Hall of Thunder Opens (First Update)

Taking stock of the mages currently on Jerry's side, excluding Zeref and Mavis, who could not use their full strength because of the Shielding Spell.

There was the Magic King, said to have mastered every form of magic from ancient times to the present; Irene, the four-hundred-year-old founder of Enchantment Magic and Dragon Slayer Magic; and Precht Gaebolg, the second guild master, proficient in all kinds of Dark Magic and Lost Magic.

As well as the former vice president of Grimoire Heart and the members of Grimoire Heart, all of whom possessed S-Class strength.

There was also Jellal, a former council member and mage at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints, along with the three-member group of S-Class assassin mages.

And that did not even include Natsu, Gray, and the other mages who had originally belonged to Fairy Tail.

So, Laxus and his Thunder God Tribe, who had only just returned, likely had no clear understanding of the overall strength of the Fairy Tail mages now under Jerry's leadership.

"Alright, everyone calm down—especially you, old man!"

Watching Makarov leap onto the referee's table, Laxus placed a hand on Lucy's head.

"Next, I want to play a game. The rules are simple: we'll choose the strongest through battle, and the strongest will lead the guild's future.

"And these statues are hostages. If one of you breaks my game's rules, I'll crush one statue. If two of you do, I'll crush two!"

"Eh, that actually sounds pretty interesting. Then I'll be the one to beat you, Laxus!"

The moment Natsu heard Laxus's proposal, his fighting spirit ignited. As he spoke, he charged at Laxus.

But before he even made it halfway, Laxus's lightning knocked him to the ground.

"Natsu, I like your personality, but I don't like how you talk big."