Boom! Bang! Boom! Bang!
Countless salutes boomed in the sky above the Grand Magic Games arena.
All sorts of balloons flew toward the sky, and the band played rousing music.
"Ooooohhhh!!!"
The loudest sound was the roar of the crowd. The shouts of countless spectators caused the entire venue to tremble slightly.
"What a stunning cheer..."
Erza could hear the intense cheering even inside the competitors' lounge.
"There are too many people here." Lucy was also a little startled.
"They can't all be Mages from Fiore, a considerable number must just be ordinary citizens." Gray analyzed.
Only one-tenth of the people in Fiore can use magic, and the number of proper Mages is even smaller. However, 113 Guilds are participating in the competition now, suggesting magic seems much more prevalent than it was seven years ago.
"Putting that aside for a moment, what's with these clothes?" Natsu felt awkward after putting on the Fairy Tail custom battle robes.
Lucy explained, "Master said we should wear matching team uniforms."
"These are great clothes. I like them." Erza was very satisfied with the clothes she was wearing.
Gray, bare-chested, said, "Yeah, I like them too."
Lucy helplessly said, "At least put on the uniform before you say that."
Takeshi also changed into his uniform in the locker room. It was somewhat similar to what he usually wore—still a high-collared short sleeve—but the color had been changed to dark, featuring a small golden Fairy Tail emblem on the left chest and a large Fairy Tail emblem on the back.
"Oh! They look great on you, Takeshi." Erza's eyes lit up when she saw Takeshi in the uniform.
"That's right. Takeshi, you look good wearing this." Lucy agreed with Erza's opinion.
Takeshi was already handsome, but he was usually a bit unkempt, and wearing the same outfit all the time caused some aesthetic fatigue. Changing into a different outfit now was certainly refreshing.
Takeshi nodded and smiled. "There's no doubt about the old man's taste, but it seems pointless for me to wear it. My appearance will change after using Take Over Magic."
"That's true. By the way, where is Laxus?" Gray was confused.
Gildarts finally couldn't restrain his restless heart a month ago and went traveling again. According to Gildarts, he wasn't good at holding back, and if he participated and accidentally caused some irreparable accident, it would definitely affect Fairy Tail's reputation.
Furthermore, since Takeshi was already participating, if he joined too, it would be a bit too much bullying.
Everyone considered this an excuse Gildarts made to go mess around, but everyone knew him well, and it was already highly unusual for him to stay in the Guild for so long.
Gildarts had a naturally wandering disposition. Staying in one place for too long made him feel uneasy all over.
Even if Gildarts wasn't participating, Laxus should at least be on the field.
Takeshi smiled and said, "You'll find out soon enough. Alright, let's get ready to enter the arena."
[The time has finally arrived this year! The annual magic festival!]
[The Grand Magic Games!!]
[I am the announcer, Chapati Lola, and here with me is former Council member Yajima-san, serving as commentator. Thank you very much for coming, Yajima-san.]
[The pleasure is mine.]
[The competing teams are finally arriving! First to enter is the eighth place qualifier, the War Dogs of the Netherworld, Quatro Cerberus!]
"Whoa!"
"Yeah!"
Several very wild-looking men walked out.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Although Quatro Cerberus is not a top-tier Mage Guild, it is still first-rate.
The Guild Master of Quatro Cerberus, Goldmine, laughed smugly. "Take the championship this year, kids."
[Next up is the seventh place team, a Guild composed entirely of female members, the Dancers in the Deep Blue Sea, Mermaid Heel!]
The cheers from the audience grew even more fervent.
Although Mermaid Heel consists entirely of women, they are quite powerful. And there are a lot of people who like a Guild composed entirely of women.
[In sixth place, shining in the darkness with azure wings, is Blue Pegasus!]
Ichiya entered with the trio, plus a beautiful woman. Aside from Ichiya, they were all handsome men and beautiful women, drawing continuous screams from the entire venue.
"Ren!"
"Hibiki-sama!"
"Eve-kun!"
"Ichiya is so gross."
[In fifth place is the Holy Punisher of the Goddess of Love and War, Lamia Scale!]
"That's Jura!"
"It really is him!"
While cheering, the audience was also very shocked. Lamia Scale has always been ranked second, undoubtedly a top-tier Mage Guild in terms of strength. Yet, some people treat Lamia Scale as the strongest Guild because there is a special existence within Lamia Scale.
That is Jura, the fifth of the Ten Wizard Saints, a Great Mage ranked fifth in the entire continent of Ishgar.
"How did you only get fifth place? Are you even trying?"
When Ooba heard "fifth," her fists spun continuously in anger.
"I'm sorry, Granny, it's all because I was too clumsy... Ah!"
[Next to enter is the fourth place team. This is truly astonishing. Ranked fourth is a first-time participating Guild. The Midnight Plunderers, Raven Tail!]
"Raven Tail?"
"Isn't this a Dark Guild?"
Makarov's expression changed drastically. "The Grand Magic Games actually allows a Dark Guild to participate? Huh!?"
Makarov roared furiously, and the Guild members quickly held him back.
"They just said it was a Dark Guild, right?"
"I'm sure I've never heard of that Guild."
The surrounding audience members heard Makarov's words and exchanged bewildered glances. They all knew about the existence of Dark Guilds, which were extremely dangerous organizations.
[According to our official records, Raven Tail existed seven years ago, but it was only recorded as a Legal Guild.]
Yajima asked, "Since they were certified by the Magic Council, does that mean they aren't a Dark Guild?"
Makarov was livid. "How did that damned Ivan manage to fool the Magic Council's review?"
[Alright, next up is the third place qualifier team entering the arena. Oh, this is truly unexpected. In third place is Team Fairy Tail B!]
"What?!"
Natsu and the others were dumbfounded by this scene.
***
40 Advanced Chapters on
patreon.com/alex_1000