Capital of the Kingdom of Fiore.
Crocus, the Flower-Blooming City.
Whenever the annual Grand Magic Games took place, tourists from every city would swarm in, leaving the entire city overcrowded.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and streamers, with a constant flow of pedestrians. Various flowers were everywhere, creating a scene of vibrant bustling.
"Is this Crocus? It's my first time in such a big city."
Lucy looked at the lively city, feeling a bit of excitement in her heart.
"Aye~~!"
Happy also looked around excitedly.
"Me too!"
Wendy said, "It's much bigger than the royal capital of Edolas!"
The royal capital of Edolas was already a very large city, but compared to Crocus, it was still several times smaller.
"You guys finally arrived!"
Makarov walked over with little Asuka riding on his shoulder. Behind him followed Mira, Wendy, Levy, Bisca, Alzack, Jet, and Droy.
They had arrived in Crocus a step ahead to handle the procedures related to participating in the Grand Magic Games.
"Master!"
Everyone greeted Makarov upon seeing him.
"Well then, let's prepare to head to the venue! Muhahahaha!! Let them witness the power of Fairy Tail!"
Just as Makarov finished speaking, a low discussion drifted over from not far away.
"Did you hear that? It's Fairy Tail!"
"Where? That group?"
"They're that super weak bottom-tier guild, pfft-pfft-pfft."
Natsu's expression shifted. "Who was laughing just now?!"
Erza immediately stopped him. "Calm down. We still have to participate in the competition; we can't cause trouble at a time like this."
"You guys came here to take last place again this year?"
"Everyone knows Sabertooth is the champion!!"
Seeing that the group didn't dare to make a move, two people became even more insolent and mocked them to their faces.
"Bastards..."
Natsu's fists were itching with rage upon hearing that.
"Let whoever wants to laugh, laugh."
Makarov spoke with total indifference.
"We will use our strength to completely shatter their doubts about us. Are you all ready? 30 million... cough, exert your full strength and aim straight for the throne of Fiore's number one guild. That is the only way to not shame First Master Mavis, who saved us!!"
"Ohhhhhhh!!"
Lucy asked in confusion, "By the way, the competition is tomorrow, yet we don't even know the rules."
Alzack explained, "The events change every year, and the relevant rules are only made clear when it actually starts. No one knows what the events will be this time until then."
Bisca said with regret, "We didn't come the year there was a shooting event."
Bisca and Alzack both specialized in firearms. Alzack used Gun Magic, which allowed him to release various magic attacks through firearms; he was a very strong competitor among Fairy Tail's second-tier mages.
As for Bisca, her magic was Requip magic, just like Erza's, except she requipped firearms instead of armor. In terms of shooting precision and technique alone, Bisca was superior.
"The year I didn't come happened to have a racing event."
Jet's magic was God Leg, making his running speed incredibly fast.
"Victory belongs to those who can handle many different events, like Kael."
Every one of Kael's transformations was incredible; he was skilled at everything.
Levy said, "I checked all the events from previous years, and they were all completely different."
"Who cares about all that! We just have to win them all! Though I'd prefer fighting! After training for three months with great effort, how can we not show it off properly!"
Natsu wanted to clash with guys from other guilds to confirm how strong he currently was.
"Kael, finish reading this rule manual before tomorrow."
Makarov handed Kael a thick book.
Kael's mouth twitched when he saw the book in his hand. "Finish reading? Master, are you sure I can finish this?"
Levy said, "Leave it to me! I brought my Wind Reading Glasses."
Kael was saved and quickly gave the book to Levy.
Levy finished reading it rapidly. "To put it simply, there are three main points. First, the Masters of each guild are not allowed to participate in the competition themselves."
"Well..."
Makarov was not surprised by this; he hadn't planned on participating anyway.
"Second, people without a guild mark are also not allowed to participate, and the mark must be clearly visible."
Gray nodded. "That's understandable. After all, it's to prevent people from impersonating others."
"Third, the specific content of each event will be kept strictly secret until it begins, at which point the specific rules will be explained. Ah! And one last warning: all participating contestants must return to their designated inn before 12:00."
"Twelve o'clock? When exactly?"
"It has to be at night. It's already past one in the afternoon now."
"Then there's still plenty of time!!"
"Since we've finally arrived at such a big city, let's hurry out and wander around!!"
"Aye!!"
Lucy, Natsu, and Happy ran off with faces full of excitement.
Erza reminded them, "Don't forget you must be back before 12:00 midnight!!"
Kael said to Mira, "Let's go. We should wander around too."
He and Mira rarely came out together like this. Since they had arrived at the capital of the Kingdom of Fiore, they naturally had to go out and have a good look around.
Mira nodded, and then the two of them walked away hand in hand.
Crocus was truly worthy of being the Flower Capital. Flowers were everywhere in the city, making it look more beautiful while also putting people in a pleasant mood.
"There are flowers everywhere along the roadside here!"
"No wonder this place is called the Flower Capital."
"A fight!!"
At that moment, a loud shout came from not far away. This immediately made the fight-loving Natsu want to go join in the fun.
"Who's choosing to fight during the festival?! Let's go see!!"
By the time Natsu squeezed into the crowd, the fight was already over. Except for two people standing, over a dozen people around them had already fallen.
"That's the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth!"
"Sting and Rogue!!"
"The strongest members of the strongest guild!!"
The surrounding audience had already recognized the identities of the two people fighting.
"Sabertooth?"
Natsu was slightly stunned. He didn't expect to encounter members of the current strongest guild in the Kingdom of Fiore so soon.
Sting and Rogue were also stunned when they saw Natsu.
"You... couldn't you be..."
"Natsu Dragneel!!"
Happy also saw two little cats.
"Cats?!"
"What's with that stupid-looking cat?"
"Stupid-looking!"
The two little cats said while pointing at Happy.
"It talked!!"
Happy had a look of shock.
Lucy said, "I don't even know how to quip about this..."
Sting walked up to Natsu. "Haha!! Since you've appeared here, the rumors that your Fairy Tail is going to participate in the Grand Magic Games are true then!"
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