All Sides Stir, Aiming for Second!
When the news spread that Fairy Tail had decided to participate in the Grand Magic Games, the entire magic guild of the Kingdom of Fiore was shaken.
The most vehement reaction came from the guild that had held the second position for the past seven years, yet had never been able to reach the top – Lamia Scale.
Inside the guild.
"Granny Ooba!" A member rushed in, holding a message they had just received.
"We've got news from Fairy Tail, the place you asked me to keep an eye on! They'll be participating in the Grand Magic Games this year too!"
This news was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
Fairy Tail?
"Oh, I think I remember now, was it the strongest guild in the kingdom back then?"
"It's been seven years, it probably won't be able to keep up now."
The younger members of the guild were buzzing with discussion, their tone tinged with disapproval.
However, the moment the president Granny Ooba, sitting in the main seat finished reading the message, an unprecedentedly solemn expression appeared on her wrinkled face.
"Shut up! What do you kids know!"
She slammed her hand on the armrest, and an invisible aura instantly suppressed the entire room.
"In the past few years, our 'Lamia Scale' team has consistently come in second place at the Grand Magic Games. I've always treated it as a festival, letting you guys have your fun."
"But not this year!"
Her voice became incredibly serious.
"That old bastard Makarov actually sent out that kid Jiang Bai too!"
"Jura! Lyon!" Granny Ooba called out directly.
"Both of you must participate!"
The two people whose names were called stepped out from the crowd.
One is Jura Neekis, one of the Ten Wizard Saints Mages, who is tall, has a kind face, and is known as "Rock Iron".
The other is Lyon Bastia, an ice-themed mage with a cold face and arrogant temperament.
"Since Mother-in-law has said so," Lyon's lips curled into a smile.
"I doubt my good-for-nothing junior brother will miss this martial arts competition. It's a good opportunity to see if he's made any progress in the past seven years."
Jura clasped his hands together and bowed slightly. "Participating wouldn't be a problem. Besides, I'd really like to experience firsthand whether the gap between me and Lord Jiang Bai has actually narrowed at all."
Upon hearing that both of the guild's two aces would be participating, the members below instantly Boil!
"Great! With Mr. Jura here, we've secured first place this time!"
"That's right! Lamia Scale is the strongest!"
"That 'Sabertooth' just hasn't met Mr. Jura yet!"
Some younger members, unaware of the situation, even made ignorant remarks.
"Even that Jiang Bai, who disappeared for seven years, would probably have fallen to the bottom of the Ten Saint Wizards by now!"
"You hopeless idiots--!"
Granny Ooba was so angry upon hearing this that she nearly fainted. She jumped up, pointed at one of the arrogant young men in the group, made him spin around, and roared, "When did I ever say we were going to get first place?! Listen to me clearly! Our goal this time is second place!!"
"Huh--?!"
"Why?! Mr. Jura is the fifth seat of the Ten Wizard Saints! Why should we be afraid of someone who hasn't appeared for seven years?"
Faced with everyone's confusion, Jura slowly shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
"My mother-in-law is right."
His voice dispelled everyone's fervor.
"For Lord Jiang Bai, the ranking of the Ten Wizard Saints is completely meaningless."
A deep sense of admiration and a barely perceptible hint of... excitement flashed in Jura's eyes.
For the past seven years, Jura has been training relentlessly, believing that his strength has improved rapidly.
However... the more he progressed, the more clearly he could feel the insurmountable chasm between him and Jiang Bai.
And it's Jiang Bai from seven years ago.
That's precisely why Jura wanted to spar with Jiang Bai even more.
Meanwhile, the Blue Pegasus Guild.
Guild leader Bob, a plump but elegant transvestite uncle, was making delicate gestures with his fingers as he spoke to the guild's top member, Yi Ye: "I got news from Maka ~ They'll be participating in the martial arts competition this time too."
"And Xiao Jiang Bai will also make a personal appearance! Granny Ooba's side will also have Xiao Jura things."
"Men~" Upon hearing this, Yi Ye immediately struck his signature pose, a look of ecstasy on his face.
"Two of the Ten Wizard Saints, one of whom is even Jiang Bai... This is... an ominous fragrance~"
"They actually sent out Xiao Jiang Bai," Chairman Bob said, fanning himself with his ornate fan.
"It seems that Maka really wants the guild to return to its peak as soon as possible this time."
"We might not necessarily lose in the Grand Magic Games," Ichiya said confidently, straightening his collar.
"If this time it's not just about skill..."
Unfortunately, if the Grand Magic Games didn't consider strength, what kind of martial arts competition would it be?
Then, overnight, the tone shifted, and a rare hint of worry appeared on his face.
"What I'm afraid of now is whether Jiang Bai might suddenly decide to tear down the entire martial arts arena."
"Ara ra~" Chairman Bob let out his signature laugh, full of a sense of enjoying the drama.
But when this news reached some dark corner, it elicited a completely different reaction.
The Dark Guild, Raven Tail.
A man shrouded in a black robe looked at the intelligence report in his hand and let out a low, maniacal laugh.
He was Makarov's biological son and Laxus's biological father— Ivan Dreyar.
"Fairy Tail... Laxus... You've finally come out."
Greed and resentment gleamed in Ivan's eyes.
"That damned Makarov! He made me wait so long! But it's alright, I thought I'd never get that thing anyway."
He raised his head, looking in the direction of the Fairy Tail guild, a sickly, expectant smile on his face.
"I'm really looking forward to it..."
"The moment when 'fairies' will be completely tainted by 'darkness' is approaching!"
"My dearest son, you will be a good boy and deliver that 'hope' into my hands, won't you...?"
"Ha ha ha ha!"