A/N : Here goes ! Chapter 6 ! A quick synopsis of Haru's 3 months. I didn't develop this as much, as 2 of the 5 first chapters were also talking about training. Didn't want to overload.
Enjoy !
The next morning, I woke up with massive energy. The guild hall was quieter without the usual bustling crowd, but it only fueled my determination. I was going to make the most of this time.
I headed to the courtyard, the place where we usually trained. It felt strange to be there alone, but I pushed that feeling aside. This was my chance to prove myself.
"Focus, Haru," I muttered to myself, summoning the power of Aelion. "The Seven Cyclones, Aelion!" I stood with legs apart, hands outstretched in front of me, forming a funnel shape. Seven swirling cyclones of wind formed around me, each about three feet tall. I directed them at a series of targets I had set up, trying to improve my precision and control.
After hours of wind training, I switched to thunder magic. "Roaring Thunder, Kirin!" I raised one hand to the sky, drawing lightning down into my palm. A bolt of lightning crackled from the sky to my hand, then arced out towards a target. The bolt was bright and blinding, accompanied by a deafening thunderclap.
As the days passed, I pushed myself further. Left mark glowing white for wind spells, and the right mark glowing blue for thunder spells. I combined my wind and thunder magic, practicing new spells. "Electro Cyclone, Storm Phoenix!" I spun in place, arms extended, gathering both wind and lightning. Multiple cyclones formed around me, each filled with streaks of lightning. I directed them at multiple targets, causing widespread damage.
Each night, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted but satisfied.
One evening, as I finished my training, Makarov approached me. "You've been working hard, Haru," he said, his voice filled with approval.
I nodded, wiping the sweat from my brow. "I want to be ready when everyone gets back."
Makarov smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Keep pushing yourself, but remember to rest and take care of yourself too."
I nodded, determination filling up inside me.
And just like that, three months went by in a gust of wind. Before I could even realize it, the training teams were returning today.
During that time, I dedicated myself to my training with unwavering determination. With Master Makarov's guidance, we went deep into research, uncovering a wealth of knowledge about my magic. I discovered new aspects of my abilities, learning to harness and refine them in ways I hadn't thought possible.
But it wasn't just about the magic. Every single day, I pushed myself to the limits, focusing on muscle strength, stamina, and precision. My mornings started with grueling physical exercises, each one designed to build my endurance and power. Running laps around Magnolia, lifting weights, and sparring with the remaining guild members—all of it became a routine that I embraced wholeheartedly.
Makarov often watched my progress, offering advice and encouragement. Evenings were spent honing my magical skills. I practiced casting spells with pinpoint accuracy, controlling the flow of my wind and thunder magic with increasing finesse.
There were moments of frustration, times when I felt like I was hitting a wall, but I pushed through, knowing that every challenge was an opportunity to grow.
Kinana, Laki, Macao, and Wakaba became my training partners, each of them bringing their unique strengths to our sessions. They helped me refine my techniques, providing different perspectives and pushing me to think outside the box. The camaraderie we built during those three months was invaluable, and I knew I wouldn't have come as far without their support.
Today, as the sun rose over Magnolia, I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. The teams were returning, and I was eager to see my friends again, to show them how much I had grown.
And as I thought about it, the guild doors finally opened. The hall filled up with cheers and greetings from everyone, the atmosphere electric with excitement and joy. As the returning teams filed in, a few people noticed me standing by the entrance.
"Haru? You... changed?" Natsu said, his voice tinged with confusion as he took a closer look at me.
"What?" I replied, equally confused.
"Well... muscles?" he grinned, flexing his own arm for emphasis. "Never saw those on you before."
I deadpanned, feeling a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "Not cool, but thanks."
Gray chuckled, patting Natsu on the back. "He's right, though. You've bulked up. Looks like those three months paid off."
Wendy approached, her eyes wide with surprise and admiration. "Wow, Haru, you look really strong now! I can't wait to see what you can do."
Erza and Lucy joined the group, their expressions curious and impressed. "You've definitely been working hard," Erza said, nodding in approval. "It's good to see."
"Yeah, you look amazing!" Lucy added with a smile.
I grinned, a hand behind my head. "Thanks, guys. I hope you did the same."
I turned to Natsu, grabbing his shoulders with a surge of excitement. "Natsu! Let's fight!" I said, the anticipation evident in my eyes.
My challenge surprised everyone around, including Natsu, who quickly regained his composure. His eyes lit up with a fiery determination, flames flickering around him. "Sure thing, Haru! I'm always down for a fight!"
Makarov clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, alright, let's go to the training area. We don't want to cause any damage here in the guild hall."
The guild members cheered, eager to witness the sparring match. We all made our way to the training grounds, the air buzzing with anticipation. The training area was spacious, surrounded by tall trees that created a natural arena.
Natsu and I faced each other, the rest of the guild forming a loose circle around us. The energy was palpable, everyone eager to see how the three months of intense training had transformed us.
"Ready, Haru?" Natsu asked, his fists igniting with flames.
"Ready," I replied, feeling the familiar crackle of electricity coursing through me. However, my eyes were now showing solid concentration, and it didn't go unnoticed by the people around us.
Makarov raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. "Begin!"
As always, Natsu lunged forward, but this time much faster than the last sparring match. "I see you're faster, Natsu," I said, zapping out of the way effortlessly.
Natsu grinned, flames flickering around his fists. "And stronger too! Get ready, Haru!"
From the sidelines, Gray watched with a critical eye. "I hope he's managed to get a bit more punch in his attacks," he said. "With Natsu's training, if Haru can't fight back, this is gonna hurt. Natsu is way stronger than our last training match."
Lucy laughed, teasing him. "It's rare hearing you compliment Natsu."
"Oh, shut up, blondie..." Gray deadpanned, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
Back in the ring, I focused on Natsu, feeling the crackle of electricity within me. This wasn't just about dodging anymore—I needed to show that I could match his strength.
Natsu launched a series of rapid punches, each one blazing with fire. I dodged and deflected, feeling the heat brush past me. With a quick zap, I moved away, far enough to gather some time.
I placed my open hands on the ground. "Sparking waves, Kirin!" I chanted, sending a sparkling shockwave filled with electricity racing across the ground towards Natsu.
"Whoa, a new spell?" Wendy asked from the side, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Seems like so," Erza answered, her gaze fixed on the fight.
The shockwave quickly gained speed, rushing straight for Natsu. However, he had no problem jumping above it. With a grin, he said, "Gonna need more than that, Haru!"
I grinned back, my mind racing. "Oh yeah? Thanks for jumping, that's what I needed..."
Natsu's face filled with surprise as I zapped up to him, meeting him in mid-air. I began zapping around him rapidly, delivering multiple blows each time I reappeared. My speed and agility kept him off balance, each strike landing with precision.
"Smart move," Gray said, watching intently. "He's now able to control his speed even without ground under his feet. In this position, Natsu is at a significant disadvantage."
From above, I could see Natsu struggling to keep up with my rapid movements. The air crackled with electricity as I continued my assault, my strikes hitting their mark more often than not. Natsu's usual confidence was being tested, and I could see the determination in his eyes.
Natsu let out a roar of frustration, flames erupting around him in an attempt to catch me. To my surprise, he succeeded, and I was sent tunneling back down to the ground. I landed hard, creating a crater in the middle of the arena and lifting a cloud of dust.
"Jesus, Natsu, relax..." said Gray, sweatdropping.
Even Mira and Erza grimaced at my landing. "That had to hurt, even a little," Erza commented.
Laxus, watching the match intently, thought to himself, "Come on, Haru."
When the dust cloud dissipated, I was still in the crater but standing up, albeit breathing heavily. "Gosh, you're a monster, Natsu," I said, trying to catch my breath.
We both stood a few meters apart, resetting the fight. This time, I was the first to take action.
I extended my arms, feeling the crackling energy of my magic. "Combined spell!" I shouted.
Wendy's eyes widened with excitement. "He's gonna do it!" she exclaimed.
"Do what?" asked Lucy, her curiosity piqued.
"He's gonna combine both elements. He could only do one small spell last time we tried," Wendy explained.
Focusing my energy, I opened my arms wide and chanted, "Kirin, Aelion! Thundering Blades!"
Multiple blades of wind and thunder appeared, swirling and dancing around me, their edges crackling with electric energy.
Natsu grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. "That's the spirit!" he said, leaning back to prepare for his roar.
"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu unleashed a massive torrent of flames, aiming straight for me.
With a determined look, I commanded the Thundering Blades to intercept the flames. The blades clashed with the fire, creating an intense explosion of light and energy. The impact sent shockwaves through the arena, causing the spectators to shield their eyes.
"He's managing to hold his own," Gray remarked, his tone filled with respect.
Wendy nodded, her eyes filled with admiration.
As the smoke cleared, I could see Natsu still standing strong, his flames unwavering. My Thundering Blades circled back to me, ready for the next move.
"You're not bad, Haru," Natsu said, his voice filled with respect and excitement. "But I'm not done yet!"
With a final surge of energy, we both launched ourselves at each other. Natsu's fists ignited with intense flames, while my blades crackled with electric power. The collision of our attacks created a massive explosion, sending us both flying back. However, in a reflexive moment, I zapped directly forward without even landing on the ground, catching up with Natsu. His surprise was evident on his face. I landed an upper kick behind his back, sending him flying into the sky. I zapped up to catch him. This was the moment I was waiting for.
Hovering in front of him, I saw Natsu parallel to the ground, meters in the sky. I pulled back my leg, my foot crackling with thunder as gusts of wind gathered around it. "Storm Phoenix Talon!" I yelled, slamming my foot into Natsu's stomach. The impact was extremely powerful, even making Laxus's eyes widen. Natsu was sent hurtling straight to the ground, creating a massive crater upon impact. I smiled, hoping that this time, I managed to win.
But then, behind the dust cloud that formed from Natsu's landing, I saw flames shooting straight for me. Unable to react in time, I was engulfed in fire, yelling in pain as the heat seared my skin.
Before I could recover, Natsu was already back at me. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" he shouted, his blazing fist connecting with my body. The impact sent me crashing to the ground with a loud thud, the force knocking the wind out of me.
"Match is over. Winner, Natsu," Makarov announced, his voice resonating through the training grounds.
I lay on the ground, incapable of moving a single muscle. My body was screaming in pain, and my breath came in ragged gasps. The intensity of the fight had taken everything out of me.
"Wendy!" I heard someone shout, and I saw her running towards me, her face etched with concern.
"I'll heal you up," she said, a serious look in her eyes as she knelt beside me, her hands glowing with a gentle, soothing light.
The warmth of her healing magic began to spread through my body, easing the pain and mending the injuries. I felt the searing burns cool and the bruises fade as Wendy worked her magic.
"Thank you, Wendy," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"Don't mention it," she replied, her focus unwavering. "You did great, Haru. You really pushed yourself."
As Wendy continued to heal me, Natsu approached, his expression a mix of concern and respect. "Hey, Haru. That was an amazing fight. You've really gotten stronger. And… I'm sorry maybe I went a little overboard"
I managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Natsu. It's fine, you're incredible though."
He helped me get up, and I was welcomed with applause from the entire guild before Natsu grabbed my wrist and raised my arm to the sky.
"See, Haru, they're all there for ya," he grinned, his enthusiasm infectious.
A few members ran to join us.
"That speed control of yours..." started Erza, her voice filled with admiration. "Is remarkable. Managing to move so swiftly without even touching the ground is some serious talent."
"Your movements are graceful," added Lucy. "I must admit, I was mesmerized."
"And don't ever tell me your attacks are weak," said Natsu, holding his stomach. "Gonna have a bruise for a few days here."
They all laughed. Gray slung his arm around my shoulders. "Nice job, bro. Everything was better than before," he smiled.
From afar, my eyes met with Laxus. He was smiling, a rare expression of approval on his face. He nodded at me before turning to leave.
I couldn't be happier. The sense of accomplishment and belonging filled me with a joy I hadn't felt in a long time.
As the guild celebrated, Makarov stepped forward, raising his hand for silence. "Tonight, we celebrate everyone's incredible progress and the bond that makes Fairy Tail the strongest guild in Fiore!" he declared, his voice filled with pride.
The hall erupted in cheers, everyone raising their glasses..
Later that night, as the festivities continued, I found a quiet moment to reflect on the day's events. The pain and exhaustion were worth it, and I felt stronger and more determined than ever.
Natsu approached me, a mug of ale in his hand. "To Fairy Tail and the Grand Magic Games!" he toasted, his eyes shining with excitement.
"To Fairy Tail!" I echoed, clinking my mug against his.
The Grand Magic Games awaited, and I was prepared to give it my all.
As the night wore on, I smiled, feeling a deep sense of contentment. This was my family, my home. And together, we would face whatever the future held.
A/N : All right ! Chapter done. My goal here was to show Haru's progress, without making him overpowered. I don't wan't him to. At least, not yet. Let me know your thoughts about it.
See you on the next chapter, this time it's finally time for our mages to arrive in Crocus !
.Ney.