Makarov watched the cheering children with gentle eyes, then continued.
"Some of you are participating in the S-Class exam for the first time, so I'll explain the rules again this year."
Mirajane opened a booklet and explained carefully. "The eight selected participants must find a Mage from the guild to be their partner within the five-day preparation period."
"Partner?" Lucy counted on her fingers discreetly, calculating the numbers, and exclaimed in surprise.
"So that means sixteen people total in the competition? Wow... this really is the S-Class exam."
"This exam also tests the bond and understanding between partners. It's not just simple fighting."
Erza stood with her hands on her hips and authoritatively continued, "When choosing partners, you must strictly follow two rules."
"First, the partner must be a guild member. No external assistance is allowed."
"Second, you cannot choose an S-Class Mage as your partner."
Although Gajeel hadn't been selected and was initially disappointed, when he heard about the partner selection mechanism, he suddenly became serious again, his eyes glancing toward a petite figure not far away.
Unaware of Gajeel's expression, Lily thoughtfully said, "So that means Ankh, Erza, Mirajane, Gildarts, and Laxus cannot serve as partners for the examinees."
Gray nodded and said matter-of-factly, "Of course. Relying on the power of S-Class Mages wouldn't count as your own exam."
Ankh looked at the eager crowd below and smiled. "The detailed exam content will be announced after we reach Tenrou Island. But this time, I'll also be joining the exam to obstruct you all~"
"Eh—?!"
All the members simultaneously burst into exclamations of surprise, looking shocked.
Gildarts cheerfully added, "Not just Ankh—all of us S-Class Mages will be your opponents this time."
"Eh eh eh—?!"
Even more intense cries of panic erupted one after another, with all the participants wearing expressions of concern.
In previous S-Class exams, having one S-Class Mage as an examiner to assist the Guild Master was usually enough.
There had never been a situation like this year where all S-Class Mages were participating.
Natsu's eyes sparkled as he cheered happily, "Gildarts is participating too?!"
Gray immediately retorted, "What are you so happy about?!"
Looking at the imposing S-Class Mages on the stage, Lucy couldn't help but sigh.
"We have to defeat Ankh and the others to become S-Class Mages... That's basically impossible..."
As a member of the strongest team, she was accustomed to witnessing the terrifying power of Ankh and Erza daily, fully aware of the gap between Natsu, Gray, and them.
So choosing opponents is crucial...
Winning seems nearly impossible.
Erza and Laxus are the worst opponents—both are ruthless fighters who show no restraint.
Ankh and Mirajane are quite gentle, they might go easy during the battle... Gildarts isn't bad either, at least better than those two stern judges.
Seeing everyone deep in thought, Master Makarov nodded and gave the final instructions.
"The eight selected individuals and their partners must all gather at Hargeon Port in five days. That's all!"
...
After the meeting adjourned, the guild returned to its usual lively atmosphere.
Most of the examinees chosen by the Guild Master, except Mest, gathered around a table, along with Ankh who had come to listen in.
Gray propped his chin on his hand and grumbled irritably, "Why does this exam feel unusually difficult? We actually have to face Ankh and the others."
Lucy, nibbling on snacks at the table, remarked curiously, "It's surprising. Except for Cana, it seems like everyone else is participating for the first time."
Cana gloomily chugged from her barrel of alcohol and snapped, "Yeah, because I'm useless. I've failed the exam year after year..."
Lucy quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I didn't mean it as a taunt!"
Cana knew that well enough.
With a nostalgic look in her eyes, she recounted her painful past.
"The first year, I ran into Ankh who had just joined the guild. The next year, it was Laxus. Then Erza, followed by Mirajane, and another year, Mystogan..."
Hearing this heartbreaking list of names, the entire table fell into a somber silence.
Honestly, it wasn't Cana's weakness to blame.
If any of them had faced those monsters year after year, they'd have met the same fate...
Elfman, recalling memories of his older sister beating him up, clutched his head and wailed, "Will the path of a true man to become an S-Class Mage end before it even begins?"
In contrast, after venting her frustrations, Cana suddenly brimmed with confidence and declared.
"But this year is different. I will become an S-Class Mage."
"Lucy, how about being my partner?"
Lucy was taken aback, pointing at herself. "Me? But I'm weak..."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Lucy!" Cana slapped Lucy's shoulder heartily and grinned confidently.
"Your versatile Celestial Spirit Magic combined with my composite Card Magic—we'll be the perfect match!"
"And..."
Cana thought for a moment, then whispered something into Lucy's ear.
Lucy's eyes widened in shock, and she couldn't help exclaiming, "Really? That's amazing!"
"Alright then!"
Lucy, now filled with enthusiasm, high-fived Cana and declared passionately, "I'll definitely help Cana become an S-Class Mage!"
"That's the spirit!" Cana sounded like a cult leader.
Not far away, Freed and Bickslow also high-fived, clearly having formed a partnership.
Lucy noticed this, and her earlier confidence wavered slightly.
She forced a dry laugh and said, "So Freed teamed up with Bickslow after all. Their team is really strong too."
"Speaking of which, what about everyone else's partners? Have you all decided?"
Natsu was the first to point at Happy, declaring without hesitation, "I'm definitely choosing Happy!"
Happy proudly raised his paw. "Aye!"
Elfman frowned and said, "Happy... if the exam involves a speed race, wouldn't he make Natsu unbeatable when carrying him?"
Gray responded indifferently, "I don't really care. After all, if it comes to combat, Happy wouldn't be much help anyway."
Happy slumped with frustration. "Gray's words are so harsh."
But he immediately perked up, puffing out his chest confidently. "Just you wait! I'll definitely make Natsu an S-Class Mage!"
Natsu similarly clenched his fists with fierce determination. "That's right! This is one thing I won't back down from, even if my opponents are my friends!"
"Aye!"
The guild doors burst open with a bang as Happy and Natsu rushed frantically toward their home, shouting as they ran.
"No time to waste! Let's start hellish training right now!"
Watching the two run off into the distance, Lucy sighed helplessly.
"Those two... they really can't stay still for even a moment."