A Gathering of Heroes

While the women's meeting was being held downstairs, Eleven and Makarov were also having a meeting on the second floor of the guild regarding this year's S-rank assessment.

"Cana? Grandpa, are you serious? I don't think Cana has any hope of beating Mira and Erza right now." Eleven somewhat surprised by Makarov's suggestion.

It wasn't that Eleven thought Cana was incapable; in fact, Cana should have met the standards for participating in the S-class assessment. However, the main issue was that Mira and Erza were just too overpowered, completely exceeding the standards. Eleven only said that because he was worried about Cana getting hurt.

"Hmm, don't underestimate Cana. Her mission success rate is even higher than Erza's. Judging a mage's quality isn't just about combat power. Skill, intelligence, and luck are all crucial for a mage."

Makarov calmly explained to Eleven his reasons for recommending Cana. Although Eleven understood, he couldn't help but be a little worried. Even if the old man spoke eloquently, there would still be fighting during the assessment, and Cana would ultimately suffer the consequences.

However, Makarov has actually made significant improvements to the assessment this time, greatly reducing the importance of combat power and focusing more on testing the mage's all-round abilities.

To prevent a repeat of last year's Laxus- like outrageous contestant, Makarov transformed the assessment into a multi-stage game. Candidates were required to follow the steps systematically, preventing them from disrupting others' experience.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and little Wendy came skipping up the stairs, holding a task sheet in her hand. "Brother Eleven, there's a task you've specifically requested, and it's even an S-rank one!"

As the guild's cutest little mascot, Wendy was specially granted the right by Makarov to go upstairs to deliver messages. After all, cute things are allowed to go wherever they want!

The moment they saw Wendy, Eleven and Makarov, who had been having a serious discussion, instantly transformed into doting fathers, beaming with sweet smiles as they watched Wendy run towards them.

"Here you are, Eleven, your task sheet." Little Wendy held up her little hand and handed the task sheet to Eleven.

"Hmm, Wendy, you're really capable!" Eleven took the task sheet with one hand, and couldn't help but rub Wendy's little head with the other, the small touch making Eleven linger.

Wendy just chuckled sheepishly; she thoroughly enjoyed being praised.

Quite some time passed, until Wendy ran away in a daze, before Eleven finally looked at the mission list in his hand. In the past two years, as an S-class mage, he had become quite well-known, and he had received more and more assigned missions. He had long since overcome his fear of being assigned missions and didn't care much about it anymore.

"Oh? It's a mission from the royal palace, and it seems quite urgent," Eleven said, staring at the mission sheet.

"What kind of mission is it?" Makarov asked.

"I don't know. They said I have to go to the palace and the king will explain it to me personally."

"Oh, it seems to be a rather important mission. You'd better hurry up and set off; it wouldn't be good to keep the King waiting too long," Makarov urged, swaying slightly.

"But what about the assessment? I'm afraid I won't be able to make it back in time..." Eleven, somewhat conflicted.

"It's alright, it's alright. Gildarts will be back this year, and with Laxus on the side, we'll have enough manpower. You go and get back to work!"

"Hmm... okay then. Actually, I'd really like to continue being an examiner." Eleven with great regret.

Crocus City.

This is the capital of Fiore, the most prosperous city in the kingdom. Because all kinds of flowers bloom in the streets all year round, it is also known as the 'City of Flowers'.

Eleven had actually visited the capital many times, but he had never had a proper look around. Every time he came, he was always in a rush to complete his missions, and after finishing them, he would be arrested by the city guards for damaging the streets, leaving him no time to explore.

This time, he was also there on a mission and didn't have the chance to tour the city. Walking along the central avenue of the capital, Eleven secretly vowed that next time, after finishing a mission... well... never mind, next time he would definitely choose a time when he wasn't on a mission to come and properly explore the capital.

Passing through the labyrinthine gardens at the foot of the palace, and following the guiding soldier, Eleven arrived at a meeting room and pushed open a door even larger than their guild's.

Eleven, who pushed open the door, was surprised to find that there were quite a few people sitting inside. A strong magical energy wave rushed towards him, and everyone in the room seemed to be constantly attracted to the magical energy like a magnet, which was terrifyingly strong.

The most eye-catching person was a burly, bald man. When Eleven pushed the door open and entered, the bald man turned his head and smiled at Eleven, revealing a set of small white teeth.

"Oh? Mr. Jura? Long time no see. What are you doing here? Were you also specifically requested to come?" Eleven showed no embarrassment upon seeing Jura, instead acting quite familiar with him.

Jura wasn't a stingy person, and he was quite kind to Eleven. He never thought it was a big deal that Eleven and Mira had abandoned him and run away; money was just an external thing, what was a little financial loss!

"Yes, all the mages present are S-rank mages from various guilds, appointed by the King. I didn't expect you, Eleven, to be chosen for this mission. You're quite promising at such a young age. Please take a seat; His Majesty the King is about to arrive." Jura patted the seat next to her, gesturing for Eleven to sit down.

Eleven scratched his head and was about to go over and sit down when a loud wail suddenly came from across the conference table.

"Ah, so sad, so sad! I never imagined Fairy Tail mage would participate in this mission. I can almost see the mission failing because of him. Waaah, so sad."

눈_눈: "Phantom Lord guy?" Eleven stared at the wailing man, his brows furrowing.

The man was tall and wore a green trench coat. Several bandages were wrapped around his eyes, but tears were streaming down his face like a spring.

Aria of the Sky is an S-rank mage of the guild Phantom Lord.

Eleven knew the Phantom Lord members. Ever since the old man beat up the Phantom Lord guild leader a couple of years ago, the two guilds had been at odds and often had some friction.

Phantom Lord are a bunch of annoying creatures!

However, before Eleven could retort, someone sitting next to Aria started shouting and cursing.

"Hey! You bastard, don't startle me like that! I almost spilled my wine! You idiot!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a man wearing arm guards and armor, with tattoos under his eyes. Even in the palace, this man showed no manners whatsoever; he had his legs propped up on the table, a gourd of wine in his hand, and was clearly drunk.

Drunken Hawk - Bacchus!

The strongest mage of the Quatro Cerberus, with an unparalleled mastery of the "Drunken Chopping Palm" technique, is among the top-tier fighters even in the S-class.

Eleven didn't know this person, but just based on his straightforward personality and the Phantom Lord Yingzi who angrily confronted Spectre, Eleven had already started to like him.

"Sniff! Sniff!"

Eleven suddenly shivered. Before he knew it, an unidentified object had appeared behind him, sniffing him intently.

"Oh, young man, you have such a captivatingly handsome charm! How about joining our Blue Pegasus? You're sure to become a superstar!"

A sweet baritone voice entered my ears, bringing immense comfort. However, turning my head, I saw a short, fat, and sleazy-looking man with brown hair styled like an adult, striking a pose that was both unintelligible and radiant.

One Night, Wang Delei, Birthday!

The strongest man on the Blue Pegasus, though seemingly eccentric, is actually an unfathomable man... probably...

"Forehead..."

Eleven awkwardly declined the invitation from the oddball behind him, consciously keeping a distance to avoid letting this pervert continue to smell his scent.

This mission seems bleak. Can these guys in the room really work together?