The next day, in front of Ruben Karu City.
Kagura, dressed in her white formal suit and holding her sword, watched as the carriage carrying Kenichi, Erza, and the others slowly drove away.
She stood still, lost in thought.
After a long while, Millianna beside her said: "Don't worry, there will be plenty of chances to meet in the future!"
"Meet again in the future?"
Hearing Millianna's words, Kagura placed a clenched fist over her heart, a barely perceptible look of comfort appearing on her fair, pretty face.
Then she withdrew her gaze from the carriage and glanced at Millianna beside her.
"Millianna, let's go back too."
"Okay!"
With that, Kagura and Millianna left along another road.
Naturally, Kenichi didn't know about the conversation between Kagura and Millianna.
After half a day's travel, Kenichi, Erza, and the others returned to the Fairy Tail Guild.
As soon as they entered the guild, they saw Makarov announcing something to everyone.
"The above are the participants for this S-Class Mage promotion trial. Those not selected can participate next year!"
As soon as Makarov said this, Makao and the others who weren't selected looked dismayed.
"Damn it, not selected again! And I've been working so hard!"
"You, working hard? Weren't you drinking in the guild every day?"
"Didn't I work yesterday?"
"Yesterday? You have the nerve to say that!"
"Ah, looks like I'll have to wait until next year."
While Makao and the others were dismayed, Natsu, Gray, and the others were overjoyed.
"Great! I can finally become an S-Class Mage!"
"Natsu, sorry, but the one who will become S-Class Mage is definitely me. You should wait until next year!"
"What did you say? You mean I'll lose to you?"
"Of course!"
"Wanna fight?"
"You think I'm scared?!"
Erza had just entered when she saw Natsu and Gray confronting each other. She scolded them in a tone full of authority: "You two..."
Hearing Erza's voice, Natsu and Gray, who were fiercely confrontational a second ago, became like mice seeing a cat the next.
Their hair stood on end, and they immediately pretended to be good buddies, saying to Erza:
"Erza, you're back!"
"We're getting along just fine today, right, Natsu!"
Seeing Natsu and Gray like this, Erza sighed helplessly.
At that moment, Mirajane walked over and said to Kenichi and Erza with a smile: "Welcome back!"
"Mira, we just got back. We didn't hear what Master just said. Can you tell us who was selected?"
Erza asked this, naturally, on Kenichi's behalf.
Before Mirajane could answer, Natsu and Gray beside them eagerly said:
"I was selected!"
"I was selected too!"
Hearing Natsu and Gray's boastful tones, Erza scolded them irritably: "I wasn't asking you!"
"The list is right here. See for yourself!"
Mirajane handed a roster to Erza.
Erza took it and scanned it quickly.
At that time, Wendy and Lucy also came closer.
They saw eight names written on the list.
Natsu
Gray
Cana
Freed
Levy
Kenichi
Juvia
Mest
Seeing Kenichi's name on the list, Erza smiled and glanced back at him.
Wendy also said happily: "Kenichi-nii, you were selected! Congratulations!"
While everyone was discussing, Makarov over there continued his announcement: "The location for this S-Class Mage promotion trial is our guild's sacred ground, Tenrou Island!"
"The eight participants must each choose one person as their partner!"
As soon as Makarov said this, everyone started discussing again.
"A partner? So it's teams of two?"
"If you choose Erza or Mirajane, wouldn't the chance of winning be huge?!"
Lucy, looking at Erza and Mirajane, the two S-Class mages present, spoke up.
"That won't be allowed!"
Hearing Lucy's words, Mirajane, who had taken the roster back from Erza and was holding it in her arms, said with a smile: "There are rules. You can only choose from within the guild. Also, you cannot choose an S-Class Mage."
Lucy wasn't surprised by Mirajane's words.
And Erza also looked as if this was only natural.
"My partner is, of course, Happy!"
Natsu said to Happy without a second thought.
"Aye!"
Happy raised his hands and said excitedly.
"Kenichi was selected too? What a shame."
Levy glanced at Kenichi and said with regret.
Wendy asked Kenichi: "Kenichi-nii, who will you choose as your partner?"
Kenichi looked down at Wendy and said: "I'll choose you."
Eh?
Me?!
Hearing Kenichi's words, Wendy flustered and said: "I can't! My strength is still..."
Clearly, Wendy was afraid of holding Kenichi back.
After all, this was the S-Class Mage promotion trial.
It was very important.
"Wendy, don't worry. You are strong enough."
Kenichi said to Wendy.
Hearing Kenichi's words, the panic on Wendy's face eased a bit.
"Then... pleased to work with you!"
Wendy said to Kenichi with a serious expression.
Up to now, Kenichi hadn't yet collected Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.
Kenichi thought that by taking the exam with Wendy, he might be able to collect Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.
Additionally, Wendy also had Enchantment Magic.
Although Kenichi already had Irene's Enchantment Magic attribute, Irene's Enchantment Magic was slightly different from Wendy's.
Irene's Enchantment Magic was much more overpowering.
While Wendy's Enchantment Magic was gentler.
For example, when enhancing someone's combat power, Irene's Enchantment Magic would greatly increase their strength, but the enchanted person would lose their reason.
However, Wendy's Enchantment Magic wouldn't cause people to lose their reason.
While Kenichi and Wendy were talking, the other exam participants were also choosing their partners.
"Freed, your partner is me!"
"That goes without saying!"
Freed and Bickslow said to each other.
"Lucy-chan, let's team up!"
Levy walked over, glanced at Kenichi, then said to Lucy.
"Mhm!"