Undoubtedly, Natsu and Sting ended up dead last.
While the other contestants were already sprinting across the third chariot, the two Dragon Slayers had only just managed to stand up, and even calling it standing was generous.
Their movements were stiff and jerky, like two robots whose joints hadn't been oiled in a decade.
Each step forward looked like it required an entire lifetime of willpower.
For once in history, Fairy Tail Team A and Sabertooth shared the exact same expression:
"This is hopeless."
Orga stared blankly.
"Are all Dragon Slayers like this?"
Rogue frowned, genuinely confused.
"I thought only Sting and I were special. But Natsu Dragneel… he's not normal either."
In Rogue's memories, Gajeel didn't seem to suffer from motion sickness.
Rufus asked doubtfully,
"You're not trying to say motion sickness is, a good thing?"
Rogue answered seriously,
"To a certain extent, yes. For a Dragon Slayer."
Both he and Sting had vague memories of being taught this before, that only a true Dragon Slayer suffered motion sickness. But neither could remember who taught them or why.
Being too young back then, the details had blurred.
Since Sting was clearly out of the running for this event, Sabertooth shifted their attention elsewhere, focusing on the other screens.
Up ahead was Ichiya.
Blue Pegasus' S-Class Mage ran with comically tiny strides, his short legs pumping rapidly but somehow looking slow.
Yet his devoted fans were unwavering, they firmly believed that their beloved Ichiya simply hadn't begun to show his "true fragrance" yet.
Further forward, neck-and-neck, were Yuka of Lamia Scale and Risley of Mermaid Heel.
Despite her voluptuous figure, Risley ran shockingly fast. Her balance at the connection chains was even superior to Yuka's, allowing her to glide across gracefully.
At the front of the pack were Viya of Dragon's Treasure and Locke of Shining Sun.
Viya wasn't even running, she was skating.
Crossing the chariot gaps with acrobatic flips, balancing perfectly atop the thin chains, or gliding sideways with ease, it all looked effortless.
Locke, meanwhile, used raw power and explosive leg strength to keep up with Viya's high-tech mobility.
Mira trailed behind them by a few places, lightly lifting her skirt with a troubled expression as she ran.
The moment her image appeared on screen, holding her skirt with one hand, high heels clicking, yet still elegant, Elfman and Lisanna immediately turned to Makarov.
"Master! Why did you give Big Sis a uniform with a skirt that's impossible to run in?!"
"And high heels too! Do you have any idea how awful that is?!" Lisanna protested.
Makarov wilted.
"She normally fights in high heels… And Rhodes didn't remind her either."
Both Strauss siblings glared.
"Trying to blame brother-in-law now?"
"Shameful."
"…" Makarov deflated further.
The Strauss siblings truly were a handful.
Compared to yesterday's intense "Hidden" event, the first half of today's "Chariot" competition lacked excitement.
After all, it was mostly running.
The only visually striking things were Viya's stylish skateboard tricks…and Mira's overwhelming beauty.
Otherwise, the viewers were simply following the screen's perspective through the capital's scenic tourist routes.
(Which, as Rhodes suspected, was probably intentional, a tourism promotion masquerading as a tournament segment.)
Still, the atmosphere wasn't dull.
Today's guest commentator, Jason, was a one-man hype machine.
He shouted praise for every contestant, then spent extra time raving about Mira's strength, Natsu's fighting spirit, and Rhodes' heroic performance yesterday.
He even went on tangents about Fairy Tail's previous adventures, speaking as though he personally attended half of them.
The audience quickly caught the vibe.
Jason was absolutely a Fairy Tail fanboy.
But thanks to his boundless enthusiasm, and Fairy Tail's rising popularity, no one minded. He carried the audience straight through what would normally be dead air.
Finally, the second half of the race began.
Yuka activated his Wave Magic to propel himself forward, increasing his speed and disrupting the Magic of anyone behind him.
Risley countered by using Gravity Magic to become slender and nimble, her entire body streamlining as she dashed forward with incredible speed.
She even ran along the side of the chariot wall, bypassing Yuka's interference and overtaking him.
Ichiya, hacked by Yuka's Wave Magic, fell behind.
But then he inhaled deeply, "Instant Leg Scent…!"
The next moment, with terrifying speed, he shot forward like a cologne-scented missile, overtaking Yuka and chasing down the leading pair.
The audience finally got the magic-fueled spectacle they had been waiting for and erupted in cheers.
Risley especially drew gasps; her gravity transformation amazed countless spectators.
At the very front, Viya leapt into the air. While airborne, she tapped a square box strapped to her back, its lid flipped open, and a device shot out.
Her skateboard folded automatically and dropped neatly into the box.
The object that shot out of Viya's backpack dropped neatly into her hand. With a light snap of her wrist, it unfolded, and in an instant transformed into a compact Magic two-wheeled vehicle.
Still in mid-air, Viya swung herself onto the seat. The moment her wheels touched the chariot surface...
VROOOOM!
She twisted the handle and blasted forward like a bullet.
"Oh my! Contestant Viya has brought out a Magic two-wheeled vehicle!" Chapati cried out.
"But, wait, this is a race. Using a skateboard and then a vehicle, should that not be a violation?"
Yajima stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Hm, this is the Grand Magic Games. If I recall correctly, the rule for holder-type Magicians is: 'Any tool that can be brought into the venue by one's own physical power is permitted.'"
Chapati blinked.
"Ah, so I see. A normal magic vehicle wouldn't qualify, since one can't physically carry something so bulky into the arena. But Viya's is clearly a custom foldable portable model."
He trailed off.
Because once again, it was obvious that Dragon's Treasure had come prepared to advertise.
And today, they advertised very, very successfully.
Shining Sun's captain, Locke, also revealed his hidden tools.
The shoes on his feet vanished in a puff of smoke.
He took a few steps barefoot, then suddenly, clang!, a pair of extremely thick, gleaming metal battle boots materialized on his legs.
The power boost was immediate; the ground cracked with every step he took.
Even so, he managed to barely keep up with Viya's magically enhanced speed by running alone.
Watching them, Rhodes couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
"I was expecting him to drop heavy weights, turn red, and then move too fast for the naked eye to see."
Gajeel, not understanding the reference at all, shrugged.
"His skin didn't turn red, but your wife did."
Indeed.
Mira, who had been running while holding her skirt (and looking far too delicate for a demon), finally exhaled and said:
"Take Over."
Her body melted into shadow.
Her clothes instantly shifted into a sleek, tight combat suit. Her demonic aura surged into the air with a wave of cold energy.
"C0000L!!! Demon Mirajane's Take over Magic, a form I've never seen before!!"
Jason stood up from the commentary desk, fists raised, practically vibrating with excitement.
Rogue's lips twitched.
He had seen this form. And every memory he had of it involved pain, bruises, and being kicked across a room.
But Mira wasn't here to kick anyone today.
With fluid grace, she sprinted a few steps, then dived into Locke's shadow, vanishing like ink into water.
Half a heartbeat later, she burst out of Viya's shadow, riding it like a springboard.
Before Viya could fully react, a delicate hand reached from her shadow and grabbed the side of her vehicle, a small reminder that Mirajane Strauss was right there.
Viya noticed. But she didn't have even a second to spare.
The finish line was right ahead.
Viya calculated the distance, sprang off her magic bike, and lunged forward.
Mira lunged at the exact same moment.
The red ribbon snapped.
Pumpkin Man, standing at the finish line, saw clearly who touched down first and immediately shouted:
"First place, Fairy Tail Team B, Mirajane!!!"
Cheers erupted in the stands.
Viya, who came in second, should have been satisfied, she had advertised Dragon's Treasure's gear perfectly, and secured a strong ranking.
But…
She stared at Mirajane celebrating with a radiant wave. Then she crouched on the ground, drawing tiny circles with her finger, muttering to herself miserably:
"If mine were just a little bigger, I would have won. Just a little bigger. Why did I lose because of that…"
Her voice trailed off in pure heartbreak.