The final results of the assessment at Black Reef Island were not announced immediately.
Makarov took the two wooden plaques covered in red seals, saying only that they would be announced back at the guild. Laxus pressed him twice, only to be told "What's the rush?" The third time he spoke, he received another punch to the head.
The return trip was also by boat.
Laxus had been standing at the stern since boarding, insisting that he was observing the course. But as the ship entered deeper water, his posture of observing the course quickly changed to gripping the railing with both hands and resting his forehead on the plank.
Gildarts handed him a grilled fish. "Eating something will make you feel better."
Laxus stared at the fish, his face turning pale.
"Take it further away."
Lin Yuan, with a bandage wrapped around his right shoulder, sat on the other side of the deck. "You can stimulate your stomach with lightning."
"You can throw yourself into the sea."
"Not close enough."
"I'll help you."
The two nearly came to blows on the boat, but Makarov kicked them both back to their original positions. Gildarts held the grilled fish and stared at it for a long time before deciding to eat it himself.
It was already the afternoon of the next day when they returned to Magnolia.
The guild's doors were tightly shut, and there wasn't a sound coming from inside.
As soon as Lin Yuan pushed open the door, colorful ribbons and flour exploded from above his head.
Welcome back!
Natsu charged ahead, brandishing a lit rainbow cannon, while Gray stood on the table carrying a half-full bucket of flour. Before Erza could stop them, the two started arguing about who should strike first.
Laxus raised his hand and unleashed a bolt of lightning, sending ribbons, flour, and Natsu flying to the other end of the hall.
Do you want to die?
"Looks like you're in good spirits." Mira sat at the bar, her gaze shifting from Laxus to Lin Yuan's bandaged shoulder. "At least you weren't torn to pieces by Gildarts."
"Just a little bit short," Gildarts said earnestly.
"No need to add anything to that," Lin Yuan said.
Makarov jumped onto the bar, slamming his cane down on the floor. Erza pushed Natsu and Gray, who were still fighting, back into their seats, and the hall finally quieted down.
Two wooden plaques were placed in front of everyone.
"This assessment consists of three stages. Reaching Black Reef Island tests your choices during the mission; protecting the True Magic lamp tests your ability to remember the objective when facing unexpected situations; and finally, crossing Gildarts is the real combat."
Makarov picked up Laxus's wooden sign first.
" Laxus actively participated in the rescue in the first mission, preserved the objective in the second mission, and used the environment to force the examiner to leave the circle in the third mission. He passed all three missions."
Laxus crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips, but he still pretended to know all along.
" Lin Yuan also completed all three assessments. Especially in the final one, he didn't mistake defeating the examiners for the task itself, but instead used his own methods to directly achieve the goal."
Lin Yuan stood at the front of the crowd, looking at the three red stamps on the wooden sign.
A year ago, he wasn't even qualified to touch the candidate list next to the stairs.
Makarov raised his wooden staff.
"In the name of the third guild master of Fairy Tail, I hereby declare that Lin Yuan and Laxus are promoted to S-Class Mage effective today!"
The silence lasted only a moment.
The next moment, the entire guild exploded like a powder keg. Glasses and chairs flew into the air, Macao blew a horn he'd somehow found, and Wakaba's smoke rings enveloped Natsu's head.
Lisanna emerged from the crowd and grabbed Lin Yuan's uninjured arm.
"Brother Lin Yuan, you've really become S-Class!"
"It's just a head start," Mira said, flicking the flour off his hair. "The bet isn't over yet."
When are you planning to catch up?
"Once your shoulder heals, I'll beat you up first."
Elfman nodded vigorously beside him. "To become S-Class, that's real manly!"
" Mira needs to become S-Class too," Lisanna reminded her.
"That's also a man's spirit!"
Mira's fist immediately landed on his head.
The celebrations continued until evening.
Makarov finally called the two men to the stairs leading to the second floor.
"From today onwards, you may enter the second floor and accept S-Class missions. But remember, increased difficulty doesn't just mean increased rewards. Behind every piece of paper may lie the lives of an entire city, or even many people."
After listening, Laxus turned and went up the stairs.
Lin Yuan then stepped onto the first step.
Natsu immediately followed behind, shouting, "I want to see too!"
Makarov's arm suddenly grew larger, propelling him from the middle of the stairs back into the hall. Natsu crashed into Gray's arms, and unsurprisingly, the two started fighting again.
The second floor was quieter than Lin Yuan had imagined. There weren't many task sheets on the wall, each stamped with a conspicuous red seal. Laxus scanned the row of tasks, and almost simultaneously, he and Lin Yuan reached for the paper in the very center.
Press down on the left and right sides of the task sheet with both hands.
"Mine," Laxus said.
I encountered it first.
"Want another match?"
Black and silver ripples and golden arcs lit up simultaneously.
Makarov downstairs looked up, his temple veins throbbing.
"You two—you're not allowed to steal the commission upstairs!"