Copyright notice: This fanfic is a work of fiction inspired by "Fairy Tail", created by Hiro Mashima. I do not own the rights to "Fairy Tail" or the original characters.
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Author's note: English is not my mother tongue, so I apologise for any mistakes you may find in this fanfic. I appreciate your understanding and I hope you enjoy the story.
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Chapter 3: Ice and Wind
A week later at the Lamia Scale training field, Maria couldn't help but feel admiration as she observed Tristan. The young boy, with a concentration that defied his youth, had managed to hold an ice sphere in perfect condition for more than ten minutes, even surpassing the challenge she had deemed difficult for any young mage. Now, with the stopwatch marking twenty-five minutes, Tristan remained unflappable, his ice sphere as firm and solid as his unbreakable determination.
Approaching Tristan with imperceptible steps, Maria contemplated the scene before her. "Incredible, Tristan. You've surpassed all expectations," she reflected silently. She remembered the first day when the task of keeping the sphere intact for ten minutes seemed impossible. Yet there was Tristan, defying not just his own limits but also the notions of his master, proving that even an experienced teacher could witness surprises.
Convinced that it was the right time to advance Tristan's training, Maria, without breaking the young boy's concentration, spoke in a soft but clear voice, "Tristan, until now you have focused your attention and magic on maintaining the structure of the ice sphere. It's time to take a step forward. I want you to completely shift your focus. Instead of merely preserving the sphere, concentrate on understanding and feeling every component that constitutes it."
Tristan, without losing focus, subtly nodded in acknowledgment of the new instructions. Following Maria's guidance, he began to redirect his attention toward the ice sphere he held in his hands. Maria watched with expectation, aware that this exercise was not just a step forward in mastering ice magic but also a crucial moment in Tristan's life. She was yet reluctant to reveal the true goal of the training for fear that her conjectures were incorrect and might give her student false hope. But she knew in her heart that Tristan would succeed. Unbeknownst to her, she began to sweat due to the anticipation.
With each hour that passed, Tristan delved deeper into the essence of ice, discovering its properties and components. Unbeknownst to him, his perception sharpened more and more. It was as if he could see, despite his blindness, each ice crystal and every molecule of frozen water, joined in the perfect form of the sphere.
Tristan had not yet realized that night had fallen; his complete concentration was on the ice sphere. As he managed to perceive each component of the sphere, his perception sharpened, turning the ice sphere into a part of his body.
At that moment of maximum concentration, Tristan experienced something he had never felt before. For a brief few seconds, thanks to the intense connection with the ice sphere resting in his palm, he managed to "see" his own hand in his mind. It was a perception different from sight, an image formed by the sensation of cold and the texture of ice against his skin, a mental image so clear and defined that it left him breathless.
Surprised, he lost his concentration, and the ice sphere dissolved in his hand, evaporating. Tristan remained still, astonished by the experience, his breathing became heavy and his energy rapidly depleted, leaving him exhausted.
Maria, who had observed the entire scene in silence, hurried to his side, her expression reflecting a mix of concern and amazement. "Tristan, are you okay?" she asked, supporting him with her shoulder.
"Yes, master... I'm just... tired. But... for a moment, I could 'see' my hand, through the ice," Tristan managed to say between labored breaths, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and joy.
"I'm impressed, Tristan," she began, her voice tinged with admiration. "Honestly, I didn't know if you would manage to use this technique based on old theories; I hoped that maybe in three months, or perhaps a year, you would be able to perceive something of your surroundings through the ice. But what you did today… it's extraordinary."
Tristan, still recovering from the surprise and effort, clung to Maria's words, seeking understanding. "How is it possible...?" he murmured, more to himself than to his master.
"The magic you've used," Maria explained, "has natural limitations. For example, you'll only be able to 'see' within a small range around the ice sphere. For the next month, your training will focus on creating as small ice spheres as possible. The goal is for you to learn to control multiple spheres at the same time," Maria continued. "Imagine the advantages in combat: if you're capable, for example, of controlling a hundred ice spheres, you could monitor an entire battlefield."
Tristan nodded, his mind already wrapped around the implications of such an ability. "But that means..." he began before Maria completed his thought.
"Yes, precisely. You must learn to keep each ice sphere active as efficiently as possible without them destroying each other. Moreover, your mind must be prepared to process all the information those spheres provide you."
The magnitude of the task was overwhelming but also exciting. Tristan, though exhausted, felt filled with gratitude. He had never thought he could "see" in such a unique way.
"Master Maria, thank you," Tristan said between tears. "I'm ready to try. No matter how hard it is, I want to learn, I want to see; master, please guide me."
Maria smiled, her own emotion reflected on her face. "That's exactly what I was hoping to hear, Tristan. We'll start tomorrow. For now, rest. Today was just the beginning."
After the training, Tristan returned to the Lamia Scale guild, still filled with excitement.
Upon entering, his hearing picked up the characteristic murmur of the guild, filled with conversations and the occasional burst of laughter. Then he heard Elysia's voice, clear and confident, recounting what seemed to be a feat of her own training, in other words, boasting to Alden and Lila.
He approached, guided by the sound of her voice, until he was close enough to join the conversation. "Elysia," he began, his tone neutral but with a hint of challenge, "it seems you've been busy."
Elysia turned towards him, a smug smile on her lips. "Tristan," she replied, "always a pleasure to see you. And yes, I have been making giant strides. Though I doubt you can say the same."
The tension between them was palpable, like two rivals sizing up their strength before a duel. "In fact," retorted Tristan with a calmness that bordered on provocation, "I've done more than progress. Today, I 'saw' the world in a way you could never achieve."
Elysia's interest was captured by his statement, though she struggled not to show it. "See? How interesting, considering your... limitations," she said, her choice of words bordering on contempt. "But I suppose some need tricks to keep up. In my case, I've honed my control over the wind to the point where I can create air cuts so fine they could slice a person's neck in seconds."
The air charged with a competitive electricity, each highlighting their achievements without giving ground. Due to the shouts, other mages began to gather, drawn by the tense debate of skills. Among them, Jura and Maximus, watching with interest.
"Talking about magical feats, are we?" Jura intervened with a calm smile, approaching the pair. "I hope you don't forget that a mage's true strength lies in how they use their abilities to protect others, not just in boasting about them."
Maximus added, "Unless you can boast about something really impressive, like turning water into wine. Now that would require skill."
Scattered laughter lightened the atmosphere momentarily. Then, Elysia, seeking to maintain her edge in the competition of egos, revealed, "In addition to my wind magic, I've perfected swordsmanship to the point of dancing among my enemies, leaving only the wind in my wake."
The eyebrows of some of the present mages rose; mastery of the sword, combined with wind magic, was a dangerous skill, it's incredible that a ten-year-old girl can use it.
Tristan, feeling the balance of impression tilting towards Elysia, hurriedly responded, "That's nothing. I also know how to handle a weapon." His voice carried a mix of challenge and... envy?
Elysia, sensing vulnerability, smiled cunningly. "Really? And where is your weapon then, Tristan? I'd love to see it."
The question hung in the air, loaded with expectation. All eyes turned to Tristan, who suddenly found himself the center of attention, his rash claim turning against him. The silence grew uncomfortable as he searched for a response he did not have.
At that moment, Jura stepped in. With a calming presence, he placed himself between Tristan and Elysia, addressing all those present. "A skill is not demonstrated in words but in actions. Tristan and Elysia have much to offer, and both, like all of us, are still learning. The real test of our worth is not found in the confrontation among us, but in how we face challenges together."
With these words, the discomfort due to Tristan's small lie dissipated, leaving Tristan grateful for the intervention. Although the moment of discomfort passed, the exchange made it clear that the rivalry between Tristan and Elysia was far from being resolved.
Elysia, with one last competitive glance at Tristan, decided to leave the topic, for now. "Well, let's see then how those talents develop," she said, marking the end of their confrontation for that day.
Tristan, although still mortified by his mistake, felt more determined than ever to prove his worth, not just to Elysia but to everyone at Lamia Scale. And perhaps, in the process, find his own "weapon."
Six months later, life
continued at its usual pace. The news that stood out in Margaret City was the inclusion of two children in the Lamia Scale guild, a fact that normally would not attract much attention, but being taken as students by Maria Koori, one of the most powerful mages of the guild, and the guild master, Ooba Babasaama. This fact, though small, generated curiosity. Not just because of the reputation of their masters, but because one of the new apprentices was a blind boy, a peculiarity that awakened interest among the citizens.
During the last six months, Tristan had fully immersed himself in his training. Although he would never admit it openly, part of his determination was to not fall behind Elysia. A month ago, after an exchange of words, he challenged Elysia to a duel, and she easily kicked his butt. At that moment, Tristan realized he had not yet mastered the art of combat; his attention had been focused exclusively on mastering his ice sphere magic. However, his dedication was not in vain, as Tristan could now create five ice spheres the size of marbles, allowing him to "see" for thirty minutes. With this new ability, Master Maria instructed him to strengthen himself physically, which involved running three hours every morning. Since he could only use his power for half an hour, he had to be cautious not to trip or hurt someone during his training, requiring the use of all his senses and time management when using his ice sphere magic.
Maria, his master, approached with slow but determined steps, a slight smile adorning her face. She had been reflecting on the best way to expand Tristan's abilities, and finally, a brilliant idea emerged in her mind.
"Tristan," Maria began, her voice calm but full of enthusiasm, "I've been thinking about how we can take your training to the next level."
Tristan turned his face toward where Maria's voice resonated, tilting his head in a sign of attention. "And what do you have in mind, master?" he asked, his interest clearly awakened.
Maria took a moment before answering, ensuring Tristan understood the importance of what she was about to propose. "I want you to experiment with your magic, in a different training field."
"Where?" Tristan asked, curious.
"A park," Maria confessed, her smile widening. "It's a place where nature and the bustle of people converge. Your new challenge will be to walk through the city park, using your ice spheres to see, without stumbling or bumping into anyone. So far, your morning training of running has been similar, but the difference lies in that your usual route is clear of crowds and you know it in detail, which facilitates the use of your abilities."
Tristan nodded, "Sounds... interesting, master."
Maria's proposal was a challenge, one that would require Tristan to concentrate and be more sensitive than he had reached so far, as creating the ice spheres has only allowed him to see silhouettes, he has also managed to recognize blood and water, and this only for half an hour, Tristan dreams of someday being able to see perfectly.
Later.
Tristan headed to the park, this time accompanied by Elysia. The tension between them was palpable; neither seemed pleased with the other's presence. "I don't understand why you have to accompany me to train," Tristan expressed with frustration. Elysia looked at him with contained anger. "Do you think I want to be here with you? I'm only here because my master asked me to," she replied with evident annoyance. Tristan sarcastically responded, "It would be easier to train without obstacles in the way." Elysia, still angry, reminded him of his recent defeat: "Says the one who couldn't dodge a simple blow from my sword." Tristan, annoyed, insisted, "You only won because you had a weapon." Elysia, arrogantly, dismissed his words, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." Passersby watched amused as the young mages argued in the middle of the city. They were known as the novices of Lamia Scale, famous for their constant fights.
In the park, surrounded by the bustle of people enjoying the afternoon, Tristan prepared to begin his training. The task was simple yet complex in its execution: he had to walk through the crowd, using his five ice spheres to "see" without stumbling or bumping into anyone. Beside him, Elysia waited with a mischievous smile, ready to make his training even more challenging.
"Remember, Tristan," said Elysia, with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes, "as you make your way through the people, I'll be here to make things a little more... interesting." Her role was clear: to create unexpected magical obstacles to test Tristan's ability to maintain balance and concentration, even under pressure.
Maria had spoken with the guild master to organize this training, choosing Elysia because of the dispute between her and Tristan. This exercise would
not only measure Tristan's physical and magical dexterity but also test his ability to anticipate and react to surprises, a crucial skill for any mage.
Tristan, surrounded by his five ice spheres, ventured among the people, each move calculated to avoid falling into Elysia's traps. Hidden, she began her game: wind gusts aimed to unbalance him, first at his feet, then, unexpectedly, towards his head. Tristan, alerted by the cold of his spheres, jumped aside, narrowly avoiding it. "That was too close," he thought, grateful for having a sphere always close to his head to alert him.
Elysia didn't wait long to raise the stakes. She hid, preparing her next attack stealthily. At the least expected moment, she launched a double gust, more precise and powerful. Tristan, surprised by the onslaught from two fronts, instantly reacted with an agile lateral jump. "She almost got me this time," he reflected, aware of his luck in detecting the attack in time thanks to the sphere strategically positioned at head level. The tension grew, and Tristan knew he had to stay even more alert to anticipate Elysia's ingenious challenges.
Elysia, observing Tristan's agility and growth since their last encounter, thought it was the perfect moment to test her most recent technique. "He has improved a lot, but still, I think I can surprise him. I'll wait a bit and then... I'll show him what I'm capable of." Thus, with a plan in mind, she decided to wait for the right moment, when Tristan would lower his guard.
Meanwhile, Tristan, feeling strangely calm without attacks from Elysia, continued his path through the crowd, dodging people carefully. But just when he least expected it, he felt a strange presence in front of him. "What is this? An invisible barrier!" Tristan tried to back away, only to discover he was completely surrounded. He used his spheres to monitor his surroundings and upwards: walls of air had enclosed him in an invisible prison. "How...? Elysia, this is new."
With the top barrier beginning to close over him, Tristan was forced to kneel. "The goal was to stay standing and I've fallen... Elysia has outdone me this time," he thought, defeated by his companion's cunning and skill.
As the air walls dissipated, Tristan got up, dusting off his clothes with a gesture of frustration. Despite the exhaustion and palpable defeat, a spark of determination burned in his eyes. Elysia, watching from a safe distance, couldn't contain a mocking smile.
"So, the great Tristan has fallen, eh?" Elysia began, approaching with a light step. "I wonder what excuse you'll have this time."
Tristan turned towards her, his jaw clenched. "It's not an excuse," he replied firmly. "It's an observation. I was focused on avoiding the people and your attacks. I didn't expect you to use a technique I hadn't seen before."
Elysia crossed her arms, her mocking smile softening slightly. "I admit it was a challenge to prepare something that would only affect you and not the bystanders. But in the end, the goal was to see you fall. And I achieved it."
"Yes, but I learned something today," admitted Tristan, his tone calm but still carrying a slight irritation. "That I need to be prepared for anything, not just the obvious. Next time, I'll be ready for your surprises."
"Next time?" Elysia raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I'm eager to see how you plan to outdo me, especially after today."
Tristan smiled, his frustration fading. "Oh, I'll find a way. Maybe next time I'll surprise you."
Just as Tristan was getting up, a weak but desperate cry cut through the air, accompanied by sounds of blows. Elysia also heard it and nodded, "Yes, let's go," they said in unison, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the urgency of the moment. They ran towards the source of the noises, and what they saw made their blood boil: a man, clearly a merchant by his clothes, was holding a boy, definitely younger than them, and beating him mercilessly.
"What a disgrace! A thief!" the merchant roared, throwing punches at the boy. Elysia, without wasting a second, summoned a gust of wind that pushed the merchant away from the boy. Meanwhile, Tristan, moving quickly, caught the boy in the air before he touched the ground. The little one was unconscious, breathing with difficulty.
The merchant, still on the ground after the attack, looked defiantly at Elysia and Tristan. His expression hardened as he got up, dusting off his clothes. "What are you doing, intervening like this? This thief has been stealing from me for weeks," he said with contempt.
Elysia, with a fury in her eyes that Tristan had never seen before, took a
step forward. Her voice was a cold knife. "No act justifies your violence!" she said. "Especially against a child! If there's a problem, it's resolved without resorting to blows. What kind of person are you, attacking someone weaker than you?"
Elysia's fury was like a storm about to burst. The air around her trembled, charged with the power of her wind magic, ready to launch a new attack. But then, Tristan, holding the unconscious boy, gently touched her shoulder and said, "He's not worth your anger." Elysia, taking a deep breath, seemed to regain control. Still looking at the merchant, her expression softened slightly thanks to Tristan.
"This child needs help," Tristan affirmed, his voice with surprising firmness for his age. He turned towards the merchant, Without a word, he took some Jewels out of his pocket and threw them at the merchant. He had no idea of the exact value of what the boy had stolen, but he was sure that amount would cover it. Tristan didn't care much for money; his master gave him enough for his basic needs, and living in the guild, he almost never needed it.
"But remember," Tristan continued, his voice low but loaded with a cold threat that lowered the temperature of the environment, "if you ever attack this child or any other again..." His warning hung in the air.
The merchant swallowed hard, fear clearly reflected on his face in the face of Tristan's serious threat. He nodded quickly, picking up the Jewels from the ground and backing off without protesting.
Tristan turned towards Elysia, who was still watching the scene with intensity, "Let's take him to Maximus," he said, referring to the unconscious boy in his arms. Elysia nodded.
Lamia Scale Guild, Common Room
Elysia and Tristan entered with urgency. They didn't stop to greet or explain; they went straight to where Maximus was seated, drinking while conversing with Jura.
"Maximus, we need your help with this boy!" they exclaimed, their voices worried. The boy in Tristan's arms was unconscious, his breathing barely perceptible.
Maximus, taken aback, put his drink aside instantly, his demeanor changing from relaxed to one of deep seriousness upon seeing the gravity of the situation. Jura, equally alerted, delicately took the boy from Tristan's arms. "I'll take him to a bed."
Nodding, Maximus stood up, his eyes not leaving the little one as Jura carried him to a quieter and more suitable place to attend to him. Elysia and Tristan followed closely, loaded with anxiety and questions.
Upon reaching the door of the room, Maximus turned towards them, his voice firm. "You two must wait here outside."
Elysia began to protest, "But, Maximus, we want to know if..."
Maximus interrupted her, his voice calm but unbreakable. "I need tranquility to properly help the boy. Trust me." With that, he gently closed the door behind him, leaving Elysia and Tristan in the hallway.
In the hallway outside the room where Maximus was attending to the boy, Elysia and Tristan waited in a tension-filled silence. The wait seemed eternal, with every tick-tock of the clock resonating in their ears. Tristan, moved by the intensity of recent events, decided to break the silence that enveloped them.
"Elysia, can I ask you something?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant. Elysia, pulled from her worried thoughts about the boy, turned towards him, clearly surprised by his unexpected question. "What do you want to know?" she responded, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution.
"I've never seen you so angry... at that moment, you seemed ready to launch yourself at the merchant. Not that I think it was wrong, quite the opposite, but... have you ever experienced something similar? It seemed to me that vengeance was driving you at that moment."
Elysia looked at Tristan, an expression of conflict deciding to open up about her past. "My family is complicated," she began, her voice shaky yet firm. "I come from a family of guardians. From birth, we are taught that our purpose is to protect a necklace, though I never quite understood why. Just that it was an ancestral responsibility." She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing.
"I always knew what was expected of me, but... I never lived up to it. Although I could use magic, I couldn't control it properly. My family didn't see in me the guardian they expected. At home, everyone despised me. My parents never spoke to me directly; they only dealt with me through my teachers." Elysia averted her gaze, as if the memory weighed more than she could bear.
"At the age of 9, I decided to run away. And apparently, no one cared. For a year, I lived on the streets
, stealing to eat. I had no other choice. Once, a merchant caught me and beat me so hard he almost left me dead, in a manner similar to what happened to that boy today." Tristan could see the pain in her eyes as she recalled those moments of vulnerability.
"But I was lucky, immensely lucky. My master, Master Ooba, found me. She offered to teach me and take me to a place I could call home." Elysia's voice softened as she mentioned her master, a glint of gratitude shining in her eyes.
Tristan remained silent for a moment. "Elysia, I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine what you've been through... but I'm glad you finally found your true family, with us at Lamia Scale," he said, his tone warm and supportive.
Then, with a gentle determination in his voice, he continued, "And about the merchant... Now I understand why you reacted that way. It's admirable, really, how even after facing so much adversity, you choose to protect those in need." Tristan continued. "I want you to know, Elysia, that you're not alone in this. If you ever need someone to talk to, or even just someone to be there, you can count on me. We're friends."
Elysia let a tear escape, then murmured so low that it was barely audible: "Thank you." Tristan, who couldn't quite hear, asked, "What did you say?" To which Elysia, trying to hide her vulnerability, replied with feigned disdain: "Nothing you should care about, dummy."
It seems Elysia went back to her usual self, Tristan thought.
Maximus finally opened the door, and Elysia and Tristan, who had been waiting outside, jumped up, ready to bombard him with questions about the boy's condition.
"The boy is out of danger," Maximus informed them, his tone carrying a weight of seriousness and relief. "He needs rest, so it won't be possible for you to see him right now. You'll have to wait at least a week before you can visit him."
Maximus's words fell on them like a bucket of cold water. Impatience and concern were evident on their faces, but they also understood the importance of following Maximus's instructions to ensure the boy's complete recovery.
"But he's okay, right? I mean, will he fully recover?" Elysia's question reflected the concern both felt, her voice trembling slightly with anxiety.
Maximus nodded, his expression softening a bit as he saw the genuine worry in their eyes. "Yes, he will fully recover. He just needs time and peace now."
Elysia and Tristan finally felt relief.
Elysia and Tristan left the room, tired. Outside, Maria was waiting for them. "How did your training go?" she asked. Tristan, a bit embarrassed, admitted that Elysia had been better this time. Elysia smiled proudly, but her smile disappeared when Tristan mentioned they had found a small boy being beaten by a merchant because he was stealing. Maria became serious and asked them to tell her everything.
After listening to them, Maria spoke, "I'm glad you wanted to help," she said, "but remember you can't always save everyone. Being too brave can get you into trouble. I'm not saying it was wrong, just be careful and choose well when to act. If you ever come across a big problem, sometimes it's best to back off. Understood?"
Tristan tried to respond, "But master, if they really need us..."
Maria interrupted him, "If I explain it in simple terms, it's like wanting to fight a dragon, without magic, only with a tree branch," Maria said. "Sometimes, the bravest thing is knowing when to run away."
Elysia and Tristan shared a look and then nodded together. Both's attention was fixed on Maria when she revealed what was to come. "This week, I face a task that Master Ooba Babasaama has left in my hands, insisting that I am the most suitable for it. I will be absent for a while to carry it out. Do you understand, Tristan?" her tone was serious, making clear the importance of her mission.
"During my absence, I need Tristan to continue with the training done today, and I want Elysia to join him. You must make him fall without hurting anyone. I discussed this with Master Ooba, and she agrees. I'll tell you, not only was Tristan training today, you were too, Elysia, because by controlling your attacks in a populated place, you are forced to focus on your magic control," she added, looking at them both to ensure their understanding. Elysia immediately nodded.
While Tristan couldn't help but inquire more about his master's mission. "What mission is that, master?"
Maria sighed lightly before answering. "I don't have all the details, but
rumors indicate that a giant demon has been wreaking havoc in the northern cities. Those lands are enveloped in eternal ice, which makes me the ideal candidate for this task."
End of chapter 3.