Laxus did not hold back in the slightest.
His clasped fists slammed into the ground, and Ivan's body instantly curled up like a shrimp, the whites of his eyes showing.
With that, all five members of Raven Tail who had entered the fight were defeated by Laxus alone.
The Illusion Magic lost its controller when Ivan fell unconscious, and the illusion covering the entire arena shattered.
The whole venue immediately erupted into an uproar.
The officials watching the match were utterly stunned.
Once the illusion disappeared, everyone saw the true state of the arena.
Only Laxus remained standing.
Every member of Raven Tail lay scattered miserably across the field.
What enraged everyone even more was that Raven Tail's master, Ivan, was also on the stage.
He had disguised himself under the identity of Alexei!
The audience burst into heated discussion. After staring blankly for a moment, Chapati hurriedly announced.
"The match is over! Fairy Tail Team B, Laxus, wins!"
"My, what a vile guild," Mr. Yajima said in open disgust. "While none of us could see what was happening, those five were actually ganging up on Laxus."
Lahar nodded gravely in agreement. "Indeed. The kingdom's soldiers are currently escorting the members of Raven Tail away. I imagine they will receive severe punishment for this."
After hearing the hosts' analysis, the spectators finally understood what had truly happened during that chaotic battle.
But even more people began to realize something else.
That Laxus…
He had defeated, all by himself, a five-person team strong enough to make it into the Grand Magic Games.
Among them had even been a guild master.
That level of strength was simply…
Adding in Ankh and Erza's earlier performances, many in the audience had all but become fanatical supporters of Fairy Tail.
They began shouting Laxus's name with wild enthusiasm.
The members of Fairy Tail were just as surprised.
Warren contacted everyone through telepathy, and only then did they discover that the Ivan in the audience, as well as Alexei and the others on the contestants' stand, had all been Thought Projections.
They had been fooled again…
Makarov's expression was extremely dark as he watched Ivan and the others being taken away by the kingdom's soldiers.
In a low voice, he said, "Ivan… you still love using these disgraceful tricks."
Mavis sat quietly beside him, gazing at Ivan's defeated and wretched figure.
An indescribable light flickered in her eyes.
...
"Lumen Histoire is Fairy Tail's dark side."
Just as Laxus was about to leave the stage, Ivan struggled for breath and forced out those words.
Laxus stared at him expressionlessly.
Ivan laughed like a madman.
"One day, sooner or later, you'll know. You'll learn Fairy Tail's true face. Haha… hahahahaha!"
The members of Raven Tail were taken away one after another.
Ivan's words echoed in Laxus's mind, and he frowned slightly.
'I'll ask the old man when I have time.'
In a corner no one noticed, beneath the black robe of Obra, whose limp body was being carried away by soldiers, a small, ugly little creature quietly slipped out and fled…
When Ankh saw Laxus return with a troubled look, he raised his brows in confusion and asked.
"What's wrong with you? Didn't you win?"
When the arena had been wrapped in the illusion, Ankh had seen Laxus seemingly being beaten down, and he had immediately noticed something was off.
But since the one on the stage was Laxus, he had not been particularly worried.
Forget all of Raven Tail.
Even if every member of Sabertooth came at him, Laxus could probably handle them alone.
"It's nothing. That guy just said some annoying things." Laxus's expression quickly returned to calm.
He had already figured it out.
How could Fairy Tail have some shameful dark side?
A guild that spent every day smashing, breaking, and wrecking things…
Its dark side was already out in the open for everyone to see.
"The committee has discussed the matter and decided to strip Raven Tail of its right to participate in this year's Grand Magic Games. They have also decided to ban Raven Tail from competing for the next three years."
Mirajane held the official notice issued by the organizers and told everyone the news.
Gajeel frowned in dissatisfaction and snorted. "They got off easy."
Juvia said thoughtfully, "In that case, how will the Grand Magic Games arrange the matchups? The number of teams has gone from even to odd…"
"They'll probably decide by tomorrow. Let's just watch the match for now."
The final match of the third day was about to begin.
For some reason, Chapati suddenly became extremely energetic.
He grabbed the microphone and shouted with overflowing passion, "Now then! Let us welcome the contestants for today's final match!"
"From Fairy Tail Team A, Wendy Marvell!"
"And from Lamia Scale, Sherria Blendy!"
Chapati, who had grown inexplicably excited, even put extra effort into introducing the contestants.
Wendy clenched her fists and said earnestly, full of determination, "It's my turn!"
"Good luck, Wendy!"
Lucy and the others took turns giving Wendy a high five.
Filled with fighting spirit, Wendy ran down toward the contestants' tunnel.
This was her first battle since recovering from her injuries. She absolutely could not let everyone down!
On the other side, Sherria was being earnestly advised by Jura and Lyon, who had placed high hopes on her.
"Sherria isn't as simple as you might think… In terms of Magic Power, not only is she several times stronger than Sherry, but within the guild, she's second only to Mr. Jura and me!"
Lyon curved his lips into a grin, secretly delighted.
'I really want to see that shocked look on your face, Gray!'
Although what he was actually imagining was Juvia's surprised expression!
…
After encouragement and advice from both sides' guardians, the two little cuties were ready to take the stage!
Sherria burst out of the contestants' tunnel full of energy, smiling brightly as she shouted, "I'll do my best!"
But after taking only a couple of steps out of the tunnel, her foot suddenly caught on a pebble.
She stumbled forward with both hands stretched out, then flopped face-first onto the ground.
The cheers of the audience came to a collective halt.
Then, in perfect unspoken agreement, everyone pretended nothing had happened and continued cheering for the little girl.
"Um… are you all right?"
Wendy ran out of the contestants' tunnel and saw Sherria lying on the ground.
She hurried over anxiously, wanting to help her up.
But then…
Splat.
Wendy somehow tripped over something as well. As if she were Sherria's mirror image, she fell flat on her face right in front of her.
This time, the entire audience could no longer hold back their kindly laughter.
It was as though everyone in the arena had been instantly healed by the sight.
"Please take care of me."
"I… I should be saying that…"
Watching the two little girls awkwardly rub their foreheads and stand up, Carla, who was far away in the stands, could not help but stare with dot-like eyes and mutter.
"Is that child really going to be okay?"
"Aye! Wendy will definitely win!"
"Ahhh~"
Suddenly, an unsightly noise came from the commentator's booth.
Chapati, whose character had abruptly changed, had hearts in his eyes as he wiggled his hips and shouted excitedly.
"It seems this is destined to be a battle of cuteness! No matter which side wins, this uncle will support you both~"
Yajima and Lahar stared at him speechlessly from the side.
This guy seemed to have accidentally revealed something about himself!
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