If it were any other year, Finn wouldn't have spared a second thought for the Grand Magic Games. To him, it was little more than a meaningless circus meant to entertain the masses. Joining would usually mean lowering himself to the level of common performers—hardly fitting for a man of his status. Besides, skipping out on his duties as a member of the Magic Council to play in a tournament was just asking for the others to look down on him.
However, this year was undeniably special. Fairy Tail had returned.
Standing in that arena against them offered far more than just a trophy. The core members of Fairy Tail were walking chaos detectors; wherever they went, both disaster and massive opportunity followed closely behind.
The Grand Magic Games arc, huh? Finn mused, his mind racing.
While it would be incredibly easy for him to establish a new guild just for the event, gathering the right caliber of talented, powerful mages to fight by his side was another story. If he was going to enter, he was going to dominate. He needed a group of heavy hitters.
At least five members. No... I only need four.
Since he counted as one, four was the magic number. Was there a risk of exposing his true identity to the Council or the public? Not at all. Thanks to the Manager, he had access to a vast arsenal of magic that no one would ever associate with him. In the eyes of the world, his absolute mastery lay in Take Over magic. If he suddenly stepped into the arena wielding an entirely different power—and wearing a mask, which was perfectly common for the Games—no one would be the wiser. Everything would go exactly as planned.
But who should I invite?
His deep thoughts were interrupted as one of his subordinates leaned in, whispering discreetly, "Chief, the head of Raven Tail, Ivan Dreyar, wishes to speak with you."
"Hmm? That Dark Guild master?" Finn raised an eyebrow, though a faint smirk played on his lips. He could already smell the scent of dirty money. "Tell him to meet me tonight."
"Right away, Chief."
Later that night, Finn sat in the dim, moody lighting of his secret bar in Hargeon. A group of people, led by a balding, sleazy-looking middle-aged man, were enjoying a quiet round of premium alcohol. The moment Finn walked in, they all immediately stood at attention.
"Chief, it's been a while," Ivan smiled, greeting him with a practiced, greasy charm.
"It has, Ivan. How have you been?"
Raven Tail might have been classified as a Dark Guild, but they were surprisingly elegant and subtle in their crimes. Still, looking at Ivan made Finn sigh internally. It was ironic how many former Fairy Tail members ended up joining Dark Guilds—or, in Ivan's case, founding one of the most notorious. As Makarov's son and Laxus's father, Ivan certainly didn't share their redeeming qualities.
"I've been excellent, and it's all thanks to you, Chief," Ivan grinned. He knew perfectly well that his peaceful, profitable life was entirely dependent on Finn. As long as the bribes flowed and Ivan didn't cause a scene in Finn's specific territory, Finn would conveniently close his eyes to Raven Tail's activities. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that made Ivan endlessly grateful for Finn's high-ranking position in the Fiore Branch.
"There's no need to be so formal here. Drink and eat as much as you like; it's my treat. Your members should enjoy themselves tonight," Finn offered, gesturing to the table.
His eyes swept over Ivan's lackeys—a bizarre collection of misfits. One was covered in spikes, another looked like he hadn't slept in a decade, a third was tiny, and the last looked practically alien.
But then, Finn's gaze locked onto the final member, and a breath caught slightly in his throat.
She was a woman poured into a dangerously revealing crimson dress that clung to every obscene, voluptuous curve of her body. The fabric dipped agonizingly low, showcasing a heavy, spilling pair of breasts that left Finn wondering exactly how she managed to fit her guild mark onto such a plush, sensitive area. The dress hugged the tantalizing sway of her wide hips and parted at the thigh, teasing the soft, pale skin of her long legs.
Yet, as arresting as her lewd, sinful figure was, it was her fiery, sunset-colored hair that completed the picture. It was so incredibly long that she wore it in massive, thick braids tied behind her back, drawing the eye straight down to the curve of her waist.
When their eyes met, her expression was peculiar—a little absent, a little unhinged—but the heat in her gaze was undeniable. A deep, heavy blush quickly spread across her cheeks, making her look incredibly beautiful and intensely submissive.
"She is Flare Corona. Our newest guild member," Ivan said, his grin widening as he noticed Finn's unabashed staring. "Flare, this is Finn Hoen. He is the head of the Fiore Branch of the Magic Council. Make sure you take very good care of him, understood?"
"Yes," Flare nodded, her voice breathy and completely obedient.
Finn forced his eyes up to Ivan's face. "Let's be straight. What exactly do you want?"
"As direct as always, Chief. I want legal status. I want Raven Tail to join the Grand Magic Games."
If anyone could wash away a Dark Guild's history and legitimize them, it was Finn.
"That's fine," Finn replied casually.
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah. There's no need to pay me directly. Just go to this specific contact of mine. He'll revoke your dark status and process your entry for the Games."
It was a calculated move. Handling it personally was too troublesome, but by using a greedy proxy, Finn could let them take the heat. When Ivan inevitably caused trouble, Finn could use the fallout to consolidate even more power within the branch, bringing the Council entirely under his thumb.
"No, no! I couldn't possibly just take your help for free!" Ivan insisted, knowing how this game was played. If Finn didn't accept a bribe, the deal wasn't secure.
"I really don't need your money, Ivan."
"Then... what about Flare?" Ivan's eyes glinted as he pushed the crimson-haired beauty forward. "She is incredibly good, entirely obedient, and she can serve as both your personal maid and your bodyguard. She'll do anything you ask."
Finn remained silent, letting his eyes drag over Flare's flushed, heavy-breathing form.
Taking his silence as approval, Ivan clapped his hands together. "Excellent, it's settled! Flare, from now on, you belong to the Chief. I'm sure he will take thorough care of you." Ivan turned to his bewildered men, who were barely halfway through their drinks. "Let's give them some privacy to get acquainted. We're leaving."
The rest of Raven Tail was speechless, but their master's word was absolute.
"See you later, Chief~!" Ivan called out, throwing a sleazy, knowing smirk over his shoulder as he practically ran out the door, leaving the two of them completely alone in the dim bar.
A heavy, thick silence fell over the room.
Finn sat back, taking in his new prize. Flare stood before him, shifting nervously under his gaze. She played with her fingers, her thighs pressing together in a way that made the slits of her dress part even further. She looked timid, a little weird, but dripping with raw sex appeal.
Looking up at him through her thick eyelashes, her chest heaved as she whispered, "P-Please take care of me... Finn-sama..."