Introductions (3)
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Shanks pushed his body up as he glanced at his Status screen. He had just completed his daily routine, wearing nothing but a pair of black trousers.
EXHALE
He let out a deep breath and looked around at the rocky terrain. It was a sharp contrast to the lush East Forest.
'Well, it is the West Forest,' Shanks thought with a chuckle. He looked over at the rock where he had placed his clothes and sword.
"Should I go?" he asked himself but ultimately decided against it. He still had training to do.
INHALE
He drew in a deep breath and stretched his right arm as he did, channeling his magic power. From the center of his palm, a dark reddish-black energy formed.
One glance at the swirling energy and anyone could tell—it was dangerous.
The energy shot out like a bolt of lightning, striking a nearby boulder. It shattered the stone instantly.
"It's no use just destroying boulders," Shanks muttered as he lowered his arm. His thoughts drifted to his previous life.
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Past Life
He had always been a bright boy. Though his looks were average, years spent training in the gym had definitely boosted his appearance. He wasn't a bodybuilder or anything.
He was a fighter.
Not just metaphorically—literally.
His dream had always been to join the UFC, and he trained relentlessly for it. His genetics weren't elite, but that didn't stop him. He trained harder. Smarter.
He grew, and with that growth, his vision expanded. The gym was no longer his jungle—he began competing. And with competition came losses.
But those losses only made him stronger.
"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
Defeat never broke him. Instead, he used every setback like fuel, pouring it into the ever-burning fire in his heart.
And that fire didn't fade.
It blazed through local circuits, and eventually, his dream was within reach.
"UFC is sending someone to scout you."
"I know for a fact you're getting signed."
"You're the most hardworking guy I've ever met."
"If you make it, you'll be one of the youngest fighters ever."
"I knew betting on you was the right move."
And then—just before he could show the world who he really was—he was gunned down during a morning jog.
'I guess beating that fighter wasn't the smartest move. They did tell me not to…'
He remembered bleeding out on the pavement.
'Guess I won't be making it to the UFC.'
His life flashed before his eyes.
"I don't regret it," he whispered with a faint smile.
And just like that—Shanks died.
---
"I can only use my past life as motivation," he muttered.
He had come to terms with his death long ago.
He'd accepted it the moment he was reincarnated.
"This should be enough for today," Shanks said as he sat down to rest. After a moment, he put his clothes back on and started walking back toward town.
He returned to his apartment on Strawberry Street.
It wasn't the same one that Lucy Heartfilia would eventually rent, but Shanks figured it was nearby. Of course, there was no guarantee that Lucy would even join Fairy Tail in this timeline—who knew what butterfly effects he might have already caused?
He took a quick shower, his mind drifting toward the month's expenses and income.
He'd already paid three months' rent in advance. The apartment was spacious—two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.
He hadn't used the second room, but since the rent was only 30,000 Jewels, he thought, Why not? A single mission could easily cover that, with extra to spare.
And since there were fewer guilds around at this point in time, Fairy Tail was booming. High demand. High pay. Low competition.
That meant—
Shanks had been stacking missions like crazy.
After changing into fresh clothes, he looked at himself in the mirror.
"I'm definitely growing," he said, taking note of his height. At just twelve years old, he was already 5'8".
He applied a bit of the new cologne he'd picked up at a local shop. Oak moss and lavender.
"Those brutes at the guild could never," he smirked, and stepped outside, making his way toward the guild through the lively streets.
Just then—
A small voice called out to him.
"H-hey."
Shanks turned toward the voice. A petite, tanned girl with tousled brown hair and big brown eyes stood there, looking hesitant.
Shanks recognized her instantly.
How could he not?
Cana Alberona.
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