Moen and Makarov flew all the way toward Hargeon, but before they even reached their destination, they spotted the large ship sailing across the sea.
The facts proved that Moen had moved through the process incredibly fast. The companions who had returned earlier hadn't even reached Hargeon yet, and he had already completed the remaining stages of the exam and even caught up with them.
Moen and Makarov landed on the large ship, and everyone gathered around them. The moment Moen's crow appeared, everyone had already noticed it, after all, a crow that large was truly uncommon.
"Moen! Did you pass the S-Class exam?!"
As soon as he landed, Natsu was the first to rush forward, asking excitedly, even temporarily forgetting his seasickness.
"Of course. Was there ever any doubt?"
Moen smiled and reached out to knock Natsu on the head.
But Natsu didn't care about the pain at all, he jumped up excitedly.
"That's amazing! Moen became an S-Class Mage too!"
After celebrating for a moment, Natsu clenched his fist with determination and shouted.
"Next time, I'll definitely pass the exam too! I'll become an S-Class Mage! I'll defeat Laxus! Defeat Moen! Defeat Gildarts! And become the strongest in the guild!"
Natsu's declaration was full of passion, but it earned him a barrage of angry glares. Gray, Gajeel, Mirajane, and Erza were all dissatisfied with what he said, this guy hadn't even included them as targets!
The one who was even more dissatisfied, however, was Laxus because Natsu had placed his name before Moen's!
"Natsu! What the hell do you mean by that?!"
Before anyone else could speak, Laxus was the first to lash out. He already didn't get along well with Natsu and often picked fights with him, now he had even more reason to teach him a lesson.
"Huh?"
Natsu looked completely confused. He hadn't realized there was anything wrong with what he had just said.
So facing the aggressive crowd, he only felt baffled, not understanding what mistake he had made.
"W-What are you guys trying to do?!"
Natsu stepped back warily and finally hid behind Moen.
If it were only Gray and Gajeel, Natsu wouldn't have been afraid at all. He would've charged right in and started a brawl, that was their usual routine.
But now, Mirajane and Erza had also stepped forward, and even Laxus had joined in, Natsu couldn't handle that.
A wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him. In this situation, he naturally chose to avoid the confrontation and hide behind Moen while observing.
"Alright, alright, Natsu's always been careless with his words, you all know that."
Moen spread his arms in front of Natsu and stopped everyone with a smile, preventing them from ganging up on him.
If he didn't step in, they really might have done it at the very least, giving Natsu a good beating wouldn't have been a problem.
"That idiot!"
Laxus glared at Natsu. Having just fought Moen and ended up at a disadvantage, he was already in a sensitive mood, Natsu's words had struck right at the sore spot.
"Bleh!"
With Moen shielding him, Natsu suddenly found his backbone again. With Moen backing him up, he even started provoking Laxus—despite not even knowing why Laxus was angry. After all, he had said he wanted to challenge Laxus too!
"Bang!"
Before Laxus could act, Moen turned around and punched the unruly Natsu.
"You brat! Behave yourself, or I'll hand you over to them."
Moen said helplessly. This kid was truly restless wherever he was, trouble would follow. Even when he was seasick, he could still stir something up.
As for why Laxus was angry, Moen understood perfectly well. It was because Natsu hadn't added a disclaimer like "no particular ranking"—that kind of thing was actually very necessary!
Natsu held his head, baring his teeth in pain, and nodded repeatedly, finally calming down. He definitely didn't want to get beaten up by everyone.
The still-young Fire Dragon glared at Gray and Gajeel. He might not have any way to deal with Mirajane, Erza, or Laxus yet but he would definitely get even with Gray and Gajeel!
"Ugh!"
Natsu gagged suddenly. Of course, when he said he'd get even, he meant after returning to land on the ship, he was only going to get beaten by Gray.
"Moen, congratulations on officially becoming an S-Class Mage."
After Natsu calmed down, everyone came forward one after another to congratulate Moen.
It had to be said, within Fairy Tail, this was truly something worth celebrating.
The S-Class Mages of Fairy Tail carried immense prestige!
In fact, if Moen hadn't passed, it would have made that prestige or rather, the threshold even higher. But then everyone would probably start questioning that very prestige.
The title "Rose Star " had already spread far and wide. His strength and achievements had been recognized by many. If even Moen couldn't become an S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail, then the requirements would be considered absurdly high.
In short, if Moen hadn't become an S-Class Mage, it would have sparked widespread discussion and dragged Fairy Tail into negative publicity. While that kind of thing wasn't exactly rare, it still wasn't something Moen wanted to see.
Now, however, everything ended happily. His promotion to S-Class Mage added honor to Fairy Tail and further enhanced the prestige of its S-Class Mages.
Everyone sincerely congratulated Moen—there was no jealousy or dissatisfaction at all.
Because the strength Moen had displayed in battle left them with no grounds for complaint. Even the veterans who had participated multiple times were completely convinced.
"Keep it up, everyone—you can all do it too."
Moen smiled and encouraged them.
But everyone just listened politely. If anyone actually believed it, that would be something else entirely.
After this exam, the veterans had basically given up any hopes of becoming S-Class Mages.
Before, they could still make excuses, it wasn't that they were too weak, but that Gildarts was too strong and the standards were too high.
Moreover, since no one had ever passed before, the exact criteria weren't clear, so everyone believed they might have a chance.
But this time was different. First, they were crushed by Laxus, and then they witnessed Moen's overwhelming strength. The standard for S-Class Mages they could finally glimpse it.
Everyone was saying that they should have listened to Guild Master Makarov, this time, they shouldn't have come just to try their luck!
Sure enough, only those personally recognized by Makarov as qualified—Moen, Erza, and Mirajane had any real chance of passing the S-Class Mage exam.
This exam also allowed many people to truly witness the strength and talent of Erza and Mirajane.
"So, future exams will go back to the original system, Guild Master Makarov will decide who is qualified to participate in the S-Class Mage exam."
Moen said with a smile. This was something he had already discussed with Grandpa Makarov, the exam would return to its original rules.
As for this time, it would be treated as a special case. There were many strong newcomers in the guild who had never taken the S-Class exam before, so this was like giving them a trial experience.
"Ah? Then what exactly are the criteria?"
Mirajane widened her eyes and asked. She had been thinking of participating again next year, striving to become an S-Class Mage before Erza, but now she might not even have the qualification to participate.
"Mirajane, you don't need to worry. The main evaluation criteria are all closely related to the guild."
Looking at Mirajane, Moen smiled and explained. He believed Mirajane would have no problem at all.
"For example, the number of missions completed over a year, mission completion rate, the benefits brought to the guild. Of course, aside from that, strength is also a very important evaluation standard."
For Mirajane, who was essentially a workaholic, these requirements were not a problem at all. Her mission count, completion rate, and contributions would definitely meet the standards, even far exceed them.
Although these evaluation requirements might seem somewhat utilitarian, they are actually the most core data that determine whether a Mage Guild can develop well.
As a Mage Guild, the main evaluation indicators of Fairy Tail are naturally closely related to guild commissions.
If an S-Class Mage cannot bring any benefit to the guild, then they are definitely not a qualified S-Class Mage. Strength is not the only standard, it is merely the most basic requirement.
"I see..."
After hearing these requirements, Mirajane let out a sigh of relief, and Erza beside her also relaxed.
For Erza, these were not problems either. Mirajane often went out to take commissions, and she naturally refused to fall behind. The two of them were also quietly competing in this regard.
This kind of healthy competition was naturally something both Makarov and Moen were happy to see, even encouraged.
Therefore, although some of the older generation worried that the competition among the younger members might become too intense and affect the guild's atmosphere, Makarov had always chosen to ignore it.
Having lived for so many years and managed the guild for more than forty years, Makarov was not someone who had lived or worked in vain. His eyes could see through many things to their essence.
"Let me remind you, S-Class Mages have the right to review in daily situations. Their suggestions may influence the final result."
Makarov had been listening all along. After Moen finished speaking, he suddenly spoke to remind everyone.
This point, when there had only been one S-Class Mage, Gildarts was basically meaningless in practice.
After all, Gildarts was hardly ever in the guild. Even when he occasionally returned, he didn't stay long before leaving again.
What kind of opinions could such a Gildarts provide? He would only say that everyone was doing well and encourage everyone to actively try.
As for Laxus, his opinions could only be accepted to a limited extent, because he was the complete opposite of Gildarts, he believed that most people were unqualified.
After Makarov said this, everyone's gaze turned toward Moen. Clearly, the one who could play the biggest role in this aspect seemed to be Moen.
"Ahem, it's just having the qualification to offer some minor suggestions. There's no need for everyone to worry about it."
Moen coughed twice and made a small "pinch" gesture with his fingers.
He truly hadn't expected that Grandpa Makarov would directly make this information public. How was he supposed to observe quietly now?
"That's right, they only provide suggestions. The final decision is still in my hands."
Makarov nodded, easing some of Moen's pressure so he wouldn't be constantly stared at like someone abusing authority.
As for Laxus, he kept a cold face, and no one paid him any attention. No one believed they could get any favorable "evaluation" from him.
"Don't worry, everyone. As long as you meet all the standards and have a sense of belonging to the guild, I definitely won't deliberately block your qualifications."
Moen explained his evaluation criteria. On top of the basic requirements, he only added one condition—that they must truly be "one of Fairy Tail."
This "one of Fairy Tail" meant treating Fairy Tail as home and possessing the spirit of Fairy Tail. Those who were half-hearted would definitely not qualify.
"..."
Everyone fell silent. Moen's requirement didn't sound difficult, but it was very subjective and based on personal judgment.
"I'm different. I only look at strength."
Laxus added from the side. Everyone glanced at him but said nothing. His requirement of strength was actually even harder to achieve.
"Alright, let's hurry back to the guild. We'll have a proper celebration when we get back—I'm treating!"
Seeing everyone deep in thought, Moen smiled and called out. As soon as they heard there would be a banquet, everyone immediately became excited and cheered.
Chatting and laughing along the way, the large ship docked at Hargeon Harbor. The guild members got off the ship and then took a train back to Magnolia.
After arriving at the guild, there was naturally a grand feast. Those who had stayed behind and didn't participate in the S-Class exam were also very happy for Moen.
In a corner, Laxus silently watched the lively scene, his mood somewhat complicated. This was probably the difference between him and Moen.
Laxus knew that even if Moen didn't say anything, the guild members would still spontaneously celebrate for him. This banquet was inevitable.
But when he passed the exam, there had been no such banquet. He didn't hold one, and no one held one for him. Only Moen had given him a congratulatory gift.
Moen had given him a doll. It was said to be an electric mouse called Pikachu.
"Now that I've become an S-Class Mage, I can finally go to the second floor to take S-Class jobs. Any advice, senior?"
While Laxus was standing alone in a corner lost in thought, Moen's smiling voice pulled him back. Laxus looked at Moen and saw that face which always seemed to carry a smile.
"What's wrong? Won't you take me there? Going to the second floor is a privilege exclusive to S-Class Mages."
Looking at Laxus, Moen said with a smile. He still remembered when Laxus had just become an S-Class Mage and came to show off that he could go to the second floor to take S-Class jobs.
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