Time moved to the second day, and the Grand Magic Games finally began.
"Fairy Tail! You can do it!"
"That's Rogue and Sting of Sabertooth, they look so cool!"
"The champion of this competition will definitely be our Guild!"
"That's the Dark Guild Grimoire Heart, and Raven Tail, they actually came!"
"They look terrifying."
At this time, the major Guilds appeared one after another. The entire stadium was a scene of festive excitement, with tens of thousands of spectators all cheering for their favorite Guilds, their voices echoing through the sky.
The Grand Magic Games commentary was handled by a senior figure, a blonde beauty, and the kingdom's famous host: former Magic Council member Arima, host Jellal Fernandez, and Blue Pegasus's beauty pageant winner Jenny Realight.
"Next up is Blue Pegasus, led by Captain Ichiya..."
The host Jellal Fernandez passionately introduced each Guild. He introduced the hundred and sixty teams for a full two hours, nearly collapsing on the spot from lack of breath.
"Master, Macao, First Master... everyone is here!"
"Give it your absolute best, and definitely show them our strongest side."
Natsu and the others saw the Master leading their Guild members in cheering them on, and they all waved vigorously.
"Next, the preliminary round of the Grand Magic Games officially begins!"
One hundred and sixty large projection screens appeared, projecting all the teams and members into the sky, allowing all spectators to clearly see their favorite Guilds.
"Due to the excessive number of participating Guilds, we discussed and decided to screen the competing teams. The preliminary round will filter out ten teams, which will then proceed to the final battle."
Above the projection screens of all the participating members were the projected explanations of the three commentators.
Natsu looked excited, clenching his fists: "Interesting! I'm all fired up now!"
Lucy reminded them, "Don't be careless. This preliminary round is definitely very difficult. We need to be cautious."
Filtering out a hundred teams at once—how does this look even harder than the main tournament?
Irene laughed, "What are you afraid of? I'll carry you. You just need to lie down and win."
Elfman looked utterly rejecting: "A real man doesn't lie down and win."
"Gray-sama is on the opposite side, and he looked at me!"
Juvia fidgeted shyly, her face flushed, her mind already fantasizing about beautiful scenes.
Gajeel crossed his arms, looking disgusted: "If you dare to go easy, I'll beat you to death."
"I know! Gajeel, my little brother!"
Jellal Fernandez, projected on the screen, continued, "In order to host the Grand Magic Games even better, the Kingdom has brought out the Divine Artifact, the illusory magic space, to conduct the screening for the first stage of the preliminary round."
*Rumble!*
The entire stadium shook as a gigantic metal cube rose from the ground and ascended into the sky, shocking everyone. Its mysterious colors and magical fluctuations caused the world to change color.
Lines of golden text were written in the void, allowing everyone to see clearly.
"The illusory magic space, as the name suggests, contains countless illusory spaces, but those who enter it will possess genuine sight, touch, and sensation..."
"After the Kingdom modified the illusory magic space, different worlds were formed inside. Participants will meet different enemies in each world. Losers will be eliminated, while winners score points and enter the next world."
"Until only the last ten teams remain, or ten teams successfully clear all stages!"
Jellal Fernandez's voice grew increasingly passionate, spit flying everywhere, igniting the atmosphere in the venue: "Many factors need to be considered here. Perhaps the environment of a certain world is more suitable for a certain type of magic. Anything is possible."
"Furthermore, no deaths will occur in the illusory magic space. Everyone can fully display all their power! Any killing move, any magic, can be used!"
Everyone was extremely shocked. Allowing Mages to abandon all reservations and unleash all their power—this was truly a grand gesture.
Erza said confidently, "It's certainly simple and easy to understand. We just need to defeat all enemies along the way to pass."
Since there would be no death, she planned to use Dragon Knight to sweep through everything, blasting all enemies with cannon fire.
Cana laughed, "If it's a team battle, our seven-person team is already a fully staffed team."
Each team in the Grand Magic Games could have a maximum of seven members, and their number was just right.
Gray pondered, "If only ten teams pass in the end, that means one team will have to fight about eight battles. I'm afraid we'll be extremely exhausted later, perhaps even running out of magic power."
Laxus, wearing a coat, said arrogantly, "No need to worry. I alone can fight them all!"
Gildarts didn't take it seriously either, saying calmly, "The number of teams a small group needs to defeat is similar. Magic power consumption and injuries won't create much of a difference. The only thing to worry about is running into our own people first."
Neither side would go easy, and they would definitely end up mutually wounded, making it impossible to clear the stages afterward.
"The preliminary round of the Grand Magic Games officially begins!"
Accompanied by a blood-boiling roar, the entire venue erupted in cheers, and the illusory magic space burst forth with dazzling light, enveloping all the contestants, who vanished instantly.
At the same time, the internal view of the illusory magic space was projected.
Acnologia and the others were now standing in a world of lava. As far as the eye could see, there were volcanic eruptions and falling streams of flame everywhere.
Lucy looked around curiously, touching the ground beneath her feet, which felt somewhat scorching: "What a realistic world."
Moreover, she felt as if there was a fiery heart beating beneath the ground, and every beat caused a volcanic eruption.
Irene said with slight surprise, "This is a virtual illusion, simulating the five senses realistically. If someone who didn't know entered, they might be trapped for a lifetime and never get out."
"That being said..."
Juvia said, steam rising from her head, "But I feel like I'm going to evaporate."
She didn't feel like it was an illusion at all; her magic power was being rapidly consumed.
Natsu was extremely excited, looking at the flames filling the sky and immediately swallowing them: "Genuine, non-illusory Flame Magic Power!"
If this were a fake world, how could he possibly devour the flames here?
Acnologia laughed, "That's why they call it a Divine Artifact."
From ancient times till now, 'Divine' has always been synonymous with supremacy. Anything crowned with the word 'Divine' must be extraordinary.
"Speaking of which..."
Elfman was full of doubt: "Where are the enemies? Why can't we see anyone?"
Logically, since they arrived in this world, the enemies should also appear. Why is no one here? They surely don't expect them to go searching, do they?
Gajeel sneered, "Are the enemies playing hide-and-seek?"
Irene chuckled, "What hide-and-seek? The enemies are smarter than you and have figured out the hidden rules of this world."
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