Makarov patted Lu Chongwei on the shoulder and said sincerely:
"Lu Chongwei, you are the senior of the guild and also their longed-for target. If you are the one to check it, everyone will be convinced."
"Stop doing this, you just want to catch a strong man."
Lu Chongwei rolled his eyes, but he also knew that this matter could not be avoided.
A few days later.
The atmosphere in the guild hall was extremely solemn.
The usual bustle disappeared and was replaced by a tense and expectant silence.
Everyone gathered in the hall, staring intently at the stage in front of them.
The huge red curtain slowly rose.
Makarov stood in the center, wearing the white cloak of Ten Wizard Saints, with a solemn expression.
To his left is Laxus, who has his hands in his pockets and an impatient look on his face. He faintly exudes the aura of violent thunder and lightning.
On his right is Lu Chongwei, who is still holding the milk cup and looking a little careless.
When they saw these two S-Class Mage appearing on the stage at the same time, everyone in the audience immediately exploded.
"Hey... isn't it?"
Wakaba dropped the pipe from his mouth.
"Lu Chongwei and Laxus? Are they the two examiners this year?"
"Oh my god! This lineup is so luxurious!"
"Luxury? It's scary, right?"
Macao swallowed and turned pale.
"Laxus's bad temper, coupled with Lu Chongwei's bottomless strength... this year's candidates will be in bad luck."
"I have a feeling that this year's assessment will be very brutal..."
In the crowd, Erza held the hilt of his sword tightly and stared at the three people on the stage. There was no fear in his eyes, only a high-spirited fighting spirit.
Mirajane crossed his arms and sneered provocatively, his eyes sweeping over Lu Chongwei and Laxus.
"Examiner? Humph, just right, even the examiner will be defeated!"
In the corner, Cana clutched the tarot cards in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the exertion.
Her eyes were fixed on the stage, and her heart was beating violently.
"S-Class..."
She silently recited this word in her heart.
This is her only chance.
Only by becoming S-Class can she have the courage to stand in front of that person.
Discussions in the audience broke out one after another. Makarov cleared his throat and hit the ground heavily with the crutch in his hand.
"Quiet!"
An invisible coercion spread instantly, and the hall was immediately silent.
Makarov glanced at the expectant eyes in the audience and spoke slowly:
"Based on their performance, strength and contribution to the guild this year, I have selected three candidates who are qualified to participate in this S-Class Mage Promotion Trial."
As soon as these words came out, the air seemed to freeze.
Everyone held their breath, and the heartbeat could be heard clearly.
"First place."
Makarov's voice is calm and powerful.
"Erza·Schukaletto!"
"Yes!"
Erza took a step forward, and the armor on her body made a crisp collision sound. She straightened her back, her eyes were firm, and her momentum was fierce.
"Sure enough, it's Erza!"
"There is no suspense, her performance this year is simply monster level."
Everyone nodded, convinced of the result.
"Second place."
Makarov continued to read.
"Mirajane·Strauss!"
"Humph, it's finally here."
Mirajane sneered, and the devil's wings behind her suddenly opened up, bringing up a gust of wind. She walked to the front of the stage and stood next to Erza. Their eyes collided, sparks flying.
"Erza, I will definitely beat you this time." Mirajane lowered his voice and said provocatively.
"Then give it a try." Erza responded coldly.
Natsu and Gray in the audience shrank their necks.
"These two female devils have been selected... it feels like the end of the world is coming."
"Third place..."
Makarov paused, searching the crowd, and finally landed in a corner.
"Cana Alperona."
The whole place was dead silent.
Even Lu Chongwei raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced at the girl holding the wine barrel.
Cana froze in place, and the wine glass in his hand fell to the ground with a bang, causing Crush to fall.
Her eyes widened, her mouth opened slightly, her face full of disbelief.
"I... me?"
She pointed at herself, her voice trembling.
People around him also cast surprised glances.
"Cana? It's actually Cana?"
"Although her Card Magic is very strong, compared with Erza and the others..."
"I didn't expect that this year's dark horse would be her."
Cana ignored the comments around her. Her eyes instantly filled with mist, and her heart beat wildly.
Selected.
Really selected.
This means that she is only one step away from that goal.
"Okay, the list has been announced."
Makarov interrupted everyone's thoughts and looked serious.
"Next, is the content of this assessment."
He waved his hand, and a huge map dropped behind him.
"The location of this assessment is an uninhabited island in the sea east of Kingdom of Fiore - Tenrou Island!"
"Tenrou Island? Is that Sacred Ground from our guild?" someone exclaimed.
"That's right."
Makarov nodded.
"But this time, it will be your battlefield."
"The theme of the assessment is-'24-hour survival'."
Makarov raised a finger and sounded serious.
"The rules are as follows:"
"First, except for the clothes and weapons on your body, it is strictly prohibited to carry any food, water and recovery medicine. You must solve your own survival problems on the island."
"Second, there are a large number of ferocious monsters inhabiting the island, and there are even magic traps left over from ancient times. You must deal with them alone."
"Third, the first 12 hours after the assessment begins is the 'peace period', and candidates are prohibited from attacking each other. After 12 hours, the restrictions are lifted and you can fight freely and defeat your opponents."
Having said this, Makarov paused, glanced at Lu Chongwei and Laxus beside him, and smiled maliciously.
"The fourth and most important point is."
"In the last two hours of the assessment, the two examiners Lu Chongwei and Laxus will join the hunt."
"What?!"
At this time, even Erza and Mirajane's expressions changed.
The audience was in an uproar.
"The examiner will leave the exam in person? How can this be fun?"
"Those are Lu Chongwei and Laxus! The monsters in S-Class!"
"Is this the rhythm of the team's destruction?"
Makarov ignored everyone's panic and continued:
"Those who are defeated by the examiner or lose their ability to fight will be eliminated directly. After 24 hours, those who are still standing will be promoted to S-Class Mage."
"If no one survives to the end, then everyone will fail this assessment!"
Deathly silence.
This is not an assessment, it is simply a battle for survival.
Lu Chongwei spread his hands helplessly and showed a "I can't help it" smile to the three pale people in the audience.
Laxus snorted coldly, with lightning flashing on his body and his eyes full of aggression.
"Don't expect me to let go. If you don't want to die, just run away."