"Natsu is E.N.D you know"
Looks like someone didn't read the first chapter, or simply speed read through it. It's okay though, we all make that mistake, myself included. But yeah, it's explained in the first chapter about Natsu and E.N.D still being the same with different bodies.
Anyway, yes I know it's been a long while since I've updated. I've been hitting a road block on many of my stories recently. But don't worry; I am working on overcoming these obstacles so I can continue onward with my stories, this one included.
Now, let's continue onward shall we?
Enjoy, or not, I don't care you all have your opinions.
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Chapter Sixteen: Learning about the Grand Magic Games
"The Grand Magic Games?" Makarov questioned Sayla, while Kinana, Laki, Zin, and Asce also looked at the Etherious Guild Master of Fairy Tail with puzzlement on their faces.
While the Tenrou group were out finding new homes with their respective teammates, Sayla have decided to inform the former Guild Master and the two S-Class members of the guild about news she received from the Queen of Fiore. Kinana and Laki were nearby at the bar to take part of the conversation as they also listened in. Asuka was also present, though the little girl was paying no heed to the talk that her mother was having with the others, as the dark green haired girl was sitting on Sayla's lap now as she continued with coloring in books.
"Correct," Sayla replied back to the small old man as she went on to explain further, "According to the letter sent to the guilds of Fiore, the Queen is hosting a tournament between the legal guilds in the nation in three months time."
"A tournament?" Asce questioned. The Knight put his hand on his helmet cover chin in a thinking manner, "Why would the Queen host something like that out of nowhere?"
"Maybe she wants to see how the guilds of the nation improve over the last few years?" Kinana guessed, as the purple haired barmaid didn't see any other reason.
Zin merely growled in annoyance from all of this, as he stood up from his spot at the bar while looking towards Sayla.
"Why would the Queen waste time to put together a tournament? There are more important things to worry about, like the Fel Demon. We shouldn't waste time on some stupid fighting competition!" Zin exclaimed, not liking this idea at all. In the white haired man's eye, it was no time to goof off with some competition while E.N.D was still out there. Not to mention gathering everyone all over Fiore in one place made it a perfect target for E.N.D to appear and attack.
"Hang on Zin, I'm sure there are good reasons for the Queen to start something like this." Laki replied to the one armed Warrior, albeit with her hands raised up in defense, as she wasn't really comfortable angering the man.
Luckily this wasn't the case as Asce put his shoulder on the annoyed Zin, getting the man to glare at the armored man as he spoke.
"Looks Zin, while I understand what you mean, we should think this through more perspectives. The nation of Fiore is overwhelmed with crime and other monstrosities since E.N.D started his attack on the world years ago. People need something to get their mind off of all of the terror in the world. The Queen may have notice this, and that's why she's hosting this tournament." Asce explained to the one armored man, who still didn't seem to convinced that this was a good idea.
The Knight from Kalavar let go of the white haired man's shoulder as a smile appeared on his face, though no one could tell due to his helmet.
"Besides, we can use this opportunity to train not only ourselves but others who will take part in this tournament. I'm sure this would prove benefical to the friends of Kinana and Laki to aid them to grow stronger, don't you think?" He added.
Zin calmed dome somewhat as he heard this idea from the Light Magic user, though he still had his doubts.
"…How many guilds will take part in these Games?" Zin asked Sayla, wanting to know how many guilds in the country will become their competition during the Games.
"That we don't know. Considering with so many guilds in the nation, I'm sure there will be some sort of elimination round to determine who will pass on to take part in the actual event." The purple haired Etherious stated to the others. It would make sense for something like that to happen to cull the large number of guilds that will no doubt show up.
"Culling the weak huh? That sounds like something I can have fun with." Zin admitted as he grinned from hearing this. While he may not still like this idea about the Games overall, the thought of striking down inferior people did get him to open up to the idea.
The others aside from Sayla and Makarov sweat dropped from hearing his words. Makarov looked worried and a bit of concern about the white haired man. He wouldn't actually think of killing someone in a competition would he?
Shaking that thought away at the moment, the small old man looked back at Sayla with a serious expression on his face.
"Is there anything else we should know about these Games?" He questioned her, wanting to know if there was anything else that they should know about before making a decision whenever or not they should join.
The woman nodded.
"Yes, the winner of the Grand Magic Games will be given the title of the strongest guild in Fiore, and will also be rewarded with a hundred million jewels." The female Guild Master informed the others.
The last part about the reward was all Makarov needed to hear if the money signs that appeared in his eyes were any indication.
"Oh yeah we'll be joining this tournament!" The small old man exclaimed happily and determined.
"That's what gets you to be for it? The reward?" Asce questioned with puzzlement, as both Kinana and Laki merely laughed a little from hearing the former Guild Master shout that.
"That's Makarov for you." Laki told the armored Knight with a smile on her face. She would admit that she missed seeing the old man act like this when it came to rewards when he and the others were believed to be dead.
Wanting to know more, Zin looked back towards Sayla, as Asuka continued to draw and color without a care.
"How many people can represent a guild? Are there teams involved or is it every man for himself?" The one armed man questioned. Sayla saw no reason to not answer this question.
"Each guild can have one team to represent their guild. However, it doesn't appear that we are unable to have more than one team as long as they pass the elimination round if there is one." The woman answered the one eyed man.
"So we must have teams then." Asce spoke up. The question is, how many teams would they have for the tournament, and who will be on those teams?
"Teams for what?"
Another voice grabbed their attention as they all turned around to see Team Natsu as well as the rest of the Tenrou group returning into the building, with Mira being the one who spoke. Many of them were still in discussion with one another about their new homes they managed to find. Juvia was still hugging onto Gray's arm, much to the Ice Maker Mage's annoyance and discomfort.
"Ah, perfect timing everyone," Makarov started to say, grabbing everyone's attention as they looked at the former Guild Master of the guild, "I assume your searches for new homes went well?"
"Yeah, we managed to find a new apartment for us to live in." Erza informed the small old man.
"Same thing for us as well." Lisanna informed Makarov, as she and her two older siblings managed to find themselves a new apartment to call home for the time being.
As others also input their successes in finding a place to live in here in the city of Hisuila to the others in front of him, Sayla then cleared her throat to grab their attention, which worked as the large group of Mages were now looking directly at her. This also grabbed the attention of everyone else in the building as they turned to look at the purple haired woman. Seeing that they had their eyes on her, the Etherious then went on to speak without moving from her position, not wanting to disturbed her daughter who was still on her lap by moving.
"We have news that is important for you all to know." Sayla started to explain to them all.
'ONE EXPLANATION LATER'
Needless to say, after listening to both Sayla and Makarov about the upcoming Grand Magic Games, many of them were surprised and excited, especially for those like a certain Fire Dragon Slayer.
"Sweet! A tournament between the guilds of Fiore? Count me in!" Natsu exclaimed, liking the idea of fighting other Mages to prove their number one.
"A real man would take part in this fighting competition!" Elfman joined in, approving this idea of joining the Grand Magics Games.
"Gihihihihi, sounds like my kind of fun!" Gajeel also imputed his thoughts to the others, wanting to take part if the grin on the Iron Dragon Slayer's face was any indication.
'They sure do like the idea of a fight don't they?' Asce thought to himself as he saw many of the Mages before him talking about wanting to take part in the Games. Zin merely grew annoyed by how child-like everyone was acting.
"Okay everyone calm down," Makarov called out, grabbing everyone's attention once more as they looked at the smaller old man. Taking a breath, the former Guild Master of the guild went on, "While I'm sure many of you want to take part, Sayla and I have discussed that we will form two teams to take part in the Games."
Many of the Mages started to shout about how they should take part in the teams, over lapping the others in voices, all which got the others who weren't shouting like idiots to sweat drop.
"Everyone shut up!" Erza demanded, which did the trick as many of the Tenrou group and others around them became silent as they heard the red head's angered tone. Taking a breath to ease herself, she turned to look at Sayla and Makarov once more, "So, who will you all be choosing to take part?"
Sayla was the first to answer to the red head.
"I will allow whoever Makarov wants to join the teams, as long as Asce, Zin, and Romeo are part of one of the teams." The purple haired demon stated to everyone before her.
The last name she mentioned got quiet a few people to look unease or even fearful of her pick, which didn't go unnoticed by the majority of the Tenrou group, including Wendy. Zin turned to look Sayla's way with a curious glance.
"Are you sure picking the Child of Death to take part is a good idea? How do we know that he won't just run off again because of this King he serves like before?" The white haired one eyed man questioned.
"We will have replacements for the members of the teams if needed. Right now, Romeo will take part in our efforts for the Grand Magic Games. I trust that you are okay with this decision Zin." Sayla questioned with a small glare at him, to which he returned.
"…If that's how it goes, then I guess it is the way it is." Zin stated as he broke eye contact with her, turning to look at the others once more to see who would be worthy to take part in the Grand Magic Games to represent the strength of the guild.
Before any other words could be said by them, Natsu interrupted as he ran over to both Sayla and Makarov.
"Let me be apart in one of the teams! I can't just sit this one out!" Natsyu exclaimed, excitement filling his eyes. He can't pass this opportunity to fight.
"As if! If anyone's going to join the teams will be me!" Gajeel exclaimed as he shoved Natsu out of the way, who quickly turned to look at the Iron Dragon Slayer with anger.
"Who would want you on a team Metal Face?!" Natsu shouted at him, getting the black haired Iron Dragon Slayer to glare back at his fellow Dragon Slayer.
"What did you just call me Fire breath?!" Gajeel shouted back at him.
Everyone, minus Sayla and Zin, sweat dropped once more as they saw the two trying to bash each other faces in. Asce walked over to where Lucy was at, seeing how she was closer to him compared to the others before leaning in for her to hear him.
"Are they always like this?" The Knight questioned, as Lucy sighed.
'More than you know." The blonde admitted, though she couldn't help but smile to see Natsu argue against Gajeel. While she won't admit it out loud, it did make the pink haired male look adorable in a way.
Asce didn't say anything as he watched as Erza broke up the fight between the two of them.
There we go, chapter done. So what did you all think? Good? Bad? Let me know.
See you all next time, whenever that will be.