Chapter 139 - 68

On the eve of the S-Class Promotion Test, the guild members began a mad rush for commissions, many of them grinding their KPIs in an attempt to qualify for the S-Class Promotion Test.The guild members gathered in the guild hall, waiting for the Master to announce the list of candidates for this year's S-Class Promotion Test.The guild hall was packed to the brim. Natsu was squatting on a table, gnawing on a roast chicken leg; Gray was shirtless, arms crossed, striking a pose; Cana was sipping wheat juice through a straw; and even Erza, usually the most composed of them all, was secretly organizing her armor.In reality, many knew it was difficult for them to become an S-Class Mage, but in the Fairy Tail guild, it was that damned competitive spirit at work—even just getting selected was enough to brag about for a year.Makarov knew very well who had the potential to become an S-Class Mage. Laxus's strength was growing rapidly, but his mindset was becoming increasingly paranoid, heavily influenced by his father over the years, whether through meetings or letters.Makarov felt that Laxus needed to settle down a bit more. After thinking about it for a long time, he realized that a standard promotion test wouldn't be able to stop Laxus's advancement.So..."Quiet! Quiet!" Makarov's voice came from the railing on the second floor. The old man was wearing a brand-new guild master uniform, his hair slicked back until it shone, and he was clearing his throat while holding the list.He deliberately slowed his movements, first adjusting his collar, then straightening his tie—the flamboyant look made him look like he was about to participate in a beauty pageant.Riyao rolled his eyes and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Old man! Stop showing off! We know you're the most handsome in the guild, alright? Hurry up and read the list!""Pfft!" The whole hall burst into laughter.Makarov's old face flushed red, and he nearly fell off the railing. In a fit of embarrassment and anger, he slapped the railing. "Be serious! Now announcing the list of candidates for the S-Class Promotion Test: Riyao! Laxus Dreyar!"The guild members wailed.The guild members collectively wailed. Natsu's chicken leg dropped to the floor, and he clenched his fists, flames igniting all over his body. "Why isn't it me?! I'm clearly already very strong!"Gray rolled his eyes and kicked Natsu in the butt. "You've barely joined the guild and you want to be S-Class? Keep dreaming!""Gray! You're not wearing clothes again!" Cana suddenly pointed at Gray's chest and yelled. Gray subconsciously covered his chest, and the whole hall burst into laughter once again.Laxus leaned in the corner, eyes closed, and let out a cold scoff, though a look of disdain curled the corner of his mouth. Freed stood behind him and pushed up his glasses. "Lord Laxus, you were indeed selected."Erza walked over to Riyao and said earnestly, "Senior Riyao, have you chosen your partner yet?"Riyao spread his hands. "Not yet. Do you want to be my partner, Erza?""Can I?!" Erza's eyes lit up.Gray and Natsu immediately crowded over.Gray said coolly, "I can do it too. You know, my Ice-Make is very versatile."Natsu jumped up and shouted, "Pick me, pick me! I'm super tough!"Since she had already reunited with her father, Cana wasn't as obsessed with the S-Class Promotion Test anymore.However, seeing this scene, Cana also squeezed in and said in a sweet, affected voice, "Brother Riyao~ Take me along~"Riyao shuddered upon hearing that ghostly sound.Soon, a crowd surrounded him, and everyone was clamoring to compete for the partner spot, wanting to join in on the excitement of the S-Class Promotion Test.Riyao, surrounded by everyone, thought frantically: Who should I choose?!He reached out and grabbed Erza's hand, saying, "Erza, I choose you to be my partner!"Gray looked as if he had been struck by lightning and staggered back two steps. "I was here first! You idiot!"Riyao said with disdain, "That's too cringey."Natsu stomped his feet in dissatisfaction. "Why didn't you pick me?!"Riyao said as a matter of course, "Because you're a guy! Not pleasing to the eye!"Cana put her hands on her hips and shouted angrily, "Then what about me? I'm a girl!"Riyao glanced at her. "You're too weak. You couldn't even beat a Belius on the last commission.""You're asking for it!" Cana was so angry she rushed up and pounded on Riyao's waist, but unfortunately, in Riyao's eyes, this level of force was no different from a tickle.Under Riyao's intervention, Makarov chose Tenrou Island as the location for the test.Two nights ago, strange sounds came from Makarov's room."Master~ Is it comfortable?" Riyao's voice was so soft it could drip water."Mmm~ Use a bit more force!" Makarov lay on the bed, letting out a comfortable moan."Alright, I can use a bit more strength.""Come on, I can take it!"Riyao punched Makarov's back with both hands, infusing life energy into his body with every strike. "Old man, how about picking Tenrou Island as the test location? I want to go see the Holy Tree."Makarov squinted his eyes. "What do you want to do to the Holy Tree?""Nothing.""Hm?""I want to go over and get a piece of the trunk." Riyao chuckled.Makarov thought for a moment. "The location can be Tenrou Island, but the matter of the trunk will depend on the situation."On the ship heading to Tenrou Island, Riyao was wearing a floral shirt and beach shorts, lying on a lounge chair wearing sunglasses to sunbathe. His open collar revealed the golden guild emblem on his chest. He held a coconut in his hand, sipping the coconut juice with satisfaction, looking just like a rich kid on vacation.Erza, wearing a one-piece swimsuit, walked over to Riyao and looked him up and down. "Did you tan too fast? You were quite pale just yesterday.""This is called a healthy wheat complexion!" Riyao deliberately bared his teeth, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.Laxus brought Freed over and coolly threw down a threat: "I will definitely win this test! A laid-back guy like you doesn't deserve to be an S-Class Mage at all!"Riyao looked at the three people surrounding him from the left, right, and top, and said coyly, "Um, could you three stop surrounding me? It's kind of embarrassing."At the bow of the ship, Makarov and Gildarts were discussing the test content. Makarov rubbed his little hands with a sinister look. "When the time comes, hit him hard! Beat that brat Riyao to death!"Gildarts scratched his head. "That doesn't seem right, Master."Makarov leaned into Gildarts's ear and whispered, "Have you forgotten how he tricked you back then, making you think he was your son? You hugged him and wiped your snot all over his clothes!"Gildarts's expression darkened, and he patted his chest. "Now that you mention it, he really does need a good beating! Leave it to me!"Riyao felt a bit uncomfortable being surrounded by the three of them, so he turned over to sunbathe for a while.The three of them stared at Riyao's perky butt, which rivaled Captain America's.Laxus slapped it with lightning speed, then pretended as if nothing had happened.A scream came from the ship: "Ah! Which pervert slapped my butt!"Riyao covered his butt and turned his head, glaring at Erza, Laxus, and Freed. Erza's face turned red, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "It... it wasn't me!"Riyao gave a cunning smile. "Explaining is just covering up, and covering up is the truth. Let me slap you back, and I'll let bygones be bygones."Laxus and Freed silently stepped back.Erza was so angry she drew her sword, and Riyao hurriedly hid behind Laxus, circling around him. "I'm just joking! Don't be angry!"Riyao dodged quickly, using Laxus as a pillar to circle around, saying as he ran, "I was just saying it, I haven't even done it yet, ouch."Laxus kept a straight face, afraid of revealing any flaws.How could Riyao not know who did it? Freed was standing at the top, and on the left and right were Erza and Laxus—Erza's hand was so small.When Riyao circled behind Laxus, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Now!He clasped his hands together, his index and middle fingers stretched straight. "Healing Magic Secret Art: Thousand Years of Death!""Ah!!!!!" A shrill scream rang out across the sea, and Makarov and Gildarts at the bow were both so startled they shuddered. Riyao seized the opportunity to jump into the sea, activated his Healing Magic underwater, held his breath, and swam toward Tenrou Island.Everyone who swims knows that you will die if you don't breathe.But Riyao activated his Healing Magic and didn't surface, just kept swimming underwater.Laxus clutched his butt, his face pale. Freed pushed up his glasses. "Lord Laxus, are you alright?"_: ( ´ □ ` ] ∠ ): _