Fate's Slightly Shifting Course (Part One)

"Using swimsuits... That's just too underhanded! (Golden Softie, whose head was hanging from the curtain)"

"Mhm, mhm! (Fairy Queen in sync)"

"Huh???"

"Erza, you're entering the competition too?"

"Hehe... The moment I heard something about settling this once and for all, I couldn't help joining in!"

Watching Crimson savor the moment with her eyes closed, Golden Softie felt something crack inside her heart.

"Wuwu... There goes five hundred thousand!"

No matter how devastated Lucy was, time had no intention of stopping.

"Contestant Number Two may be a newcomer, but she possesses S-Class strength! She is as fresh and radiant as a gentle rain... Juvia Lockser!"

"Mhm! (Makarov nodding in agreement)"

"What are you even saying while your nose is bleeding?! (Valen, drenched in waterfall sweat)"

"Splash!"

Juvia spread her arms and instantly turned into water, leaving the crowd below utterly stunned.

"Whoa!"

"Her body turned into water?!"

"That's amazing!"

A moment later, the water dispersed, and the fresh-looking Rain Woman appeared before everyone.

"Another one taking the sexy route! (Golden Softie, veins bulging at the corners of her eyes as she gritted her teeth)"

"Mhm, mhm... But her performance really suits the swimsuit! (Fairy Queen, deep in thought)"

"Lord Gray, are you watching?"

At the call from the elevated stage, a pillar of white smoke immediately rose from within the crowd.

"Contestant Number Three is Fairy Tail's poster girl. Her beauty has captivated the entire continent."

"That's right!"

"She is... Mirajane!!!"

"Yo!"

Although the white-haired woman had only offered a very ordinary greeting, the audience's response was even more enthusiastic than during Kana and Juvia's performances.

"We've been waiting for you!!!"

"The champion candidate!!!"

"It's the real thing!!!"

"I never thought she'd be even cuter than in the photos!"

After giving her fans a smile, Mirajane said, "Transformation Magic is