October 7th is the day when the Magnolia Harvest Festival officially takes place.
The festive atmosphere reaches its peak on this day.
The city's most bustling streets are already crowded, with not only local residents but also many people from nearby villages and towns.
Some are even drawn by the reputation of the Magical Parade, coming from further away.
The street vendors are shouting enthusiastically, and Goodman is one of the vendors energetically selling his goods.
Here and there, people are playing instruments, singing poems, and there are clowns performing acrobatics.
Even the boats on the canal are decorated in various ways, and the cheerful sailors sing a few verses of fishing songs now and then.
The food stalls are even busier, and the famous snack streets are filled with aromas.
Natsu, who wobbles when he walks, dragged Hapi out early in the morning to eat a lot, despite the aftereffects of eating lightning still lingering.
Given his appetite, it probably won't be long after the festival before he has to work again.
Because it's a rare celebration, there aren't many people at the Guild tavern in the morning; everyone has gone to find places of interest to enjoy.
Meanwhile, Rhode is helping to set up the venue in the Guild, with Marcus in charge of directing.
Today's first major event, the "Miss Fairy Tail Contest," is being held at the Guild.
Marcus was the first to arrive in the morning and has been excited ever since.
Nabu, Bigda, and Alzack, who are usually on good terms, were also pulled in by him to do the heavy work.
Alzack seems a bit reluctant; he originally planned to take the opportunity of the festival to invite Bisca out for a walk.
But Marcus asked, "Invite Bisca? Can you even say that?"
Alzack instantly fell silent; he had been working up the courage to invite Bisca to team up for tasks for months, let alone asking her out for a walk.
Marcus then added, "Bisca is also participating in the contest. If we can't get everything set up on time, don't you really want to help?"
Alzack realized, yes, if the contest can't proceed on time, Bisca would be disappointed too.
Poor Alzack, not only making no progress but also caught under Marcus's thumb.
The Guild doesn't have a ready stage, so Laki uses her Wood-Make Magic to seal off the counter and transform it into a temporary stage.
Tables and chairs are also moved to temporarily use the tavern as the venue.
Such an area is obviously unable to accommodate all those coming to watch the contest.
So, three monitoring Magic Crystals are placed in front of the stage and on the side.
The live images will be connected to an area near the Kardia Cathedral in the city center.
Friends unable to get a seat can watch the live broadcast there.
As for this time's contestants, Rhode, being staff, already knows the list and has also gotten a ballot.
Every audience member who enters will be given a ballot; there will also be people responsible for distributing them over at the Cathedral.
After receiving his ballot, Rhode wrote down a name without hesitation.
Laki gave him a light tap; "Hey, the contest hasn't started yet, you're being too biased."
Rhode nonchalantly folded up the ballot and said, "What does it matter? I know all these contestants; how could I not know who is more beautiful?"
"That's not necessarily true; some people's styles are completely different on stage and off."
"No matter how they change their style, my taste remains the same."
"You're hopeless." Laki glanced at Mira, who was smiling not far away. Dammit, I inadvertently helped him again.
"Heh heh." Rhode wasn't bothered by her.
After all, he was doing better than Alzack.
Even though it was a bit difficult, at least he was making efforts and showing progress.
After some hustle and bustle, the venue was finally set up, and the contestants one after another entered backstage.
Mira was probably the most composed among them, helping out one moment, and the next moment clapped her hands gently and said, "The contest is about to start; I'm leaving this to you guys."
"Good luck." Rhode took over Mira's tasks, watching her walk into the backstage.
That turn just now was quite dashing.
Maybe it's because confident girls always shine brightly?
...
The audience had already entered; Rhode abused his power to secure a good spot for himself, while Alzack shyly stood in the front row as well.
Macao and Wakaba, with their wealth of experience, naturally arrived early to grab front-row seats.
Many other members had rushed back to join in the fun, worried that if someone went on stage and didn't get a good response, they'd help cheer them on.
Natsu, holding a pile of snacks, squatted in the corner eating listlessly; his condition was still poor.
Gray, rarely properly dressed today, stood next to Natsu with his hands in his pockets: "Aren't you supposed to be resting as Granny Porlyusica said? And you're not interested in this type of contest, right?"
Natsu weakly replied, "But it's a Guild event, I have to participate, it's so hard…"
Even as he said it was hard, he kept eating.
What an idiot, Gray patted his forehead: "Troublesome guy."
The audience's noisy chatter suddenly quieted down quickly as Marcus took the stage with a microphone.
The microphone had a small Magic Crystal at the tail end, looking much like the glass marbles kids played with in the eighties and nineties.
Marcus professionally tested the mic, then began to speak:
"To all Magnolia residents, and those from nearby towns and villages, welcome to Fairy Tail!"
The audience cooperatively applauded.
"I heard that some people have traveled over mountains and rivers to come to this contest, in such a rush that they didn't even bother to pick up their shoes when they fell off a cliff.
Remember to jump off the cliff and retrieve them after the contest ends!"
Marcus placed his hand by his ear, pretending to listen.
The audience burst into laughter, and Rhode wanted to complain why there was a lame joke segment.
That was an odd sense of humor — which country's warm-up style is this?
"I am your host, the Sand Mage Marcus!" Marcus waved his hand, and a puff of sand appeared, writing his name in mid-air,
"Without further ado, I announce the beginning of the Miss Fairy Tail Contest!"
The audience's enthusiasm was ignited by his spirited voice, and applause and cheers erupted.
"Let's welcome the first contestant, the beauty of strength and wildness, Ghost Princess, Mickey Chickentiger!"
Mickey walked out from backstage in a tiger-striped long dress and a double-horned headpiece, stepping onto the stage to a burst of cheers.
Mickey's type is obviously a favorite for many people.
Macao nudged Wakaba while staring at Mickey's beautiful legs peeking from the dress: "See, I told you this side-stage position is the best, right?"
Wakaba, unable to take his eyes off, couldn't help but say: "Ah, this time you win."