A melodious song echoed over the bustling South Gate Park.
All the Fairy Tail members currently in Magnolia had gathered here, while the local residents of Magnolia watched enthusiastically from the periphery, eager for the show.
The annual Fairy Tail 24-Hour Endurance Run Championship was being held today, with South Gate Park serving as both the starting point and the finish line.
"SO COOL! This year's 24-Hour Endurance Run is about to begin! Today's competition will be commentated by me, Jason from Weekly Sorcerer Magazine, and Mr. Raizel! We'll make sure to report this exciting event in the COOLEST and HOTTEST way possible!"
Nowadays, Fairy Tail didn't even need to invite Jason to their events—he would show up on his own, like a shark smelling blood in the water.
Down on the track, the Fairy Tail members were warming up and preparing themselves physically and mentally.
Natsu and Gray were continuously doing aggressive stretches, glaring at each other.
Raizel took over the microphone from Jason. "Yes, this is Fairy Tail's great tradition—the compulsory 24-Hour Endurance Road Run Championship that all Mages must participate in!"
"Oh?" Jason leaned in with his notepad. "Since it's compulsory for all members, why isn't contestant Raizel participating today?"
"Regarding that question, let's look at the replay."
As Raizel raised his hand, a massive floating crystal ball projected a scene for the audience.
The screen showed replays of several previous 24-Hour Endurance Runs that Raizel had participated in.
During Raizel's first participation, his use of the Take Over: Ulforcevdragon made him disappear from the other members' sight in a blur of speed.
In his second participation, flight was restricted by the rules, but his Take Over: Kentaurusmon still left all the other members eating his dust on the ground.
..
In Raizel's last participation, Makarov explicitly restricted Raizel from using Take Over magic entirely.
So, Raizel immediately demonstrated teleportation spells to Makarov...
With just two magic circles appearing on screen, Raizel returned to the starting point holding the target object before the others had even left the city.
In short, whenever Raizel participated, the others could only ever compete for second place.
Since then, Raizel had been directly placed on the 24-Hour Endurance Run Blacklist.
It's worth mentioning that there were two other members on this infamous blacklist: the first being Gildarts, who couldn't find his way along the marked path and caused catastrophic destruction everywhere he wandered; and the second being Laxus, who turned into electric arcs, flying around and electrocuting the other members just for fun.
Gildarts had been on the blacklist much earlier than Raizel.
"COOL! We can see that Raizel's performance in the 24-Hour Endurance Run was extremely impressive, winning the championship every time! So it's completely understandable why he doesn't participate anymore."
The camera then cut to Jet, who was doing high-speed stretches.
"Here he is, the recent champion of the 24-Hour Endurance Run!" Jason cheered. "I wonder if he can successfully defend his title this year?"
"Yes," Raizel added dryly. "Rumors say his work performance hasn't been great this year, so he desperately wants to shine through this competition."
"Hey!" Jet yelled from the starting line, expressing that this was unfair criticism.
Raizel looked at Jason and said deadpan, "Seems like we don't need to mention rumors, Mr. Jason."
Jason raised his hand apologetically toward Jet. "Yes, these are just rumors. Rumors aren't necessarily reliable, as everyone knows."
Raizel nodded in agreement. "Yes, hearing is false, seeing is believing."
Down on the track, Gray looked at Jet, who stood with his arms crossed and an unflappable demeanor.
He remarked, "That guy Jet is as composed as ever this year."
Natsu, pounding his fist into his palm with an air of absolute confidence, declared, "That's hard to say. This year's championship is mine for the taking."
Gray retorted, unable to let that slide, "What kind of arrogant nonsense are you spouting? The championship is obviously mine."
Gajeel snorted disdainfully nearby and said, "The louder people boast, the less they actually achieve."
Natsu, puffing out his chest proudly, boasted, "Heh, I've got an incredible secret weapon, you know."
Gray scoffed dismissively, "What secret weapon?"
At that moment, the three of them had no idea their bold claims were being broadcast live on the crystal screen for the whole town to hear.
"COOL! The three competitors are already sparking intense rivalry before the event has even begun!" Jason yelled into the mic.
"Now, let's turn our attention to the other top contenders," Raizel directed the camera. "First up, Ur, a former champion who finished in third place last year."
The camera cut to Ur, who smiled confidently and waved at the lens.
"Second, another top contender, Erza! Last year's runner-up!"
"Third, Kagura, who has consistently delivered strong performances in past competitions!"
Lucy observed the eager, intense members around her and noted.
"Everyone's so fired up."
Happy, flying in the air with his paws pressed against his cheeks in a pained expression.
"That's because nobody wants to face the final punishment, especially after how brutal it was last year."
Lucy, hearing about the punishment for the first time, exclaimed, "What kind of punishment game is it?!"
...
Makarov approached Raizel, who dutifully crouched down to hold the microphone for him.
Makarov was always serious on such occasions, and he spoke with a stern expression.
"Ahem, ahem! Quiet, everyone! Members of Fairy Tail! Only with sufficient physical strength and wisdom can one qualify as a Mage. I hope you'll fully demonstrate your wisdom, power, endurance, and determination in today's competition!"
"Does this kind of competition really require wisdom?" Elfman, whose mind was all brawn, questioned loudly.
Gray nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's obvious it'll only test physical strength."
"The rules are simple," Makarov continued. "After starting from here, sprint along the designated route. The goal is Mount Hakobe. This year, we've placed many scales from the Snow Magic Beast atop Mount Hakobe. You must retrieve a scale and return to South Gate Park within 24 hours. No dropping out midway is permitted!"
"As Mages of Fairy Tail, only those who complete the entire course will have the potential to achieve victory in future work!"
"Additionally, as usual this year, the use of flight magic is strictly prohibited, and mounts are not allowed either!"
"Whaaat?!" Happy and Cana were utterly devastated by the rule reminder.
Cana had also prepared a secret weapon this year—she'd planned to have her summoned Black Panther carry her halfway while she ran the other half, thinking it would be an easy win.
But now her strategy was shot down right from the start.
"Other than that, you may freely use any other magic," Makarov finished.
"Ah... mounts aren't allowed either..." Reedus scratched his head. "I'd better hurry up and draw myself thinner."
Reedus promptly pulled out his magic brush and quickly sketched himself back to his original, slimmer physique to run faster.
"Who told everyone to mess around every year?" Wakaba shook his head helplessly.
'It's all Raizel's fault'
Everyone instinctively turned their gazes toward the commentator's booth, glaring at Raizel.
"Same as usual, the person who comes in last place should prepare to face the most terrifying punishment in the world!" Makarov finished with an evil cackle.
Black lines appeared above all the members' heads.
"Basically, the guild master is just looking forward to the final punishment game, right?"
"Don't speak such blunt truths, or you might get targeted by the guild master later, Macao."
Macao rubbed his chin nervously and said, "Speaking of last year's punishment..."
Alzack nodded with a bitter, haunted smile. "Last year was truly miserable..."
Gajeel found their terrified reactions strange. "Isn't only one person punished? In other words, as long as you're not last, it's fine, right?"
Erza suddenly appeared beside him. "Your thinking is somewhat reasonable, but it's too passive!"
Gajeel tilted his head in confusion.
"Huh?"
"Since we're competing, the goal should naturally be first place! From the moment you step onto the competition track, the only goal is to be champion!"
After declaring her championship ambition, a golden light flashed, and Erza Re-Quipped into equipment suitable for long-distance running: a sun hat, a pair of sunglasses, a red sleeveless tank top, and athletic shorts.
Gajeel was completely stunned, his jaw dropping. "This is way too exaggerated..."
"To reduce muscle fatigue and allow for prolonged sprints, I specially ordered this set this year," Erza said proudly.
"You seem to order a new set every year..." Macao scratched his cheek as he teased.
Erza nodded with a serious expression. "Of course, isn't improving the experience after each year's use essential?"
"You win," Gajeel, Macao, and Alzack collectively gave Erza a thumbs-up.
"Happy!"
"Huh?" Happy was suddenly called out by Carla and startled.
"We're rivals today, you know. I won't go easy on you," Carla declared fiercely.
"I know, but... I really hate that no-flying rule. How can my short legs outrun anyone?" Happy sobbed.
"So gloomy..." Lucy, standing behind Happy, could feel his dark resentment radiating outward.
Jason screamed into the mic.
"Alright, everyone! The race is about to begin!"
Raizel: "Everyone, take your positions!"
Jet was already in his starting crouch. "Levy, watch my start closely."
Levy smiled wryly, "I don't have any extra energy to watch."
For a 24-hour endurance run, Levy would be thankful just to finish without collapsing.
"He's trying to show off in front of you," Lucy winked at Levy.
"Lucy-chan probably doesn't know, but I've never actually seen his start before."
Makarov raised his hand. "Ready!"
"GO!"
With Makarov's command, accompanied by the members' screams and massive clouds of dust, the race began.
Jet took a commanding lead instantly.
"Check out my super speed!"
Raizel, "As expected, Jet is leading from the start."
Jason, "COOL! Contestant Jet is going all out with a sprint right from the beginning!"
At the starting line, many members who had been caught in Jet's slipstream were lying down, collapsed, or slumped in various dizzy positions.
"Oh? There's another one keeping up behind!" Jason noticed on the crystal screen.
"Contestant Ur! She's unaffected by Contestant Jet's super speed!"
As the dust slowly cleared, Ur was maintaining a steady, rapid pace behind Jet.
The scene cut to a replay—the exact moment Jet started, Ur had created an aerodynamic ice shield around herself, remaining completely unaffected by Jet's initial burst of wind.
"You see, there's no way to see it, right?" Levy, with her hands on the ground coughing on dust, smiled bitterly.
"I get it..." Lucy groaned.
Boom!
A sudden flash of intense fire appeared beside Lucy, nearly singeing her hair.
"Huh???"
"You've got to be kidding me."
"See? My secret weapon! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist Propulsion!" Natsu yelled, using continuous bursts of flame from his hands to launch himself forward like a rocket over the ground.
Jason: "Not a bad idea from Natsu, using flames as propulsion for acceleration! COOL!"
Raizel: "The real issue is that he only thought of doing this this year..."
Raizel implied that this should have been obvious from the start for a fire mage.
Jason: "Natsu is moving fast, already overtaking Ur, who's maintaining a steady pace!"
Raizel: "That fits Ur's usual strategy. This is an endurance race, not a sprint. Going too fast now might cost him stamina later."
The third-tier runners chased after the leaders while cursing loudly.
"Lucy, Levy, Carla and I are going ahead now," Wendy said politely as she and Carla set off at a brisk jog.
"If everyone is your enemy today, there's no need to be so polite to them," Carla advised her.
"This is bad!" Lucy panicked.
"We're in last place!" Levy cried out.
Lucy and Levy had been so busy talking and complaining at the starting line that they didn't realize everyone else had already started running.
They quickly scrambled to catch up.
"Excellent, who will face the punishment game? I'm looking forward to it!" Makarov's mischievous, wrinkled grin filled the crystal screen broadcast.
"Really, Master has terrible taste," Ultear complained while running elegantly in the middle of the pack.
"The tiers are clear now. Jet leads the first tier, Natsu follows in the second."
Jason: "The third tier is led by Erza, with Lucy and Levy temporarily lagging behind!"
Raizel: "Oh? Happy's been overtaken! Happy is now in last place."
Happy adopted a steady, cautious strategy.
Why? Because he couldn't do anything else... with his tiny legs, he physically couldn't go any faster without flying.
Jason: "Natsu is sticking close to Jet this time! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist Propulsion, what a COOL idea!"
"This time, we've specially invited commentator Mira to share her insights!" Jason announced.
Mirajane smiled at the camera. "Jet is running so fast the cameras can't even capture him properly..."
Further back, Reedus was enacting his own strategy.
"Painting Magic!" Reedus quickly drew a large pit on his own body canvas, summoning it onto the path.
A huge pit suddenly appeared in front of Droy and Warren.
Unable to brake in time, the two fell right in with a yelp.
"Try this." Reedus then drew a horse on himself, a pair of roller skates, and a rope tied around his body connecting him to the horse.
"Giddy up!"
Jason: "Another strange idea! If you can't ride a mount, you get pulled instead?"
Raizel passed the microphone to Mira: "I really like this loophole idea."
"ICE MAKE: Ice Floor!"
Jason: "COOL! Elegant, absolutely elegant!"
On screen, Gray brilliantly glided across the smooth ice he was creating under his feet, basically skating, while the Guild members running around him slipped and tumbled into a messy heap.
"Don't hold a grudge!" Gray laughed, waving back at them.
Suddenly, Reedus's painted horse galloped wildly onto the ice path.
"Gray!!! I can't stop!!!" Reedus screamed as his roller skates lost traction.
"Ahhh!!!" Gray's face twisted into a meme-worthy expression of panic as he looked back.
Once Reedus hit the frictionless ice, he couldn't brake at all.
Gray first got slammed hard in the kidneys by the runaway horse, then was hit again by Reedus colliding into him.
The two tangled together in a painful slide.
"Gray-sama!" Juvia called out lovingly while effortlessly gliding across the ice herself, watching Gray retreat backwards in pain.
Raizel seamlessly transitioned back to the rear of the pack.
"Happy's performance is excellent! His steady pace has already surpassed many exhausted members!!"
"This is so uncomfortable!" Cana wheezed, clutching her side.
"Who told you to always ride the black panther during missions! You need more exercise!" Wakaba yelled back, completely out of breath himself.
"At least stop panting before speaking, then you might sound more convincing! Wakaba." Cana retorted.
Wakaba indicated with a wave of his hand that this was asking too much of him.
"I never realized my physical stamina would be this poor," Macao groaned, trailing behind them.