Chapter 259: The focus of all eyes: the S-Class promotion exam!

The next day arrived.

The newly joined Mirajane, Erza, and the others had already settled in.

It could be considered the official start of their Fairy Tail life.

Furthermore, at last night's party, they had met many members of the Fairy Tail guild.

Among them was Gray.

Well, the assessment remained shockingly consistent.

"Is there actually a pervert in this guild too?"

Erza, not understanding the situation, spoke up.

In an instant, the guild burst into laughter.

Outside the sky-screen, Gray was beyond speechless.

Ur, however, was very interested: "Speaking of which, Gray, having carried the title of 'pervert' all these years, it really has been hard on you."

Gray: "I don't want to talk right now, especially not to you, Ur..."

"If it weren't for you, would things have turned out like this?"

Ultear: "You can't blame this on Mother."

"Look at Lyon next door. You're fellow disciples, you used the same training methods, so why is it that others don't have the habit of stripping everywhere?"

Natsu: "That's right! Lyon doesn't seem to have that habit."

Happy: "Could it be..."

Gajeel: "Is Gray a natural-born pervert??"

Cana: "Eww~~ I'm moving further away."

Gray: "Ah?? It's not like that, you guys listen to me explain."

Charle: "Nothing to explain, let's just watch the screen."

Wendy: "Um, Charle, move over a bit. Gray-nii is right next to me, let me scoot."

Gray: "Wendy... you... even you..."

Today, the Fairy Tail guild seemed exceptionally lively.

People who usually worked outside had all chosen to return to the guild on this day.

The confused newcomers were completely bewildered.

Whenever they asked someone, the answer they got was a mysterious smile and: "You'll know in a moment."

Such answers were enough to drive people like Erza and Mirajane to the brink of madness.

However, they had no choice but to follow the crowd and gather in front of the guild stage, waiting quietly.

It didn't take long.

The closed curtain was slowly pulled open.

It revealed the full view of the stage.

Above, only two mages were standing there at this moment.

Makarov and Gildarts!

Today, Makarov had shed his usual image of a sleazy old man.

He was dressed neatly in his finest Wizard Saint attire.

His wrinkled face was full of seriousness, his gaze sharp.

This appearance completely overturned Mirajane and the others' impression of Makarov.

This old man... does he actually have some substance?

The moment Makarov revealed himself, the entire guild erupted.

"Quiet down, you brats!"

The aged voice rang out from the stage.

The previously rowdy guild went silent in an instant.

Makarov's gaze was like a sword, sweeping across the room before he coughed twice.

"Ahem, sorry to keep you all waiting."

"Haha, hurry up and announce it, Master!"

"I've been looking forward to this year's exam for a long time."

"Who will it be? I wonder if I'll make the list?"

"You? Forget it. You can't even beat me, and you want to participate in the S-Class Black Mage exam?"

"What kind of crap are you talking about? Even if I'm bad, I'm still good enough to beat you."

Discussions rose and fell.

The few who had just joined the guild huddled together.

"S-Class Black Mage exam?"

Mirajane frowned slightly.

"So cool! I just asked around, and apparently there's only one S-Class Black Mage in the guild right now."

Lisanna added.

"They say that's a title only the strongest of the strong can hold," Elfman said with envy.

"S-Class Black Mage, huh? I'm starting to look forward to it. Will my name be on it?"

Erza stroked her chin in thought.

【"Your name? You're overthinking it, aren't you? It would be more like having my name."】