Introductions (1)
--
[Mission Completed]
I looked at the blue holographic screen that blinked in front of my eyes. A small smile curled up on my lips.
---
[Mission Completed]
Name: Socialize!
Reward Obtained: [Improved Breathing System – Lvl 1]
---
INHALE
EXHALE
It was subtle. But noticeable. My lungs felt clearer, my breath steadier. There was a rhythm to it. Natural. Easy.
That was the thing about the system. It didn't hand me power like some cheat tool. No instant mastery or knowledge downloads. No "You are now the God of Destruction, congratulations!" banners.
Nope.It opened a door.I had to walk the path myself.
I figured that out back when I got my first Passive Skill—Cooking. It gave me the feel of mixing ingredients to create something. The skill didn't teach me how to fry an egg, but it let me feel when the egg was ready. It gave me instinct, not instruction.
Maybe this breathing thing would be the same. A slow build-up. Better rhythm. Better stamina.Still useless in a fight.
For now.
I stood in the middle of the noisy guild hall, the Fairy Tail mark still warm on my right shoulder. All around me, guildmates were dancing, laughing, downing barrels of booze like water, or simply yelling over each other for no reason.
I waved back as a few of them called out to me.
"Yo! Red-hair kid!""Shanks, right? Welcome, brat!""Don't break anything unless it's on purpose!"
I offered a nod, a half-smile, and made my way through the crowd.Makarov's office.
I reached the stairs leading up. Wooden steps creaked beneath my boots as I climbed. The sounds of the party faded just slightly the higher I went. When I finally stood in front of the door, I paused.
Deep breath.
Knock Knock
"Come in," came the gruff but somehow gentle voice from inside.
I opened the door.
The room was tidy. Bookshelves lined the walls, stacked with dusty tomes and scrolls. A large window let the sunlight pour in, bathing the room in gold. And at the center, behind a wide desk, sat the Master.
He looked up from a stack of papers.
"Hey, brat," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite his. A small smile softened his old features.
"Master." I bowed slightly, then took a seat.
"It's a pity, Gildarts has gone on a quest. He's a wanderer. A force of nature. But he's also a good man. If he knew about you..."
I nodded slowly. "He didn't. And I don't blame him. My mother—Sara—she said she didn't want to burden him. She wanted him to live freely."
Makarov leaned back, arms crossed. "What a kind soul. I would've liked to meet her."
I didn't speak. Instead, I glanced out the window. The sunlight reflected in my eyes, and for a moment, I felt the familiar sting of grief.
EXHALE
Makarov stood on the desk and reached over, patting my head gently.
"Don't worry, Shanks. I know what it's like to lose someone, but remember—those we lose, they don't disappear. They stay with us. Right here."He tapped his own chest.
"Fairy Tail is not just a guild. It's a family. And you're part of it now. If you ever need anything, you come to me. Alright?"
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Alright."
Makarov gave me a warm smile. "Good."
There was a pause, then he asked, "Where are you staying?"
I blinked. "...I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet."
"Hah, don't worry about it. I'll arrange something. And as for food—just head to the bar downstairs. Say the word and they'll fill you up."
"Thank you, Master."
He chuckled. "You're polite. That's rare here."
I cracked a small smile. "I'll adjust."
Makarov looked thoughtful. "I'll also try to get in contact with Gildarts. No promises on when, but he deserves to know."
"I… appreciate that."
He waved his hand. "Alright, enough of this serious talk. Go on, get back down there. They're probably arm wrestling on tables by now."
I stood, gave him a respectful bow, and turned to leave.
As I walked down the creaky stairs, the noise of the guild washed over me again boisterous and wild. It felt like a different world from just a few minutes ago.But for the first time since I reincarnated into this world, I felt a flicker of something warm in my chest.
Belonging.
---
Author's Note: Mc will be slowly become more like Shanks
Join my pa_treon (No advance chapter for this fic right now but I will be stacking, and I have lowered the price for now so it's a deal)
pat_reon.com/Sylicaa