While "Lucy" was being abducted, the first battle round of Day Two of the Grand Magic Games had already concluded with the sounding of the gong.
Raven Tail's Kurohebi, using his mimicry magic, defeated Lamia Scale's Toby the Caitsith, who used claw magic.
The two had made a bet at the start of the match. The result was that Kurohebi ruthlessly tore apart Warcry's treasured socks, shocking the entire arena.
"Well... Kurohebi is certainly hard to evaluate," Chapati said. As part of his duty to manage the crowd's emotions, he kept his remark brief before grabbing the microphone and announcing loudly: "Without further delay, let's move on to today's second battle."
"It's Mermaid Heel's ace mage, Bacchus the Drunk Eagle, versus—"
"Fairy Tail Team A's Elfman!!"
"What?!!" xN
The announcement stunned everyone, including Elfman himself.
"It's over..." Future Macao and Future Wakaba didn't mince words, expressing their lack of confidence.
Despite having been one-shot by Chase, Bacchus was still an opponent acknowledged by the monster Erza herself. How could Elfman possibly win?
"You two are terrible! Elfman is really strong too!" both Lisannas said, firmly defending their brother.
Also shocked, and even furious, was King Toma E. Fiore, sitting in the best viewing seat in the arena.
Still savoring the memory of yesterday's spectacular match between Chase and Jura, he had decided not to appear as Pumpkin Head so he could better appreciate the clash between two guild S-Class mages from a higher vantage point.
He never expected that Arcadios, the captain of the knights responsible for arranging the matchups, had confused Erza with Elfman—both names starting with "El"!
This one-sided matchup had him hopping mad, while Arcadios could only apologize profusely beside him.
In any case, a last-minute change was out of the question—both contestants had already entered the arena.
"How boring. I was hoping for a long-awaited rematch with Erza," Future Bacchus said lazily, lying on the ground, propping up his still-swollen cheek with one hand. His expression was amused, and he clearly didn't take the muscular man before him seriously.
"Hey—same as the last match, let's make a bet to spice up this dull fight."
"Bet what?" Elfman asked in a low, serious voice.
"Your sisters are both top-tier beauties," Future Bacchus said, a cruel, lecherous grin spreading across his face. "If I win—"
"I can probably guess what you're about to say, but for the sake of your own safety, I should give you a serious warning."
Elfman coughed lightly to cut off Bacchus, speaking with a meaningful, solemn tone: "Chase is Mira's boyfriend. And unless something unexpected happens, Lisanna will be his sister-in-law."
The moment those words fell, the entire arena fell into dead silence.
After a brief pause, the jealous groans of perverts erupted one after another.
Mirajane Strauss—the super sexy beauty who had dominated Weekly Sorcerer Magazine's covers seven years ago—and that damn Chase had actually managed to win her over?!
The admiration and goodwill Chase had built up in the hearts of male spectators on the first day instantly crumbled, transforming into deep resentment.
At Team B's stands.
"Saying that in front of so many people... how embarrassing~" Mira said, covering her mouth with a laugh that suggested she was anything but embarrassed.
"Uh... you don't look embarrassed at all," Future Laxus couldn't help but point out.
"Oh my, oh my—truly worthy of Elfman~" Future Mirajane laughed heartily from inside the card.
Lucy, also inside the card, watched in amazement: "Incredible! She's not even worried about the negative impact after we return to our original world! Truly worthy of Mira!"
At that, Future Mirajane's smile froze, and she immediately burst into tears, covering her face. Future Elfman and Future Lisanna rushed to comfort her while shooting dirty looks at Lucy.
"That's right~ Juvia is also Gray-sama's girlfriend!" Juvia shouted excitedly, dropping another bombshell.
Over at Team A's stands, Gray let out a deep sigh and quietly moved to the dimly lit passageway behind.
Future Lucy, who had just arrived from the rest area, noticed this strange behavior: Wait—he didn't deny it?!
"WOW! What an unexpected bombshell!!"
Chapati's voice, burning with gossipy enthusiasm, drew the entire arena's attention. "Let's see how Bacchus responds to this—"
"WHAT (voice cracking)! Bacchus is frozen in shock?!!"
Following his gaze down to the arena, they saw the previously arrogant and domineering Future Bacchus standing rooted to the spot, mouth agape, eyes practically shooting out of their sockets, his forehead drenched in visible cold sweat.
If it had been yesterday, having only seen Chase's fight with Future Jura, the arrogant Bacchus probably wouldn't have reacted this way.
But last night's tavern incident had given him a firsthand experience of Chase's terrifying power!
He'd die. If he actually said what he was about to say, that unreasonable monster would definitely come after him, and he'd die for sure!
His soul was genuinely trembling this time!
For a moment, Bacchus's gaze toward Elfman carried a hint of gratitude.
"Honestly, I preferred you when you were arrogant and untamed," the burly Elfman chuckled.
"Ahem, ahem! Enough talk!"
Acting as if nothing had happened, Bacchus seamlessly resumed his earlier arrogance: "If I win, you—as Mirajane's brother—have to call me 'Big Bro'!"
That way, whenever that monster Chase saw him in the future, he'd have to respectfully address him as "brother-in-law."
Just thinking about it felt strangely satisfying!
Elfman clenched his fists and readily accepted the bet: "Deal!"
As long as it didn't involve his important sisters, he had no objections.
"If you lose—"
Glancing up at the Mermaid Heel mages in the stands, who were shouting "Wild!" repeatedly, Elfman grinned and said, "During the Grand Magic Games, your guild's name will be changed to 'Four Little Puppies'!"
Mermaid Heel's master and mages: "?!!"
"Pfft hahaha!"
After a burst of laughter, Future Bacchus's eyes and entire demeanor shifted abruptly. He smirked coldly: "You're not even S-Class—do you really think you have a chance of beating me?"
BOOM!
A surge of dense magical power erupted from his body, shaking the entire arena, the ground beneath him trembling slightly!
As Mermaid Heel's ace mage, just this preliminary release of power was enough to put Elfman on edge, overwhelming him with pressure.
Even so, his resolute expression showed no fear as he stepped forward, his body glowing with the light of Take Over magic.
"Underestimating a real man will cost you dearly!"
"Full Take Over: Guardian Sacred Beast — Gale Belfast!"
***
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