"There's a fluctuation of Space Magic; have we been teleported to different locations? I can vaguely hear exclamations around, so we should still be within the competition area."
Out of curiosity, Rhode touched the wall beside him, "A real building has materialized directly in the competition field? That's quite impressive."
At this moment, the Pumpkin Man's voice echoed: "The rules for 'Stealth' are simple. Competitors, please find others on the street and land a hit on them.
"As long as you make contact, regardless of causing damage, you earn a point. Conversely, the person hit loses a point and is teleported to another area to continue the match.
"Finally, rankings will be based on the number of points, and corresponding scores will be calculated based on the ranks.
"Of course, that's not all. Clones of each of you will appear on the street. If you mistakenly attack a clone, you will lose a point."
With these words, a dense crowd suddenly appeared on the empty street in front of Rhode.
Among them was himself, Gray, and every competitor, with each having roughly the same number.
In the back area, watching the big screen surrounding the competition field, Jubia almost died of happiness upon seeing numerous shadows of Gray.
She bit her clothes, lamenting, "I should have insisted. Jubia should have insisted on competing! So many Gray lords!"
Gajeel instinctively grabbed Jubia by the collar to stop her from rushing into the field: "Indeed, his decision was right."
Laxus nodded silently.
Mira held her face in her hands: "I can understand Jubia's feelings. There are so many Rhodes, it's so interesting."
The Pumpkin Man announced loudly: "Then disappear into the silence, like a black cat sneaking into the night! Stealth... begins!"
With the sound of a gong, the competition officially started.
A transparent barrier appeared around the 'city,' isolating external sounds to prevent anyone from giving hints.
The audience watched eagerly on the various big screens, focusing on the competitors they were interested in.
Rhode calmly observed his own 'clones,' refraining from touching them as he wasn't sure if touching counted as an attack.
"They move naturally, and even have different expressions. Except for being slightly lacking in Magic Power, they're almost indistinguishable from the real ones.
"Having low Magic Power could also be seen as deliberately hidden... Interesting. If I pretend to be a dummy wandering around the street, it might be hard to recognize."
Rhode wasn't worried at all.
Because when the big screens rose outside, he could already cheat.
——After carefully disguising two River Crabs, he hid them in two corners of the venue.
Originally prepared for a surveillance mission, but now, by connecting to their vision, he could see the big screens clearly.
The key point is that to enhance audience experience, the organizers had locked the screens to each competitor's perspective.
With such thoughtful service, Rhode felt a bit guilty not to make use of it.
However, as a member of the Ten Wizard Saints, with all eyes on him, he had to maintain some dignity.
Mimicking properly, he brought his fingers together in a gesture, letting a faint golden light spread out from him as the center.
At the commentary box, Jabadi timely remarked: "It seems Mr. Rhode is using some kind of magic, Mr. Yajima, what do you think?"
"Hmm, it's probably a reconnaissance type of magic," Yajima seriously explained, "I heard from Xiaoma that Rhode is a child who loves reading and learning, with a very comprehensive grasp of magic."
Child?
Such a term only Yajima would dare say; others wouldn't follow suit.
"Worthy of being a member of the Ten Wizard Saints! With this, other competitors are in trouble," Jabadi complimented, then immediately remarked in surprise, "Huh? Am I seeing things? Mr. Rhode's 'clone' seems to have increased by one."
"I'm looking forward to Gray's performance, but it seems Rhode will be victorious," Yajima's unique way of commentary avoided direct conversation topics.
Furthermore, during his commentary, he didn't conceal his favoritism towards Fairy Tail at all.
Jenny followed up by saying, "Then I'll have to cheer for our guild's Simon."
In the bustling crowd, everyone began to take action.
Rhode chose someone who he found most displeasing and swaggered toward that direction.
That person was Sabertooth's Rufus. The choice was not due to any grudge, but because he was too much of a show-off.
From the moment he entered, this man had been striking poses to look cool, and his style somewhat clashed with Fried's, making him annoying to watch.
However, before Rhode could reach him, trouble found its way to him: "The way you walk gives you away, Mr. Rhode!"
A bunch of carrots flew toward Rhode.
Beth was about to rejoice but was shocked to gape: "Pass... Passed through! Is it a clone?"
Jabadi loudly announced: "Oh my, Beth made a mistake! But how should we judge this situation? Is it considered a dodge?"
Yajima smiled without speaking.
Rhode appeared beside Beth, delivering a hand chop to the top of her head.
"Ah..." Beth exclaimed as her body was enveloped in bright light, then disappeared.
Having been observing Beth, Kagura commented, "Fool, that's not the real body, nor a clone; it's a Thought Body."
Yajima unveiled the mystery on the commentary box: "Creating a Thought Body and intentionally making it act very differently from the clones, using it as bait.
"The real body hides among the clones, attacking when others take the bait. It's truly an excellent strategy!"
Makarov timely led everyone to cheer for Rhode.
Ordinary spectators might not even understand what a Thought Body is, but since the former evaluator said it was amazing, it indeed meant it was amazing.
Moreover, scenarios with suspense, twists, and turns are always welcomed and enjoyed by everyone.
The audience generously offered applause and cheers.
"I've found you, Rhode!" Gray, uncharacteristically exuberant, yelled as he charged forward, "Ice-Make: Large Hammer!"
Surprised, Rhode noted that Gray, unexpectedly considerate, used an ordinary Large Hammer, not an Ice Strike Hammer.
Then let's give him a gift.
Rhode instantly stepped back two steps, grabbed with his right hand out of thin air, and swung forward.
A transparent figure suddenly became visible, falling in a panic under Gray's hammer.
"Who is this?" Before Gray could make out the person's face, they disappeared in a flash of light.
Rhode said, "Probably someone from Dragon's Treasure, followed me for dozens of meters; I was waiting for them to make a move."
Jabadi exclaimed: "Oh my, Silas from Dragon's Treasure also failed!"
"Yes, he was probably using the Magic Invisibility Cloak," Yajima speculated, "Likely discovered by Rhode's magic."
Jenny posed a question: "But in that case, whose point does it count as when hitting them?"