Upgrade Examination (2)

After the announcement that the event was over, Sonia went directly to Sordil.

"Young master, why don't we become partners? That way we won't become rivals during the assessment."

"If we do that, then no one will be able to pass the test!" (The collective sentiment)

Upon hearing Sonia's words, Sordil, who had already undergone an upgrade assessment on screen, shook his head and said, "Sonia, although I would love to team up with you, two people participating in the assessment cannot team up with each other."

"Huh? There seems to be such a rule!" (Everyone's inner thoughts)

"Really? When the president announced the rules, he didn't mention that the two participants couldn't team up with each other, did he?"

No sooner had Sonia finished speaking than Makarov, who was passing by, immediately added, "This is indeed a rule in the assessment rules. I forgot to mention it earlier, so I came here specifically to tell you two."

Looking at the president, who was holding wine glasses in both hands and whose beard still had wine stains, Old Suo said with a sarcastic tone, "President, are you sure you came here to see us, or just passed by while drinking?"

"I... hiccup... of course I came here specifically to find you... hiccup..."

After saying this, Makarov quickly left the scene.

Watching Makarov disappear into the vast crowd, Old Suo and his companion shook their heads helplessly.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time here, let's hurry up and find our partners!"

Hearing what Old Suo said, Sonia nodded and walked towards a dining table, while Old Suo also left to find his partner.

"What incredible luck did Wakaba have to be chosen by Gildarts? It's infuriating!"

After expressing his envy, jealousy, and resentment, Macao gulped down a glass of wine.

"Hiccup~~"

After exhaling his disappointment in the fumes of alcohol, Macao staggered to his feet and walked out of the guild.

"Buzz!"

Stimulated by the sudden appearance of the Silver-White Light in front of him, Macao instinctively raised his right hand to shield himself.

When the light returned to normal brightness, he looked ahead curiously, and was immediately startled by the obstacle blocking his way.

"So... So... Sordil?"

"Hey! I'm neither a ghostly beast nor a ferocious enemy, why are you so surprised?"

Upon hearing Sordil's words, Macao thought to himself, "Although you are not one of these dangerous beings, given the way you made your entrance, and your reputation and status, it's no wonder I'm surprised!"

After controlling his emotions, Macao asked excitedly, "Sordil, is there something you need?"

"Something's wrong!"

"Then... then..."

Seeing Macao's hesitation, Old Suo didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I would like to ask you to be my partner and help me complete the advancement assessment. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Old Suo's words were like bombs, gradually destroying Macao's rationality and plunging him into extreme excitement.

"Yahoo~~"

Looking at Macao, who was shouting and jumping around, Old Suo asked at an inopportune moment, "Hey! Macao, you haven't answered my question yet."

When a person goes completely insane, they pay no attention to anything happening in the outside world; they are completely absorbed in their own world. Therefore, although Old Suo asked him loudly many times, Macao did not respond.

"Fine! Since you're unwilling, I won't force you!"

With that, Old Suo turned and left.

Seeing this, Macao instantly snapped out of his daze and rushed past Old Suo at a speed beyond his own limits, stopping him in front of him.

"No, no, no! Boss Sordil, I promise you! I promise you!"

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, Old Suo nodded and said, "In that case, let's begin intensive training immediately to ensure we pass the assessment smoothly!"

"What the heck! Seriously? You're already this strong, and you still want special training? Can't you leave any room for others to survive? (Macao's inner thoughts)"

After finishing his internal monologue, Macao said with a beaming smile, "Alright! Let's set off now!"

"Um!"

A week later, the six contestants arrived at the town entrance with their partners, and then they set off in a horse-drawn carriage toward Croba Grand Canyon.

Just before setting off, Sordil, remembering his hidden talents (actually, it was just that the Great Owl had remembered), secretly cast a Troia on himself. Thus, someone's fatal weakness was perfectly concealed in an instant.

"Holy crap! Are you kidding me? That freak Sordil actually overcame his only weakness! (Makarov's inner thoughts)" (The following are all inner thoughts)

"What's going on? Why isn't His Majesty getting carsick anymore?" (Sonia)

"Huh? How come he's completely unharmed? Could the intelligence have been wrong? (Ivan)"

"Holy crap! Not only did Macao become Sordil's partner, but his strength has also increased so much! (Wakaba)"

"Hehe! Wakaba, are you envious? Jealous? (Macao)"

"Wow! Lord Sordil is so handsome and stylish! (Leena)" (PS: This person is Sonia's partner)

"Gulp!"

"These people are incredibly strong, they're so intimidating!" (The other participants)

Just as the atmosphere in the carriage was about to freeze, the ever-curious Sordil, who seemed to know everything, asked, "President, why are we taking a horse-drawn carriage instead of a train to Croba Grand Canyon?"

Upon hearing Old Suo's question, everyone immediately turned their attention to Makarov.

"Hehe! There's a reason for this arrangement!"

After Makarov finished speaking, everyone returned to their previous state.

"Chairman, you're not planning to stop halfway and make us run the rest of the way, are you? (Old Suo's coded message)"

"Uh... you naughty boy, how did you know? (Makarov's reply)" (The following are all coded telegrams)

"That's really true!"

"Shh! Don't make a sound, or you'll be disqualified!"

"Okay! Got it!"

Fifteen minutes after Old Suo and his companion finished exchanging secret telegrams, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"Everyone get off the vehicle!"

Upon hearing Makarov's order, everyone dismounted without hesitation.

Once everyone had settled down, a map fell from the top of the carriage, and then Makarov appeared on the roof.

"Everyone, I'm here now to announce the rules for the first test!"

"In the next period of time, you will choose one of the six roads marked on the map as your own road, and then hike along the prescribed route to Croba Grand Canyon."

"Of these six routes, three are unobstructed, two are guarded by an active S-Class Mage, and one is guarded by two S-Class Mage."

"You don't need to defeat them, just get rid of their obstacles and successfully reach Croba Grand Canyon."

"I hereby declare the assessment to begin!"

Just as Makarov finished speaking, a bluish-white light shot out from the crowd.

"Excuse me, everyone, we'll be going now!" (Old Suo)

Upon hearing the sound coming from the air, a wave of complaints erupted in front of the carriage.

"Holy crap! They jumped the gun! (Wakaba)"

"Heh! I didn't expect to meet a kindred spirit! (Ivan)"

"President, isn't that a foul?" (Bohr)

"They set off after I gave the order to begin, so it's not considered a violation." (Makarov)

"In that case, we'll head out first! (Rexar)"

Seeing the moving dust ahead, the remaining people, not wanting to be left behind, rushed out. However, before they had gone far, they heard a loud bang ahead.

"Bang!"

"Oops!"

After peeling his face off from the transparent wall in front of him, Rexar exclaimed in shock and anger, "What the hell?! What's going on?"

"Oh no! It's a spell! (Leena)"

"Gildarts, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and destroy this thing!" (Ivan)

"Yes! We still have Gildarts with us! (Wakaba)"

Seeing everyone looking at him, Gildarts shrugged at them.

"I really want to break this spell, but my magic is sealed, so I'm powerless to do it!"

"Ah~~ Sordil was already strong, and now he has such a huge advantage, we're doomed!" (Bohr)

"Bohr, calm down!" (Churchill Leck) (PS: This person is Bohr's partner)

"Heh! What are you all so nervous about? Even if Sordil and the others arrive first, they can only choose one path, and they might not even be able to choose the one without any obstacles. (Pukins Will)" (PS: Rexar's partner)

"That's right!" (Everyone)

Just as everyone was gradually quieting down, another collision sound came from ahead, followed by an angry outburst from the source of the sound.

"Sordil, you little bastard, how come you locked me up too!"

Seeing Makarov squatting on the ground rubbing his forehead, everyone gave Old Suo a ' Harry ' (making a cross with their forehead as the starting point) and then silently turned away.

"Hatch"

"Boss Sordil, are you alright?"

"I'm fine!"

Upon learning that Old Suo was alright, Macao nodded in relief. However, the silence between the two did not last long, because the time for a choice had come.

"Sordil, look! The route selection area is just ahead!"

Hearing Macao's words, Old Suo gradually slowed down, and when the windboat came to a complete stop, it arrived at the fork in the road.

As someone who suffers from severe decision-making difficulties, Sordil was instantly bewildered when faced with the similar intersections in front of him.

After hesitating for several seconds, he decided to hand this tricky matter over to his partner.

"Macao, which route do you think we should take?"

"Boss, if you don't even know how to choose, how am I supposed to know? (Macao's inner thoughts)"

After 'thinking' for a while, Macao pointed out a route.

"Let's take this one!"

Glancing at the road disappearing into the forest, Sordil muttered to himself, "Hopefully I won't run into those S-Class members!"

"Big brother, those S-Class members don't want to run into you!" (Macao's inner thoughts)

Before Macao could recover from his inner turmoil, Old Suo suddenly started the windboat and sped off along the chosen route.