Searching High and Low for Partners

After the list was announced, the guild instantly descended into chaos.

Some cheered, some sighed, and some had already started running around the hall looking for partners.

Cana rushed to Lucy's side, put her arm around her shoulder, and reached out to lift her chin, all in one smooth and fluid motion.

"Lucy, be my partner."

Lucy blushed slightly at this sudden display of intimacy.

"Oh, really? Can I really do it?"

"It's alright, it's alright. Just consider it as participating in the S-Class Exam in advance and getting familiar with the process."

Cana smiled nonchalantly, as if the S-Class Exam was no different from shopping at the market.

Seeing Levy Cana had taken the initiative to win over Lucy, Levy immediately ran over.

"Lu-chan, don't you want to be my partner?"

She blinked her big eyes, her gaze screaming, "Pick me! Pick me!"

Lucy glanced at Cana on the left, then at Levy on the right, and couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, I've become a hot commodity?!"

She stood with her hands on her hips, chin slightly raised, a hint of smugness in her eyes, feeling her status in the guild rising rapidly.

However, Cana mercilessly stabbed her in the heart.

"It's better to find a female partner; it's more convenient. The guys are too chaotic; they're all like monkeys."

Lucy's smile froze on her face.

"Isn't it because I've gotten stronger recently?"

She was somewhat hurt. She had just thought that the two examiners were fighting over her because of her rapid improvement in strength, but it turned out it was just because of the right gender.

"No matter how strong you are, can you be stronger than any S-Class?"

Cana tilted her head, her face full of genuine question.

Lucy opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"That's true."

Her shoulders slumped, and her earlier smugness vanished instantly.

Levy tiptoed and gently patted Lucy's shoulder, her touch light and comforting.

"I value Lu-chan's intelligence, not just because you're a girl."

"Levy-chan!"

Lucy was moved to tears and held Levy's hand.

Cana waved her hand and turned around decisively.

"Then you guys form a team, I'll go find Lisanna."

Gajeel stood in the corner, his iron rod planted on the ground, his eyes darting around.

He also wanted to participate in the S-Class Exam, even though his name wasn't on the list. What if someone needed a partner?

He moved step by step toward Juvia, taking tiny steps, barely moving half a meter in a long time.

"Hey, do you have a partner?"

Juvia sighed, her face filled with disappointment.

"I wanted to find Lord Gray, but he's also a member of the assessment team and can't team up with Juvia..."

Gajeel coughed twice, then coughed twice more.

Juvia looked at Gajeel with a puzzled expression and tilted her head.

"Gajeel, is your throat sore? Should we go see Lord Riyao?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Gajeel's face flushed slightly, and he finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth.

"If you don't have a partner, I'm open to being your partner."

As soon as he finished speaking, Juvia rolled his eyes.

That eye roll was clean and crisp, its destructive power comparable to a straight punch.

Even Lily, standing nearby, sighed and flicked its tail slightly.

"Gajeel, who can understand your roundabout way of inviting me?"

"Shut up! I've already tried my best!"

Enraged, Gajeel slammed his iron rod on the ground twice.

Levy and Lucy were already huddled together, heads touching, discussing how to deal with the assessment.

"I think we can use spells in conjunction with Lu-chan's Celestial Spirits to create a control chain."

"Yes, yes, and then I'll use Star Dress to supplement my damage output!"

The two became increasingly excited as they talked, drawing tactical diagrams on the table with their fingers.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed.

Leo makes a dazzling entrance, running out of the Celestial Spirit World on his own, striking a flamboyant pose.

Lucy was completely stunned, her mouth agape in an "O" shape.

"Leo, what are you doing out here?! I didn't summon you!"

"I'm here to be Gray's partner; it was agreed upon a long time ago."

Leo pushed up his glasses, looking completely nonchalant.

"Huh?! But... but..."

Lucy pointed at Leo, her fingers trembling, and she could barely speak.

Leo boldly took off his shirt, revealing the guild crest on his back, his muscle lines particularly defined under the light.

"I'm still a member of Fairy Tail, you know. I'm qualified to participate in the assessment."

Gray walked over and put his arm around Leo's shoulder; their tacit understanding clearly showed they were old partners.

"Sorry Lucy, Leo is my partner now."

"Don't worry, I used my own magic to get out; it won't affect Lucy."

Leo winked at Lucy.

"You won't be able to summon me for a while, so be careful."

Upon hearing Leo's words, Lucy sighed deeply and put her hands on her hips.

"Fine, fine, you've grown up, you're independent now, I can't control you anymore."

Leo looked at Lucy speechlessly.

"Why do you talk so arrogantly?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a hand silently landed on Leo's shoulder.

Riyao appeared behind Leo at some point, a kind smile on his face.

I'm going to sue you for defamation.

Leo sprang up, the hairs on the back of his head standing on end.

The trauma of Riyao strangling him in the Celestial Spirit World last time was still fresh in his mind; he would never forget that feeling.

"Can you please stop appearing behind me? You're scaring the Celestial Spirit!"

"Hmph, isn't it because you have something to hide?"

Riyao withdrew his hand, smiling innocently.

What kind of ghost could I possibly be!?

Leo adjusted his glasses, trying to appear calm, but the cold sweat on his forehead betrayed him.

Cana circled around and found Lisanna carrying plates at the bar.

She lunged forward, hugged Lisanna from behind, and nuzzled her face against hers.

"Hey Lisanna, help me out, be my partner."

Lisanna nearly dropped the plate when Lisana was hugged so tightly, and she hurriedly steadied herself.

"Hmm, sure, but could you let go first? I need to serve the dishes while you're holding me like this."

"You have to promise me first!"

"Okay, okay, I promise, I promise, let go now!"

It was much simpler with Freed. He walked straight up to Bickslow, the two exchanged a glance, and nodded.

Years of tacit understanding need no words.

It's settled then.

Evergreen frowned, scanned the crowd, and finally fixed her gaze on Elfman.

She walked up to Elfman in her high heels, tilting her chin up.

"I can be your partner, aren't you happy?"

Elfman looked down at the woman who was almost two heads shorter than him and opened his mouth.

"Well..."

"Hey, what's with that expression?!"

Evergreen's face instantly darkened, and she poked Elfman's chest with her fan.

"Shouldn't you feel honored to have me as your partner? Cheer up!"

Mirajane noticed the situation and a smile flashed in his eyes as he walked over with light steps.

"Yes, I think it suits you too."

"Right? He actually looked really embarrassed. Isn't that infuriating!"

Evergreen crossed her arms and snorted.

"I think Elfman was just too surprised, after all, it was Evergreen who personally invited him."

Mirajane added with a smile.

"Yes, yes, that must be it."

The two of them talked back and forth, and just like that, Elfman's partner was decided.

Elfman stood in the middle, opening his mouth several times, but couldn't get a single word out.

No, why don't you ask for my opinion?!

He silently shouted it in his heart, but his face still maintained a manly and resolute expression.

Forget it, there's no point in resisting anyway.

Mest walked through the crowd to Wendy, bowed slightly, and spoke politely and earnestly.

"Wendy, can I be your partner?"

Wendy pointed to herself, her eyes wide open.

"Can I do it? This is my first time participating in this kind of assessment..."

"Yes, your support skills are exceptional; they're among the best in the entire guild."

Mest's tone was serious; she wasn't just being polite.

"Furthermore, you possess considerable combat prowess; the Sky Dragon Slayer isn't just for show."

Wendy was a little embarrassed by the compliment, her face flushed slightly, and she clasped her hands together in front of her.

"Thank you for your recognition. I'm honored to be your partner."

Carla watched from the side, gently flicking her tail, without saying a word.

And so, all eight members of the assessment team finalized their partners.

After everything was settled, everyone lined up and came to Riyao's side.

After all, the S-Class Exam is in a week, and everyone wants to be in top condition for that tough battle.