The news that an exchange student from the "Royal Capital Magic Academy" had challenged the King of Backgrounds, Descartes, spread through the entire Fairy Academy in just half a day.
The next morning, at the Dean's Office.
Old Rob, sporting a hoary white beard, was reporting the news he'd just heard from the students to the Academy's Vice-Principal.
"...That's the situation. The news of the two of them picking a fight has caused quite a stir. If it isn't handled properly, it might worsen the relationship between the two academies."
Old Rob was over sixty this year, belonging to the same generation as Darwin and Makarov. According to academy tradition, he should have retired long ago, but out of a desire to continue shining his light and nurturing the next generation, he had insisted on staying until now.
Compared to the outstanding figures of his generation, Old Rob's personal achievements weren't flashy. Darwin was the prestigious guild master of the Council, Makarov was the Master of Fairy Tail, and Erza and Chris served as the Principal and Vice-Principal of Fairy Academy, respectively. He was the only one who, at his age, was still just a simple Grade Director.
His combat abilities weren't prominent either—with low magical power and ordinary spells, combined with an aging body and waning vitality, he couldn't even beat an ordinary middle schooler in the academy now.
However, Old Rob was not without his strengths. His teaching ability was exceptional, something the other four couldn't match. Combined with his kind and gentle personality, he was deeply respected by the students; both inside and outside the academy, and within the guild, he was viewed as a man of high virtue and prestige.
If Darwin and the others were the sun and moon in the sky, always illuminating the earth, then Old Rob was the most ordinary of stars—hidden during the day, and in the dark of night, only shining quietly, silently contributing his meager strength to the next generation.
"I know the Royal Capital Magic Academy didn't send students here to 'show off' or 'provoke' us, but because you are about to join forces for a major matter. Although I don't know what that matter is, a conflict breaking out like this was surely not in the original plan. If things escalate out of control, it will undoubtedly make future cooperation more difficult. It's still early; if you feel it's inappropriate, I will step in to stop it..."
In all of Fairy Academy, the only person besides the two Principals qualified to stop this duel was Old Rob. After all, both Descartes and Serena were technically his students now.
However, faced with Old Rob's worrying, Chris's reply was—
"Stop it for what?!"
"Why stop it?!"
Old Rob's eyes widened, his expression dazed. "Ah?? But..."
"No 'buts'!" Chris cut him off before he could finish. "Letting the kids trade blows, see the world, and understand each other's strength—isn't that great! That way, when they start cooperating in the future, they'll have a clear idea of what they're working with! Don't forget, we people of Fairy Tail have always relied on our fists to strengthen our bonds!"
Despite being over sixty and showing the marks of age, Chris's temperament hadn't changed at all; she still loved a good commotion just as much as she did in her youth.
Old Rob's mouth hung wide open, unable to get a word out. "You... this..."
Can't you act a bit more like a Vice-Principal? Will you ever change that 'the bigger the mess, the better the show' attitude?
Seeing him like this, Chris simply responded with a chuckle. She couldn't change, and she didn't want to! Seeing this, Old Rob knew the students' duel was inevitable, and the thousands of words in his heart turned into a helpless sigh.
"Oh, right... I just thought of a brilliant idea!" Chris said, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
At 3:00 PM, the sun was at its peak.
In the Academy Duel Arena, wizards from every grade arrived in droves like ants drawn to sweetness. On one side of the stands, a massive crowd stood together; they were members of the Fairy Club. The Fairy Club was the branch of Fairy Tail within "Fairy Academy," and over half the students in the school belonged to them. Those present today were only a tenth of the club's total membership, yet they still numbered nearly a hundred.
Besides the Fairy Club, there were plenty of other students coming for the spectacle. Some stood alone in corners, while others gathered in small groups, with many waving flags and shouting as cheerleaders.
Among the crowd, another group was also present. They wove through the aisles, pushing mobile food carts stocked with various snacks and drinks, taking this golden opportunity to hawk their wares to the audience. They were members of the Business Club.
The Business Club, like the Fairy Club, was one of the academy's organizations. Its founder was Yajima, a close friend of Darwin and Makarov. Passed down from that era to now, the Business Club had a history spanning decades. While it couldn't compare to the Fairy Club in numbers, if you asked which club in the academy was the most "useful," the answer from most wizards wouldn't be the most populous Fairy Club, but the Business Club!
The reason was simple: whenever a major event happened in the academy, they were the first to act. However, the purpose of their actions wasn't just to earn a few thousand J; it was to ensure the students participating had a more comfortable and convenient experience.
The members of the Business Club were students who enjoyed doing business. Their minds weren't primarily on researching magic, so they rarely chose to enter the University Department, often leaving the academy after elementary or middle school. Most would go on to work for merchant guilds in major cities. Therefore, elementary and middle school students aged 6 to 15 were the main force of this club.
The current head of the Business Club was Jude, a third-year middle schooler. For this "King of Backgrounds vs. Exchange Student" event, he was responsible for organizing the club's off-field business activities.
"Two on the left, three on the right..."
"Excellent. This way, every student coming for the show will see the passion and strength of our Business Club!!"
Jude's gaze swept across the spectator stands like a lion surveying its territory. Suddenly, his gaze stopped on a corner of the stands. A blonde girl, looking somewhat lonely, was leaning against the railing, gazing into the distance as if waiting for someone.
The Business Club members pushed their carts back and forth through the stands, yet not one went to that corner to offer her drinks or snacks. Seeing this, Jude's brow furrowed.