"Wow, so many people are taking the exam this year."
"Yeah, before it was just one or two, but this time there are five."
"And they're all really strong. You couldn't beat any of them. No wonder you weren't chosen. My condolences, brother."
"Waaah…"
The guild member who had been eliminated cried even harder after being "comforted" by the people around him.
"But with so many participants this time, the outcome probably won't be decided in just one match."
"True. We can look forward to what the exam will be like."
The adults were eagerly discussing the S-Class Exam, while the younger members were having their own heated conversation.
"Why didn't Gramps let me take the S-Class Exam? Erza and the others get to!" Natsu shouted with clear frustration.
Gray, standing nearby, immediately answered with no hesitation:
"Because you're not strong enough. The Master doesn't think you're qualified, so you're not allowed to participate."
"Damn it! Next time I'm definitely taking the S-Class Exam! Happy, let's go train!"
With that, Natsu bolted out of the guild hall. Happy, still just two years old, flapped after him, chirping nonstop:
"Train! Train!"
Watching him leave, Gray turned to Lyon with a scowl of disbelief.
"You're so lucky, getting to take the S-Class Exam this soon."
"That's because I'm strong enough. You're still a little short of that!"
Lyon smugly lifted his right index finger and wagged it at Gray. Gray immediately flared up, ready to charge in and pick a fight.
Ultear, however, stepped in and held him back with one hand. She turned to Lyon and said:
"Come on, this exam won't be easy. The other participants are all strong too."
"Yeah, I know."
Lyon's expression grew serious. Of course, he wanted to succeed in a single attempt, but the others taking the exam were formidable as well.
All he could do was give it his all.
"Lyon, try not to lose too badly."
Gray had cooled off a little under Ultear's restraint, but he still couldn't resist a jab.
"Hmph. As if I would."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yukino looked at her sister and called out brightly:
"Do your best, Sister Sorano!"
Then he turned to Erza beside him and called out:
"Erza-sister, good luck!"
"Yeah, both of you should work hard!"
Wendy kept nodding in agreement. The two younger girls only wished that both Erza and Mirajane could succeed how wonderful it would be if they both became S-Class mages.
"Erza, don't you dare lose!"
Sorano looked at Erza with a provocative smile. Erza met her gaze with a serious expression.
"Of course. I'll give it everything I have."
"Sis Mira, do your best!"
"Big Sister, fight hard!"
Lisanna and Elfman cheered for their sister Mirajane, whose face brimmed with excitement.
"Of course, I'll succeed!"
Then Mirajane turned to Erza, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Erza, let's settle this during the exam!"
"No problem, Mirajane. But don't cry if you lose!"
"You're the one who'll be crying when you lose!"
In an instant, the air between the two grew heated. But since the exam was about to begin, they reluctantly pulled back their fighting spirit, snorted, and turned their heads away, refusing to look at one another.
"Brother, you have to do your best too!"
Kagura encouraged Simon from the side. Simon smiled and nodded, but then admitted:
"I'll try my best. But the others competing are very strong… my chances are slim."
"As long as you give it your all, that's enough."
"Alright, I understand. Kagura, let's go train once more together."
"Mhm."
The siblings walked out of the guild side by side, heading toward the training grounds.
The other participants in the S-Class Exam also went to train one last time, each making their final preparations.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, the guild hall was filled with people. Those selected for the S-Class Exam stood at the front, brimming with anticipation, waiting for Master Makarov to lead them to the venue.
"Where's Noah? Hasn't he come back yet?"
Makarov asked Ultear, who stood beside him. Ultear spread her hands helplessly.
"I haven't seen him these past two days. Didn't he go to prepare the exam grounds?"
"But it shouldn't take that long just to set up a venue. Where did he go? If he doesn't show up soon, we'll have to contact him."
At that moment, a figure appeared at Ultear's side it was Noah.
"Sorry, sorry! After I finished setting up the exam venue, I reinforced the island. Then I happened to find two chests of books sunk at the bottom of the sea nearby. I got so caught up reading them that I camped there for two days and completely forgot about the exam."
Noah pressed his palms together apologetically. Makarov waved his hand.
"Now that you're here, just take us to the exam grounds."
"Alright, everyone follow me."
Noah noticed the guild doors were already locked everyone was clearly ready to depart. With a wave of his hand, he instantly transported them to the island he had prepared.
They arrived on a wide beach. Before them stretched five broad paths paved with glowing magic patterns, each leading straight into the dense forest at the island's center until they disappeared into the trees. In the far distance, another five identical paths emerged from the opposite side of the forest.
Makarov clapped his hands to gather attention, then stepped aside to let Noah speak.
"Alright, Noah will now explain the first stage of the exam."
With everyone's eyes fixed on him, Noah began without hesitation:
"You've all seen the five roads here, and the five roads over there, right? The rules for the first round are simple: start from these roads, follow them through the forest, and exit from the roads on the far side.
Points will be awarded according to order of arrival. First place earns five points, second place four points, and so on the last will receive one point."
The rules were easy to grasp. Everyone understood immediately it was essentially a race.
"But it can't be that simple," Erza said calmly. After all, this was the S-Class Exam. How could it be only a test of speed?
"Of course not," Noah continued. "To raise the difficulty, I've placed numerous traps along the paths to hinder your progress.
Also, you may not attack the competitors beside you. I've set up barriers between each road. You'll still be able to see and hear one another, but direct interference is forbidden.
There are no restrictions on the use of magic, but magical tools are prohibited the exception being Erza's Requip magic. Any questions?"
....
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