Ankh's strength wasn't inferior to Laxus's - he might even be stronger - and his popularity within the guild was beyond question.
If he could become the guild's S-Class Mage, he would definitely become the most reliable pillar.
The outcome of this S-Class exam happened to be exactly what Makarov had hoped for most.
And so, in this exam where he only fought for a short time, Ankh somehow passed Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class exam and became an S-Class Mage.
This was the first S-Class exam for the guild's new generation, and Makarov's requirements for the exam weren't very strict yet.
But as more young S-Class Mages emerged in the guild later, the simple and crude assessment method like Ankh's would certainly no longer exist.
Before long, Makarov dragged Laxus inside the guild while Ankh carried Erza in his arms and held Cana by the collar with his other hand.
The guild members rushed over upon seeing them, hastily taking the three injured individuals into the building.
The combined magical attack unleashed earlier by Erza and Ankh had not only defeated Laxus but also destroyed many surrounding objects.
Among the damaged items was the crystal ball Makarov had sent to monitor the examination grounds...
Thus, no one had witnessed the final scene.
Makarov announced the final result of the exam to everyone: Ankh had passed and become an S-Class Mage.
Upon hearing this news, everyone in the guild leaped up excitedly, crowding around Ankh with wild cheers to celebrate the birth of their new S-Class Mage!
Mirajane approached Ankh, happily throwing an arm around his shoulder as she laughed heartily.
"Damn, Ankh! You beat them half to death! Hahahaha!"
Ankh had no response to that as he awkwardly staring at his feet...
Truthfully... aside from Cana whom he'd knocked out himself, the other two weren't really his doing.
He was just as confused about what happened.
He didn't understand why Mirajane was so excited either.
Beaming, she asked, "Now that you're an S-Class Mage, have you thought about how to celebrate?"
Ankh shook his head, his expression complicated as he replied, "Not really. Besides, I need to check on Erza first..."
Mirajane's radiant smile froze on her face before slowly fading away.
Resting his chin on his hand, Ankh failed to notice Mirajane's changing expression as he fell into deep thought, recalling the events during the exam.
According to Seram's explanation, anyone capable of merging magic power with Ankh to execute a combined attack must have some connection to the gods.
No matter how strong one's magic power might be, it should be impossible to bridge the fundamental gap between divine and human bloodlines!
He needed to find a way to investigate Erza's origins.
He was genuinely curious...
...
After settling the three unconscious individuals in the infirmary, Makarov emerged from the room.
Ankh quickly approached him and asked, "How are they?"
The Guild Master clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Cana will wake up soon. Erza has exhausted her magic power, and Laxus is more seriously injured. Those two will need to be examined by the guild's medical consultant, but there shouldn't be any major issues."
Ankh breathed a sigh of relief.
He remembered that the guild's medical consultant was someone called Porlyusica.
This thought sparked an idea and he quickly asked, "Could I ask the consultant for a small favor?"
Makarov looked at him curiously, "What kind of favor?"
Ankh seemed to be contemplating something as he murmured quietly.
"Just a small test..."
...
While the Master went to fetch Porlyusica, Ankh sat waiting in a chair while frowning in thought.
After quite some time, Ankh snapped out of his contemplation.
Just as he was about to visit Erza in the infirmary, he suddenly noticed someone sitting beside him.
Seeing Mirajane sitting nearby him while looking displeased, Ankh asked her in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Mirajane pouted, turning her head away to show him the back of her head as she stubbornly declared.
"Nothing's wrong!"
When a woman says "nothing's wrong," it usually means something is definitely wrong.
Although Ankh hadn't had much romantic experience in his previous life, he understood this principle well enough.
So Ankh reached out and gently placed his hand on Mirajane's head, feeling the softness of her hair between his fingers.
He chuckled lightly and said, "Seems you're angry. Why?"
The warmth on Mirajane's head felt rather pleasant, making her shrink her neck slightly in comfort.
She maintained this position for quite a while before finally gathering the courage to speak.
"Ankh... do you like Erza more, or me more...?"
Huh?
Hearing this question, Ankh thought he must have misheard her and looked at Mirajane in surprise.
But after saying those words, she fell completely silent, and even her ears turned bright red...
'I see... so that's how it is...'
"Are you jealous?" Ankh asked with amused interest.
At his words, Mirajane completely lost her composure.
She sprang away from Ankh like an agitated cat.
"You... you're talking nonsense! What you do is none of my damn business!"
Her secret exposed, Mirajane's face flushed crimson with a mix of embarrassment and anger as she unleashed a stream of curse at Ankh.
As Mirajane jumped around refuting him vehemently, Ankh remained completely unruffled.
Leaning sideways in his chair, he pointed at her and laughed heartily.
'Hahaha!'
'She's flustered! She's flustered before I even made a move!'
With a faint smile on his face, Ankh stood up and grabbed the girl's flailing hands.
He brought his face close to hers and teased her.
"I'm talking nonsense? Then why is your face so red?"
"If you're jealous, Mira, you can just tell me directly..."
As Ankh spoke, he moved closer, steadily shrinking the distance between them.
Watching that handsome face draw nearer, she could already feel the warmth of his breath near her lips.
Somehow, all the strength drained from Mirajane's body.
Her heart racing like a startled deer, she lowered her head.
The stream of curses from moments before unconsciously softened into faint murmurs, barely audible to him.
He had only meant to tease her a little, but who knew Mirajane would react so strongly, her body going as soft as still water as she collapsed into his arms.
"Ahem."
Somewhat awkwardly holding Mirajane in his embrace, Ankh was just about to speak when a cough suddenly came from the doorway.
Both their bodies instantly stiffened.
Ankh turned his head mechanically to look and saw two figures of different heights standing at the entrance.
Makarov, and the medical consultant Porlyusica he had brought along.
Makarov couldn't stop winking and making faces, chuckling oddly as he said.
"As expected, Ankh does prefer Mira a bit more."
The lady with long pink hair and a high-collared cloak, Porlyusica, maintained a stern expression, her face slightly disdainful.
Though her appearance had aged, one could still glimpse the peerless beauty of her youth in her weathered features.
Regaining some strength, Mirajane quickly pushed Ankh away, covered her flushed face, and ran off.
'This girl...' Ankh smiled wryly.
Mirajane was indeed a little beauty, and Ankh did have quite a fondness for her, but the key point was... she was too young.
Far too young.
Just as he was thinking this, Porlyusica, who stood beside Makarov, walked up to him.
With a disgusted expression, she coldly asked, "Where is the patient?"
----
Ankh is 15 and Mirajane is 13, the romance feel too early but i keep it since we will have a timeskip in 4 more chapter.