Although this was the first time the Fiore Kingdom had hosted the Grand Magic Games, Raizel thought it was being handled quite well.
After the two participating teams from Fairy Tail passed the preliminary rounds, they didn't have to wait for the other competing teams.
They could leave first, as long as they arrived at the main venue, Domus Flau, by the designated time tomorrow.
This detail greatly pleased Raizel, who had originally thought they'd have to foolishly wait for others to finish—who knew how long that would take.
"To celebrate both our teams passing the preliminaries, let's have a party!!!" Makarov returned to the inn's bar counter, raising his glass high.
"Manly!!!"
"Let's party!!!" Natsu spewed flames from his mouth toward the sky.
Ascending a steep, ten-thousand-step stone staircase led directly to the mountaintop main venue, Domus Flau.
Originally a mountain, it was flattened during construction, similar to how Magnolia built the Fiore Garden Square.
However, the construction of Domus Flau was slightly different. Looking up the steps, one could vaguely see a massive open-air colosseum.
While perhaps less commercial than the Fiore Garden Square, its competitive nature was even more pronounced.
But who could blame Toma for his wealth and extravagance?
With money, he could build to his heart's content. Built entirely of brick and stone, it exuded a rustic, gladiatorial charm.
A giant stone statue stood at the center of the heavenly staircase—a swordsman holding a massive greatsword with both hands, planted vertically into the ground.
The main venue was circular, with enormous sculptures of figures gripping weapons positioned around the perimeter.
The two competing teams from Fairy Tail waited in their exclusive waiting room for their entrance.
Raizel stood on the viewing platform adorned with the guild's flag, observing the surrounding spectators.
The three-tiered stepped seating could accommodate tens of thousands of viewers, and the seats were packed with a bustling, roaring crowd.
The twelve wide stairway passages were spacious enough that even with so many people, the entry process remained orderly.
Seeing this terrifying sea of people, Raizel couldn't help but marvel.
"How about a beer? Care for a beer?"
Vendors specializing in snacks and drinks weaved through the aisles, enthusiastically hawking their wares.
"I heard this venue has over 80,000 seats," Levy said with a wide-eyed expression, holding up eight fingers to Raizel.
"Astonishing..." Raizel sighed, contributing a tiny bit to Earthland's global warming.
The audience cheered enthusiastically.
Though the competition hadn't started yet, the cheerleaders below, dressed in white miniskirts and dancing with such vigor, certainly deserved the applause.
Makarov stood on the railing, raising his arm in a rallying gesture.
Raizel wore an expression of secondhand embarrassment.
'Oh well,' he thought, 'since the people sitting next to me don't seem to mind, I'll just pretend I didn't see it.'
Sitting beside Makarov was Mavis, swinging her little feet, her attention captivated by the venue, with no time to spare for Makarov.
If Porlyusica had been willing to come out, she would have surely swept Makarov off his feet with a broom right then and there.
Fortunately, Porlyusica detested crowded places and could only stay in her exclusive medical room.
It was worth mentioning that Layla had also come to watch the competition, temporarily blending in with the Fairy Tail members.
She hadn't told Lucy yet, planning to surprise her when she made her appearance.
Lucy had written home saying she would participate in the Grand Magic Games, so Layla discussed with Jude about coming together.
Unfortunately, Jude's business kept him overwhelmingly busy, and in the end, only Layla could make it.
Luckily, she had Ur, who was around the same age and easy to talk to, as well as Raizel, who was a bit younger but still good company.
"Everyone! The magical festival you've all been dreaming of and eagerly awaiting—the first Grand Magic Games of the Fiore Kingdom—has finally arrived!!"
"Grand Magic Games!!!" the commentator cheered enthusiastically from the announcer's booth.
The commentator wasn't exaggerating.
After nearly a year of buildup, with established guilds like Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Quatro Cerberus well-known for their reputations, coupled with the rising fame of the newly emerged Sabertooth, it was no overstatement to say the games had captured the attention of the entire nation.
The synchronized cheers of over 80,000 people pierced through layers of brick and mortar, reaching the waiting room where Erza and the others were.
"Such passionate cheers," Erza couldn't help but remark.
"I never expected so many people to come watch," Lucy said, feeling a bit nervous upon hearing the roaring crowd.
"It's the entire audience of Fiore, after all. It's only natural," Cana shrugged.
"Relax, we're the ones being challenged here," Kagura continued polishing her blade, Archenemy.
Kagura said this because members of Sabertooth had made bold claims in interviews, vowing to take first place and dethrone Fairy Tail.
"Alright, the Grand Magic Games are about to begin! I, Chapati Lola, will be providing live coverage, and we're also joined by former Council member Yajima for commentary."
"Mr. Yajima, we look forward to your insights."
"Pleased to be here," Yajima said into the microphone.
"It feels a bit strange not having Jason as the commentator," Mira remarked, looking at Chapati Lola on the announcer's platform.
"I agree, I miss Jason's COOL..." Raizel nodded.
"Speaking of Jason, he's right over there," Lisanna, overhearing their conversation, pointed to where Jason was running back and forth, his super-long telephoto lens in hand, shouting "COOL!" while snapping photos nonstop, camera flashes lighting up the area.
"Suddenly, I don't miss him as much."
"Me neither." Raizel and Mira exchanged a glance and chuckled.
"Alright, everyone, it's time for the contestants to enter!"
"First up, the eighth seed in the preliminaries... the Croix Knights from Crocus! With their home-field advantage, they've advanced to the main event. Let's look forward to their spectacular performance!"
"Woo!!!"
"Croix Knights!!!"
The audience's enthusiasm ignited instantly, their already fervent cheers growing even louder.
The five-member team consisted of three men and two women, all clad in armor.
Leading them was a man wearing lion-themed helmet armor.
To his left rear stood a brawny man who appeared half a head taller than Elfman—the kind of heavily-built figure that would become a meat grinder on the battlefield.
"Next up, the seventh-place qualifier: the hellhound legion known as Quatro Cerberus!!!"
"WILD!!!" "FOUR!!!"
The Quatro Cerberus flag waved as they made their entrance chanting slogans.
However, their cheers were considerably muted, with only scattered applause.
After all, they were just a bunch of rough-looking men with no particular visual appeal.
Aside from the somewhat famous Bacchus, the Drunken Falcon, the rest were quite ordinary.
"Now for the sixth-place qualifier: the ocean's dancing maidens, the all-female guild Mermaid Heel!!!"
When introducing Mermaid Heel, Chapati Lola suddenly pushed himself up from the table!
The fans' cheers were no less enthusiastic than those for the home team, Croix Knights.
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