16 S-class exam announcement
Staying in the guild, time passes as time closes in on another important announcement.
Sitting calmly on a short cracked wooden chair, Makarov's tiny figure caught the attention of the crowd with a quick clearing of the throat.
"Hm"
Eyes trained on the elderly guild master as his serious tone proceeded,
"It's that time of year..." With a slight smile, Makarov looked out at the excited guild members.
"Three members with meritorious contributions will be selected for the S-class exam."
Hearing this, Natsu's eyes burned with fire looking toward the old man with competitiveness in the depths of his pupils.
"This year the participants will be!" A dramatic pause caused palpable silence within the guild.
"Mirajane Strauss!"
"Hmph about time!" Mira snorted next to Lisanna giving Erza a rough look.
Turning over to look at Katakuri, Erza put on a confident smile glaring back at the silver-haired tsundere.
"The second participant is Erza Scarlett!"
Makarov's cheerful voice made Erza's head to be held high still facing the dissatisfied Mira.
"I won't lose to you no matter what!" Speaking with conviction, the competition was on.
"Lastly, we have our very own Cana Alberona!" A slight murmur spread out from the guild members.
"Erza and Mira I understand but what about Cana?" near the back a voice gossiped out causing Cana to lower her brown-haired head slightly.
"Although not as good as the two little monsters, Cana's magic should not be overlooked." Wakka analyzed causing the previous guild member to give a slight nod in understanding.
"Indeed, the versatility of her magic helps her shine in a variety of situations and after all, being S-class isn't all about pure strength" Macao retorted while giving a slight look at Natsu in the latter part of the sentence.
Interrupting the discussion, Makarov's voice rang out "Each of you is allowed to pick one teammate, they cannot already be S-class, I hope you choose wisely."
Hearing this Natsu wasted no time running toward Erza excitedly
"Erza! Erza! Pick me, I'll help you become S-class" Natsu spoke childishly causing Erza to slightly stiffen as she denied the enthusiastic lizard.
"Hah! Lizard she's already teaming up with me!" Gray's mocking, proud voice came out from the side causing Natsu's face to drop slightly like a puppy being scolded.
"Sorry Naz, Gray's magic is more suitable as support" A sighing exclamation came out of the exasperated Erza
"Mira! Mira-" Trotting up to Mira Natsu tried to continue only to be instantly denied.
"I'm teaming up with Elfman" The proud, confident voice of Mira rang out causing Natsu's face to become slightly panicky as he ran toward his last saving grace, Cana.
"Cana! Cana! I'll help you become S-class, my fire magic, your cards!" Pleading slightly, Natsu begged causing a slight smile to appear on Cana's lowered head.
"Alright! Alright! We've got this." A helpless voice responded lacking the confidence of the previous competitors.
A warm hand patted her shoulder slightly causing her head to look up and turn with a start, facing the softening crimson eyes of Katakuri towering over her.
"Although in some aspects you may not be as good as Erza however, you far exceed her in other aspects, you still have a good chance, don't give up hope, I believe in you." Gently comforting the unconfident girl, Katakuri's apathetic voice came out with a touch of tenderness as Erza jealously pouted slightly in the background.
"Thanks! I'll try not to let you down" Cana's spirit recovered slightly as she yelled out with a start looking at Erza and Mira with a slight smile on her face, seemingly more confident.
"Ah, I forgot to mention, we will have Katakuri invigilate the exam this time.." Embarrassedly Makarov said as he looked at the three encouragingly.
"Katakuri!" Three shocked voices ran out as the original confidence was slightly knocked.
"It's over." Cana's head lowered again her voice getting lower and lower as she spoke.
"Hmm! I won't lose no matter what!" Mira and Erza's voices rang out sparks flying in the air as they briefly met each other's gaze
Makarov smiled seeing the two assured participants as a slight worry looked in his eyes toward Cana.
"Well, you have a week to prepare, remember, win or lose, this experience will be invaluable for the future of your magical path, failure is not the end but the beginning," Makarov shouted out
reassuringly causing some other members to cheer as Macao clinked glasses with Wakkaba, the atmosphere lightening as Cana looked on with complicated expectant eyes.
"No matter what, I'll try my best, I won't lose to either of you." With a firm determination in her eyes, she peered at her fierce competitors, ready to go to the end win or lose.
