Applause thundered through the arena as the spectators, still buzzing with excitement, gave the match their most fervent cheers.
It's no longer just because of Wendy and Future Sherria's cute looks, but because of the spectacular Sky Magic duel that far surpassed previous matches in sheer entertainment value!
"Ooooh! Time's up! I declare Wendy-chan and Sherria-chan co-winners! The Grand Magic Games come to a perfect close!"
Chapati shouted with even more enthusiasm than he'd shown during Chase and Future Jura's match.
"That's just the end of the third day, though," Lahar muttered quietly.
"He's already mentally declared this the most exciting match of the entire tournament."
Yajima said with a laugh, voicing Chapati's true thoughts. "Though in a sense, he's not wrong~"
As a retired Magic Council member, seeing young saplings grow strong brought him genuine joy.
On the arena floor.
"Sigh... if there hadn't been a time limit, I definitely would've lost!" Future Sherria let out a light sigh.
Her still-developing chest heaved as black wind swirled around her, dispelling the lingering divine presence within.
Her delicate, cute face showed clear disappointment, but no resentment.
She was arrogant, yes, but not to the point of delusion. She could clearly recognize and accept the fact that she couldn't defeat Wendy.
"That's not true at all. I haven't fully mastered Sky Dragon Mode yet—compared to your complete God Slayer Magic, I still have a long way to go!"
Wendy smiled politely and acknowledged her opponent's strength.
"So this 'Sky Dragon Mode'—is it your Dragon Slayer Secret Art?" Future Sherria blinked curiously.
"No."
Wendy shook her head and gave a vague explanation. "Simply put, I just enchanted divine power similar to yours onto my magic."
She was sensible enough to know she shouldn't casually reveal Slifer's existence in the future world.
"Enchantment Magic? That really is amazing!"
After recovering a bit of strength, Future Sherria walked up to Wendy. "Hey Wendy, can we be friends?"
This was the first time she'd met someone her age who could push her to the brink.
Actually, not just people her age—even many adults from Blue Pegasus were no match for her. She desperately wanted a friend with whom she could study magic and grow together.
"W-Well..." Wendy's eyes darted away.
It wasn't that she disliked Future Sherria—quite the opposite. She'd love to become good friends with her, just like she had with Minerva.
But according to Chase, they would be leaving the future world soon and returning to their own.
"Huh? You don't want to?" Future Sherria's face fell.
Seeing that, Wendy panicked and quickly agreed. "No, no! I'd... I'd be really happy!"
She'd just have to find a chance to explain the truth and apologize properly before they left. The kind-hearted girl resolved silently.
And so, with a handshake sealing the friendship between two adorable young girls, the third day of the Grand Magic Games came to a successful close.
The reluctant audience filed out one by one as the arena's holographic screen updated with the latest guild rankings:
[No. 1 Fairy Tail Team B — 51P
No. 2 Fairy Tail Team A — 43P
No. 3 Mermaid Heel — 31P
No. 4 Sabertooth — 28P
No. 5 Lamia Scale — 21P
No. 6 Blue Pegasus — 17P
No. 7 Quartet Cerberus — 11P
Raven Tail — (Disqualified)]
Fairy Tail still held the top two spots, but the gap between Teams A and B had widened from the tantalizing single point yesterday to a full eight points.
Rather than feeling despair, the other guilds burned with even fiercer determination.
Setting the competition events aside—if they could defeat Fairy Tail in the battle rounds, the swing would close the gap by twenty points in one go!
Since most of them had some connection to Fairy Tail, their mindset was relatively relaxed. Even if they lost the Grand Magic Games, it wouldn't be the end of the world—just a few months of mockery from Makarov and the others.
But for the former champions, Sabertooth, it was completely different.
An unbearably oppressive atmosphere hung over their guild section. Future Jiemon, seated at the head, radiated killing intent.
"You've disappointed me greatly. Three days in, and you're still stuck in this laughable position for weaklings!"
Whenever his vicious, piercing gaze swept over someone—whether it was Future Sting and the other contestants, Future Frosch and Future Lector, or ordinary guild members—they all silently lowered their heads, unable to meet his eyes.
"Rest assured, Father. Let me compete in tomorrow's events."
Future Minerva stepped forward calmly, glancing sideways at the Fairy Tail members gathering to leave. "As long as that Chase isn't participating, I'm confident I can make both their teams hit rock bottom!"
"Don't disappoint me, Minerva." Future Jiemon snorted and approved her request.
Night fell.
Without needing Makarov to call them, the Fairy Tail members gathered at the tavern again.
It seemed that celebrating here after every day of the Grand Magic Games had become an unspoken tradition.
"Dammit! That bastard Chase and his team widened the gap again!" Natsu, who'd been cooped up in the card all day, was thoroughly annoyed.
"Sumimasen, hontou ni sumimasen... If only I could have won my match..." Wendy's eyes glistened with tears as she repeatedly apologized.
"Getting that far was already amazing!"
Carla comforted her. "If anything, that draw might have kept the gap from growing even wider."
"That's right. I bear a lot of responsibility for losing to Mira!" Erza had finally recovered from the shock of her first kiss and bowed seriously to her teammates in apology.
"You can't really blame Erza, though. It was just bad luck."
Future Lucy lifted her head from the table. "Besides, it was us who—"
Erza put on a stern face and cut her off. "Listen, Lucy. Luck is part of strength. And besides—I and I are one and the same!"
"Huh? Yes ma'am!" Future Lucy immediately sat up straight to accept the criticism.
But internally, she couldn't help muttering: As expected, no matter which Erza it is, she's absolutely terrifying...
"Oh my, does 'one and the same' include boyfriends too?" Mirajane walked over.
"O-Of course not!" Erza's face flushed instantly as she shot back without thinking.
"How adorable, Erza. I can't wait to punish you~" Mirajane smiled with a hint of darkness.
Realizing she'd been teased, Erza furrowed her brows and refused to back down. "The Grand Magic Games aren't over yet. We don't know who'll win!"
"You won't be able to catch up anyway."
"Being too overconfident will make you lose badly. Don't cry when that happens, crybaby."
"Oh? You sure talk big, you cheating armor woman!"
"W-W-Who's cheating?!"
Even though they didn't come to blows, their clash of auras was enough to scare Future Lucy and Wendy.
Natsu, Happy, Future Gray, and the others were reminded of some terrifying memories and tremblingly kept their distance.
At a nearby table.
"Thanks to you, I got to see a scene I haven't witnessed in a long time." Future Laxus glanced at Chase across the table, a hint of teasing in his voice.
Chase didn't respond. He sighed softly, set down his glass, and slowly stood up.
"Hey, if you go over there now, you'll die a horrible death." Future Laxus couldn't help warning him.
In this situation, even Gildarts the womanizer would play dead and keep his distance.
And you're actually going in?
"So what? I'm their boyfriend. I have no reason to hide behind them and do nothing." Chase waved his hand dismissively.
Watching that figure walking toward certain doom, Future Laxus was deeply shaken.
He thought he finally understood why Mirajane and Erza loved this guy.
In the end, Chase didn't get to "die."
Future Makarov walked in from outside with news that left everyone stunned.
"I just received word from the organizers. With Raven Tail disqualified, the number of guilds is uneven—an odd number. So..."
"Our two teams are merging."
***
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