After standing for half an hour, everyone calmed down, and the acupressure was lifted.
Seeing the complaining crowd, Caesar clapped his hands and said, "I have received news that a grand magic tournament will be held this year to determine the title of the number one magic guild in the Kingdom of Fiore."
Caesar's words instantly attracted everyone's attention, but they didn't care too much. After all, being number one in Fairy Tail's Fiore Kingdom was already well-deserved, and there was no need to compete for the title of number one in some unheard-of Grand Magician Martial Arts Tournament.
But the next moment, everyone was drawn in, and even their breathing became much heavier.
"The prize money for first place in the Grand Magic Director Martial Arts Competition is 30 million J."
Caesar smiled and said, "The guild will send a six-person team. If they win first place, each member of the team will receive a prize of two million J. I will not take a penny of the remaining money; it will all be invested in this year's Harvest Festival."
"oh!!!!!"
Such an extravagant prize, coupled with the investment in the harvest festival, immediately caused a stir among the crowd.
They were all eager to try, rubbing their hands together in anticipation, hoping that Caesar would select them for the team.
"I thought so."
Caesar pressed his hands down in the air to quiet everyone, then raised a finger and said, "If everyone chooses S-rank mages, it will not only be unfair to everyone, but it will also be too much of a blow to other guilds."
Upon hearing this, everyone became even more excited.
"So I made the decision."
Caesar raised his second finger and said, "This six-person team will be led by one S-class mage, and the remaining five will be selected from non-S-class mages. As the first Grand Magic Games, Fairy Tail must make a name for itself, so we will hold a Grand Magic Games preliminary competition to determine the five strongest individuals to join the team through a survival-of-the-fittest approach."
"Great! I'm fired up!"
Natsu took the lead.
Two million J! Who wouldn't be tempted?
As for not being able to get first place?
This idea had never crossed anyone's mind!
"If I'm going to go up on the flames, then I'll go too."
Gray also stepped forward without hesitation.
As more and more people wanted to participate, Caesar felt a pang of regret.
Because none of these guys are easy to mess with. If we really set up a ring, they'd probably be wiped out after a few rounds.
What to do?
Just as Caesar was having a headache, he suddenly thought of someone.
His eyes lit up, and he vanished from the spot in an instant. When he reappeared, he was pulling along a girl with short green hair.
"This is so troublesome, can you please stop calling me?"
Brandish sighed. How did she end up being dragged here for no reason?
"Any dessert of your choice from Ishgar."
Caesar's words instantly captivated Brandish.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, Brandish activated her magic, enlarging the Fairy Tail guild's courtyard several hundred times, creating a large open space.
Caesar clapped his hands, and a huge arena covering more than 3,000 square meters appeared in the open space.
"Alright, the arena is ready for you. The selection competition shall officially begin."
After saying that, Caesar opened the door, revealing the huge arena in the distance.
As for the area around the arena, Caesar used a protective barrier connected to his magic power. Caesar was also worried that these guys might go too far and completely destroy the place, so it was safer for him to keep an eye on things.
"this..."
Everyone was stunned by the drastic change in the scene outside the door.
Before they could react, Caesar said calmly, "You only have three minutes. If you don't go on stage in three minutes, it means you're not participating."
Upon hearing Caesar's words, no one had time to pay attention to anything else.
Who would turn down money?
At this point, not to mention the guild's top combat power, anyone who felt capable rushed in.
Even the elderly Macao and Wakaba, with their frail arms and legs, stepped up. They are both old men who support their families, and their sense of responsibility is worthy of respect.
When the three minutes were up, Caesar raised his protective shield and then announced, "The selection competition will be a free-for-all. The five people standing in the arena will automatically become members of the Grand Magician Martial Arts Team. The competition begins!"
As soon as Caesar spoke, everyone sprang into action.
"Gray, the fight isn't over yet! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu lunged at Gray in an instant.
"It's a free-for-all now, use your brains!"
Gray clapped his hands. "Ice sculpture, carriage!"
In an instant, the ice carriage trapped Natsu. Just as Natsu was about to break free, the carriage wheels rolled, and Natsu collapsed weakly onto the carriage.
"You bastard who stole my mother, get off here!"
Just as Gray was feeling smug, Ultear struck first, sending countless crystal balls hurtling towards him.
"Don't even think about touching Lord Gray!"
Juvia teleported to Gray's side, and the water flow blocked the crystal balls.
The two instantly clashed.
"Open, Leo Gate, Leo!"
"Lucy, I'm here."
"A true man accepts the Beast King's soul with his whole being!"
"Don't blame me, Seven Star Sword!"
"The Roar of the Heavenly Dragon!"
"Iron Dragon Sword!"
Seeing the group instantly engaged in battle, Betty tugged at Caesar's sleeve and said with some concern, "Big brother, won't something happen if they fight like this?"
"It's alright, everyone's used to it."
Caesar patted Betty's head.
"But who do you plan to have lead the team?"
Mirajane walked over to Caesar, looked at the crowd fighting on the stage, and then looked at Brandish, who was watching in a daze, and said, "It seems like they're not here."
Caesar nodded. Laxus and Erza went on a mission, while Gildarts, unable to stay idle, accepted a high-difficulty S-rank mission that best suited him: fishing for the Abyssal Giant Fish, and then ran away.
Currently, besides Caesar himself, Mirajane is the only S-rank mage left in the guild.
Caesar is the president and cannot step down, so the choice of team leader has basically been made.
"However, I'd like Betty to participate as well."
Caesar patted Betty's little head and suddenly spoke.
Mirajane blinked, looking incredulous.
Betty looked at Caesar, wondering why she had to participate now that she had only been watching.
"Of course, not as a starting player, but as a substitute. In matches that aren't too difficult, we can let Betty go up and have some fun."
Mirajane breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Caesar's words.
After all, Betty is too young. At this age, she should focus on growing properly.
The competition is still a long way off.
The battle on the arena became increasingly fierce, and those weaker individuals were eliminated one after another and teleported down by Caesar.
When there were only a dozen or so people left, Brandish walked up to Caesar and said, "Can I go up? I want to fight that Celestial Spirit Mage."