As the bells of Kardia Cathedral echoed throughout Magnolia, the annual Harvest Festival celebration officially began.
Inside and outside the brightly lit city, people came and went, creating a lively atmosphere. Many tourists from out of town came specifically for the Harvest Festival's "Magical Grand Parade."
However, as the grand finale of the celebration, the Magical Parade wouldn't start until evening.
But there was another exciting event that, as soon as the celebration began, had many residents and tourists rushing to one place.
Fairy Tail.
The first-floor hall of this three-story building was now packed with people, Mages and ordinary folks gathered together, most of them men.
Many couldn't even get inside and could only watch from outside the guild.
On the stage in the hall, Marcus appeared with a microphone, dressed in a suit. Although he usually had a low presence in the guild, when it came to hosting events, Marcus was everyone's first choice.
"Citizens of Magnolia, and friends from nearby towns, thank you for your patience!"
"Beautiful fairies are about to present us with a visual feast!"
"I announce! The Fairy Tail Most Beautiful Lady Pageant officially begins!"
Immediately, a wave of cheers like a mountain tsunami erupted from the audience.
If the Magical Parade was the exciting grand finale of the Harvest Festival, then the Fairy Tail Most Beautiful Lady Pageant was the second most exciting event of the celebration.
The winner of this beauty pageant could receive a prize of 500,000 J. While showcasing their charm, they also had the chance to win a decent sum of money, so most of Fairy Tail's female Mages eagerly participated.
"Let's welcome contestant number 1, the charming beauty with an otherworldly alcohol tolerance, Cana Alberona!"
Marcus's voice rose and fell as he pointed to Cana, who was coming from backstage, uncharacteristically wearing everyday clothes. "Contestant Cana seems to be wearing quite a bit today. Next is the magic talent show, I wonder what she'll do?"
Cana smiled slightly and waved, throwing out a deck of cards.
Her graceful figure appeared and disappeared among the flying, swirling cards, finally revealing Cana, who had somehow changed into a swimsuit, before everyone's eyes amidst the magic.
That refreshing outfit instantly ignited the passion of all the spectators.
"So beautiful..."
"Owwooo—"
"Cana! Cana! Cana!"
"..."
On the large lawn behind the guild, inside the invisible freedom gundam, Hope was watching this scene through a magical telescope, somewhat confused about what these people were so excited about.
That alcoholic girl usually only wore one more pair of pants than she was now; they really had no experience.
Hope looked proud; he wouldn't tell anyone that he had seen Cana wearing even less... Listening to the enthusiastic cheers from the audience, Cana's heart blossomed with joy, as if she could already see 500,000, no... her drinking money, entering her pocket.
Backstage, Lucy, also participating in the competition, saw the enthusiastic atmosphere below the stage. "It's a swimsuit, Cana is so cunning..."
"So there's this trick, I've learned something."
Erza, next to the blonde girl, said with a serious expression.
Lucy looked at her in surprise. "Eh? Erza, are you participating too?!"
"Hmph hmph—"
Erza crossed her arms. "The thought of being able to compete against Mirajane makes my blood boil."
Only then did Lucy remember that the relationship between Erza and Mirajane was practically a carbon copy of Gray and Natsu.
Mirajane couldn't use magic now, so the only way Erza could compete with her was the annual Harvest Festival guild beauty pageant.
However, in recent years, Mirajane had always taken the title of Fairy Tail's Most Beautiful Lady... As Cana left the stage, Marcus's passionate voice rang out again. "I never expected Contestant Cana to have such a move; I was almost conquered! But the next contestant is no less impressive."
"Let's give a warm welcome to contestant number 2, a new member, but an S-class water-like maiden, Juvia Lockser!"
Amidst waves, Juvia, integrated with water, completed her magic talent show. Dressed in a swimsuit, she immediately received cheers comparable to Cana's.
Lucy bit her handkerchief backstage, looking indignant. Another one selling her looks; she regretted not preparing a swimsuit herself.
"Next up is contestant number 3, the sexy sharpshooter, Bisca Mulan..."
"Contestant number 4, our small but adorable Sky Maiden, Wendy Marvell..."
On stage, host Marcus remained full of passion.
"Next is contestant number 5, Fairy Tail's signature lady, and also a strong contender for the champion of this competition. Her beauty is enough to captivate men across the entire continent."
"Let's shout out her name—"
"Mirajane!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!"
"I've been waiting for this!"
"She's even more beautiful in person than in magazines!"
"..."
As soon as Mirajane stepped onto the stage, the audience's enthusiastic cheers far surpassed all previous contestants, even though she was wearing the same black and white long dress from yesterday.
Mirajane smiled and waved to the audience, then began her magic talent show amidst howls and cheers.
That's right, Mirajane could now use a little magic.
However, it wasn't 'Take Over,' which established her reputation as the "Demon," but another magic she excelled at: 'Transformation.'
As Mirajane activated her magic, her head suddenly transformed into a blue cat head with a mischievous expression.
The audience below was instantly dumbfounded.
Happy, with the same expression, laughed and patted the stunned Elfman on the shoulder with his cat paw.
Just when everyone thought Mirajane was joking, the cat head on the beautiful girl's body transformed again into a fierce-looking Gajeel.
This scene made Gajeel, who was in the audience, spit beer onto Natsu's face.
Natsu, who had no interest in the beauty pageant and was eating bread, immediately became annoyed and started fighting Gajeel on the spot. It was Elfman, quick on his feet, who grabbed one in each hand and threw them out of the guild.
Regardless of what the audience thought, Mirajane was enjoying herself.
However, this year's beauty pageant champion was likely not going to be her.
Lucy secretly rejoiced; the champion contender had self-destructed, so wouldn't her chance come? After all, she was a super beautiful girl, and she had even more youthful charm... Just then, a figure appeared beside Lucy.
Looking at the unfamiliar woman in front of her, wearing a green short skirt, brown stockings, glasses, and holding a fluffy fan, Lucy was slightly stunned.
"Um... may I ask who you are?"
However, her response was the other party taking off her glasses, revealing pupils glowing with golden light.
Immediately after, Lucy lost consciousness.
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