The first hesitant rays of sunlight crept through the slats of Yume's blinds, painting pale stripes across the familiar clutter of his apartment.
He lay sprawled on his bed, still in yesterday's battle-stained clothes, one arm flung over his eyes. Every inch of him protested, aching in places he hadn't known existed. A dull, persistent headache throbbed behind his temples—a brutal souvenir from the Queen, the hive, and the relentless, grinding pace of the last twenty-four hours.
He'd barely made it home last night, stumbling through the door and collapsing face-first onto the mattress. Rika, ever dutiful, had tugged off his coat, hat, and shoes before vanishing into the shadows. He hadn't even possessed the energy to change.
Now, though, true rest felt like a cruel joke. Even half-asleep, his senses—honed to a razor's edge by years of combat—picked up every minute tremor in the building. And this morning, the noise next door was impossible to ignore.
A cacophony erupted from the apartment beside his: a heavy thud that rattled his wall, a shrill yelp, the unmistakable sound of someone being kicked into plaster, followed by a high-pitched, "Natsu! Happy! Get out!" Then a chorus of protests, the distinct scrabbling of cat claws raking plaster, and the rustle of papers. Someone—Lucy, he guessed, barely having moved in—was clearly laying down the law, and her targets were taking it about as well as expected.
Yume winced, pressing his palm to his forehead. So much for peace and quiet. The thought of knocking once, hat pulled low, voice flat and unimpressed—"Keep it down. Some of us need sleep"—crossed his mind, briefly. But he knew her, knew their new proximity. He could greet her anytime. Today, he wanted no trouble. Just the elusive promise of rest.
He let his mind drift, replaying the exhausting events of the previous day. The brutal clash with Regulus, the desperate lending of magic to Swiftwing and Croakus, the grinding fight against Macao—possessed by the Wasp Queen—and her entire hive. He'd pushed himself beyond his limits, physically and mentally, and now his body was demanding its brutal payback.
Still, a faint, wry smile tugged at his lips. That was a close one… but I saved Macao. And I got the challenge I wanted, too. Even if the cost was high.
He'd lost Swiftwing, Croakus, and Enma—at least temporarily. The loss of Enma, in particular, left a sharp, almost phantom ache in his chest, a surprising weight that settled deep inside him. He remembered the feel of its unique presence, the way it had moved as if an extension of his own will, a silent partner in the chaos.
No use moping around, he told himself, the thought echoing of Ghost of the Uchiha chillingly pragmatic words: "I'd be lying if I said things are going according to my plan. But beggars can't be choosers… right?"
He checked his internal tally. Croakus, one of the original ten shadows, would return by day's end. Enma and Swiftwing, though, would take seven days to recover.
When Croakus returned, Stormwing's fusion would end, stripping him of his acquired iron magic, smoke magic, and his damage-absorber skin and sonic screams. He'd retain Swiftwing's gun magic, division, and enhanced speed until that fusion also ended. The same went for Viperion and Enma's fusion. For now, Stormwing and Viperion would have to suffice as his primary companions.
The noise next door swelled again, then finally began to recede. Yume let out a long, silent sigh of relief as a fragile quiet settled.
He'd thought about taking the book-burning mission for easy money—two million jewels would cover rent for two years and leave enough for a three-course meal. But in his current state, feeling bone-deep lazy and knowing the client probably couldn't even pay, he decided against it. There'd be other high-paying jobs. Something fun, maybe. Something that didn't involve chaotic roommates.
Yume finally dragged himself out of bed, the stiffness in his muscles a constant reminder of yesterday. He shuffled around the apartment, handling the basics—showering, brushing, and, with a muttered curse, dealing with the persistent aftereffects of battle food. The taste of stale bread still lingered on his tongue. He changed into a sleeveless gym vest and fitted track pants, clothes that offered both comfort and freedom of movement.
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Next Door: Lucy's Apartment~
Lucy, meanwhile, finally felt a genuine sense of peace. She had found a place to live! The rent was 70,000 Jewel, a little steep, but the apartment was perfectly located, close to the main merchant street—ideal for shopping and convenience.
Relaxing in the bath, she savored the quiet privacy of her own space at last.
But her peace was, predictably, short-lived. Stepping into her bedroom, her jaw dropped. Natsu and Happy were sprawled out on her bed, a crater of crumbs around them, happily devouring her food.
"Get out!" she shrieked, a kick sending Natsu flying into the wall with practiced precision. "And stop touching my stuff!"
Natsu rubbed his head, unfazed. "Mirajane told us where you live! We just wanted to visit."
Lucy's patience snapped further as Happy began vigorously scratching her pristine walls with his claws. "Happy! Stop that! And Natsu, don't go through my papers!"
Natsu, ever curious, made another grab for her stack of notes. Lucy swatted his hand away with a resounding "No!" and a fierce glare.
Happy, oblivious to her anger, wondered aloud about her Celestial Spirit keys. Lucy, taking a deep breath to calm herself, decided a demonstration was in order. She showed them her silver and gold keys, carefully explaining their importance and the contracts she'd formed.
She summoned Nikora (Plue) to demonstrate, and Natsu and Happy watched, surprisingly captivated, as Lucy carefully formed a contract, explaining its significance.
Natsu, of course, quickly shifted to his true priority: forming a team. With Happy's enthusiastic encouragement, Lucy found herself agreeing—though her excitement faded dramatically when she realized their next job involved a lecherous duke and, to her horror, a blonde maid outfit.
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Back in the Hallway~
Yume listened as the commotion next door finally died down, replaced by a blessed quiet. He let out a long, slow sigh of relief, savoring the stillness. With his appetite finally returning, he slipped out of his apartment and into the fresh morning air of Magnolia.
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Magnolia's Strawberry Street~
The morning air was crisp and invigorating as Yume found himself wandering down Strawberry Street, the city's famous avenue lined with pastel shopfronts and the gentle curve of the canal glimmering in the sunlight.
He paused on a small stone bridge, leaning on the railing, watching the water ripple beneath him. Magnolia's peace was a rare, tangible comfort, and for a quiet moment, he let himself simply breathe, letting the tension seep from his shoulders.
It's not so bad, taking a day off, he mused, the thought a small luxury. The city's heartbeat was steady—vendors setting up their stalls, children chasing each other along the cobbles, the faint, distant sound of a violin drifting from somewhere nearby.
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Magnolia's Streets~
As Yume walked Magnolia's bustling streets, his sleeveless gym vest and fitted track pants clearly displayed a physique honed by years of relentless training. His broad shoulders, toned arms, and lean, athletic build were impossible to overlook.
Passersby often paused, their eyes lingering, while shopkeepers paused mid-call. A group of girls near a bakery whispered and giggled as he passed, and even some men looked on with a hint of envy or admiration.
Yume, however, was wholly engrossed in the quiet hum of the city, his focus internal, barely registering the small ripples his presence created.
He found a small, unassuming restaurant, ordered a simple breakfast of eggs and toast, and took a seat by the window, content to simply observe. The eggs were warm and buttery, the toast crisp—a small comfort after the chaos of the previous day.
For a while, he just watched Magnolia awaken. He spotted Natsu and Lucy hurrying down the street, a job flyer clutched in Natsu's hand, Lucy's face shifting from initial excitement to horrified disbelief as she read the fine print. Yume allowed himself a brief, knowing smirk. Trouble always finds those two.
He wandered the city for a while after breakfast, letting the unusual peace settle over him—a rare, precious luxury he hadn't afforded himself in a long time.
He passed by the guild hall, hearing the familiar clang of laughter and the clatter of plates, but didn't go in. Not today. Today was for quiet.
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Tomas Caffe~
Drawn by the rich, comforting aroma of freshly ground beans, Yume ducked into Tomas Caffe, a cozy spot with sunlit windows and the gentle hum of conversation.
When Yume entered, the morning crowd quieted just a fraction. The barista—a young, cheerful woman with bright eyes and a subtle blush—did a double take as she saw him approach the counter. Her cheeks flushed a deeper red as she greeted him, "Good morning! What can I get for you today?"
She lingered a moment longer than usual, her eyes darting to his exposed arms as she recognized him as a Fairy Tail mage, then handed over his coffee and a complimentary pastry. "On the house," she added, her voice a little softer, almost breathy.
Yume took the coffee, savoring the aroma and the warmth in his hands. Maybe I should come here more often, he mused, solely thinking of the pleasant atmosphere and good coffee, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease. He remained entirely oblivious to the lingering gazes from the females present in the café, or the subtle chagrin of some men.
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Book Land~
After finishing his coffee, Yume strolled into Book Land, Magnolia's largest bookstore. The comforting scent of old paper and ink was soothing, a balm to his battle-weary mind.
He browsed the shelves, fingers trailing over the spines of various titles. He picked up a book on advanced magical theory, considering if there was anything new he could learn—or just something to distract his mind from the lingering echoes of recent battles.
Yume wandered through the aisles, pausing near a display of weapon manuals, where Bisca Mulan was intently flipping through a book on magical firearms, a focused expression on her face.
She looked up, a bright smile spreading across her face when she noticed him, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly as she took in his athletic form.
"Well, someone's been working out," she teased, a playful smirk on her lips. "Trying to put the rest of us to shame?"
Yume shrugged, a slight, almost imperceptible smile touching his own lips. "Just keeping in shape. Been a rough few days," he admitted, simply stating a fact.
Bisca leaned in slightly, her tone light, but her gaze lingering on his arms. "Whatever you're doing, it's working. If you ever want to spar—or just show off at the range—let me know. Always looking for good company." She winked, clearly enjoying the banter, but Yume simply nodded, taking her words as a friendly, straightforward offer for training.
Their conversation continued, but Bisca's body language—her relaxed posture, arms crossed, the persistent glint of interest in her eyes—made it clear she found him more than a little appealing, a fact that entirely bypassed Yume's perception.
She shared tips about a new type of magic bullet and the best places in Magnolia for target practice.
"You know, there's this new type of magic bullet that's supposed to pierce through even reinforced barriers. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds promising."
"That sounds useful," Yume said, genuinely intrigued. "Where do you usually practice?"
Bisca grinned. "There's a range just outside town, near the old quarry. Not many people go there, so it's perfect for testing. If you want, I can show you sometime."
"That'd be good," Yume replied, his thoughts already on improving his combat efficiency. "I've been meaning to sharpen my aim and see how my magic holds up under fire."
Bisca's eyes twinkled. "Well, when you're ready, just let me know. We can make a day of it—training and maybe grabbing some food after."
Yume nodded appreciatively. "Sounds like a plan. Thanks."
Bisca gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder and smiled warmly. "That's the spirit. See you around, Yume."
With that, she returned to her books, leaving Yume to ponder the practical applications of new magic bullets, entirely missing the subtle undercurrents stirring in Magnolia's quiet aisles.
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South Park~
A Moment of Peace and Reflection
Yume's final stop was South Park, a sprawling green space dotted with comfortable benches and shaded by ancient, sprawling trees.
He found an empty bench beneath a particularly old oak, letting the dappled sunlight warm his face and the gentle breeze rustle the leaves above. Here, the world felt distant.
The laughter of children playing nearby, the distant bark of a dog—these mundane sounds wove into a comforting tapestry, making the world feel normal again.
He leaned back, closing his eyes, and just listened. The soft rustle of leaves, the distant murmur of the city, the chirping of unseen birds. It was a rare, perfect symphony of peace.
For the first time in days, the constant hum of adrenaline faded, replaced by a profound, almost forgotten sense of calm. He didn't think about battles, or lost shadows, or challenges. He just was. This quiet corner of Magnolia, this simple moment, felt like a gift.
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Magnolia Streets~
On his way back to his apartment, refreshed and surprisingly lighter, Yume ran into Mirajane Strauss, her arms laden with bakery boxes that smelled wonderfully of fresh bread and sugar.
She greeted him with her characteristic gentle smile, and as Yume instinctively reached out to help her with the boxes, she glanced him up and down with an approving smile, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief as she took in his sleeveless vest and athletic build.
"You know, you're turning a few heads today," she teased, her tone gentle but unmistakably amused. "If you keep dressing like that, the guild girls might start a fan club."
Yume chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess I'll have to be careful, then," he replied, taking her words as a general, good-natured jest, oblivious to the deeper meaning.
Mira laughed, a light, musical sound. "Just don't let it go to your head, alright? Taking time for yourself, I hope?"
He nodded, a genuine smile forming. "Trying to."
Mira handed him a warm, still-fragrant pastry from one of her boxes. "You've earned it. And—just between us—Erza's coming back tomorrow. Things are about to get lively again."
Yume accepted the treat, feeling a rare, unexpected sense of belonging. "Thanks, Mira."
She winked. "Anytime. Don't be a stranger."
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Evening Reflections~
As the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Yume found himself back at the canal, the city's nascent lights beginning to shimmer on the darkening water.
He glanced back at the quiet expanse of the park, the bustling streets, and the city he now called home. He noticed the changing light, the sounds shifting from day to evening.
While he knew his appearance sometimes drew eyes—a fact of being a recognizable mage in a bustling city—he simply accepted it as a general observation, never truly connecting it to the lingering glances or the subtle blushes.
Tomorrow, the world spins again, he thought, a quiet, almost peaceful resolve settling in his chest.
He closed his eyes, letting the city's quiet evening settle over him—a rare, precious thing. For now, he could just be Yume, not a mage or a fighter, but simply a man finding a moment of profound, well-deserved rest.
By the time he returned home, the sun had fully dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a soft, twilight glow. He paused outside his apartment, listening—no more chaos from Lucy's place. Just quiet, at last.
Yume let himself in, stretched out on his bed, and closed his eyes. For now, he'd rest.
Tomorrow, the world would start spinning again.
END OF CHAPTER 7.