Bonus Chapters every 100 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X788]
~ With Romeo ~
"A spar?" Romeo repeated incredulously.
The idea was ridiculous. Shisui was an S-class mage, someone who had probably completed missions that would likely kill Romeo on the spot. The gap between was just that huge.
"I'd handicap myself, of course," Shisui clarified, seeming to read Romeo's thoughts. "I won't fight back or dodge. All you have to do is make me move from my spot."
Romeo narrowed his eyes, considering this. The condition changed things significantly for him. If Shisui wouldn't fight back or dodge, then the question became: could Romeo hit hard enough to force an S-class mage to lose his footing?
Still, as good as it sounded, Romeo wasn't naive. "What's in it for me?"
"If you win, if you make me move from my spot, I'll stop bothering you from now on," Shisui said. "And I'll do any one thing you ask of me. Anything within reason. I won't harm others or steal."
That was a tempting offer. Romeo could simply ask Shisui to leave the guild immediately, couldn't he? Send him back to wherever he came from and let Fairy Tail return to... to what? Struggling to pay rent? Taking on minor jobs that barely kept food on the table?
Before Romeo could respond, Shisui added, "But if I stay in place until you give up or pass out, then you have to listen to one request from me. Same rules apply."
Romeo was about to agree when a thought struck him.
"The request can't be for me to accept you as a Fairy Tail mage," he said quickly. "Or anything like that."
Shisui nodded. "Agreed."
Romeo considered his options. Realistically, he knew he couldn't beat someone of Shisui's calibre in a fair fight. But with these limitations... maybe he had a chance. Not to win, but to make Shisui move. And if he won, he could be rid of the constant reminder that Fairy Tail needed outside help to survive.
"Fine, let's do it."
~ With Shisui ~
Shisui followed Romeo out of the training room, maintaining a respectful distance as they walked. The boy's shoulders were still tense, his movements stiff with perhaps a hint of nervousness he was trying hard to conceal.
As they entered the main hall, conversations gradually ceased. Heads turned toward the unlikely pair, curious eyes taking in Romeo's determined stride and Shisui's calm presence behind him. The guild's usual background noise, clinking glasses and idle chatter, faded to near silence.
"What's going on?" someone whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear in the sudden quiet.
Romeo didn't slow his pace, walking purposefully toward the back door that led to the outdoor yard. Shisui caught Macao's confused gaze as they passed the bar where he sat with Wakaba.
"Shisui?" Macao called, setting down his drink. "What's happening?"
Shisui paused while Romeo continued ahead. "Your son and I have agreed to a friendly spar."
The statement sent a wave of surprised chatter through the guild. Several members exchanged glances of disbelief. It had been over a year since anyone had used the training yard for friendly sparring, a practice that had once been common in Fairy Tail's livelier days.
"A spar?" Macao repeated, his brow furrowing with concern as he looked between Shisui and his son's retreating back. "But you're S-class, and Romeo is—"
"There are conditions," Shisui clarified quickly. "I won't fight back or dodge. The challenge is simply for Romeo to make me move from my position."
Macao didn't look reassured. "And if he can't?"
"Then he agrees to hear out one request from me." Shisui gave a small smile. "Nothing harmful, I promise."
By now, the other guild members were openly interested, several already rising from their seats. Wakaba squashed his cigarette against an ashtray.
"An actual spar," he mused, a grin spreading across his face. "It's been too long since we've had one of those."
The mood in the guild shifted suddenly, as if someone had thrown open windows in a stuffy room. Members who had been listlessly nursing drinks or halfheartedly reviewing job requests were now alert and engaged.
"I'm betting on Romeo," called out a man with a large hat. "Kid's got fire magic!"
"Against an S-class mage?" countered another. "Even with handicaps, my money's on the new guy."
The friendly banter spread as guild members began making their way toward the yard, energized by the prospect of something breaking their routine. Macao, however, remained concerned. He stepped closer to Shisui, lowering his voice.
"I know about Romeo's frustration with you," he said quietly. "But this... are you sure this is a good idea?"
Shisui nodded. "Sometimes words aren't enough. Some things can only be understood through action."
Macao studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Just... be careful with him. He pushes himself too hard sometimes. Doesn't know when to stop."
"I'll watch out for him," Shisui promised.
This seemed to satisfy Macao, who finally allowed himself a small smile.
"Well, it has been a while since anything interesting happened around here," he admitted. "Let's see what my son can do."
The yard behind the guild hall was simple but functional. A flat, open space of packed earth surrounded by a low wooden fence. Years ago, it had been the site of countless practice matches between guild members, a place where friendly competition helped sharpen skills and build bonds.
Now it felt almost hallowed. Guild members arranged themselves along the fence, an impromptu audience for what had unexpectedly become the day's main event.
Romeo already stood in the center of the yard, bouncing lightly on his feet, nervous energy visible in every movement. When Shisui stepped through the gate, the boy's eyes locked onto him with intense focus.
Macao moved to the center, naturally assuming the role of referee. As guild master, it was his place to oversee the match, though Shisui suspected his presence was as much about watching over his son as maintaining order.
"The rules are simple," Macao announced, looking between Shisui and Romeo. "Shisui will remain stationary. He won't attack or dodge. Romeo's objective is to make him move from his position."
He glanced at Shisui. "Any additional rules I should know about?"
"No magic that could harm bystanders," Shisui said. "Otherwise, Romeo is free to use whatever means he can."
Macao nodded, then looked to his son. "Romeo? Are you ready?"
Romeo's jaw set with determination as he nodded once, sharply.
"Take your positions," Macao instructed.
Shisui walked to the center of the yard, placing his feet exactly shoulder-width apart. He relaxed his posture, arms hanging loosely at his sides. Across from him, about twenty yards away, Romeo assumed a fighting stance, legs bent and hands raised in preparation.
Macao stepped back, raising his hand. "On my count of three, the match begins."
"One." Macao's voice cut through the expectant silence.
Romeo's muscles tensed as he clenched his fists.
"Two."
Romeo leaned forward slightly, weight on his front foot, ready to spring.
"Three!"
Before the word fully left Macao's mouth, Romeo was already moving. Purple flames erupted around his hands as he charged forward, closing half the distance before launching his first attack directly at Shisui's chest.
Purple Flare Shot!
Romeo shouted, sending a compressed blast of purple fire shooting toward his opponent.
The attack struck Shisui squarely, engulfing him in violet flames for a brief moment. When the fire dispersed, Romeo's eyes widened in disbelief. Shisui stood exactly as before, not a hair out of place, his expression calm and unchanged. Even his clothes appeared unmarked by the flames.
"Good opening move," Shisui commented. "I'd rate that attack at low to mid C-rank power. Impressive for someone your age."
The casual assessment only fueled Romeo's determination. He quickly shifted strategies, circling to Shisui's left while preparing his next spell.
Yellow Fire!
He called, summoning flames that crackled with a different energy. These burned a bright gold, sending small sparks into the air around his hands. "This one's going to sting!"
He launched the attack directly at Shisui's face, hoping the bright flash and acrid smoke would force him to at least flinch or step back. But again, Shisui remained perfectly still, accepting the hit without reaction.
For fifteen relentless minutes, Romeo continued his assault. He cycled through his Rainbow Fire variations, red flames that burned hotter than normal, blue flames that carried intense cold, green flames that released choking smoke. Each attack landed squarely on target, and each time, Shisui remained unmoved, occasionally offering technical feedback as if they were in a training session rather than a match.
The guild members watched in growing amazement, both at Romeo's versatility and determination and at Shisui's seemingly impossible defense. Even Macao looked stunned by how easily the new guild member was withstanding his son's magic, despite knowing of Shisui's background with Warrod Sequen.
Frustration mounting, Romeo switched to physical attacks. He leapt high, bringing his heel down in an axe kick aimed at Shisui's shoulder. The impact sent a jarring shock up Romeo's leg, like kicking a steel beam. He stumbled back, wincing.
"You're hurting yourself," Shisui observed calmly. "Your physical attacks aren't reinforced with enough magic to protect your own body."
Romeo ignored the advice, launching a flurry of punches at Shisui's midsection. Each strike sent pain shooting through his knuckles, yet Shisui didn't so much as sway.
Breathing heavily now, Romeo backed away. His magic reserves were dwindling, and his hands throbbed from the failed physical assault. He needed something stronger.
His ultimate technique, the one he'd been developing in secret for months.
"I'm not done yet," Romeo declared, his voice carrying a determined edge despite his obvious fatigue.
~ End of Chapter 38 ~
You can read advanced chapter on [email protected]/The_Editor982
As you can see, I'm hyping up Romeo alot because I personally feel like it was a wasted opportunity that he remained so useless throughout despite the potential with his "Rainbow Fire" .-.