Makarov looked at Ben who had the color drained from his body and turned into a sketch. He even looked as if he turned into dust slowly as the wind blew. It surely made Makarov feel bad right now, so he coughed to get everyone's attention.
Everyone looked at him again.
"Also, there is an exception with this year's S-Class exam. I have decided to promote someone into a S-Class mage directly and the other S-Class mages agreed. Ben Cooper, you have been promoted to S-Class." Makarov announced.
The color returned to Ben's body.
"Huh? Me?" He asked with a dumbfound expression.
Everyone else was confused with the sudden promotion.
"That's right, you have been promoted to S-Class and you don't need to participate in the exam. Some of you probably aren't satisfied, so allow me to explain. Ben was promoted to S-Class in his last guild and completed a lot of S-Class jobs with a 100% completion rate." Makarov informed the others.
"If that's not enough, then I'll tell you he was offered the position of Wizard Saint, but turned it down. If someone at Wizard Saint level participated in the exam, don't you think that will be unfair? Furthermore, in the last 4 weeks, he has finished 95 jobs by himself. It's a lot more than any of you and he only takes A and B-Class jobs. I think those are enough, right?" Makarov asked.
Ben looked at the others and figured someone might disagree. But none of them protested this and some were even happy because someone from their guild was chosen as a Wizard Saint candidate. That alone was enough to make him a S-Class mage.
"Well Ben, you don't need to take so many jobs. I've decided to promote you to S-Class because you were chosen as a Wizard Saint candidate." Makarov said.
"Eh? Then why-?" Ben asked before Makarov chimed in.
"Why didn't I tell you anything? Well, you looked very excited to take jobs after we returned from the Council. I couldn't possibly damper your excitement, right? So I let you do what you wanted. Besides, it's a mage's duty to take jobs, so I shouldn't stop you." Makarov said with a innocent tone.
Gildarts, Erza and Mira held their laughter in while Ryu just sat there. They had known about it following the Edolas incident. Makarov discussed it with them. The other mages also hold their laughter in because they knew Makarov was pranking Ben.
Ben gained a dark expression and looked down at the ground, depressed. He felt betrayed right now and Makarov felt bad for him. The old man then enlarged his hand with Giant Magic and brought Ben to the stage.
On the stage, Ben lied down like a block of dead wood and Mira was trying to cheer him up but it didn't work. Makarov sighed and ignored them then announced the time and location for the exam. It will take place on Tenrou Island a week from now and the participants need to meet at Hargeon Port.
Then Makarov told the participants that they need a partner for the exam. But they can't choose the S-Class mages because the 5 S-Class mages will be their opponents. It surprised all of the participants and Ben felt the color return to his face.
Ben looked down with a dark expression.
"So I will also hinder one of them?" He asked.
"That's right." Makarov nodded.
Ben grinned from ear to ear before he laughed wickedly. "Fufufufu, who thought the chance for revenge would come so soon. You guys looked happy before and laughed at me. Don't think that you guys will get through this peacefully. HA HA HA!"
"This is gonna be fun." Ryu muttered sarcastically.
The other S-Class mages are shivering really hard right because they know Ben wants to vent his anger on them. He can't do it to Master Makarov, so he will do it to them because they are easier targets. Makarov and the other S-Class mages were stunned by this.
"Master, I think you've awakened something inside him." Gildarts suddenly said.
"Y-Yeah. I hope he won't traumatize them later." Makarov sweat dropped as he looked at Ben who resembled a demon right now.
After the announcement came to a end and Ben calmed down, Makarov and the S-Class mages hold a meeting inside the guild master's office. Well, the meeting was just to tell Ben what they'll do in the exam. They also told him the S-Class mages will go to the island today to prepare for the exam.
"I don't want to go there on a ship, it will make me puke." Ben said.
"Ah, that's right, you're a Dragon Slayer. Hmm? Wait! Weren't you driving a car before?" Gildarts asked.
"Yeah, I can tolerate a car because I love it. That's why I have a proposal. If it's just the 5 of us, why don't we go there in my car?" Ben offered.
"But we'll need to cross the sea and a car can't travel on water." Erza pointed out.
"Wait a minute. I recall master telling me you two flew to the Council building the other day. If that's the case, wouldn't it also be able to turn into a ship." Ryu remembered something Makarov shared with him yesterday.
"It's a car that can transform into a plane and ship?" Erza asked, stunned.
"In that case, we'll leave it to you. Now prepare your stuff. We'll depart tonight." Gildarts said.
They leave the office and go to prepare their things. Ben met up with Wendy and Carla first and told them to take care of themselves. He gave them some money before returning home with Bella and preparing his stuff.
While he prepared his stuff, the participants also did the same thing. Right now, they were looking for a partner for the exam. They also plan to train themselves before the exam starts so they'll be in their best condition.
Before sunset, the S-Class mages met in front of the town's gate. They'll take Ben's car like they've discussed. But before they get inside, Ben locked Gildarts' hands in stone cases that look like stone gloves.
"Uh, what are these?" Gildarts asked.
"Hand locks made out of magic sealing stones. They're going to prevent you from using your Crush Magic unconsciously. There's no way I'm going to let you destroy Light Runner that I've spent months building. If you don't want to wear it, you can walk." Ben answered.
"How cruel. You don't really leave me any choice." Gildarts said.
All 6 get into the car. Light Runner had 5 seats so everyone can sit in the car. Gildarts and Erza were in the back while Ryu sat on the floor in the middle and Mira was in the front with Bella on her lap. Ben was driving, because he didn't allow anyone else to do it. He was extremely petty about that.
They leave Magnolia and quickly drive to Hargeon Port. The other 4 are S-Class mages, and 3 of them can't handle Ben's driving. Ryu didn't really react to this and stared up at the roof. Their sense of speed can't be compared to Ben who can move very fast with his magic.
"WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! SLOW DOWN, KID! THIS SPEED WILL KILL US!" Gildarts screamed.
"It won't. Don't overreact, old man, this speed is very safe. I've even driven slower than this when I was alone. Look, Bella's calm." Ben pointed at Bella.
The others look at Bella who was sleeping soundly on Mira's lap. She wasn't affected because she didn't realize what was going on. Well, she often slept while riding in the car because she knew Ben always drove like a madman.
But now, he drove even more like a madman because he wanted to get revenge for their prank earlier. The 4 S-Class mages realize this but weren't able to do anything because Ben was holding the steering wheel.
They reached Hargeon Port in a half hour and they thought it was over now. But Ben kept driving to the sea and made them panic. They fall into the sea but then resurface again as Light Runner transformed into a boat.
But their suffering wasn't over because their boat ride to Tenrou Island was just as scary as their ride on land. Ben drove wildly and most of them were scared for their lives. Their suffering only came to a end when they reached Tenrou Island.
Ben smiled happily as he looked at the amazing island.
"Hey guys, get up. We have to prepare for the exam." Ryu told the other 3 S-Class mages.
The 3 laying on the ground weakly can't even say anything before they faint.