While Lucy was still surprised, the Guild Master had just finished explaining the rules.
Makarov continued, "Some of you are participating for the first time, so next, I'll explain the rules!"
"The eight people selected this time need to find a partner within a week to participate in the S-Class Exam together."
Mirajane followed the Guild Master's words, saying it with a mischievous wink at Everyone below.
Lucy questioned, "A partner?"
"This is a two-person team battle, and it will also test the bond between partners!"
"However, this time it's already considered good. Before, when Zorn and the others took their S-Class Exam, it was a one-on-one battle to pass!"
"Back then, they..."
Lisanna, hearing Lucy's question, promptly explained it to her, and finally recalled the scene of Erza, Mirajane, Laxus, Zorn, and others taking their S-Class Exam.
Thinking of the intensity of those battles, her voice faltered.
Before she could finish, Erza's voice came from above.
"Choosing a partner must adhere to two rules."
"First, the other person must be a Guild Member of the Fairy Tail Guild."
"Second, you cannot choose an S-Class Mage."
As soon as the words fell, Everyone below let out a collective gasp.
"So, we can't choose Zorn and the others on the stage!"
Wendy put her finger to her chin, pondering as she spoke.
But she didn't notice Carla beside her, who was looking at Zorn on the stage with a shocked expression.
Her expression held both shock and a hint of fear.
Zorn also noticed Carla's shocked expression at this moment and smiled at her.
In an instant, he also thought of Carla's ability to foresee the future, realizing she must have seen something. He decided he would find an opportunity to ask her about it after the meeting was over.
"The detailed content of the S-Class Exam will be told to you when we reach Tenrou Island!"
"As for the assessment of your strength, Zorn, Erza, and the others behind me will be the ones to stop you."
"Ah~~~"
Upon hearing this, Every Guild Member gasped, and exclamations filled the air.
"This difficulty..."
Lucy murmured in disbelief, silently praying for the eight teams participating in the S-Class Exam.
But what she didn't know was that she would also be among them.
"Stop complaining! This is the only way to become an S-Class Mage!"
"Back then, Laxus and Zorn didn't have this much discussion!"
Gildarts said it with utmost ease.
A large portion of the Guild Members below had also participated in Laxus and Zorn's S-Class Exam, where their terrifying magic had destroyed half the beach and caused the sea to rush in.
Thinking of that scene, Everyone swallowed hard.
They all looked at Zorn with fearful eyes, but Zorn remained silent, still smiling at Everyone.
"Bang~"
"Let me just say this: you'd better come with the intention of defeating me. Don't expect me to hold back!"
Laxus clapped his hands together, sparks flying, and looked at Everyone with a wicked, playful smile.
"This is also my first time serving as an examiner. Don't worry, I'll see it through to the end!"
Ur spoke in a gentle tone, but Everyone felt a chilling coldness, especially Gray, who had been excited. When he heard Ur's voice, he instantly shivered.
"Gray, are you cold...? Juvia will warm you up."
Juvia immediately hugged Gray's arm, her expression full of affection and longing. Seeing no reaction from Gray, she secretly rejoiced, knowing that an attack at this moment would indeed yield double the results.
A woman pursuing a man is like separated by a thin veil.
"This difficulty... how could anyone pass...?"
"No way..."
Elfman and Levy, however, were constantly worried and fearful. The terror of those few on stage was already deeply ingrained in their hearts.
Meanwhile, Freed looked at Laxus with an expression of reverence: "Lord Laxus, I will definitely stand by your side. I will show you my strength, Lord Laxus..."
"The eight selected individuals and their chosen partners will gather at Harujion Port in one week."
"Done!"
After the Guild Master finished speaking, Zorn waved his left hand, and a golden magic circle rose from beneath their feet.
"Wait for us~"
Simi suddenly broke free from Cana's embrace and, along with Tami, flew and ran onto the stage.
Simi directly burrowed into Zorn's embrace, while Tami squatted on Laxus's shoulder.
As Zorn and the others were about to disappear, they conveyed a final reminder to Everyone: "Everyone, choose your partners carefully and prepare. We need to set up the venue first!"
...
After the S-Class Exam was announced, Everyone gathered together, discussing the issue of partner selection.
Gray thought about the examiners and sighed, "This year's S-Class Exam is truly hellishly difficult!"
"Ah~ I don't care who the examiner is, I will definitely become an S-Class Mage! I'm fired up!!!"
Natsu was still extraordinarily excited, breathing fire upwards to express his passionate mood.
He had long envied the S-Class Exam, and this time, no matter who it was, he was determined to pass.
"Man Elfman, why am I getting further and further from being an S-Class Mage~"
Elfman, however, clutched his head, roaring in pain. As Mirajane's younger brother, he deeply understood his sister's terror, not to mention Zorn and Laxus, who had become S-Class Mages even earlier than her.
Moreover, Laxus was his sister's examiner.
In this situation, how could he still be filled with hope?
"Haha~" Lucy gave a wry laugh. She also knew how difficult it would be to pass the S-Class Exam under these circumstances.
She turned her head and suddenly saw Freed choosing Bickslow as his partner, so she cautiously asked Everyone.
"By the way, has Everyone chosen their partners yet?"
"My partner is, of course, Happy."
Natsu naturally blurted out, choosing Happy beside him.
"That's too unfair! If it's a speed race, Happy can fly, so you'll definitely win..." Elfman was the first to express his envy.
Lisanna then comforted her brother: "I don't think there's anything wrong with that, Brother Elfman. You can also take over some faster Magical Beasts, can't you!"
"Right, I don't care at all. If it's about combat, then it's not certain!" Gray glanced at Happy indifferently, feeling very relaxed.
"You're so hurtful, Gray. Just wait and see, I will definitely make Natsu an S-Class Mage!"
Happy's confidence was completely stirred up.
"On this matter, as a companion, I will absolutely not back down!"
"Training starts~ Happy, let's go, let's work hard together!!!"
"Aye~"
Natsu's face was also determined, his hands clenched into fists, and flames rising into the air expressed his confidence.
In a short while, he ran off with Happy, leaving no trace.
"Go, Natsu!"
Lucy looked at the distant Natsu with a blessed smile, and at the same time, she saw Juvia's shy figure.
"Th-that... Juvia, I... want to withdraw from the S-Class Exam... I... want to team up with Lord Gray..."
Juvia placed her hands in the center of her lap, her shoulders shrugging, and her cheeks flushed. This shy demeanor instantly made Everyone around her understand.
However, Gray, being completely oblivious, leaned closer and continued to ask, "What are you talking about...?"
"Th-this... this..." Juvia's face turned even redder. She could already feel Gray's breath.
"Bang!"
A fist slammed onto Gray's head, the bench instantly shattered, and Gray lay on the ground with a prominent bump on his head.
"You're such an idiot~ You don't even understand such an obvious meaning."
Cana suddenly spoke, punching Gray onto the ground.
"Juvia, I'll leave Gray to you!"
After Juvia heard what Cana said to her, she immediately became infatuated, leaning over Gray and caring, "Lord Gray, Juvia will kiss it better." She blew on the large bump.
To be continued~
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