The Goal: The Grand Magic Games!

Just then, a voice full of youthful spirit broke the slightly delicate atmosphere.

"President! Brother Jiang Bai!"

Romeo, without anyone noticing, jumped onto the table, mimicking Natsu's actions. He raised his arms high, his face filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Actually, there's another way! It can help our guild regain the top spot as quickly as possible!"

Jiang Bai watched the boy, who had grown quite a bit, with a leisurely air. He knew what the boy was about to say, but he didn't interrupt him.

However, Romeo's words seemed to have triggered a switch, causing Macao and Wakaba's expressions to change drastically.

"What?!" Macao's expression was as if he had seen a ghost.

"Romeo, you little rascal, you wouldn't be thinking of that, would you?!"

"No! Absolutely not!" Wakaba refused without even thinking, his voice sharp and firm.

"Didn't I already tell you? Don't bring that up again!"

Their overreaction left Natsu and the others completely bewildered.

Romeo remained unmoved. He straightened his back and retorted in a confident voice, "But! But everyone's back now!"

His gaze finally settled on the figure leaning lazily against the bar.

"Besides, we still have Brother Jiang Bai!"

These words were like a thunderbolt, instantly waking Macao and the others.

Their fierce opposition instantly deflated.

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, it does make some sense." Macao scratched his thinning hair and glanced at Jiang Bai subconsciously.

"I... I subconsciously thought it was just a few of us old, weak, sick, and disabled people."

"So that's how it is..." Wakaba stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"Our humiliation!" Bisca clenched her fists in agitation.

"Finally, I can get cleaned up!"

"Ugh! My head is spinning!" Natsu grabbed his hair, looking at the group of riddle-solving people with a frantic expression.

"What the hell are you talking about?! Gray, do you know what's going on?"

"How could I possibly know, you idiot!" Gray retorted irritably.

"Ah~" Juvia, standing to the side, cupped her hands to her heart, her eyes sparkling with hearts.

Even Lord Gray, who swears, is so handsome! If you can, please feel free to insult Juvia too!

"Natsu!"

Romeo jumped off the table, ran to Natsu, and began to explain the problem to him.

"In the years you've been away, the Kingdom of Fiore has established a special festival to determine the strongest guild!"

"Oh! That sounds great!" Natsu's eyes lit up instantly.

"At that time, all the mage guilds in the entire Kingdom of Fiore will gather together to determine the final winner through various magical competitions!" Romeo's tone grew increasingly impassioned.

"This event is called -- 'Grand Magic Games'!"

"Hehehe! Sounds exciting!" Gajeel let out his signature laugh.

"If you're a real man, you should participate in martial arts demonstrations!" Elfman struck his signature pose.

"I see," Erza nodded in understanding.

"If we win there..."

"Fairy Tail can then rightfully reclaim its number one spot," Mirajane added with a smile.

"That's true..." Makarov's face showed a hint of worry.

"I'm not worried about that brat Jiang Bai, but with your current strength, can you really win in a place like that?"

"Indeed," Macao echoed.

"The Grand Magic Games is not a one-person competition."

Just then, Romeo dropped a bombshell.

"Furthermore, the winning guild will receive a prize of 30 million J!"

He paused, then added somewhat sheepishly, "Although... we've never won even once."

Three... thirty million J?!

The moment Makarov heard the number, his eyes gleamed with a light as bright as gold!

He suddenly jumped up from the chair, and an unprecedented aura burst forth from his short body!

"Go! All of you, go and participate!"

Are you kidding me! Thirty million J!

It's important to understand that although Fairy Tail's guild headquarters was redeemed, the money was "taken" by Jiang Bai from those former council members, and it's almost all used up now.

However, rebuilding the guild buildings would incur an astronomical expense!

These past few days, Makarov has been so worried that he's almost willing to swallow his pride and ask that brat Jiang Bai for a loan.

Now, a chance to make a fortune is right in front of him, how could he possibly let it go!

"Do we... really want to participate?" Alzack asked hesitantly.

"But we're always last," another veteran member said weakly.

"Can we please stop bringing this up? It's really hurtful!"

Makarov completely ignored these discouraging words. He turned around and, in an unquestionable tone, gave Jiang Bai his order.

"You brat! Go! Go and beat those 'Sabertooth' and 'Lamia Scales' to a pulp! You won't refuse, will you?"

"Well," Jiang Bai shrugged.

"That sounds quite interesting."

To ensure victory, Makarov began to select his players.

"Plus Gildarts! Laxus! Erza! And Mira!"

"That way, there will be absolutely no chance of failure!"

Upon hearing this lineup, which could be described as luxurious to the point of extravagance, Macao and the others, who had initially expressed some disapproval, immediately shut their mouths.

Everyone's face was filled with a fanatical expression, brimming with an unwavering belief in victory!

Are you kidding me!

Jiang Bai goes without saying; seven years ago, he was the strongest by a precipitous margin, and seven years later, his strength has long since reached an unknown dimension.

Gildarts, Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane, although their strength has stagnated for seven years, are still formidable opponents. Their strength remains firmly in the top tier in the current world of magic!

If it's this lineup...

We can win!

No, we're guaranteed to win!

Hearing the lineup of participants announced by President Makarov, which could only be described as "foul," Lucy couldn't help but mutter a complaint under her breath.

"Um... President, isn't it a bit too much for us to send out this kind of lineup?"

Lucy couldn't help but feel sad for the guilds that were about to face Jiang Bai.

"Too much?"

Upon hearing this, Makarov immediately straightened his chest and spoke in a righteous and awe-inspiring tone.

"For three thousand... no!" He let it slip and quickly corrected himself.

"It's for the supreme honor of Fairy Tail! This sacrifice is necessary!"

Seeing the president's greedy expression, which practically screamed "I want it all," everyone gave him a knowing look.

Just as Makarov was beginning to envision how to use the 30 million prize money to rebuild the guild.

A slightly hoarse female voice weakly shattered this illusion.

"Um... President."

Cana silently raised her hand, a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.

"My father has already left the guild."

Upon hearing this, Makarov's greedy smile froze on his face.

Feeling a little embarrassed by the stares of so many people, Cana scratched her cheek and explained, "Actually, Father passed away just two days after we returned from Tenrou Island."

He said he wanted to take back what he had lost with his own hands.

"So, he simply said goodbye to me and then went on to complete his unfinished 100-Year Quest."

"..."

"What?!"

Makarov's heart-wrenching screams echoed loudly throughout the guild.