In the blink of an eye, the time reached one in the afternoon. There were still seven hours left until the official deadline of the competition.
However, there was already a team that had completed the entire course ahead of schedule and was now approaching the finish line.
After thirteen hours of exhausting running, with only two breaks in the middle, the girls from Fairy Tail A Team were all reaching the limits of their stamina.
At this moment, the people leading the group had already changed to Erza and Mirajane.
Although Ultear's physical strength was slightly inferior to those two, she could still hold on and had no intention of falling behind.
As for Juvia and Cana, they completely lacked that kind of endurance.
Their clothes had long since been soaked through with sweat, sticking tightly to their bodies and making them extremely uncomfortable.
Their chests rose and fell violently like old broken bellows, while their mouths let out hoarse, dry gasps.
Kabe was at the very back of the team. His large palms pressed against the backs of the two girls, helping them move forward while sharing his strength with them.
At the same time, his mouth kept encouraging them.
"Hold on a little longer. The finish line is only a few hundred meters away. Normally, that is a distance you two can cross in an instant.
Look, the residents of the capital have already come out to welcome us. If you stop now, you'll be laughed at for the rest of your lives.
Just a few more steps. The final few steps. Let's rush across all at once."
After hearing the news, the residents who had run outside the city to welcome them gathered together, cheering and shouting loudly.
The two girls, who were already too exhausted to even think properly, finally crossed the finish line with Kabe's encouragement and assistance.
Along with the commentator's uncontrollable cry of excitement,
"First place! The first team to reach the finish line has appeared!"
the two girls could no longer hold on.
Their legs went weak, and they were about to collapse.
Kabe reacted instantly. His left and right arms moved at the same time, catching the two girls before they fell.
"Alright, alright. You can rest now, but don't lie down on the middle of the road. Lean on me and recover for a bit."
"Huff... huff... Kabe, I... I can't do this anymore. Even if someone beats me to death, I will never participate in this damn competition again!"
Cana's lips had already turned pale. While breathing heavily with great difficulty, she cursed the entire family of whoever came up with this competition.
On the other side, Juvia's condition was not much better.
Her face was pale, and she looked like she could collapse at any moment.
Although the two girls were in terrible shape, the residents who came to welcome them did not laugh at them at all.
Instead, everyone sincerely applauded and cheered for them.
After all, the Jura Team that had been considered a threat to them that morning had already been left far behind because their members ran out of stamina.
Based on their current speed, they would need at least another one or two hours before reaching the finish line.
The situation of the other teams was even worse.
Among the more than 600 teams that had signed up for the competition, less than 30 were still continuing.
And among those, the number of teams that could reach the finish line within the required time would probably be even fewer.
Under such circumstances, Juvia and Cana, two girls who looked quite young, had managed to pass the preliminary round seven hours ahead of schedule.
Regardless of their strength or their determination, everyone present had enough reason to admire them.
At this time, the staff of the competition also stepped forward.
"Everyone from Fairy Tail A Team, we have already prepared a magic vehicle and a hot spring inn for you.
Please follow us. I will take you back to the inn so you can rest and recover."
"Hot spring inn?"
Repeating those words, Cana's lifeless eyes suddenly brightened slightly.
Feeling like her entire body was about to fall apart, she desperately needed a bath and a relaxing hot spring to ease her exhaustion.
Juvia also somehow found a burst of energy from somewhere and grabbed Mirajane's hand, preparing to leave with the staff.
Kabe originally planned to leave as well and enjoy a comfortable soak in the hot spring.
But suddenly, a very familiar face rushed out from the side and appeared in front of him.
"Mr. Kabe, do you remember me? I want to interview you. Could you spare me a few minutes?"
"You are..."
Looking at the excited man in front of him with a camera hanging around his neck and a notebook in his hand, Kabe recalled for a moment before remembering the other person's name.
"So it's reporter Jason. It's been a while.
How could I forget you? My very first interview was all thanks to your help."
Seeing that Kabe truly remembered him, and could even accurately mention their previous interview, Jason immediately shouted in excitement.
"Cool!!! To be remembered by one of the strongest mages in Ishgar, I am truly honored!!!"
After calming down from his excitement, Jason knew that Kabe had been through an entire day of competition and did not waste any more time.
He immediately threw out the questions he had prepared beforehand.
"So, Mr. Kabe, my first question is, what do you think about the royal family hosting this Grand Magic Games?"
Kabe immediately entered interview mode and began speaking confidently.
"Very good.
This event has not only given many mages a stage to appear in front of the world and showcase themselves, but it also proves that the royal family has not forgotten its original purpose.
They still remember that Fiore was founded on magic.
I hope the Grand Magic Games can continue to be held in the future, and I also thank His Majesty King Toma for giving us this opportunity."
"Cool!!! Then may I ask what you think about the schedule of this preliminary round?
Is there anything you think needs improvement?"
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