Went back to reviewing the chapters due to some freed up time. To make up for the chapters I missed, heres a quick rundown of the last five chapters after "Chariot".
_Chapter 277: Socks
What Went Down: Natsu and Wendy recover in the ward, Charle reframes from telling Lucy about her premonition. Toby fights Raven Tail's Kurohebi, loses. Makes a speech about losing his prized sock which is on his necklace. Kurohebi rips it up to show what a douhce he and his guildmate are. Next match is Elfman vs Bacchus because Arcadias messed up the schedule. Doh well manly fight! Oh yeah and Bacchus makes a bet that if he wins, he can date Mirajane and Lisanna. Elfman is not pleased. And Natsu awakens to find Wendy, Charle, and Polyurscia missing.
Cheers and Jeers: More plot development and we get more insight into Kurohebi's character, he's gonna be a nasty competitor when it FT's turn to take him on. The sock thing was rather stupid to establish this but then again it is Toby. Disappoint Erza didn't take on Bacchus but did like the swerve from her to Elfman. Good stuff.
Grade: B
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Chapter 278: Elfman vs Bacchus
What Went Down: Natsu tracks the unfamiliar scents to the kidnappers who are taking Wendy, Charle and Polyursica and easily kicks their butts. Elfman's battle isn't going so well as Bacchus avoids all his attacks, he isn't even being serious since he hasn't drunk any liquor. Elfman then decides to accept the bet under the condition if he wins, Ouarto Cerberus is renamed Ouarto Puppy. Bacchus accepts and takes a drink. He strikes but Elfman changes to a hard scaled creature that won't go down easily. It turns into a test of endurance which ultimately Elfman manages to outlast and win, giving FT their first serious win. Natsu saves the three girls and interrogates the kidnappers who claim Raven Tail was behind it. The group also find out that they were originally after Lucy. Arcadias is reported of this but see it as an opportunity to gain Lucy in the future
Cheers and Jeers: A good fight for Elfman, his part of the bet had me laughing and there was real tension in the fight on who was gonna drop first, a nice strategy of Elfman's by the way focusing more on defense then offense. And go fig the underdog of the team get the first win, but I'm happy for him. We get some more behind the scene plot from the villains which indeed includes Lucy. But why? Hmmm?
Grade: A
Chapter 279: The Gateway Hidden in Darkness
What Went Down: Despite winning, Elfman is badly wounded and hospitalized. Wendy re-takes her place back on the team. Charle is suspicious if Raven Tail really is the culprit due to their kidnappers methods not matching RT's. Mirajane is next facing off against Blue Pegasus's Jenny Realight. The "battle" turns into a swimsuit contest with each one showing off outfits. Inspired by Elfman's battle, Jenny makes a bet with Mira that the loser has to appear naked in Sorcerer's Magazine. Mira accepts but at the battle's climax, asks that the finale be a show of strength which Jenny wasn't ready for. Mira wins much to Jenny's dismay. Behind the scenes we see Arcadias talking with another of the king's court, Datong, about finishing their plan early once they have Lucy.
Cheers and Jeers: Eh fanservice, that really all this was. Makes sense in context of the story sure as Mira and Jenny are old rivals but it felt so unnecessary. Won't say it wasn't funny though but still. Oh well least we get more of the plot at least and that more then one of the king's court is in on the plot. Good on Charle for not falling for the lies that were told to the group. Now let's see if Erza and she can figure out the conspiracy before its too late.
Grade: C-
Chapter 280: Kagura vs Yukino
What Went Down: The final match of the day commences with Mermaid Heel's Kagura vs Sabertooth's Yukino. As soon as the match starts Yuknio suggests a bet with their lives on the line. Kagura, initially not wanting to do the bet, accepts and they fight with Yukino revealing she can summon two spirits too. Kagura breezes right past the attacks forcing Yukino to pull out her 13th spirit, Ophiuchus, a giant snake. But Kagura cuts it down and beats Yukino much to the shock of everyone. Arcadias is overjoyed to find another Stellar Spirit mage while Jellal is worried that the power he was sensing has gone inactive. With this the 2nd day of the games has ended.
Cheers and Jeers: Another chick fight but at least this one was actually a battle. Was just as surprised as anyone that Yukino lost after Sabertooth been having the winning steak from the first few chapters and the fact that there are more strong opponents then the "number one guild". Seriously Kagura really showed off her chops here and she wasn't even being serious. Though many can tell that that she basically Mermaid Heel's version of Erza and their gonna butt heads in the future but I'm not complaining. I actually liked Yukino, unlike her fellow members she was at least decent and well mannered. Was stupid that she made the bet like that though she could've been cowtowed. We'll see where her character goes in the future.
Grade: A_
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
And here's this week's chapter
_Chapter 281: Malice is Concealed By the Curtain of Darkness
What Went On: Jellal talks with Erza about the oddity of the magical energy not being felt and the two decide to look into it further. As Erza walks home the cloaked Mermaid Heel member reveals herself to her, revealing its Millianna and the two catch up. At the Sabertooth base, the guild master, Gemma, is displeased about the days events. He makes Yukino strip for her failure before throwing her out while Sting is given another chance. As Rouge and he walk home with their exceed we get more insight into their characters. Natsu, Lucy, Happy and Charle are making their way to their lodge where they find Yukino awaiting them. Finally we go back to Erza and Milli who are talking about Kagura, however the conversation takes a dark turn when Milli reveals Kagura is after Jellal's life as is Milli for the Tower of Paradise events.
Cheers and Jeers: A nice exposition chapter that really raises the stakes on the games. I like that Erza's and Jellal's relationship is growing and that Jellal is finally starting to feel comfortable around Erza but of course something had to come along to threaten it. Indeed his backstory tying in with Kagura's certainly came out of nowhere but it does explain why she's so stotic half the time. I am curious as to how Jellal destroyed her hometown though, there was no mention that he had left the tower save for using the Siegrain hologram, another force perhaps?
Well we finally get why Sabertooth is so so douche-y, they got a cocky ass guildmaster whose only it for results. I heard a lot of complaints that having Yukino strip was more for blatant fanservice, I'll let it slide here because at least there was a reason for it. To show how much a jerk Gemma is, this indeed feels like something someone obsessed with winning would do. I just wonder how they're gonna pull this off in the anime ^^;;. The insight into Rouge and Sting's character was a nice touch, at least we know Rouge has some common sense and I like his comforting of Frosh too, so good on him. I guess Sting is just a full on jerk now, unless something affecting him (which I REALLY hope isn't the case). Because that speech he made in his introduction just makes no sense now if he's willing to abandon someone just cause they don't meet his standards. I really can't wait till he gets his butt kicked. But seeing as he hasn't revealed his true powers yet, that'll be awhile.
Sheesh how lucky can Lucy be, everyone just practically giving their keys away to her now. Okay I'm probably jumping the gun but what else reason is there for Yukino to be waiting for them? I doubt she'd wanna join the guild (good chance she'll go to Mermaid Heel due to the bet she made) and she doesn't have anywhere else to go. So yeah its a good chance Lucy gonna gain three more keys next chapter.
Lastly kudos on Mashima for the Milliana reveal, I gotta admit I wasn't really thinking about her and it never hit my mind that she was the cloaked member. But its nice to see her again though and I look forward to what she can do now. Of course her character doesn't seem to have changed much as once again she just following someone blindly rather then finding her own path. Heck in fact her motives are once again for revenge (only against Jellal this time). It justifed this time sure as Jellal did kill Simon but still de ja freaking vu. I do like that this does put some pressure on Erza for the coming events and looking forward to see how this pads out.
Overall good chapter, plenty to mull over and some intrigue for coming events. Day 3 here we come.
Grade: A_