The train rumbled along, soon reaching Ankh's destination.
The royal capital of Fiore, the most prosperous city in the nation—Crocus!
Adorned with countless beautiful blooms, it was widely known as the "City of Flowers."
Ankh and the others stepped out of the train station carrying their luggage, gazing warmly at the capital that remained as bustling as it had been years ago.
Mirajane touched her cheek nostalgically and smiled. "I remember coming to the capital with Ankh and Erza to carry out a mission."
Ankh nodded.
He took out a dark gold Celestial Spirit Key and sent Ophiuchus back to the Celestial Spirit World.
"I also received Ophiuchus's key from the old King during that mission."
Gajeel stretched comfortably as he walked down the street. "Celestial Spirit Magic is convenient. I didn't feel carsick at all."
Laxus crossed his arms indifferently. "That's just because Ophiuchus is powerful enough to carry us. Lucy's Celestial Spirits don't have that ability."
"Speaking of which, where is Juvia?" Ankh looked around, frowning slightly.
Mirajane explained, "She said she wanted to go greet Gray, so..."
"Ah... I hope she doesn't spill the beans."
"She probably won't. Juvia isn't like Lucy~"
Ankh shrugged and pulled a rulebook out of his bag.
Flipping through the pages, he said, "The official rules of the Grand Magic Games state that we need to check into our designated inn before midnight."
"Lily Kiss? What a name for an inn..." Ankh muttered, shaking his head.
"Well, it is the City of Flowers," Mirajane chuckled. "I've already told Juvia the name. She should meet up with us later."
"Let's head to the inn, drop off our luggage, and then explore."
Following the map tucked inside the rulebook, the four of them soon arrived at the inn.
As soon as Ankh stepped inside, a flamboyantly dressed innkeeper approached with an enthusiastic smile.
"You must be participants of the Grand Magic Games, right? Would you mind filling out a form and showing your credentials?"
Ankh nodded.
He pulled out the competition credentials Makarov had arranged and filled out his information.
The innkeeper took the documents, a hint of peculiarity flashing in her eyes.
'Fairy Tail... Team B? Wasn't that the perennial bottom-ranked guild? Hadn't they disbanded yet? Oh right, I heard the members who went missing on Tenrou Island returned. Is this them?'
Seeing the innkeeper's furrowed brow, Ankh asked calmly, "Is there a problem?"
"No... not at all..." The innkeeper put on a polite smile.
Though she didn't understand why such a weak guild would split into two teams, it wasn't her business.
Besides, the young man leading them is quite handsome.
Even if their results end up at the bottom, he'll probably attract some popularity...
"If you're an idol Mage, young man, coming to the Grand Magic Games is definitely worth it. Many Mage idols debuted at this festival in the past~"
The innkeeper summoned several attendants to carry their luggage upstairs, showering Ankh with praise along the way.
Ankh was aware of this. In recent years, the Ram Company alone had used the Grand Magic Games as a springboard to launch many good-looking Mages as idols.
However, these idols' magical abilities were usually unworthy of the Grand Magic Games' reputation, so the festival often sparked offline battles between fans who valued looks and those who valued pure magical strength.
Clearly, the innkeeper had mistaken Ankh for a flashy but shallow Mage.
Seeing the starstruck innkeeper edging closer to Ankh, Mirajane smoothly wedged herself between them and pushed her away, asking nonchalantly.
"We have another girl with us. Are there enough rooms?"
The innkeeper didn't take offense.
Instead, she sized up Mirajane's equally remarkable appearance and smiled. "Don't worry, miss. Rooms for participants are reserved separately. Please follow me."
'These good-looking Mages always have hordes of fans and are so untouchable...'
Soon, the innkeeper led them to a large suite on the third floor.
Each person had their own separate bedroom with a balcony, offering an expansive view of the city.
After politely showing them around, the innkeeper left.
Laxus tossed his luggage aside, collapsed onto a bed, and closed his eyes. "Now we just wait until midnight, right? I'm going to sleep first."
Ankh, who planned to explore the capital with Mira, casually asked, "You're not going out? It's rare that we're in Crocus."
Laxus waved a hand dismissively. "Not interested. You guys go have fun."
"Alright then..." Ankh nodded.
He wanted to enjoy the city anyway, the last time he was here, it had been all work and no play.
Hearing that Laxus didn't want to go, Mirajane, who had secretly been hoping for some alone time with Ankh, felt relieved.
Her styled bangs and ahoge happily swayed.
"Oh~ Then I'll join you. I need to pick up Lily and the others anyway."
Gajeel suddenly spoke up, and Mirajane's smile instantly vanished!
...
While Team B settled in, Team A and the main support group led by Makarov had just entered the city.
After Levy explained the rules to Erza's squad, Erza frowned in confusion. "Why are the accommodations specified... And what does it mean that we must return to our designated lodging before midnight?"
Makarov, happily carrying Asuka—a guild junior almost as tall as him—on his back, said, "The Grand Magic Games always has special rules each year. We only understand their purpose once the competition starts. That's not strange at all."
Levy nodded.
A magical screen resembling Hibiki's Archive Magic appeared in the air as she mused, "Comparing past Grand Magic Games, I've noticed the competition events are always quite inconsistent..."
"However, one thing is certain: no matter the format, there will always be direct combat duels between Mages."
"That settles it!" Natsu declared confidently, clenching his fist with a grin. "We never back down from a fight!"
"Besides, we rarely get to visit the royal capital. Of course we should go exploring!"
"I agree!"
"Aye!"
Natsu dashed toward the city with boundless enthusiasm.
Lucy, eager for fun, quickly followed him, with Happy flying after them.
Seeing this, Gray scratched his head. "I'm getting hungry. Let's find a restaurant for dinner. Wendy, Erza, are you coming along?"
Wendy shook her head, happily holding Carla. "Carla and I want to visit Mercurius Palace first."
Erza also declined. "I'd like to return to our inn first to check if anything is amiss."
After agreeing to regroup before midnight, the members of Team A went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Ankh, Mirajane, and Gajeel had just found a restaurant and sat down to order when several tables ahead of them suddenly erupted into a commotion.