### Chapter 13: Sure Victory
"Shun!"
"As expected, it's Shun!"
"With Shun's strength, it's only right for him to get a spot."
"He's only been in the guild for half a year and already qualified for the S-Class Exam. That's truly amazing!"
...
Shun's strength was obvious to all. When he joined the guild, almost everyone in Fairy Tail had witnessed it.
Moreover, Shun had been very diligent in doing missions over the past six months, consecutively completing several very difficult tasks, which made people look at him with new respect.
Hearing his name, Shun couldn't help but clench his fist.
"Yes!"
Although he thought there might be a chance, hearing his name for real made it impossible to suppress his excitement.
"Among the four participants in the exam this year, only one will pass. The test will take place in one week. Everyone, adjust your condition well."
"Since all participants are first-timers, I will explain the rules first."
"The four selected people must choose a partner within the one-week preparation time."
"There are two rules for choosing a partner. First, the partner must be a member of Fairy Tail. Second, you are not allowed to choose an S-Class Mage as a partner."
"The specific content of the test will be explained after arriving at the Magic Beast Great Forest."
"The four selected candidates and their partners will assemble at Margaret Town in one week. Those who have not arrived by that time will be considered to have forfeited automatically. Dismissed!!"
After Master Makarov finished the announcement, the guild returned to its usual noisy state.
Many people were eagerly discussing who might become an S-Class Mage this time.
Some said Erza, some said Mirajane, some said Shun, but most people thought the most likely person to become an S-Class Mage was Laxus.
First, Laxus was Master Makarov's grandson and inherited the Master's powerful magic power.
The strength he displayed since childhood was very outstanding, and his Lightning Magic had terrifying attack power.
Shun also displayed monster-like strength, Laxus had been a little monster since he was small.
Most importantly, Shun, Erza, and Mirajane were all too young. They were only thirteen now, while Laxus was seventeen.
Whether in terms of magic talent or years of magic training, Laxus held an absolute advantage.
"Shun, you'll choose me as your partner, right?!"
Natsu was the first to run up to Shun, looking at him with burning eyes.
"No way! If Shun is looking for a partner, he should choose me!"
Gray knocked Natsu away directly.
"Bastard! You wanna fight?"
"Let's fight then, who's afraid of whom! The winner gets to be Shun's partner!"
"Deal!"
Before Shun could even speak, Natsu and Gray decided to determine the partner on their own.
Naturally, Shun couldn't watch the two fight over this small matter. He placed his hands on their faces and pushed them apart to the sides.
"Alright, there's no need to fight over such a small thing."
Natsu and Gray both had good relationships with Shun, like a big brother and two little brothers, so both wanted to be Shun's partner.
Gray said, "Small thing? This isn't a small thing! This is the S-Class Mage Promotion Exam; it's very valuable experience for us."
"That's right!"
It was rare for Natsu and Gray to agree on something.
"Then Rock-Paper-Scissors. One round to decide the winner. The winner can be my partner."
After speaking, Shun ignored the two and sat down on a chair. Whether it was Natsu or Gray, either could be his partner. To break through the encirclement and advance to S-Class Mage, he mainly had to rely on himself.
Soon, Erza and Mirajane also sat down on both sides of Shun's table.
"So? Have you all chosen your partners?"
Mirajane patted Elfman's shoulder and said, "I'm choosing my little brother, Elfman, of course."
Elfman stood behind Mirajane and said honestly, "I will definitely help Big Sister Mirajane become an S-Class Mage."
"Big Sister Mirajane, Big Brother Elfman, do your best!"
The cute Lisanna cheered for Mirajane and Elfman.
"What about you, Erza?"
Erza shook her head and said, "I haven't thought about it."
There were quite a few powerful Mages in the guild, but they were all adults. The ones Erza was familiar with were mostly from the junior group.
Suddenly, Natsu shouted excitedly and arrogantly, "Yes! I won! I'm Shun's partner!"
Gray was very regretful: "Ahhh! I actually lost to Natsu!"
Gray sat on the chair dejectedly, like a defeated rooster.
Then he saw Erza and remembered that Erza had also qualified for the promotion.
He immediately asked, "Erza, have you decided who will be your partner?"
"Um, no..."
"Then let me be your partner! I will definitely help you become an S-Class Mage!"
Gray immediately volunteered himself. This was a rare opportunity for S-Class Exam experience, not to be missed.
"Uh... alright, I'll be counting on you then."
For Erza, she didn't have high requirements for a partner.
Gray was one of the first people she became familiar with in the guild, and his strength was decent. Since Gray actively requested to be her partner, there was no need to refuse.
Hearing Erza agree to choose him as a partner, Gray was fully revived.
He immediately stood by Erza's side, pointing aggressively at Shun and Natsu and clamoring: "Shun! Natsu! Let's settle this once and for all!"
"Come on! Who's afraid of whom?!"
Shun didn't speak, while Natsu and Gray glared at each other again.
Mirajane also stood up and said aggressively to Shun, "Shun! This time I will definitely defeat you!"
"Ah, I'm looking forward to it."
Then Shun stood up and said, "See you in Margaret Town."
Since it was the S-Class Mage Promotion Exam, he had to prepare diligently. Shun was determined to win the title of S-Class Mage this time.