Ankh's strength was not inferior to Laxus's, and perhaps even stronger, and his popularity within the Fairy Tail Guild was beyond question.
If he could become an S-Class Mage of the Guild, he would definitely become the most reliable pillar.
The result of this S-Class Exam was exactly what Makarov had hoped for.
And so, in this exam, Ankh, who only made a brief appearance, muddled through the Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Exam and became an S-Class Mage.
This was the first S-Class Exam for the Guild's new generation, and Makarov's requirements for the exam were not very strict.
However, as more young S-Class Mages emerge in the Guild in the future, the simple and crude assessment method used by Ankh and his peers this time will certainly no longer exist.
Not long after, Makarov, dragging Laxus, and Ankh, carrying Erza and holding Cana by the hand, walked into the Guild.
The members rushed over, scrambling to help the three injured individuals inside.
The combined magic attack used by Erza and Ankh earlier not only defeated Laxus but also destroyed many surrounding objects.
Among the destroyed items was the crystal ball Makarov had sent to monitor the examination area... So no one saw the final scene, but Makarov announced the final result of the competition to everyone, which was Ankh passing the exam and becoming an S-Class Mage.
Upon hearing this news, everyone in the Guild jumped up excitedly, gathering around Ankh with outstretched arms, loudly cheering the birth of the new S-Class Mage!
Mirajane walked up to Ankh, happily put her arm around his shoulder, and laughed heartily, "Awesome, Ankh! They were all beaten half to death by you, hahahahaha!"
Ankh was speechless, awkwardly glancing at his instep... Actually... aside from Cana, whom he knocked out himself, the other two really weren't his doing; he was quite bewildered himself.
Mirajane didn't know why she was so happy, and with a beaming smile, she said, "You're an S-Class Mage now, have you thought about how to celebrate?"
Ankh shook his head, his expression somewhat complex, and said, "I haven't thought about it, and I need to go see Erza..."
Mirajane's radiant smile froze on her face, then slowly faded.
Ankh rested his hand on his chin, not noticing Mirajane's change in expression, and fell into deep thought, recalling what had happened during the exam.
According to Seram, anyone who could fuse their magic with Ankh to unleash a combined attack must be connected to a god.
No matter how powerful one's magic, it couldn't cross the chasm between the bloodlines of gods and humans!
He had to find a way to investigate Erza's background, Ankh still really wanted to know... After Makarov settled the three unconscious individuals in the infirmary, he walked out of the room. Ankh quickly approached him and asked, "How are they?"
The Master, with his hands behind his back, said, "Cana will wake up soon. Erza has overdrawn her magic, and Laxus is more seriously injured. Both of them need to be seen by the Guild's medical consultant, but there shouldn't be any major problems."
Ankh breathed a sigh of relief. He remembered that the Guild's medical consultant was Ms. Porlyusica.
Thinking of this, a sudden idea flashed in Ankh's mind, and he quickly asked, "Could I ask the consultant for a favor?"
Makarov asked curiously, "What?"
Ankh, deep in thought, whispered, "A small appraisal..."
...While the Master went out to invite Porlyusica, Ankh sat on a chair, frowning in anticipation.
After a long while, Ankh was startled from his contemplation. Just as he was about to go to the infirmary to see Erza, he suddenly noticed someone else sitting beside him.
Ankh looked at Mirajane, who was sitting glumly beside him, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Mirajane pouted, turned her head, and presented the back of her head to him, stubbornly saying, "Nothing!"
When a woman says 'nothing,' it usually means the matter is quite significant.
Although Ankh hadn't had many relationships in his previous life, he understood this principle.
So Ankh reached out and gently placed his hand on Mirajane's head, feeling the softness of her hair, and chuckled, "Looks like you're angry. Why?"
Mirajane's head felt warm and cozy, and she comfortably shrunk her neck a bit. She maintained that posture for a long time before finally mustering the courage to say:
"Ankh... do you like Erza more, or me more..."
Hmm?
Hearing this, Ankh thought he had misheard and looked at Mirajane with some surprise.
But after she said that, she remained silent, and even her ears turned completely red... So that's it... "Are you jealous?" Ankh asked with an amused smile.
At his words, Mirajane completely lost her composure, jumping away from Ankh like a startled white cat.
"You... you're talking nonsense! What you do has nothing to do with me!"
Mirajane, her secret exposed, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment, launched into a fluent tirade at Ankh.
Mirajane, who was refuting him with a flurry of words, was jumping up and down. Ankh, completely unperturbed, sat askew on his chair, happily pointing at her and laughing.
Haha!
She's getting agitated, she's getting agitated, and I haven't even started yet!
With a faint smile on his face, Ankh stood up, grabbed the girl's flailing hand, brought his face close to hers, and teased, "I'm talking nonsense? Then why is your face red?"
"If Mira is envious, you can just tell me directly..."
As Ankh said this, he began to move, and the distance between them steadily closed.
As that handsome face drew nearer and nearer, she could even feel his warm breath on her lips.
For some reason, Mirajane, usually full of strength, suddenly went limp, lowering her head with a pounding heart. Her earlier string of curses unconsciously turned into soft whimpers, barely audible.
He had only intended to tease her, but who knew Mirajane would react so strongly, her body becoming as soft as water as she fell into his arms.
"Cough, cough."
Ankh awkwardly held Mirajane in his arms. Just as he was about to speak, a coughing sound suddenly came from the doorway.
Their bodies instantly stiffened. Ankh mechanically turned his head to look, and at the doorway stood two figures of different heights.
Master Makarov, and the medical consultant he brought, Ms. Porlyusica.
Makarov couldn't stop winking and chuckled strangely, "Indeed, Ankh still prefers Mira a bit more."
Ms. Porlyusica, a lady with pink hair and a high-collared cloak, maintained a stern, aged expression, tinged with slight disdain.
Although her appearance was aged, one could still discern her youthful splendor from her weathered features.
Mirajane regained some strength, quickly pushed Ankh away, covered her flushed face, and ran off.
This little girl... Ankh smiled helplessly.
Mirajane was indeed a little beauty, and Ankh did have a good impression of her, but the key was... she was too young.
Too young.
In his previous life, that would definitely lead to a three-year sentence.
As Ankh's mind just conjured up a 'nurturing plan,' Porlyusica, standing beside the Master, walked up to him and said coldly with disgust, "Where is the patient?"