The List Is Announced

Under the expectant gazes of everyone, the entire guild was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Makarov took a deep breath and uttered the first name.

"Natsu Dolanigel!"

Natsu clenched his fists, his smile was exceptionally bright, and his two rows of teeth were practically glowing.

I knew it!

Happy flapped his wings and did three somersaults in the air, cheering joyfully.

"Aye! Natsu is going to be an S-Class hero!"

Makarov continued reading the second name.

"Gray Fullpasta!"

Gray lowered his head slightly, a smug smile playing on his lips, and snorted.

"Of course."

Ur patted Gray on the shoulder from the side and gave him a thumbs up, with a firm pat.

"You're a worthy apprentice. Keep up the good work."

Gray's shoulder swayed from the slap, but his expression became even more smug.

"Cana Arupelona!"

Cana suddenly stood up, waved her little fist in Gildarts's direction, and looked at him with a defiant glint in her eyes.

Gildarts grinned, crossed his legs, and swung them around, looking anything but serious.

"Keep it up, don't get eliminated in the first round."

Cana's lips twitched.

"You wait, I'll beat you up first when I get S-Class."

"Levy MacGarden!"

Levy jumped up excitedly.

Jet and Troy pulled out colorful balls from somewhere, waving them around while shouting slogans.

"Levy win! Levy win!"

Levy their antics, her face turning red, but she still couldn't help laughing.

Elfman Strauss!

Elfman suddenly stood up, striking a classic bodybuilding pose, his arm muscles bulging.

"A real man's goal is to reach S-Class!"

Lisanna clapped her hands beside her, her eyes shining with joy that her brother could participate in the assessment.

"Go for it, brother!"

"Juvia Roxsa!"

Juvia paused for a moment, pointed at himself, and blinked.

"Juvia? Can Juvia participate too?"

She immediately realized what was happening and excitedly rushed towards Gray.

"Freed Sting!"

Bickslow slapped Freed on the shoulder with such force that Freed staggered forward.

Freed's expression was serious.

"I will inherit Laxus's will and pass this test."

"Mest Gladner!"

Mest closed her eyes and remained silent, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression as calm as a still pond.

The people around them whispered among themselves.

"It was such a pity about Mest last year; she clearly had the ability."

"Yes, it should be fine this year."

Makarov put away the list and then made the announcement.

Only one member will become S-Class Mage in this assessment. The assessment will officially begin in one week, so use this week to get into shape.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a voice boomed from the crowd.

"Hey! What about me?!"

Gajeel jumped up from the chair with a loud bang.

"Juvia got selected, why wasn't I?!"

Lily, standing at his feet, glanced at him sideways and slowly flicked its tail.

"I've heard all that. It seems you're not well-liked in the guild. I heard it from Erza."

Erza on stage gave them a disdainful look, with a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.

You're still early.

Gajeel collapsed to his knees, his hands bracing against the ground, his entire body turning ashen.

orz

Lily sighed beside him.

Gajeel raised his head, tears welling up in his eyes; he had no words to express his suffering.

Mirajane and Erza then added to the assessment rules, including the pairing rules.

Lucy covered her mouth, her eyes wide open.

"Huh? We have to defeat S-Class Mage?! Is that even possible?"

The image of Riyao punching the enemy away automatically flashed through her mind, followed by the image of herself being punched away.

Max shrugged, his tone quite relaxed.

"They'll probably go easy on you a little; if you really go all out, who can get through?"

Warren nodded and added.

"And you can team up with other people; with more people, there's always a chance. It's not about going one-on-one; you can win if you cooperate well."

Wendy exclaimed in surprise, her eyes sparkling.

Everyone is so amazing.

Carla squatted down next to Wendy and suddenly paused.

Several fragmented images appeared in my mind, like shards of a broken mirror, impossible to piece together.

A black-haired man stood in the woods, the surrounding trees were withering, the leaves falling one by one, turning to ash before they even hit the ground.

Another scene shows a dark red sky with red rain falling, and the air so stuffy it's hard to breathe.

These images were very depressing, making Carla feel suffocated in her chest.

"What's this?"

She frowned, trying to grasp those images, but they slipped through her fingers like sand.

Riyao walked over at some point, squatted down, and reached out to pat Carla's head.

What are you daydreaming about? Do kittens have worries too?

Carla suddenly snapped back to her senses, her fur standing on end.

"Let me go, you scheming man!"

She broke free, clenched her paws into tiny fists, and gave Riyao's calves a series of cat-like punches.

Slap slap slap, the hitting was quite rhythmic.

Riyao chuckled and withdrew his hand, feeling no pain whatsoever.

"Okay, okay, I won't touch it."

Gildarts raised his hand, his voice not loud, but everyone heard him.

"I'll be participating this time too! Surprised? Unexpected? Excited?"

The entire guild fell silent for half a second, then erupted into chaos.

"No way?! Gildarts is getting involved too?!"

"Riyao is one thing, but Gildarts is coming too? This is going to be really tough."

"Who can get past this? Four S-Class guards! We might as well just give up."

Only Natsu was so excited that his cheeks flushed red, and his eyes were practically spitting fire.

"Really? That's great! We can fight Gildarts now!"

Gray stared at Natsu speechlessly, his hand trembling as he rubbed his forehead.

"What are you so happy about, you idiot? Don't you understand the rules of the S-Class Exam at all?"

Natsu wasn't listening at all; he was jumping around, having a blast.

Riyao clapped his hands, the sound drowning out the noisy discussion.

"Alright, if any of the participants are feeling unwell, feel free to contact me for treatment. This offer won't be available after the deadline."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Elfman rushed to Riyao's side.

"Seriously? You've pulled a muscle!"

Riyao glanced at his bulging biceps and sighed.

"You've overdone it! How many times have I told you training should be gradual..."

Some characters are good partners.

Others are looking around, wondering who would be a reliable partner.

Lucy took a deep breath, fixed her hair, walked up to Natsu, and gave him a flirty wink.

"Lucy, what's wrong with your eye? Is it cramping?"

Natsu tilted his head, his face showing genuine concern.

Lucy's lips twitched, and her fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"You idiot, I came here to ask if you've found a partner yet?!"

"Happy!"

Natsu blurted it out without even thinking.

Happy flapped his wings.

"Aye! We're an invincible team!"

Lucy stood there, silent for three seconds.

Then she turned around and walked back to her seat step by step, her back view showing an indescribable sense of vicissitude.

This person and the cat should be locked up together forever.