The morning sun spilled through the thin curtains as Teresa opened her eyes.
She hadn't truly slept. She rarely did anymore. Rest was light, shallow—more a state of stillness than unconsciousness. Her senses had remained extended throughout the night, attuned to every shift of energy in this unfamiliar world.
The magic in Earthland still hummed around her—vibrant, thick, yet no longer entirely alien.
Standing, she flexed her hands. The black tunic clung comfortably to her body, designed for ease of movement even without the familiar weight of her armor. Her Requip had responded smoothly the night before; the armor and sword remained safely stored, ready to return at her command.
Yet she felt no eagerness to summon them now. No threat lingered here.
She closed her eyes, breathing in the morning air.
This world truly was strange.
A short time later, Macao arrived at the inn's entrance as promised. Romeo tagged along at his side, clearly excited to escort their mysterious guest around town.
Teresa met them outside, standing tall in her plain Claymore uniform, unarmed.
"No armor today?" Macao asked with casual curiosity.
"I do not require it for the moment," she replied simply.
Macao smiled faintly. "I suppose that makes sense. Magnolia's safe enough."
Romeo asked, "Don't tell me you can summon it?"
Teresa nodded. "Yes. This world's magic allows me to call my equipment when needed."
Romeo's eyes sparkled. "That's cool!"
They began walking together, weaving through Magnolia's busy morning streets. Market stalls opened, merchants shouted greetings, and laughter rang from cafes. The vibrant energy remained unfamiliar, but Teresa walked calmly amidst it, observing.
As they crossed a bridge overlooking the river, Macao glanced sideways. "Most mages in Fairy Tail develop their magic through study or training. You said your power… adapted?"
"Yes." Teresa's voice remained calm. "I did not possess such abilities before arriving here. My body merged with this world's energy. The magic formed itself around my nature—limited, precise. It allows me to summon my equipment at will, but only my own."
"Fascinating," Macao muttered, scratching his chin. "Almost like the world itself taught you Requip."
Teresa tilted her head slightly. "I did not seek it. Yet it answers."
Romeo grinned. "That's so cool!"
Teresa didn't respond, though her faint smile lingered.
As they reached the familiar entrance of the guild hall once again, Teresa paused briefly, scanning the scene inside.
Today, the mood was livelier. Reedus sketched rapidly in one corner. Wakaba puffed contentedly on his pipe. Nab remained rooted near the request board. Kinana worked behind the bar, humming softly. Jet and Droy argued playfully nearby. The others had relaxed since her first appearance—though now and then, curious glances still drifted toward her.
She stepped inside without hesitation, her black uniform sharp against the guild's warm wooden interior. Though unarmored, her presence commanded space.
Max waved lightly from behind the bar. "Morning."
Teresa nodded politely. "Good morning."
Wakaba leaned toward Reedus, speaking just loud enough for Macao to hear. "Still feels strange seeing her here. Like she belongs and doesn't at the same time."
"She's... efficient," Reedus added softly. "And unsettling."
"She carries herself like a knight," Nab muttered.
Their murmuring stopped abruptly as Romeo bounced excitedly toward the request board.
"Dad! Another Vulcan sighting near the cliffs!"
Macao sighed. "Again? Didn't we deal with those last week?"
Romeo held up the request sheet. "Looks like a big one this time."
Macao rubbed the back of his neck, then glanced at Teresa. "Care for a little practical demonstration?"
Teresa followed his gaze to the request. "A Vulcan?"
"Big ape-like creatures," Macao explained. "Strong, aggressive, not too smart. Nasty if you're unprepared."
"A beast of brute force," Teresa observed calmly. "I can handle it."
"You sure?" Macao asked.
"I will return shortly."
With that, she stepped forward and reached for the request sheet, briefly scanning its contents. The location was marked clearly: the northern cliffs beyond Magnolia, near the old hunting trails.
As she exited the guild hall, her senses extended outward. Even from this distance, she could already feel the crude, unstable pulse of the Vulcan's magic. Primitive. Predictable.
She would find it easily.
She exited the guild hall before anyone could respond. Her tone hadn't been arrogant—merely factual.
Wakaba exhaled a puff of smoke. "She doesn't waste words."
Macao chuckled. "No. She doesn't."
The cliffs weren't far.
Teresa moved swiftly across the uneven terrain, her senses reaching out. The beast's presence was easy to locate—its crude, unstable magical signature pulsed like a drumbeat against her instincts.
The Vulcan came into view soon enough. It lumbered among the rocks—thick brown fur covering its massive body, long arms dragging as it sniffed and snarled. Its beady yellow eyes caught her approach and narrowed immediately, baring jagged teeth.
With a roar, it charged.
Teresa remained motionless.
At the last moment, she calmly extended her right hand.
A ripple of light blossomed outward, and her full armor—breastplate, gauntlets, boots, cloak—materialized instantly around her. Her Claymore sword flashed into existence behind her back, sliding smoothly into position beneath her cloak. With a single fluid motion, she drew the sword free, the wide blade gleaming coldly in the morning light.
The Vulcan swung its massive fists wildly, but its attacks were crude. Predictable.
Teresa sidestepped with effortless grace, her movements economical, almost fluid. The beast's heavy fist crashed harmlessly into the ground where she had stood an instant earlier.
With one step forward, she brought the Claymore upward in a precise vertical arc, severing the Vulcan's right arm at the shoulder.
The creature howled in pain, staggering back.
She advanced without hesitation.
A second strike—clean, horizontal—swept through its thick neck, ending the battle in an instant. The creature's body collapsed heavily against the rocks, twitching once before falling still.
Teresa exhaled softly.
"Primitive," she whispered.
Back at the guild, Romeo watched the path outside anxiously as minutes ticked by.
When Teresa returned, fully armored but untouched, the guild turned to watch.
"The Vulcan is dead," she announced calmly. "The area is secured."
Macao blinked, then smiled. "Quick work."
Reedus stared at her gleaming armor, his artist's hand twitching instinctively. "I have to capture this properly."
Wakaba chuckled. "She's efficient, all right."
Romeo clapped his hands excitedly. "That was so fast!"
Teresa's armor shimmered suddenly as she dismissed it again, her black tunic returning as the pieces dissolved into light.
The guild watched in silent awe.