The host selection was just a minor episode in the National S-Class Exam Tournament.
Currently, all of Magnolia was busy preparing for the event, including constructing many new buildings specifically to accommodate Mages from other Magic Guilds coming to participate.
"Let's call it the Grand Magic Games Village—a village dedicated to hosting Mages here for the tournament."
Marco named the new housing complex, opting for a straightforward approach.
This "National S-Class Exam Tournament" was being organized according to Olympic standards, and this Grand Magic Games Village was essentially the Olympic Village.
Of course, the current National S-Class Tournament can only be called the National Games for now, as it only involves Mages from the Fiore Kingdom and isn't quite like the Olympic Games with global participation.
Only when all Magic Guilds from the Ishgar Continent can participate can it truly be called the Olympic Games.
Wait, that would actually just be the "Ishgar Games."
To be the real Olympic Games, They need to invite Magic Guilds from the Western Continent Alakitashia and the Northern Continent Guiltina as well.
This is clearly not an easily achievable goal, especially since the Western Continent Alakitashia is home to the Alvarez Empire, which has been eyeing the Ishgar Continent covetously.
As for the "Northern Continent Guiltina," it has long been isolated with little news, and there hasn't been much exchange with the "Ishgar Continent."
There are indeed barriers between the continents.
The lack of communication over time has made each side seem mysterious to the other.
Over time, this even led to subtle exclusion, such as people in the Fiore Kingdom excluding immigrants from the Western Continent.
Upon hearing they were Western Continent immigrants, locals were unwilling to accept them or offer them job opportunities.
Of course, the situation has improved significantly now, especially in Marco's fiefdom, in this blessed land of Magnolia.
With rapid economic development and the city expanding outward swiftly, a large influx of immigrants from various countries has naturally eliminated conflicts between locals, outsiders, and Western Continent immigrants.
When the economy is thriving, everyone tends to be kind and friendly.
A rising tide can cover all problems.
Western Continent immigrants also play a role in the National S-Class Exam Tournament, taking on much of the construction work.
These hardworking, diligent immigrants have indeed filled some gaps.
They don't pick and choose like the "masters" of Magnolia; they're willing to do whatever work they can to make a living.
Neither Marco nor Fairy Tail funded the construction of the Grand Magic Games Village.
The entire project was paid for by the city government using "special allocations" from the royal family.
Since Magnolia is Marco's personal fiefdom, the Fiore Kingdom technically has no obligation to intervene.
This "special allocation" is clearly a gesture of sincerity from King Toma, and he has indeed provided a substantial amount.
"I still have to acknowledge this favor."
Watching the Grand Magic Games Village being built day by day, Marco sighed.
He only hoped King Toma would prove reliable.
As long as he isn't too unreasonable, Marco would ultimately grant the king his wish.
After inspecting the bustling construction of the "Grand Magic Games Village," Marco returned to the city.
The village is, of course, being built in the suburbs since there's no space in the city, and the tournament venue is also in the suburbs, still set at the "Fairy Home" arena.
To accommodate this, the "Fairy Home" arena underwent further expansion.
Although the arena was already quite large, it needed additional spectator seating to welcome Magic Guilds from across the Fiore Kingdom and audiences from all over the country.
King Toma had initially offered to fund another arena, but considering that the National S-Class Exam Tournament wouldn't be held exclusively in Magnolia, Marco ultimately declined the proposal.
There was no need to go through such great effort to build a new arena that would see limited use.
This sparked an idea in King Toma's mind.
He thought perhaps the royal family could host a 'Grand Magic Games' exclusively in the capital, Crocus.
As long as the rewards were substantial enough, participants would surely come, allowing him to indulge fully in his passion.
King Toma didn't keep this idea from Marco, since Marco had initiated the concept first.
For the royal family to host a similar event in the capital might seem like a direct challenge, as if deliberately competing with Marco's efforts.
Given their strong relationship, strengthened by Hisui's connection, King Toma preferred maintaining their collaborative spirit.
Thus, he proactively sought Marco's opinion.
If Marco firmly opposed the idea, King Toma would reluctantly abandon it.
He had no desire to strain his relationship with Marco or alienate all the Magic Guilds in the Fiore Kingdom.
"No problem, go ahead and host it if you want. We can schedule them at different times—one in the first half of the year and the other in the second half."
Marco expressed his support for King Toma's idea.
Just as King Toma had thought, as long as the Grand Magic Games offered generous rewards, Magic Guilds would definitely participate.
The main purposes of the National S-Class Exam Tournament were to assess S-Class Mages and to generate revenue.
If participating in the king's Grand Magic Games could also bring in earnings, why not join?
As long as the timing didn't conflict, no one would mind.
Making money isn't something to be ashamed of—after all, it's earned through genuine skill.
"Excellent! I'll arrange the schedule carefully to ensure full coordination!"
Overjoyed by Marco's approval, King Toma was pleasantly surprised.
Although he had initially believed it could work out, he hadn't expected Marco to agree so readily.
"As expected of you, Marco, always so clear-minded!"
Marco didn't require any tedious persuasion from him.
Lately, this period had seen King Toma leaving the palace more frequently than ever.
Unable to stay put, he often made trips to Magnolia.
However, after securing permission to host the Grand Magic Games, King Toma would likely remain in the capital, Crocus, as he began preparations.
"This is great. The magical community in the Fiore Kingdom is going to be very lively from now on, with a major event every six months."
Makarov remarked upon hearing the news.
"Isn't that a good thing? It'll give everyone more opportunities to shine."
Marco responded with a smile.
Having a major event every six months would undoubtedly provide significant exposure for all Magic Guilds.
With a bit of luck, smaller guilds could gain fame overnight.
Moreover, talented Mages languishing in minor guilds would have the chance to be seen by a wider audience, provided they had the skill.
"It really is quite good." Makarov nodded.
The reason everyone supported the 'National S-Class Exam Tournament' was precisely because it could significantly boost their visibility.
The smaller guilds fought hard to qualify for the main competition for this very purpose.
They knew full well they were just cannon fodder, but as long as they could get exposure, it was never a loss.
The Fiore Kingdom was vast, and it was impractical to assign every request to major Magic Guilds.
Distance would compromise timeliness, so for convenience, people would still turn to nearby Magic Guilds for simpler tasks.
This was how the smaller guilds managed to survive.
As for more challenging missions, even if clients approached them, these guilds would mostly have to seek assistance from major Magic Guilds.
Lacking the strength to handle such tasks, forcing themselves would only tarnish their guild's reputation.
The fact that over a hundred Magic Guilds in the Fiore Kingdom could sustain themselves naturally meant they had their own operational logic.
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