The guild hall was still a wreck, but the battle was over. The enemy was either unconscious, captured, or had retreated. The guild masters had already begun discussing their next steps, and clean-up efforts were underway. Despite the destruction, spirits were high—after all, we had won.
I stretched my arms, rolling my shoulders as I watched everyone wrap things up. It had been a long day, but we had made it out in one piece. That was what mattered.
Makarov approached me as I stood near the entrance, watching the other guilds prepare to leave. His expression was calmer now, but there was something thoughtful in his gaze.
"You did well today, Aiden," he said, folding his arms.
"Thanks," I replied, adjusting my coat. "But it wasn't just me. Everyone played a part."
"True," Makarov nodded. "But I think we both know that if you really wanted to, you could've ended that fight in an instant."
I looked at him, but he wasn't accusing me of anything. If anything, he sounded… curious.
I sighed. "Yeah… I could've. But that's not what I want."
Makarov raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
I glanced up at the sky, watching the clouds roll by. "Power isn't everything. If I rely too much on what I already have, I'll never grow. I want to push myself, fight stronger opponents, get better. If I take the easy way out every time, I'll never improve."
Makarov was quiet for a moment before he chuckled. "That's not an answer I expected, but it's a good one."
I smirked. "Did you think I was just some battle-crazed monster?"
"Still considering it," he muttered, rubbing his temples.
Before I could respond, Macao strolled over, looking exhausted.
"Are we finally leaving?" Macao groaned. "Because I'm ready to sleep for a week."
"Same," I said, stretching. "That fight took a lot out of me."
Macao gave me a deadpan look. "Oh yeah, must've been real tough for you, huh? I mean, you only tossed around an S-Class dark mage like a ragdoll while the rest of us were fighting for our lives."
"Hey, it's called pacing myself," I said.
"Pacing yourself my ass," Macao grumbled. "Next time, try 'pacing yourself' faster before I get stabbed."
"Speaking of which," Makarov interjected, rubbing his chin. "That little green bean you gave Macao and me… What in the world was that?"
Macao nodded. "Yeah, the moment I ate it, my wounds just—poof—vanished! I felt like I could take on another fight right then and there."
I scratched my cheek. "Oh, that? That's a Senzu bean."
Makarov frowned. "A what?"
"It's a little bean that fully restores your energy and heals all injuries," I explained.
The two of them just stared at me.
Macao pointed at me. "So, let me get this straight… You've been carrying around instant healing beans this whole time and just now decided to share?"
"Hey, hey," I raised my hands defensively. "It's not like I have an unlimited supply. I gotta use them wisely." They might have a stroke if I said I have an unlimited supply of them.
Makarov sighed. "And where, exactly, do you get these 'senzu beans'?"
I shrugged. "It was a gift."
Makarov gave me a flat look. "Really?"
Macao crossed his arms. "No, but seriously. Where do you actually get them?"
I smirked. "A little place called none of your business."
Macao groaned. "I hate you so much right now."
Makarov sighed again but didn't push further. "Fine, fine. But thank you for saving Macao."
"Yeah, I really appreciate it!" Macao added a bit flustered, but grateful
"No worries," I said.
Before we could continue, I noticed Jura and Ichiya standing off to the side. Jura, as always, had a composed and serious demeanor, while Ichiya was striking an exaggerated pose, his hands on his hips.
I figured I should at least say something before we left.
"Jura," I called, walking up to them. "Good work out there."
Jura nodded. "You as well, Aiden. Your strength is remarkable."
Ichiya dramatically flipped his hair. "Indeed! Your manliness radiated throughout the battlefield, much like my own divine beauty."
I blinked. "Right… thanks, Ichiya."
Jura cleared his throat. "Regardless of what Ichiya means to say, it is clear that you are on a different level. Few mages could stand against an opponent like Varik and dominate the battle so decisively."
I shrugged. "I just did what I had to do."
Jura hesitated for a moment before exhaling. "No… I mean it. You are stronger than me."
I raised an eyebrow. That wasn't something I expected to hear. Jura was one of the strongest in Lamia Scale, and his mastery over Earth Magic was no joke. Well, soon to be. People like him tend to be prideful about it, guess I was wrong then.
But he wasn't bitter about it. If anything, he looked… motivated.
"But I won't stay behind forever," Jura continued, his eyes filled with determination. "I will grow stronger, Aiden. I will catch up to you."
I grinned. "I'd like to see that."
Jura offered a rare smile. "Then one day, we will have a proper battle."
Ichiya clapped his hands together. "Ah men, a rivalry forged in the flames of passion! Such a manly promise!"
I stared at him. "Ichiya, please… stop."
Jura chuckled. "Aiden, if you ever wish to train together, I would be honored."
"I'll hold you to that."
Macao waved at me from a distance. "Hurry up, Aiden! You can flirt with Jura later!"
I coughed. "That's not—never mind."
Jura chuckled while Ichiya gave me a knowing look. "Ah, I see, I see. You wish to deny your passionate bond with Jura. Worry not, my friend, for love knows no boundaries—"
"Goodbye, Ichiya," I said, walking away before I could hear the rest of that sentence.
Makarov smirked as I approached. "Make some new friends?"
"I regret everything," I muttered.
Macao laughed. "Don't worry, kid, Ichiya grows on you."
"Like a fungus?"
"Exactly."
With that, we gathered our things and prepared to head back to Fairy Tail. The battle was over, but something told me this was just the beginning.
And honestly?
I couldn't wait for what came next.
"Fuck!" Macao cursed.
I couldn't exactly blame him as we all stood at the ruined train station, staring at what used to be the tracks. The rails were twisted beyond recognition, completely wrecked during the battle. If there was a train still functioning somewhere, it sure wasn't coming here anytime soon.
Macao groaned loudly. "Well, this is just great. No train, no tracks… That means we're walking all the way back."
The other exhausted mages groaned, some even dropping to their knees in despair.
Macao sighed, stretching his sore muscles. "It's gonna take days, isn't it?"
Makarov let out a heavy sigh. "Prepare for a long walk, everyone. It's going to be a while before we—"
He suddenly paused, rubbing his chin. His eyes narrowed as if a memory had just clicked into place. Slowly, he turned to me.
"Wait a second… Gildarts mentioned something about you having a vehicle."
My expression froze.
Makarov's gaze sharpened. "What did he call it again? Oh right. The Regalia."
Macao turned to me in disbelief. "Hold on. You have a vehicle?"
I scratched the back of my head. "I mean… yeah?"
"You mean to tell me," Macao said, stepping closer, "that we were about to walk for hours—maybe days—while you've been holding out on us?!"
"It kinda slipped my mind," I admitted.
Macao grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "Slipped your mind?! How do you forget you own a vehicle?!"
"Listen, I just sent a guy flying through a building not too long ago, alright? My mind's been a little preoccupied."
It was true. The fight with Varik still lingered in my thoughts. He wasn't weak by any means. Against most people, he would have been a nightmare. Unfortunately for him, he had fought me. My abilities ensured that I would always win unless I deliberately chose not to.
He never stood a chance.
Still, I had to admit—he put up a decent fight. A rare thing these days.
...Wait. Where did that come from?
I blinked, a strange feeling settling in my mind. That wasn't my usual way of thinking. Something about it felt oddly… natural, though. Like a thought that had always been there, just waiting for the right moment to surface.
I would've dwelled on it longer, but Makarov's sigh snapped me back to reality.
Makarov sighed. "Well, don't just stand there. Summon it already."
Shrugging, I reached into my inventory and summoned Regalia. I'll pursue that thought later.
In an instant, a sleek black car materialized in front of us, its engine humming to life. Its polished surface gleamed under the sunlight, and the moment it appeared, the entire group fell silent.
Macao let out a low whistle. "Damn… this thing looks expensive. Where the hell did you even get it?"
"It's a gift," I said simply.
Makarov gave me a flat look. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
Macao observed the car and frowned. ""Alright, but what if the terrain gets too rough? I doubt this thing can just drive over mountains if there's no road."
I smirked. "Good thing it flies, then."
Silence.
Macao blinked. "What?"
Instead of answering, I grinned and pressed a button. The wheels of Regalia shifted, retracting slightly as the car lifted into the air. The entire vehicle began to hover above the ground, ready for takeoff.
Macao took a step back, shaking his head. "I… I don't even know what to say anymore."
Makarov sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, enough gawking. Aiden, you're taking me and Macao. The rest of them can enjoy the scenic route."
Macao, already climbing into the passenger seat, smirked. "Yeah, have fun with that, guys."
I started the engine. "See you later guys."
With that, Regalia rose higher before soaring forward through the sky.
Macao leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. "Now this is how you travel."
Makarov glanced at me, both impressed and slightly suspicious. "You know, Aiden, the more I learn about you, the more I start to wonder if you're even human."
I grinned. "I assure you I am more human than you"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Macao replied
Master Makarov just laughed at our antics
With that, we left the station behind and headed home.
The wind rushed past as Regalia soared smoothly through the sky. Macao had already dozed off in the passenger seat, arms crossed and snoring lightly. Makarov sat in the back, humming to himself as he enjoyed the ride, his small frame barely taking up any space.
I kept my eyes on the horizon, but my mind was elsewhere. The battle against Varik replayed in my head—every strike, every movement, every decision.
I had won. Completely.
Perhaps I don't need to hold back anymore. Maybe it's time to let myself loose, to stop pretending that I'm something I'm not.
For so long, I've been carefully walking this line, controlling every move, every word, every decision. Afraid that if I let go, if I showed even a fraction of who I really am, it might all fall apart. But… maybe I've been wrong.
The battle with Varik… it didn't feel like a victory just because I won. It felt like I was finally free for the first time in a long while. Free from the expectations. Free from the chains I had placed on myself.
I clenched my hands, letting the adrenaline from the fight still flow through my veins. What if I could just be me?No masks, no walls—just... me. What would that look like? Would the world still turn the way it does, or would everything shift?
I caught myself laughing softly, almost nervously. Am I really thinking about this?
But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the only way forward.
Maybe I don't have to hold back the pieces of myself that I've hidden away for so long.
Maybe I can just be Aiden.