Just as expected, the moment Fairy Tail's master finished announcing the roster, the guild exploded into chaos once again.
"Wait a second, this list is wrong!"
Elfman Strauss slammed the table in protest.
"Kabe is one thing, but why are my sister and Erza participating too?! They're already S-Class Wizards!"
"I don't accept this either!"
Natsu Dragneel shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Instead of deciding everything yourself, old man, why don't we fight for it? Whoever's strongest gets to go!"
"This time I agree with Natsu."
Macao Conbolt folded his arms with a dark expression.
"I prepared for this year's S-Class Exam for months. If I don't even make the list, how am I supposed to accept that?!"
"Exactly!"
Wakaba puffed smoke from his cigarette and growled:
"Those young monsters may be talented, but us veterans haven't just been standing still all these years. It should be our turn by now!"
The guild was in an uproar.
But just as everyone was getting worked up, Makarov Dreyar calmly spoke the second half of his sentence.
"...Those listed just now are Fairy Tail Team A."
"Next, I'll announce the members of Team B."
Silence.
Instant silence.
The entire guild immediately became incomparably well-behaved.
Some stood perfectly straight.
Others sat upright with exemplary posture.
It was as if the people loudly questioning the guild master a second ago had nothing to do with them.
'Bunch of little brats.'
Makarov glared at the crowd before continuing.
"For Team B, I've decided that the captain will be..."
"Laxus Dreyar."
"The team members are Freed Justine, Levy McGarden, Sorano Agria, Gray Fullbuster, and Natsu Dragneel."
At some point, Laxus had already appeared on the second-floor balcony overlooking the guild hall.
After hearing the lineup, he clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Tch. Old man, the gap between the two teams is way too big."
"Other than Freed and the girl using Celestial Spirit Magic, the rest are basically trash fish."
"Can't you balance it a little? Put Erza or Mira on my team."
Makarov rejected him instantly.
"Not happening."
"Team A is my trump card for winning the championship. It has to be the strongest possible lineup."
"What? Then why not put me on Team A too?!"
"Because I want Fairy Tail to secure two top rankings at once!"
Makarov crossed his arms proudly.
"Kabe will take first place."
"And your team will fight for a top-five finish."
"Only results like that are worthy of Fairy Tail's current reputation!"
Laxus immediately fell silent.
The old man's words left him in an awkward position.
If he supposedly looked down on him, then why entrust Team B to him?
But if he truly valued him, why saddle him with a group of "rookies"?
"You bastard, Laxus! Don't underestimate us!"
Natsu cracked his fists loudly, flames already beginning to rise around his body.
"I'm absolutely going to beat Kabe and become champion!"
"So don't you dare drag me down!"
Watching Natsu instantly revive himself and enthusiastically prepare to challenge Kabe head-on, Laxus rubbed his forehead helplessly, already feeling a headache coming on.
'How does this idiot stay so optimistic with that brain of his...'
'Kabe left all of us behind a long time ago.'
Meanwhile, Makarov cleared his throat again.
"Ahem. Those are the two teams I've personally selected to represent Fairy Tail in the Grand Magic Games."
"But Master!!" ×2
Macao and Wakaba both tried to object again, only to be silenced by a single glare from Makarov.
"Quiet and listen."
The old man clasped his hands behind his back and slowly swept his gaze across the disappointed guild members.
"The royal family is placing enormous importance on this tournament."
"According to the information I received, not only will the citizens of Fiore participate, but the king has also invited neighboring countries and even high-ranking members of the Magic Council to attend in person."
"They're doing this for two reasons."
"First, to show the entire kingdom that Fiore values magic and encourages its people to become wizards."
"Second, to display the kingdom's strength to surrounding nations and intimidate those harboring ill intentions."
At that point, his gaze landed on the assembled members of Team A.
The expectations in his eyes were impossible to hide.
"That's why Fairy Tail, as the number one guild in the kingdom, must shoulder this responsibility."
"We must send out our absolute strongest cards for the kingdom to witness."
Then, after a brief pause, he added:
"However... these are only the teams I selected as guild master."
"The royal family has not placed any restriction on the number of participating teams each guild may enter."
"In other words, anyone whose name wasn't called..."
"If you still want to participate, you may freely form your own teams within the guild."
"As long as you gather six members, you can register with me..."
"And participate in this special S-Class Exam!!"
"W-What?!"
"So we can participate too?!"
"Master, are you serious?!"
"Damn, this is way more exciting than previous S-Class Exams!"
Shock turned into excitement.
Excitement turned into frenzy.
The entire guild instantly erupted into cheers as everyone was smashed over the head by this unbelievable news.