"Go get them, Natsu! I'm counting on you!"
Having joined another team, Happy hovered in the sky cheering loudly for Natsu.
The others were no different. One by one, they rolled their shoulders, clenched their fists, and lined up facing Magnolia's city gates in running stances.
At the same time, the residents of the town who had been rudely awakened by the midnight broadcast also began gathering along both sides of the streets to cheer for their favorite guild members.
"Go Kabe! Bring back first place!"
"Laxus! Show those other guilds just how terrifying Fairy Tail really is!"
"Gray, don't strip halfway through the race or they'll disqualify you for public indecency!"
"Natsu!!"
"Erza!!"
"Marcus!!"
...
Not only the townspeople, but even Fairy Tail members who were not participating had rushed over to support their companions.
Hearing the constant cries of "Good luck!" and "You can win this!", all the competitors felt their blood heating up with excitement.
No matter what, they absolutely had to achieve great results and repay everyone's expectations and support.
Just as everyone silently steeled their resolve and waited for the starting signal, the referee suddenly raised a magic loudspeaker and addressed the gathered townspeople.
"Attention all Magnolia residents. The entire tournament will be broadcast live from start to finish."
"Those interested in watching may purchase tickets in an orderly line at the guild entrance."
"Of course, Fairy Tail members enter free of charge."
Watching the referee shamelessly advertise ticket sales at a moment like this, Kabe nearly exploded again after barely calming down earlier.
There was no way that damned old man Makarov was not involved in this too.
The more Kabe thought about it, the angrier he became.
Here he was, about to run himself to death in the middle of the night for this tournament, while Makarov would probably be lounging comfortably aboard some luxury airship watching the show.
And afterward, the old man would even make money from venue fees and alcohol sales.
But unlike Kabe, the others became even more fired up after hearing about the live broadcast.
"What?! It's being broadcast live?! Then I've really gotta show off properly!"
"Miss Martha, your ticket's on me! Just watch me dominate the tournament from the audience!"
"Enough talking already, referee! Hurry up and start the race!"
Under the crowd's impatient urging, the referee finally stopped stalling, mostly because the competitors blocking the entrance were interfering with ticket sales.
He raised the whistle hanging from his chest and blew sharply.
"Fweeeeeet!!!"
"We're moving!"
The instant Kabe gave the order, the A Team shot forward like arrows released from a bowstring.
Behind him, Erza, Mirajane, Ultear, Cana, and Juvia immediately followed.
The six members of Team A instantly widened the gap between themselves and the other Fairy Tail teams.
Laxus' Team B reacted just as quickly.
The moment the whistle sounded, Gray waved his hand and created a long icy path beneath them, then rapidly formed ice skates for each teammate.
The group glided forward smoothly, conserving stamina while maintaining incredible speed.
Unfortunately, that decision caused complete misery for everyone behind them.
Marcus had only taken two steps before slipping flat on his face.
His fall alone would not have been a big issue, but Macao, Wakaba, and the others behind him were all dragged down like dominoes.
Crushed beneath his teammates, Marcus looked at Gray's retreating figure and roared furiously:
"Are you stupid?! Who attacks guildmates right at the start?!"
Up ahead, Gray turned around and mocked them shamelessly.
"Quit whining, trash! If you're weak, stay behind and watch us perform!"
"Otherwise you'll just embarrass Fairy Tail once you reach the capital!"
"You little punk! Don't look down on us!"
Macao, who was determined to become an S-Class Wizard through this tournament, immediately activated his magic toward the frozen ground.
"Purple Storm!"
A massive magic circle unfolded as violent purple flames erupted outward, instantly melting the icy path.
"Move out, boys! We absolutely cannot let that traitorous bastard get away!"
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
The guild members who had been sabotaged by Gray immediately charged after Team B while roaring furiously.
Many fire magic users voluntarily took the lead, clearing the ice ahead.
The others unleashed all kinds of ranged spells toward Team B's backs without restraint.
The attacks naturally could not seriously injure Laxus' group, but they still slowed them down to some extent.
Watching Team A gradually disappearing into the distance ahead, Laxus clicked his tongue impatiently before issuing an order behind him.
"Levy, stop those idiots."
"Got it."
Levy skillfully spun around atop her ice skates and faced the aggressively charging Fairy Tail members behind them.
She slammed her fist into her palm.
"Wood Make: Unrequited Love!"
In the next instant, a massive wooden wall burst from the earth.
Over ten meters tall and more than three meters thick, it completely sealed off the pursuing crowd behind them.
"Hehe~ Easy."
Levy smugly rubbed her nose before turning around and quickly skating after her teammates once more.
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