Preparations for the Exam Begin
(This is chapter 188, there's a mistake.)
Although the three members of the Thunder God Tribe clashed with Erza and Mira, their process of joining the guild was not hindered at all. Fairy Tail is a very inclusive family that can Take Over all kinds of oddballs without any reservations.
Even Bickslow insisted on having the guild crest imprinted on his tongue, the old man agreed without hesitation, and even used edible magical pigments for him.
The next morning, Makarov gathered everyone together and began announcing the candidates for this year's S-Class Exam. Just like the day before, it was Laxus, Erza, Mira.
They also announced that the assessment would be held in a monster forest south of the Kingdom of Fiore. Each participant could choose a non- S-Class assistant to accompany them during the assessment, which was scheduled for seven days later.
As S-Class Mage, Eleven stood with his hands behind his back behind Makarov, looking down at his friends who were looking up at them. He felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
So this is what it feels like when the president and Gildarts give speeches on the second floor? It feels kind of cool!
The mindset of being an examiner is completely different from that of being a candidate. There is no longer the fear and tension of the unknown, but rather a sense of composure and security in control of the overall situation.
Eleven felt he was probably even more excited than the three people who were about to be tested. He probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, and he couldn't wait to play with... no, test the three candidates participating in the trial.
The three people downstairs who were named to participate in the trial were also not very calm. Laxus was the most eager to try. Every time he saw Eleven standing on the second floor, he would get so angry that he wanted to start the test immediately, make him an S-Class instantly, and go up to the second floor to beat Eleven.
Erza and Mira were a little bewildered, both finding it hard to believe that the guild master had called their names. Unlike Natsu, who lacked self-awareness, they were confident in their abilities but knew they hadn't reached S-Class level.
After all, Eleven is an active S-Class fighter, and Mira Erza together have never been able to defeat Eleven.
They've always felt that only being able to go toe-to-toe with Eleven would qualify them as S-Class, and they've been working hard towards that goal.
However, they didn't realize that they weren't the only ones striving to improve; Eleven was also constantly getting stronger. If they could travel through time, perhaps they would have already completely crushed last year's Eleven.
However surprised they were, Mira and Erza were still very happy to have been recognized by the guild leader. They had another week, enough time for them to undergo another transformative strengthening process.
As for the choice of an assistant, Laxus doesn't have many friends anyway, so he can only choose one of the Thunder God Tribe's three underlings. It's unknown who he will choose.
Mira didn't hesitate much and immediately called Elfman to go out for special training. For this kind of eye-opening S-Class Exam, Mira naturally wanted to bring her younger siblings along. The fact that she could only choose one assistant was a huge pity for Mira; otherwise, she could have brought Lisanna too, making it so loving to have a complete family of brothers and sisters!
On the other hand, Erza was somewhat conflicted. Faced with Natsu Gray's self-proclaimed willingness, Erza held her chin, unable to make up her mind.
Watching the two arguing more and more fiercely over the position of assistant, and eventually even fighting, Erza sighed helplessly and gently reached out her hands to stroke Natsugra's head.
"How can I feel at ease with you two like this?"
Thump!!
Ignoring Natsu and Gray, who were lying on the ground with large bumps on their heads, Erza walked towards Cana.
Cana was watching the show from the sidelines, holding a bottle of liquor. When she saw Erza walking towards her, she quickly hid the bottle behind her back, wiped her mouth, and sat up straight, waiting for Erza's arrival.
Cana's drinking problem is getting worse and worse. Whenever you see her, you can find her holding a bottle and chugging it. Only in front of Eleven and Erza does Cana not drink so recklessly.
Erza simply didn't want a girl like Cana to drink too much, so she would scold Cana every time she saw her drinking.
Eleven, on the other hand, was rather silly. Perhaps he felt embarrassed that Cana was always drinking alcohol next to him when he wanted to drink juice, so he would try every possible way to stop Cana from drinking. He even went so far as to add tomato juice to Cana drink. Or he would endlessly ramble on about some grand principles that he himself didn't believe, hoping to make Cana feel guilty about drinking.
So, compared to Erza, perhaps Cana would rather Eleven see her drinking, not for any other reason than she's simply fed up with it. Wouldn't you be scared of someone who's constantly nagging in your ear and secretly pouring weird drinks into your bottle?
"Cana, I hope you can be my assistant during my S-Class Exam. Could I ask you for that?" Erza, oblivious to Cana's subtle movements, made a very serious request to Cana.
"Huh? Can I?" Cana's face was slightly flushed, whether from the alcohol she had just drunk or from Erza's request, it was hard to tell.
"Yes, I believe you have that kind of strength, Cana!" Erza nodded very seriously.
Cana actually had some aspirations for the S-Class Exam, and when she heard Erza's high regard for her, a smile immediately appeared on her face, and she agreed without hesitation.
"Hehe, Erza, nice to meet you."
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
On the morning of the eighth day, Makarov led the six participants in the assessment away from the guild and headed to the Monster Forest, the assessment location. Eleven had already set off the night before to make some preparations.
Laxus was still the same old Laxus, silent the entire train journey, sitting there with his arms crossed and eyes closed, seemingly resting. His companion, Freed, gazed at Laxus with unwavering admiration.
"As expected of Laxus, his composure and calmness in the face of danger are truly admirable!"
Erza and Mira, sitting on the other side of the aisle, looked somewhat different from a week ago. After a week of intensive training, their demeanor had changed to some extent; they were less lazy and more capable.
However, the biggest changes are seen in Cana and Elfman. After a week of grueling training... well, how should I put it? They were completely drained.
Few could keep up with the special training that Erza and Mira, those two female demons, received. Even now Cana and Elfman, who were their assistants, are still somewhat dazed, not understanding how they survived the previous week.