The entire stadium fell into silence.
The earlier boos directed at Fairy Tail's Team A and cheers for Sabertooth seemed to vanish into thin air.
The crowd hadn't figured out how to react to this Fairy Tail team that had secured first place.
Gradually, spectators began questioning how Fairy Tail could have two teams advancing from the preliminaries.
As the host, Chapati had prepared for this and explained:
"Due to changes in this year's tournament rules, the same guild can now field two teams simultaneously. Therefore, if both teams pass the preliminaries, they can legitimately compete as two separate teams in the main tournament!"
Jenny pouted, her young and pretty face showing a trace of concern. "But doesn't that give Fairy Tail a significant advantage?"
Yajima nodded decisively. "That's correct, but this is an advantage Fairy Tail earned through their own strength. There's nothing more to be said."
The live audience finally understood, though many among them still expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement.
Most of these disgruntled spectators were fans of other guilds, particularly Sabertooth.
Their complaints generally went:
"How dare they steal the spotlight from our idols? And now the officials are giving them special privileges in the upcoming matches!"
Hearing these grating complaints from the stands, Ankh couldn't help but shake his head and sigh to himself.
'The embryonic form of magic fandom... picking up all the worst habits.'
Sabertooth had conveniently become a "popular" major guild in this era...
Gajeel, dressed in his pitch-black combat outfit, watched their companions cheering excitedly for them from the distant stands, a knowing smile appearing on his face.
Juvia had already scampered over to try chatting with Gray again, only to be pestered once more by Lyon who had followed her over.
Laxus and Mirajane stood calmly beside Ankh, completely ignoring the rumors circulating among the spectators.
Mirajane clasped her hands gently before her abdomen, her smile radiating warmth.
"Everyone seems quite unhappy with us~"
Laxus snorted coldly. "Doesn't matter. It won't affect us."
Ankh chuckled lightly, speaking brutal words in the gentlest tone:
"Once we crush their idols beneath our feet, let these brainless fans cling to their corpses for comfort."
Ankh's words sounded like they came from a serial killer, but everyone in Fairy Tail knew he was just trying to scare people.
However... Sabertooth didn't know that!
Sting stared intently at Ankh and couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Meanwhile, the thick-skulled Natsu was still demanding an explanation from the Guild Master.
Through Juvia, Gray received another shocking piece of news.
The Master had promised that whichever of the two teams achieved the highest score by the end would have the other team completely at their mercy for an entire day, forced to obey any demand!
It was this very condition that deeply captivated Juvia, who resolved to thoroughly command Gray for a full day, swearing to secure victory.
Upon hearing this wager, the members of Fairy Tail fell into wild fantasies.
Natsu chuckled foolishly, envisioning himself bossing Laxus around relentlessly for a day.
Gajeel freely imagined a day of tormenting the Fire Dragon to his heart's content.
Lucy grinned mischievously, pondering what would happen if she ordered Gajeel to confess his feelings directly to Levy.
Even Erza couldn't help but get lost in thought.
If they won... could she finally become the elder sister?
"Hehe."
While the group was lost in their fantasy world, Ankh had already made his way over to Kagura and greeted her cheerfully.
"Long time no see. I never expected you'd grow up so much."
"Ankh-san." Kagura's stern expression softened slightly as she responded with a smile.
Having previously been taught combat skills by Ankh and having personally witnessed Fairy Tail's chaotic Love Festival, Kagura could be considered an old friend of the guild.
Yet, seeing Kagura's impressive and heroic demeanor—almost like another Erza—Ankh still marveled at how wonderful time could be.
"Is that sword treating you well?" Ankh looked with interest at Kagura's waist, where an ornate long sword with a silver-blue hilt and snow-white sheath was fastened.
After the previous love-themed internal conflict, having mastered his Life Divine Power, Ankh had forged "living," growth-type specialized weapon spirits for both Erza and Kagura, who were masters of weaponry.
Using her pure heart, Erza had nurtured a unique blade capable of influencing matter—Scarlet Bride.
However, Erza adored that sword so much it had essentially become a collector's item, only used in combat under special circumstances.
Kagura was different.
After nurturing her weapon spirit for seven years, what kind of blade would she have mastered?
Grasping her weapon, Kagura felt more grounded and said gratefully, "Extremely well. It has become my most important battle partner!"
Ankh nodded, patting her shoulder expectantly, and laughed. "Then I look forward to seeing you in action."
Kagura confidently nodded back at Ankh.
Seven years had changed much.
Now a member of Mermaid Heel, Kagura had long since become the strongest Mage in her guild!
Chapati, observing the increasingly heated atmosphere in the massive arena, passionately announced with his script in hand.
"Well, everyone, the wait is over! Let's reveal this year's Grand Magic Games event schedule!"
As the host introduced it, a huge square stone monument erupted from the ground in the center of the arena.
Each of its four sides was inscribed with text, allowing spectators and competing Mages from all directions to read it.
Though called text, it was actually a series of symbols marked with question marks.
The monument listed the events for each of the seven days. For the first three days, it was "Competition" events + "Battle" events.
On the fourth day, the "Competition" events remained, but "Battle" changed to "Tag Team Battle."
The remaining fifth, sixth, and seventh days were all marked with question marks.
Two of those days were likely rest days for the Grand Magic Games, though no one knew how the officials had arranged it.
Kagura looked up at the stone monument and murmured, "Both the athletic event and the battle event on the same day... This year's tournament is truly extraordinary."
Ankh listened to the host's explanation, his expression growing serious.
"First, let me explain the athletic event. Each day features a different athletic challenge. After the event concludes, participants will be ranked from first to eighth place, with corresponding points awarded to their respective teams."
"For this event, each team can independently decide which member will participate."
"Next is the battle event. Based on fan voting preferences, the tournament committee will determine the final matchups for the battles!"
Lucy frowned as she analyzed, "So if someone has bad luck, they might have to participate in a battle right after the athletic event?"
"And what's this about voting..." Ankh subtly glanced at the pumpkin mascot nearby and commented.
"He certainly knows what the audience wants to see."
"The outcome of each battle affects the points. The winner earns 10 points for their team, while the loser gets none. In case of a draw, both sides receive 5 points!"
"With the tournament format announced, I will now reveal the athletic event for the first day!"
As Chapati's explanation continued, the text on the stone monument changed in response to his words.
"The first day's event: Stealth!"
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