Chapter 282: Ancient Magic · Mountain Moving Spell
"Ha???"
Upon hearing George's words, Makarov, the members of Fairy Tail, and even Laxus, who had been preparing to unleash his full power, were all stunned.
"What Fairy Tail First Magic Tournament?"
"The so-called Fairy Tail First Magic Tournament is a competition where everyone competes with magic to determine the guild's strongest mage.
Just now, the Fairy Tail Beauty Pageant was interrupted, and now the town's residents, along with those who came from other cities, are in a state of panic, thinking something has gone wrong with our guild.
We can use the excuse of hosting the Fairy Tail First Magic Tournament to cover up the chaos caused by the earlier events.
From now on, during every Harvest Festival, we can host the Fairy Tail First Magic Tournament in the afternoon to decide the strongest mage of the year, and hold the Grand Magical Parade at night.
This way, the residents and tourists will be even happier.
At the same time, Laxus, didn't you want to prove yourself and then lead the guild to become the strongest?
Then first become the guild's strongest mage.
Otherwise, what qualifications do you have to succeed as Guild Master and claim you can lead the guild to greatness?"
George laid out his idea.
He had three main purposes for proposing this.
First, of course, was to legitimately prove his strength as the guild's strongest mage, paving the way for his future succession as Guild Master.
Fairy Tail possesses three Great Magic Spells, with Fairy Law being just one of them.
The other two Great Magic Spells hadn't been mastered even by Makarov; only the First Master, Mavis Vermillion, the founder of the three Great Spells and the guild, known as the "Fairy Tactician," had mastered them.
Under normal circumstances, only each generation's Guild Master is qualified to learn the three Great Magic Spells.
Therefore, George was determined to become the Guild Master.
Second, this method would allow for peacefully resolving the issue with Laxus, avoiding a real fight that might ultimately get Laxus expelled from the guild.
Since he was destined to become Guild Master, he had to think from a Guild Master's perspective.
A mage like Laxus, whose strength was close to that of the Ten Wizard Saints, could not be allowed to leave easily; he had to be retained to strengthen the guild's power.
More importantly, the Fairy Law that Laxus just unleashed proved that despite his harsh words and arrogance, he truly cared for and acknowledged the guild deep down.
Third, and finally,
George believed that hosting such a tournament would enhance the guild's fame and provide everyone more motivation to improve their strength, which would only benefit the guild's development.
"I agree, I agree, I've long wanted to compete with everyone!"
Before Makarov could speak, Natsu had already jumped up excitedly.
Immediately afterward, Gray also instantly stripped off his clothes and said:
"If it's this kind of competition, I want to try it too."
"That's the spirit of a real man!"
"Hahaha, who's afraid of who!"
The members of Fairy Tail, who fought among themselves daily even just while drinking, how could they fear a competition? Upon hearing George's proposal, they all eagerly prepared for action.
But of course, there were a few reluctant ones, such as Lucy, who lacked confidence in her own strength, and Cana, a slacker mage only interested in alcohol.
"Laxus, what do you think?"
Makarov had initially been hesitant, but seeing everyone's enthusiasm, and after George privately transmitted a message to him saying that this would give Laxus a way to step down gracefully, he agreed.
Laxus remained silent for a moment, then slowly lifted his head and asked:
"If I prove I'm the strongest, will the Guild Master position be handed over to me?"
"If you prove that you are the guild's strongest mage, I have no objection to you succeeding as Guild Master."
George was the first to make his stance clear.
The others also expressed their agreement.
Although Laxus had been somewhat excessive today, the Fairy Law spell he unleashed earlier proved his true feelings.
Moreover, as the grandson of Makarov, whom everyone deeply respected, if he truly was the strongest, no one would object to him becoming Guild Master.
Of course, at the moment, the ideal candidate for Guild Master in everyone's hearts was still George.
George, who had led them to victory multiple times, cleaned up after everyone, remained emotionally stable, and was mature and steady.
"George, are you sure you can beat Laxus?
He's a Dragon Slayer of Lightning, you know. You must understand that your lightning magic won't work on him."
Makarov showed some concern.
George simply nodded and transmitted back:
"Don't worry, Master. I won't do anything I'm not confident in."
Hearing George's firm reply, Makarov felt reassured. He knew George well enough to trust that if he said so, there wouldn't be a problem.
Thus, Makarov solemnly announced:
"Alright, then it's decided. The champion of this Fairy Tail First Magic Tournament will become the guild's acting Guild Master.
Laxus, if you win the championship, you can take over as Guild Master. If you fail, you must apologize to everyone in the guild and stop making trouble, and earnestly go on missions."
"Old man, it's a deal!"
Laxus withdrew the lightning that had been crackling around him and picked up the coat beside him, draping it over his shoulders.
"Let the entire town see that I'm Fairy Tail's strongest mage, and take over the Guild Master position in glory—that sounds pretty good."
Over on the other side, Freed and Bickslow, who had been electrocuted, exchanged glances and simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
Right now, fighting against the Guild Master and others would have been hopeless. Besides, they truly wished for Laxus to become Guild Master in a legitimate way, rather than through killing all their comrades and townspeople.
If it came to that, they would rather leave the guild and create a new one themselves.
"Master, I have another suggestion. Since the champion of this tournament gets to become Guild Master, shouldn't the second and third places also receive some rewards?"
At this moment, George raised another suggestion. He hoped to motivate the entire guild to participate enthusiastically in the tournament.
Makarov, rare for him, was generous this time.
"Alright then, anyone who places in the top ten will receive a cash prize.
Second place gets 200,000, third place gets 100,000, and fourth to tenth places each get 50,000."
The Fairy Tail Beauty Pageant champion's prize had been 500,000, but because of Laxus' disruption, it had been canceled, so Makarov only needed to add another 350,000.
Thanks to George's efforts, the guild's finances were no longer in deficit. A total of 850,000 wasn't a big deal for the current guild.
"As for the venue..."
"The venue will be in the center of the lake; I'll handle the specifics."
George raised his hand and said.
Letting everyone fight freely inside the guild was definitely out of the question.
Even with the guild hall renovated from the moving castle, it couldn't withstand the aftermath of a full-power battle.
So they needed a large enough space where even the town's entire population could watch.
And George happened to have a spell to solve this.
Ancient Magic · Mountain Moving Spell!
(End of Chapter)