Earth land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
July 3, x791.
{"Well then, now that the Magic Power Finder has been set up, let's get back to the game."} Loli said, his enthusiastic tone clear for everyone to hear. {"First up, Takashi Komuro."}
Following Loli's announcement, Takashi, who was standing in a line with the other contestants, took a deep breath. Then, he took a step forward, slowly walking towards the floating Magic Power Finder.
"Hmm… He's not carrying his bat." Alfonzo said, a hint of interest shining in his eyes. "He said he wanted to learn [Earth magic] from Jura. I guess he succeeded."
Hearing Alfonzo's muttering, the other three members of his team, as Elicia was still in the arena, looked a little interested in Takashi. Especially since they remember hearing about him from Saeko, Saya, Kohta, Shizuka, and Rika ever since the five joined the guild.
Meanwhile, Takashi finally reached the Magic Power Finder. Standing to the left of the device and taking another deep breath, he finally flared his magic power.
"[Earth magic: Iron Rock Cudgel]." Takashi chanted as he raised his hands.
With Takashi's chant, a dense, stone club, in the shape of a baseball bat with spikes growing around the head manifested between his hands. He then pulled his hands back, taking a fairly standard right-handed batting stance.
"Never mind, there it is." Alfonzo said with a small smile on his face.
*Bang~~~~~~~!*
Then, with a determined glint in his eyes, Takashi raised his left leg, pulled his hands aback to the right side of his body, stepped down with his left foot with enough force to cause a small shockwave on impact, and swung the club at the Magic Power finder with all his might.
Upon impact, the sound of the clash echoed throughout the entire Domus Flau. And as it did, the numbers on the device's display began to rise quickly, only starting to slow down once they reached 2,000. Eventually, the numbers came to a stop at…
{"2,309!"} Loli shouted excitedly. {"That's quite the amazing score for a wizard so young."}
{"Indeed."} Yajima replied with a smile. {"For reference, the average Rune Knight can hit the Magic Power Finder and receive a score of around 350. It looks like the future of Lamia scale is bright."}
{"Cool~~~~~! So… Cool~~~~~!"} Jason shouted while taking pictures at a rapid pace.
Meanwhile, Takashi, satisfied with his showing, turned around with a smile and returned to the other contestants.
"Not bad, Takashi." Elicia said with a smile. "You've grown a lot since we saved you all those years ago."
"Thanks, Lici." Takashi said, Elicia's praise making him feel even more proud of himself.
"But you shouldn't get too complacent." Elicia continued, her tone growing a bit sterner. "Remember, you've only just started as a wizard. Now, you should watch the others, they'll show you the kind of heights you could reach if you continue to work hard."
Understanding that Elicia meant he was probably at the bottom of the barrel when compared to the rest of the contestants in this event, Takashi's pride was brought down a peg. But at the same time, he knew she was telling him that for his own good. So, he nodded his head and turned to watch the other contestants with the drive to improve burning in his eyes.
Seeing Takashi's expression, Elicia nodded her head. Then, she turned to watch the rest of the event, as well.
{"Up next, we have Sabertooth's God Slayer, Orga Nanagear!"} Loli shouted.
With that, Orga, as confident as ever, stepped forward until he was standing about fifty feet away from the Magic Power Finder. He then raised his hands, pointing his palms at the device with arcs of black lightning sparking from his arms.
"[120mm Black Lightning Cannon]." Orga shouted his chant as an orb of black lightning condensed between his arms near his chest.
As time passed, the mass of black lightning Orga was creating grew in size while the color grew darker and darker. At the same time, all the other wizards in the arena could feel the air being charged with electricity.
"Hmph! Featherweight." Laxus grunted from his seating area.
"he's gotten a lot stronger since he fought me last year." Alfonzo said while smiling at Laxus response to Orga's power. "he's only been training in the gravity chambers for what…? Seven months? As always, Slayer Wizards are bullshit."
While Marin and Sun nodded in agreement with Alfonzo, Ur rolled her eyes.
'I've been training most of my life.' Ur thought to herself. 'But you're like twenty years younger than me, and I'm no match for you. If anyone is bullshit, it's this whole generation of wizards.'
A moment later, Orga condensed the ball of black lightning to the limit of what he could control. Then, with a loud shout, he shot it at the Magic Power Finder.
*Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
{"So~~~~~ cool~~~~~~!"} Jason shouted, his eyes shining at the power of Orga's attack.
{"Quite impressive."} Yajima said agreeing with Jason.
{"Now, we just have to wait for the dust to clear so we can see the score."} Loli added, the excitement in his tone clear to everyone.
Not long after Loli spoke, the lightning surrounding the Magic Power Finder cleared. When it did, it revealed a score of 4,721.
"Yeah~~~~~!" Orga shouted while raising his arms over his head in triumph.
"Wow, he's a lot stronger than me." Takashi muttered with his eyes wide open.
"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet." Elicia said with a mischievous grin.
{"Moving on to the next contestant, Karen Lilica, it's your turn!"} Loli shouted once Orga returned to the line of wizards.
At the same time, Karen, with her usual haughty demeanor, stepped forward, looking every bit like the former top model that she was.
Stopping at roughly the same place where Orga attack from, she flared her magic power as she raised her hands clad in rings.
*Bang!*
Then, in the next instant, she slammed both her fists into the ground.
"[Ring Magic: Volcanic Blast]." Karen chanted as two of her rings lit up with magic power.
*Rumble!*
With Karen's chant, the ground of the arena began to shake, causing the entire stadium to shake, as well. Though, it was not as dangerous as it seemed thanks to all the magical enhancements on the stadium.
*Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
In the next instant, the ground under which the magic Power Finder floated cracked open. And when it did, a stream of magma shout out from the ground, striking the Magic Power Finder from below.
Along with the magma that flew up from the ground, the Magic Power Finder was also sent skyward. Meanwhile, all the wizards, including Karen leapt away from the magma that was now flowing in the arena.
"[Ice-Make: Wall]." Ultear chanted as she slapped her hands on the ground.
In the next instant, before the magma could travel too far and damage the arena too much, a circular wall of ice shot up from the ground, stopping all the magma in its tracks while simultaneously cooling it, releasing a large cloud of steam into the air on contact.
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
{"Thank you, Player Ultearr."} Mato said, his voice playing from the speakers all over the Domus Flau. {"The committee thanks you for stopping the damage from spreading too far. At the same time, there will be no action taken against Player Karen because we were the ones to tell everyone to use their strongest spell."}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Seeing Ultear's show of power along with Karen's attack caused the crowd to cheer loudly, since they never believed they were in any danger from the magma. And the fact that Karen was not going to be penalized for the damage she caused made them cheer even louder.
"No fair!" Natsu shouted indignantly. "How come no one cheers when I burn stuff?"
"Maybe because you burn their personal property." Gray said dismissively. "You should really think before you speak, Flame Brain."
"What did you say, you frozen streaker?" Natsu asked angrily. "Why don't you say that again when you've got some clothes on?"
"Huh?" Gray asked in a dumbfounded tone. He then looked down to see himself sitting in the stands in just a pair of boxers. "What happened to my clothes?"
Meanwhile, Juvia, who was sitting next to him, was smiling dumbly with a nosebleed… for the umpteenth time in three days.
"It looks like your Gray hasn't gotten over that habit, either." Future Lucy said while shaking her head.
"Nope." Lucy replied while also shaking her head. "And I can't even count how many times Tear and Ur have beaten him up for it. I'm just glad that Lyon doesn't do it. Otherwise, Ur really would be known as a trainer of perverts."
"What was that?" Ur shouted angrily. "Would you mind repeating that, Lucy? Don't think I won't kick your ass just because you're one of the kid's wives."
"Eek! I'm sorry~~~!" Lucy shouted, fear evident in her tone as she hid behind her alternate timeline self.
{"The steam is clearing!"} Loli shouted. {"I think I can make out the score. It looks like it says… 7,415!"}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Hearing such a high score, the crowd went wild. Meanwhile, Karen flipped her hair arrogantly. At the same time, Ultear, who was the next in line, stepped forward, not worried about the ice she created to stop Karen's magma.
"Well, I think I'll take the win right here and now." Ultear said with a confident smile on her face.
Ultear then leapt onto the ice wall she created.
*Crash!*
Then, once she landed, Ultear stomped hard on the ice before shooting down towards the Magic Power Finder while making her casting gesture. At the same time, the power of her stomp caused all the ice, the wall and the frozen magma, to shatter into ice shards.
"[ice Age]." Ultear chanted as she approached the Magic Power Finder.
Then, when she was within arm's reach, Ultear extended her right arm and laid her hand on the surface of the Magic Power Finder.
*Freeze!*
And in an instant, the entire device was flash frozen. Then, while turning around, Ultear tapped one of her finely manicured fingernails on the frozen device. Before walking away.
*Shatter!*
And just like the rest of the ice, the frozen Magic Power Finder shattered into ice shards.
"I guess that answers your question, Lici." Ultear said as she walked back to the group of wizards, her long hair blowing in the wind. "Second place should be mine."
{"This is just like the preliminaries from last year's Grand Magic Games!"} Loli shouted. {"Once again, someone has completely destroyed the Magic Power Finder!"}
{"Cool~~~~~!"} Jason shouted energetically.
{"Yes, but something tells me we'll be needing more than just one replacement by the time the game is over and done with."} Yajima said while looking at the faces of the remaining contestants. {"Especially when I look at the competitive glints in Cana Alberona's and Sui-Feng's eyes."}
And just as Yajima said, when Loli and Jason looked at Cana and Sui-Feng, they could see a glint of something in their eyes. While Sui-Feng's eyes seemed to be holding disdain in them, Cana was looking at Ultear as if she had just accepted a great challenge.
{"Well, I guess we'll have to wait to find out."} Loli said, his pitch rising with excitement. {"The members of the Grand Magic Games committee should bring out a new Magic Power Finder shortly."}
Not long after Loli spoke, another group of committee members came out carrying not one, but two new Magic Power Finders.
"Something tells me I'm being underestimated." Yumichika said with an eyebrow twitching as he saw that there were only two Magic Power Finders. "Well then, I guess I'll have to show them the error of their ways."
'Although this would be easier if Ikkaku and the rest of the squad wouldn't look down on me for using [Kidō].' Yumichika thought to himself while watching the committee members set up the first new Magic Power Finder.
{"It looks like everything is ready for u to continue."} Yajima said. {"Well then, Yumichika Ayasegawa, it's your turn."}
Hearing that, Yumichika stepped forward, his posture as elegant as ever. And as he made his way to the Magic Power Finder, he began raising his magic power output. At the same time, he drew his Zanpakuto.
"I know you really don't like the name I'm going to call you." Yumichika whispered towards his Zanpakuto. "But just this once, I need you to give me as much power as you can."
In response, Yumichika's Zanpakuto vibrated in his hand. Though, he could tell that the Sword Spirit was angry about what was to come. Even so, it seemed to agree with Yumichika's request, not wanting to put on an embarrassing display.
"[Bloom, Fuji Kujaku]." Yumichika said, his Shikai release command echoing around the stadium, as he ran his hand along the blade of his Zanpakuto.
With that, Yumichika's Zanpakuto blade began to glow. Then, it's shape changed, taking on the form of a falx, a sickle-shaped blade, connected to the hilt by a ring. He then flicked his wrist, causing the blade to fan out, revealing that there were actually four blades connected to the ring.
"Ooh~~~~~~~~~!" The crowd's astonishment was audible for everyone to hear when they saw the weapon's transformation.
And although Yumichika like the attention from the crowd, he was far too focused on the task at hand to bask in it. So, instead of turning to wave at the crowd as he usually would, he used the [Flash Step] to vanish from where he stood before reappearing in front of the Magic Power Finder with his sword raised and ready to swing it down.
*Shing!*
In the next instant, faster than most of the people in the audience could see, Yumichika swung his weapon, the sound of the blades tearing through the Magic Power Finger clear for everyone to hear. Even so, the device continued to float in place, even if its levitation was a bit unsteady.
{"9,998!"} Loli shouted once the score showed up on the Magic Power Finder.
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
With Loli's shout, the crowd cheered once again. However, it was clear that Yumichika was not happy with the result.
"Tch! I would have been able to destroy it if I had used your true name." Yumichika muttered to himself as he released his Zanpakuto's released state.
The Zanpakuto in Yumichika's hand vibrated to show its displeasure, as well. Even so, Yumichika ignored it and sheathed the sword in a smooth, elegant motion.
"You lack training." Sui-Feng said sharply as Yumichika rejoined the rest of the contestants.
"Hmph!" Yumichika snorted in displeasure as he returned to the line.
{"That was incredible!"} Loli shouted as the cheering died down. {"But we still have two competitors left. So, without further ado, Sui-Feng, it's your turn."}
With that, Sui-Feng, instead of walking towards the Magic Power Finder, turned around and started walking towards the wall separating the crowd from the arena. Naturally, this action confused all the spectators. However, there were a few wizards in the arena who had an idea of what was coming next.
"I think we should get away from here." Elicia said as she grabbed Cana and Ultear, and started pulling them away from where they stood.
Yumichika, without a word, also started herding Takashi and Orga way, as well. As for Karen, as soon as Elicia started moving, she followed her like a lost puppy.
Meanwhile, Sui-Feng reached a spot about ten feet away from the wall. Then, she unsheathed her Zanpakuto, Suzumebachi, from the sheath slung across her lower back. Next, she loosely held the hilt, letting the blade hang towards the ground before flaring her magic power to its limit.
"[Bankai]." Sui-Feng said quietly.
In the next instant, Sui-Feng's magic power exploded, reaching ten times its previous amount. At the same time, a column of light blue magic power surrounding Sui-Feng shot into the air, dispersing a passing cloud in the sky.
After a few moments, the magic power surrounding Sui-Feng faded. When it did, however, Both Sui-Feng and her Zanpakuto's appearance changed.
No longer did Sui-Feng hold a wakizashi in her right hand. Instead, her right arm, up past her shoulder, ending in a half mask that covered the right half of her face and a wind shield that covered her left eye, was covered by a golden-colored missile launcher pointed at the ground. On top of that, there was along, cylindrical object with a pointed tip slotted into the launcher. Yet, this cylindrical object stood twice Sui-Fen's height as it towered above her.
"[Jakuhō Raikōben]." Sui-Feng said, naming her [Bankai] release. She then looked at the massive weapon on her right arm with a hint of disdain as she continued. "I really hate using this thing. It's too unwieldy, too flashy, and too big for a stealth operative like myself."
Even though she said that, Sui-Feng raised her right arm, steadying it with her left, and aimed the tip of the long golden cylinder at the Magic Power Finder.
"Still, I can't deny the fact that it gets the job done when the task calls for it." Sui-Feng muttered.
As Sui-Feng corrected her aim, it was obvious to see that she was straining to hold the missile up. Even so, she did not seem to care. Instead, she continued to correct her aim to make sure that all the destructive power of her attack would be focused on the Magic Power Finder.
Eventually, Sui-Feng deemed her aim perfect. And when she did, she willed the firing sequence to begin. And as it did, three fins unfolded from the back of the missile. Then, she flared her magic power once again.
And with that final flare of magic power…
*Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
… the missile was fired, its massive recoil sending Sui-Feng flying backwards. And because she was so close to the separating wall, it did not take long for Sui-Feng to slam back first into the wall, collapsing it on top of herself.
Meanwhile, the missile, fired with the majority of Sui-Feng's magic power powering it, flew forward at staggering speeds. Then, in the blink of an eye, it collided with the Magic Power Finder, and…
*Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
… triggered an explosion that covered the equivalent of two city blocks in all directions. At the same time, a powerful shockwave was sent in all directions, threatening to blow the weaker wizards in the arena off their feet.
"Holy shit…!" Cana said in a dumbfounded tone.
Just then, Sui-Feng was pulling herself out of the rubble. And when she heard Cana's surprised exclamation, she puffed out her chest proudly. However, when she heard the following words, she almost spit out a mouthful of blood in anger.
"She's really in the wrong guild." Cana continued, completely unaware, and uncaring, of the fact that Sui-Feng was listening to her. "With destructive power like that, she would fit in perfectly with our guild."
"Elicia and Ultear, on the other hand, had seen Sui-Feng climb out of the rubble. They also noticed how she puffed out in pride. So, when they saw the anger on her face at the rest of Cana's comment, they could not help starting to laugh.
{"That was…"} Loli said with his mouth slightly agape after seeing the destructive power of Sui-Feng's attack.
{"So cool~~~~~!"} Jason shouted, finishing Loli's sentence in his usual style.
{"This time, I have to agree with Jason."} Yajima added with a nod. {"That was quite impressive. Oh, look, the committee is already carrying out the next Magic Power Finder. So, I assume that means there's another incalculable result, huh?"}
{"I would think so."} Loli replied. {"Well then, it looks like this event is almost at its end. There's only one contestant left. So, as soon as the committee is done, Cana, it's your turn."}
"Well, I can't let you two out do me, can I?" Cana asked as she started flaring her magic power. "I guess I'll use that. Haven't used it since Master Mavis came back. So, now is as good as any."
"Are you sure?" Ultear asked. "Don't those spells use life force as a cost instead of magic power?"
"Don't worry about it." Cana said with a smile. "According to Hoyle, I shouldn't have to worry about it as long as I don't use it more than once a year."
"If you say so." Ultear replied, sounding slightly worried.
"Just don't overdo it, Cana." Elicia said in a slightly stern tone. "There are a lot of people behind the target. You don't wanna have an accident on that scale."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Cana said, waving her hand as she started walking towards the freshly installed magic Power Finder that floated above the huge crater left behind from Sui-Feng's attack. "I've never hurt innocent bystanders before, and I don't intend to start now."
With every step, Cana's magic power grew in intensity. And as it did, an intricate tattoo like marking appeared on her right arm. She then stopped at the edge of the crater and pointed her right palm at the Magic Power Finder.
"Glitter! O river of light that's guided by the fairies! Shine! In order to perish the fangs of evil! [Fairy Glitter!]" Cana's incantation rang out over the entire stadium.
As her incantation went on, Cana was engulfed in a bright light. So bright, in fact, that nearly everyone in the stadium was forced to close their eyes. Then, as the incantation ended, that light surged forward, following the direction where Cana's arm was pointing.
*Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Then, in a violent explosion of light that could be seen from nearly every corner of Crocus, the surging light slammed into the Magic Power Finder, the destruction of the spell covering just as much area as Sui-Feng's attack. However, instead of simply creating a dome of devastation, the light surged straight up into the air.
{"Well, it really did take all three to break before the event ended, huh?"} Yajima said, his smile audible in his tone. {"And that means we should have a three-way tie for second place in this event."}