Life had returned to normal after our trip.
Or at least, as normal as things could be in Fairy Tail.
My relationship with Alma had changed—there were no confessions, no grand declarations, but there was an understanding. A quiet shift in the way we looked at each other, the way we spoke, the way we simply existed together.
But for now, there were other things to focus on.
I exhaled, staring at the enchanted gemstone in my hand. For the past few weeks, I had been diving into Earthland's magic. The battle with the Fallen had left an impression on me, a curiosity that I couldn't shake. There was something fascinating about magic—how it was tied to emotion, how it shaped the very fabric of this world.
"Aiden, concentrate."
I blinked, pulled from my thoughts. NIMO hovered in front of me, its sleek form pulsing with soft light.
"You have been distracted for the past five minutes," it noted. "I have repeated the same fundamental concepts twice, yet you have failed to retain any of them."
"I was thinking," I said simply.
"Clarification: you were lost in thought, bordering on absentmindedness," NIMO corrected.
I sighed. "Semantics."
NIMO remained silent for a moment before continuing. "Your interest in magic is commendable, but if you do not apply yourself properly, progress will be slow."
I glanced down at my hand. The truth was, I already understood why this was taking longer than it should.
I had no ethernano in my body.
Every person in Earthland possessed it—mage or not. It was the very essence of magic. Yet, somehow, no one had pointed it out. Maybe they assumed I had some unique magic that concealed it. Or maybe they just chose not to question it, considering everything else about me was already unnatural.
Master probably suspected something. With his experience, he might have even considered the possibility that I was from Edolas or some other place where ethernano wasn't a given.
Still, the lack of ethernano should have made learning magic impossible. But I had my own means to bypass that. My celestial inventory held countless items that could substitute for it, allowing me to wield magic despite the natural limitations of my body.
And to make things easier, I had granted NIMO access to the celestial inventory.
Since he was a product of the inventory itself, it only made sense. With full access to its contents, NIMO could analyze and categorize the artifacts, identifying which ones would be most beneficial for me. Instead of rummaging through an endless void of items, I now had a perfect assistant to filter through everything.
"You're deep in thought again," NIMO observed.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "Yeah, I know."
"Would you like me to summarize the lesson again?"
I smirked slightly. "Go ahead."
NIMO's form pulsed before beginning. "Magic in Earthland operates through the internal circulation of ethernano within the human body. Mages absorb ethernano from the environment, storing it like a battery. The release of this energy, combined with an individual's intent, knowledge, and emotional state, dictates the magic's form and strength. This is why magic is said to be tied to emotions. The stronger the emotions, the stronger the spell."
I nodded along. "Right. That explains why Fairy Tail mages get stronger when protecting their friends."
"Correct," NIMO confirmed. "This is not an exaggeration. When a mage experiences heightened emotions, their body unconsciously draws in more ethernano, increasing their magic power temporarily."
"Which means the famous 'power of friendship' thing isn't just a cliché—it's an actual mechanic."
"Precisely."
I rubbed my chin. "Alright, but what about Lost Magic? How's that different?"
"Lost Magic is a classification of ancient and rare forms of magic, many of which were lost or deemed too dangerous for widespread use," NIMO explained. "Many Lost Magics function differently from standard magic. For example, Dragon Slayer Magic replaces the user's ethernano with a unique dragon-like energy. God Slayer Magic operates similarly but is attuned to divine attributes. Devil Slayer Magic, on the other hand, is tailored for combating demonic beings, altering the user's body to resist curses and corrupting influences."
I whistled. "So, Lost Magic is basically specialized power."
"In a manner of speaking, yes. However, their rarity and inherent difficulty make them impractical for most mages to use. Only those who possess the necessary constitution, training, or external enhancements can wield them effectively."
I leaned back, processing the information. "That's interesting and all, but where do I fit into this? No ethernano means I shouldn't be able to use magic at all."
NIMO hummed. "That is a logical conclusion. However, your celestial inventory contains countless artifacts capable of bypassing this limitation. You also possess a nigh-unlimited energy source through your ring, which can substitute for ethernano in most cases."
I looked at my hand, flexing my fingers. "So, I could just force magic to work by brute-forcing it with the ring's energy?"
"In theory, yes. But doing so would be inefficient and potentially unstable. The proper way to wield magic is to understand its flow, not just overpower it."
I grinned. "Yeah, yeah. I know. No shortcuts."
"Noted," NIMO said. "However, if at any point you wish to accelerate the process, I can provide you with suitable artifacts to enhance your learning speed."
I smirked. "Tempting. But I think I'll do this the right way. I've got nothing but time."
NIMO's lights flickered, as if considering my words. "Understood. Then, let us begin again."
I exhaled and refocused. With NIMO's assistance and my newfound understanding of magic, it was time to actually put it into practice.
Strengthening Magic—or Enhancement Magic—was the most basic application of magic reinforcement. It was a technique that increased physical attributes, making a mage stronger, faster, and more durable. Nearly every combat-oriented mage incorporated it in some form.
"Alright, NIMO, where do we start?" I asked, cracking my knuckles.
NIMO hovered beside me, its soft glow casting faint blue light across the training area. "Since you lack natural ethernano, you will need to create an artificial pathway for magic circulation. Normally, a mage absorbs ethernano into their core, then channels it throughout their body. You, however, will have to simulate this process."
I nodded. "So, I have to manually guide the energy?"
"Correct," NIMO confirmed. "The best way to start is by using an external energy source. Your ring is the most optimal choice, as it can mimic ethernano's properties."
I looked at the ring on my finger, its dull shine barely noticeable. This thing had limitless energy, yet I rarely used it for anything other than fueling my abilities. If it could act as a substitute for ethernano, then I might actually stand a chance at learning magic properly.
"Alright," I muttered, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."
I closed my eyes and focused.
The energy within the ring was like an endless ocean—vast and untapped. I willed a small portion of it to flow through my body, imagining it circulating like a pulse. At first, it was difficult. The energy resisted my control, moving chaotically. It wasn't like casting spells with pre-existing techniques—I was trying to mold raw power into something structured.
"Slow your breathing," NIMO instructed. "Do not force the energy. Guide it."
I exhaled, easing my grip on the power. Instead of trying to control it through brute force, I let it move naturally, visualizing the energy coursing through my limbs.
Then, something clicked.
I felt warmth spread through my body—a subtle but distinct shift. My muscles tensed slightly, my senses sharpened, and for the first time, I felt an unfamiliar surge of strength.
I opened my eyes. "Did I do it?"
NIMO scanned me for a moment. "Your physical attributes have increased by 5%. A minor improvement, but a success nonetheless."
I grinned. "Hell yeah. First step complete."
"Do not get ahead of yourself," NIMO chided. "This is merely the foundation. Strengthening Magic requires continuous refinement. You must be able to maintain the flow instinctively."
I stretched my arms, feeling the newfound power settling in. "So, I just have to keep this up until it becomes natural?"
"Precisely. But you will also need to test it under practical conditions."
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean in a fight?"
"Yes," NIMO confirmed. "Applying Enhancement Magic in combat is the best way to reinforce your control over it. Otherwise, it will remain unstable and inefficient."
I smirked. "Then let's go test it."
"Would you like me to simulate a sparring partner?"
I cracked my neck. "Yeah. Make it something fun."
NIMO's form pulsed, and suddenly, a shimmering blue projection appeared before me—a humanoid figure with no features, its body made of pure energy. It took a fighting stance.
I grinned. "Alright. Let's see how this Enhancement Magic holds up."
With that, I dashed forward, Enhancement Magic coursing through my body, but the moment I tried to throw a punch, the energy projection smoothly dodged to the side.
"Tch." I barely had time to react before it countered. A precise, controlled strike came toward my ribs, and while I managed to block it, the force behind the hit sent me skidding backward.
NIMO floated beside me, ever so helpful. "Your movement lacks stability. You are increasing your strength, but your body is not yet accustomed to handling it efficiently."
I gritted my teeth, rolling my shoulders. "So what? I just need to get used to it?"
"Correct. However, adapting will take time. Enhancement Magic requires precise control over your body's movements. Strength without coordination will only hinder you."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, shifting my stance. "Let's go again."
The projection lunged. This time, I focused on my footing, channeling the energy more carefully. I dodged to the side and swung, aiming for a clean hit—but once again, my body felt off. The increase in speed threw off my timing, and I barely grazed my target.
The projection capitalized on my mistake, delivering a swift kick to my stomach.
"Guh—!" I stumbled back, coughing.
"Your reaction speed is still slower than your enhanced movement," NIMO pointed out. "Your mind is not processing the speed increase fast enough."
I groaned, rubbing my stomach. "I am processing it. My body just won't listen."
"A common issue for beginners." NIMO's tone was infuriatingly neutral. "Would you like a temporary aid? I can provide an adjustment mechanism to synchronize your perception with your enhanced speed."
I shook my head. "No shortcuts. I need to get this down properly."
"Understood."
Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my stance again. I needed to get used to this. Strength, speed, control—it all had to sync up.
The projection attacked once more. This time, I braced myself, letting the energy flow naturally instead of forcing it. I dodged, faster than before, and when I struck back—
I actually landed a hit.
The impact sent the projection stumbling, and I grinned. Progress.
But then, the moment I tried to follow up—
WHAM.
The projection kicked me square in the chest, sending me flying.
I crashed into the ground with a groan. "Damn it."
NIMO hovered over me. "Congratulations. You have successfully struck your opponent. However, your overcommitment led to an immediate counterattack. Would you like an analysis of your errors?"
I glared at it. "NIMO."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
A pause. Then—
"…Processing request."
I sighed, laying on the ground. This was gonna take a while.
2 YEARS LATER
The guild hall was just as chaotic as ever—shouts, laughter, and the occasional crash of furniture breaking. Some things never changed.
And yet, everything was different.
I lounged on one of the couches near the request board, my arms lazily draped over the backrest. My coat hung off the side, my weapons stowed away, and NIMO hovered beside me in its usual sleek form.
"Bored," I muttered, tilting my head back. "Nothing interesting."
Across from me, Laxus, now 11 years old, sat with his arms crossed, scanning the request board. "You say that every day."
"Because every day, it's true," I grumbled. "Look at these jobs. Escort missions, deliveries, catching weak bandits. Where's the excitement?"
Laxus rolled his eyes. "Not everyone picks fights with the strongest guys around just to pass time."
"Yeah, well, that's their problem," I said, stretching.
The guild had changed over the past two years.
Fairy Tail was even more infamous than before, and a big part of that was me. My name had spread across Fiore and Ishgar, earning me a reputation that was both admired and feared. Some saw me as a hero, others as a reckless menace, and a many had fully embraced calling me—
"Oberon, King of the Fairies."
And of course, Laxus, Gildarts, and half the guild refused to let me forget it.
NIMO, ever the helpful assistant, hummed beside me. "Your current approval rating is 64% positive, 36% negative among the general populace. Among mages, it varies based on their affiliations."
I groaned. "Still too high."
"Correction: your positive reception has increased by 7% since last year."
"Not helping, NIMO."
Alma, now 20 years old, walked past the lounge area, scanning the guild with the sharpness of someone who had long since taken charge.
Over the past two years, she had fully settled into her role as Fairy Tail's main receptionist, handling missions, paperwork, and keeping everyone in check.
She had changed too.
Still intelligent, still independent, but now carrying herself with undeniable confidence.
And, not that I'd ever say it out loud, she was even more stunning than before.
She caught me looking and raised an eyebrow. "Bored again?"
I sighed dramatically. "Nothing but lame quests. I'm dying here."
Laxus smirked. "You'll live."
Alma crossed her arms, smirking. "For someone called the 'King of the Fairies,' you complain a lot."
"Hey—!"
Laxus snorted, and even NIMO let out a synthesized hum of amusement.
Before I could throw a retort back at Alma, the guild doors creaked open, the sound barely noticeable over the usual rowdiness of Fairy Tail.
I turned my head, mildly curious, but what I saw made me pause.
A small girl, no older than six, stood in the doorway.
Her brown hair was tied up in a short, uneven ponytail, strands escaping and framing her round face. She clutched the hem of her coat tightly, her fingers curling into the fabric, as her eyes darted around the guild nervously. She looked utterly lost—small, uncertain, and hesitant, like she wasn't sure if she was supposed to be here at all.
The guild's energy didn't change—no one had noticed her yet.
But I had.
Cana Alberona.
And I knew exactly who she was.
Gildarts' daughter.
She had come to find her father.
And as far as I could tell, I was the only one who knew.
I leaned forward, resting my arms on my knees as I observed her. She looked like she was gathering the courage to take another step inside, her grip tightening on her coat.
Alma, standing nearby, finally noticed the girl and tilted her head. "Who's the kid?"
Laxus, sitting beside me, turned to look as well. "No clue."
Cana took a small, hesitant step forward.
Her eyes scanned the guild, watching boisterous mages laughing, drinking, and brawling, and she shrank back slightly, pressing herself closer to the door.
Yeah. Walking into Fairy Tail for the first time was a lot, especially for a six-year-old.
I sighed and stood up.
"Guess I'll handle this," I muttered.
I approached slowly, keeping my movements relaxed, not wanting to spook her.
"Hey, kid," I called gently.
Cana flinched slightly and looked up at me with wide, nervous eyes.
I stopped a few feet away, crouching down to her level. "You lost?"
She stared at me, her lips pressed together, before shaking her head.
I raised an eyebrow. "So you meant to walk into the loudest, rowdiest guild in all of Fiore?"
Her grip on her coat tightened. She hesitated before nodding—slowly, but deliberately.
That was interesting.
Alma walked up beside me, hands on her hips, her expression softer than usual. "Do you have a name?"
Cana hesitated again, then mumbled, "Cana."
Alma smiled. "Nice to meet you, Cana. I'm Alma, and this idiot here is Aiden."
"Hey."
Alma ignored me and crouched down as well. "Are you looking for someone?"
Cana didn't answer right away.
She looked down, shuffling her feet, before glancing back up at me specifically. Her eyes studied me, as if trying to figure something out.
Ah.
She's trying to decide if she can trust me.
I gave her a small, easygoing smirk. "Don't worry, kid. We don't bite. Well, except for Wakaba if he's had too much to drink."
From across the room, Wakaba—who was mid-drink—spluttered. "Oi! The hell does that mean?!"
Cana blinked, and I caught the smallest hint of a smile.
Progress.
Laxus, who had been watching from the side, walked over with his usual impatient expression. "So? What's she doing here?"
Cana glanced at him, then at me again, before finally speaking—softly.
"I'm… looking for someone."
Alma nodded. "And who's that?"
Cana hesitated.
I already knew the answer. Gildarts.
But she wasn't saying it.
She probably felt awkward. Scared, even. How do you tell complete strangers that you're looking for a father you've never met?
I exhaled through my nose.
This wasn't something I could fix for her.
She had to say it herself.
So, instead of pressing, I leaned back, crossing my arms casually. "Well, whoever it is, you've come to the right place. We're Fairy Tail—we help people."
Cana's hands curled into fists at her sides. She swallowed, steeling herself, then looked up at me.
"...Is Gildarts here?"
Alma blinked. "Gildarts?"
Laxus made a face. "You came all this way for that old man?"
Cana flinched at the tone, and I immediately smacked Laxus upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"Read the room, dumbass."
Laxus scowled, rubbing his head. "How was I supposed to know?"
Alma, catching on quickly, studied Cana. Her gaze softened, and she crouched down again. "Gildarts isn't here right now," she said gently. "He's been away on a long job."
Cana's face fell, her small shoulders slumping. "...Oh."
I felt a pang of sympathy. She must have worked up so much courage just to come here.
"But," Alma continued, "you're welcome to wait for him here."
Cana glanced at her, then at me.
I gave her a casual shrug. "Fairy Tail's not a bad place to stick around. And trust me, when Gildarts comes back, you'll know."
Cana hesitated, then—slowly, tentatively—nodded.
"...Okay."
Alma smiled warmly. "Then welcome to Fairy Tail, Cana."
Alma, ever perceptive, quickly caught on to the situation. She studied Cana for a moment before asking gently, "Do you have a place to stay, sweetie?"
Cana hesitated. Her fingers curled into the hem of her coat, her eyes flickering downward. That was all the answer we needed.
Alma didn't miss a beat. "Then you'll stay with me," she said firmly, offering a warm smile. "At least until Gildarts comes back."
Cana's eyes widened. "I—" She fidgeted, unsure. "Are you sure?"
Alma nodded. "Of course. It's no trouble at all."
I leaned back, arms crossed, watching the exchange. It wasn't surprising—Alma had always been the responsible one between us. She was quick to take charge, especially when it came to things that mattered.
Cana, still hesitant, glanced at me. I gave her a small nod. "She means it," I said simply. "And trust me, you'll be better off with Alma than half the lunatics in this guild."
That got a tiny, uncertain smile out of her. "...Okay."
Alma's smile softened as she stood. "Alright then, I'll get everything sorted. You don't have to worry about a thing."
With that settled, I pushed myself up from the couch and stretched. "Laxus," I called, catching his attention.
The blonde raised an eyebrow from where he sat, still looking over the request board. "What?"
"Come to the house later," I said. "I've got something important for you."
Laxus groaned, slumping slightly. "Ugh, is this another one of your dumb chores?"
I gave him a flat look.
Laxus, ready to argue, paused.
My expression was serious.
Instantly, his own demeanor shifted. He sat up straighter, watching me carefully. "...Fine," he muttered, crossing his arms. "But this better not be a waste of time."
I didn't answer, just turned toward the door. It's was time.
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