"Ding, ding, ding! Time's up!! This competition is over!"
Just then, the clear ringing of the bell announced the end of the competition.
"Beep, beep, beep, beep—" The text on the Magic Monument flickered wildly. Once everyone's scores had been automatically tallied and sorted, Fairy Tail's Team B instantly appeared at the top of the overall standings.
Right behind them was the overwhelming favorite to win, Sabertooth!
"Oh! They're out! They're out!! The results are in!" Chapati raised his microphone and shouted fervently, "Currently taking first place overall is the team nobody believed in, the guild that has declined over these past seven years! The greatest dark horse of them all—Fairy Tail!!!"
"Following the preliminaries, they've once again blunted Sabertooth's fangs and eclipsed its glory!"
"Roar! Roar!"
The moment he finished speaking, thunderous cheers and applause erupted throughout the stands!
"They're incredible! Lord True God of Death and Fairy Tail!"
"That's right! They're so strong!! So unbelievably strong!! His strength takes your breath away! The True God of Death of the Ten Wizard Saints!"
"I think I know why Fairy Tail's Team A chose to forfeit!"
"Me too! Because there was simply no need for them to compete!"
"Exactly! As long as Lord True God of Death takes the field..."
"There's no need to send anyone else out at all!!!"
"Keep it up, Lord True God of Death!! Keep going, Fairy Tail!"
"We can't wait to see what you do next!"
Listening to the encouragement and cheers ringing throughout the stands, Makarov swelled with pride and satisfaction. Though he seemed composed on the surface, his mouth had already stretched into a ridiculously broad grin. Clearly, he was every bit as excited as everyone else.
Meanwhile, the manifested streets within the vast Arena slowly dissolved into motes of magic, revealing