### Chapter 12: S-Class Exam
When **Shun** arrived at the Fairy Tail Guild, quite a few people had already gathered there.
*Eh? Is everyone so diligent today, coming to the guild so early? And almost everyone seems to be here.*
Immediately after, **Shun** felt the atmosphere in the guild was a bit strange. Although there were many people, not many were chatting, as if they were all waiting for something.
"**Shun**!"
**Shun** heard a voice and looked up. It was **Natsu** shouting and waving for him to come over.
**Shun** squeezed through the crowd to the side where all the children of the guild were gathered.
"What's going on? Why is everyone gathered here so early?"
**Gray** heard **Shun**'s question and explained, "Oh right, **Shun** only joined the guild a year ago, so you probably don't know..."
At this moment, the door on the second floor opened. A small figure leaped lightly onto the railing of the second floor. It was none other than the Master of the Fairy Tail Guild, **Makarov**.
"Master!"
"We've been waiting for ages!!"
"Hurry up and announce it! Who is it this year?!"
...
Seeing Master **Makarov** appear, the guild instantly became lively.
**Makarov** coughed lightly twice: "Ahem! According to the ancient traditions of Fairy Tail, I will now announce the list of candidates for the S-Class Mage Promotion Exam!!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!!!"
Hearing this, almost everyone cheered.
**Shun** finally understood. It turned out to be the S-Class Mage Promotion Exam. His heartbeat involuntarily sped up.
Over nearly a year, he had thoroughly integrated into the world of *Fairy Tail*.
All the Mages in the guild were striving to become S-Class Mages, aiming for that title, and **Shun** was no exception.
In the Fairy Tail Guild, being an S-Class Mage was not just a symbol of status but also a starting point to step into a higher realm.
In the Mage Guild, only S-Class Mages could take on S-Class missions and above.
Missions of S-Class and above were extremely difficult.
Likewise, high risk brought high returns.
For an S-Class mission, the ordinary reward was over 10 million Jewels, not to mention the higher-level SS-Class missions, Decade Quests, and the top-tier 100-Year Quest.
With his current strength, he could easily complete the regular missions on the guild's first floor, so he also wanted to challenge more difficult tasks.
Currently, there was only one S-Class Mage in the guild, and that was **Gildarts**.
**Shun** had seen him a few times with his own eyes. This uncle rarely returned to the guild and always liked wandering outside.
On one hand, it was due to missions; the tasks this uncle undertook were extremely difficult and time-consuming.
On the other hand, this uncle had a wanderer's personality and was fundamentally unsuited to staying in one place for long. Actually, **Shun** felt this was the main reason.
Because there was only one S-Class Mage in the guild, many people were now eager to become the guild's second S-Class.
"This year's test venue is the Mariana Great Forest."
Then **Makarov** first announced the venue for this exam.
"The Magic Beast Great Forest?!"
Many people in the guild changed their expressions upon hearing this.
The Mariana Great Forest, also known as the Magic Beast Great Forest.
Located in the northwest of the Kingdom of Fiore, it was home to countless vicious Magic Beasts and monsters.
It could be called a forbidden zone for Mages.
However, the Magic Beast Great Forest was also rich in resources, attracting waves of adventurers.
The Mage Guild Lamia Scale was located in Margaret Town on the outskirts of the Magic Beast Great Forest.
"Your individual strengths... hearts... and souls... This old man has carefully observed them over the past year. There are 4 participants."
"**Erza Scarlet**!"
Hearing her name, **Erza** couldn't help but clench her fists in excitement. She was finally nominated.
"**Erza**!"
"As expected, **Erza** is in!"
"Although **Erza** is young, her strength is very formidable."
...
The crowd in the guild wasn't surprised by **Erza**'s nomination. **Erza** had been in the Fairy Tail Guild for two years, and her strength was obvious to all.
Compared to when she first joined, **Erza**'s strength had significantly improved.
There were only a handful of people in the guild who could definitively beat **Erza**.
"**Mirajane Strauss**!"
At first, hearing **Erza** get nominated, **Mirajane** felt anxious. If **Erza** got a spot but she didn't, wouldn't that imply she was weaker than **Erza**?
Hearing her name, **Mirajane** breathed a sigh of relief, then said haughtily, "If **Erza** got a spot, there's no way I wouldn't."
Saying this, **Mirajane** glanced at **Erza**.
"That's great! Big Sister **Mirajane**! Congratulations on your nomination!"
"Congratulations! Big Sister **Mirajane**!!"
**Lisanna** and **Elfman** congratulated **Mirajane** on her nomination together.
"**Mirajane** and **Erza** are similar in strength, so it's normal for her to be nominated."
"Yeah! Little **Mirajane** is super strong too!"
Over the past half year, because she lost to **Shun**, **Mirajane** had also started hellish training mode to defeat him.
During this period, **Mirajane** challenged **Shun** 5 times, with a record of 0/5.
Her last challenge was three months ago. **Mirajane** seemed to be holding back a big move, preparing to defeat **Shun** in the next challenge.
"**Laxus Dreyar**!"
**Makarov** read out the third person's name.
"Hmph! Of course."
**Laxus** said arrogantly. Last year, if his grandfather hadn't suppressed him with the excuse that he was too young and immature, he would have participated in the S-Class Promotion Exam last year and would already be an S-Class Mage by now.
"**Laxus**!"
"**Laxus** is the Master's grandson. With his strength, he could have actually participated in the S-Class Promotion Exam a long time ago."
"Yeah!" ...
"There's one person left. I wonder who the last one is?"
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Master **Makarov** read out the last person's name.
"**Shun**!!!"