Just then, Erza turned her head as well.
Their gazes met across the distance, and the same gravity and wariness lay in both their eyes.
Clearly, Erza had also seen straight through to the cruel nature behind this rule.
Lu Chongwei withdrew his gaze and looked at the members of Team B beside him, his tone calm and certain.
"That's why I said the outcome of this match was basically decided the moment the lots were drawn."
"This format is a complete joke!"
Gray stared at the big screen, his brows tightly furrowed.
"If the people in front clear out all the monsters, the people behind won't get a single point. Is this supposed to test strength, or luck?"
"Stop complaining, Gray." Lucy sighed softly. "The rules of the Grand Magic Games have always been strange. We can only accept them."
Off to the side, Natsu cracked his knuckles, blazing flames igniting all around him.
"Who cares what the rules are? If your fists are hard enough, luck doesn't matter at all! I'll go first and just beat every monster flat!"
"You single-celled organism, didn't you hear the referee say we have to draw lots?" Gray glanced sideways at him. "If you draw number eight, you can only stand outside and stare."
"What did you say?!" Natsu instantly bristled. "How could my luck possibly be that bad!"
While everyone was arguing nonstop, the Pumpkin Man referee carried a golden lot-drawing box to the very front of the arena.
"Contestants, please come forward and draw lots to decide your order, pumpkin!"
Lu Chongwei rubbed his aching shoulder and stepped forward first.
"I'll go first. The sooner it's done, the sooner I can stop worrying."
He reached into the box and casually pulled out a slip of paper.
The instant he unfolded