Chapter 109: Prizes Announcement and Registration

After Nate explained what Grandeeney had asked of him, Wendy was eager to participate in the competition. However, in order for Grandeeney to join Wendy in the [Magic Arena], some preparation was necessary.

Nate opened up the Magic Net's programming tool and added the required functionality to the test version of the client.

Levy sat beside him, watching with curiosity. It was the first time she'd seen Nate coding, and it sparked her interest.

"Do you want to learn?" Nate paused and asked.

"Can I?" Levy was surprised. "I'm just a bookworm. I got curious seeing you writing something."

"If you want to learn, I can teach you programming," Nate offered, thinking for a moment. "You're skilled in using Solid Script Magic and translating ancient languages, right? Coding isn't much different from that, and the Magic Net's programming tool is pretty user-friendly."

Though he couldn't say the same for everyone. If it were Natsu, Nate figured he'd never be able to teach him. But Levy, on the other hand, might quickly grasp the basics. If she did, he could pass off some simple tasks to her and relax a bit more.

"Would you really teach me?" Levy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Nate—no, Master, please teach me!"

She ran off quickly and returned with a glass of water.

"Master, please have some tea!" she said, though it was clearly just water.

Nate chuckled. "Alright, sit next to me. Let's get started."

"Yes, Master!" Levy laughed and obediently took a seat beside him, fully focused on learning.

'She really has the potential to be a programmer,' Nate thought with amusement, imagining that someday she might not appreciate the amount of work he'd give her. He continued coding while explaining things to Levy.

"What are you working on now, Master?" Levy asked.

"I'm writing a tournament program."

"A tournament program?"

"Yes, we have a lot of people signing up. The original match-making system doesn't suit a large competition, so I'm creating a temporary tournament mode."

This function wasn't too complicated. Basically, it would assign a number to each participant after they registered. The system would then pair them up for matches, with the winners advancing and the losers being eliminated. The process would repeat until a final champion was determined.

...

By around 10 a.m., the temporary guild tavern was packed with members, nearly overflowing. Everyone had heard about the upcoming event and gathered at the guild to participate.

Master Makarov, having heard about the [Magic Arena] from Mirajane, was amazed at how innovative it sounded. Nate was always full of surprises, and even Makarov was curious to experience the game himself.

"When does the tournament start, Gramps?" Natsu, ready for action, stood with one foot on a table, shouting, "The title of Fairy Tail's strongest mage is as good as mine!"

Just as he finished speaking, a bolt of lightning struck him, leaving Natsu charred and twitching on the ground.

"You're too green, Natsu," Laxus said as he appeared at the entrance.

Everyone turned to look and gasped.

Macao whispered, "Laxus… and the Raijinshū."

"Hey, everyone!" Evergreen waved, her eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Erza. "It's lively in here, Erza. Are you participating too?"

"The title of strongest mage obviously belongs to Laxus, but I'm not giving up the title of strongest female mage to you."

Erza's lips curved into a slight smile. "Is that so? But I can't imagine a scenario where Nate loses."

She had been there the last time Laxus and Nate fought.

"Exactly! Nate will never lose!" Juvia chimed in seriously.

Evergreen was momentarily stunned. 'Who's this girl?' she thought. She hadn't been around for a while, and it seemed like there was a new cute girl in the guild. 'Great, another competitor for the Miss Fairy Tail contest next time.'

Nate, feeling a bit helpless, wondered when he had said he was participating at all.

Makarov, seated at the bar with his magic staff, announced, "The tournament will begin at noon. Until then, it's registration time."

He turned to Mirajane and asked, "How many people have signed up so far?"

With a smile, Mirajane replied, "Master, we already have over 200 people registered."

Makarov was momentarily stunned. There were only about a hundred people in the tavern, meaning nearly half were registering remotely.

"Laxus, now that you're back, why don't you sit down?" Makarov suggested.

Laxus, along with his three bodyguards, entered the tavern, but there were no seats available, so they stood near the door.

Crossing his arms, Laxus asked, "Mirajane, what are the rules for the competition? Let me say this upfront—every member of the guild must participate. Anyone who doesn't will have to deal with me!"

Though Laxus directed his words at Mirajane, his eyes were fixed on Nate.

Nate felt a headache coming on. If he participated, the prize he had set up would lose its meaning. The winner's prize was the "Mana Recovery Potion Recipe," but if he won, no one else would get it.

Nate leaned toward Mirajane and whispered, "If I participate, we'll need to change the prize."

"What should we change it to?"

They whispered for a while before Mirajane smiled and announced to everyone, "As for the prizes for this event: The first place winner will receive 10,000 Magic Net points. Second place will get 5,000, and third place 3,000. From fourth to tenth place, each will get 2,000 points!"

She continued, "And for everyone else who participates, there will be a consolation prize of 1,000 points!"

"Additionally, the top ten participants will also receive the Mana Recovery Potion Recipe."

"These prizes are all provided by Nate, so make sure to thank him!" Mirajane added with a cheerful smile.

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"Oh wow, Magic Net points!"

"Thanks, Nate!"

"But what's a Mana Recovery Potion?"

Nate explained the potion he had developed, and everyone listened in shock. Even Laxus seemed amazed. Such a powerful potion being offered as a prize? And everyone in the top ten would get it!

The members couldn't help but think to themselves, 'Nate really should be guild master!'

"Mirajane, make sure to post this in the chat too," Nate reminded her. "Especially the registration deadline, which is noon. That's important."

Mirajane nodded and immediately shared the information in the guild's chat group.

"Everyone in the guild has to participate… does that include me?" she asked softly.

"You too," Nate said with a smile. 'If I'm participating, you have to join as well. This is the perfect chance to address Mirajane's issue with fighting.'

With the rules and process explained, the tavern buzzed with anticipation.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was noon. The tournament was about to begin.

~~~

Don't knock on my door! I'm sleeping haha

I'm sleeping right now and still don't know the results. I'll upload the bonus chapters once I'm awake.

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— 70 Advance Chapters!