Fiore Royal Palace.
At this moment, people from various guilds were gathered together, everyone dressed in magnificent clothes and attending in full formal wear.
Although guild Mages are considered a relatively strong force in the Kingdom of Fiore, their status itself isn't particularly high. After all, they are essentially day laborers and don't even count as having a fixed profession.
But in recent years, the Grand Magic Games have become popular, and the status of guild Mages has been significantly elevated. Some top-tier Mages even have a celebrity-like following.
However, normally, none of them would have the qualifications to attend a banquet in the Royal Palace.
Takeshi finished dressing, wearing a black tailcoat that was simple and elegant.
"Not bad." Mirajane looked at Takeshi and nodded with satisfaction.
"Of course, just look at who I am." Takeshi admired his own handsomeness with some pride, striking various poses in front of the mirror.
Mirajane smiled and said, "Alright. Everyone is waiting, let's go too."
Takeshi extended his arm, and Mirajane naturally took it as the two of them made their entrance together.
"Oh, you're here. You look good. Come over here, the people from the other guilds have all arrived too." Erza greeted Takeshi when she saw him coming over.
"Whoa! It's a party! A party to celebrate the conclusion of the Grand Magic Games!"
Just as Takeshi arrived, Natsu rushed past him like a whirlwind, with Happy following behind.
"If you're a man, you have to eat!" Elfman was eating in huge gulps.
"This meat is so delicious!" Natsu rushed over, grabbed some meat, and started eating.
"Booze! Bring the booze over!"
Cana happily picked up a bottle and started drinking. She loved parties the most, and since this was a party hosted by the King, she could drink to her heart's content.
"Hey! Cana! We're in a castle!" Macao quickly reminded her.
Now that seven years had passed, his age, which used to be stuck in the middle, had shifted to the elder generation level.
"What does it matter? This is the King's private collection of wine, I definitely have to drink a ton."
"Want to have another contest?" Bacchus came up to Cana's side.
"Sure, I definitely won't lose to you this time." Cana nodded.
Makarov sat together with all the other Guild Masters.
"I really didn't expect that one day I'd be able to enter the King's castle." Makarov was happily drinking wine.
"Yeah. Living this long has really been worth it." Yajima smiled.
In terms of status, the Kings of various kingdoms are higher than the Magic Council Members, but in terms of actual power, the Magic Council Members that control the Magic World have the upper hand.
Ichiya went up to the orchestra and picked up a microphone. "Everyone, please perform that piece in B-flat minor."
"That piece?!"
"Eh? What's that?"
The members of the band were all a bit confused, not understanding what Ichiya was talking about.
Takeshi walked around the banquet eating food. Many people greeted him. Originally, everyone thought Takeshi was just a slightly stronger Mage. But after experiencing that night, everyone respected him even more. Takeshi was not only powerful, but he was also their savior.
Now his status was even more different—the strongest in Fiore, no, it should be said the strongest Mage on the continent of Ishgar, a fact everyone agreed upon without objection.
"Ta... Takeshi-san..."
Takeshi heard a voice and turned to look, seeing Kagura from Mermaid Heel speaking to him.
Seeing Kagura, Takeshi's eyes couldn't help but light up. This girl was really beautiful and cute, exactly his type.
"Ah! Kagura. Hello." Takeshi raised his hand and greeted Kagura.
"Takeshi-san, thank you very much for saving my brother." Kagura politely said.
"Your brother?" Takeshi asked.
"It's Simon. Kagura is Simon's younger sister." Millianna said.
"Simon? Oh, him! Don't mention it. I just helped out in passing back then, and it's been so long since then."
Takeshi remembered who Simon was. After all, for him, the events of the Tower of Heaven hadn't happened that long ago.
"No, I still have to say it formally. Thank you very much." Kagura bowed to Takeshi.
Simon was her only relative in this world, and she had wanted to thank Takeshi in person for all these years.
"Takeshi-san!"
At this moment, another voice sounded.
Takeshi looked up and saw Hisui walking over.
"Princess Hisui!" Takeshi nodded to Hisui.
"I've really caused you a lot of trouble this time. I am very sorry." Hisui apologized to Takeshi.
If it hadn't been for her this time, this danger wouldn't have been caused. Fortunately, Takeshi was there to save the entire kingdom. Otherwise, the entire kingdom and even the entire continent might have been destroyed.
Takeshi waved his hand. "It's fine, just think of it as an after-party performance following the Grand Magic Games."
"An after-party performance? As expected of Takeshi-san." Hisui shook her head with emotion.
Although the Grand Magic Games were just her father's hobby, she often watched the battles. From the start of the competition until now, she never thought that individual strength could be so great.
For someone like Takeshi, whose strength was extraordinary and refined, a princess like her was simply not worth mentioning.
At the same time, she was very fortunate that Takeshi belonged to the Kingdom of Fiore. As long as they maintained good relations, no kingdom would dare to use force against Fiore. Because of Takeshi, Fiore's status in Ishgar would be greatly enhanced.
Takeshi waved his hand. "I'm just a bit stronger, that's all. No matter how powerful I am, dealing with seven Dragons is my limit. If there were any more, I wouldn't be able to win."
"..."
Hisui didn't know what to say. A single Dragon has the power to destroy a nation, and seven Dragons could easily wipe out seven nations.
"Takeshi-san is still young, you will definitely become even stronger in the future."
As the princess of a nation and the heir to the Kingdom of Fiore, the future Queen of Fiore, Hisui naturally knew how to speak well.
Being deceived this time was purely because she hadn't expected such a situation to arise.
"Then I'll take Princess Hisui's kind words to heart."
Takeshi raised his wine glass and clinked it with Hisui's.