Chapter 439: A Swift Victory

"Now, the fourth day is upon us! Let’s turn our attention to the upcoming event!" the announcer’s voice boomed, immediately met by a roaring,

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

By the start of the fourth day, the crowd had fully embraced the roaring enthusiasm of the Grand Magic Games. A bittersweet feeling lingered in the air, a collective realization of how quickly the festival was passing. Yet, no one hesitated to keep their eyes glued to the arena—especially since today’s event featured an all-female lineup.

What exactly was this highly anticipated event?

"Naval Battle?" Flare tilted her head, reading the schedule.

"It’s simple enough," someone replied. "The last one remaining inside the floating water sphere is the victor."

Representing their team was Ultear. Naturally, participating in a water arena meant donning a swimsuit. Compared to the rest of the competitors, hers was surprisingly conservative, covering her neck, arms, and even extending down to her thighs. Yet, despite the coverage, Finn couldn’t help but notice that her sheer presence and curves still radiated an undeniable allure.

And the other competitors? Well, considering the all-female roster, Finn had to admit the entire spectacle was pure eye candy.

The lineup was stacked: Sherria from Lamia Scale, Jenny from Blue Pegasus, Lislie from Mermaid Heel, Juvia from Fairy Tail Team B, Minerva from Sabertooth, and Lucy from Fairy Tail Team A.

Each was beautiful in her own distinct way. Some might question his inclusion of Lislie, but Finn knew that whenever she used her magic to slim down, she was genuinely gorgeous. Was her heavier form just a clever way to protect herself? Finn wasn’t entirely sure. But there was no denying the striking beauty of the Fairy Tail mages, Lucy and Juvia.

Juvia wore a frilly bikini that perfectly highlighted her womanly figure, her hair tied in low twin-tails with soft bangs framing her face, giving her an incredibly cute aura. Meanwhile, Lucy was just... Lucy. She was the natural epitome of sex appeal, effortlessly drawing eyes without even trying. As for young Sherria, Finn wisely decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

And, of course, there was no overlooking the mature, striking elegance of both Jenny and Minerva—

"What are you thinking about?"

Finn’s train of thought derailed instantly as Meredy and Sorano pinched both his cheeks sharply.

"Nothing."

Still, the two girls hummed in unison at his answer.

Then, Flare gently grabbed his face, forcing him to look straight ahead. "Finn-sama, just focus on us, okay?"

"...Okay."

Yes, the women in his life were undeniably possessive.

Still, looking back at the arena, the Fairy Tail contestants posed the biggest threat. Juvia’s innate Water Magic gave her an absolute home-field advantage in the aquatic battlefield. And Lucy? One of her strongest Celestial Spirits was Aquarius, the formidable water-bearer. How exactly was Ultear supposed to defeat those two?

Do you want me to possess you to help? Finn asked Ultear via Telepathy.

No, it’s fine, Ultear replied calmly.

Really? Finn was mildly surprised.

Minerva already told me she’s going to handle everyone else.

Hmm?

It turned out that before Finn could offer his assistance, Minerva had made her own telepathic link with Ultear, volunteering to clear the board of all other participants.

Is that okay with you, Minerva? Finn reached out to the Sabertooth mage.

Ah, Finn-sama? Minerva jumped slightly at the sudden voice echoing in her mind.

Sorry for popping in so suddenly.

N-No, it’s fine. Please don’t worry, she assured him quickly. But to answer your question, yes, I don’t mind at all. Let me handle all the small fry here. They aren’t a match for me. There is no need for Ultear-san to dirty her hands.

Then I’ll leave them to you. Go ahead and take first place, Finn instructed. It would be weird if we took the top spot after you did all the heavy lifting.

Eh? Are you sure that’s okay?

I don’t mind either, Ultear chimed into the psychic network. Like Finn said, it wouldn’t make sense for us to steal the win when you handled the entire fight.

Then... understood. Minerva hesitated for a second but agreed. It was clear that Finn and Ultear really didn’t care about the prestige of the Grand Magic Games.

Besides, Finn had casually taken second place the day before. Racking up another second-place finish didn’t matter much. The true champion of the Grand Magic Games would be decided in the final grand battle anyway; the preliminary rankings were just minor details.

"Do you really have that much confidence in Minerva, Finn?" Meredy asked out loud, tilting her head.

"I do," Finn nodded. "Her magic is uniquely suited for this."

"Territory, right?" Sorano glanced at him with a knowing look.

"Exactly. Fairy Tail might have two elite water-users, but Minerva? She manipulates space. If you get instantly teleported outside the water sphere, all the elemental advantage in the world means nothing. What can you even do?"

Meredy blinked. "Er... nothing, I guess."

In a ring-out event like the Naval Battle, Minerva’s victory was practically guaranteed.

Down in the sphere, Juvia’s eyes burned with determination. I am going to win. Water was her domain, her absolute element. But the very second the starting bell rang, Lucy made a massive preemptive strike!

"Open! Gate of the Water Bearer! Aquarius!"

"OOOOH! The water is my domain!" Aquarius materialized in a swirl of bubbles. The beautiful, foul-tempered mermaid leveled her urn, instantly absorbing the surrounding water, preparing to blast the entire arena away!

But Juvia wasn’t about to let that happen. "No, you won’t! Water Cyclone!"

Juvia conjured a fierce aquatic vortex to counter the spirit, knowing full well that if Aquarius unleashed her torrent, they would all be washed out of the ring!

But suddenly, the scenery shifted. Jenny, Juvia, Lucy, Sherria, and Lislie all blinked in unison. The sensation of floating vanished. Gravity reasserted itself abruptly.

"Eh?"

"..."

Complete silence fell over the competitors. Just as the chaotic elemental clash was about to erupt, five of the participants found themselves plopped unceremoniously onto the hard ground outside the sphere. They had been eliminated in the blink of an eye, leaving only Ultear and Minerva floating peacefully inside.

"W-What’s happening?!" the announcer screamed.

"How did they just appear outside?!"

"They were defeated just like that?!"

While the audience and the Fairy Tail guild members stared in utter bewilderment, the Sabertooth balcony was a picture of smug satisfaction.

"Oh, that wasn’t very nice of you, Princess," Sting smirked.

"Her magic is practically unfair for this kind of event," Rufus mused.

"Yeah, no one had a chance against her in this," Orga chuckled.

To Sting, Rogue, Orga, and Rufus, Minerva’s effortless domination was simply the natural order of things.

"You win," Ultear said simply.

To the crowd’s utter shock, Ultear casually swam to the edge and exited the sphere of her own accord without a single backward glance. That left Minerva floating entirely alone in the massive globe of water.

"T-The winner is Minerva from Sabertooth!"

"O-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!"

Snapping out of their daze, the stadium erupted into deafening cheers. Minerva had just reminded everyone that Sabertooth’s status as the top guild was not for show. They might have suffered a few setbacks, but they could never be underestimated.

Yet, high above the cheering crowds, Minerva, Sting, Rogue, Orga, and Rufus all shared a quiet, collective thought: It really was a great decision to follow Finn.