In the end, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, and the other four pairs participating in the Grand Magic Games were sent into the Card Space by Chase. Perhaps too embarrassed and eager to escape the scene, Erza followed as well, citing the reason of supervising their training.
As they transformed into tiny points of light and magically vanished from the spot, the noisy guild suddenly became much quieter.
Upstairs, in the Master's office.
"Huh? You want me to compete as part of Team B?"
Gajeel looked thoroughly unenthusiastic. "Isn't that fire dragon and the others enough?"
The two Juvias who had also been called over looked equally disappointed. "If we can't team up with Gray-sama, then it's completely meaningless!"
Although the Grand Magic Games restricted the number of participants per team, it allowed guilds to send two teams simultaneously. The Fiore royal family, as the organizers, explained this as a way to make the festival more lively. The real purpose, of course, was to gather more magic power to activate the Eclipse Gate.
"Well, Team A focuses on teamwork, while Team B focuses on individual ability. Since the rules allow it, we might as well make good use of it."
Future Makarov looked at the unenthusiastic Gajeel and the two Juvias. After a moment of thought, he said, "How about this: the higher-ranked team gets to punish the lower-ranked team with anything they want!"
This immediately sparked the interest of Gajeel and the two Juvias.
Gajeel imagined making Natsu act as his personal servant during a concert. Juvia imagined having babies with Gray.
"Oh my! If it's that kind of fun punishment game, then Master—we'd like to sign up too!" Both Mirajanes raised their hands simultaneously.
The two from different worlds pictured the same scenario: making Erza wear a maid outfit and serve as their obedient personal maid for an entire day.
"Hey, old man, Team B doesn't have the same 'two identical members' requirement as Team A, right?" Chase asked, though he already knew the answer.
While his primary goal was still to confirm which timeline they had traveled to, he could certainly have some fun during the three days before Future Lucy and Future Rogue appeared.
Since they were aiming to make Fairy Tail's name known, he had to be part of this excitement!
"Of course. Yesterday I already updated your personal information as a new member with the Magic Council," Future Makarov said with a smile.
He was also eager to see the power of this young man who had played such a crucial role in "repelling Acnologia."
"However, Chase—keep this in mind: absolutely do not summon Gandora or Slifer during the matches, and for heaven's sake, don't tear down the arena!" Makarov warned solemnly.
To be honest, even now he was still torn about whether to let Chase participate.
"Don't worry, old man. Keep your mind at ease," Chase said, patting his chest confidently.
A simple Grand Magic Games wouldn't require summoning Gandora or Slifer. As for tearing down the arena... well, he'd see how things went.
Makarov eyed him with deep suspicion, while Future Makarov turned to look at Gildarts, who was crouched in the corner. "That leaves one final spot—Gildarts."
"Huh? Count me out," Gildarts waved his hands dismissively.
If Chase were on Team A, he would have volunteered without hesitation—win the championship, then drag that guy along with him for a naked run through Magnolia. But being on the same team just didn't have the same appeal.
"The Laxus from this world should be coming back soon. If he doesn't make it in time, then call me."
With that, he turned and left, his mood clearly heavy.
"That brat!" Future Makarov shook his head helplessly.
"Just let it be. We'll do as he says," Makarov said.
From his own counterpart, he had learned about Laxus's change and his actions on Tenrou Island. He was relieved that Laxus hadn't gone down the wrong path like his foolish son Ivan.
And so, the star-studded Team B was officially confirmed.
Chase didn't return to the guild hall with the satisfied Mira and the others. Instead, he was kept behind by the two Makarovs for tea.
They wanted to know all the details about returning to their original world—the magic power required, the preparations needed, and any potential complications. As important as the Grand Magic Games were, this was the top priority.
Chase truthfully told them everything he knew.
"Building a transdimensional magic device like Anima is no small undertaking," Future Makarov sighed.
With the guild's current financial condition, they could hardly afford such a large-scale magical device. And they would have to keep it hidden from the Magic Council's eyes. Quite a challenge.
"The Grand Magic Games champion gets a 30 million Jewel prize, doesn't it~" Makarov chuckled slyly.
"So this is why you suggested both guilds compete together?!" Future Makarov was taken aback, feeling a strange sense of being outsmarted by himself.
"Eh, we're all family here—don't be so calculative."
Makarov showed no mercy to himself, grinning smugly. "Besides, if we competed separately, the championship would definitely be ours!"
Future Makarov hadn't originally had any objections to how the prize money would be split, but being taunted like this got under his skin: "That's not necessarily true! My kids can unleash unimaginable potential when the moment calls for it!"
"Even so, you wouldn't be able to handle the extra Chase, would you?"
"Hmph! He's just a lecherous brat—our Mira and Erza can keep him in check just fine!"
The two old men had just been talking about unity and how children from another world were still their children, and now here they were, red-faced and arguing.
Chase, caught in the crossfire, looked utterly speechless. "Hey, hey—old man over there, I'm not really that lecherous, am I? At least I'm nowhere near Gildarts's level!"
"Oh, is that so?"
The door opened, and Mira walked in with a smile—one that was far too pleasant. "So Chase still wants to learn from Gildarts?"
Even Chase felt his scalp tingle under that pressure. "No, no! Who would want to learn from a deadbeat womanizer like that!"
Given how conservative Mira and Erza were when it came to romance, the fact that they had accepted the current arrangement was already the best possible outcome. Anything more would be betraying their trust.
"Mm, I thought so. Truly worthy of the man both Erza and I fell for~" Mira tilted her head and smiled sweetly.
This time, it was a genuine, warm smile.
"Alright, alright—if you want to be lovey-dovey, do it at home tonight."
"Mira, why are you here? Did something happen?"
The two Makarovs, catching a whiff of that saccharine romance, stopped their bickering.
"Oh, right!"
Snapping back to the present, Mira dropped her smile and her expression turned somewhat serious. "There's a guest downstairs. They say they have something very important to tell you—about this year's Grand Magic Games."
"A guest?" Future Makarov looked puzzled.
Ever since returning from Tenrou Island, their old friends from Blue Pegasus and Mermaid Heel had already come by to greet them. What kind of guest could make Mira react so seriously?
***
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