Here is the twenty-ninth chapter of this story released when I wanted it to be in keeping with my self-imposed upload requirements for this series. The fourth day of the Grand Magic Games has come to a close and now it is time for a day of rest. Unfortunately, and in no small part thanks to Natsu's actions in the Battle of the Dragon Slayers, things have taken an unexpected turn that has changed how Fairy Tail will handle the Battle Royale. They've got a lot to sort out and that includes planning for the Battle Royale and how they will handle their last obstacle in their path to returning to the top, the Black Bulls. That is all the administrative stuff though and while there were three questions that require an answering, the first of which will also respond to the only guest review that requires a response so I will do now. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from those who enjoy my work.
Will Noelle get an exceed partner? As of right now I don't intend for her to get one, I see her as closer to the Second rather than the First/Third Generation Dragon Slayers who don't have exceed partners so I never planned on giving her one. If there was a decent canon one that worked (I wouldn't create an exceed OC for this as that would go against my OC rules) then I may consider it but there really isn't one that I can think of so unless that changes I don't see Noelle getting an exceed partner.
Will this story continue when the Black Bulls return to the Clover Kingdom? This story, no, it will end with the return from their banishment but it will continue in a distant sequel where several members of Fairy Tail return with them to aid in the Spade Invasion.
Will I incorporate the Black Clover movie into this story? I'm thinking about it and have some ideas but as of right now nothing will come to pass until after the events of 100 years Quest during the final period between that ending and their banishment ending. Conrad's attribute really helps a lot as it works in a lot of ways and idea that I have so there is a good chance that some aspects of the movie, or at least the Wizard Kings, show up but that is a fair distance off right now.
That is it for the pre-chapter note so it is time to end it so that y'all can sit back and enjoy the twenty-ninth chapter in Black Bull Banishment.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.
Chapter 29: Strategizing
"Alright that's how we will deal with Sabertooth's team tomorrow." Mavis said to the team members for the Battle Royale the next day as she wrapped up how she saw things playing out with Sabertooth and who was best to face who when confronting that team. "That just leaves the Black Bulls and based on all my predictions this Battle Royale will come down to us or them with a chance that one of Sabertooth being around to play spoiler to either of us so that's a consideration but only if a specific battle goes against us which I will address when I get to it."
It had been a long day and it was almost over but there was still one thing left to sort out regarding the Battle Royale that would take place tomorrow. The day had been anything but normal or relaxing and it had all started the night before after Gajeel had returned from where Natsu had sent him by 'accident' during their match with Sabertooth things had gone downhill and fast.
Gajeel had ended up in what turned out to be a dragon graveyard and took Team Natsu, minus Erza along with Lily as his exceed partner was always by his side unless something prevented it, there to show them. Well mainly it had been to show Natsu and Wendy as fellow First Generation Dragon Slayers while their exceed partners, Lucy, and Gray tagged along with them.
It had been there that Wendy had realized the true nature of the other spell that Porlyusica had given her before the games and used it to contact the spirit of one of the dead dragons to learn why there were so many dead dragons there. That dragon had been the Jade Dragon Zirconis and he was a strange one who clearly only saw humans as a good source of protein, cooked medium rare of course and nothing more.
At first he'd not wanted to tell them because he had nothing to tell humans. However, when Happy asked about cats, Zirconis instantly launched into the tale of the dragon war 400 years ago between dragons who wanted to live in harmony with humans, extremists according to Zirconis, and dragons like him who saw humans as lesser creatures who were rightfully beneath them. Apparently Zirconis had no issues talking to cats.
It had been during that chat that they learned the truth of Acnologia, the dragon who'd attacked Tenrou Island, and how he'd once been a human who turned into a dragon after killing so many with Dragon Slayer Magic. Such was the apparent fate of all those who practiced Dragon Slayer Magic apparently though because of events that transpired shortly afterwards that little revelation had been forgotten about.
It had been a harrowing tail though they didn't get much more than that as Zirconis's spirit wasn't able to last much longer and so Wendy's spell ended rather abruptly. In the wake of that they were approached by Arcadios, the Chief of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron who disputed Zirconis's statement about turning into dragons as he claimed it was Zeref who did that to Acnologia. It was his belief that if they destroyed Zeref then they'd be one step closer to defeating Acnologia.
It was then that Arcadios, along with Yukino who was now a temporary sergeant under his command, properly introduced himself and explained that his plan needed a Celestial Spirit Wizard which really got to Natsu given what had happened to Lucy during the second day of the Games. Rather than answer, Arcadios and Yukino took them to the Royal Palace Mercurius where he revealed his role in the attempted kidnapping of Lucy and apologized for it.
That naturally hadn't gone over well but he was able to mollify Natsu and the others by explaining his plan, the Eclipse Project that would take place during the eclipse 3 days from their meeting the day before. It was also the day that the dragons had disappeared 14 years prior so it was a big day for them all. It was this plan that needed a Celestial Spirit Wizard and with both Lucy and Yukino on board with it they would have all 12 Zodiac Keys thus making it possible.
Alas, there was apparently a schism between Arcadios's faction and that of the Minister of Defense, Darton, and he'd showed up to stop them from enacting their plan while revealing that he'd never been on board with Arcadios's plan from the start. To ensure it, the army arrested Arcadios on suspicion of treason, along with Lucy and Yukino as they were the Celestial Spirit Wizards, but letting the others go revealing that it was the morning of the day off now.
It effectively made Lucy a hostage and prevented the plan by locking up the two people who made it possible. Of course Fairy Tail saw it differently and they had to tie Natsu up to stop him from rescuing her by basically waging a one man war on the Royal Palace while they planned a proper rescue of Lucy, and Yukino for that matter.
What they didn't know was why they'd been let go other than that arresting all of them would have meant several members of the second place team were missing for the Battle Royale and that would rise suspicions. As such, while they knew that they had to rescue Lucy, they needed a subtler plan to do so.
That plan was to send Natsu, Wendy, Mira and the exceed trio to infiltrate the palace to find and rescue Lucy and Yukino during the Battle Royale as that was a great cover for their infiltration. As such Natsu wouldn't be in the final event and so Juvia, the designated reserve on the combined team, would take his place while Erza was named team leader, which they had to have for the Battle Royale apparently.
With that sorted, Mavis and Makarov went over the plan to rescue Lucy before sending those involved in that to rest and turning her attention to the team for the Battle Royale and their strategy for winning it and thus reclaiming their spot as the number 1 Guild in Fiore. Makarov had excused himself when the strategizing began choosing to leave it up to the First Master and left though he wouldn't say where he was going while Mavis took charge of the tactics for the Battle Royale with the team.
Instantly she showed why she was called the Fairy Tactician in her day by going over in detail how the battle would start based on her predictions and what they should do, when they should do it and where they should go on the battlefield. However, she'd only done so in relation to how they were to handle the members of Sabertooth other than Sting starting with her expected attack from Rufus on them to try and wipe them out in one go to give Sabertooth a lot of points and a shot at the Black Bulls to win it for Sabertooth, and not how they'd handle the members of the other Guilds.
While most of the Guilds they felt they could handle, the only big concerns in them were Kagura, Jura, Sheila, and Lyon and they could be handled by Erza, Laxus, Juvia, and Gray respectively during the battle, Mavis had pointedly not discussed the Black Bulls at all. That is until now which prompted the first question.
"So why did we discuss the tactics for facing Sabertooth?" Gray asked. "Don't get me wrong, I want to take it to Rufus and beat his smug ass for that crap that he pulled in Hidden but if this comes down to us or the Black Bulls then why not address them first."
"Because my predictions show that if we are the ones to take out at least three of the Sabertooth members then we have a greater chance of winning this thing overall, it's why they're coming after us when we move after all." Mavis said. "The Black Bulls hold the top spot so if we can eliminate those below us we will be in a better position to surpass them as well. Based on what I predict, we need to handle at least three members of Sabertooth, two of Lamia Scale, and Kagura. The Black Bulls will earn a lot of points, don't get me wrong, but if we can reduce the big names we take them out of the running and remove them from the Black Bulls' victories."
"Makes sense." Erza said. "These are the top 6 Guilds but within them there is striation in skill so if we can remove the major ones we will likely get a lot of points based on whatever metrics they're using for it while preventing the same for the Black Bulls."
"Won't the Black Bulls take out some big names though?" Laxus asked pointing out the obvious. "They'll want to ensure victory as well."
"They will and I predict that Magna Swing and Luck Voltia will team up and take the fight to Olga of Sabertooth right at the start, while plowing through anyone they encounter along their way to that matchup." Mavis said. "Which is where you come in Laxus. You're to go and find them and join that battle. I predict that if you do we will defeat at least two of those three before Jura shows up to join in as well. My predictions show that he'll be after you so be careful."
"Got it." Laxus said with a smile at that potential challenge. "So the Wizard Saint in the battle wants me, I'm flattered and honored. I can't let him down then."
"Good however, those two are the easiest of the Black Bulls to handle based off my predictions as I see an 85% chance of you beating Magna and a 60% chance of you beating Luck should you face off against them with roughly a 72% chance of beating both at the same time." Mavis said. "Also you're the best for handling Luck due to his use of Lightning Magic, he's arguably the second strongest on their team in terms of offensive skill but you negate him and remove the threat that he poses. It's the other three members of their team that are the tricky ones and why I feel like this will come down to us or them."
"That much is clear." Juvia said. "We're the top two by 10 or more points and they're above us because they won three of the events so it makes sense that they'd have the toughest people to face. I know that first hand from Hidden."
"It's more than that." Mavis said getting serious. "If the Black Bulls weren't in this I'd put our odds of winning without losing a member at about 40%, not ideal but not bad either and I'm sure that that would go up with wins over the likes of Rufus, Minerva, Kagura, and Jura. With the Black Bulls in it, however, well I, er, I can't say that we'll win without losses."
"Seriously?" Gray asked surprised at that assessment. "We're going for the sweep here. Surely there's a way."
"There are two problems that I've encountered that make me believe we're unlikely to sweep with the Black Bulls in the Battle Royale." Mavis said holding up two fingers. "The first is the lesser of them and that's their 5th member. I am certain with a 95% probability that 4 of them will be in it but the 5th I can't say for certain who it will be. It will either be that Spatial Wizard, Finral Roulacase, or their reserve."
"The one who Elfman learned used Cotton Magic." Gajeel said. "Could that be an issue?"
"Yes, Cotton Magic is not common and without Lucy here we can't practice against it as Aries uses something similar with her Wool Magic" Mavis said looking around. "Of you 5 the only one of you with a really strong matchup against a Cotton Wizard is Gray. His Ice Make Magic is a good counter to Cotton Magic. Now I put the odds at 30/70 between Cotton and Spatial Magic for the Black Bulls but if it is the former than Gray is the one to take her on after he handles Rufus. If it's the latter then Juvia is the best to handle Finral."
"I am?" Juvia asked surprised. "I'm not complaining, I'll do everything I can to ensure we win I'm just curious as to why I'm the best."
"There are a few reasons as to why you're the best Juvia dear." Mavis said looking at the blue haired girl. "Based on what I saw in his matchup with that cat girl and during the additions to Mira's match, mainly the wedding gown part, Finral is easily swayed by beautiful ladies so you can use that to distract him."
"I'm sorry my love." Juvia said looking to Gray with an apology in her eyes. "If I must use my feminine whiles to beguile this Finral man then know that it means nothing, my heart will always belong to you Gray darling. Do not worry, I'll only do enough to lower his guard."
"I really don't mind." Gray said though part of him felt a twang of jealousy at Juvia reacting that way to another man but he ignored it as now was not the time to deal with the complicated nature of his feelings towards his guildmate. "You're doing what you can to win for Fairy Tail, don't worry about it."
"Oh Gray, my love for you has only gotten deeper my darling." Juvia said her usually lovesick nature towards him returning at his words as she interpreted them in a much deeper, and very different, way to which Gray meant them. "I swear that if this is the case I'll make it up to you."
"You don't need to do more than lower it to strike." Mavis said interrupting the, in her mind, cute display of love to get back on topic. "And even if he gets you in that fall like what he did to the cat girl, your Water Body will get you out of it. However, as you saw in the Naval Battle, if it's the Cotton Wizard then you are not to engage her."
"I understand." Juvia said getting serious again as she really did need to give this her all seeing as she was replacing Natsu in the team because he had to save his own love, and hopefully fully woe that rival away from her darling Gray in the process. "And if it is her, who should I deal with?"
"None of the Black Bulls." Mavis said seriously. "As strong as you are, you're not a great matchup for most of them. The only one who you'd beat without an issue is Magna and Laxus will deal with him due to my prediction of Magna and Luck working together. If the Black Bulls opt to use their reserve then our best bet with you is to have you focus on beating any remaining combatants who aren't in the Black Bulls. The Cotton Wizard is a bad matchup because of the nature of that magic while the other two, well you saw what Asta did in Hidden, he can strike with his swords and if what I heard about Noelle Silva is true…"
"It is." Erza said and Gray nodded. "We were there when the change happened, I felt the magic surge through that book of hers, and she confirmed it herself. Noelle Silva is now a Dragon Slayer who uses Sea Dragon Slayer Magic and yes that means that her element is water. While sea water is best, apparently, any kind of water works for her."
"So she'll be able to do with water what I do with iron or Salamander does with fire." Gajeel said looking to Juvia. "And as a Dragon Slayer she's going to be immune to water magic. That's why we're sending Laxus after that Luck kid but their Dragon Slayer does the reverse to us. You literally can't beat her with magic but she can."
"I know that facing a Dragon Slayer who uses the same base magic as me is foolish, there's no way I could beat Noelle with magic and I already know what Asta can do to me." Juvia said. "I understand my role in this perfectly. If it is anyone but Finral I'll stick to my assignment of Sheila and anyone else I can defeat to aid our team."
"Good and Gajeel will stick with Rogue and some of the others who aren't an issue as he's not a bad matchup for Noelle but there are other concerns regarding her that make it better that Gajeel avoid the Black Bulls unless the worst outcome comes to pass." Mavis said. "That brings me to the second problem that I have with the Black Bulls and one that is more dire so it is the one that I am most worried about."
"Asta." Erza said simply. "We've only seen a little of what he can do but already it's clear that he's on my level at least. He's easily their strongest fighter so he's the greatest threat on their team."
"No, he's not." Mavis said her tone one that they'd never heard before. "If I had to guess I'd say he's stronger than you, Erza."
"Come again?" Gray asked as they all blinked at that. "Asta is stronger than Erza."
"Correct but that's not my concern with him, at least not directly as that strength is only relative to what he can do as there is a way in which he can be beaten I feel." Mavis said and suddenly she teared up and her lip quivered as she admitted the problem with a wail. "My concern is that I literally can't predict him."
"Come again?" Erza asked. "Are you sure First Master? You've given us some really good predictions for the Battle Royale and you're saying that you can't predict what Asta will do?"
"I am and as a tactician who seldom makes mistakes with her calculations this is vexing and upsetting." Mavis said still upset. "I first noticed it in Hidden when I couldn't predict what he would do during it. That was a good event for me to see if I still had it based on what I knew about Gray and Juvia but I didn't see Asta coming at all or see him winning the event. Since then I've tried to figure him out but I can't. It's like he's an anomaly in some way, that there's something off about him that makes it impossible to predict his future actions or how he'll affect things and influence the people around him. It's because of this that I don't think future sight magics would work either. It's really strange."
"That's not good." Gray said. "He's talented, beat me and Juvia in moments, turned Lyon's magic on him, and not only deflected Rufus's attack but saw through his illusion so that he was able to land a hit. Also, let's not forget what he did to Ichiya in his powered up form yesterday. Now you're saying that he can't be predicted either, just how strong is this kid?"
"Yes and that's not all." Mavis said. "I may be overexaggerating here because this is something I've not experienced before but I feel like it's better to overestimate him then underestimate him."
"It is always safer to presume an enemy is stronger than he actually is rather than weaker." Erza said. "It is less of a pitfall."
"Correct so that is the assumption we will go with for Asta." Mavis said. "And on that, there are two factors that I believe make Asta their strongest fighter and the one who can tip the scales in their favor, that much I can predict based on the other members of their team even if I can't predict him."
"What are they?" Gajeel asked.
"The first is his seemingly preternatural ability to sense where people are without using magic or sensing magic to do so." Mavis said. "I noticed that in his movements during Hidden, it's how he won it. It was almost as if he was able to sense the life forces of those in it, it's the only explanation for how he so easily found you despite all the copies as he was direct whenever he locked onto someone, as well as how he saw through Rufus's afterimage. Short of an extremely sensitive and strong natural affinity for it you couldn't do that by sensing magic alone, that would be next to impossible in such a magically dense environment and from what I've seen of Asta he doesn't have that."
"It would explain some things about how he handled Hidden so well." Juvia said. "And the other thing, it's his swords, isn't it."
"It is." Mavis said with a nod. "I am sure that you all know what they do by now."
"Magic nullification." Erza said as the others nodded in agreement at that as they'd all seen what those swords had done in Hidden. "The edges of his swords can cut through or negate magic. I noticed against Gray and Juvia when his sword struck Juvia, that shouldn't happen with her body short of a specific weapon that has a magic that interacts with water like lightning, and then he cut straight through Gray's ice. Add in that each of his swords seems to have an additional feature and we can't ignore that."
"Big deal, they're hunks of metal." Gajeel said. "So long as they've got iron in them I can just eat his swords if it comes to it."
"Perhaps but that's not a strategy to use unless you've got your back against a wall." Mavis said. "I don't know what those swords are made of other than that they're clearly some kind of metal but they were strong enough to withstand that magically enhanced punch the little troll man used on him without taking any obvious damage so I don't think they can be damaged with magic. It's best to be wary of that and to know what each can do as each of the three swords he's shown has an additional affect that you will have to contend with."
"Well the large one can reflect magic with the flat of the blade." Gray said. "We saw that when he reflected Lyon's ice right back at him but it's more than that I noticed, it actively doubles the attack power of it. I know Ice Magic, that was clearly stronger than when Lyon sent it at him."
"The same was with Ichiya." Erza said. "His magic was in the powerup and that sword rebounded the enhanced magical force that Ichiya was able to exert in that form, that's the only explanation for the damage that Asta did to Ichiya's arm. That and to be able to throw him back like that showed that Asta was using Ichiya's own magic against him."
"Correct and the other two aren't any different with their surprises." Mavis said. "The one with the ornate hilt can generate some kind of black slash that likely negates magic as well, probably an offensive projection of Wave Magic or whatever his nation calls magic that nullifies other magic if I had to guess, while the third one nullifies the affects of magic. Well, more accurately it severs the cause and effect relationship of spells so it basically serves as an area defense and cure to certain afflictions that can be caused by magic. That's the sword he'd use to negate Kagura's Gravity Magic for example."
"So it basically negates area affects and neutralizes status things like poison or freezing." Laxus said. "Not good."
"We also don't know if he has any more swords in that grimoire of his than the three we've seen so far so we have to be ready for that." Erza said. "I really want to get some of those swords myself, I have one armor that can do something similar but it is my ultimate trump card and even I'm not sure I can wear it given how much magic power it requires to use. Unlocking my Second Origin has made it theoretically possible however."
"You may need to use it so make sure that you have the power to do so." Mavis said. "Especially because we aren't really sure what magic Asta uses. We know thanks to your chat with Noelle and the fact that someone from their nation was once a member of Fairy Tail many years ago that those from where the Black Bulls come from can only use one form of magic for the most part though there are some rare exceptions but from what little I understand none of their Guild fall within those exceptions so we shouldn't really have to deal with."
"They can only use one kind of magic?" Gajeel asked. "I know most people here tend to specialize in just one kind of magic but in theory we can use more than what we specialize in."
"And someone from their homeland was once a member?" Laxus added. "Who? Did gramps know him?"
"He did, a man called Julius Novachrono." Mavis said to which most looked blank but Laxus recalled the name from some of the stories his grandfather had told him as a kid. "He came from that land some 70 or so years ago and joined Fairy Tail while he was here. He was close to Makarov as they were about the same age and in terms of power Julius was stronger so he was a great rival to Makarov. His land and use of a grimoire fascinated the Second Master actually but that's irrelevant. What is, is that because of Julius we know that those native to the continent where the Black Bulls come from have, with extremely rare exceptions, only one magical attribute as they call it."
"His was Time if I recall." Laxus said. "Gramps often told stories to me as a kid of the friends he had when he was young and one was a wizard who could use Time Magic which is exceptional rare and often seen as Lost Magic given the strength of some variations of it. Julius, he was a friend and rival of gramps who had to leave Fairy Tail to return home after 6 years in the Guild or else Gramps thought he might become not only the Guild Master one day but perhaps an Emperor of Ishgar, that's how strong and noble he was."
"Julius's power was one of the strongest to ever be a part of Fairy Tail." Mavis confirmed. "And he was a great man who would have done great things for Fiore, Ishgar, and even Earth Land as a whole but he was needed in his homeland which is far from here and not in direct contact with the other continents that we are familiar with. I hear he did a lot of good there though."
"We have gotten a bit off topic." Erza said. "We were discussing Asta's magic. If it is true that they only poses one kind of magic then it's either some kind of Requip Magic like mine that allows for other properties or a highly specialized form of Wave Magic that utilizes swords."
"Honestly it could be either though I would lean towards a highly specialized form of Wave Magic that takes the form of Requip Magic." Mavis said. "I have watched over Fairy Tail for a long time and I heard some of what Julius told Makarov back in the day as Julius was an absolute nerd about magic, it was actually kinda cute in a way. What Julius said though was that certain attributes where he comes from can be used to mimic others. The one he mentioned was called Key Magic, it belonged to a man he greatly respected at the time and allowed the user to steal and store other magics using the keys he created so that's why I think Asta's attribute is what we'd refer to as Wave Magic."
"Magic nullification is annoying to deal with and from what little I've experienced and seen of Asta his skill with that ability is significantly better than Yuka's." Gray said. "It makes him tricky to face and add in all the other factors you've pointed out about Asta, how do you propose we handle him First Master?"
"Well, I may not be able to predict him but I can predict his, er, well whatever that Noelle girl is to him as I don't think she's his girlfriend but part of me feels like she wants to be." Mavis said unsure how to describe that relationship as it was clear to her that at least Noelle had feelings for Asta but was in denial about them. "She's easy to predict and my predictions say that she'll be by Asta's side. They're close, akin to Natsu and Lucy in a lot of ways actually, and will likely fight together during the Battle Royale. Wherever she is, there is a 70% chance in my estimation that Asta will be at least in the vicinity. Especially as my predictions have Minerva going for her during the event."
"Makes sense." Gajeel said. "That girl absolutely humiliated and destroyed Minerva in the Naval Battle and I got the feeling that she's not exactly one to accept a defeat graciously."
"No she's not." Mavis agreed. "Which is why I predict that she will go after Noelle and they will clash early on."
"Hence why I go for Minerva when we start moving." Erza said. "That way I deal with her, which I want to because she threatened Lucy, and face Noelle as well. She's got that water armor she can make, as a fan of armor and knowing that I can't possess that kind due to it being made by Noelle's magic I would like the chance to face it in combat especially because now that magic is Dragon Slaying Magic."
"And you will." Mavis said. "If you follow my plan, Erza, you will encounter Minerva and Noelle and engage them both in combat. It will quickly become a three way duel and if you get the upper hand, which I predict you will as your combat skills surpass Noelle's and you have special armor for handling water magic, though I believe that her magic power is greater as I get the sense that she has a lot of it, you will force Asta to come and face you to protect Noelle. Of this team, you are the only one who's odds against him aren't less than 50% I feel."
"He's that good?" Laxus asked.
"It's the combinations about him that make me have to basically guess at how you'd all stack up against him and based on what I've seen yes only Erza stands a true chance short of Asta being seriously injured." Mavis said with a nod. "You all could beat him of course and I have faith that you would do your all to win but Erza is the best for one simple reason, she's stronger in the one area we can truly attack Asta in, swordplay."
"His talents are there though." Erza pointed out. "I recognize him as a worthy swordsman and am glad for this chance to cross blades with him in the Battle Royale, of all the other wizards in it he's the one I really want to test myself against, but I will not presume I am better."
"From what I've seen, Asta's fighting style relies on the advantage his nullification of magic gives him, which is of course a serious advantage." Mavis said. "But in a clash of steel where the main thing is talent with a physical and at its core non-magical item, you can match him. That is how we win and that is the battle that I believe will decide it."
"Erza v. Asta." Gray said. "That is the key battle then?"
"It is and I am giving it 50/50 odds." Mavis said seriously. "It's a coin flip between them and while I can't predict what will happen or anything about Asta my years of experience tell me one thing; the entire Battle Royale will come down to our leader and who I am certain is going to be the leader of the Black Bull team."
"So that's where the entire Grand Magic Games lies." Laxus said. "Our swordswoman verses their swordsman."
"Correct, the winner of that battle will likely take his or her Guild to victory and secure the top spot." Mavis confirmed. "I know that this is a lot of pressure, especially on Erza, but you need to know the stakes of crossing blades with Asta. You all must do your part to get as many points as possible, that is clear, but if Erza can defeat Asta then the Battle Royale is ours. If she falls then it's going to be a lot harder to win but not impossible so long as one of you takes down Asta."
"Do not worry First Master." Erza said just as seriously. "I will rise to this as any in Fairy Tail would. If this is the battle that decides it then I will not shy from it. I will clash steel with Asta and see who is stronger."
"Good, I know that you will all do your part." Mavis said looking around the team. "That is all that I have for you. Go and get some rest for tomorrow, you will need it."
The team nodded and got up to walk to their rooms in the tavern. The First Master was right, they'd need their rest because come tomorrow the Grand Magic Games would come to a dramatic conclusion and almost certainly a new number 1 Guild would be decided. Fairy Tail fully intended it to be them as they geared up to overcome their final obstacle on their epic return to the top after the tragedy that befell them 7 years ago. All that stood in their way was the equally impressive and surprising Black Bulls. Tomorrow one would emerge over the other as the Grand Magic Games came to an end.
"So that's the team and general plan for the Battle Royale." Yami said as he finished going over the classic Black Bulls plan for the upcoming Battle Royale, that is to say that there wasn't really one beyond the focus on specific key targets that Nero had identified and let Asta be Asta in it. "Any questions?"
The team shook their heads as the other Black Bulls, all of whom had done their best to help, agreed with their Captain. It may not be what most would call good but it was how the Black Bulls operated and they were going to execute it the way only they could. With it they knew that they'd win while also finally getting to clash with some of the best in Fiore, mainly those in Fairy Tail, to show that they were going to take that title after just two years in Earth Land.
They'd spent the day off between the fourth and fifth days of the Games recovering, relaxing, studying in Mimosa and Gordon's cases, partying though that was reserved for those not on the team, and otherwise getting ready for the Battle Royale. Then, at the end of the day and over a feast prepared by Charmy's sheep they'd gone over the plan for the Battle Royale.
Now that that was over all they had to do was get a good night's rest and bring their A game to the fifth and final day of the Grand Magic Games. Well they would if there wasn't a sudden knock on their door before that surprised most of them before they could retire for the night.
The Black Bulls looked to it with a mix of confusion and surprise. Only Yami and Asta weren't surprised at the knock as they'd sensed the approaching ki, though Yami was surprised that the man had come here tonight of all nights, as he recognized the ki of the man approaching. When spend an evening face to face with a man while sharing a drink and you pick up a good reading of his signature.
That was why Yami had made sure to wrap up their planning session before the knock came so that none of their plans got out to a rival Guild Master. It was also why Yami felt it was fine to open the door and nodded so Magna got up and opened it.
Standing in the doorway was exactly who Yami had expected, the Guild Master of Fairy Tail, Makarov Dreyer. With another nod from Yami, Makarov walked in and the door was closed behind him to ensure privacy as he was clearly here to discuss something with them.
"I'll admit I wasn't expecting to see you here what with the Battle Royale tomorrow and our Guilds being the top two going into it so we're the favorites to win the Games at this point." Yami admitted as the Black Bulls looked at the old man. "What brings you here?"
"Julius said that I could trust you and since meeting you the other day and all that I've seen from your Squad this week I've started to see why." Makarov said as he walked in and looking around at the gatherer Black Bulls noting that all of them were present. "All of that culminated in what your member did for mine in that Naval Battle yesterday, both to protect her and to make sure that the woman who threatened her paid for it. In Fairy Tail we are all family so your family helping mins shows that I can trust you and while the ultimate reason behind why I am here is something that we must handle on our own there is still something I need from you that will at least give me reassurance in what is to come."
"And that is?" Yami asked as Makarov reached him upon which Makarov answered the question.
"A favor."
Ah, a nice little cliffhanger to end this chapter on and set up the other of the two bridge chapters between the penultimate and final days of the games. Next up we learn of the favor Makarov has and don't worry it won't cause the Black Bulls to take part in their plan to rescue Lucy as that is something purely for Fairy Tail but rather it is something that Makarov has realized that the Black Bulls can provide that will, well you'll see next chapter when we wrap up the bridge arc and set up the last things for the Battle Royale and what is to come after it. As for this chapter, well Fairy Tail has tried to prepare for the Black Bulls but as you can see they're not exactly able to predict Asta and don't realize the true nature of his attribute. The inability to predict Asta is a nod to how no future Lucius saw had Asta in it so his effect on the current Black Clover timeline was so impactful and here Mavis can't predict him because he defies convention. Anyway, that is all that I have for y'all, however, so I will leave this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.
Stringdog