"Actually, the royal family already informed the local Guild Alliance about this a week ago and notified the guild masters in advance.
Although we still don't know the exact format, based on the information revealed by the royal family, this should be a large-scale event meant to test the foundations and strength of every guild.
Because of that, I've decided to postpone this year's S-Class Trial and select the new S-Class Wizard from among the members who perform exceptionally during this event."
The moment those words fell, the entire guild exploded into uproar.
"Eh?! So our S-Class Trial's being delayed until January next year?!"
"No way... we don't even know what this so-called gathering actually is.
Who knows what kind of weird tests the royal family is going to throw at us?!"
"And this time it won't just be our guild. Guilds from all across Fiore will participate together.
Not only do we have to compete against our own guildmates, but also powerful mages from other guilds.
With all those factors stacked together, the difficulty of this trial is going to be insane."
While everyone else groaned and complained endlessly about the upcoming event, Kabe absolutely loved this style of examination.
He immediately turned around and began mocking everyone without restraint.
"Oh dear, thank goodness I became S-Class ages ago. I don't have to suffer through the misery you poor bastards are facing."
In an instant, everyone felt like an arrow had pierced straight through their chests.
But Kabe still wasn't done.
"Oh wait, I almost forgot. With your pathetic skill levels, you probably won't even qualify to participate in the event in the first place, so there isn't any need for you to worry so much.
This wonderful burden should be left to the true elites who are actually qualified to become S-Class Wizards."
"AAAAAHHH!! Kabe, you bastard, what did you just say?! Don't think becoming a Wizard Saint means you can look down on us!"
"You little shit! Just because you're strong doesn't mean you can trash-talk everyone at once!
If we all gang up on you, you still might not win!"
"Apologize right now, or today we'll use your blood to prove whether we're qualified to participate!!"
Facing the endless storm of accusations and threats, Kabe merely sneered disdainfully.
"Hmph. A great man like me can't even be bothered fighting little weaklings like you.
If I accidentally injure you and give you an excuse for failing the selection, then I won't get to properly laugh at you later while crushing your dignity beneath my feet."
After saying that, Kabe even let out a sinister "ke ke ke" villain laugh.
Cold sweat instantly began dripping down Macao's back.
'This guy's way too twisted... if he targets us, our lives are basically over.'
The others were similarly horrified by the sheer malice in Kabe's words.
None of them dared imagine how brutally this sharp-tongued monster would ridicule them if he ever got leverage over them.
Even Makarov's face darkened as he watched the guild members trembling in fear under Kabe's oppressive verbal assault.
"SHUT UP, YOU BRAT! If you keep threatening your guildmates, I'll make you clean toilets!"
After roaring at him, Makarov awkwardly scratched the back of his head and smiled apologetically toward Irene.
"Sorry you had to see that. The kids in our guild are always this energetic."
Irene's lips curled upward slightly as she shook her head.
"No, I actually think Fairy Tail has a rather nice atmosphere.
It's no wonder Erza treasures this place as her second home so deeply."
"...Ah... you're too kind."
Watching Kabe completely ignore his warning and continue verbally fighting with everyone else, Makarov genuinely could not understand where exactly Irene had seen this so-called "nice atmosphere."
Though admittedly, when Fairy Tail united together, they truly were like family.
But during ordinary days?
Calling them mortal enemies honestly wouldn't be much of an exaggeration.
Just like right now.
"...Hey, the idiots out on missions still don't know about this yet, right?"
Some genius in the crowd suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
He didn't even need to elaborate further.
Everyone immediately understood.
"Hehehe... honestly, I don't think they need to know."
"Let's just let them continue working while happily looking forward to the S-Class Trial."
"I seriously can't wait to see their expressions at the end of the month when absolutely nothing happens."
At that point, even Kabe had joined in with a wicked grin.
Makarov's expression immediately turned conflicted.
As the guild master and parental figure, his sense of responsibility told him this kind of thing was wrong.
But deep inside, his love for chaos prevented him from saying anything to stop them.
'Those lazy brats rarely work hard for long anyway. Let them stay motivated a little longer so they don't lose enthusiasm.'
Thinking that, Makarov pretended to cough seriously before reminding everyone,
"Anyway, as guild master, I've already informed all of you about the matter.
As for everything else... you can quietly inform each other yourselves."
"UNDERSTOOD, MASTER!!" ×N
The thought of pulling a massive prank on the others made everyone's response noticeably louder and more spirited.
Meanwhile, Irene looked at this entire group of black-hearted troublemakers and suddenly felt the urge to take back her earlier praise.