Partners Decided!

After Makarov announced his disbandment, the guild did not immediately return to calm. Instead, the topic of "partners" sparked a new round of heated discussions.

Looking at her companions who had already started forming their own groups, Lucy asked curiously, "By the way, has everyone decided on their partners yet?"

"That goes without saying!"

Without a second thought, Natsu patted his chest and proudly pointed to Happy on his head.

"Of course I'm paired with Happy!"

Happy, pleased with Natsu's unwavering choice, spun around in the air and nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

"Choosing Happy is too cunning," Elfman commented from the side.

"If this assessment happens to be related to flying, then you're guaranteed to win."

"I think it's fine this way," Gray said, crossing his arms with a wicked grin.

"If we really end up in battle, let him regret it."

"Gray, that's so mean!" Happy protested angrily.

Happy's fighting spirit was rekindled, and he waved his little fist. "I will definitely make Natsu an S-Class Mage!"

"Although you are my comrades, I will not back down this time!" Natsu's eyes became extremely serious, and his entire body exuded an astonishing aura.

"Happy, we can't waste any more time, let's go train!"

"Ai!"

The two of them, like a gust of wind, hurriedly ran out of the guild, heading off to some remote mountain village for special training.

Lisanna watched Natsu's departing figure and said with some emotion, "In the two years I was away, Natsu has grown to the point where he can participate in the S-Class Exam."

Her voice held a hint of nostalgia. "Natsu always believed that as long as he could become a fully-fledged mage, he could see Igneel again. Therefore, he valued this exam more than anyone else."

"I see..." After hearing this, Lucy understood Natsu's persistence even more.

"Juvia... Juvia wants to withdraw from this exam!"

Just then, a faint yet firm voice came from the side.

"Huh? Why?" Everyone looked over curiously.

"Because... because... Juvia... Juvia wants to be... Lord Gray's..."

Juvia was only halfway through her sentence when her face turned bright red, and she couldn't utter the rest of her words.

Seeing her awkwardness, Lucy kindly leaned close to Gray's ear and whispered, "She said she wants to be your partner."

"Huh?!" Gray looked completely taken aback.

Upon seeing this, Juvia immediately gave a "I knew it" look and pointed at Lucy.

"Lucy! I knew it! You really do have designs on Lord Gray!"

"Really, there isn't any!" Lucy waved her hand, on the verge of tears.

"Sorry," Gray said, scratching his face at Juvia.

My partner has already been decided.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a handsome figure suddenly appeared beside them. He familiarly put his arm around Gray's shoulder and gave everyone a flirty wink.

"Hey! Long time no see, everyone."

Loke?!

"We made that agreement last year," Gray explained.

"I'm sorry, Lucy," Loke pushed up his glasses, apologetic smile on his face.

"During the exam, I need to temporarily terminate our contract. Don't worry, I used my own magic to pass through the door; it won't deplete your magic."

"You Celestial Spirit are too willful."

Despite her complaints, Lucy always respected the Celestial Spirit's wishes and readily agreed.

"But, Loke," Elfman questioned.

Are you still considered a member of the guild?

Upon hearing this, Loke turned around with a flourish, unbuttoned his shirt, and revealed the ever-fading Fairy Tail emblem on his back.

"Of course! I'll stake my Leo honor on making Gray an S-Class Mage this time."

"It's up to you now!" Gray gave him a fist bump.

"Don't worry!" Loke smiled confidently and bumped fists with him.

Watching the seamless interaction between the two, Lucy couldn't help but think to herself: Were you two really this close before?

Gray turned his head and looked intently at Juvia still seemed somewhat disappointed.

"That's it, so get serious and let's have a long-awaited, intense battle!"

"A fierce... battle..."

Upon hearing those two words, Juvia's mind began to conjure up all sorts of romantic, pink-hued scenarios with Lord Gray.

Carla watched from the side and silently gave her a mental assessment: This woman is hopeless.

"Then I'll team up with Juvia!"

Lisanna walked over with a smile and extended her hand.

"When I was in Edolas, I got along really well with Juvia there, and I think Juvia here is adorable too."

"No, Lisanna!" Elfman cried out in protest.

"If that's the case, won't I be without a partner?"

"Really?" Lisanna winked at him and gestured with her lips in one direction.

"There are people over there staring at you with burning eyes."

Elfman followed her gaze and turned his head to see Evergreen of the Thunder God Tribe, arms crossed, looking at him with a displeased expression.

"Evergreen?"

"It seems she's quite unhappy because Freed chose Bickslow as his partner."

"Are you sure that look was passionate?" Elfman wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"I feel like... she's trying to turn me into a stone statue."

Meanwhile, the Team Shadow Gear was also celebrating Levy's selection.

"Levy made the cut! That's amazing!"

"Yes! Maybe this time I really can become S-Class Mage!"

"Then, I must be your partner!"

These words immediately turned the two, who had been getting along just moments before, into sharp arguments.

"What? Levy's partner should be me, of course!"

"Don't talk nonsense, I'm much faster than you, and I can keep up with Levy's pace!"

"I'm better suited for fighting than you! I'm the best choice to protect Levy!"

"Those are all excuses. You actually have feelings for Levy, don't you!"

"I think you're the one with the ideas!"

Levy she watched the two start arguing again.

Well...

This kind of argument has happened more than once or twice.

They were both very nice people, but they were too familiar with each other; she really only saw them as good companions.

Just as Levy her wit's end, a tall figure appeared silently behind her.

"Hey, little one."

A deep voice rang out.

"If you want to become an S-Class, I can help you."

Gajeel leaned against the wall, extending an invitation to the petite Levy in a condescending manner.

The smiles on Sarukusuke and Droy's faces froze the moment they saw Gajeel.

Did Cheng Yaojin suddenly appear out of nowhere?

And it's Gajeel, that monstrous demon!

Keep in mind, this guy was the Phantom Lord's trump card before, and his strength was far beyond what ordinary mages like the two of them could compare to.

"Gajeel?" Levy also somewhat surprised.

Gajeel completely ignored the two dumbfounded guys. He picked at his ear with his little finger and a belligerent smile appeared on his face.

"Perfect! I can use this exam to beat all those guys I don't like to the bone!"

Hearing this, Levy became even more insecure. She muttered softly, "But I... I'm so weak, I might lose right from the start..."

"Tsk."

Gajeel seemed quite impatient with her dejected appearance.

The next second, he reached out and grabbed Levy the collar, lifting her up like a chick.

"Hey! You can't be this discouraged before we've even started!"

"Ah! What are you doing! Put me down right now!"

Levy kicked her legs wildly in mid-air.

Gajeel ignored her struggles and pulled her in front of him. His face, which always carried a hint of fierceness, was now filled with an unprecedented seriousness.

He stared intently into Levy's eyes and said in a deep, unquestionable tone:

I will help you become stronger!

Levy stopped thrashing about.

Looking at Gajeel so close to her, into his incredibly earnest eyes, and listening to his domineering yet reassuring words, her heart skipped a beat.

A blush crept onto her cheeks.

Behind them, Sarukusuke and Droy, who witnessed the entire "violent wall slam," felt their worldview completely collapse.

Two "thumps".

The two seemed to have all their strength drained away, and both knelt on the ground.

Their world changed from color to black and white.

In my ears, I can still faintly hear that ancient and sorrowful ballad—

Snowflakes are falling, the north wind is howling.