"NANIII?!!" Natsu yelled, pointing at Gray with a face full of disbelief. "Why him?!"
"Erza, where do you think I'm not as good as him?"
Erza landed a precise chop on his head, making Natsu crouch down in pain. "Shut up! This is a consideration based on strength, personality compatibility, and efficiency. Gray's Ice-Make magic is versatile for both offense and defense, and he's calm and meticulous, which compensates for my tendency to be overly aggressive. Natsu, your fire has great destructive power, but you need a partner who can better match your rhythm."
On the other side, Mirajane walked directly over to her brother Elfman with almost no hesitation and patted his shoulder.
"Elfman, how about you team up with me?"
Elfman looked at his sister, his eyes flashing with excitement and determination.
His voice boomed, "Yes, sis! A real man protects his sister! I definitely won't hold you back!"
Cana chugged a large mouthful of booze, slammed the barrel down, and scanned the crowd.
Her gaze finally landed on Natsu, who was sulking in a corner after being "abandoned" by Erza.
She grinned, walked over, and patted his shoulder. "Hey, Natsu. Poor little thing that nobody wants, wanna team up with this onee-san?"
Natsu shot his head up, eyes lighting up. "Really? Okay, okay! Cana, let's be a team!"
In a flash, three of the candidates had confirmed their partners.
Only Ace was left.
Everyone's gaze fell on him.
Who would this newcomer, who centered his fighting style around Summoned Beasts, choose?
The powerful Gray and Natsu were already taken.
Would it be a support mage? Or... would he go alone?
Ace looked at the formed teams, frowning slightly.
He actually preferred to participate alone.
With WereGarurumon and GrapLeomon, he was confident he had the strength to pass.
He really didn't want to bring someone else along.
Just as he was pondering how to ask the Master for permission to go solo, a gentle yet firm voice sounded beside him.
"Ace-nii."
Ace turned his head as Lisanna had walked up to him.
She tilted her head up, her large, clear eyes looking directly at him.
Her usual sweet smile was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness.
"How about you let me be your partner for the S-Class Trial?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the quiet hall.
"Huh?" Ace was stunned.
"Lisanna?" Mirajane and Elfman also exclaimed, looking at their sister in surprise.
"Lisanna, don't mess around," Ace refused subconsciously, his voice softening. "The trial is very dangerous, and besides..." He glanced at Mirajane and Elfman, his meaning clear.
"Dangerous?" Lisanna took a step forward, so close Ace could smell the faint scent of her hair.
"Does Ace-nii think I'll hold you back? Or do you think I won't be able to make the right choice when facing my sister and brother?" Her gaze didn't waver.
"That's not what I mean..." Ace was at a loss.
Of course, he didn't think Lisanna was weak.
Her Animal Soul magic was flexible, and her personality made her a great teammate.
He just... didn't want to put her in a difficult position.
"Ace-nii." Lisanna moved a little closer, her voice lower but stubborn. "I know what you're thinking. You're worried that if I face my sister and brother, I'll be sad and hesitate, right?"
Ace remained silent, a tacit admission.
Lisanna smiled.
It wasn't her usual carefree smile, but one with a stubborn streak unique to the Strauss siblings.
"Ace-nii, you underestimate me. And you underestimate the mages of Fairy Tail." She straightened her back.
"My sister chose my brother for their bond. I'm choosing you because I believe that with you, I can make it to the end. As for who our opponents are..."
Her gaze swept over Mirajane and Elfman.
There was warmth in her eyes, but also unshakable determination.
"If we really become opponents, then I will give it my all. Because that is a sign of respect for my sister, my brother, and myself. Outside of battle, we are family. But in battle, there are only ally and opponents giving their all. That's what it means to be a Fairy Tail mage, isn't it?"
Her words, spoken with calm confidence, left Ace unable to argue.
He looked at Lisanna's eyes and realized this girl wasn't a flower to be sheltered, but a wild rose eager to bloom in the storm!
The hall was silent as everyone watched them.
Mirajane's expression was complex. Her lips moved, but in the end, it turned into a nearly inaudible sigh and a smile of relief.
Elfman scratched his head, not knowing what to say.
On the second floor, Makarov stroked his mustache, a hint of gratification in his eyes.
"Besides," Lisanna winked slyly, regaining her playfulness, "weren't you worried about gathering intelligence, tracking clues, or communicating with animals on the island? My Animal Soul is great at that stuff you know~ I can even turn into a bird and fly you around to save stamina!" She counted on her fingers.
"Also, I'm a great cook, I have no problem with wilderness survival, and I know some simple healing magic..."
"Stop, stop..." Ace was rendered speechless and amused.
The hesitation in his heart vanished.
He looked at the girl trying so hard to sell herself and finally, he smiled.
"Alright, Lisanna." He held out his hand. "Then, for this S-Class Trial, I'll be in your care, partner."
Lisanna's eyes curved into crescents.
She reached out her small hand and firmly shook Ace's.
"Okay! I'll be in your care, Ace-nii!"
"Alright!" Master Makarov's voice rang out, breaking the moment. "All four pairs have been decided! Erza and Gray, Mirajane and Elfman, Cana and Natsu, and—Ace and Lisanna!"
His gaze swept over the eight young faces below.
"Three days from now, at dawn, Magnolia Port. Anyone who is late forfeits!"
"Now, dismissed! For the next three days, prepare! Remember, the trip to Tenrou Island is no joke! Carry the pride of Fairy Tail, and come back alive!"
"Yes, Master!" they responded in unison, their voices shaking the guild hall.
After everyone had left, Ace and Lisanna looked at each other and smiled.
"So, partner!" Lisanna tilted her head, her smile bright. "How should we train for the next three days? Will Leomon, WereGarurumon, and Kyubimon train me?"
"Of course," Ace laughed. "I think they'd be more than happy to 'guide' you. But before that..." He looked out the window at the bustling streets.
"Let's go buy supplies. I heard there's nothing there on Tenrou Island."
"Okay!"
The sunset stretched their shadows long as they walked side by side toward the guild's entrance.
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So there is a slight difference in the timeline, Ace join in X781and instead of Erza becoming an S class mage in X780, mystogan is the one who make it instead, and in this exam all contestant can become s class mage not just one.
A question, how many moves can gildarts takes from BlackWargreymon ?