the original Fairy Tail story he had read in his past life, the plot only extended up to the Tenrou Island arc.
After the Black Dragon's roar, Ankh had no idea what happened to everyone.
Although, given the nature of the story, the guild members were certainly not going to die, the journey to Tenrou Island was still an extremely dangerous adventure.
If a risk could be avoided, it was better not to recklessly charge into danger.
Even so, Ankh still felt a vague sense of unease.
In this world, the traces of gods were becoming clearer, even affecting the Edolas world.
The Black Dragon had grown more terrifying, and the continents were physically drifting toward each other—who could guarantee that unforeseen plot developments wouldn't arise, completely unknown to Ankh?
'Ah... fuck' Ankh sighed wearily.
He would just have to deal with challenges as they came. The current situation was far more complicated than what he had planned as a child.
Laxus patted Ankh on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "Don't stress so much, Ankh. Focus on the S-Class Exam for now. As for that Western Continent and Northern Continent, they are nothing special. Weren't you able to handle them all by yourself back in the day?"
Ankh shrugged without responding, while Makarov watched the two young men with concern, hesitating to speak.
Makarov wanted very much to warn the two to be extremely cautious of the Alvarez Empire from the Western Continent—back then, they hadn't even used their full strength against Ankh.
But if he said that, the two would surely press for details, and he didn't want to burden them with too much pressure right now.
And so, after discussing a series of matters, the atmosphere in the guild returned to its usual calm.
....
A few days later, however, highly unpleasant news arrived.
The Magic Council had found the time to summon the Guild Master of Fairy Tail for questioning.
Master Makarov brought along Ankh, the "Council Intimidator," to provide a detailed explanation of the events leading up to the guild's disappearance.
The new Council Chairman, Gran Doma, was an extremely strict and meticulous old man with a long beard.
Upon learning about the otherworldly incident, he immediately flared up at Makarov, his beard bristling as he shouted:
"Makarov! Is this how you fulfill your responsibilities as a Guild Master?! You actually tried to handle such a major incident entirely on your own?! Do you have any idea how many people would be affected if you failed?!"
The atmosphere in the Council grew tense.
The other elders glared down at Makarov from the platform, their expressions filled with deep dissatisfaction and reproach.
Just as Makarov was about to try and smooth things over with a lighthearted remark, Ankh suddenly stepped forward.
Pointing directly at Gran Doma, whose face was a perfect picture of "How could you be so irresponsible?", Ankh yelled.
"SHUT UP!"
The room fell into dead silence. Gran Doma's face flushed red with anger.
He trembled as he pointed back at Ankh and roared, "How dare you! Do you know who you are speaking to?!"
Ankh sneered and replied, "I am speaking to a bunch of incompetent, useless fools who do nothing but occupy their positions and waste oxygen!"
At this, the council members erupted in total outrage, glaring furiously at Ankh.
But Ankh coldly swept his gaze over them, releasing a fraction of his magical pressure and the meeting hall fell silent once again.
"The Anima has been threatening the continent for so long—I refuse to believe you had zero information about it!"
"Even if you really are that blind, our guild's Mystogan formally reported the Anima incident to you years ago! The Guild Alliance knows about it too—are you deaf?!"
"Or do you just refuse to read the Guild Alliance's intelligence reports, preferring to only look at those nice, fat fine notices you send us?!"
Gran Doma felt cold sweat beading on his forehead, unconsciously tightening his grip on the snake-headed staff in his hand.
'Damn brat... How did this escalate to involving the Guild Alliance?!'
Even though the Magic Council was the superior authority over the Guild Alliance, if the Guild Alliance collectively expressed dissatisfaction and rebelled, this deeply unpopular Council would likely face another reshuffle and reorganization by the higher magical institutions.
The newly reformed Council hadn't even properly established its authority yet—they couldn't afford to add fuel to the fire...
Seeing that none of the councilors dared to voice their opposition, Gran Doma seethed with the urge to blast this reckless youngster into dust, but...
He didn't dare.
Unlike the elderly, patient Makarov, this young man was truly fierce—he could turn hostile in an instant.
If they pushed him too far and ended up with another Jellal situation, it would once again reflect incredibly poorly on their newly reformed Council.
Gran Doma stiffened his expression and changed the subject.
His tone softened slightly but still remained strained.
"Do not evade the question, Ankh of the Ten Wizard Saints. I am referring to your guild's operational procedures. If every guild acted as recklessly as yours, then—"
"Aren't we currently following the procedure by reporting to you right now?" Ankh interrupted him bluntly.
Watching Gran Doma's increasingly unpleasant expression, he coldly stated.
"As for pre-battle procedures, we will have to trouble the Council to either detect these crises yourselves and organize our counterattacks, or optimize your incredibly sluggish approval procedures. Otherwise, by the time your approval arrives, we might all be dead in battle!"
Gran Doma took a deep breath, his face flushing red as he forced an appearance of magnanimity.
Trembling slightly, he said, "Very well~ We will consider your suggestion appropriately."
Makarov swallowed nervously, subtly tugging at Ankh's sleeve.
Offending the Council like this wouldn't benefit his future path as the next Guild Master.
Ankh hadn't really considered this—after all, he might not actually become Guild Master.
With Laxus gradually becoming more reliable, all Ankh wanted now was the freedom to criticize whoever displeased him.
Besides, who knew when this Council might get wiped out by a villain again someday...
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