"Aaaaagh!!"
Jiemma spat blood and collapsed. Everyone in the guild was stunned. No one had expected Master Jiemma to be seriously injured by Sting.
"You actually... you actually did that to Lector..."
Sting still couldn't suppress his anger. Lector was his closest friend and family. He would never allow anyone to harm him.
Just as Sting was about to continue, Minerva's voice suddenly rang out.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned toward her.
"My father's reign of terror ends here. Sting now possesses power that surpasses him. He is the most suitable person to become Sabertooth's new master."
Jiemma stared at Minerva in disbelief.
"Minerva… what are you saying...?"
"Be quiet, Father. Didn't you always say that the strong rise and the weak fall? That you have no need for losers? That was your own rule."
"Ugh…"
"Sting, you lack something that Natsu possesses—the power of belief. You were unconsciously influenced by my father. 'Comrades are useless.' 'Power is everything.' But that was never your true nature. Your feelings for Lector will become your strength. Now you've obtained that power. One day, you may even surpass Natsu."
"...I already…"
"Relax. Lector is still alive. I transferred him somewhere else using my magic."
"R-Really?! Thank you! Thank you! Please bring him back! Please!"
"Don't be naive."
Minerva suddenly stepped closer to Sting.
"Until we win the Grand Magic Games, Lector will not return."
Sting's expression froze.
"What are you saying? Give Lector back right now!"
"I may not be the same as my father, but Sabertooth must remain the strongest guild in the world. You must prove the power you gained. Show it to everyone. Win the Grand Magic Games."
Minerva's words carried a clear threat.
"But… Fairy Tail has Kael… How could I possibly…"
"Kael is indeed troublesome. But with the right strategy, even he can be dealt with. Don't worry about the details. Just follow my plan and execute it perfectly."
She leaned closer.
"And don't get any foolish ideas. Lector's life is still in my hands."
Fairy Tail's Hotel
"Cheers!!"
The guild was celebrating again. Ever since the Grand Magic Games began, Fairy Tail had practically held a party every night.
"Did you see that? My heroic moment! I beat both Sabertooth guys myself!!"
Natsu bragged excitedly.
"Damn it! How did I lose?"
Gajeel was still bitter about it. He had actually lost at Rock-Paper-Scissors. Otherwise, he would have been the one showing off.
Gajeel glared at Natsu.
"Fire Dragon, just wait. In the finals I'll take both of those guys down myself."
"By the way, about the finals the day after tomorrow," Erza said, looking toward Kael. "It's a survival battle between six teams. Do you have a plan?"
Although Fairy Tail didn't officially have a leader, Kael's authority in the guild was second only to Makarov's. A survival match required strategy as well as strength.
"A plan?"
Kael thought for a moment.
"Yeah. I've got one."
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
"We just knock everyone else down."
Silence filled the room.
Kael hadn't actually planned anything. Originally he intended to just fight normally. But Minerva's actions had angered him. This time, he planned to crush Sabertooth completely.
"Our ace is pretty reliable, isn't he?" Laxus said with a slight grin.
Max laughed.
"Well, Sabertooth shouldn't have gone and pissed him off."
"They're going to have terrible luck."
Everyone in the guild knew something about Kael.
He might look easygoing, but he was actually extremely petty.
You could provoke anyone.
Just not Kael.
If Sabertooth had simply knocked Lucy out of the match according to the rules, it would have been fine.
But they dragged her back and tortured her.
That had already made Kael angry.
And when Kael was angry, his enemies suffered.
Two days earlier, Bacchus—the ace of Quatro Cerberus—had been beaten unconscious, stripped naked, and thrown into the street.
The culprit was never found.
But almost everyone knew exactly who had done it.
And if Bacchus had been treated like that, Minerva certainly wouldn't have better luck.
July 6th — Final Day of the Grand Magic Games
Bang! Bang! Bang!!!
Brilliant magic fireworks exploded above the arena.
The cheers of the crowd rose like thunder.
[Finally!! The day has arrived!!]
[The blazing festival of mages — the FINAL DAY of the Grand Magic Games!!]
[Whether we cry or laugh, today the champion guild will be decided!!]
[Your host is still me, Chapati! And with me is the commentator and former council member, Yajima!]
"Looking forward to it!"
[And today's special guest is the official mascot of the Grand Magic Games! Mato has joined us! Mato, everything ready for refereeing today?]
"It's fine today, kabo! Everyone do your best, kabo!"
[Now it's time for the participating teams to enter the arena!!]
[Currently in sixth place — will they manage an incredible comeback? Quatro Cerberus!!]
The members of Quatro Cerberus entered the arena. Their performance this year had been somewhat disappointing, but they were still considered a powerful guild overall.
[Next up — the former absolute kings of the Grand Magic Games! Their performance this year has been below expectations. Can they turn things around and reclaim their title as the strongest? Sabertooth!!]
The five members of Sabertooth entered the arena.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
For many years, Sabertooth had dominated the tournament. Even if their performance this year had been disappointing, their popularity remained extremely high.
[Currently in fourth place — with a steady performance! Blue Pegasus!!]
The five members of Blue Pegasus took the field.
The cheers grew even louder.
Aside from Ichiya, the others were either handsome men or beautiful women, all well-known figures across Fiore.
Of course, people still complained about Ichiya.
But Ichiya simply ignored the comments entirely.
In its own way, that kind of mindset was impressive.
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