Chapter 163: Reflecting on Oneself Three Times a Day

Having too much information isn't always a good thing, as it can affect one's mood. Knowing that they might face an S-Class wizard was one thing, but finding out they would almost certainly face an S-Class wizard was a completely different level of pressure for Kana.

Because out of these three people, she had already suffered beatings from two of them.

It was only because Laxus was four years older than her and passed the exam early that she had avoided yet another defeat.

Rhodes, on the other hand, was more relaxed since he had been preparing for the worst-case scenario from the start.

Now, it was just a matter of knowing more about the three S-Class wizards.

The lightning-wielding Laxus with immense magic power, the mysterious illusionist Mystogan, and the one Kana least wanted to face — Erza.

Erza was simply too versatile, excelling in both close combat and ranged attacks. With the aid of her armors, she could use various elemental magics, and even perform different combination techniques.

To put it bluntly, Erza was like an all-around enhanced version of Kana.

If Kana were to face her, the only advantage she would have was having a teammate — the same teammate who had been knocked down by Erza with a single punch five months ago.

Thinking this way, Kana's confidence dwindled even further.

"Although our opponents are monsters, if you want to become an S-Class wizard, you need the resolve to become a monster of their caliber," Rhodes tried to maintain an optimistic strategy and encourage his teammate. "Since you were chosen to participate in the exam, it means you have the potential to stand alongside them.

Maybe you're still a bit behind them now, but that small gap can be made up by your teammates. What you can't achieve alone, your teammates will help you accomplish.

I think that's the purpose of the guild master having candidates choose partners — it's not just about testing synergy. It's also our guild's core belief."

"To become... a monster like them... rely on teammates to fill in the gaps..." Kana repeated Rhodes' words, suddenly feeling she wasn't worthy of becoming S-Class.

She had never thought about becoming truly powerful or being some kind of "monster." She just wanted to pass the exam to have the qualifications to call Gildarts "Dad."

As for what it meant to be an S-Class wizard, she had never really thought it through.

Someone like her...

"A real man!" Elfman, moved to tears, exclaimed, "Becoming S-Class is what makes you a real man, Kana!"

Rhodes really wished Elfman could respond this decisively when talking about Lisanna.

Mira gently reminded, "Kana is a girl, you know."

And... what does being S-Class have to do with being a real man?

Elfman paused, then remembered that his sister was also an S-Class wizard. He quickly added, "My sister is a real man too!"

Mira kept smiling, her small fists clenched tightly — this brother was hopeless.

But right now, Kana was the priority.

Mira gently patted Kana on the back, "Looks like the newcomer gave you a lecture, Kana."

Newcomer? Kana looked at Rhodes. Right, Rhodes had only joined the guild less than six months ago, while she'd been here for 11 years. She shouldn't be falling behind a newcomer, whether in determination or anything else.

Rhodes had already put so much effort into her request; she couldn't let him down.

Kana gathered her resolve. "This time, we must defeat them and pass the exam!"

"Then let's begin the practice." Rhodes suggested, "Let's simulate a fight against Miki and Joey."

The practice opponents, of course, were Mira and Elfman.

Mira, with some experience in close combat, was more than capable of playing Miki, while Elfman's fighting style had some similarities to Joey's.

After all, it was just a practice match, not an actual fight.

Most of the time, Rhodes and Kana would make their moves, then pause and consider how the opponent would respond. Mira and Elfman would position themselves accordingly.

Then they would reverse roles.

When simulating Mest and Wang, it was a similar process, except that Mest's magic was harder to deal with.

The group could only consider where Mest might teleport to and help Kana plan how to set traps.

Basic training didn't need much discussion. After three rounds of simulation battles, they had roughly established their strategies for any potential skirmishes in the first round.

For the next five days, they would focus on enhancing their magic power and figuring out how to deal with the three S-Class wizards.

It had been another fulfilling day.

After parting ways with the group, Rhodes returned home, took a hot bath, and lay comfortably in bed.

The mischievous Rhodes instructed Worm to turn off the lights and then closed his eyes.

A few minutes later, he suddenly opened his eyes and sat up:

"Reflecting on myself three times a day — have I been mind-controlled? Has my memory been altered? Am I still myself?"

All right, no issues. Rhodes lay back down and continued sleeping.

Worm blinked in the dark. Did his master go mad? Would there still be delicious Poro dishes in the future?

...

Time flew by in the midst of intense training and preparations, and before they knew it, exam day had arrived.

It was already mid-December, and the weather was getting colder. Rhodes, wearing a coat identical to Mira's, strutted around the guild.

Then, he and Kana headed to the station together.

Before leaving, he left the coat with Mira for safekeeping and changed into another set of winter clothes.

—There was bound to be fighting in the exam, and fighting meant getting hurt. Getting hurt was fine, but damaging the coat would really hurt.

Mira found it amusing and annoying, and just helped him store the coat while reminding him to be careful.

Actually, Rhodes had wanted to take a stroll in the guild's storage to relax a bit.

But today, there were four extra locks on the storage door, and a "No Entry" sign hanging there.

"The guild master is on the second level, huh." Rhodes sighed, forced to travel light, which made him feel uneasy.

He and Kana were the last group to arrive. The others had gone straight to the station and were already standing there, staring at each other.

Marcus really wanted to chat with everyone, but Worren covered his mouth, afraid he might reveal their secret plan.

Makarov counted the number of people and, after confirming it was correct, waved his hand, "Everyone's here. Prepare to depart."

Kana asked, "Aren't we waiting for Laxus and the others?"

"They've already left ahead of us. There are some things at the exam site that need setting up," Makarov said. "If you have any questions, ask before we depart."

Rhodes raised his hand, "Can I go back to grab some—"

"No, next." Makarov didn't even listen. The supplies in the guild were not for use against their own people, especially during an exam.

"Hmph." Rhodes felt like the guild master was targeting him.

The S-Class exam was nerve-wracking, and he couldn't even borrow a few crystal balls to ease the stress.

Suddenly, Mest appeared at the train door, biting at the entrance, "I want to know... I really want to know what a train tastes like..."

Rhodes was bewildered. What was going on? What was he thinking?

"Won't that chip your teeth?" Joey, the muscular man, said with concern.

The moment he opened his mouth, three of his teeth fell out, rolling onto the platform.

"Joey, your teeth!" Miki put her hands on her hips. "Honestly, this is a public place. Can't you kick the habit of losing teeth everywhere?"

Losing teeth is a "habit"?

"Hahaha..." Marcus suddenly thought of something funny, "If we strung together all the teeth Joey's lost, would it be enough to make a necklace? Would it?"

Rhodes leaned down and whispered to Makarov, "Guild Master, are you really taking these people on a train?"

_____________________________________________

Year X783:

- Laxus, 22 years old.

- Worren, same age as Laxus.

- Bickslow of the Thunder God Tribe, 21.

- Freed and Evergreen, 19.

- Nab, 19.

- Erza, Mira, Rhodes, 18.

- Kana, Gray, Natsu (?),

- Elfman, Alzack, Bisca, Jet, Troy, all 17.

- Levy, Marcus, Lisanna, 16.

- Wendy (?), 11.

- Happy and Carla, 5.

- Guild Master, 87.

- Gildarts, 44.

- Macao and Wakaba, 35.

- Lidas, 26.

- Loke, age unknown.