Sure enough, the moment Achill stepped inside, he found the hall packed with people. Almost all the Fairy Tail members who had been away on jobs had returned. Even if one or two had yet to arrive, they would probably be there soon.
Fairy Tail's annual S-Class Mage Exam was arguably the most important occasion within the entire Fairy Tail Guild. During this period, the guild master would put several outstanding members who had demonstrated exceptional ability, but were not yet S-Class Mages, through a series of important trials. Those who passed would become Fairy Tail's newest S-Class Mages!
That was precisely why the guild's non-S-Class mages had been taking on jobs so desperately lately. They wanted to prove themselves to Makarov in the hope of being selected for the S-Class Mage Exam!
There were only so many places available each time, so anyone hoping to take the S-Class Mage Exam first had to qualify to participate.
After entering, Achill discreetly signaled to Doranbolt, who was mingling with the crowd. Doranbolt nodded, quietly pointed at Wendy beside him, then gave Achill a look that said everything was all right. Achill asked no further questions and walked straight to Erza, Mira, and the others at the front of the crowd, chatting and laughing with them.
Meanwhile, people kept hurrying in from outside. Those who had already arrived gathered in little groups, whispering excitedly among themselves. Needless to say, they were discussing the selection for this year's S-Class Exam.
A little over an hour later, once everyone had arrived, old Makarov walked up to the podium with a solemn expression. He cleared his throat twice, and the hall immediately fell silent.
"In accordance with Fairy Tail's time-honored rules, I will now announce the participants in the S-Class Mage promotion exam!" Everyone held