"Who in the world *is* that guy?!"
"Rufus couldn't even put on a show!"
"Since when did Fairy Tail have someone that strong?"
The arena buzzed. Rufus had been untouchable in past Games; now he looked like a child, swatted aside by Su Yan.
---
### Reactions from the guilds
**Blue Pegasus**
Ichiya whistled. "As expected, that monster Su Yan is still magnifique!"
The trio nodded in perfect agreement.
**Lamia Scale**
Sherria's eyes shone. "He's incredible!"
Leon folded his arms. "Seven years, yet he hasn't dulled at all… No—he's stronger."
Jura agreed. "Su Yan's on a tier beyond points and rankings."
**Mermaid Heel**
Risley blinked. "So that's the 'super‑strength monster' you mentioned?"
Millianna shivered. "Shh! He doesn't pull punches."
She remembered the Tower of Heaven—Su Yan had disciplined her once, and it still stung.
---
### Broadcaster's rundown
> **Chapati:** "Audience, we've dug up some info! Seven years ago, Fairy Tail's Su Yan was already famed as the 'Undead Demon King'—the guild's strongest mage, with a record that includes defeating a Ten Wizard Saint!"
Gasps rippled through the stands.
> "A Ten Wizard Saint? Then no wonder Rufus lost!"
Even Saber Tooth supporters had to swallow hard.
---
### Final athletics standings
> **1st** – Fairy Tail A 10 pts
> **2nd** – Fairy Tail B 8 pts
> **3rd** – Blue Pegasus 6 pts
> **4th** – Lamia Scale 4 pts
> **5th** – Mermaid Heel 3 pts
> **6th** – Quatro Cerberus 2 pts
> **7th** – Saber Tooth 1 pt
> **8th** – Raven Tail 0 pt
Two Fairy Tail teams sat at the top. The crowd had seen with their own eyes that it wasn't collusion—just raw power. Team A rode Su Yan's domination; Team B owed its runner‑up slot to Mirajane's Satan Soul.
---
### Guild benches
**Scales of the Snake Princess**
Master Ooba hammered the rail. "What are you doing, B‑rank!"
"Mother, please calm down!"
**Blue Pegasus**
Ren exhaled. "Not bad at all."
Hibiki nodded. "That's Su Yan and Mira for you."
**Mermaid Heel**
Arana laughed. "Our Beth tried."
Risley grinned. "Plenty of rounds left."
> **Chapati:** "A stunning upset on Day One! Saber Tooth, the reigning kings, land second‑to‑last, while the long‑dismissed Fairy Tail grabs first *and* second. Is the old champion truly back?"
---
### Team chatter
**Fairy Tail B**
Mira returned, cheeks pink.
"Great work," Laxus said with a rare smile.
Wendy clapped. "Miss Mira, you were amazing!"
"It's been so long since I fought on stage," Mira giggled. "I'm shy!"
**Fairy Tail A**
Gray and Natsu high‑fived Su Yan.
"Lucky first event," Lucy beamed.
Erza shook her head. "Not luck. Any event, Su Yan would have won."
---
### Dark murmurs
**Raven Tail**
Flare hissed, "Narbitt, what was that?"
"Shut up, Flare!" Kurohebi snapped.
Ivan's masked subordinate bowed. "I'll recover, sir."
From the shadows, Ivan glared at Fairy Tail's box. "Soon, father… soon."
**Saber Tooth**
Yukino fussed over Rufus. "Are you all right?"
He adjusted his hat. "That man didn't even try to hurt me. If he had, I might be dead. He's a monster."
Orga growled, "That scary?"
Sting clapped Rufus's shoulder. "Don't sweat it. We'll settle the score."
Rufus managed a thin smile—but the memory of those invisible shockwaves still echoed in his bones.
---
Monsters, it seemed, stayed monsters—no matter how many years passed.