"Everyone! I'm back!" Chen Fan shouted as he stepped through the front gates of the Fairy Tail guild.
He struck a pose, waiting for the crowd's cheers, but the guild was eerily silent. Fairy Tail was completely empty. Not a single soul was inside.
Where did everyone go? Chen Fan wondered.
The place was a mess. Half-eaten food sat on the tables, and ale still sloshed in half-filled mugs. Scuff marks on the corner tables suggested a recent, violent brawlthe usual scene, really. The request board was plastered with jobs. To any outsider, it looked like total chaos, but to him, it was a picture of peace and harmony.
If Lucy were here, she would have surely found a way to tease him for that thought, but that was just the way Fairy Tail was.
Chen Fan walked back out into the street and grabbed a passerby.
"Hey there, beautiful. Have we met before?" Chen Fan said, reflexively falling back on one of the moves from his "girl-chasing manual." The line was practically etched into his bone marrow: 'Haven't we met somewhere?'
"Oh! If it isn't 'God's Hand' Chen Fan! Long time no see!"
Chen Fan blinked, momentarily stunned. They actually had met? He didn't recognize her at all. He immediately pivoted to change the subject. "Right! Good to see you. Hey, do you know where everyone from my guild ran off to? I just got back from a mission."
"They all went to the marathon!" she chirped, suddenly clinging to his arm. "Don't go, Chen Fan. Why don't we go grab some tea instead?"
Chen Fan wasn't quite used to girls being this forward. He'd always considered himself a traditional Chinese manthe type who found a few good ones and never let go.
"I'm really sorry, but this is a guild event. I have to go."
"But didn't you just get back? You should rest."
"I'll rest after the event. I'd feel restless if I sat it out. I'll catch you later for that stroll!" With that, Chen Fan made his escape. Whether he'd actually recognize her the next time they met was anyone's guess.
As he asked around, it seemed like every person in the city knew him. They were all more than happy to point him in the right direction. Fortunately, no one pulled the classic prank of pointing him the opposite way (a trick that had once cost him half an hour of walking).
"Oh, it's so COOL! This year's 24-Hour Endurance Road Race is about to begin! Per Fairy Tail tradition, participation is mandatory for all members! I, Jason, your favorite reporter from the Weekly Sorcerer, will be your host! I'll be bringing you a broadcast that's as hot as it is composed! OH YEAH!"
"Ah, and here he is! The perennial second-place finisher of the road race, Jet! Some say his outstanding speed magic is the only thing that makes up for his otherwise lackluster performance as an adventurer!"
"Hey! What do you mean 'perennial second-place,' and what's with that 'lackluster' comment?" Jet's face darkened as he glared at Jason.
"Just rumors, man! A celebrity without a scandal isn't a celebrity at all!" Jason laughed, waving him off.
"That idiot Jet seems pretty confident this year," Gray remarked.
"Well, yeah... it's because Boss Chen Fan isn't here!"
"Hmph! If Chen Fan isn't here, then the championship is up for grabs. That trophy is definitely going to be mine!" Natsu declared, slamming a fist into his palm with confidence.
Gajeel smirked nearby. "Anyone who talks big about a guaranteed win is usually the first one to lose."
Natsu flashed a cocky grin. "Heh! I've got a secret weapon this time!"
"Secret weapon? You sound like a kid," Gray muttered.
Cana tilted a barrel back, finished her drink, and wiped her mouth. "Alright, I'm ready!"
Lucy, standing nearby, looked concerned. "The race is about to start and you're still drinking?"
"I can't run if I don't fill up the fuel tank, can I?"
"That is so Cana," Lucy sighed. "Everyone's really fired up, though."
Happy flew over. "That's because no one wants to deal with the penalty game. Plus, with Chen Fan gone, everyone actually has a chance to win first place."
"Wait... what's this penalty game? And is Chen Fan really that much of an advantage?"
"If Chen Fan is here, nobody can beat him," Happy explained.
"Is he really that good at running?"
"We don't even know how he does it, but he always crosses the finish line first. We used to think it was just luck, but now it's clear there's more to it than that." Happy then looked at Lucy. "You've been carried by him before, remember? When he took you off that Phantom Lord giant. You should know his magiche can fly through the air and pull off insane bursts of speed."
Lucy's face turned bright red. "What do you mean 'carried'? I don't remember... anything like that!"
"Oh really?" Happy teased, covering his mouth.
"I said I don't remember!"
Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the chatter. "Everyone, quiet down!" Makarov shouted.
"Listen up, Fairy Tail! The cultivation of both mind and body is the path of a true mage! Today, I expect you to compete fiercely and push your limits!" Makarov stood atop the podium.
"Does this thing really require 'mind'?" Elfman asked.
"Pretty sure it's just raw stamina," Gray agreed, having already stripped off his shirt. He stood in the crowd without a hint of self-consciousness.
"The rules are simple! You will start here and follow the designated route toward the summit of Mt. Evol! There, you will find a Wyvern Scale. Retrieve a scale and return here within twenty-four hours.
Dropping out is not permitted! As mages of Fairy Tail, completing this race will prepare you for your future missions! And, per the request of many mages, Flight Magic is strictly prohibited! Any other magic is fair game!"
Happy's face instantly fell. "I hate that rule!"
"Alright! Get ready... GO!"
Whoosh! Jet shot out like a rocket, leaving everyone in the dust.
"Alright! Here I go! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu used his hands like jet boosters, propelling himself forward as the rest of the guild followed in a massive wave.
About half an hour after the start, Chen Fan finally arrived at the starting line.
"Yo, Chen Fan! You're back. Is it just me, or did you get fat? Was the food there that good?" Makarov spotted him immediately.
Chen Fan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it was great. Maybe you should go there and try it yourself sometime. I'm sure you'd love it."
"Haha! No thanks, I'll leave that place to you youngsters," Makarov laughed. He suddenly turned to Mira. "Mira, who's currently in last place?"
"Let me check," Mira said with a sweet smile. "Currently in last place: Chen Fan. Distance covered: 0 meters!"
Chen Fan froze. "Mira, you've got to be kidding. I just got here! How can I be counted?"
"Why shouldn't you be? You're a member of the guild, aren't you?" Mira's smile was angelic, but Chen Fan felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
"Mira is right," Makarov added. "Now get moving! Look at that flab. Deep down, you're jealous of Natsu and Gray's muscles, aren't you?"
"Who's jealous? A man's charm doesn't come from his muscles; it comes from his inner depth!" Chen Fan retorted, tossing his hair and striking a pose.
"Then let's see how much 'depth' you really have!" Makarov said. He leaned in and whispered into Chen Fan's ear, "Just so you know... Erza, Mira, and Levy? They all have a thing for strong, fit men."
"What?! Well, it's time to show you some real skill! I'll show you who the King of the Marathon is!" Chen Fan flexed and prepared to sprint.
"Wait!" Makarov suddenly grabbed Chen Fan's foot.
Thud! Chen Fan face-planted into the dirt.
"What are you doing, you old geezer?!" Chen Fan scrambled up, fuming.
Makarov waved a hand dismissively. "Now, now, don't sweat the details. I was just going to saythis time, you aren't allowed to use your abilities. You have to run this step by step. Every meter you cover must be earned with your own two feet. Understood?"
"That's not fair! Look at themthey're all using magic! Especially Jet!" Chen Fan screamed in Makarov's ear.
Makarov dug a finger into his ear and shrugged. "Fairness? What's that? How much does it cost per pound?"
Chen Fan was speechless. This guild was doomed. Beyond saving.
Left with no choice, he started jogging. "Ooh! Look at that! The record holder for every marathon, our very own 'God's Hand' Chen Fan has entered the fray! Word on the street is that he was recently invited for 'tea' by the Magic Council.
We'll keep you updated on whether those rumors are true! Stay tuned to the Weekly Sorcerer and the Fairy Tail Special Report! This is your favorite reporter, Jason, reporting live!"
Chen Fan rolled his eyes. Who did these people learn the 'invitation for tea' line from? But his frustration only grew when he looked around. Normally, there were a few magic items acting as judges to watch the race.
But surrounding him were eight drones, providing a 360-degree view of his every move. If his speed increased beyond a natural running pace or his gait became uneven, an alarm would trigger.
Magic was so annoying when it was used this way. With no other options, Chen Fan had to run properly. He knew the person in last place would face a penalty, and since he was usually the one handing out the punishments, he knew there were dozens of people waiting to get their revenge on him.
"Chen Fan has joined the race! Attention all contestants! Chen Fan is in! Per the new regulations, he is forbidden from using magic! If he is caught, he will be automatically disqualified into last place!"
"SHIT!" Chen Fan cursed under his breath. They were clearly out to get him.
Then, Makarov's voice boomed again, amplified to an incredible volume. "Listen up, my brats! We're changing the penalty rules for this year's marathon! Whoever wins first place gets to make one request of Chen Fan! Anything goes! Remember, anything! Whether you want money, his affection, or his body"
Bzzzt The broadcast was abruptly censored.
"Whoa! Now I'm fired up!"
"YEAAAH!"
Every mage in Fairy Tail erupted in a frenzy of passion. They stopped using petty tricks against each other and started sprinting with everything they had. Chen Fan, of all people, had managed to unite the entire guild.
Chen Fan stood there, stunned. His throat felt dry. This is going to be bad!
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