Makarov spoke sternly, "The participants for this year's S-Class Mage exam will be those who stood out during the last selection match."
Back then, when Laxus had tried to start an internal conflict, Jehfrit had used that as a pretext to select candidates for the S-Class Mage trials. Makarov had agreed.
That incident would indeed be factored into the scoring.
And now, the moment of truth had finally arrived. Everyone was excited.
Makarov felt the same way—his children were growing up, full of energy and promise. Soon, Fairy Tail would welcome another S-Class Mage. The guild's reputation for S-Class Mages was already legendary; each one possessed at least lower-tier Holy Ten-level strength, which was terrifying in itself. Though the Magic Council refused to grant Fairy Tail a second Holy Ten position, they couldn't stop them from selecting their sixth S-Class Mage.
Jehfrit and Laxus were right—excessive kindness and forbearance only invited disdain, like what happened with Phantom Lord.
Though Laxus' approach was extreme, some truths needed to be said by someone like him.
The stronger the guild, the safer its weaker members would be when taking on missions.
In fact, after Fairy Tail dismantled Roya's organization across borders, even dark mages now went out of their way to avoid Fairy Tail members.
Capture one person, and the entire guild mobilizes, obliterating an organization and leveling a city.
With their puny limbs, how could anyone stand against such power?
"Cough cough."
Makarov cleared his throat. "This year, there are seven candidates—"
"Natsu!"
Natsu, who had been brimming with excitement just moments ago, bared his teeth in a grin, his fighting spirit ignited.
"Yes! Congratulations, Natsu!" Happy cheered.
"Good luck, Natsu," Lucy patted him on the shoulder encouragingly.
"Gray!"
"Hmph." Gray smirked confidently.
"No surprise for Gray-sama!" Juvia exclaimed happily.
"Elfman!"
"Manliness!!!" Elfman roared with excitement, raising his fist triumphantly.
"Congratulations, Elfman," Evergreen said with a smile.
"Cana!"
"Huh? Cana? Congratulations, Cana!" Lucy quickly chimed in.
"Hmm…" Cana didn't look particularly thrilled.
"Fried!"
"Hmph, I'll become an S-Class Mage and stand beside Laxus!" Fried declared confidently. But when he glanced upstairs at Laxus, his expression turned sorrowful, like a puppy abandoned by its master. "Laxus needs me!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Bickslow muttered beside him, unimpressed.
Upstairs…
"Who do you think will make it this time, Brother Laxus?" Lisanna sat on a stool, munching on fruit while swinging her legs freely.
Juice dribbled down Lisanna's arm, threatening to stain her dress.
Out of the corner of his eye, Laxus had been watching. When he saw the droplet about to fall, he instinctively reached out, napkin in hand, and wiped the juice away.
"Thank you," Lisanna smiled brightly.
"Hmph." Laxus grunted, "Natsu, probably. That guy's grown a lot."
"But if Gray faces off against Natsu, it's hard to say," Lisanna sighed, slapping her forehead. "I don't have high hopes for Elfman-nii."
"..." Laxus didn't respond.
'Huff huff'
On the floor nearby, Speed was doing sit-ups.
He wore weighted training gear—magic-enhanced bracelets crafted by Jehfrit.
Even drenched in sweat and dizzy, he pushed through, muttering, "I need to get stronger… I have to help Laxus!"
Makarov continued, "Levy!"
"Huh? Me?" Levy was surprised.
"Congratulations, Levy!" Her teammates cheered for her.
"Mest!"
At the mention of the name, Jehfrit glanced at the man—scarred face, buzz cut, unremarkable appearance.
Memory-altering magic?
It didn't affect him, but he chose not to say anything.
"That's all seven!" Makarov announced. "This trial will take place on our sacred ground—Tenrou Island!"
"Among you, only one will emerge victorious and become an S-Class Mage!"
"Do your best, children!"
"Oh—" Everyone raised their hands in excitement.
Makarov added, "For this test, you're allowed to choose a partner—but no S-Class Mages, and Jehfrit is also off-limits."
"The exam is in one week. Go prepare."
"Yes!"
With that, Makarov left.
Everyone began discussing fervently.
"Choosing partners, huh…" Lucy smiled. "I wonder who'll pair with me."
"Lucy." Natsu placed a hand on her shoulder. "Be my partner."
"Huh?" Lucy looked at him in surprise. "Are you sure? My strength…"
"And what about Happy?"
Though Lucy was happy, she didn't want to disrupt the bond between Natsu and Happy.
"Happy will still come along," Jehfrit interjected. "But as part of the support crew with me."
"I see," Lucy sighed in relief. "Then I accept!"
"A partner, huh…" Gray headed home.
"I can't pick Jehfrit…"
"But I didn't plan to anyway—I'll rely on my own strength!"
"Gray-sama!" At that moment, Juvia caught up.
"Something wrong?" Gray turned to her.
"Well…" Juvia bit her lip, determination flashing in her eyes. "I can help too!"
"…" Gray hesitated for a moment.
As Juvia waited silently, her expression shifted from hopeful anticipation to disappointment.
Gray recalled Jehfrit's words: "Gray, do you have some unresolved grudge or are you planning to dedicate your life to the kingdom?"
"What do you mean?" Gray shot back.
"Don't you think Juvia is capable?"
"…" After a pause, Gray retorted, "Isn't Mira enough to handle both domestic chores and social events?"
That silenced Jehfrit momentarily.
"Gray-sama…" Juvia lowered her head, her big eyes glistening with unshed tears, looking utterly pitiful.
"Juvia, I'll count on you," Gray finally said.
"Really?!" Juvia jumped in excitement but quickly composed herself, reverting to her usual ladylike demeanor. "I won't disappoint you, Gray-sama!"
"Just do your best," Gray nodded.
"Then I won't bother you anymore." Though Juvia wanted to stay, she was thrilled just to receive Gray's approval and didn't dare ask for more.
"Wait…" Gray called out.
"Gray-sama?" Juvia turned back, puzzled.
"…" Gray hesitated briefly before saying, "I'm feeling hungry. Do you know any good restaurants around here?"
"I do!" Juvia exclaimed excitedly.
*Click*
The shop window nearby flashed.
Inside the guild, on the second floor, Jehfrit heard Aza's voice: "Master, I've captured the moment."
"Good job, i'm proud of you." Jehfrit picked up the photo.
"There's also video footage." Aza played the recording.
"Haha, Gray," Jehfrit chuckled. "What a clumsy excuse."
Gray, who grew up in Magnolia, asking Juvia—a newcomer of only six months—for restaurant recommendations?
How absurd...
But still, it was progress.
"Elfman, who do you plan to pick as your partner?" Evergreen asked with a confident smile, sipping her milk tea through a straw. Clearly, she assumed she was the obvious choice.
"I was thinking…" Elfman started, intending to say 'you,' but suddenly choked on his words. He glanced at Evergreen's face, then let his gaze wander to her waist and legs, struggling internally. Eventually, he declared, "My sister Lisanna."
"…" Evergreen tilted her head, genuinely surprised by his answer.
"Why?" Evergreen asked, confused.
"…" Elfman faltered, ready to backtrack, but Jehfrit's voice echoed in his ear via telepathy: "Elfman, be firm! Your relationship dynamic with Evergreen is unhealthy. She always takes the lead—you're supposed to be a man, aren't you? Who earns tens of thousands per mission yet only gets three hundred weekly allowance? And if this happens before marriage, what hope do you have afterward?!"
"Trust me—it's the right move."
Encouraged by Jehfrit's words, Elfman decided to follow his advice.
After all… he was a man.
He couldn't keep being the butt of everyone's jokes!
Thus, Elfman pretended to reject Evergreen and announced that he'd chosen his sister Lisanna as his partner.
A sister was like a brick—useful when needed.
Picking any other girl would've been suicidal—it would've sent Evergreen into a jealous rage.
But seeing the anger brewing on Evergreen's face, Elfman grew nervous.
Jehfrit reassured him: "It's working. This means she cares about you. Next, just stay firm. She'll definitely ask why, and then you can present your demands."
"My demand is an allowance increase to five hundred or even a thousand jewels!"
"And…" Elfman steeled himself. "She has to wear those black stockings I saw in a magazine yesterday!"
"You…" Jehfrit sighed, exasperated. Turning to Miko, he muttered, "He's hopeless. Elfman's days as a proud man are over. From now on, call him a henpecked husband."
"…" Miko gave him a sidelong glance. "Jehfrit, you're evil incarnate! Elfman's doomed!"
Downstairs in the hall…
Thinking about how an allowance bump to a thousand jewels meant he wouldn't have to borrow money from Lisanna next time he craved sweet potato snacks, Elfman made up his mind.
And imagining Evergreen in those black stockings… *gulp*.
With renewed resolve, Elfman declared, "I'm sorry, Evergreen."
"But I've already made my decision."
"…" Evergreen's expression darkened.
Perfect timing!
Elfman's eyes lit up. "Aren't you going to ask why?"
*Smack* Jehfrit facepalmed. "This guy's beyond saving."
"No need," Evergreen sneered. "Such an important milestone in life naturally calls for the most trustworthy partner. Choosing a sibling over a girlfriend you've only dated for a few days makes perfect sense."
"Huh?" Elfman froze. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
Panicking, he quickly blurted, "No, that's not it! I—"
*Splash* Before he could finish, Evergreen dumped her milk tea on his face and glared icily. "Elfman, whatever schemes you have, don't involve me!"
With that, she grabbed her bag and stormed off.
"Wait, Evergreen!" Elfman rushed after her.
*Boom*
A sudden explosion sent him flying.
"What's going on with them?" Everyone was baffled.
"Jehfrit, you tricked me!" Elfman transformed into his Beast Soul form and charged at Jehfrit.
"Looks like Jehfrit messed up," Miko remarked.
*Thud* Aza appeared, catching Elfman's punch.
Jehfrit calmly took a sip of his drink. "Relax, Elfman. I've never been wrong."
"But Evergreen's furious!" Elfman protested.
"It's expected," Jehfrit replied coolly. "Here's what you do next…"
Using Deception Magic, he opened a private channel and relayed his plan to Elfman.
"Will this really work?" Elfman hesitated.
"Have I ever steered you wrong?"
"…" Gritting his teeth, Elfman leapt to the first-floor counter, grabbing Mirajane's arm. "Sister, if Evergreen breaks up with me, please punish Jehfrit severely!"
"…" Jehfrit blinked.
Mirajane paused, then smiled and nodded. "Evergreen won't break up with you, but…"
Her smile turned dangerous as she glanced at Jehfrit. Beneath her half-closed eyelids lurked a menacing glint.
"If things escalate too far, I'll have a serious talk with Master Jehfrit."
"…" Setting his cup down, Jehfrit muttered, "Ikuto, let's go home!"
"Ah, sorry." Cana pulled Ikuto aside. "I'm pairing up with Ikuto, so I'll borrow her for two weeks."
"…" Jehfrit sighed.
"Sorry, Master Jehfrit," Ikuto apologized sheepishly.
Under Mirajane's watchful glare, Jehfrit slinked away, defeated.
Miko asked, "Is your plan really going to work?"
"No problem." Once outside the guild and aboard the carriage, Jehfrit finally lifted his head. "Piece of cake."
"Why are you helping Elfman?" Miko wondered.
"If it were purely consensual, fine. But Elfman's a proud man—it's too harsh to give him only three hundred jewels a week," Jehfrit explained. "Evergreen's proud too. Love alone might not withstand long-term resentment. Once the honeymoon phase ends and Elfman starts feeling bitter, this relationship won't last."