Just as Lucy was still in surprise, the Guild Master started talking about the rules.
Makarov continued, "Some of you are participating for the first time, so let me explain the rules!"
The eight people selected this time need to find a partner within a week to participate in the assessment together.
Mirajane continued from where the Guild Master left off, and then playfully winked at the crowd below.
Lucy asked in confusion, "Partner?"
"This is a team battle for two, and it will also test the bond between partners!"
"However, this time it's already considered good. The test that Zorn and the others took before was a one-on-one battle to pass!"
"Back then, they..."
When Lisanna heard Lucy's question, she promptly explained it to her, and then she even thought of the scene when Erza, Mirajane, Laxus, Zorn and others were taking the test.
Thinking of the intensity of the battle back then, he paused for a moment.
Before he could finish speaking, Erza's voice came from above.
"Those choosing partners must abide by two rules."
"Firstly, the other party must be a member of the Fairy Tail Fairy Tail."
"Secondly, you cannot choose S-Class Mage."
As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur rippled through the crowd below.
"So, we can't choose Zorn and the others on stage!"
Wendy pointed to her chin, speaking thoughtfully.
However, they didn't notice that Carla was staring at Zorn on the stage with a shocked expression.
Its expression held shock and a hint of fear.
Zorn noticed Carla's shocked expression and smiled at her.
In an instant, I realized that Carla had the ability to foresee the future, so she must have seen something. I decided to find an opportunity to ask her about it after the meeting.
"I'll tell you the details of the exam when we get to Tenrou Island!"
"The test of your strength will be handled by Zorn, Erza, and the others behind me."
"Sigh~"
Upon hearing this, the Fairy Tail members all gasped in shock, and exclamations of astonishment rang out.
"This level of difficulty..."
Lucy murmured in disbelief softly, offering a deep prayer for the eight teams participating in the assessment.
But what she didn't know was that she would also be involved.
"Stop complaining, this is the only way to become S-Class Mage!"
"Back then Laxus and Zorn didn't have this much gossip!"
Gildarts spoke of it with remarkable ease.
Most of the people below had also participated in the trial of Laxus and Zorn, whose terrifying Magic had destroyed half of the beach and caused seawater to flood in.
Just imagining that scene made them all swallow hard.
A horrified look fell upon Zorn, but Zorn remained silent, continuing to smile at the crowd.
"Bang~"
"Let me tell you this: you'd better be prepared to defeat me, and don't expect me to hold back!"
Laxus clasped his hands together, sparks crackling, and looked at everyone with a wicked smile and a hint of mockery.
"This is my first time serving as an examiner, so don't worry, I will definitely take it all the way!"
Ur spoke gently, but everyone felt a chill run down their spines, especially Gray, who had been excited but shivered instantly upon hearing Ur's voice.
"Gray, are you cold... Juvia will warm you up."
Juvia suddenly hugged Gray's arm, her expression full of affection and longing. Seeing that Gray didn't react, she felt a surge of secret joy. Sure enough, the attack at this moment was twice as effective with half the effort.
It's easy for a woman to pursue a man.
"This exam is so difficult... how could anyone possibly pass it..."
"No way..."
Elfman and Levy, however, were filled with fear and apprehension; the terror emanating from the people on stage had already taken root in their hearts.
Freed, however, looked at Laxus with utmost reverence. "Lord Laxus, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I will show you my strength, Lord Laxus..."
The eight selected individuals, along with their chosen partners, will meet in Hargeon Port a week later.
"Complete!"
After the Guild Master finished speaking, Zorn waved his left hand, and a golden Magic Circle rose up beneath their feet.
"Wait for us~"
Ximi suddenly broke free from Cana's embrace and flew onto the stage with Tami.
Ximi snuggled right into Zorn's arms, while Tami perched on Laxus's shoulder.
As Zorn and the others disappeared, they conveyed a final reminder to everyone. "Choose your partners carefully, everyone. Get ready; we need to set up the venue first!"
After the assessment was announced as complete, everyone gathered together to discuss the selection of partners.
Gray thought for a moment about the examiner and sighed, "This year's S-Class Exam is truly hellish!"
"Ah~ I don't care who's taking the test, I'm going to become S-Class Mage! I'm fired up!!"
Natsu was still extremely excited, tilting his head back and breathing fire to express his fiery feelings.
He had long admired the S-Class Exam, and he was determined to pass it, no matter who got the chance.
"Why Elfman, a real man, getting further and further away from S-Class?"
Elfman clutched his head, howling in pain. As Mirajane's younger brother, he knew all too well how terrifying his sister was, not to mention Zorn and Laxus, who had become S-Class Mages even earlier than her.
Furthermore, Laxus was also his sister's examiner.
How could he still be hopeful under such circumstances?
"Haha~" Lucy laughed and cried twice. She knew how difficult it would be to pass the S-Class Exam under these circumstances.
Turning his head, he suddenly saw that Freed had chosen Bickslow as his partner, so he asked the others suspiciously.
"By the way, has everyone chosen their partners yet?"
"My partner is Happy, of course."
Natsu naturally and immediately chose Happy, who was standing next to him.
"That's too much of a cheat! If it were a speed race, Happy could fly, wouldn't you guys be guaranteed to win..." Elfman was the first to express his envy.
Lisanna then comforted her brother, "I don't think it's a big deal, Elfman. You can also take on some faster Magic Beasts!"
"Yes, I don't care at all. But when it comes to combat, that's a different story!" Gray glanced at Happy nonchalantly, looking quite relaxed.
"You're being hurtful, Gray. Just you wait, I'll make Natsu an S-Class Mage!"
Happy's confidence was fully aroused.
"On this matter, as my comrade, I will absolutely not back down!"
"Training begins! Happy, let's go, let's work hard together!!"
"Love~"
Natsu also looked determined, his fists clenched, and flames rising from the sky expressed his confidence.
In no time at all, they ran off with Happy and disappeared without a trace.
"Go for it, Natsu!"
Lucy watched Natsu run off into the distance with a smile of blessing on her face, while at the same time she also saw Juvia's awkward figure.
"Um... Juvia, I want to withdraw from the competition... I... want to team up with Lord Gray..."
Juvia placed her hands between her legs, her shoulders swaying, and her cheeks flushed red. Her shy demeanor made it instantly clear to those around her.
But Gray, oblivious to everything, leaned closer and pressed, "What are you saying..."
"This... this..." Juvia's face turned even redder; she could already feel Gray's breathing.
"Bang!"
A fist slammed into Gray's head, the bench shattered instantly, and Gray fell to the ground with a large bump on his head.
"What an idiot! You don't even understand something so obvious."
Cana suddenly spoke up and punched Gray to the ground.
"Juvia, Gray is in your hands now!"
Upon hearing what Cana said to her, Juvia immediately went into a dazed state, clinging to Gray and saying with concern, "Lord Gray, let Juvia blow on you." She blew air into the large bag.
To be continued~