Introductions (2)
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Two months had passed in an instant.
In that time, Shanks had blended into the guild as if he'd always been there. His laidback attitude, goofy grin, and easygoing nature made him approachable to just about everyone. Even the roughest members found it hard not to like him.
At the moment, he sat at a wooden table with Laxus Dreyar, the lightning dragon slayer and grandson of the Guild Master. Alongside them were the ever-present duo of Macao and Wakaba, already mid-conversation.
"Hey~ Shanks," Wakaba said, dragging a puff from his cigarette and blowing out a perfect smoke ring. "How's your record with Laxus looking these days?"
Shanks grinned, resting his chin lazily on his palm. "I'm winning, obviously."
Across the table, Laxus's brow twitched. He glared at Shanks with a look that could fry an egg.
"It's a tie!" Laxus barked, slamming both palms on the table hard enough to make the plates rattle.
Macao winced and waved a hand. "Geez, calm down, will ya?"
Laxus, however, was still glaring daggers at Shanks, whose grin only widened in response.
"You know what? Let's fight right now!" Laxus growled, clenching his fists with static crackling faintly around his fingers.
Shanks leaned back in his seat and let out a short laugh. "Nah, not in the mood. I just finished a quest. Let me breathe, Lightning Prince."
Laxus scowled harder at the nickname, while Wakaba chuckled.
"It's good that you're slowing down," Macao said, stroking his chin like a wise old sage. "You used to take back-to-back quests like a madman when you first joined."
Shanks nodded. "I had to. Couldn't keep bunking at Fairy Hills eating for free. Needed the jewel if I wanted my own place."
Wakaba gave an approving nod. "Smart thinking, kid. Not many start off with that kinda mindset."
Macao raised an eyebrow. "You are living alone now?"
Shanks nodded. "Yeah, got a place just off Strawberry Street. Not bad, actually. Quiet enough, unless a couple of lovebirds start yelling through the window."
Wakaba laughed. "You get used to that in Magnolia."
Shanks chuckled and was about to share a story from his last mission when Macao sat forward, eager to one-up him.
"Let me tell you two about the monster I fought in my—"
Before he could finish, a young guild member came rushing in through the hall, panting slightly as he made his way to their table.
"Laxus! Your father's calling for you!"
Laxus tensed. His face shifted slightly—just for a second. Most wouldn't catch it, but Shanks noticed.
The lightning dragon slayer stood up abruptly. "Guess it's training time," he muttered, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
The others gave him a nod.
As he walked off, Wakaba leaned back and exhaled another puff. "That Ivan sure does love to push that boy hard."
Shanks said nothing but gave a small nod. He was new, yes, but even he could tell. Ivan Dreyar's presence always felt… distant, heavy. Laxus never talked about it, and no one asked. But it wasn't hard to guess that the relationship between father and son was strained at best.
"Sigh… That Laxus," Macao said, shaking his head. "He was such a kind boy. Still is, somewhere deep down. But these days? Always on edge. Always looking for the next fight."
Wakaba blew out a long smoke ring. "That's just called growing up, Macao."
"Yeah…" Macao replied, but his voice sounded unconvinced. "Still, I hope he doesn't lose himself along the way."
Shanks looked in the direction Laxus had left.
"Sigh!" Shanks sighed and continued "I think I will go train as well. Can't let Laxus get an edge over me."
"Sure kid." Macao said and Wakaba grinned with a thumbs up.
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Shanks walked through the streets toward the eastern outskirts of Magnolia. He earned a few glances here and there—mostly from people recognizing the Fairy Tail mark on his shoulder. Some nodded. A few kids waved. Others just watched quietly as the red-haired teen made his way past the stone buildings and lantern-lined streets.
Eventually, he reached the outer edges of town, where the trees grew taller, and the cobblestone gave way to dirt paths. Without hesitation, he stepped into the forest.
"Why'd she build her house so far out?" Shanks muttered, brushing aside low branches as he moved through the undergrowth.
The forest wasn't thick, but it was quiet—only birds and wind filling the air as he walked. After a short while, the wooden structure of a treehouse came into view, nestled snugly among the branches like it was part of the forest itself.
Shanks smiled. "Still cool."
Without knocking, he opened the door and stepped inside.
"Back again, brat?" came a familiar voice, dry and annoyed as ever.
Porlyusica sat at her usual spot—leaning back on a small wooden bench with a book in hand. Her sharp eyes peered at him over the rim of her glasses.
Shanks grinned. "You don't have to say the same thing every time."
"I do. Because you keep showing up." She huffed. "And before you start asking me stupid questions, here—take this."
She grabbed a thick notebook from the table and held it out. Shanks stepped forward and took it with both hands, nodding respectfully.
"Thanks once again," he said with his trademark grin.
"Just leave already," Porlyusica snapped, waving a hand dismissively.
Shanks started to walk toward the door but muttered just loud enough, "Don't pretend like you don't like me being here."
Whack!
A broom hit him square on the back as he stepped out. He barely flinched—just laughed and kept walking.
Outside, the light filtered through the leaves as he flipped the notebook open and looked at the title written in neat, clean letters:
'Various Herbs and Their Uses'
It was handwritten—by Porlyusica herself.
He couldn't help but smile. It had taken weeks of quiet visits, patience, and the occasional helping hand around her place, but she had finally started teaching him about herbs, potions, and mixtures. All knowledge that could help with his passive cooking skill—and maybe even something more.
Shanks shut the book gently and tucked it under his arm.
"Time to drop this off and hit the training grounds," he muttered and began heading back toward the city.
Halfway through the forest path, he brought up his Status Screen with a thought.
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Name: Shanks ClivePower Level: CMagic: Destruction (+)Skills: Cooking (+) – Level 3, Improved Breathing System (+) – Level 2
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He nodded to himself, satisfied with the small growth.
"Still weak… but getting there," he murmured, closing the screen and picking up the pace.
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Author's Note:
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