"Today's opening game, Hidden, has now concluded!" Chapati Lola announced.
"First place: Fairy Tail Team B. Second place: Fairy Tail Team A. Third place: Croix Knights!"
Ren ranked fourth, Eve ranked fifth.
Rufus, who made a flashy entrance, scored negative one point but still wasn't last, placing sixth instead.
The last place went to Beth from Mermaid Heel, who had been taking a beating the entire time.
The rankings on the stone monument updated accordingly.
"How's your hand?" Raizel looked at Kagura, who had returned from the infirmary with her right hand wrapped in bandages.
Kagura shook her head slightly. "The skin between my thumb and forefinger split, but Ms. Porlyusica stopped the bleeding for me. It's fine."
Raizel understood.
For Kagura, this was a minor injury. With the special medicine, it would heal quickly.
It was currently an intermission period, and there were no matches scheduled.
"You fought well," Raizel said.
Kagura didn't look smug. Instead, she said, "I didn't win. He was very strong. If Gajeel hadn't taken out his lion, I might not have been able to win."
Ur rubbed Kagura's head, tousling her hair, and said with a laugh, "Don't be so modest. The Golden Lion Knight is much older than you, and he clearly has a lot of battle experience. Gaining the upper hand against him is already impressive."
'With that big beard and the look in his eyes, the Golden Lion Knight was probably around thirty,' Raizel guessed. 'Maybe even older.'
"He's actually 25 this year!" Mira said, smiling with her eyes narrowed.
"I found out from the receptionist at their guild," she added, flashing a peace sign.
"What?!" The members were shocked.
"That guy looks pretty old for his age..."
Both Laxus and Raizel were born in X761.
This year, X785, they are exactly 24 years old, only one year younger than Ren.
But the two of them and Ren looked like they were a whole generation apart!
"Any other information?" Levy asked Mira curiously, planning to update her database.
Mira tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and shook her head.
"No, she only told me some trivial details. She didn't share anything more. After all, age isn't really a secret."
Levy nodded, looking slightly disappointed. "Ah... that's a bit of a shame. I was hoping to get some info about their magic."
...
Chapati Lola announced professionally in a loud voice, "The matches in the second half will be the battle portion! They will be conducted one-on-one, single combat to decide victory! Each match won will earn the winner 10 points! Guilds that didn't perform well earlier, don't be discouraged! If you win this round, you still have a chance to achieve a good ranking!"
"Indeed, the competition has only just begun. Everyone, do your best," Yajima agreed, nodding.
Over at the Fairy Tail area, it was already time for celebration, but Kagura, the one who should be the center of it, remained calmer than the other members.
Meanwhile, Gajeel was being collectively looked down upon by Natsu, Gray, and Laxus as the loser.
"I'll get my revenge!" Gajeel snorted disdainfully.
"Your hand won't heal that fast!" Porlyusica retorted angrily, smacking the back of Gajeel's head.
Gajeel's metal arm had been burned bright red, and his hand had already been scalded.
Wendy first used healing magic, then Porlyusica applied a special burn ointment for him.
But even so, it wouldn't heal in just one day.
At the very least... a day and a half.
"Dear audience! You are now watching the Grand Magic Games hosted by the Fiore Kingdom, with commentary provided by Mr. Yajima and Chapati Lola! The first match on the first day of the Grand Magic Games: Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail Team A versus Panther Knight Ilina of the Croix Knights!"
"It's actually me?" Lucy never expected she would be the first to compete!
...
Lucy walked through the passageway to the arena, where her opponent Ilina was already standing with one hand on her hip.
Lucy observed her opponent.
Ilina wore no helmet and carried a black bow on her back, but no quiver was visible.
Lucy boldly guessed it was an elemental bow similar to Cana's.
She had pitch-black, waterfall-like hair and a pair of bright, captivating large eyes, with a black crescent moon tattoo below her right eye.
However, her wheat-colored skin was one or two shades darker than Cana's, making the crescent moon tattoo less noticeable.
Her nose bridge wasn't particularly high, and her lips were somewhat thin.
Ilina couldn't be called traditionally beautiful, but her eyes were attractive, making people unconsciously focus on them.
She wasn't very old, according to information Mira gathered, she was 21 this year.
Even in armor, Lucy could sense the curvaceous figure beneath. On her right shoulder was a panther head with glowing blue eyes.
Overall slender, but one could feel the explosive power hidden within her body.
Panther Knight Ilina—her mount, like Cana's, was a black panther.
This was the only information Levy and Mira could obtain.
Fortunately, Ren's lion had already appeared this way, so even if Lucy guessed blindly, she could figure out that Ilina's black armor was probably that black panther.
"Lucy, show them the results of your training!" Natsu cheered for Lucy with his hands cupped like a megaphone.
"Go all out! That's how a man acts!!!"
"Lucy, do your best! Give it your all!" Layla also shouted without caring about her image, cheering for her daughter.
Ultear and Erza also wanted to cheer for Lucy, but they both thought Lucy's chances of winning weren't high.
The opposing Ilina was a newly promoted S-Class Mage of the Croix Knights last year.
Judging by the strength of Golden Lion Knight Ren, she probably wasn't an easy opponent either.
Lucy had just turned eighteen this year, and they were well aware of Lucy's capabilities.
"I'm not a man!" Lucy's originally serious expression suddenly broke at Natsu's shout.
"Elf-ni, I think you should stop cheering for female contestants..." Lisanna said helplessly while holding Elfman's hand.
"This is a much-anticipated female duel for the audience, Mr. Yajima."
"Indeed, I'm looking forward to it too."
"Both of you, please come to the front." The pumpkin-headed figure walked from the side passage to the center, beckoning for the two to step forward.
"Now we will draw a battle arena. Please place your palms on this."
As he spoke, the pumpkin-headed figure pulled out a glowing lamp-shaped magical device from behind.
There was only one slot, currently displaying a flickering flame.
Lucy and Ilina both placed their hands on the device as instructed.
"Both of you, exert force with your right hands simultaneously."
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