"Are you sure you don't want to ask Natsu and Gray for help?"
Usually, when selecting a partner, you should choose someone who can make up for your weaknesses. For example, if you're not particularly smart, choose someone with outstanding intelligence; if you're inexperienced, pick a seasoned veteran.
People like Kana and Wolian, who aren't lacking in either experience or brains and excel in support or auxiliary combat, should choose someone like Natsu, who is super strong.
Kana shook her head, "Strength is indeed important, and Natsu and Gray are both strong, but you're not bad either... I heard that you were originally qualified to participate, right?"
Wolian looked surprised, "Is that so?"
Kana was exasperated, "Why did you come to Rhode without knowing anything?!"
Wolian replied sheepishly, "I just 'overheard' a little bit about everyone's partner choices, and Rhode's name came up a lot, and you were heading this way too."
"You guy..." Kana wanted to smack him. Was this person just here to mess with the opponents?
Wolian avoided Kana's gaze, "Anyway, both of us want to invite you as a partner, what do you think?"
What else could he think... being trusted is, of course, a happy feeling, but there's also a bit of worry about letting them down.
Although he didn't want to take the exam, participating as a partner, getting to know the exam intensity, and preparing for next year seemed good too.
The first choice is, of course, Wolian, because he's a guy, so everything is more convenient, and there's no fear of misunderstandings.
But choosing Kana is also fine, as they're bros usually, so there's no misunderstanding to worry about.
Rhode suggested, "Why don't you play rock-paper-scissors?"
Wolian nodded, "No problem!"
"No way! No one can beat Wolian in rock-paper-scissors." Kana immediately objected.
Wolian is a guy who can read the enemies' next move in battle, so rock-paper-scissors is just giving it away for free.
"How about drawing lots then?"
Kana agreed, "Drawing lots will work."
"Absolutely not!" This time it was Wolian who disagreed.
Kana is someone most skilled in cheating, and she uses Card Magic. Seeing how decisive she is, she must have already thought of a way to cheat.
Rhode shook his head helplessly, "You mages are really troublesome."
Mira laughed, "You are a mage too, you know."
Rhode looked at her, "Mira, could you give us some advice?"
Mira thought for a moment, "Since Kana came here first, why not choose Kana?"
"Mira!" Kana lunged over the counter and hugged Mira from across it.
Rhode felt envious.
"Mira~" Wolian pleaded pitifully.
"Don't be like that." Mira seemed unsure if she was talking to Kana or Wolian, but she pointed behind Wolian, "Isn't someone looking for you?"
Wolian turned his head, "Marcus?"
Marcus raised a hand to greet everyone, then asked, "So Wolian, have you decided on your partner yet?"
"Just decided." Wolian smiled, "It's you, come help me!"
"Me?" Marcus was a bit shocked. He thought Wolian wanted to choose Rhode or Elfman.
Wolian nodded affirmatively. This was the most common way in the guild—ignore everything else and just pick someone you have a good relationship with.
"Alright! I'll do my best to help you pass the exam!" Marcus raised his hand.
Wolian did the same, and with a slap, he high-fived Marcus.
The two of them had such a momentum that as long as they tried hard, they would definitely win.
"Rhode?" Kana looked at him.
"I'll give it my all too." Rhode also raised his hand and high-fived Kana, smiling, "Don't leave after school."
"Huh?"
...
Staying after school was, of course, to discuss exam matters; you always need to do some last-minute preparation before an exam. They couldn't let Kana drink until the day of the exam, could they?
That evening, besides Rhode, Mira, and Elfman, Kana had also joined them in the guild's small courtyard.
"Do you guys train here every day after work?" Kana asked in surprise, looking at the various equipment in the yard and some traces on the ground.
No wonder many people said Rhode was progressing very quickly. It seemed it wasn't just because of talent; he put in plenty of hard work too.
Rhode said, "We've been doing this for a while now. It's just that recently the cold weather is a bit troublesome, but training cold resistance isn't bad either."
Gray said he wasn't naturally immune to the cold; cold resistance can be developed through training.
"Even Mira..."
Mira was doing warm-up exercises and laughed, "I also occasionally want to get active, and I can act as a coach for these two."
"I see." Kana nodded, no wonder they said Rhode and Mira's progress wasn't slower than his strength improvement.
"Don't look at me like that, as if I'm plotting something." Rhode waved his hand,
"Seriously, since we've decided to team up for the exam, developing a tacit understanding is crucial. So starting today, you should also..."
Rhode was feeling more and more guilty as he spoke, talking about developing rapport with another girl in front of Mira—he thought he must be crazy.
Luckily, there was a special reason, and Mira supported his decision to choose Kana.
"Got it!" Without another word, Kana joined in on the warm-ups. "What next?"
"Uh... don't rush." Rhode said, "Although the President said the official start is in a week, I think the exam has already begun."
The first step is gathering information. First, I need to understand the content of past S-Class exams, then try to predict this year's exam content, and train accordingly.
Three real exams, one simulation a year...
This should be the easiest information to get, whether from Kana or Mira.
"Each year's exam content is different. It's usually divided into three stages. The first stage isn't too difficult, but in the second stage, there are obstacles from S-Class Mages, or maybe competition against other participants. The third stage..."
Kana looked troubled; she hadn't made it to the third stage before, so she turned to Mira.
Mira apologetically said, "Sorry, I can't disclose the exam content either."
Even past exam content must remain confidential... Rhode thought it over and asked, "What if I begged you on my knees?"
Elfman stepped forward, bumping his fists together, "Then I'll hit you far away, like a man!"
Mira covered her mouth with a smile.
"..." Alright then, Rhode gave up on getting information from Mira. "Kana, tell me about the details, okay?"
"Sure." Though it was not a pleasant experience, seeing Rhode so serious, Kana still recounted the content of the last three exams.
Rhode listened and took notes—these were precious experiences that could help him deduce the examiners' intentions.
It reminded him of what his high school teacher always said: 'Understand the intention of the person who made the test question—what part of the knowledge are they trying to assess with this question?'
After recounting everything, Kana felt a bit dejected, "These are just failure experiences, can they really help?"
"Of course." Rhode closed his notebook, "Judging from the exam content, the President already gave us the answers yesterday."
"Answers?" Kana pondered, "Are you referring to those criteria for selecting candidates?"
"Yes, ability, intelligence, character," Rhode said, "The first stage of past exams can be considered basic questions, assessing our basic ability to solve common challenges, relying either on magic or on companions."
"The second stage can be considered advanced questions, evaluating our raw strength. Whether through sheer force or clever strategy, we must pass the test of S-Class Mages, or overcome obstacles from competitors."
"The third stage can be considered extra credit questions. Without any reference material, it's purely speculative." Rhode looked into Mira's eyes,
"I guess it's likely testing comprehensive abilities. It might be solving a specific task, or a simulated task set by the President, with final evaluations based on how the task is completed."
Mira's eyes showed a hint of surprise; Rhode felt like he had at least partially guessed right.
"Next comes the specific analysis: the exam location is in the Kroba Grand Canyon. I happen to know a bit about it. It's a complicated terrain, and possible exam content might be..."