Rhode applied Healing of the Ocean on Gajeel and Wendy, noticing a strange look in Gajeel's eyes, he asked:
"Why do you look guilty even after winning the match?"
Gajeel retorted defiantly, "Who's feeling guilty?"
Rhode glanced at Wendy, pondered for a moment, and couldn't help but chuckle. Was he worried about getting in trouble for Wendy getting hurt?
He didn't pamper Wendy to that extent. Getting injured in battles between mages was perfectly normal, you know?
At most, there would be some payback when playing around later on.
Rhode said, "Why don't you go wash up and change clothes, Jubia, could you accompany Wendy?"
Wendy and Jubia both nodded together, "Sure."
In these special times, no one should be alone, and Gajeel was no exception. However, Rhode didn't want to wait for him to wash up and change clothes, so he looked at Laxus.
Laxus kept a straight face, pretending not to understand Rhode's look.
Gajeel, who didn't want either of these two to accompany him, volunteered, "I'll go find Li Li."
The arena was in such chaos that the organizers had planned a halftime break, but the audience expressed strong discontent.
They'd just watched such an exciting battle and were in high spirits, how could they be content to leave?
The organizers had no choice but to ask Jura to assist the construction team with urgent repairs.
Jura didn't decline, and after a brief conversation, he used Earth Magic to repair the arena and reinforce the walls.
As for the affected parts of the stands, they simply sent people to clean them up a bit.
The damaged statues were temporarily pushed outside the arena for future repair.
By the time everything was handled, Gajeel was already back with a change of clothes.
Wendy took a bit longer, and when she and Jubia returned, they arrived just in time for the host to announce the next participants:
"In the second match, One Night and Jenny from Blue Pegasus will face Locke and Karg from Rays of the Rising Sun!"
This group might've been chosen based on looks, with three handsome guys and a beautiful lady.
– No need to elaborate on Jenny, Karg was known as the "Gentleman of Flowers," and if Locke changed his bowl haircut, he'd also be a ruggedly handsome guy.
As for One Night, his charm has always been admired by many, and he's quite popular.
As soon as the four took the stage, cheers echoed throughout the venue.
Locke said excitedly, "Mr. Yiye, I've heard about your reputation for a long time, please take care of me this time!"
"MEN~" One Night casually brushed the hair off his forehead, lowered his head slightly, with two fingers on his forehead and his left hand supporting his right elbow, he said deeply,
"Young man, I can smell the scent of effort from you, please show yourself as much as you can. This is your stage!"
"Mr. Yiye!" Respect shone in Locke's eyes.
The handsome trio from Pegasus shouted One Night's name, and many in the audience were also swooning over his charm.
Jenny was accustomed to such scenes and looked at the somewhat reserved Karg across from her, saying:
"Mr. Karg, my editor asked me to see if you're interested in a cover shoot for Sosala, and long-term collaboration would be even better."
Karg responded uncertainly, "Cover? Me?"
"Yes, your image is very suitable and is sure to be very popular," Jenny said, "Of course, the pay won't be lacking."
"Umm..." Pumpkin Man glanced left at the mutually appreciative One Night and Locke, and right at Jenny continuously introducing a job, hesitantly asking, "Can we start now?"
The four finally remembered they were supposed to compete, each stepped back, and signaled to Pumpkin Man that they were ready.
"The match begins!"
One Night courteously extended a hand, saying to Locke, "Come on."
"Change!" Locke decided to battle seriously from the start, magical combat boots appeared on his feet, and a pair of inconspicuous black gloves appeared on his hands.
He kindly reminded, "Be careful, Mr. Yiye, these gloves explode upon impact."
One Night nodded steadily, "It's alright, bring it on."
Locke was quite straightforward and after hearing this, he rushed ahead.
The combat boots flashed, providing immense explosive force, so much so that Locke was in front of One Night in a blink, hitting him straight in the cheek.
At that moment, One Night's face seemed to indent, and an explosion sounded loudly.
One Night flew back amidst the smoke, rolling on the ground like a ragdoll and lay down on his back motionless.
Jenny was startled, "Mr. Yiye? Pull yourself together!"
Yet One Night didn't respond, his face turned, mouth open, looking like he'd spit out his soul.
Locke didn't move right away but reflected on himself, "Did I... hit too hard?"
Jenny hurried over and fished out a bottle of green liquid from One Night's pocket.
Just as she was about to open the cap, her wrist was held.
"No need for the Pain-Relieving Incense." One Night stood up, tossed his hair, adjusted his collar, "MEN~ What a powerful punch."
Jenny tossed the perfume bottle back to him, chidingly saying, "Geez, don't scare people if you're okay!"
Locke admired, "As expected of Mr. Yiye, taking my Blast Fist head on with no problem. Now I can fight with ease!"
"Of course, this is a competition, please give it your all." One Night spread his fingers across his face.
To others, it looked suave, but behind his hand, One Night's expression twisted, crying out in his heart 'It hurts like hell.'
Locke rushed over again, but this time One Night was prepared, solidly defending a few punches, finally showing some semblance of an S-Class Mage.
Jenny didn't interfere with One Night's battle, instead engaging with Karg.
"Receiving·Mechanical Soul!"
Jenny's arms and legs transformed into mechanical structures, the red and white paint glistened with metallic luster in the sunlight, and even the lines on her face became sharper.
Jenny had heard from Ive about Karg's magic, constantly on guard for the various petals he might launch.
After a few rounds, she suddenly felt a bit disheartened.
As a nationally renowned model, she found her fighting style to be less elegant compared to her opponent!
Such magic where petals fly around at the drop of a hat, what a waste in battle.
She had to find a way to get him to shoot a magazine cover! Even if only as a special effects artist?
"Poppy Corridor!"
While Jenny was distracted, Karg wielded his flower-shaped Magic Wand, enveloping Jenny's silhouette with colorful poppies.
"Darn..." Jenny realized, but soon felt her mind going hazy.
Just as she was about to faint, a red gas floated over, encasing her.
One Night's voice filtered through the petal-formed corridor to Jenny's ear, "MEN~ Focus, it's a battle."
"Yes, Mr. Yiye!" Jenny responded, though with a slight twitch of her mouth, "But this perfume… it hurts!"
"Because it's the Pain Incense, but I've already reduced its concentration." One Night apologized, "I'll make it up to you after the match."