Bonus Chapters every 200 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X791]
~ With Shisui ~
Shisui walked back into his team's section, his conversation with Master Makarov still fresh in his mind. The old man's fury had been something to behold. It had taken every ounce of Makarov's self-control not to level half the capital in his rage. Someone targeting Fairy Tail members, especially during the Grand Magic Games, was a personal insult the guild master wouldn't forget.
As he walked closer to his team, he noticed Mira standing near the railing with tears streaming down her face, though she was smiling. Adding to the deafening cheers coming from the crowd, Shisui realized that he'd clearly missed something significant.
He moved to stand beside Laxus, who acknowledged him with a slight nod.
"So, what happened?" Laxus asked without looking away from the arena.
"Master will fill everyone in later." Shisui replied.
Laxus nodded again, understanding that the details would have to wait.
Shisui turned his attention to the arena floor. Elfman stood victorious but swaying on his feet, while Bacchus from Quatro Cerberus lay unconscious on the ground. Medical staff were already rushing toward both fighters.
"And the winner is Elfman Strauss of Fairy Tail Team A! That's ten points for Fairy Tail Team A! What an incredible upset!"
Shisui looked at his teammates. "What in Gods name did I miss?"
Gajeel scoffed as Juvia stepped forward to explain. "The match between Blacksnake and Toby had ended in Raven Tail winning, but..."
As she paused, trying to find the right words, Gajeel had spoken up instead. "What that bastard did to that dog was just cruel."
Gajeel's fist clenched, as he remembered that he was once a person like Blacksnake. Juvia saw this and placed a reassuring hand on Gajeel's shoulder as she picked up where Gajeel had stopped.
"After what that guy did, the crowd turned against Raven Tail completely. They're now the most hated guild in the games."
Shisui nodded for her to continue.
"Then came the second match. Elfman fought Bacchus from Quatro Cerberus." Juvia glanced at Mirajane before continuing. "There was a bet involved."
"Bacchus underestimated Elfman." Mira said, wiping her eyes. Her voice carried both pride and lingering worry.
Juvia nodded. "If Elfman lost, Bacchus could do whatever he wanted with Mira-san and Lisanna-san for one night. But if Elfman won, Quatro Cerberus would have to change their name to Quatro Puppy permanently."
Shisui raised an eyebrow. That was quite the wager. Shisui had heard that Bacchus was known as one of the stronger mages in the games, someone who could match S-class fighters on Erza's level. For Elfman to accept such terms, knowing what was at stake, took serious courage.
"How did he win?" Shisui asked.
"Bacchus got overconfident. Let the big guy transform fully." Gajeel cut in.
Shisui analysed the situation quickly. "Of course. Elfman must have used a transformation with exceptional defence and endurance. In a straight fight, Bacchus would win ten times out of ten. But if Elfman could weather the storm and wait for Bacchus to tire himself out from drinking and attacking, then even a weaker mage could claim victory through sheer endurance."
"Not bad, Scary Eyes…" Gajeel said with a smirk. "We'll make a mage out of you yet."
The attempted joke fell completely flat. Everyone on Team B turned to stare at Gajeel with identical deadpan expressions.
"What?" Gajeel crossed his arms defensively. "It was funny."
"No. It wasn't." Laxus said simply.
Before Gajeel could argue, a commotion in the arena drew their attention. Elfman's legs gave out and he collapsed face-first onto the ground. The medical team that had been approaching sped up, bringing a stretcher with them.
"Looks like we're up next." Shisui observed as the Lacrima display flickered to life.
The screen showed the next match: Fairy Tail Team B's Mirajane Strauss versus Blue Pegasus's reserve member, Jenny Realight.
Mira turned to Shisui before heading down. "Could you check on my brother for me? Make sure he's okay?"
"Of course."
At her request, Shisui then left the viewing area and made his way through the corridors toward Fairy Tail's medical bay. The hallways were less crowded here, most spectators staying in their seats for the upcoming match.
He pushed open the infirmary door to find Team A already gathered around Elfman's bed. Lisanna sat on the edge of the mattress while Erza stood with her arms crossed. Gray leaned against the wall, and Makarov stood on a nearby chair. Several other Fairy Tail members filled the remaining space.
"How's he doing?" Shisui asked.
"Elf-nii is being stubborn." Lisanna said with fond exasperation.
"I can heal those injuries, if you'd like?" Shisui offered, stepping closer to the bed.
"No!" Elfman's voice was firm despite his obvious pain. "These wounds are proof of my victory! They show my determination and remind me that I protected my sisters! A real man doesn't erase his battle scars!"
Lisanna reached over and lightly tapped his shoulder.
"YEOW!" Elfman shrieked, jerking away from her touch.
"You say all that but you're still in huge pain, Elf-nii," Lisanna scolded gently. "Your stalwart mind and gluttony for punishment might be unrivalled in our guild, but that doesn't mean you need to suffer needlessly."
A round of quiet chuckles filled the room.
"You did great out there." Erza said with a nod of approval.
"Yeah, you really showed them what Fairy Tail's made of," Gray added.
"We're all proud of you," Lucy said warmly.
"You fought with everything you had," someone else chimed in.
"A true man's battle," another voice added.
"You can rest easy now."
"You've earned it."
The compliments kept coming, each one more solemn than the last. Finally, Elfman had heard enough.
"Why are you all talking like I'm dying?!" he demanded. "I won the match! Stop giving me a funeral speech!"
That sparked another wave of laughter, lighter this time.
"ENOUGH!" Porlyusica's voice cut through the noise like a blade. She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and a scowl that could make grown men cry. "This is a medical facility, not a party hall! The injured need rest, not a crowd of noisy visitors! OUT! ALL OF YOU!"
Nobody argued. They quickly said their goodbyes to Elfman, Wendy, and Carla before filing out of the room. Even Shisui didn't dare linger under Porlyusica's glare.
Once they were safely in the hallway, Erza checked the time on a nearby clock.
"If we hurry back now, we should be able to catch Mira's match before it starts."
However, Makarov stopped them before they could leave. "Before you guys head back, there is something that you should know. Something that happened earlier."
Makarov then turned his head towards Shisui, causing all the other Fairy Tail mages to turn their heads toward him. Shisui stared at Makarov, seemingly waiting for Makarov to continue. However, when Makarov remained silent, Shisui realized what Makarov wanted.
"You want me to tell them?" Shisui asked Makarov as he pointed at himself. Makarov nodded in affirmation, causing Shisui to sigh.
"What's the point in telling me earlier that you'd tell the guild, if you were just going to make me do the telling… Fine… During the match between Blacksnake and Toby, I picked up something peculiar…" Shisui began his fourth re-telling of the kidnapping.
~ End of Chapter 115 ~
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