"Five Saint-class mages?"
The words rippled through the crowd, followed by a chorus of sharp breaths. A lineup like that wasn't just impressive. It was the mark of a top-tier guild. Even Phantom Lord, back when it rivaled Fairy Tail, had only managed a similar roster. And that had been an exception, not the rule.
By the time the ninth group concluded, three guilds including Fairy Tail had successfully advanced.
"Now, the final group," the host announced. "Sabertooth."
The remaining eleven teams stepped forward, each entering the nearest steel enclosure.
The doors had barely sealed when the projection from Sabertooth's chamber flashed.
"God-Slaying Magic: Black Thunder Cannon!"
A single burst of pitch-black lightning tore through the enclosure. The mechanical gorilla didn't even finish standing before the attack punched straight through its core. The fight was over in an instant.
"Sabertooth!"
"Sabertooth!"
The arena erupted in cheers.
Rowan opened his eyes.
He wasn't impressed by the result. Several guilds here could have ended their matches just as quickly if they'd chosen to reveal their strength. What caught his interest was the spell itself.
"That's Lost Magic," he murmured.
Lost Magic referred to techniques that had existed in ancient times but vanished from modern circulation. Dragon Slayer Magic fell into that category, as did the God-Slaying Magic Sabertooth had just displayed. There were even whispers of Demon-Slaying Magic, designed specifically to counter beings beyond mortal limits.
Rowan's tail flicked thoughtfully.
God-Slaying lightning. Interesting.
He had only recently begun grasping the deeper nature of lightning itself. Each variation offered a different perspective. Natural lightning born from storms. Electromagnetic lightning driven by raw force. Hybrid techniques combining magic and physics. Techniques designed to purge corruption and darkness.
If he could study lightning that existed to oppose gods, demons, and dragons alike, the path forward would become much clearer.
"I'll look into that when I have time," he decided.
An hour later, the final matches concluded. Four more guilds advanced. Out of one hundred and one, thirty teams remained.
As night settled over Crocus, the first day of the Games came to an end. Rowan regrouped with Macau and the others for dinner before returning to the royal dormitories.
"Tomorrow is the individual round," Rowan said, gathering the four in his room. "We don't know the rules yet, but it'll be one-on-one. No backup."
The Games were scored by points. If the four of them lost all their matches, Rowan's victories alone wouldn't be enough to place Fairy Tail near the top.
"We won't let that happen," Alzack said firmly.
The others nodded, expressions grim. Rowan had already carried them this far. They refused to be dead weight.
"Easy," Rowan said, waving a paw. "Win if you can. If you can't, don't break yourselves. There are still team battles and free-for-alls later."
They relaxed slightly.
"That said," he continued, eyes glinting, "you do need better preparation."
The four exchanged looks. "What kind?"
"The kind that makes you stronger."
Magic battles weren't just about spells. Tools mattered. Some mages built entire fighting styles around magical equipment. Lucy's keys. Mystogan's arsenal.
And Rowan had spent a great deal of time lately studying alchemy across multiple worlds.
"Hand me your guns," he said, turning to Alzack and Bisca.
They hesitated only a moment before passing over the sniper rifle and twin pistols.
Rowan examined them, then set to work. His claws moved with precise, practiced motions as runes, enchantments, and subtle reinforcements layered into the metal.
Minutes later, he returned the weapons.
"I've increased the output. Test them."
In a blink, they were standing in the open wilderness beyond the city.
Alzack raised his pistols. "Starfire Shot!"
Bisca followed. "Bullet Storm!"
Lightning-laced rounds tore through the hillside, carving away stone in a deafening cascade. Fire-wreathed shots followed, blasting the remaining slope into rubble.
The hill collapsed.
Alzack and Bisca stared at their guns in disbelief.
"This is… insane."
"Acceptable," Rowan said mildly.
Their experience was never the issue. Their firepower was. Now, against anything below Saint-class, they had a real chance.
Rowan then produced two wands and handed them to Marcus and Laki.
"Use these when you cast."
The night wind stirred.
Tomorrow, Fairy Tail wouldn't just survive the Games.
They would compete.