Assessment Underway (Part 1)

Looking at the surging crowd, Kana sighed, "Time flies, it's that day again!"

"I wonder which lucky guy will be able to get the qualification from those devils!" (Laxus)

"I wonder when I'll be one of those guys!" (Gray)

Upon hearing this, Kana and Laxus, who were standing side by side, turned their heads and said in unison, "I'm afraid there's no chance in this lifetime!"

"Hey, you two..."

"How?! (Ka, La)"

Seeing the two perfectly synchronized, the young man with his eyes downcast snorted softly, then turned and walked to a spot on the left.

"Hey, is Gray trying to hit on her (Kana)?"

"Um... it's not impossible! (Laxus)"

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and then made a cross gesture towards Gray's back.

Watching the Crimson enjoying its food, the boy with downcast eyes swallowed hard, then summoned all the courage he had been holding back. Only after it had seeped into every cell of his being did he speak, "Um... you know... you know, soon... soon, something... will happen here..."

Seemingly annoyed by the flies buzzing around her ear, Crimson put down the food in her hand, turned her head and said, "If you have something to say, please finish it quickly. If not, please leave and don't delay my enjoyment of my food!"

After enduring the cold water being poured over his head, the black-haired boy closed his eyes and said, "I want to ask you, do you know what's going to happen next!"

"We'll find out what happens later!"

Seeing the other person turn their head back to admire the scenery outside the window, the boy with downcast eyes blinked twice, then asked in surprise, "Aren't you curious?"

"It has nothing to do with me, why should I be curious!"

Upon hearing this, Gray was instantly choked and had difficulty breathing.

"You bastard... (Gray)"

"If you're done, please leave right away, my food is getting cold!"

After speaking, Crimson ignored the boring presence behind her and focused on enjoying her food and the sunset outside the window.

Seeing this, Gray clenched his fists tightly, his teeth began to chatter, and countless flames erupted from his forehead.

Just as the Contradiction between the two was about to erupt, a commotion arose from nearby.

Wow~

"They're here! They're here!"

"Hehe! You've finally arrived!"

"I'm so nervous!"

"You absolutely must have me!"

"President, please announce it quickly!"

"Yes, I can't wait!"

Urged on, the curtains on the platform slowly opened to the sides, revealing the scene behind them.

"Hey, isn't that Lazy God? How come he's up there?" (Member A)

"You idiot! The Lazy God appearing there obviously represents that!" (Member B)

"No way!?" (Member A)

"Holy crap! Gildarts alone is terrifying enough, and now we have Lazy God on top of that... gulp (Member C)"

Seemingly recalling the 'wonderful' scene described by member C, a sound of swallowing saliva rose from below the platform.

"Cough cough!"

"Another year has passed in the blink of an eye. In this year, everyone has demonstrated your courage and ability, giving me hope and a future for the guild. So... I wish you all the best in achieving great results!"

As he spoke, Makarov nodded to the audience.

"President, stop dawdling and just announce it already! (Macao)"

"Macao, stop causing trouble! (Sordil)"

Upon hearing Old Suo's reprimand, the slick-haired man who had led the shouting immediately shut his mouth.

"This assessment differs from previous ones. The assessment location is not within the Kingdom of Fiore, but rather in the Ningguang City within the Erus Empire. (Makarov)"

"The assessment location was chosen to be in the Erus Empire, specifically in Ningguang City, known for its fierce and warlike inhabitants! (Member A)"

"Wow! This time the difficulty level is off the charts!" (Member B)

"Um... I hope I'm not one of the lucky ones this time! (Member C)"

"This is terrifying! This is simply the most difficult upgrade test in nearly a century! (Wakaba)"

"Quiet down, everyone! The president hasn't finished speaking yet!" (Sonia)

With the older sister's reassurance, the area below returned to silence... well, except for the Gray trio standing at the very back.

"Hey, Kana, why is everyone backing out now that they hear the assessment location is the Erus Empire? (Gray)"

"Hehe! You don't know this, but the Erus Empire is a vast empire where imperial power reigns supreme. When they founded the country, they conducted a massive purge of the local guilds. Except for mages willing to join the imperial army, all others were executed without exception. Therefore, that place is known as the forbidden ground for guilds, the Mage's Grave. (Kana)"

"Therefore, apart from a few desperate mages, no mage is willing to set foot there. (Kana)"

"That's not all. The inhabitants of the Erus Empire are extremely warlike and exceptionally united due to the country's policies. If an outsider clashes with them, the entire city will come to their aid. Even more frightening is that they have nine years of compulsory magical education, so basically every resident is a skilled magician. (Laxus)"

"That's terrifying!? (Gray)"

"Heh! That's not even the scariest part! (Laxus)"

"No way, there's something even more terrifying? (Gray)"

"Of course! (Kana)"

"Those were merely incidental conditions. The real reason why so many mages dared not enter that place was the Thirteen Palace Guardian Heavenly Kings! (Kana)"

"The Thirteen Palace Guardian Heavenly Kings? (Gray)"

"They are the thirteen most powerful individuals in the Erus Empire, and also the thirteen most formidable individuals on the entire continent, responsible for maintaining security within Erus territory. (Laxus)"

"But what does this have to do with people being afraid to enter the Erus Empire?" (Gray)

"Because these thirteen are notorious for their fierce protection of their own. When conflicts arise, they don't ask any questions and immediately suppress those who aren't members of the Erus Empire. Anyone who dares to resist or argue might even be killed on the spot. (Kana)"

"Heh! Now you understand why everyone is unwilling to go! (Laxus)"

"This... this is too... too..."

Just as Gray was in shock and began to have a speech impediment, Makarov on the platform finished explaining the rules and began announcing the list of participants in the assessment.

"A total of nine members participated in this assessment: Leena Heutering, Macao Conbolt, Wakaba Mine, Versailles Bed, Churchill Lek, Pukins Will, Rexar Hery, Bohr Zotim, and Laxus Dreyar."

Upon hearing the last name that appeared in the air, the blond boy standing on the outermost edge immediately lay down.

"Laxus! (Kana)"

"Hey, pull yourself together, Laxus! (Gray)"

"What did you just hear? (Laxus)"

"Your name! (Kana)"

Upon confirming the devastating news, the lightning youth fainted from shock. (Laxus: Who's excited! I was clearly... clearly... Waaah!)

"The assessment is scheduled for one week from now. I hope all participants will make good use of this time!"

After speaking, Makarov led a group of S-Class Mage down from the platform, leaving the guild members standing there with varying expressions.

"Hehe! Great, I don't have to go for the assessment!" (Member A)

"Wakaba, remember to leave me the new clothes you bought yesterday before you go to the assessment. I'll help you prepare them later!" (Member B)

"How could you do this? Be careful they don't drag you into the assessment!" (Member C)

Upon hearing this, the many non-participants gathered in front of the platform retreated.

"Hey, all of you, don't go!" (Churchill)

"Not leaving? Only a fool wouldn't leave!" (Member B)

"Brothers, what do we do now? (Rexar)"

"What else can we do? Just grab whoever's there!" (Churchill)

The already somewhat chaotic hall instantly erupted into chaos after being provoked by those words.

"President, is it really alright to let those two set up the exam venue?" (Holi)

"Don't worry, although those two aren't always reliable, they've never made a mistake when it comes to important matters. (Makarov)"

"But... President, are the young master and the other boy really okay with their perception of difficulty levels?" (Sonia)

"Yeah, both of these guys are above average. Can they even understand what normal simplicity is?" (Lyra)

Upon hearing their words, Makarov's expression changed drastically.

Why didn't you remind me sooner?!

Seeing the furious president, everyone exchanged glances for a moment, then said in unison, "You didn't even give us that chance!"

"Then what are you all still standing here for? Hurry up and go get them!"

"President, do you think we can catch up with them?" (Sonia)

After Sonia reminded him, Makarov remembered someone's signature move, and he transformed into a white statue before vanishing into the air.

Seeing this, the group exchanged glances again before leaving the room.

Actually, if they had really gone out to chase after them, they could have caught those two. Because someone, in order to improve a certain attribute, didn't use the Silver Express and instead chose to walk to their destination. Unfortunately, they didn't realize this, thus missing a golden opportunity, which led to Fairy Tail's most difficult promotion exam in nearly a century, and also the most unexpected one in nearly a century.

Of course, they don't know these things yet, but they will soon find out, because a week will pass quickly.