"Cana Alberona."
"Received!"
Cana rubbed her hands together. She had actually participated in the exam three times before, but the winners of those three exams were Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane, respectively.
Fortunately, three consecutive losses had left Cana so discouraged that she gave up on the following year's exam; otherwise, she would have been speedrun by Mystogan once again...
But for this exam, with her new cards, Cana was full of confidence.
The sixth S-Class Mage—she was determined to be it!
Makarov's voice continued: "Fried Justine."
Fried stood up, equally full of confidence. "The one to succeed Laxus must be me."
"Levy McGarden."
"Finally... I also..."
Having her hard work recognized, Levy was happy, but she also had a wry expression on her face. Because she sadly realized that among the six participants announced so far, she didn't seem capable of defeating any of them...
"Finally... Gajeel Redfox!"
Hearing his name, Gajeel let out a long sigh of relief. He had almost thought he wasn't on the list; if that were the case, wouldn't he be mocked by Natsu and Gray for an entire year about this?
Once the list of the 8 people participating in this year's S-Class Promotion Exam was released, the crowd in the hall began to stir.
"Except for Levy, the others are all very strong participants."
"I'm shaking with rage! What did our Levy ever do to you!"
"Everyone, do your best!"
Some were happy for their companions participating in the exam, while others were busy analyzing who would be the new S-Class Mage to emerge victorious.
But where there is joy, there is sorrow.
"Damn it! I wasn't selected again this year..."
Alzack felt terrible. He hadn't qualified for the promotion exam this year either, and what was even worse was that he didn't have the confidence to defeat even the weakest person on the list, Levy.
Ever since she was empowered by Hope using 'Archive Magic', Levy, who could now achieve "Word Magic", had overcome the flaw where her'Script' magic required writing to be activated. Her strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
Bisca comforted him from the side, "Don't be discouraged, there's always next year, Alzack."
Alzack's magic was 'Gunner', capable of creating magic bullets with different attack types. He and Bisca, who used 'Armor', were both immigrants from the Western Continent; they were a match made in heaven.
However, the frustrating part was...
They liked each other, and they both knew the other liked them back.
Everyone in the guild had discovered they liked each other, and they both knew that everyone in the guild could see the feelings between them.
But whenever these two shy individuals were about to break through the barrier, eh, they just wouldn't confess. Sometimes, it even made some of the old-timers in the guild feel anxious for them.
Lucy raised her hand weakly, "Um... Hope doesn't seem to be on the list?"
"Eh! That's right!"
Only then did everyone realize it. Even Gajeel and Juvia, who had joined later, were qualified to participate in this year's exam; there was no reason for Hope not to participate.
Feeling everyone's gaze, Hope smiled slightly, "Don't look at me. The Master asked for my opinion, but I never even thought about participating in the S-Class Promotion Exam."
Could it be because Hope was too strong, and the Master was afraid he would solo all the other participants, so he didn't let him join?
Everyone couldn't help but think this.
After all, he was the new "Strongest" acknowledged by Gildarts, capable of playing Laxus like a fiddle. Even if he skipped the exam and became an S-Class Mage directly, no one would actually have any objections.
As if reading everyone's thoughts, Hope's mouth curled up, "You guys don't know yet, do you? Actually, I've already been designated as the next Master."
"Eh!!!"
Watching everyone's stunned expressions, Hope shrugged innocently and said cheekily: "Actually, I don't want to at all. Being the Master is so tiring. But the old man hugged my legs, begging me with tears and snot running down his face. What could I do? I just had to reluctantly agree."
"By the way, Gildarts can testify to that!"
In a flash, the pressure was on Gildarts.
This kid really dares to say anything...
The drunkard uncle's mouth twitched, and he cleared his throat, "Although it's a bit exaggerated, the facts are just like that... And the Fifth Master has also been designated. Unfortunately, it happens to be yours truly..."
"Unfortunately your ass!"
Makarov was so furious at these two unreliable bastards that smoke was coming out of his ears. He instantly activated Giant Magic, "Let me, this designated Sixth Master, smash your dog heads!"
Makarov did indeed have the idea of letting Hope and Gildarts take over, but after Hope bizarrely agreed, he immediately passed the Master position to Gildarts, and Gildarts then conveniently passed it back to Makarov.
"That's how it happened. I have already deeply reflected on it."
After a chaotic mess, a bruised and battered Hope said this.
Gildarts, also sporting two black eyes, chimed in: "Yes, yes, we have deeply reflected. We won't make such jokes again next time."
"There's a next time?"
"Hehe..."
Distracted by these two nonsensical things, Makarov almost forgot there was actual business. He returned to a serious expression, "Because there are new members, I need to re-introduce the rules of the exam to everyone."
Mirajane, who was the guild's poster girl but actually acted as the guild's head steward, immediately and thoughtfully said to everyone: "In the seven days following the announcement of the participant list, those of you qualified for the exam need to invite a partner from within the guild."
"A partner?!" Lucy was a bit surprised.
Levy explained to her from the side: "This is a competition between pairs. While testing strength, it is also a test of the bond between them."
Everyone in the guild was long used to such rules. Fairy Tail was a guild that valued companions, so Makarov also took this aspect into consideration when designing the exam.
After Mirajane finished speaking, Erza immediately added, "There are three rules for choosing a partner. First, the invited partner must be a member of Fairy Tail."
"Second, the invited partner cannot be an S-Class Mage."
"Third, Hope is not among those who can be invited."
It seemed that Hope, this super-powerful non-S-Class aid, would be permanently locked in the "banned" slot for the exam from now on.
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