"Why is that?" Princess Jade asked in confusion, "I remember reading in a magazine that Lucy is a highly anticipated newcomer."
"That's true... but in the end, she's still just a newcomer. The rules of the Magic Tournament state that each guild can only send five representatives, right?"
Although Lucy can be a bit vain at times, when it comes to combat strength, she knows she's definitely not in the top five.
Princess Jade said, "Including substitutes, six people can participate."
Lucy counted on her fingers and resignedly said, "Even six people won't work."
Seeing Princess Jade's puzzled expression, Reby helped explain, "Our guild has five S-Class Mages alone. Including the S-Class alternates... Lu-chan could summon Aquarius, but she might only barely make it into the top ten, right?"
Reby was already overestimating Lucy as much as possible.
In reality, besides the S-Class Mages, there's the Thunder God Tribe, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Jubia, Elfman, Kana...
Plus the other comrades who became stronger over the past six years, Lucy would have a hard time even being a substitute if she doesn't put in some effort.
"I see, but I think if Lucy tries hard, she definitely has a chance." Princess Jade had a different understanding; as long as Lucy could make it into the top ten, it would be fine.
Because her family is the sponsor, after all!
Why not change the rule that each guild can only send five contestants to allow ten instead?
Of course, the specific details would need to be worked out, but the plan is feasible.
Moreover, having more mages participate would be beneficial for gathering Magic Power.
After this topic was skipped, Lucy took Princess Jade for a walk around the guild, and upon returning, they found that the dance party had turned into total chaos.
Apparently, someone stepped on someone else's foot during a dance, and an ordinary fight broke out.
Chairs, wine bottles, cups, anything you can name, were flying everywhere. Lucy skillfully found a corner to crouch down and shielded herself with an overturned table.
Meanwhile, Princess Jade was visibly dumbfounded: "What... what is this?"
As a princess, she understood dance parties to be elegant and harmonious events, so why were people fighting at this one?
Lucy waved to Princess Jade, urging her, "Come hide over here!"
"But..." Princess Jade hesitated. Crouching down in a dress is quite unseemly, completely against royal etiquette.
However, why was the heiress of the Hartfilia Group able to so naturally do such a thing?
Princess Jade squeezed in next to Lucy: "Shouldn't we do something about them?"
"It's fine; it's just a regular fight. Once everyone gets knocked out, it'll be over," Lucy said, waving it off. Either everyone would tire themselves out, or the President and Erza would get fed up and flatten everyone—they always ended up the same.
Princess Jade: "..."
This is a big issue, right? What do you mean by a regular fight? Is it just roughhousing?
If it's just roughhousing, why wait for everyone to get knocked out? So Fairy Tail's dance parties are violent affairs.
"Eek!" Lucy suddenly screamed in agony.
"Ah~~~" Natsu screamed as he flew through the air, crashing into and smashing the table Lucy was behind.
He quickly picked himself up, looking confused about why the fall didn't hurt, but then spun around and ran back into the fray: "Loki, you bastard! Take this!"
Poor Lucy leaned against the wall, eyes rolling back as her head tilted.
"Lu... Lucy! Are you okay?" Princess Jade was shocked; she had been told there was no problem!
Lucy weakly murmured, "No... no problem..."
Isn't this almost murder? Shouldn't President Makarov intervene? Princess Jade looked around and saw Makarov already passed out with a wine bottle clutched to the bar.
He's drunk at a time like this. But the Council! Yes, aren't there Council members present?
Princess Jade searched around: "Why are the Council members fighting too?!"
Especially Dolanbart, who already smashed Captain Lahar's glasses!
Yes, that's right, I should look for the most reliable man in Fairy Tail, Mr. Rhode...
Why is he so calmly eating? And Miss Mirajane, too, even chatting and laughing!
This is your wedding dance party, and it's about to be ruined! Shouldn't you take it more seriously?
Princess Jade beside Lucy felt a strong urge to shout all these thoughts, but etiquette wouldn't allow her to.
Besides, danger quickly approached her; this time, Loki was sent flying right toward Princess Jade.
Loki wanted to look a bit cool while landing, but upon noticing the beauty he was flying towards, he suddenly thought it wasn't so bad to land as is.
As long as he could protect the lovely lady, maybe he could spark a new romance. This was fate!
However, just before colliding with Princess Jade, Loki was kicked away faster than he arrived.
This sensation—was it high heels? Loki felt a sharp pain in his back, driving him into a pillar.
He climbed out with some difficulty, covering his right shoulder awkwardly, thinking it was the green-haired lady who kicked him: "Seems this lady isn't ordinary..."
Loki's words abruptly stopped as he saw Mirajane in her wedding dress, a fork with a piece of cake in her right hand, gently smoothing her dress with the left.
Noticing Loki's gaze, Mira gave him a sweet smile.
"..." No wonder it hurt so much. Loki forced an awkward but polite smile and turned to continue pestering Natsu.
"I'm sorry, did this scare you?" Mira asked, "Are you hurt?"
"No..." Princess Jade shook her head blankly, realizing this was a demon's power.
Mira saw Rhode approaching unhurriedly and complained, "Weren't you supposed to protect the princess?"
Almost let Loki take advantage of the princess... Mira had no doubt about Loki's boldness to possibly harass the princess.
After all, he dares to chase both Erza and the granddaughter of a Council member.
Rhode pointed to the nearly transparent Magic Shield in front of the princess and smiled, "No worries, isn't she protected?"
Mira replied, "But that can be frightening; personally blocking the attack feels more secure."
Rhode blurted out, "I'd only do that for you."
But Mira gave him a side-eye, "Clearly you protected Wendy like that too."
"You remember that too clearly... Are you jealous of even little kids?" Rhode laughed, "If we ever have a daughter, you'll have plenty to be jealous about."
Mira blushed, huffing lightly, "I won't have one with you!"
Princess Jade: "..."
What are you talking about in front of an unmarried girl like me?