Domus Flau… that was the name of the Grand Magic Games venue.
Viewed from above, the circular stadium was surrounded by four giant statues facing each other.
Zooming in on the stadium interior, it resembled an ancient Roman colosseum.
Around the circular arena were rows of connected tiered stands.
At this moment, those stands were already packed with spectators.
Although the main tournament hadn't started yet, the audience's excitement was already building.
The cheers from the huge stadium came in waves, one louder than the last, creating a very lively atmosphere.
"Well, the annual carnival celebration, the Grand Magic Games, has finally arrived again! I'm Chapati Lola, your live commentator!"
"Sitting next to me is former council member, the esteemed Yajima-san, who will also be providing commentary today!"
"Additionally, we have invited a special guest, Jenny Realight!"
Looking at the fair-skinned, exquisitely featured blonde beauty on the commentator's stand, the spectators in the stadium grew even more excited.
"It's Jenny!"
"Jenny…"
The already extremely lively venue became boiling with even more excitement.
"Mira, I heard this Jenny is the most popular beauty in Sorcerer Weekly after you!"
Erza, looking through the window at Jenny on the commentator's stand, said to Mirajane.
Mirajane just smiled without saying much.
And Kenichi withdrew his gaze from Jenny, looking at Mirajane in front of him.
As Erza spoke, Lola on the commentator's stand announced clearly: "Alright, next, let's welcome the stars of this year's Grand Magic Games!"
"First to enter is the team that placed eighth in the preliminary round!"
"They are the Hell Hound Corps, Quatro Cerberus!"
"Roar-"
As soon as the live commentary finished, five men entered the stadium from the entrance.
Accompanied by the five men's wild roars, the stadium erupted in cheers.
"Alright, let's go down too."
Seeing that the various teams were preparing to enter, Kenichi called out to Erza, Mirajane, and the others. Then, everyone left the room.
By the time Kenichi, Erza, and the others arrived at the stadium entrance below, five teams were already gathered in the stadium: Quatro Cerberus, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, Raven Tail, and Mermaid Heel.
Looking at the five teams in the stadium, the spectators in the stands were buzzing with discussion.
"Lamia Scale, who came in third last year, only got fifth place in the preliminaries?"
"The competition this year is too fierce!"
"I wonder which guilds are the top three teams!"
"Without a doubt, first place is Sabertooth!"
While the audience was discussing, the live commentator announced clearly: "Next is the team that placed third in the preliminary round!"
"Fairy Tail!"
As soon as the live commentary finished, the members of Fairy Tail B Team, led by Gildarts, entered the venue.
"Fairy Tail actually got third place?"
"Are you kidding?"
"Weren't they last place before?"
Although the news of Kenichi, Natsu, and the other mages' return had spread across the entire Ishgar Continent three months ago, only some mages truly knew about this event.
The ordinary spectators who couldn't use magic didn't know.
Now, seeing Fairy Tail actually place third in the preliminaries, those spectators found it unbelievable.
However, mage guilds like Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Mermaid Heel found Fairy Tail's third-place result quite natural.
After all, they had some understanding of Fairy Tail's strength.
"Next to enter is the second-place team!"
"Sabertooth!"
'Huh?'
As soon as the live commentator said this, the previously very lively venue instantly quieted down.
"Second place? Sabertooth?"
"No way?"
"Hasn't Sabertooth always been first?"
"Was there some mistake?"
For seven consecutive years, Sabertooth had dominated the champion's position in the Grand Magic Games.
This had also cemented Sabertooth's image as the strongest guild in Fiore in people's hearts.
Many spectators in the stands were Sabertooth's fans.
Now, learning that the strongest Sabertooth was only second place, they couldn't believe their ears, thinking they had misheard.
Soon, under everyone's watchful eyes, Sting, Rogue, and the other three Sabertooth members entered the venue.
Although the spectators found it hard to accept, seeing Sabertooth come out, they knew it was probably true.
"If the strongest Sabertooth is second, then which guild is first?"
"It probably isn't a guild from our Fiore Kingdom, right? After all, Sabertooth is the strongest guild in Fiore!"
As everyone discussed, the live commentator announced again: "Finally, please welcome the team that placed first in the preliminary round, Fairy Tail A Team!"
"Fairy Tail?"
"Didn't we just have one Fairy Tail? Why is there another Fairy Tail?"
"Isn't this against the rules? The same guild has two teams competing?"
"Fairy Tail actually has two teams in the top three, and one even surpassed Sabertooth? Something seems wrong with this!"
Seemingly hearing the audience's complaints, Yajima on the commentator's stand explained: "According to the competition rules, the same guild is allowed to have more than one teams participate!"
"Furthermore, a total of 113 teams participated in the preliminary round of this Grand Magic Games, but only 8 teams could advance to the main tournament. For Fairy Tail to have two teams advance to the main tournament is quite impressive!"
Hearing Yajima, the audience felt somewhat relieved.
113 teams competing for 8 spots was indeed very difficult.
For a guild to have even one team in the top 8 was rare.
Now, one guild had two teams in the top 8… it could only mean this guild was very strong.
However, the audience still held some doubts about Fairy Tail's two teams.
Soon, under the spectators' watchful eyes, Kenichi, Erza, Mirajane, Natsu, and Gray walked out.
At the same time, the other 7 teams in the stadium also looked at Kenichi, Erza, and the others.
"I see. So Kenichi and Erza are both participating in this competition? No wonder they got first place."
Jura had participated in the eradication of the Oracion Seis before.
He deeply recognized Kenichi's strength.
Seeing Kenichi in the team, he showed an understanding expression.
"Kenichi? Is that the genius mage Jura-san mentioned before?"
The red-haired little girl with twin tails next to Jura looked at Kenichi and said.
While Jura and Sherria were looking at Kenichi's group, Kenichi, Erza, and the others also noticed Jura's group.
"Even Jura of the Wizard Saints is participating in this competition? Isn't that against the rules?"
Gray looked at Jura and said in astonishment.
"Don't worry. We have Kenichi on our side, so we're not inferior to a Wizard Saint!"
Erza placed her hand on Kenichi's shoulder and said with full confidence.
"Yo, long time no see, everyone!"
Not long after Erza finished speaking, a voice that sent chills down their spines reached their ears.
It wasn't that the voice was unpleasant.
On the contrary, it was very magnetic.
It was just that thinking about the owner of this voice made Kenichi, Erza, and the others feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Sure enough, they saw Ichiya, Hibiki, and the others from Blue Pegasus approaching.
"Kagura, let's go say hello to Kenichi and the others too?"
Millianna from the Mermaid Heel side, seeing Blue Pegasus greeting Kenichi, Erza, and the others, suggested to Kagura.
Kagura looked at Kenichi and shook her head: "No need!"
Just then, Kenichi seemed to notice Kagura's gaze and waved to her.
Kagura's pretty face turned slightly red, and she responded somewhat shyly.
"Oh? So it was Natsu-san and the others who surpassed us?"
Sting from Sabertooth looked at Kenichi, Natsu, and the others, his face full of fighting spirit.
"That was just the preliminary round. They probably had some special magic that gave them an advantage. The real competition is the main tournament!"
Rufus said with a smile.
'Fairy Tail, if you want to show off, now's the time. Once the competition starts, there won't be any more chances!'
Ivan, hidden behind his mask, looked at Kenichi, Erza, and the others, a sinister curve forming on his lips.