With the other Makarov as a witness, Future Laxus had no reason to doubt Chase's identity or background. However, upon hearing that this man possessed power rivaling or even surpassing Gildarts, he was filled with intense disbelief.
This guy looked about his age, and he was already Fairy Tail's undisputed strongest mage?
What a joke!
Future Gajeel, who had seen Gildarts's power firsthand, was equally skeptical.
From Cana and Lucy, you could see the ceiling of this summoner-type Card Mage. How could this type be the key to defeating Acnologia?
Makarov looked at his good grandson, who had turned toward the light but remained battle-hungry. Seeming to recall how badly he had been beaten during the civil war, Makarov held back a smirk and asked, "Chase, what do you think?"
"Well, we're going to be teammates from now on, so it's only right to get to know each other."
Chase slowly stood up and gave Future Laxus a meaningful glance. "How about a spar behind the mountain?"
Just last night, he had been looking for an opportunity to test out Obelisk the Tormentor's God Slayer Magic. Who knew Future Laxus would be so accommodating—handing him the perfect opportunity on a silver platter!
As a test subject, Future Laxus—who would go on to defeat Jura, the fifth-ranked Ten Wizard Saint, in the Grand Magic Games—was the ideal choice, second only to Gildarts.
"Heh. Perfect. You're my kind of guy."
Feeling the oppressive aura washing over him, Future Laxus smiled without fear and cracked his knuckles.
Since this was meant to be a mutual understanding between Team B members, the two Makarovs secretly called over the two chatting Mirajanes and the two Juvias, who were exchanging Gray-related gossip, to come watch.
No one knew the outcome of the battle.
The other guild members only knew that suddenly there was a massive earthquake, and even the inland lake of Magnolia had been stirred into towering waves.
Then, not long after, Future Laxus walked back in, covered in dust, and sat silently in a corner staring into space. Even when the Thunder God Tribe enthusiastically greeted him, he ignored them completely, seemingly trapped in a state of deep self-isolation.
Future Gajeel, who had earlier looked so defiant, now had a pale face, muttering strange things like "good thing I didn't go" and "what a monster."
Gajeel and Panther Lily looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Oh my, Laxus, what would you like to drink?"
"I think Laxus would really like some iced coffee right now. The kind with only ice and no coffee~"
Rarely seeing the guild's resident bully Laxus at a disadvantage, both Mirajanes laughed heartily and delivered some brutal follow-up strikes.
Even if it wasn't the same world, Laxus had still started a civil war and hurt his comrades. The two cunning women weren't about to miss this chance to tease and get some "payback."
Compared to the lively Team B members, Chase was unusually quiet, sitting on the sidelines staring into space as well.
But it wasn't really staring—his consciousness had already sunk into the Card Space. Not where Dark Magician and the others were, but the newly opened domain.
The battle with Future Laxus hadn't been particularly intense, but unexpectedly, a brand new card had dropped!
On the previously barren plain, a winding, rugged mountain range had appeared.
Following the forest road through the mountains to the depths, inside a spacious cave filled with stalactites, Chase found the first inhabitant of his new Card Space without much trouble.
It was a small, crimson dragon with two tiny horns.
[Baby Dragon — Level 3 WIND Dragon-Type. A young dragon not to be underestimated. It may hold hidden power.]
So the new deck belonged to Yu-Gi-Oh!'s master of expressive faces—Jonouchi?!
Meanwhile, in other mage guilds across Fiore that had heard Fairy Tail's main members would be participating in the Grand Magic Games.
Lamia Scale.
"Our guild takes second place every year. How shameful. I always thought the Grand Magic Games were just a magical performance festival!" Oba Babasaama said, cracking her knuckles, her wrinkled face unusually serious. "But now, we can't think that way anymore!"
"Ugh, so annoying."
"Here comes the old hag's endless muttering again."
The Lamia Scale mages in the hall covered their ears and grumbled.
"Lyon, Jura—you two are going to participate this time too!" Future Babasaama declared solemnly.
"What a pain. Can't refuse when the old hag says it..." Future Lyon scratched his head in frustration.
Future Jura, with his long, flowing beard, patted Lyon's shoulder and laughed. "It's not a bad thing to treat it as a festival and enjoy the excitement once in a while."
After seven years of growth, now ranked fifth among the Ten Wizard Saints, he appeared even more composed, an aura of confidence radiating from his face.
Given his current level and strength, participating in the Grand Magic Games was practically just for fun—barring any unexpected surprises.
"Lyon and Jura are both going to participate this year?"
"Then we've already won! Lamia Scale is going to be number one in Fiore!"
The mages cheered.
Blue Pegasus.
At the guild counter, decorated like a large bar.
"Have you heard? Little Jura from Lamia Scale is going to participate in this year's Grand Magic Games~" Future Bob said, propping his face up on one hand, every move dripping with flamboyance. "And I've got some inside info from the Magic Council—it seems Makarov-chan's guild has just registered a new S-Class Card Mage~"
Mentioning this, his heavily made-up face grew slightly serious.
As a brother guild and a close friend of Makarov, he knew exactly how rigorous and strict Fairy Tail's S-Class trials were. Hearing such news all of a sudden was certainly cause for caution.
"MAN! I smell something very dangerous. After all, we also want to win this time!"
Future Ichiya, sitting beside him, said with utmost seriousness. "Then, Master, shall we send out that hidden trump card as well?"
"Are you serious about having that kid compete?!" Future Bob said in shock.
Sabertooth.
"Have you heard, Rogue? Natsu and the others are going to participate in the Grand Magic Games!"
Future Sting excitedly sought out Future Rogue. "That's the rumor all over Magnolia! I'm really looking forward to it now!"
"Fro also heard~" Frosch, the Exceed in frog-themed attire, chimed in.
Future Rogue merely glanced at them lightly: "Not interested."
He hadn't heard that the Gajeel he once admired would also be competing.
"Fairy Tail—the recognized strongest guild in Fiore seven years ago, huh..."
In a corner, Future Minerva crossed her legs, gently swirling a glass of red wine. "Hmph. How dreadfully boring."
With her arrogance, she had no intention of participating in such a "low-level" competition. She casually picked a quest and left the guild.
Somewhere in the badlands, at the headquarters of the mage guild Raven Tail.
Master Ivan stood in the biting cold wind, gazing toward Magnolia with greedy eyes.
"Finally, the time has come to completely destroy Fairy Tail."
"Lumen Histoire... you made me wait a whole seven years, you damned Makarov..."
***
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