As I leaned against the tree, arms crossed and a grin plastered on my face, I couldn't help but feel amused watching the kid handle the situation.
When Aiden summoned those strange pistols out of thin air, I knew right away... this kid wasn't ordinary.
"Requip magic, huh?" I muttered to myself, watching him dodge and weave through the bandits' attacks with ease.
His movements were sharp, fluid, and precise. Every shot from those twin pistols hit its mark perfectly. He didn't hesitate, didn't flinch. Even when the bandits tried to flank him, he handled them without breaking a sweat. I've seen plenty of mages in my time... but this?
This was something else.
I could tell he wasn't aiming to kill. His bullets moved fast, but they only hit the bandits' limbs or weapons, knocking them down and disarming them with incredible accuracy. Non-lethal magic, huh? That takes skill... and control.
"He's not just some rookie," I thought to myself, my grin widening.
I noticed the way he read the battlefield. He anticipated every movement, every attack. When the leader charged him, Aiden didn't even flinch. Instead, he smoothly countered, using the barrel of his pistol to parry the sword before sending the guy flying with a well-placed kick.
"Damn... that's not just magic. He's been through real fights before."
I could see it in his eyes. That cold, calculating look. The confidence in his stance. The precision in his attacks. This wasn't some kid who just picked up magic for fun. He's been fighting for a long time... maybe longer than he lets on.
And yet, he's holding back.
Even when he chased after the fleeing bandits, he didn't shoot to kill. He fired at their feet to slow them down and used enchanted cuffs to restrain them. He's careful... controlled. He knows exactly how much force to use.
"Impressive..." I muttered under my breath.
I felt a strange sense of excitement watching him. It reminded me of my younger days when I was reckless and full of energy. But this kid... he's different. He's calm, focused, and deadly when he needs to be.
As he returned, having dealt with every single one of those bandits, I couldn't help but laugh.
"You really know how to make an impression," I said, grinning.
Aiden smirked as he holstered his strange pistols. "What can I say? I aim to impress."
I chuckled, but deep down... I felt something else.
A strange feeling I haven't felt in years.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
And...
A bit of fear.
This kid... he's hiding something. There's more to him than what he's showing.
"Looks like Fairy Tail just got themselves an interesting one," I muttered to myself, watching him walk ahead.
I grinned wider.
"I can't wait to see what you're really capable of... Aiden."
Aiden's POV
As the last bandit collapsed to the ground, bound in enchanted cuffs, I let out a quiet breath and holstered Ebony and Ivory. The forest was finally silent, except for the faint groans of the defeated bandits.
I glanced back toward Gildarts, who was still leaning against that tree, watching me with that signature grin of his. I could tell he was impressed... but I could also feel something else.
He's testing me.
Ever since I joined Fairy Tail, I could feel his eyes on me. Watching. Observing.
I can't blame him. I'm a newbie who suddenly showed up with strange magic and skills that don't exactly fit the typical "Requip Mage" profile. But that's fine. Let him watch.
In fact, it's better this way.
I need to build trust, prove myself... and slowly blend into this world.
Still...
I glanced down at my hands. They weren't shaking. My breathing was steady. My mind was clear.
Honestly, I expected my body to react... maybe feel that old fear creeping back in. But no.
I felt... calm.
Too calm.
It's almost scary how natural this feels.
Taking down enemies with precise shots. Disarming them. Reading their movements and adapting instantly. This isn't something a simple Requip Mage should be capable of... and I know Gildarts noticed that too.
There was nothing I could do as my power granted me absolute mastery of all the items in my inventory, wielding and fighting with them become almost second nature to me
I sighed quietly and glanced at the defeated bandit leader, who was still trembling from earlier. When I pressed Ebony against his forehead, I could feel his fear...
It reminded me of something.
No...
Someone.
I shook the thought out of my head.
"Focus, Aiden," I muttered to myself. "This is a new life. A new beginning."
I turned back toward Gildarts and Tanner. Tanner was still gawking at me like I just performed some legendary magic. Gildarts, on the other hand...
His eyes.
He's curious. I can feel it.
I clenched my fists slightly.
I can't let him dig too deep. Not yet.
I forced a smirk as I walked back toward them. "That was easier than I expected."
Gildarts laughed, but there was something behind that laugh...
He's testing me.
And I'll play along.
For now.
I glanced at Ebony and Ivory as they vanished back into my inventory. These guns... they're from a world that doesn't belong here. Just like me.
I need to be careful.
If people in this world start asking too many questions...
It'll make blending in much harder.
But...
I looked at Gildarts, who was still grinning like a proud mentor.
There's something different about Fairy Tail.
Something... warm.
Maybe... just maybe...
This time...
I can finally belong somewhere.
I shook off the thought and smirked. "Alright, old man. Are we heading out or what?"
Gildarts chuckled. "Heh... you're an interesting one, kid. I'm starting to like you."
As Gildarts and Tanner prepared to move forward, I glanced back at the bandits, all cuffed and unable to move. Some were still groaning in pain from the non-lethal shots, while others simply sat in silence, accepting their fate.
A question lingered in my mind.
"So... what happens to these guys now?" I asked, turning to Gildarts. "Will someone come to pick them up, or are we supposed to bring them to Glenhurst?"
Gildarts blinked, as if he hadn't expected me to ask that. He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Ah... right. Normally, we'd hand them over to the local guards, but since we're kinda out in the middle of nowhere... yeah, we might have to drag them to Glenhurst ourselves."
I raised an eyebrow. "You... weren't planning to just leave them here, were you?"
Tanner looked just as concerned. "Oi, Gildarts... please tell me you weren't."
Gildarts chuckled awkwardly. "I mean... they'd eventually wake up and rethink their life choices, right?"
I let out a sigh. "Unbelievable..." Well I mean I would too if I my opponent casually destroy a mountain I would also rethink my life choices by then.
Tanner groaned. "And you're supposed to be the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail..."
"Hey!" Gildarts protested. "Strength and logistics are two different things, alright?"
I shook my head. "Guess I'll handle this then."
I reached into my inventory and pulled out a long enchanted rope, infused with magic to restrict movement. With ease, I tied the bandits together like a chain, making sure none of them could escape.
Gildarts whistled. "You really come prepared, huh?"
"Someone has to be," I replied flatly.
"Well, I ain't carrying them," Tanner grumbled. "We can just tie 'em to the back of the wagon and drag them along."
It might be a bit cruel but these bandits probably deserve it with how many people they have hurt
Gildarts laughed. "Relax. We'll bring them to the guards in Glenhurst. Let them deal with these idiots."
I nodded, satisfied with the plan.