Shuurai
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[FT: O King of the Fairies] Chapter 51
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 07:14:27 +0000 UTCThe sun was setting as I stood alone on the training ground behind my house, lost in thought. My appearance hadn’t changed since I arrived in this world. Still looked sixteen, no matter how many years had passed.
It was frustrating. My mind had matured, my strength had grown, but the world still saw me as a kid. I needed a change.
A growth potion could do it. It would age me to about twenty-two, enough to look more like the man I’d become, rather than the kid I was stuck being.
I picked up the vial from the table beside me and glanced at it. "Time to fix this," I muttered under my breath.
I unscrewed the cap and downed the potion in one go. The effect was almost immediate. I felt my body shift, stretching and growing, but it wasn’t painful. It was more like a slow, steady pull.
When I glanced at the reflection in the training dummy’s surface, I saw the difference. My face was more defined, my shoulders broader. I looked like a man now, at least in body.
I flexed my hand and grinned. "Finally." I turned toward the door, where Alma was sure to be inside.
Before I could step forward, a thought crossed my mind.
What if she doesn’t like it?
I shook it off. It wasn’t like me to second-guess myself, but the thought lingered. Stepping inside, I found Alma sitting on the couch. She looked up as I entered, raising an eyebrow.
“Back already?” she asked, tilting her head. “And... you look different.”
I smirked, crossing my arms. “You like it?”
She studied me for a moment, her eyes softening. “Yeah. You look more like... yourself.”
“Good. That’s the point.” I walked closer, the familiar feeling of home washing over me. “I wasn’t getting anywhere stuck in that kid’s body.”
Alma smiled, standing up. “I get it. You wanted to feel like the man you are inside, right?”
“Exactly,” I said, leaning against the doorframe. “I’ve been stuck at sixteen for too long.”
Alma stepped closer, her voice quiet. “I think it suits you.”
I met her gaze, a grin tugging at my lips. “I’m glad you think so.”
She reached out and touched my arm gently, her smile growing. “You’ve always been who you are, Aiden. But now, you’re just... more.”
I chuckled softly. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Her eyes softened, and without another word, she stood on her toes and kissed me. It was quick, but it felt like everything.
When we pulled away, I leaned my forehead against hers. “We’ll travel,” I said quietly. “In a different world. Together.”
Alma nodded, her smile widening. “I’d like that.”
A pause lingered between us. Then, a thought I couldn’t shake tugged at my mind. “Alma,” I said softly, my fingers gently brushing through her hair. “What if... What if you became immortal too?”
She tilted her head, considering the question. “Immortal?” she repeated, her voice thoughtful. “Why would you want that for me?”
I shrugged, not knowing how to explain it, but feeling it deep in my chest. “Because... You’re everything to me. And I don’t want to imagine a world where I outlive you.”
Alma’s gaze softened, but she shook her head, gently pulling back. “Aiden, it’s too early for that. We don’t know what immortality will bring... or how it might change us. I’m happy with now.” She smiled at me, her eyes full of warmth. “I don’t need immortality to be with you. I just need you... right now.”
I sighed, a little deflated, but understanding. "I get it. We’ll cross that bridge when the time comes."
She smiled, resting her hand on my chest. “We don’t need to rush things. The present is enough.”
I stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of Alma's words settle over me. The present was enough. Maybe she was right. I didn't need to rush things.
But it was hard not to think about the future, especially when my immortality meant I could potentially outlive everyone I cared about. And if that happened, I wasn’t sure how I would handle it.
Alma looked up at me, her fingers gently tracing the edge of my shirt. "You still look like you're lost in thought," she said softly. "You sure you're okay?"
I chuckled lightly, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about... everything." I ran a hand through my hair. "It's a lot to process, you know? The immortality thing, aging, the fact that... I’ll never really grow old. It’s not like I’m in a rush to live forever, but sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it."
Alma stepped closer, placing a hand on my cheek, her touch grounding me. "You don’t have to figure everything out right away. I know you carry a lot on your shoulders, but you don’t have to carry it alone."
I smiled down at her, appreciating her more than I could put into words. “I know. It’s just hard sometimes, you know? I’ve lived through so much, seen so much, but I’m still stuck here. Still stuck looking like a kid.”
Alma nodded, her thumb brushing along my jawline. "Maybe it’s not about the appearance. Maybe it's about who you are, inside. You’ve always been someone who pushes forward, someone who doesn't give up. And that’s what matters."
I let her words sink in, the weight of them easing the tightness in my chest. "I guess you're right. It’s just... hard sometimes, not knowing how long I’ll be here for. How long we’ll be here for."
Alma tilted her head, her eyes searching mine. "Aiden, you can’t predict the future. You can only live in the moment, and right now, we’re here. Together."
Her words were exactly what I needed to hear, and for the first time in a while, I felt a little lighter. Maybe I didn’t need all the answers. Maybe it was okay to just be with Alma, to focus on the present, instead of worrying about what might come.
I leaned down, kissing her gently on the forehead before pulling her into a hug. “Thanks, Alma. You always know what to say.”
She smiled softly, her arms wrapping around me. “I just want you to be happy, Aiden. We’ll figure things out, step by step.”
And for the first time in a long while, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could.
—
A few days had passed since my mission, and life at the guild had returned to normal, or as normal as it could be. The usual noise of chatter and laughter filled the air. I was seated at the bar, my mind wandering as I sipped on a drink. Just as I was zoning out, the guild door swung open, and in walked a small group.
At the front was Gray Fullbuster, a kid no older than ten, his hair messy and his usual scowl in place. Behind him, Leon Bastia—also no older than ten—followed closely, his posture more refined, but still carrying the same air of confidence even at his young age. And standing next to them, looking just as young, was Ur. Her presence was different, though—calm, maternal, and steady, but her eyes held a warmth as she looked over at me.
I raised an eyebrow and stood as they approached, setting my drink down. "Well, well, if it isn’t the kids," I said, giving them a knowing smile.
“My name is Gray Fullbuster. This is Leon and Ur” Gray crossed his arms, as he said seriously. "We came to thank you. For saving us from Deliora."
Leon gave a quick nod of agreement, though his usual arrogance was replaced with something else—genuine gratitude. "Yeah, we owe you. It’s... hard to believe we even survived that."
Ur stepped forward then, giving me a warm but serious look. "I brought them to thank you. They understand the importance of what you did for them."
I glanced at the young boys, both of whom seemed quieter than usual, and then back to Ur. "You’re welcome," I said, a bit caught off guard. "It wasn’t anything special. Just doing my job."
Leon, who was usually so proud and standoffish, glanced at Gray and then back at me. "We know it wasn’t easy. We can’t repay you now, but we’ll remember this."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "You don’t need to repay me. Just do your best, and that’s enough."
Gray and Leon both looked a bit embarrassed, unsure of how to react to the sincerity in my words. Ur gave them a reassuring nod, then turned her gaze back to me.
"Thank you, Aiden," she said quietly. "For not only saving them but for keeping them safe. It means more than you know."
I nodded in return. "It was my pleasure. You’ve raised them well, Ur."
The kids seemed to relax at that, and Leon even gave me a small smile. "We’ll get stronger," he said. "Next time, we won’t need saving."
I grinned, proud of them. "That’s the spirit."
As they headed to the bar to get some drinks, I leaned back, a sense of satisfaction filling me. It wasn’t often that I got to experience gratitude like that from those younger than me. It made all the trouble worth it.
Ur, standing beside me, smiled gently. "They may be young, but they’re learning. And they’ll carry this with them for a long time."
I turned to her, giving her a soft smile. "You’ve done a great job with them."
She chuckled lightly, her eyes softening. "They’re still learning, but they’ll get there."
A few days had passed since Gray, Leon, and Ur visited. Now, I stood in the training ground behind my house, waiting for the kids to arrive. It was time to get back to work.
Before long, Erza, Jellal, Simon, and Laxus showed up. Erza’s focus was steady, Jellal had his usual intensity, Simon looked a bit nervous, and Laxus was practically bouncing with energy.
"Alright, time to get started," I called. "Today’s training will push you harder. Ready?"
Laxus cracked his knuckles. "I’m always ready."
Erza shot him a look, then said, "Let’s see if you can keep up."
Jellal nodded. "We’re ready, Aiden."
Simon hesitated but spoke up. "I-I’m ready too."
"Good," I said with a smile. "Let’s work on your teamwork today. You’re all strong individually, but that strength needs to come together."
I pulled out some training dummies and set them up. "Erza, Jellal, and Simon, you’ll take on Laxus. I’ll be watching, and I’ll step in if needed."
Laxus smirked, eager for a challenge. "This is gonna be fun."
I raised an eyebrow. "Remember, don’t let your egos get in the way."
The sparring began. Erza and Jellal worked well together, while Simon struggled a bit to keep up. Laxus relied too much on his raw power and didn’t cooperate as well. I stopped them a few times to give advice, then sent them back in.
After an hour, I called for a break. The kids were tired, but determined.
Laxus grinned. "I’m still the strongest."
I shook my head. "Strength isn’t everything."
Erza wiped sweat from her brow. "We’re improving. We need more practice."
Jellal agreed. "We will get there."
Simon smiled a little. "I think we’ve learned something today."
I nodded. "Good work. But we’re not done yet."
They gathered around, a mix of exhaustion and determination in their eyes. I grinned. "One more round. Let’s see if you can beat me."
Laxus was already pumped. "Now we’re talking!"
And with that, the training continued.
The next round was about to begin, and the kids were all ready to push themselves further. I had already seen their potential, but now it was time to test their limits.
"Alright, same rules," I said, raising my hand to get their attention. "This time, I’ll be a bit more serious. Work together—no individual glory."
Laxus shot me a confident look. "I’ve got this."
I smiled. "We’ll see."
The sparring resumed, but this time I was more agile, moving quickly and forcing them to adjust. Erza and Jellal communicated well, using their speed and tactics to try and trap me. Simon was more hesitant but followed their lead.
Laxus charged in with a burst of lightning, hoping to catch me off guard. I dodged his strike effortlessly, tapping him lightly on the back as I moved past him.
"That’s not gonna cut it, Laxus," I said, watching him regroup with the others.
Erza didn’t waste time. She and Jellal launched a coordinated attack, with Erza using her sword and Jellal summoning his magic. It was a good combination, but they still lacked the precision and speed needed to really land a blow.
I moved in close, and with a swift movement, I disarmed Erza and tagged Jellal with a flick to the shoulder.
"You’ve got the right ideas, but your timing's off," I said, stepping back to give them a moment to regroup. "You can’t just rely on raw power. You need to predict your opponent’s next move."
Laxus growled, clearly eager for a challenge. "Come on, show us what you’ve got, Aiden!"
I looked at them all, their faces determined but still young. "Alright. Let’s do this. All of you, at once."
The challenge was set. They charged me together, working in perfect sync now. It was better, but not quite enough. I dodged and blocked their attacks, moving swiftly to make sure they were always just a step behind.
Laxus fired a bolt of lightning at me, but I anticipated it, shifting my position just enough to let it miss. Erza followed with a sword strike, which I parried, while Jellal sent a barrage of magic in my direction. It was fast, but predictable.
Simon was last, attempting to use his magic to trap me in place, but I simply leapt over his attempt and landed behind him.
"Keep it up," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "You're getting there."
After a few more rounds, I called for a break, and they all dropped to the ground, panting. Laxus was the first to stand, rubbing his shoulders.
"I’m not giving up," he said, gritting his teeth.
"Good," I responded. "None of you should. But you need to understand that strength alone isn’t enough. You need to work as a team. Use your minds, not just your muscles."
Erza nodded, looking more focused than before. "We’ll improve."
Jellal’s gaze was determined. "We won’t stop until we’re ready."
Simon was quiet, but his expression said it all. "I’ll get better."
I smiled, proud of them. "You all will. And I’ll be here to make sure of it."
We continued the training, pushing past our limits, as the sun began to set behind the trees. I knew that one day, they’d be ready for whatever the world threw at them.
–
[End of Volume I]
