Natsu and Gajeel never did settle their score.
Even though the Pumpkin Head referee and Chapati in the commentary booth were deliberately dragging things out, the thirty-minute countdown didn't slow down just because they wanted it to.
The bell rang. No matter how reluctant he was, the Pumpkin Head had no choice but to raise his hand and announce: "Match over! Fairy Tail versus Sabertooth tag battle."
"Winner: Fairy Tail!"
"OOOOOHHH!!" The entire arena erupted in thunderous cheers.
Not only had they witnessed the clash between Celestial Spirit Magic and ancient Lost Magic, but they'd also seen four Dragon Slayers compete on the same stage. The audience was thoroughly satisfied and couldn't stop cheering.
Fairy Tail's name once again echoed through the skies. Their supporters reached an all-time high since the tournament began, spreading across almost the entire venue!
Meanwhile, the defeated Future Sting and Future Rogue had long since been carried back to the medical room, making their quiet exit.
Future Jiemon sat in the stands, his face nearly black with rage, radiating barely suppressed fury.
Though Minerva had only taken second place, she had at least put up a fight and didn't bring too much shame to the strongest guild's reputation.
But Future Sting and Future Rogue's performance had been completely dismissed by their opponents, and they'd been one-shotted in the end. Unforgivable!
Future Jiemon's face twisted with cruelty. The stepped seats beneath him cracked from the magic power leaking out, scattering the surrounding fans who had been shouting "Fairy Tail the best!"
He had already made up his mind. When they returned, he would absolutely mete out the harshest punishment to those two brats who had brought shame to Sabertooth!
Over at Fairy Tail, the atmosphere was one of complete harmony and joy.
Aside from Natsu and Gajeel, who still couldn't stand each other, and Makarov yelling at them for being reckless, everyone else wore bright smiles.
Future Macao and the others, who had endured seven years of humiliation, were moved to tears.
The real-time rankings on the big screen showed Fairy Tail far ahead of everyone else, crushing the competition with despair-inducing dominance.
[No. 1 Fairy Tail — 63P
No. 2 Mermaid Heel — 38P
No. 3 Sabertooth — 36P
No. 4 Blue Pegasus — 33P
No. 5 Lamia Scale — 30P
No. 6 Quartet Cerberus — 12P]
"With that, the fourth day's events have come to a successful close. Even taking Team A's lower score, Fairy Tail's first-place position remains unshakable!"
"After a rest day, the Grand Magic Games' final day will begin the day after tomorrow. A fierce survival battle with five members competing simultaneously!"
"Which guild will emerge victorious? Stay tuned!!"
Chapati's excited closing remarks immediately rallied the departing audience's emotions. The guild masters and members of the competing guilds were rubbing their hands together, ready to go all out on the final day and topple Fairy Tail!
The sun set below the horizon. Twilight faded.
Night spread from the other side, engulfing the brightly lit royal capital. It was the same familiar tavern, the same deafeningly noisy atmosphere.
Most of those gathered tonight were from the future world's Fairy Tail. Chase's companions from the other world were having their own party inside the Dark Magician Girl's castle in the card space.
"I've decided! We're celebrating tonight with barrel surfing!"
"Aye!"
Future Natsu and Future Happy were full of enthusiasm, standing on a makeshift contraption made of three barrels and a wooden board, spreading their arms to simulate surfing.
The rolling barrels careened through the tavern, immediately drawing angry shouts from the others.
Whether it was to continue the twin dragon battle from the other world or just coincidence, the two went straight for Future Gajeel, who was chatting with Future Levy, and sent him flying.
"You looking for a fight, you bastard?!" Future Gajeel grabbed Future Natsu by the collar.
Future Natsu didn't fight back. Instead, he covered his mouth and gagged in discomfort. That's right—even something that strictly speaking couldn't even be called a vehicle was enough to trigger a Dragon Slayer's motion sickness.
"What a weak loser who can't play. Watch how it's done!"
Future Gray jumped onto the barrel-board with confidence. Then, predictably, he crashed into the counter, exploding into a full set of white gear.
"G-Gray-sama's naked body~!" Future Juvia was practically drooling.
Beside her, Future Lucy launched into a rant: "Is your clothing really that easy to lose?!"
"Alright, my turn!"
Future Erza followed, stepping onto the "surfboard." She leaned sideways and pushed off with the barrels, displaying smooth movements and impressive skill.
Though they outwardly complained about doing this in the cramped tavern, everyone couldn't help but watch with curiosity, thoroughly entertained.
Unfortunately, even the Fairy Queen couldn't avoid the inevitable crash-and-burn ending.
That thing was far too crude—harder to control than actual surfing!
BAM!
Future Erza, wearing a short skirt, flew backward spread-eagle, landing in a rather wild pose.
"Damn it! Even Erza can't conquer the 'sea'?!"
"Just as I thought, this is something humans were never meant to accomplish!"
"Hmph. Something humans were never meant to accomplish? Sore wa dou kana!"
Chase appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed the scattered barrels and rolled them like bowling balls, then tossed the board forward and leaped onto it, landing steadily.
The barrel-board rolled noisily through the tavern aisles. Just when it seemed it would crash into the tables at the end like the previous three, Chase pushed off with his feet, vaulted upward, spun twice in midair, and landed gracefully in a stylish card-drawing pose.
Behind him, chaos erupted.
Barrels, boards, shattered tables and chairs, plus the unfortunate bystanders Future Jet, Future Droy, and Future Nab, went flying in all directions!
"Ooooh! A perfect strike! That's Chase for you!"
"Damn it! How strong is that guy?!"
"Flawless precision. I give it a ten!"
"Ten my ass! We're the ones who got hurt!!"
Watching her excited guildmates and the damaged furniture, Future Lucy couldn't help but complain: "Wasn't this supposed to be surfing? How did it turn into bowling?!"
"Aye~ The Master is going to be furious when he gets back~" Future Happy sighed helplessly.
"And whose fault is it that this whole thing started?!"
Future Lucy was utterly shocked by the dead cat's shameless blame-shifting.
"More importantly..."
The sleeve of a coat rustled slightly. A tall, imposing figure suddenly appeared behind her.
Future Laxus cracked his neck and said in a low voice, "How about we step outside to an open space and spar?"
His completely serious expression, utterly devoid of any trace of humor, scared Future Lucy so much she practically jumped out of her skin.
The blonde girl quickly pointed at her own harmless face: "Take a good look, Laxus! It's me! The me from this side!"
Ever since witnessing Lucy use the Triple Celestial Spirit Dress, this monster had clearly expressed strong fighting intent.
She never expected that she'd be the first one he challenged!
Come to think of it, though, it did make a certain kind of sense...
"Oh my, what's the harm?"
Future Mirajane walked over with a smile, her voice dripping with temptation. "If you beat Laxus, maybe you'll be promoted to S-Class on the spot without waiting for this year's trial~"
"Go for it, Lucy! Believe in yourself!"
"A true man should fearlessly challenge monsters!"
Future Lisanna and Future Elfman chimed in, their smiles identical to their sister's.
"S-Class mage!" Future Lucy's eyes lit up.
Having witnessed the power of her other-world self, she had indeed started entertaining thoughts about that title, something she'd never dared to imagine before.
In the end, however, her survival instinct won out. She backpedaled sheepishly. "Ahaha... maybe not. I think taking things step by step suits me better."
"Tch. Boring."
Future Laxus immediately lost interest. He snorted dismissively and walked away.
Future Lucy's mouth twitched. She silently vowed to train like crazy and learn Celestial Spirit Dress, just to make that guy eat his words!
"Good resolve. After the Grand Magic Games, do you want me to give you a hand?" Chase walked over.
Thinking of the hellish night training described by his other-world counterpart, Future Lucy rather shamelessly said, "Th-Thanks, Chase-san. B-But the Dark Magician's training guide is more than enough!"
They were the same person with the same magical talent, so the Dark Magician's training guide naturally applied to the future world's Fairy Tail members as well.
Since they would be returning to their own world soon anyway, Chase didn't press further. He turned to Future Mirajane. "Where are the old men? I haven't seen them all night."
He had come to the tavern after "raising hell" inside the Dark Magician Girl's castle, but neither here nor there had he seen any sign of Old Makarov.
"The Master? I think he went to see the Grand Magic Games organizers about collecting venue protection fees or something," Future Mirajane said after a moment's thought.
"So that's what it was about." Chase suddenly understood.
He had only said that in passing at the time. He never expected Old Makarov to actually go through with it!
Just then, the tavern door swung open and Makarov walked in, looking thoroughly dejected.
The noisy venue instantly fell silent. Even Future Natsu and Future Gray, who had been at each other's throats, froze in disbelief.
As a not-so-serious guild master, Makarov naturally didn't command that kind of authority.
The real reason was the figure walking in behind him with a sheepish grin.
"G-Gildarts?!" *n
***
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