"So this is Crocus?"
From atop the drifting cloud of iron sand, the Fairy Tail mages stared ahead in open awe. "It's enormous."
Crocus, the City of Blossoms, lay at the eastern edge of the Kingdom, its sprawl dwarfing anything they'd known before. Compared to Magnolia, it wasn't just larger. It was on a different scale entirely. Districts stretched outward like petals, radiating from the heart of the city where a radiant golden palace rose into the sky. The royal citadel gleamed beneath the sun, lavish and unmistakable, a symbol meant to be seen from anywhere in the capital.
Rowan guided them down not into the city itself, but to the main gate.
Tournament rules were strict. All participating guilds had to register at the entrance so the Crown could arrange official lodging inside the city.
After Macau completed the registration as acting Guild Master, the group was finally allowed through.
The name City of Blossoms was no exaggeration.
Flowers bloomed everywhere. Along the streets, across balconies, climbing walls and rooftops. Residents wore floral jewelry and hairpieces, and even street performers favored magic that coaxed plants into vibrant, living displays. With the Grand Magic Games underway, Crocus buzzed with life. Visitors flooded in from every corner of the Kingdom and beyond, far more than Magnolia ever saw during its Harvest Festival.
Rowan noticed it immediately. The city was thick with magic. Skilled mages walked openly through the streets, their presence unmistakable. Every major guild had sent representatives, and it showed.
The competitors were housed separately, while non-participants had to find their own accommodations. Rowan didn't hesitate. With a lazy flick of his paw, he booked the best lodging available for everyone.
Fairy Tail had once lived hand to mouth. Since Rowan's arrival, that had quietly changed. Even now, with jobs scarce and morale still healing, the guild's foundation remained solid.
The first night passed without incident.
That was hardly surprising. Fairy Tail was famous, but this particular group wasn't. The legends people recognized were Makarov, Mirajane, Erza, Natsu. All of them were still sealed away on Tenrou Island.
Rowan himself rarely took public jobs. Most people knew him, if at all, as a strange, quiet cat who appeared only at the end of missions. Even during the Harvest Festival, when he'd drawn attention, few connected that image to Fairy Tail's true backbone.
So to outsiders, this team of four mages and one cat looked like just another minor guild among the hundred-plus that had registered. Some were newly founded, hoping to make a name for themselves. Others barely qualified, hastily formed just to meet the entry requirements.
The next morning, royal attendants arrived at the guild lodgings.
"Competitors, please follow me," a cheerful guide announced. "The first event will be held at Domus Flau, the grand arena on the eastern stone ridge. It was constructed specifically for the Grand Magic Games at the King's command."
As they walked, she gestured toward the distance. The arena loomed like a colossal ring of stone, reminiscent of an ancient coliseum. Four massive stone giants stood at its corners, each gripping a colossal sword. Carvings of beasts and mythical creatures decorated the outer walls.
"It's not a free-for-all, is it?" one mage called out.
"I'm afraid I don't know," the guide replied apologetically. "The details will be announced by the host once you're inside."
Laki adjusted the red bow in her hair, her eyes darting around uneasily. "Everyone here feels… strong. I wonder if we can really keep up."
Marcus laughed and waved her concern away. "Relax. We're not weak. And besides—"
"Careful," Bisca cut in quickly. "Rowan told us. Don't call him that here. Macau's the Guild Master officially. If the Crown thinks we're bending the rules, we'll be in trouble."
Alzack nodded. "Right. Loose lips, broken dreams."
The four of them glanced down at Rowan, sprawled on Laki's shoulder, eyes closed as if asleep.
They all knew the truth. Their ranking, their chances, the guild's future in this tournament—it all rested on him. The rest of them were support.
Rowan wasn't sleeping.
The previous night, his research into Fairy Sphere had taken a small but meaningful step forward. He was consolidating that progress now, mind turned inward, a sliver of awareness left outside just in case.
By the time they entered Domus Flau, the roar of the crowd washed over them.
The arena was packed. Every tier of seats overflowed with spectators, and each time a guild entered, cheers erupted from sections of the stands. Famous mages were treated like idols here, with devoted fans shouting names and waving banners.
Mirajane alone could've rivaled the popularity of top entertainers. Even Natsu had once been impersonated by a fraud who used his name to charm unsuspecting girls. Lucy herself had nearly fallen for it before joining Fairy Tail.
"Quite a crowd," Rowan murmured, opening his eyes as he rose to his feet.
He scanned the stands and spotted Macau and the others in the third row, shouting themselves hoarse. Their voices vanished beneath the tide of noise, but the effort still mattered.
Right now, the loudest cheers belonged to a handful of favorites. Jura of Lamia Scale. The three heartthrobs from Blue Pegasus. And Jenny Realight, a constant fixture in magic magazines and a fan favorite across the Kingdom.
Rowan's tail flicked once.
"Looks like the stage is set."