(Heartfelt thanks to 'Some Shut-in,' 'Zelog,' 'Bieyu Lichen,' 'Pokémon,' 'Fox Pastry,' and 'hatin' for their donations!)
"Pop, pop, pop, pop—!"
A series of grand popping sounds echoed throughout the entire space.
They came from party poppers packed with colorful streamers, which burst open and sent ribbons blooming through the air, scattering tiny stickers brimming with celebration.
The one setting them off was Carol, dressed in a maid uniform.
Holding a large party popper in her hand, Carol pulled it open and beamed at Noah, Claire, Linse, Fianna, and Alice, who were seated at the dining table before her.
"Congratulations to the Fairy Tail team for successfully rising to first place in the academy rankings and earning the right to compete in the Spirit Sword Dance Festival!"
Hearing Carol's cheerful congratulations, every member of Fairy Tail, led by Noah, could not help but smile with delight.
Linse even flicked her waist-length hair and spoke smugly.
"With me on the job, securing a place in the Spirit Sword Dance Festival was nothing more than child's play."
"I knew you'd say that!" Carol clapped excitedly, as though she had been waiting a long time for those words.
"As expected of the young lady!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Claire hurriedly protested.
"Don't make it sound like it was all your doing, okay?"
"Exactly." Alice nodded solemnly in agreement.
"Everyone on the team is indispensable. Every single one of us deserves credit for reaching first place in the academy rankings."
"I know." Linse pouted, sounding somewhat dissatisfied.
"But every time, you only assign me support work in the rear and never let me fight on the front lines. Otherwise, I'd definitely have more chances to show off my dazzling skills."
"The front lines?" Even Fianna was speechless.
"What kind of sense does it make to put