Although the day's battles had ended, the cheers and applause continued endlessly. The audience seemed unwilling to leave at all.
The commentators could only remain onstage and continue chatting, revisiting the highlights of the day.
However, after talking for a while, they realized their entire conversation had somehow turned into a personal highlight reel of Rhodes.
The audience did not mind in the slightest. They listened with great enthusiasm.
By the time the discussion ended, the construction team had already entered the arena, beginning repairs on the wrecked battlefield.
Rhodes felt relieved when he noticed that the organizers were surprisingly generous. Neither the Three Dimensional Maze from the preliminaries nor today's arena reconstruction showed even the slightest sign that he might be billed for damages.
It seemed they had budgeted for this level of destruction from the beginning.
All the participating mages had already left the arena. Those who needed healing were being treated, those who needed rest were resting. It would have been inappropriate to make the audience sit and watch a construction site.
Sensing this, the clever Pumpkin Man grabbed the microphone and launched into a speech.
He spoke about the positive meaning of the Grand Magic Games, expressed gratitude to all participants and staff, and thanked the audience for their support over the years.
Within three minutes, the audience began leaving the stadium voluntarily.
It was easy to imagine that every tavern, every street stall, and every alleyway in the capital would be filled with heated discussions about today's matches.
Words like Rhodes and Fairy Tail would be on everyone's lips.
At that moment, Fairy Tail had gathered in a small, inconspicuous pub, raising their glasses in celebration.
Makarov waved his hand and booked the entire establishment.
So everyone acted exactly as they would in the guild hall: lively, noisy, and utterly shameless.
The adults drank heartily. The children had juice and snacks. Mavis, unable to eat corporeal food, could only stare enviously at Wendy's plate and drool.
Wendy, being a child herself, coaxed the First Master like one, and when she finished coaxing Mavis, she still had to coax Asuka. She was tireless.
Team A and Team B mingled freely. Natsu challenged Gajeel. Juvia competed with Lucy for Gray's attention before attaching herself to him entirely. Chaos, but peaceful chaos.
The others simply chatted.
Rhodes had been cornered by Makarov and praised nonstop, until Mira brought Cana over to challenge the Master to a drinking contest. Only then was Rhodes released.
"Are you trying to kill the Master?" Rhodes asked as Cana slammed an enormous barrel onto the table, genuinely questioning his wife's intentions.
"Do not worry," Mira said with a sweet smile. "Someone will be watching the Master."
As Rhodes wondered what she meant, an elderly pink-haired woman in a red cloak pushed open the pub door, releasing a wave of intimidating presence.
Within seconds, Makarov's ear was pinched between her fingers, and Cana received a scolding as well.
Mira hid her smile behind her hand.
Rhodes gave her a discreet thumbs-up. As expected of the Devil's Queen. A lethal assist.
Mira whispered, "Master specially invited Porlyusica because he was worried people might get injured. But she dislikes crowds, so she watched the match from the lounge."
Rhodes nodded sympathetically. "He must be regretting that decision now."
While everyone continued drinking and laughing, Gray suddenly shouted:
"What? I have never heard of that rule before. Old man! What do you mean 'at your discretion'?"
Mira looked delighted. "Oh my, they already discovered that agreement?"
Makarov, having just been demolished by Porlyusica, was in no state to defend himself. His morale was at rock bottom.
Under the furious interrogation of Team A, he reluctantly explained the rule he had unilaterally added.
The five members of Team A looked as if lightning had struck them.
Not only Natsu and Gray, but even Erza and Lucy were ablaze with competitive fire.
Especially Cana. "If Mira picks me I will die. I have to win no matter what."
Elfman sat stiffly and silently. The Manly Man felt a shameful wave of relief that he had not been chosen for Team A.
Lucy slapped her cheeks. "It is only a four point difference. We can still catch up."
Everyone else watched gleefully from the sidelines.
During all the noise, Rhodes paused and said to Mira, "A friend just arrived. I will step outside for a moment."
Rhodes slipped out of the pub, walked around to the empty alley, and found Hyberion there, holding a glass of milk in his left hand and waving away a Crab with his right.
When he noticed Rhodes, he pointed at the crab with a smile. "You still haven't changed that habit."
"Better safe than sorry," Rhodes replied. "Since you are here, why not come inside?"
"I am about to leave. I will not disturb your celebration."
"In such a hurry?"
"I originally came to watch your duel with Jura, but I did not expect to see it on the first day. It was quite the spectacle."
Rhodes smiled. "Mr. Jura should appear again later. Why not stay? If you acted as a guest commentator for even one episode, it would cause a sensation."
"No need. I actually have other matters to handle," Hyberion said. "Another purpose of my visit to Fiore this time is to gather clues."
"Oh? Anything I can help with?" Rhodes felt a stir of intuition. Had Hyberion also sensed unusual magic?
"It is related to you, in a way," Hyberion answered calmly. "It concerns the former Chairman."
Rhodes immediately understood. The former Chairman had been suspected of collaborating with the enemy and fleeing the country. It was only natural that a Wizard Saint would investigate.
The two briefly exchanged information about the Saint Topia incident before parting ways.
Rhodes turned to head back into the pub when someone suddenly called out to him.
"Excuse me, are you Fairy Tail's Mr. Rhodes?"
Rhodes turned around and was recognized instantly.
He studied the man's face before realization dawned. "Mr. Jude? You must be here for Lucy, right?"
Jude brightened. "Yes. I heard your guild was celebrating here."
"Please come in. Lucy is inside," Rhodes said. "Did you see her performance this morning?"
"Of course. Unfortunately, I arrived late due to business issues and could not enter the venue. I ended up watching the live broadcast from outside." Jude sighed regretfully.
Rhodes reassured him, "It makes no difference. The arena is huge. Even inside, you usually watch the screens. Lucy did wonderfully today."
Jude smiled warmly. "I do not understand magic very well, but Lucy looks more and more like her mother."
As they talked, they stepped into the pub.
And right on cue, a small-scale Fairy Tail brawl was underway.
Most importantly, the moment they walked in, Lucy was lying on the floor with Natsu sprawled directly on top of her, having been punched there by someone mid-fight.
Rhodes: "…"
Jude: "…"
Lucy blinked in a daze, pushing at Natsu's shoulders to get him off her. Then she met Jude's complex expression.
"D… Dad?" Lucy froze. This was supposed to be a surprise visit, but everything felt horribly wrong.
Jude's thoughts were in complete disarray. Shock flashed across his face, followed by sorrow, followed by a soft, resigned acceptance.
"Yes… I should have known this day would come eventually," Jude sighed. His voice grew gentle. "Lucy… you have reached that age too."
Lucy did not understand at first.
Jude continued sadly, "I understand such feelings at your age… but this is a public place, not a private room. You must show some restraint. Sigh… it is my fault for failing to educate you properly in this area."
Lucy finally realized exactly what her father was misunderstanding.
Her eyes widened.
Her face reddened.
Her magic spiked.
And she unleashed a mighty kick that sent Natsu flying across the pub.
"It is not what you think!!!"
Lucy's scream of pure humiliation echoed throughout the tavern, shaking the rafters.
...
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