"Certainly. I'll go first." Makarov nodded.
Since Fairy Tail had taken first place, it was only right for him to announce the results first.
Guild Masters Goldmine and Bob had no objections.
Their promotion lists were based on Fairy Tail's performance.
"Now, the three guild masters will announce the final list of candidates who have passed this S-Class examination."
After confirming the promotion list was finalized, Marco called for silence from the spectators, waiting for the final results.
Everyone quieted down, their expectant gazes fixed on the judges' platform and Makarov standing alone at the front.
"From the Fairy Tail guild, the Mage who has passed the examination and been promoted to S-Class is..."
Makarov drew out the suspense before finally announcing the name everyone already knew would be promoted.
"Erza Scarlet!"
As expected, Erza successfully became an S-Class Mage.
Erza clenched her fists, suppressing her emotions, though the corners of her mouth still curled upward uncontrollably.
"And then?! That's it?!"
Unlike the satisfied Erza, Natsu, Gray and others were still eagerly waiting, while Mirajane remained relatively calm.
"Aren't you nervous, Mira-nee?" Lisanna whispered.
She and Elfman were nervous on their sister's behalf, though they themselves had no expectations.
Their sister had been defeated by Erza, but even in loss, she had demonstrated formidable strength worthy of recognition.
She was the only examinee who could truly be said to have "fought" against Erza!
While it might sound disrespectful to other examinees, among Erza's opponents, only Mirajane could claim to have given her a real battle.
The rest were all overwhelming victories, differing only in how quickly they lost.
"Nervousness won't help. Fairy Tail's S-Class standards are too strict." Mirajane shook her head.
She knew she probably wouldn't be promoted—Marco had hinted as much to her.
"..."
Lisanna and Elfman exchanged glances, unable to believe their sister wouldn't make it.
But reality was cruel
. After announcing Erza's name, Makarov jumped down from the railing.
The next to step forward was Master Goldmine of Quatro Cerberus.
Goldmine wasn't in a hurry to announce the results, as everyone was still shocked that only the champion from Fairy Tail had advanced to S-Class.
If the members of Fairy Tail had some psychological preparation for the high standards of the S-Class promotion exam...
Then the Mages from the other two guilds were truly startled—they never expected this outcome.
"In that case..."
Some people's expressions darkened.
Those who had been eliminated earlier had held onto a sliver of hope for promotion, but now...
"Bacchus Groh."
Seeing that everyone had calmed down and was nervously awaiting his announcement, Goldmine read out his choice.
Again, only one name was called—Bacchus, who had been defeated by Erza in the semifinals and was the highest-ranked participant from Quatro Cerberus.
At this point, after Master Bob made his appearance, all eyes turned to Hibiki Lates.
If each guild was only selecting one candidate, then Blue Pegasus' choice would undoubtedly be Hibiki Lates.
"No one from Blue Pegasus will be promoted in this exam."
However, Master Bob dropped a bombshell—he declared a complete wipeout!
None of Blue Pegasus' examinees this time had qualified for promotion to S-Class Mage.
"How could this be?!"
Naturally, this result caused an uproar, sparking heated discussions.
"It makes sense, though."
At the center of the storm, Hibiki Lates wore a look of acceptance.
Even Natsu, who had defeated him, hadn't been promoted to S-Class—what right did he, the loser, have to advance?
Master Bob must have considered this too.
It was their own lack of ability that had put him in a difficult position.
Although the initial criteria stated that even losers could qualify for promotion, with each guild setting its own standards...
Losing to someone who was promoted was one thing—like Bacchus, whose promotion no one could dispute since he had only lost to another promoted candidate.
But for losers like them to be promoted while those who defeated them weren't... that would be hard to justify.
Even if they were promoted under such circumstances, it wouldn't be an honor—it would be embarrassing, dragging down the entire guild's reputation.
Thus, after Natsu failed to get promoted, Hibiki had already anticipated this outcome.
To the comforting words of his companions, Hibiki responded with a smile, showing he didn't mind.
Over at Fairy Tail, both Natsu and Gray were somewhat disappointed, but since even Mirajane hadn't been promoted, they had nothing to complain about.
"Dammit! Next time I'll definitely take first place!"
Natsu clenched his fists, his face full of frustration.
He believed that if he could win next time, promotion would be guaranteed.
...
With the promotion slots finalized, this S-Class exam officially came to an end.
As the first joint exam of its kind, everyone was quite satisfied with how it had gone.
This format also received unanimous approval—if nothing else, at least it had been highly entertaining.
Moreover, these three days of interaction had genuinely brought the Mages of the three guilds closer together.
After the exam concluded, the Mages from Quatro Cerberus and Blue Pegasus didn't leave immediately.
The bustling "City of Magic," Magnolia, enticed them to stay a few extra days.
After thoroughly enjoying their time in Magnolia, the Mages from both guilds finally set off on their journey.
"At last, it's completely over."
Only after seeing off the Mages from both guilds did Marco finally let out a sigh of relief.
As the host and organizer, he had been responsible for the reception of both "delegations" until their departure.
Hosting this S-Class exam had indeed been exhausting and troublesome.
Marco mused that perhaps it really would be better to rotate the responsibility among several guilds.
Lost in thought, Marco began walking back to the guild, but halfway there, he stopped—someone had intercepted him.
"Leo? Why are you still here? Has Karen not given in yet?"
Seeing the Celestial Spirit Leo, the Lion, standing before him, Marco's expression turned to surprise.
By his calculations, it had already been over a week since Leo and Karen had their falling out.
No matter what, the two should have talked things out by now, yet Leo was still lingering in Magnolia.
"Karen... is dead."
Leo's face was blank, his complexion ashen, making it clear something was terribly wrong.
"..."
Marco fell silent, staring at the lifeless expression on Leo's face, unsure of what to say.
Though he had sensed something was amiss the moment he saw Leo, this was...
"She's really gone?"
Marco frowned as he asked, though his tone was more rhetorical.
He already believed it—Leo wouldn't dare joke about something like this.
"Yes... just today..."
Leo nodded mechanically, confirming the news.
He couldn't be mistaken.
As a Celestial Spirit, he could sense the moment his contractor died.
After all, he had been constantly drawing on Karen's magic and now that connection had been completely severed.
"My condolences." Marco sighed.
Though he had always suspected this day would come, he hadn't expected it to arrive so soon.
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