As the first place team, Team B had the most ample rest time, and they indeed had a good sleep.
However, Rhode was awakened once around two or three in the morning, seemingly because someone was yelling in the corridor outside.
"Damn, it's the last place!" It sounded like Natsu's voice.
"It's because many maps don't match," Lucy's voice.
Next was Gray: "In the end, why are there so many undocumented passages?"
"Drunk and crashing around?" Kana speculated.
"I've looked at the material of the labyrinth walls, it's not something ordinary magic can destroy," Erza analyzed seriously, "every entrance indicates that there were powerful mages fighting there."
Natsu continued to shout, "It's fun only when there are strong guys! They almost made us waste time and fail to advance. If we meet them in the finals, we'll surely fix them up!"
Erza laughed, "I'm looking forward to it too."
Lucy said sheepishly, "I still hope to win a bit more easily…"
It seemed like they were teasing their teammate? Anyway, they passed, so it's not a big deal.
Rhode turned over in bed and continued sleeping.
It seemed that after a long time, Rhode heard Mira's voice.
"Wake up."
"Just a bit more…" Rhode almost reached out to pull Mira onto the bed.
Remembering the current setting, he nonchalantly stretched his arms over his head.
Luckily, no one noticed his unusualness because suddenly it became very noisy outside.
The sound of fireworks, the sound of a military band's drums and horns, the cheering of the spectators, all undoubtedly represented the official start of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts.
Everyone washed up and then, as per the President's request, changed into specially ordered team outfits.
Laxus wore a tight-fitting top that perfectly outlined his solid chest and abdominal muscles, paired with his personal preference, a black fur coat.
Even if it was summer.
Gajeel's outfit didn't seem much different from usual, just added a black fur mantle on the right side.
Jubia wore a black hat with a white fur border, her upper body looked like a fur coat that covered her neck tightly.
But the hem of the coat was slit very high, revealing a sea-blue emblem on her left leg and thin over-the-knee socks.
If Rhode were to comment, they belonged to the "not afraid of heat" group of three, wearing fur-lined clothing in the summer.
Rhode's was a bit better, a simple black shirt, no bothersome tie, just exposing the golden-blue pendant outside, with a silver spider silk cord that looked crystal clear.
The lower body was ordinary black trousers, black soft-soled leather shoes.
Actually, the President had also prepared the Ten Wizard Saints Cloak and matching staff for him, but Rhode felt wearing a cloak was quite silly, just holding a staff was enough.
If it weren't for the guild's image, he wouldn't even bother wearing leather shoes, preferring to wear flip-flops.
Rhode holding the staff, hands on hips, looked at himself in the mirror, turned around and asked Mira: "How's it?"
"Very handsome." She stepped forward to straighten out the wrinkles at the hem of Rhode's tucked-in shirt, stepped back to look, and laughed, "Now it's completely fine."
"But you have issues." Rhode stepped forward and lifted Mira's collar up a bit, but it was originally a low-cut dress, which wasn't effective.
Mira playfully slapped the back of his hand, "How about I change into a tube top?"
Rhode gave a thumbs-up.
Mira went to the changing room again.
When she came out, Rhode said wistfully, "It seems even more attractive, having a beautiful wife is really a headache."
Mira patted his arm, "Everyone is watching, be serious."
Rhode became serious, "Let's go, head to the arena, and bring the victory back to the guild!"
"Oh!"
No need for excessive encouragement, just a simple exchange of glances, and all showed confident smiles.
...
The sound of cannon fire and music gradually stopped, but the noise coming from the audience seats only slightly reduced.
At this time, three people were already seated at the commentary table, and the host's voice spread across the entire venue through amplifiers.
Team B listened to the host's opening at the waiting area.
Rhode asked, "Jabadi Lola seems to be a pretty famous reporter?"
"Hmm… seven years ago he was just starting to emerge." Mira commented with an elder's tone, "I didn't expect that young man to develop so well now."
Rhode laughed, "Mira Obasan, this makes you sound very weathered."
Mira shook her fist threateningly, "Try saying 'old' one more time."
"Haha, did Mr. Yajima bite his tongue? Can he be a commentator when so nervous?" Rhode changed the subject, "The guest is Jenny, huh."
Host + commentator + special guest, a very reasonable trio.
Jenny's popularity was quite high, just when the cheering had weakened a bit, her few opening remarks cast a wave of enthusiasm again.
Jabadi saw the timing and atmosphere were just right and swiftly moved to the main topic: "So next is the long-awaited… player entrance time!"
Yajima: "Please instruct, ah… ah… please instruct."
Since the beginning, Yajima kept repeating this meaningless line, drawing laughter from the audience.
Rhode couldn't help but worry about the old man's health.
As a professional host, Jabadi chose to ignore Yajima's behavior and continued:
"First to enter is the 8th place in the preliminaries, contrary to its cute name, the clumsy group, Fairy Tail! Can they regain past glory?"
Natsu randomly occupied the center position, raising an arm high upon entry. Gray and Lucy stood beside him, Kana and Erza stood on the outer sides.
Mentioning the name Fairy Tail brought cheers from the audience, although the cheer quickly stopped, replaced by rounds of discussion.
"Isn't there supposed to be a Ten Wizard Saints?"
"Miss Mirajane is nowhere in sight either."
"This isn't what was promised, why?"
Thankfully, it didn't turn into boos.
Moreover, the Fairy Queen still had substantial popularity, with hardcore fans waving the only magazine cover Erza shot at the audience seats.
Listen carefully, they seemed to be calling for her comeback.
Natsu and Lucy's expressions quickly shifted from excitement to looking dejected.
"What's this… is this attitude supporting us or not?" Natsu grumbled.
Lucy said disappointedly, "Our popularity is too low."
However cheering for them soon rang out from the special support section.
Makarov took the lead shouting "Go, Fairy Tail!" from the railings, while Hapi and Carla held banners in mid-air.
Laxus waved the guild flag vigorously.
Others shouted with rhythm, even Wolian, who should be working in some Royal Capital research lab, specially took leave to support everyone.
The morale of dozens of people suddenly surpassed that of hundreds.
Next to Makarov was a girl only visible to Fairy Tail members, waving her arms, kicking her little feet, and loudly shouted:
"Go, go, Fairy Tail!"
If you listen closely, you can find out the slogan's rhythm wasn't following Makarov, but Mebius.
Mr. Yajima uttered his first fluent commentary of the day: "That most lively Fairy Tail has finally fully revived, it's truly wonderful, congratulations!"