After the invitation banquet concluded, Lucy reluctantly bid farewell to the Celestial Spirits, and everyone returned to the human world.
Thanks to Ankh's timely awareness of the time flow difference between the two realms, their special training at the seaside wasn't disrupted by temporal discrepancies like in the original timeline.
Over the next three months, time flowed by uneventfully, with no more incidents like drunken antics or Celestial Spirit banquets.
However, with companions by their side, the monotonous routine of special training didn't feel arduous.
Instead, they became immersed in the pursuit of becoming stronger.
Before they knew it, three months had passed.
Makarov arrived by small boat, bringing a group of guild members to the seaside training camp to pick everyone up.
Alzack shaded his eyes as he observed the island's landscape and remarked, "You know, Ankh and the others picked a pretty good spot."
"Better environment leads to better training," Makarov said contentedly, his hands clasped behind his back.
He was particularly looking forward to seeing how his children had progressed after their rigorous training.
Bisca suddenly widened her eyes and pointed toward the sea, alerting everyone.
"Look over there!"
Everyone immediately shifted their gaze to the distant horizon and collectively gasped in astonishment.
A massive amount of seawater, enough to submerge the entire resort, was suspended upside down in the sky.
Juvia stood calmly within the inverted sea, her expression serene and her breathing steady.
"Juvia... incredible!" Warren marveled, while Max felt awestruck. "In just three months, she seems like a completely different person."
As they observed the spectacular scene, the group docked and disembarked.
After walking just a few steps, they witnessed the training of Team Natsu.
Natsu was engulfed in blazing flames.
The fiery inferno had grown intense in color, radiating heat even greater than when he activated his Dragon Force mode.
Erza stood before him, her eyes covered with a black blindfold.
As waves of scorching flames surged toward her, she swiftly swung her sword with one hand, releasing sword energy that prevented even the smallest sparks from getting close.
Bisca looked at Erza with admiration and sighed, "Erza can cut through Natsu's flames without even using her Flame Empress Armor."
Max nodded. "If anything, Natsu deserves credit for having the courage to face Erza in combat."
"Of course! Everyone has been through intense training!"
Levy had already come to greet them and proudly addressed the Guild Master and the others.
Jet and Droy stood by her side like loyal guards.
Makarov looked at the young woman before him with satisfaction and smiled, "Levy, your Magic Power has improved significantly too."
Levy scratched her head sheepishly. "Compared to everyone else, I'm still too weak. But Ankh taught me some Script Magic, so I can provide data support for everyone during the Grand Magic Games!"
Jet and Droy cheered enthusiastically beside Levy.
Makarov nodded with approval and asked, "Where are the others?"
"Gray should be adapting to his new power, Ankh is probably sleeping, Wendy is adjusting to Dragon Force mode, and Lucy is practicing Triple Gate..."
"Triple Gate?!"
Everything up to that point sounded normal—Gray was learning Ur's Black Ice, Wendy had received the Sky Dragon Pendant from Ankh but hadn't used it earlier due to her weaker constitution, and Ankh didn't require Makarov's concern.
But Triple Gate... For Mages with insufficient Magic Power, this was almost a forbidden technique.
If not executed properly, it could be life-threatening.
Levy understood Makarov's meaning and explained with a smile, "Don't worry, Master, Lucy is just experimenting and hasn't succeeded yet. After all, she's already mastered dual gate openings with ease!"
Makarov's expression softened, then he raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"They're here."
Not far away, Ankh and the others who had learned of Makarov's arrival were walking toward them.
Ankh arrived with Wendy and Gray, and everyone immediately welcomed them.
Makarov patted Ankh's leg and couldn't contain his laughter, "Looks like you've recovered quite well, Ankh!"
Ankh smiled and whispered, "Of course. I guarantee we'll win back those 30 million at the Grand Magic Games."
"Ahem... What are you talking about? It's about being number one in Fiore!"
When Max saw Gray appear, he eagerly challenged him to another duel, while Wendy kindly tried to dissuade him.
Having seen Gray's abilities before, Carla chuckled and said, "I'd advise against being impulsive. Gray has become quite powerful now."
Although Max had lost his previous fight with Gray, he had managed to suppress him at one point, so he confidently declared.
"No need. Let me test Gray's strength myself."
Gray, wearing a floral summer shirt, raised an eyebrow beneath his sunglasses and smiled. "Sure, come on Max."
Without another word, Max activated his Sand Magic and charged at Gray.
In the next instant, Max and the massive sand wave he had summoned were frozen solid within extremely cold ice.
Instant defeat.
Warren and Alzack gasped in shock, then Gray suppressed a laugh as he shattered the ice to free Max.
Max stood dazed, clutching himself as he sneezed, "What happened... Where was the black ice you promised?"
"Oh~ So that's what you wanted to see."
Gray raised his hand, and dark, gleaming ice resembling black jade coated his arm, emitting an underworld chill far colder than the previous ice.
Ur had left the island to return to work two months earlier, and by that time Gray had already mastered this type of ice.
The remaining time had been dedicated solely to increasing his Magic Power.
So now Gray hadn't just gained another lethal technique—he had improved in every aspect.
Max shuddered violently and reluctantly raised his hand in surrender.
"I give up... In just three months, you've all become monsters again like in the old days."
After chatting with Ankh for a while, Makarov saw all the training members gather, proudly showing off the results of their three months of hard cultivation.
On the return ship, Lucy felt confident again, certain of her growth and ready for the Grand Magic Games.
She arrogantly put her hands on her hips and laughed, "Let those guys witness our evolved strength!"
Natsu laughed wildly, mimicking her pose. "That's right, Lucy! Let them know the power of Fairy Tail!"
The synchronized boasting from the duo infected the other members, giving them a confidence boost.
"In just three months, even Lucy and Levy's Magic Power has grown so strong. Compared to them, we..." Alzack hung his head in shame, but Bisca comforted him with a smile.
"You're plenty strong too. Look over there—the ones who should really be worried are..."
The weakest duo, Jet and Droy, remained completely unfazed, cheering on Natsu and Lucy with loud shouts.
"...No wonder they're so happy..."