Fairy Tail was an enormous guild.
There were plenty of ordinary members who, since the day they joined, had never once even qualified to participate in an S-Class Exam.
Now, after hearing that everyone had the chance to enter, even knowing full well they probably wouldn't place highly, much less become S-Class Wizards...
Many of them still burst into tears from excitement alone.
Some collapsed onto tables sobbing loudly, completely overwhelmed by the opportunity they had dreamed about for years.
...
Macao Conbolt and Wakaba Mine immediately jumped onto a table arm-in-arm and began recruiting teammates first.
"Max Alors, join our team! Your Sand Magic is useful for both offense and support!"
"And you too, Warren Rocko! Use your Telepathy Magic to show those idiots who think strength is everything that teamwork is the true key to victory!"
Max and Warren exchanged glances.
Not long ago, the two had been rolling around on the floor beating each other senseless.
But under the temptation of becoming S-Class, they decisively chose reconciliation.
Together, they accepted the invitation.
Adding Laki Olietta, who used Wood-Make Magic, and Bisca Connell's husband Alzack Connell? Wait no, correction. Here it was Bickslow? No... the original was referring to Reedus and Bijiita.
Soon enough, the six-man squad was completed with Reedus Jonah and Bijeeta joining the group.
They became the first officially formed team in the guild.
...
The remaining members naturally refused to fall behind.
The guild instantly became a battlefield of recruitment as everyone scrambled to secure the teammates they believed were strongest.
Meanwhile, over on Kabe's side, things were far more relaxed.
After all, most of the people close to him had already been assigned into Teams A and B.
...
"So annoying... I didn't even make it into Team A."
Levy McGarden pouted unhappily.
"And I've clearly improved so much lately too."
"Exactly!"
Sorano Agria crossed her arms and complained as well.
"With Kabe leading, people like Cana, Ultear, and Juvia are obviously way more likely to become S-Class."
Those words drifted directly into the ears of Laxus Dreyar, who had just descended from the second floor alongside the Thunder Legion.
His face darkened immediately.
"Sorry for not being Kabe. Really my fault, huh?"
"Well, it is the truth."
Mirajane Strauss spread her hands innocently while proudly raising her snow-white chin.
Laxus could not even refute her.
He could only click his tongue irritably and turn his head away.
...
At that moment, Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster squeezed through the noisy crowd and approached.
The second he arrived, Natsu rolled up his sleeves and pointed directly at Laxus.
"Hey, Laxus! I don't acknowledge you as my captain!"
"Fight me!"
"If you lose, the captain position is mine!"
Laxus was already irritated to begin with.
Now that Natsu had conveniently delivered himself as a punching bag, there was no way he would hold back.
"Lightning Dragon's Roaring Fist!"
Crackling electricity exploded through the guild hall.
A moment later, a charred unidentified object lay smoking on the floor.
Grabbing the unconscious Natsu by the leg, Laxus turned around and issued an order without even looking back.
"Team B, follow me."
"From now until the tournament begins, I'm putting all of you through hell training."
With that, he strode straight out of the guild hall.
"W-Wait for us!"
Happy immediately flapped after him carrying the roasted remains of Natsu.
Then came Freed Justine, Laxus' number one loyalist, followed by Gray, whose curiosity about the so-called "hell training" had already been completely hooked.
"We're heading out too."
Sorano and Levy waved at everyone.
"Let's all do our best once the tournament starts."
After encouraging one another, the two girls hurried after Team B.
...
As fellow members of the Thunder Legion, Evergreen and Bickslow originally intended to follow as well.
But in the end, they stopped.
Kabe rubbed his chin thoughtfully while looking at the pair who suddenly had nothing to do.
"If you two don't mind, how about teaming up with my younger brother and sister?"
Hearing that, Elfman Strauss and Lisanna Strauss stepped forward on their own initiative.
Elfman immediately struck a bodybuilding pose to show off his muscles.
Lisanna smiled sweetly and waved.
Because of Laxus' influence, Evergreen and Bickslow were nothing like their original arrogant selves anymore.
On the contrary, they actually got along fairly well with the rest of the guild.
So after hearing Kabe's proposal, the two exchanged glances and nodded without much hesitation.
Afterward, Kabe also called over Levy McGarden and Bisca Connell, helping the six of them form another complete team.
...
Originally, Meredy had wanted to form a squad with some guild members too.
Unfortunately for her, Kabe and Ultear Milkovich joined forces and suppressed the idea on the grounds that she was still too young.
Meredy's resistance ended tragically before it even began.
...
As the members of Fairy Tail gradually found the teammates they wanted most, the preliminary preparations for the Grand Magic Games were finally complete.
Now all that remained...
Was waiting for the tournament itself to officially begin.
And honestly, even Kabe was getting curious.
In a competition this special, just what kind of outrageous tricks was the royal family planning to pull?