The next day arrived, and the third phase of the Grand Magic Games continued.
The host, Jellal Fernandez, announced with passion: "Due to feedback from the audience that the matches over the past two days weren't realistic or intense enough, after some discussion, the committee has decided to change some rules. Within the illusory magic space, battles will now be real duels. This means all injuries, and even death, will be real!"
The crowd was shocked by these words, followed by countless cheers. This kind of authentic combat was what they were looking forward to; death and bloodshed could stir the heart even more.
Ivan of Raven Tail said with a smile, "This is how it should be played. Only when life and death are on the line can true power be shown."
Makarov glared over, his gaze cold. If anyone was most likely to kill members of Fairy Tail during the competition, it was undoubtedly the members of Raven Tail.
He picked up a megaphone and shouted to those below the stage: "Bratlings, give it your all! Absolutely do not show mercy to the enemy, especially Raven Tail!"
Laxus looked confident: "Don't worry, I won't show any mercy. Today, Raven Tail will be buried right here."
Erza turned her gaze toward Raven Tail. Since the other side's hostility was no longer hidden, she wouldn't have any reservations either.
The host, Jellal Fernandez, continued to shout: "Next, we begin the tag-team battles. Teams, please send your representatives to the field."
After three minutes of discussion, Acnologia sent Lucy and Juvia onto the field. Watching two girls fight would also be a feast for the eyes.
Lucy looked at her other self in a black cloak watching from the distant audience stands and waved her hand vigorously. She wanted her other-dimensional self to see that she was strong too.
Natsu laughed: "Lucy, Juvia, do your best! You absolutely can't let the enemy look down on you!"
Irene patted the two on their shoulders and said with a light laugh: "You two work hard. If you lose and come back, you'll get a spanking."
Lucy and Juvia were instantly shocked: "No way!"
"Then work hard to win. Did you train for a month for nothing?"
Irene had expectations. Her training of Lucy and Erza before wasn't just for fun; it was also aimed at specific improvements.
"The participants have been selected. They are..."
"Fairy Tail Second Team: Lucy Heartfilia and Juvia Lockser!"
"Fairy Tail Team A: Erza and Mirajane Strauss!"
"Raven Tail: Flare Corona and Obra!"
"Sabertooth: Minerva Orlando and Yukino Agria!"
"Mermaid Heel: Kagura Mikazuchi and Risley!"
"Grimoire Heart: Zancrow and Azuma!"
"Crime Sorcière: Meredy and Ultear Milkovich!"
"Sword Guild: Chine and Ikaruga!"
"Sword Guild: Bacchus and Lyon!"
"Lamia Scale: Sherry Blendy and Sherria Blendy!"
The beautiful ladies from the major guilds stepped out, causing the whole venue to boil over with thunderous applause and cheers. Each one was so beautiful and dazzling, radiating the most brilliant light.
Beautiful women fighting is much better to watch than men fighting!
"Mirajane, Erza!"
Lucy and Juvia looked panicked. Was this a mistake? Erza and Mirajane were coming out in the second round. Would they even have a chance to play? Just imagining it made their legs shake with fear.
Erza waved to the two and smiled: "I won't go easy on you. You two better give it your all."
"Yes!"
As if by muscle memory, Lucy and Juvia immediately puffed out their chests, raised their heads, and stood at attention to respond.
Irene and the others watched with speechless expressions. Being so obedient, you two shouldn't even go up and embarrass yourselves; you might as well just admit defeat early.
The host, Jellal Fernandez, shouted excitedly: "Next is the multi-team melee! Everyone will be in the same world, and the last team standing will be the winner."
"All injuries sustained inside are real. When you feel the danger of death, you can shout out your surrender in time, and the illusory magic space will protect and teleport you outside."
"Now, please, all participants enter the field!"
The illusory magic space glowed, absorbing everyone. Then the space shifted, finally turning into a lonely forest island surrounded by the sea. The battle would take place on this isolated island.
Natsu watched with immense excitement: "I should have been the one to go for this kind of melee. Erza is out there too; it's been a long time since I've had a serious fight with her."
Gajeel laughed: "Chine, The Sword of Ultimate Dao, ranked second in the Spriggan 12 mentioned by Irene, is out there. I really want to meet her."
To be praised so highly by Irene, her strength must be very interesting.
Irene sat on a chair and smiled: "With Little Erza participating, it's bound to be an exciting match."
If they don't cooperate or use tactics, only Erza's Dragon Knight can barely stand against Chine, The Sword of Ultimate Dao. The others are too far behind.
Sting of Sabertooth looked toward Acnologia's direction, his eyes showing both fear and a desire to fight.
Rufus walked over elegantly and said with a smile: "Still haven't let it go?"
He had heard about what happened to Sting and Rogue. He didn't believe someone could use magic pressure alone to make two powerful Dragon Slayer Mages lose their ability to resist.
"Of course. Being humiliated like that in public..."
Sting said indignantly. He wanted to experience for himself whether that was real or an illusion. Unless they actually fought, he would never accept that there was such a powerful Dragon Slayer Mage.
Rogue remained silent. The only one who interested him was Gajeel, the person he had admired since childhood.
Lector said, "Milady should be able to win, right?"
Sting smiled: "Her opponent is Erza, the one she's always wanted to fight. She'll give it her all!"
"As long as she uses her full power, no one can defeat her!"
...At this time, all the participating members arrived on the island. Seeing the beautiful weather, the ocean, and the forest around them, they all moved quickly, using their various methods to rush into the forest and hide.
Compared to fighting right away, it was clearly more stable to let the enemies wear down their strength first. Few were fools who would start fighting immediately.
"Juvia, what should we do? How about we stick with Erza for now?"
"Are you kidding? You know Erza's personality; she'll definitely send us away first."
"Instead of fighting, let's hide first."
Juvia directly pulled Lucy and jumped into the sea, creating an air bubble so Lucy could breathe at the bottom of the ocean.
Erza watched their actions and shook her head slightly: "Mirajane, what do you think we should do?"
Mirajane smiled: "Naturally, we must show the strength of Fairy Tail!"
"Just what I was thinking!"
The two stood where they were, quietly watching the chaotic scene around them.
However, the strength of those two was known to almost everyone in the Kingdom of Fiore. No one wanted to hit these two tough nuts first; it was better to eliminate the weaker ones first.
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