Boom! Bang! Boom! Bang!!!!
The sky above the capital city of Crocus was ignited by a cacophony of magical explosions. Countless salutes bood in the azure expanse, shaking the very foundations of the earth.
Streaks of multi-colored light painted the heavens as magical fireworks detonated, raining down glittering sparks that dissolved into confetti before touching the ground. All sorts of balloons—shaped like monsters, guild emblems, and mascots—flew toward the sky, releasing doves of light. The Royal Band played rousing, majestic music that stirred the blood of every soul present.
"Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh!!"
The loudest sound, however, was not the pyrotechnics or the music. It was the roar of the crowd. The shouts of countless spectators packed into the massive Domus Flau arena caused the entire venue to tremble slightly, creating a physical wall of sound that hit the waiting competitors like a shockwave.
Inside the dimly lit competitors' tunnel, the vibration of the ceiling dust falling was visible.
"What a stunning cheer..."
Erza Scarlet adjusted her gauntlets, listening to the roar. Even inside the competitors' lounge, deep within the stadium's bowels, the intensity was palpable. "It seems the capital is as lively as ever."
"There are too many people here!"
Lucy Heartfilia peeked through the grate, her eyes widening. "I've never seen a crowd this big! It's terrifying!"
"They can't all be Mages from Fiore; a considerable number must just be ordinary citizens coming to watch the spectacle."
Gray Fullbuster leaned against a locker, analyzing the situation. "Only one-tenth of the people in Fiore can use magic, and the number of Mages who actually use it for combat is even smaller. However, the fact that 113 Guilds participated in the preliminary elimination round suggests magic seems much more prevalent than it was seven years ago. The industry has grown."
"Putting that aside for a mont, what's with these clothes?"
Natsu Dragneel tugged at his collar, looking uncomfortable. He felt awkward after putting on the custom Fairy Tail battle robes. "It's tight in the shoulders!"
Lucy turned to him, smoothing out her own skirt. "Stop complaining. The Master said we should wear matching team uniforms to show our unity. It's about branding!"
The uniforms were striking—a regal deep purple accented with gold trim and white sashes, symbolizing the guild's return to royalty.
"These are great clothes! I like them."
Erza nodded approvingly, admiring the durability of the fabric. "They offer good mobility and protection. Very practical."
Gray, who was standing with his arms crossed, nodded. "Yeah, I like them too. They breathe well."
Lucy blinked, then shrieked. "At least put on the uniform before you say that! You're in your underwear again, Gray!"
"Crap! When did that happen?!" Gray scrambled to find his discarded pants.
On the other side of the room, Ren finished changing. He stepped out of the locker area, adjusting his gloves.
The uniform was sowhat similar to what he usually wore—still a high-collared, sleeveless style that allowed for unrestricted movent—but the color sche had been shifted to the dark purple of the team. A small golden Fairy Tail emblem rested over his heart, and a large, fierce emblem emblazoned his back.
"Oh! They look great on you, Ren."
Erza's eyes lit up imdiately. She looked him up and down, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. The uniform accentuated his lean, muscular build perfectly.
"That's right! Ren, you look completely handso wearing this!"
Lucy agreed with Erza's opinion enthusiastically. "You usually dress so... casually. Seeing you in a formal uniform is a nice change of pace. It's very dashing!"
Ren was already handso, possessing a sharp, sowhat wild charm. But he was usually a bit unkempt, favoring comfort over style. Wearing the sa rugged outfit all the ti caused so aesthetic fatigue for the girls. Changing into a coordinated, noble-looking uniform now was certainly refreshing.
Ren nodded and smiled, checking his reflection in a polished tal shield. "There's no doubt about the Old Man's taste, but it seems pointless for to wear it! I'll still change my appearance completely after using Take Over Magic. Once I transform, the uniform vanishes."
"That's true," Erza chuckled. "But for the opening ceremony, appearances matter."
"By the way," Gray asked, finally dressed, "where is Laxus? And where did Gildarts go?"
The ntion of the Ace of Fairy Tail made everyone pause.
"Gildarts finally couldn't restrain his restless heart a month ago and went traveling again," Ren explained with a wry smile. "He left a note."
According to Gildarts, he wasn't good at holding back. His Magic, Crash, was too destructive for a tournant setting. If he participated and accidentally Sneezed or tripped, he might disintegrate the entire Domus Flau arena and half of Crocus. That would definitely affect Fairy Tail's reputation negatively.
"Furthermore," Ren added, "he said that since I was already participating, if he joined too, it would be a bit too much bullying for the other guilds. He wanted to give the younger generation a chance to shine."
"Sounds like an excuse," Lucy sweat-dropped.
Everyone considered this an excuse Gildarts made to go ss around with won and explore, but they also knew Gildarts well. It was already highly unusual for him to stay in the Guild for so long after the Tenrou Island incident. Gildarts had a naturally wandering disposition; staying in one place for too long made him feel uneasy all over, like a caged lion.
"Even if Gildarts isn't participating, Laxus should at least be on the field," Gray muttered. "He's back in the guild now."
Ren smiled mysteriously, his eyes twinkling with a secret. "You'll find out soon enough. Alright, let's get ready to enter the arena. The show is starting."
High above in the comntator's booth, magical projection screens—Lacrima Vision—lit up massive holographic displays around the stadium.
[The ti has finally arrived this year!! The annual magic festival!]
[The Grand Magic Gas!!]
The voice of the lead comntator bood through the magical amplification lacrima, echoing across the city.
[I am the announcer, Chapati Lola, and here with is the forr Council mber and current restaurateur, Mr. Yajima, serving as our guest comntator. Thank you very much for coming, Mr. Yajima.]
"The pleasure is mine," Yajima said calmly, his small stature hidden behind the microphone. "I look forward to seeing the young ones perform."
[The competing teams are finally arriving! Out of 113 guilds, only 8 have survived the grueling Sky Labyrinth preliminary! Let's et our heroes!]
[First to enter is the eighth-place qualifier! They are the wild hounds of the night! The War Dogs of the Netherworld, Quatro Cerberus!!]
"Whoa—!!"
"Yeah!! WILD!!"
From the tunnel, several very wild-looking n walked out. Leading them was a man with a distinct gourd of sake, Bacchus Groh, looking tipsy yet dangerous.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Although Quatro Cerberus is not historically a top-tier Mage Guild compared to the likes of Lamia Scale, they are still a reputable, first-rate Mage Guild known for their eccentric "Wild" spirit.
In the stands, the Master of Quatro Cerberus, Goldmine, laughed smugly, raising a fist. "Take the championship this year, kids!! Show them our Wild Soul!!"
[Next up is the seventh-place team! A Guild composed entirely of female mbers! The Dancers in the Deep Blue Sea, rmaid Heel!!]
A group of won in hooded cloaks walked out with elegant, synchronized steps. At the lead was a woman with a stoic expression and a long katana—Kagura Mikazuchi.
The cheers from the audience grew even more fervent, especially from the male spectators. Although rmaid Heel consists entirely of won, they are renowned for being deadly assassins and powerful mages. Of course, for so beasts in the crowd, the appeal was purely visual. Who wouldn't like a Guild composed entirely of beautiful won?
[In sixth place, shining in the darkness with azure wings, is the symbol of beauty for n and won alike! Blue Pegasus!!]
Sparkles seed to manifest in the air as the next team erged.
Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki entered, striking a pose that made half the audience swoon and the other half gag. Flanking him were the "Trins": Hibiki Lates, Eve Tearm, and Ren Akatsuki. Accompanying them as a guest mascot was the stunning Jenny Realight, waving to the crowd.
Aside from Ichiya, they were all handso n and beautiful won, drawing continuous high-pitched screams from the entire venue.
"Ren-sama~~!!"
"Hibiki-sama~~!!"
"Eve-kun!!"
"Ichiya is so gross!!! But I love him!!"
Down in the tunnel, Ren (Fairy Tail) twitched his eyebrow slightly hearing the crowd scream his na, only to realize they were cheering for the tanned mage from Blue Pegasus.
Having the sa na as that playboy is going to be annoying, Ren thought amusedly.
[In fifth place is the Holy Punisher of the Goddess of Love and War! The perennial runner-up! Lamia Scale!!]
The crowd gasped as the team walked out.
"That's Jura!!"
"Is that the Iron Rock Jura?!"
"Is that the Immortal Master?!?"
"It really is him!!"
While cheering, the audience was also very shocked. Lamia Scale has always been ranked second in previous years. To see them qualify in fifth place was unbelievable. They were undoubtedly a top-tier Mage Guild in terms of strength.
Yet, so people treat Lamia Scale as the strongest Guild purely because there is a special existence within their ranks.
That is Jura Neekis, the Iron Rock. He is one of the Ten Wizard Saints, a Great Mage ranked fifth in the entire continent of Ishgar. His presence alone elevated the competition to a different level.
Walking beside the stoic Jura and the confident Lyon Vastia was a small, pink-haired girl who seed to trip over nothing.
"Wah!" Sherria Blendy stumbled, nearly face-planting before regaining her balance.
In the stands, Guild Master Ooba Babasaama was vibrating with rage.
"How did you only get fifth place?! Are you even trying?! This is humiliating!!"
When Ooba heard "fifth," her fists began to spin continuously like propellers in anger. "Spin! Spin! I'm going to spin you all later!"
"I'm sorry, Granny! It's all because I was too clumsy... Ah!" Sherria cried out, looking terrified of the spinning punishnt.
[Next to enter is the fourth-place team. This is truly astonishing! Ranked fourth is a first-ti participating Guild! The Midnight Plunderers, Raven Tail!!]
The temperature in the stadium seed to drop. Five figures cloaked in nacing auras walked out.
"Raven Tail?!"
"Isn't this...?!"
"A Dark Guild!!"
The whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
In the Fairy Tail viewing area, Makarov Dreyar's expression imdiately changed drastically. The beer mug in his hand cracked.
"The Grand Magic Gas actually allows a Dark Guild to participate?! Huh?!?"
Makarov roared furiously, his giant magic flaring for a second. "That's Ivan's guild!"
The Guild mbers quickly held him back. "Master, calm down!"
"They just said it was a Dark Guild, right?"
"I'm sure I've never heard of that Guild operating legally."
The surrounding audience mbers heard Makarov's outrage and exchanged bewildered glances. They all knew about the existence of Dark Guilds—illegal organizations not recognized by the Council.
[According to our official records, Raven Tail operated independently for years, but they were recently certified as a legitimate guild by the Magic Council.]
Yajima spoke into his microphone, his brow furrowed. "Since they were certified by the Magic Council, technically they are no longer a Dark Guild. However, their reputation precedes them."
Makarov was livid, his face turning red. "How did that damned Ivan manage to fool the Magic Council's review? What are they plotting?"
[Alright, let's move on! Next up is the third-place qualifier team entering the arena. Oh oh oh, this is truly unexpected! A shock to everyone! In third place is Fairy Tail Team B!!]
"What—?!?"
Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza stopped in their tracks. They were completely dumbfounded by this announcent.
"Team... B?" Natsu's jaw dropped.
From the other entrance tunnel, five familiar figures walked out into the sunlight, smirking at their shocked guildmates.
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