บท 102: Chapter 102: The Beauty Pageant Officially Begins

October 7th—the day when Magnolia's Harvest Festival officially takes place.

On this day, the festive atmosphere reaches its peak.

The city's busiest streets are now packed with people. Besides the local residents, many from nearby villages and towns have also arrived.

Some have even been drawn by the fame of the Magical Parade, coming from even farther away.

Street vendors are energetically hawking their goods, and Goodman is one of the stall owners enthusiastically promoting his products.

Every so often along the roadside, musicians play instruments and sing songs, while clowns perform acrobatics.

Even the boats on the canal are adorned with various decorations. The cheerful boatmen occasionally sing a few fisherman's songs.

Food stalls are even more bustling, with the famous snack street filled with delicious aromas.

Natsu, who could barely walk steadily due to the aftereffects of eating lightning, dragged Happy out early in the morning to feast.

Given his appetite, it's estimated that not long after the festival, he'll have to find work.

Because it's a rare celebration, not many people came to the guild's tavern in the morning; everyone went to enjoy activities that interested them.

Meanwhile, Rhodes was helping set up the venue in the guild, under the direction of Marcus.

Today's first major event, the "Miss Fairy Tail Contest," was to be held at the guild.

Marcus was the first to arrive in the morning and had been excited ever since.

He had roped in Nab, Vijeeter, and Alzack—people he usually got along with—to help with the labor.

Alzack seemed somewhat reluctant; he had planned to take this opportunity during the festival to ask Bisca out for a stroll.

But Marcus asked him, "Invite Bisca? Do you dare to say it?"

Alzack fell silent instantly. He had been mustering the courage for months but still hadn't invited Bisca to team up for a mission, let alone go out shopping.

Then Marcus added, "Bisca is also participating in the contest. If we can't set up in time... don't you want to help?"

Alzack realized that if the contest couldn't proceed on time, Bisca would be disappointed too.

Poor Alzack—not only making no progress but also being firmly manipulated by Marcus.

The guild didn't have a ready-made stage, so Laki used her Wood-Make Magic to seal off the counter area and transform it into a temporary stage.

Tables and chairs were temporarily moved out, turning the entire tavern into the venue.

Obviously, such space couldn't accommodate all those who wanted to watch the contest.

Therefore, three monitoring lacrimas were placed at the front and sides of the stage.

At that time, the live footage would be connected to the area near Kardia Cathedral in the city center.

Friends who couldn't enter the venue could watch the live broadcast there.

As for the contestants, Rhodes, as a staff member, already knew the list and had received a ballot.

Each audience member entering the venue would receive a ballot, and people at the cathedral would also distribute them.

After getting the ballot, Rhodes unhesitatingly wrote down a name.

Laki tapped him, "Hey, the contest hasn't even started, and you're already showing favoritism."

Rhodes nonchalantly folded the ballot and said confidently, "What's the problem? I know all the contestants; don't I know who's the most beautiful?"

"That's not necessarily true. Some people's style on stage is completely different from offstage."

"No matter what style they become, my taste remains the same."

"You're hopeless." Laki glanced at Mira, who was smiling not far away. Darn, seems like I inadvertently helped him again.

"Hmph." Rhodes didn't argue with her. Anyway, he's doing better than that kid Alzack.

Although it's a bit challenging, at least he's taking action, and progress is delightful.

After a busy period, the venue was finally set up, and the contestants entered the backstage one by one.

Mira was probably the most composed among them. One moment she was helping out, and the next she lightly clapped her hands, "The contest is about to start; I'll leave this to you all."

"Good luck." Rhodes took over Mira's work, watching her walk into the backstage.

That turn just now was quite graceful.

Maybe it's because confident girls always shine?

The audience had already entered. Rhodes used his position to secure a good spot for himself, and a hesitant Alzack also stood in the front row.

Experienced members like Macao and Wakaba naturally arrived early to claim front-row seats.

Many other members had also rushed back to join the fun, some worried that if anyone received a lukewarm response on stage, they'd help cheer them on.

Natsu, hugging a pile of snacks, squatted listlessly in a corner, eating nonstop. His condition was still not good.

Gray, who rarely wore his clothes properly today, stood beside Natsu with his hands in his pockets, "Hey, didn't Granny Porlyusica tell you to rest well? Besides, you're not interested in this kind of contest, right?"

Natsu weakly replied, "But it's a guild event; I must participate... so uncomfortable..."

Saying he felt bad, but his mouth didn't stop eating.

"This idiot," Gray patted his forehead, "What a troublesome guy."

Amid the noisy chatter of the audience, the sound suddenly quieted down as Marcus took the stage with a microphone.

The microphone had a small lacrima at the end, looking similar to the glass marbles kids played with in the '80s and '90s.

Marcus professionally tested the sound, then began:

"Ladies and gentlemen of Magnolia, and friends from nearby villages and towns, welcome to Fairy Tail!"

The audience applauded generously.

"I heard that some people crossed mountains to get here for this contest. To arrive on time, they didn't even have time to retrieve their shoes when they fell off a cliff.

Remember to jump off the cliff to pick them up after the contest!"

Marcus placed his hand by his ear in a listening gesture.

The audience burst into laughter. Rhodes wanted to complain about why there was a cold joke segment.

The humor was odd—what country's warm-up style is this?

"I am your host, the Sand Wizard Marcus!" Marcus waved his hand, and a plume of sand appeared out of thin air, writing his name in mid-air.

"Without further ado, I announce that the Miss Fairy Tail Contest officially begins!"

His enthusiastic voice stirred up the audience, and applause and cheers erupted.

"Let's welcome contestant number one, a beauty of strength and wildness, the Phantom Princess, Miki Chickentiger!"

Wearing a tiger-patterned long dress and a headpiece with double horns, Miki emerged from behind the curtain and took the stage, drawing a round of cheers.

Miki's type was clearly a favorite for many.

Macao stared at Miki's beautiful legs peeking from her skirt, nudging Wakaba, "See? I told you the side stage seats are the best."

Wakaba couldn't take his eyes off her and couldn't help but say, "Ah, this time you win."