"So that's how it is," Shane realized with a start.
S-Class Mage—this title symbolized the pinnacle of a guild's combat power. It wasn't just about honor, but proof that one's strength was recognized by the guild.
Becoming S-Class meant qualifying to step onto the second floor of the guild and take on commissions that were prohibited for ordinary members due to excessive danger.
No wonder Gray, that guy, looked so anxious yesterday when he came to notify him that "there was a letter at the post office." He ran off without saying more than two words!
Thinking about it, Shane found it funny. That guy still owed him a week's worth of meal money, and there was no sign of him yet.
"For an Ice Mage, he gets unreasonably hot-blooded about these things," Shane roasted silently in his heart.
In his opinion, Gray probably still had a long way to go before reaching S-Class.
Just thinking about that S-Class Mage in the guild was enough—the oppressive feeling that uncle gave him made him unsure of victory even after "True Name Release."
The only chance of winning might be to chant Arash's Noble Phantasm, but regardless of victory or defeat, he wouldn't be able to survive after using it.
It could be said that the gap between S-Class and ordinary Mages was like a chasm, existing in completely different dimensions.
"Speaking of which, Shane, don't you have any thoughts? S-Class?" Cana suddenly directed the topic to him. She felt that although Shane was about her age, his strength definitely qualified him to participate in this assessment.
Hearing this, Shane just shook his head indifferently. "No thoughts."
Moreover, he only found out about this now. Even if he wanted to participate, it was too late; the number of completed commissions was far from enough.
"Let's talk about it later. There will always be opportunities."
"Is that so..." Cana's tone still held some pity for him.
For some reason, she had considerable confidence that Shane could pass the assessment.
Shane was noncommittal about this. Instead, he looked strangely at Erza beside him.
With her personality, she should be very interested in this kind of activity that could test her strength. After all, she was chasing him relentlessly just now; why was she staying here calmly now?
Erza could already interpret the meaning in Shane's gaze very proficiently.
Without waiting for him to ask, she took the initiative to explain under Cana's weird gaze that seemed to say "he didn't ask you." "I still have a long way to go before S-Class. Gildarts... I feel like I'm completely no match for him."
The girl's tone was calm, seeming to have conducted a full and calm introspection of her own strength.
"You still want to aim for Gildarts? That guy is completely a special case!" Cana exclaimed, her reaction unexpectedly large.
Shane and Erza cast puzzled looks at the same time, not understanding why she was so agitated.
Cana seemed to realize she had lost her composure. She unnaturally twirled a lock of hair at her temple with her finger, her eyes drifting as she explained:
"Uh, I mean... Gil—that uncle's strength is completely different from ordinary S-Class. His level is much higher. Maybe even stronger than the Master. He totally has the strength of a 'Ten Wizard Saint.' The reason he doesn't hold the title is entirely because he acts too willfully, and... he's lecherous and loves to drink!"
The more she spoke, the angrier she got, her cheeks puffing up slightly.
Shane looked at her agitated appearance and interjected faintly, "I didn't expect... you to know Gildarts so well."
Cana immediately turned her head, her emotions becoming inexplicably unnatural. "Well... same guild, one would know a little more or less..."
The topic seemed to be heading in a strange direction.
The Master wouldn't be back for a while, and the interest in reading just now was dissipated by these successive events. Shane swept his gaze across the much emptier guild hall, saw several idle long tables nearby, and had an idea.
"Just waiting is boring," he said while pushing two sturdy wooden tables together, patting the tabletop with his palm, making a dull sound. "How about it, wanna play table tennis?"
A strange point about this world was that, aside from the magic technology tree being a bit skewed, other aspects had quite a few overlaps with Shane's original world.
For instance, various sports, dances, and even the inexplicable Christmas. When he first learned about this, he genuinely felt it was too absurd.
What, there's Jesus here too? He couldn't even swat a mosquito to save his life, yet he could preach to another world?
Truly capable of reaching heaven?
"I'm in!" Erza was the first to respond, crisp and decisive.
Since Shane wouldn't duel her, it was just right to decide the winner on the table tennis table.
Cana fished out two slightly old wooden paddles and a small white ball from some corner like a magic trick.
The duel began.
Erza was obviously new to table tennis, but the rules were simple. With her athletic nerves and reaction speed, she quickly mastered the basic skills, swinging and hitting the ball quite well.
However, facing the tricky angles and spins of a veteran like Shane, she still seemed a bit overwhelmed, losing points frequently.
Smack! After a beautiful smash scored a point, Shane smiled at Cana, who was watching from the side, and provoked, "How about it, want to give it a try too?"
"Hmph..." Cana's hands were already itching, and she immediately replaced the somewhat unwilling Erza on the field.
Unfortunately, her skills were not much better than the beginner Erza. Shane easily won the match without even using much strength.
Consecutively defeating two girls, Shane held the paddle, a somewhat smug smile on his face. Looking around, he blurted out one of the top ten life lines in his heart:
"Who else!"
"Oh? I'll play with you." A somewhat familiar voice sounded.
Shane looked towards the sound and saw the blonde teenager holding his headphones, interest in his eyes.
"Laxus?" Shane was indeed a bit surprised. He actually didn't go participate in this S-Class event and stayed in the guild.
Moreover, his first impression of this guy was a bit "strangers keep away," like he disliked contact with others. Unexpectedly, he would be interested in a "game" like table tennis.
"Of course, I'd love to." Shane was surprised but naturally wouldn't refuse. He tossed the ball in his hand over. "You serve first?"
Laxus caught the ball without saying much, walking directly to the other end of the table. His grip posture was unexpectedly standard, clearly not a novice.
The match began again. Distinct from the relaxed atmosphere before, the sound of paddles hitting the ball became rapid and powerful.
Laxus's style was fierce, full of power, and the angles were quite tricky. Shane had to be fully alert to deal with it, moving his feet quickly and swinging back to counterattack.
The small white ball turned into a blurred afterimage between the two, flying back and forth so fast that Erza and Cana, watching from the side, held their breath slightly.
The two actually fought evenly, the score rising alternately.
Smack! After a wonderful rally, Shane narrowly saved the ball and scored.
"Impressive, Laxus!" Shane wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead, praising sincerely.
After this contest, the slight unhappiness from their first meeting vanished like smoke.
After all, how bad could someone who plays table tennis well be?
Laxus nodded slightly, just about to speak—
"Brats! I'm back!"
The guild gate was pushed open, and a voice full of energy came through. It was Makarov returning early.
Almost the instant he heard the voice, Laxus's expression changed. The relaxed look from the exercise instantly vanished, returning to his usual cold and hard appearance.
Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving the hall directly.