7: A Name for Myself
Jin shot out of the Fairy Tail guild hall, his excitement bubbling over as he soared above the bustling streets of Magnolia. The wind rushed past his ears, and a grin spread across his face as the town shrank beneath him. He had to admit—it felt good to be in the air again, soaring freely, not weighed down by the past or his worries. Not that they weren't there, of course, but moments like this made it easier to ignore them.
As he flew higher, Jin glanced down and caught a beautiful view of Magnolia, its buildings dotting the landscape beneath him like colorful blocks. Suddenly, Jin paused midair, patting his armor with a slight frown.
"Wait, what did that job say again?" He furrowed his brow in realization, digging under his armor and pulling out the crumpled poster. Unfolding it, Jin's eyes skimmed over the words, absorbing them quickly. "Let's see…"
The request was to eliminate a creature known as a Wyvern that had been spotted in the mountains near Mt. Hakobe. The request came from Shirotsume, a town he recognized from his journey to Magnolia.
"A Wyvern…"
He scratched his head, staring at the illustration on the poster. He had no idea what a Wyvern actually was. Some kind of lizard? A dragon? The only thing he knew for sure was that it was big, dangerous, and it would put up a fight.
"Well, whatever it is, I'll just punch it till it stops moving."
Stuffing the poster back into his armor and tying his tail around his waist, he burst ahead with a quick burst of energy toward Shirotsume, eager to take on his first job as an official member of Fairy Tail.
Jin soared over the landscape, the world beneath him blurring as he retraced the route he had taken to Magnolia. It wasn't long before Shirotsume came into view, nestled against the backdrop of mountains, and Jin quickly descended, landing discreetly in a narrow alleyway.
Pulling out the job poster again, Jin made his way through the streets, looking for the client. He walked past stone houses, market stalls, and bustling townsfolk until he found himself at the second incline, just like the poster had said. Leaning against the rocky wall, he waited.
Eventually, a man rushed toward him, panic in his eyes. "You! You're the one from Fairy Tail, right? The one who took the Wyvern job?"
Jin straightened up and nodded. "Yeah, that's me. What do I need to know?"
The man's face paled further as he wrung his hands together. "This is bad—so bad! I—I issued the request a few days ago when I first saw the Wyvern, but—my daughter, Blake, she—she didn't believe me! She went hiking up there, and I just got word… they're trapped in the Silent Glaciers because of a Blizzardvern!"
Jin's eyes widened. A Blizzardvern? That sounded a lot worse than what he had expected. His gaze shifted toward the towering mountains in the distance, the urgency hitting him hard.
"Don't worry, I'll find them and your daughter," Jin promised, placing his hands on the client's shoulders. "And I'll take care of that Wyvern."
The man's relief was evident as he nodded frantically. "I'll be waiting at the entrance of the town. Now please—hurry!"
With a reassuring nod, Jin blasted off into the sky once more, heading straight for the mountains.
The cold air grew harsher as Jin approached the Silent Glaciers, the temperature biting at his skin even through the insulation of his suit. The mountain range below him stretched far and wide, and he flew over the snow-covered peaks, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of movement. He eventually came to a stop and hovered in place, closing his eyes to focus and hone in on any signs of life.
There—a faint cluster of ki signatures, weak but together.
Suddenly, a distant roar echoed through the mountains, and Jin's eyes snapped open. That had to be it. His aura flared once more as he zoomed toward the source of the sound, the thrill of the fight rising within him.
When he arrived, his breath caught in his throat.
A massive, white-scaled creature dominated the snowy landscape. Its hulking form stood hunched over, bat-like wings curled tightly to its sides. Black spikes jutted out from its back, and its icy breath hung in the frigid air. It was trying to claw its way into a crevice in the mountain, where Jin could hear faint, desperate cries for help.
For a moment, Jin hovered there and stared. The creature's roar shook the air once again, but Jin barely registered it.
Dragon.
His mind flashed back—back to the day his entire world burned to ash. The dragon that had ripped his life apart, the one that had flown off as he lay helpless amidst the destruction. The roar of the Wyvern wasn't just a roar—it was the sound of his nightmares, the distant screams of his people, the death of everything he had ever known.
Jin's fists clenched and his heart pounded in his chest, his breaths growing more ragged by the second. His hands began to twitch, and the same helplessness that had gripped him on that day began to surge within him, but this time… This time, there was something else.
Rage. Pure unbridled rage.
His eyes flickered yellow for a brief moment, his breath coming out in snarls as his vision blurred with red. This wasn't just a creature to defeat—it was a stand-in for the dragon, Acnologia. The one that had stolen his family. His clan. His life.
Without another word, Jin roared and shot down from the sky with a ki-infused fist. He slammed into the Blizzardvern's back with a devastating impact, the force of the blow causing a massive explosion that shook the mountains. The creature let out a deafening screech as it was sent tumbling down the mountainside, snow and rocks flying in all directions.
Jin didn't stop. He landed on the ground and charged at the beast, delivering a rapid-fire series of punches to its body, each hit landing with a sickening crunch. He growled with every strike as he continued his assault, his fists moving faster than the eye could follow.
"Die… Die…DIE!"
Jin screamed in a feral haze as he zoomed toward the Wyvern's head. The Wyvern snapped its jaws at him, but Jin dodged and delivered a devastating kick to its head, dazing the creature. It stumbled, shaking its head in confusion, but Jin wasn't done. Not yet.
He flew up into the air, bringing his hands to his side as a bright purple light began to form in his palm.
"Just…DIE ALREADY!"
Jin shot a Galick Gun down from the sky, engulfing the Blizzardvern in a blinding explosion of light. The force shook the mountain range, and when the dust settled, the creature lay still—lifeless, defeated.
Jin hovered in the air, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The adrenaline began to fade, and with it, the fiery rage that had consumed him. His hands dropped to his sides as he stared at the dead Wyvern below, the weight of what he had just done settling in. Jin took a deep breath as the cold wind blew against his skin, but inside, he felt numb.
This fight, no, slaughter, had reminded him far too much of that day—the dragon, the destruction, his helplessness. His heart pounded in his chest as he forced the memory aside. This wasn't that dragon. This wasn't Acnologia. Not even close.
Jin took one last glance at the Wyvern before flying over to the mountainside where the climbers had taken shelter. His boots crunched softly on the snow as he landed, and his eyes found the small opening where the Wyvern had been clawing moments before. He stepped closer, raising his voice to carry through the narrow cave entrance.
"Hey! It's safe now! You can come out!"
At first, there was silence, but then he heard shuffling from inside the cave. Slowly, a group of mountain climbers emerged, their faces pale and eyes wide with disbelief. One of the climbers, a burly man with a thick scarf wrapped around his neck, stepped forward cautiously, his gaze darting between Jin and the spot where the Wyvern had fallen.
"Did you… did you actually kill it?"
Jin nodded, wiping some dirt off his gloved hand. "Yeah, it's dead. You're all safe."
Relief washed over the group, and some of them sagged against the mountainside, the weight of the near-death experience sinking in.
"By the way," Jin continued, looking over the group. "Is one of you named Blake?"
The group turned toward a girl in the back. She was slim, with tangled brown hair peeking out from under her beanie. Her eyes were still wide from the shock of it all as she stepped forward, pulling her jacket tighter around her.
"That's me," she said warily. "But… how do you know my name?"
Jin breathed a sigh of relief. "It's your father. He was worried sick when he heard you came up here, ever since that Wyvern had been spotted around the mountains. He asked me to make sure you and your friends were safe."
Blake's eyes widened, realization dawning. "That's why… he didn't want me to come up here. I thought… I thought he was overreacting." She swallowed hard as her gaze moved to the ground. "I'm so stupid."
Her friends, now fully processing the situation, glared at her. The burly man muttered something under his breath before speaking aloud.
"Blake, you told us it was safe!"
"Yeah, no kidding!" one of the climbers snapped. "You almost got us killed!"
"I didn't know!" Blake shot back, though her tone was far more apologetic than defensive. "I'm really sorry."
Jin, watching the exchange, cleared his throat. "Look, what's done is done. You're all alive, and that's what matters. Next time, just listen to him, alright?"
"Alright," Blake nodded, gratitude softening her expression. "Thank you… for saving us. You must be really strong to take down something like that by yourself."
Jin rubbed the back of his neck, the modesty in his voice returning. "I just trained hard, that's all, but I'm glad you're all okay."
One of the climbers piped up. "You were amazing, man. We saw the whole fight from here."
Jin smiled faintly at the praise but waved it off. "Do you guys need any help getting back to town?"
Blake shook her head. "No, we were on our way home anyway, so we'll be fine." She gave him one last look, a mixture of awe and appreciation in her eyes. "Thanks again. For everything."
With a final nod to the group, Jin zoomed out of the cave and flew back to the fallen Wyvern. He landed beside the creature, and reached for its mouth, prying out a sharp tooth, then sliced off a small section of its claw. Holding the trophies in his hands, he gave the Blizzardvern one last look, then turned toward Shirotsume, eager to finish the job.
Jin touched down just outside the town, landing softly in a narrow alley where no one could see him. Tucking the Wyvern tooth and claw under one arm, he strode out into the street, heading for the meeting point near the town's entrance.
The moment he stepped onto the main road, the client spotted him. The older man rushed over, his eyes frantic with worry until he saw Jin's calm expression and the trophies clutched in his hands.
"You… you're back already?" he stammered, breathless as he reached Jin. "Is it… is the Wyvern…?"
Jin nodded. "It's dead. The climbers are safe, too, including your daughter. You'll see them soon."
The client let out a breath he'd clearly been holding, his shoulders sagging with relief.
"Thank the heavens… I don't know what I would've done if—" He cut himself off, wiping at his eyes. "I can't thank you enough, really."
Jin offered the client the Wyvern's tooth and claw. "Here. See for yourself."
The client's eyes widened as he stared at the gruesome trophies. "You actually killed it…" He shook his head in amazement. "I-I didn't expect it to be done so quickly too."
"The Wyvern wasn't much of a challenge, but I'm just glad I got there in time." His voice was casual, but there was a weight to his words, a subtle bitterness from the earlier surge of anger.
The client quickly fumbled for a small pouch from his coat, thrusting it into Jin's hands.
"Here, the reward—200,000 Jewel as promised. But please, I can pay you extra for completing it so quickly and saving my daughter. You deserve it."
Jin shook his head. "This is more than enough. Besides, the job was good for me; gave me a chance to blow off some steam too."
The client looked at him, confused for a moment but didn't press the issue. Instead, he glanced at the tooth and claw Jin was holding. "You… you're not keeping those, are you?"
Jin chuckled. "Well, I was going to ask if you wanted them, so… do you?
"Oh, I… think I'll have to decline," The client smiled sheepishly. "I'd rather not have stuff from a Wyvern hanging on my wall, but… thank you, truly. I'll never forget this."
"Take care of Blake. And don't worry—she's learned her lesson."
With that, Jin held onto the pouch of Jewel and tightened his grip on the tooth and claw in his arm. As the client gave one last nod of gratitude, Jin turned and flew up into the sky, the town of Shirotsume shrinking below him as he made his way back to Magnolia.
Gray stretched as he sauntered into the guild hall, rubbing the back of his neck and suppressing a yawn. "Man, I really need to find something to do,"
A few familiar faces were already scattered about, but his eyes locked on Lucy and Levy, who were in the middle of an animated conversation. Something about the way they whispered made Gray's brow twitch with curiosity. He remembered Jin had stayed with Lucy at her apartment last night, so… where was he?
"Hiya, Gray!" Levy greeted, waving him over with a smile.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Lucy teased. "You finally decided to show up?"
Gray smirked as he approached, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, you caught me. I slept in. Can't help it when the bed's too comfy."
Levy snickered, clearly not buying the excuse. "Or you were just lazy."
"Same difference," Gray chuckled before turning to Lucy. "Anyway, speaking of sleep, where's Jin? Didn't he stay at your place last night?"
Levy's eyes practically glowed with mischievous curiosity. "Wait, what?! Jin stayed with Lucy?" She turned to Lucy with a sly grin. "Do tell!"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Don't make it weird. He didn't have anywhere to stay last night, so I let him crash at my place. That's all."
"Oh really?" Levy's grin widened. "Is that how he found out about your novel?"
Lucy practically lunged, waving her arms to cut Levy off before she could say more. "Nope! Don't even bring that up!"
"Novel?" Gray cocked an eyebrow, glancing between the two. "What novel?"
"Nothing!" Lucy waved her hands frantically. "It's nothing!"
Gray eyed her for a moment before shrugging it off. "Right, so... where is Jin, anyway? Thought you'd be hanging out with him or go on a job together."
"Oh, I saw him earlier," Levy said before Lucy could answer. "He was at the request board then took off—literally flew out of here, actually."
Gray smirked. "Went off to do his first job, huh? Makes sense, but why didn't you go with him, Lucy?"
Lucy crossed her arms, letting out an irritated groan. "He didn't want me to. Insisted on going solo."
Gray chuckled and gave a shrug. "Well, he'll be fine. You and I both know what he's capable of."
"That's what I said," Lucy muttered. "But does he listen? Nooo."
"Well, anyway, I'm gonna hit the request board myself," Gray said with a casual stretch. "Gotta make up for lost time."
"Yeah, you go ahead. I've got my hands full here," Lucy quipped, gesturing at Levy with a grin. Levy just laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
Gray waved them off as he strolled toward the board. However, he decided he could use some company. His eyes landed on Elfman, sitting a short distance away. Elfman, a towering man with spiky white hair and a distinctive scar running down the right side of his face, sat cross-armed, watching the guild's usual antics.
"Yo, Elfman!" Gray called out.
"Gray!" Elfman greeted, standing up. "What's up, man?"
"Was thinking about doing a job, but wanted to see if you were up for tagging along. You down?"
Elfman scoffed, cracking his knuckles with enthusiasm. "A real man never backs down from a challenge! What'd you have in mind?"
Gray pointed his thumb over his shoulder where the request board stood. "How about that monster hunt for 200,000 Jewel? Saw it up there yesterday."
"Hey, I had my eye on that one too!" He slapped Gray's back hard enough to make him stumble forward. "Come on!"
As they reached the board, both of them scanned the papers intently. After a few moments, Elfman frowned, rubbing his chin.
"Huh. I could've sworn it was here yesterday."
Gray's eyes narrowed, scanning the board more carefully. "Yeah, I remember it too. You think someone already took it?"
Elfman glanced around before spotting Cana lounging by the bar, a bottle of vodka in hand.
"Hey, Cana!" Elfman called. "You see anyone take the monster hunt for 200,000?"
Cana lazily took a swig from her bottle, her eyes narrowing as she thought for a moment.
"Dunno," she muttered, swirling her drink then pausing as realization dawned on her. "Hmm... now that you mention it, yeah, someone did take it. Like, an hour ago or something."
"Aw," Gray folded his arms. "Guess we just missed it."
"Dammit," Elfman cursed under his breath. "A real man wouldn't be this slow."
At that moment, Mirajane approached them, drying a dish with a soft smile on her face.
"What's the matter, Elfman?"
"Hey, big sis," Elfman said, turning to her in mild frustration. "Do you know who took the monster hunt job? The one for 200,000?"
Mirajane tilted her head in thought for a moment. Then, her face lit up. "Oh! Jin took that one."
"Jin?" Cana sat up straighter, her eyes widening. "So that's why he took off in such a hurry? And he's on his own?"
Gray chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess he really beat us to it. He'll be fine though, guy's tough as nails."
Elfman frowned, tilting his head. "Wait—who's Jin?"
"New guy," Gray explained. "We met him during the Eisenwald mission, and he just joined the guild yesterday too. He's a little quiet, but he's nice. Strong too. Honestly... kind of a softie."
Elfman raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. "A softie, huh? And he took this monster hunt on his own?"
Before Gray could respond, Cana chimed in with a smirk. "Oh, he's got it. Polite, apologizes for everything, and he's adorable. He took off flying some time ago, so who knows if he's already done with it."
"It's okay, Elfman. Jin can handle himself," Mirajane quickly reassured him. "Plus, he's got a good heart. I think you'd like him."
"Alright, alright," Elfman muttered, though he still seemed unconvinced. "Guess I'll take your word for it."
"Hey," Gray called out, scanning the board again. "How about the thief subdue for 160,000 Jewel? Not as much, but it's something."
Elfman shrugged. "Might as well. At least we'll get to knock some sense into someone."
Gray pulled the flier from the board just as Cana set her drink down, eyes narrowing toward the guild entrance as she leaned in slightly.
"Wait... is that Jin?"
Gray and Elfman's heads perked up at once.
"Where?" Gray asked.
Cana simply nodded toward the entrance and they turned, and standing there was indeed Jin. He held a large tooth and claw in one arm and a pouch in the other, looking surprisingly calm and satisfied. The guild hall began to slightly quiet down as murmurs of curiosity spread through the air witnessing Jin's surprisingly swift return.
"Huh…?" Gray's eyes widened. "No way."
Mirajane blinked in surprise. "Wait, why is he back so soon?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cana replied, her lips curling into a grin. "Look what he's holding."
Mirajane's eyes widened as she saw the massive tooth and claw. "He… he actually did it?"
Cana chuckled, crossing her arms as she leaned against the bar. "Back already, huh? Guess he took care of that job real quick."
"He left just over an hour ago and he's already done?" Gray shook his head in amusement. "That monster probably never stood a chance."
"Whoa…" Elfman muttered, tilting his head curiously. "He must be pretty manly if he handled it that fast."
"Told you," Gray grinned, clapping Elfman on the back. "Come on, I'll introduce you."
Before Jin could make it to the middle of the guild hall, Lucy and Levy dashed towards him, their eyes wide in surprise.
"Jin!" Lucy's eyes widened as she rushed over, Levy following right behind her. "What happened? You weren't gone for long at all!"
Levy, unable to take her eyes off the trophies in Jin's arms, pointed at the claw. "And what are those? Are those from a…?"
Jin set down his trophies with a light clink, the chill still radiating from the Blizzardvern's remains. He rubbed his hand, his fingers stinging from touching the ice-cold tooth.
"These? From a Wyvern near Mt. Hakobe," he said, eyes flicking up to meet theirs. "It was attacking some mountain climbers too, so I… dealt with it."
Levy's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "Wait, you took down a Wyvern on your own?! Like, by yourself?!"
Before Jin could respond, Lucy cut in, glancing between Jin and the trophies. "Hold on—aren't Wyverns basically like... dragons?"
Levy nodded. "It's a dragon variant, yes! They're no joke, Lucy! And he—" She gestured to the massive claw. "He just took it down?! Alone?!"
Lucy crossed her arms, giving Jin a sidelong glance as if trying to process the news. But then she remembered Erigor, Clover, and the Lullaby, and she sighed and shook her head, feeling an odd mix of pride and exasperation.
"Geez, Jin," she muttered. "You didn't waste any time."
"Yeah…" Jin shifted slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't planned, though. It just... happened."
Jin's voice faltered just a little as memories of the fight flashed through his mind—the searing anger, the way he'd lost control for a brief moment as his fists hammered into the creature, one that reminded him too much of that day, until its roar faded to nothing. But he quickly shook it off.
Lucy gave him a playful pout. "Did you leave me out so you wouldn't have to split the reward with me? That's rent money, you know!"
Jin blinked, startled by the accusation, before shaking his head earnestly. "It wasn't like that. I just... wanted to try this on my own first, like I said. Find my own footing before joining you all on jobs together."
"Oh, Jin, I was just joking." Lucy ruffled his hair affectionately, a grin tugging at her lips. "Geez, you're too nice for your own good. But still... a Wyvern, huh? Near Mt. Hakobe, no less? Yeah, I've been there with Natsu once."
"Blizzardvern, actually," Jin replied, quickly fixing his hair. "Besides, it was in the mountains, so it wouldn't have been safe for you with both the Wyvern and the cold. It's actually a good thing you didn't come with me."
"Aww," Levy grinned mischievously, nudging Lucy. "He really cares about you, Lucy!"
"Hey!" Lucy's face turned a shade of pink, though she quickly crossed her arms. "I'm not some damsel in distress, you know! I can handle myself just fine!" She huffed, though a small smile cracked through the facade. "But... thanks for thinking about me, I guess."
Before Jin could respond, Gray, Elfman, and Cana joined the group, each wearing expressions of surprise and admiration.
"Jin!" Gray called out. "Back already? Mira said it hasn't even been that long since you left!"
"The job turned out to be more urgent than I thought," Jin said with a modest shrug. "And, well, flying helped."
"Flying definitely helps," Gray laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Well, nice job, man. Didn't expect you to finish so fast."
Cana sidled up to Jin and gave him a playful nudge. "What're you doing back here so soon? Shouldn't you still be out there on your first job?"
Jin looked at her in confusion, lifting the pouch of money as proof. "But, I... just finished it."
Cana giggled and draped an arm around his shoulders."Learn to take a joke, will ya, Jinnie? But seriously, good job. Not a bad haul for someone who's just starting out."
Jin blinked at the nickname. "Um… 'Jinnie?' Really?"
Elfman had moved toward the massive tooth and claw, inspecting them closely. He lifted each one with an appraising eye before turning to Jin, admiration gleaming in his eyes.
"These are definitely the real deal. I've fought a few Wyverns myself, and they're tough bastards." He turned to Jin, his grin stretching wide. "You must be the one Gray and Mira were telling me about. Manly stuff taking one of these things down on your own!"
Jin shifted uncomfortably at the praise. So many people around him, all looking at him with… admiration. It reminded him of the past—where his power drew attention but for very different reasons. But here, he could already tell there was no jealousy, no fear. Just warmth. It was almost too good to believe.
He swallowed the lump forming in his throat and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you... it's been a long time since I've been around... people like this." Jin turned to Elfman, extending his hand. "I'm Jin, by the way. I'm so sorry, I haven't introduced myself properly yet."
Gray smirked, shaking his head. "There you go being overly polite again."
Lucy couldn't help but smile, while Cana giggled at his formal demeanor.
Elfman's grin only widened as he grasped Jin's hand with a firm shake. "Elfman, and what are you apologizing for, man? It's no big deal!"
Mirajane stood off to the side, a warm smile on her lips as she watched. Despite knowing a hint of Jin's past, she felt no hesitation in seeing how readily everyone had accepted him.
"Congrats on finishing your first job, Jin!" she said, stepping forward. "I'm a little surprised at how quickly you got it done, but I guess it worked out for the best. That reward—200,000 Jewel, right? I'd say that's more than enough to rent a place for a couple of months. Not including your other expenses, of course."
Jin was taken aback by the sudden revelation. "Wait, really? That's enough?"
Mirajane nodded. "Yep! You'll obviously need to do more jobs to stay afloat, but it's a solid start."
Jin blinked, processing the information. Rent? He'd been so focused on completing the job that he hadn't even thought about what to do with the money, and his thoughts quickly shifted to Lucy.
"Hey... Lucy, how much is your rent?"
Lucy looked surprised at the sudden question, sheepishly scratching her cheek.
"Uh, it's 70,000 Jewel a month, but it's gonna depend on what kind of place you're looking for," Lucy replied with a small smile. "Mine's a little... basic, as you've seen, but it's still pretty spacious and has a lot going for it, which pretty much factors into how much the whole thing is gonna cost."
"I can help you find a good place if you'd like," Mirajane suggested. "I know some decent spots around town that might suit your fancy."
"That... that sounds great," Jin said, turning to Mirajane with a grateful smile. "Somewhere close to the guild hall would be pretty good."
Lucy raised an eyebrow. "But… you can fly. Why does it matter if you're close to the guild?"
Jin shrugged. "Our walk to your apartment last night was... I don't know. I just want to walk around more. Take my time."
Lucy shrugged. "Fair enough, but hey, you're always welcome at my place. If you plan on crashing with me again, though, it's straight to the chair for you." She flashed him a smug grin. "Suffer."
Jin chuckled softly. "Deal."
"Would you like to start looking?" Mirajane asked. "I have a catalog of places you can rent an apartment."
Jin nodded, turning to wave goodbye to his guildmates. "I guess I'll see you all later. Thanks, guys."
"Yeah, man. Happy hunting," Gray said, rubbing the back of his head with a smirk. "For… rooms, I guess."
"See you later, Jin!" Levy said with a bright smile, while Lucy simply smirked and waved.
"Jinnie, wait!" Cana called out, just as he turned to go with Mirajane. "What about these?"
Cana was gesturing to the tooth and claw, and Jin smiled softly. "Oh, feel free to keep the Wyvern stuff. I don't really want it."
"Dibs!" Elfman's eyes gleamed as he quickly grabbed both the tooth and claw, ignoring the biting cold. "But… are you sure, man? It's your kill."
Jin nodded. "Yeah, it's okay. I never liked those things anyway."
Jin stepped into a narrow hallway and stopped at a door with a slightly worn handle. The landlord, Aldrik Kane, stood beside him, jangling a key in his weathered hands.
"Alright, lad. This 'ere's the place," Aldrik said. "It's nothin' fancy, but it'll keep ya warm and dry, eh?"
He was a short, stout man with graying hair and a rough but friendly accent. His mannerisms were much like his apartment—plain, no-nonsense, but with a warmth hidden beneath.
The door creaked open, and Jin stepped inside. The room was small, modest—just one open space with a bed in the corner and a nightstand next to it, a long, wall-mounted table with a tiny stove and sink at one end, a narrow closet in front of the bed, and folding doors that led to a small balcony overlooking the street below. The middle of the room was mostly empty, save for two simple chairs beside the table.
"Aye, so ye got yer bed in the corner there," Aldrik said, motioning toward the bed tucked neatly against the wall. "Just big enough fer two, though I reckon ye might not be sharin' it, eh?" He chuckled softly, then gestured to the wall-mounted table opposite the bed. "Sink an' stove's all ye need fer a simple meal, shelf up top fer storage. Closet's there fer whatever clothes ye've brought along."
Jin nodded slowly, his eyes trailing from the bed to the little stove and the tiny balcony. There wasn't much, but it was simple, functional—a far cry from the sterile, lifeless room back on Vegeta. A room where he lost himself in solitude and stared blankly at reminders of what had been taken from him.
"And over there's yer balcony," Aldrik continued, moving to the folding doors and pulling them open slightly. A small breeze drifted in, carrying the faint scent of Magnolia's streets. "Nice bit o' air and a view o' the town. Gets plenty o' sun in the mornin' too."
Jin stepped forward, glancing out over the town. He could hear the distant chatter of people going about their day just below him. It wasn't much, but it was home. His new home. He could walk down those streets, visit the guild, take on jobs, train, live. A life that was no longer haunted by his past.
"So, whaddaya think? Not bad, eh?" Aldrik said, rubbing his hands together. "Ain't the fanciest place, but it's sturdy."
Jin nodded, scanning the room once more. "It's… nice. Simple, but it's enough."
"Aye, that's the spirit!" Aldrik beamed. "Simplicity, that's the key, my lad; no need for all them frills. Plenty of room fer a single bloke like yerself, an' fer only 50,000 Jewel a month, it's a fair price. Ye can start right away, or take a wee bit to think on it."
Jin blinked in surprise, pulled from his thoughts. "Fifty thousand? That's... a lot cheaper than what I expected. Lucy—uh, my friend—pays seventy."
Aldrik chuckled. "Aye, aye, Lucy Heartfilia, right? I've heard her name 'round, but ye won't find a place like hers fer less, not with all the fancy decor. Ye'll pay more fer things ye don't need, like those big rooms or priv'te baths. Here, ye got the necessities." He pointed to the wall. "Restroom down the hall, clean as a whistle. Ye'll have t' share it, of course, but it's usually quiet round these parts. Folk keep t' themselves, mostly."
Jin nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It's enough. It's... more than enough." Jin turned back to Aldrik, scratching the back of his head. "I… do have a few more questions, though."
"Fire away, lad," Aldrik said with a nod.
"What's the policy on… um, decorations?" Jin asked, looking around the bare room. "Can I bring in... more stuff if I want?"
"Of course, ye can add what ye like. Long as ye don't start knockin' down walls or doin' anythin' that'll cost me a fortune to fix, ye'll be fine," Aldrik replied, a twinkle of amusement in his eye. "I'll even help ye move it in, if ye need."
"Speaking of walls, what about them?" Jin continued. "They thick enough? I don't want to bother anyone if I... bring some friends over."
Aldrik chuckled. "Nah, lad, they'll hold up just fine. Place was built solid—ain't gonna hear much unless someone's bangin' on the walls, which, well, ain't likely. Yer neighbors are either workin' or out most days."
"How long's the rental process? Can I move in right away?" Jin asked, glancing at the stove and sink again. "And, are there any rules I need to know about?"
"Quick process, don't ye worry. Once ye sign the papers an' pay yer first month, ye can move in by tomorrow if ye're so inclined, or even later. As fer rules, nothin' too strict—keep the place tidy, don't be causin' trouble fer anyone else, an' ye'll be just fine."
Jin gave a small nod. "And, the rent… I assume it's due at the beginning of each month?"
"Aye, that's right," Aldrik confirmed. "First of the month, straight as an arrow. Pay on time, and we won't have any problems. Water an' gas are included too. Anythin' else, ya need ta pay for yerself, like food or what have ya." He scratched his chin, eyeing Jin up and down. "Though, lookin' at you, I reckon yer the type who doesn't mind keepin' things… minimal, eh?"
He nodded again, a soft chuckle escaping him. "I… I suppose."
Aldrik chuckled, slapping a hand on Jin's back. "Yer a good lad, I can tell! Most folks don't even look at a place like this, but you, ya get it. Nice and simple, like I said."
Jin gave the room another once-over in satisfaction. The place was humble, barebones even, but it felt... right. The simplicity suited him. It wasn't a grand home, but he didn't need one. He'd lived in a grand place before, surrounded by expectations and weighty memories, and look where that had led him.
"I'll… I'll think about it," Jin said softly, though he'd already made his decision. He just needed a moment to let it all sink in. "But it really is a nice place."
Aldrik chuckled, giving Jin a knowing look. "Aye. Ye got good eyes for a place, though. This one'll treat ye right." He turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing back with a softer expression. "Ya know, not many from yer guild look for places like this. I reckon most of 'em have a bit more in the purse, eh?" He chuckled to himself. "But a Fairy Tail lad like yerself rentin' a place 'ere... well, that's somethin'."
"Oh?" Jin looked up in surprise. He hadn't expected to hear something like that. "How so?"
"My boy's a big fan o' yer guild," Aldrik said with a grin. "Talks about Natsu, Erza, or even that Laxus fella like they're gods or somethin', and he wouldn't stop yammerin' about ya when he heard a Fairy Tail mage was comin' round ta check the place out. Told me, 'Pa, imagine havin' one of them livin' here!'" Aldrik shook his head and chuckled. "Kids, eh? But… truth be told, it'd make him right happy. Might even help the boy a bit, knowin' someone he looks up to is right next door."
Jin's gaze flickered. He hadn't expected Aldrik's words to hit so close to home, but they did. He thought of his own father, of what he wished he could have done differently, of the days that never came. For a moment, his words transported him back to a time when he could have made his own father proud, and the ache of that loss pressed against his chest.
But this—this was different. This was a chance to make a small difference in someone's life. A simple gesture of moving in could mean so much more than just finding a place to sleep. It could bring happiness to a father and son in a way that Jin had long lost.
"I'll… keep that in mind."
Aldrik gave him a final nod, tipping his cap before heading toward the door. "Take yer time, lad. But if ya do decide, just give me a holler. And like I said... it'd be an honor havin' someone from Fairy Tail stayin' in my building."
As Aldrik stepped out, Jin found himself alone in the room. He walked over to the bed and sat down, the mattress creaking slightly under his weight. He set down the backpack he'd been carrying, resting his hands on his knees as he exhaled slowly.
For a moment, he just stared at the floor, his mind churning with thoughts. This was real. He was really starting a new life here, not just in Fairy Tail but in Magnolia itself. A place to live, people to talk to, a guild that welcomed him despite everything he was.
Jin glanced at the balcony as he let his mind wander. This room wasn't grand, it wasn't flashy, but it was his. A small, humble space where he could lay his head at night and maybe, just maybe, find some peace. Real peace.
He stood up, walking over to the balcony doors and pushing them open. The cool breeze brushed against his face as he stepped out, looking out over the town. The streets below bustled with life, the sound of laughter and conversation drifting up toward him. This was Magnolia. This was home now.
Jin closed his eyes, letting the wind carry away the last remnants of doubt. When he opened them again, his decision was made.
Jin and Gray sat at the edge of a hillside overlooking the remnants of what had been a small settlement, now littered with unconscious cultists and scorched, broken ground. A trail of ice led up to a massive iceberg sitting in the middle of the chaos. Gray's handiwork. Jin had his own signature too—scorched craters dotted the terrain, remnants of his ki blasts.
Gray stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Man, that was a decent workout. Not too shabby for a quick job, huh?"
Jin nodded, though his gaze was distant as if still processing the events. "It went smoother than I thought. You're good with that ice magic. Didn't expect you to freeze that entire section so quickly."
Gray grinned, glancing at the iceberg with pride. "Years of practice, man. You pick up a few tricks here and there." He paused, turning his head towards Jin. "But you... That was something else. I've never seen anyone move like you do. Fast and precise.
Jin gave a small smile, a little bashful under Gray's praise. "Thanks. I've just been… well, you already know."
"Training for a long time?" Gray finished with a chuckle. "Well, word's already spreading around the guild too. Honestly, people are starting to think you're a machine with all the jobs you've been knocking out."
Jin blinked, surprise crossing his face. "People are talking about it?"
Gray gave him a lopsided grin. "Dude, of course. You're new, and already you're making a name for yourself. What stuff have you been doing anyway?"
Jin shrugged, wiping some dirt off his armor. "Not much variety to it. Just some of the more physical jobs like bodyguard work, apprehending criminals and hunting monsters… things like that. I guess I just… want to help."
"No kidding. I mean, Natsu's still training for his next fight with Erza, and you've been swooping in, knocking out missions left and right. You're really going at it."
Jin's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Well, I can fly, so that helps."
Gray chuckled. "Right, and there's the whole 'flying' thing. Gotta admit, that's a new one for me. It's kinda cheating, don't you think?" He grinned, nudging Jin with his elbow.
Jin shrugged again, this time with a bit more ease. "I don't know… it just makes everything quicker. I can reach more people too."
"You must be loaded with Jewel by now with all those jobs you've been doing. Are you?"
"Yeah, about that… I actually had to borrow something called a 'safe' from Mr. Kane, my landlord," Jin admitted, the corners of his lips twitching up. "Didn't even know what that was until this morning."
Gray barked out a laugh. "Seriously? Man, you're really not from around here, are you?"
Jin shook his head, looking down at his hands. "Not even a little. Never had much to hide anyway."
Gray leaned forward with a grin. "Well, either way, you've got it made, man! Too bad Erza isn't around to see it either."
"Yeah…" Jin said, trailing off slightly. "She's still on a mission, right?"
"Yup. She'll be back, though. Natsu too. What, miss them already?"
Jin chuckled slightly, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "A little."
They both sat in silence for a moment, the wind stirring the grass around them. It was a peaceful, almost comfortable quiet, the kind that only comes after a long day of work. Gray glanced sideways at Jin, studying him for a second.
"So... how're you finding Fairy Tail so far? You settling in okay?"
Jin looked down at his hands, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his bracers. Jin's eyes softened at the question. "I'm... actually having a lot of fun. It's different, you know? I never really knew what 'fun' was before."
Gray tilted his head curiously. "Fun, huh? Well, that's one thing Fairy Tail's good at. We're always up to something. Made any new friends yet?"
Jin nodded, a small, genuine smile creeping across his face. "Yeah, a few. Cana, Elfman, Levy… among others, I guess."
Gray's eyebrow lifted. "Oh yeah? How's Elfman treating you? Still going on about being a 'real man,' I bet."
"Several times," Jin said with a small laugh. "But he's… motivating. In his own way."
"And Cana?" Gray grinned. "Don't tell me she's already coercing you into drinking with her or something."
Jin let out a soft huff, the closest thing to a laugh. "No, not really. She's cool, but she calls me… 'Jinnie.' I don't know why."
"Yeah, that sounds like her. Don't worry, it's just a nickname she probably came up with for the heck of it. What about Levy?"
"She's probably the nicest one I've met so far," Jin said, smiling a little. "Earlier today, I also met Alzack, Bisca, and—oh, Loke. He seems pretty cool, but… I don't get why he keeps running away from Lucy; he just bolts the moment she walks in. Is that normal?"
"It's… Loke-normal," Gray said with a shrug. "No one really knows why, but it's been going on since Lucy joined, which wasn't really too long ago either. Maybe she scares him."
"Scares him?" Jin looked puzzled, earning another laugh from Gray.
"Probably," Gray said. "But honestly, it's good to see you… I don't know, fitting in? You look like you're back to yourself."
Jin blinked at Gray's choice of words, frowning slightly. "Back to myself?"
"Yeah, whatever that really is," Gray teased with a smirk. "You were kind of stiff at first, but you've loosened up if you get what I mean."
Jin smiled softly, though the mention of being "back to himself" stirred something inside. "Yeah. It's nice being around friends… real friends, for once. It... feels different. Good, I guess."
Something in the way Jin said it made Gray pause. He caught the flicker of sadness in his voice, a trace of something heavier than the casual words implied. Gray glanced at Jin's expression—he looked a little distant, like his thoughts had wandered back to something far away. But Gray didn't push. Not yet.
"Hey," Gray said, shifting his position and turning slightly toward Jin. "I gotta ask—where'd you learn to fight like that? I mean, it's like you're brutal when you need to be, but there's this… control to it."
Jin tensed, just a fraction, but enough for Gray to notice. His hands twitched again, and his eyes clouded over briefly. The memories came rushing back—harsh training, the weight of expectation from his people, from his parents. Then, Prince Vegeta's legacy… the combat techniques that played over and over in his mind as he tried to perfect them; the fierce, brutal fighting style that had become his own.
"I…"
Gray immediately noticed the change in Jin's demeanor. "Whoa, hey. You don't have to answer that if it's still… y'know, a tough subject. Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
But here, with Gray, the memories didn't feel as suffocating. Not like before.
"No, it's fine," Jin replied, shaking his head. "I can tell you a little bit, but I just… I don't know how to explain it."
"Then paint me a picture," Gray said lightly, trying to ease the tension.
Jin slightly frowned. "Paint…?"
Gray chuckled, waving him off. "I mean, just give me a general idea. You don't need to get into the details if you don't want to."
Jin took a breath and looked out over the horizon. "I grew up in a place where everyone was bred to be a warrior. Pride and strength were everything, but... I was different. I wanted nothing to do with it, but more was expected of me. I had to push myself harder than the others, even when... even when things went wrong."
The silence that followed was heavy, but Gray didn't push for more. He simply listened, letting Jin speak at his own pace.
Jin clenched his fists lightly. "I had to figure it out on my own, to keep going even when there wasn't anything left to learn from. Training, surviving... I worked with what I had after... after everything fell apart."
Gray nodded slowly, the pieces clicking into place. "Self-taught, huh? Not half-bad at all, but that sounds rough, man. I don't know what kind of life you had before, but it sounds like you were always on the move. Always under pressure. If I'm wrong, feel free to call me out."
Jin didn't answer, just gave a small, noncommittal grunt.
Gray stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. "Well, listen," he said. "I get why you're doing all this, but man, you've gotta take it easy sometimes. You can't just keep going nonstop like that."
Jin blinked, looking up at him. "But the more jobs I do, the more people I can help—"
"Yeah, I get that," Gray interrupted, crossing his arms. "But if you keep pushing yourself like this, you're gonna burn out. Trust me, I've seen it happen before. You're strong, Jin, but you're not invincible."
Jin thought for a moment, considering Gray's words. "I guess… I haven't really thought about it that way."
"Then think about it now," Gray grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. "First things first: sit your ass down on that tree over there."
Jin blinked, his gaze turning to a tree that Gray gestured to, then back to him. "Uh, why?"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Just do it. I'm trying to teach you something."
Jin, still unsure, moved to sit down by the tree. "Alright. Now what?"
"Take a break. Relax. Just… be here for a bit. You've been training forever on top of burning through jobs like a madman. Even Natsu takes a nap every now and then, and that guy's a walking disaster."
Jin raised an eyebrow with a slight smile. "This coming from the guy who overslept because the bed was too comfy?"
"Exactly," Gray said without missing a beat. "See? I'm living proof that relaxation is key to survival. We can head back whenever, but right now? Just chill."
With a slight chuckle, Jin leaned further against the tree behind him. Gray did the same, settling against a tree opposite him.
"You're serious though?" Jin asked after a beat of silence. "About this... relaxing thing?"
"Absolutely," Gray said with a grin. "Just lean back, close your eyes, and just... do nothing for a bit."
Jin looked hesitant, unsure what 'doing nothing' even entailed, but after a moment, he mimicked Gray's posture and let his head rest.
For a while, they just sat in silence, the breeze rustling the grass around them. Jin closed his eyes, letting the tension ease from his body. It felt... strange to relax like this, but also kind of nice.
Gray smirked. "See? Not so bad, is it?"
Jin opened one eye, glancing at Gray with a small smile. "Yeah... I guess not."
Later that evening, Jin sat at a sturdy wooden table surrounded by the noisy hum of Fairy Tail's guild hall. The energy of his guildmates swirled around him—warm, chaotic, and welcoming in the way only Fairy Tail could be. He was smiling, actually smiling, as he exchanged stories with Gray, Cana, and Loke.
"You seriously flew all the way from Magnolia to Oshibana? That's insane," Loke grinned, shaking his head. "You've gotta be fast as hell to pull that off."
Jin gave a small nod. "It wasn't that far. I just had to get there quickly, you know?"
Gray scoffed, leaning his elbow on the table. "'Wasn't that far?' Dude, you flew across half the country, and then what? Took out the Lullaby with a blast that lit up the whole sky? Come on, man, admit it. That was insane."
Jin blushed. "I mean, it wasn't just me. You guys were there too. It was a team effort."
"You're too humble, Jinnie!" Cana threw an arm over his shoulder, her wine bottle clinking against the table. "Speaking of speed, Jet's the fastest runner in the guild, but with your flight? You two should race. In fact, there's an annual guild race coming up soon." She took a swig from the bottle, her arm still lazily draped over him.
Jin perked up at the mention of a race. "A race? Against Jet? I mean, if it's alright with him—"
Before he could finish his thought, something—or someone—tackled him from behind, knocking the wind out of him as he tipped forward. Arms wrapped around his torso like a bear trap, and a familiar voice rang in his ears.
"Jin!" Natsu shouted, his voice bursting with excitement as he practically crushed Jin in a hug. "How's it going, man? It's good to see you finally hanging out here!"
Jin coughed, struggling to pry Natsu's arms off. "N-Natsu! Can't... breathe!"
"Good to see you too, man!" Natsu laughed, releasing him with a slap on the back that nearly sent Jin face-first into the table again. "So, what's up? Lucy told me you've been doin' a bunch of jobs! Leave some for the rest of us, will ya?!"
Jin caught his breath and rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile. "Yeah, something like that. I've just been... keeping busy."
Happy, fluttering above Natsu's head, gave a sly grin. "Busy flying around like it's cheating! Give the ground-walkers a chance, will ya?"
Gray crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "I told him the same thing earlier. But hey, as long as he's helping people, can't complain, right?"
"I'm back!" Lucy said, back from a job herself as she strolled up to the table with a tired smile. "Oh, hey Jin, how's it going?"
Jin smiled and was about to answer when Loke abruptly leapt out of his seat, scrambling away as fast as he could.
"Oh no! Lucy, I'm sorry, I just remembered I—uh—have something important to do! Later!" His voice trailed off as he bolted out of sight.
"Loke! Where are you—?" Jin called out, before turning to Lucy with a frown. "Lucy, what'd you do to him?"
Lucy let out a groan and shrugged. "I don't even know! Honest!"
Cana snickered, grabbing Jin's shoulders and forcing him to sit back down. "Alright, let's settle down. Though I can't blame him, Lucy. Who knows what you said to scare him off?"
Lucy glared at Cana. "Very funny."
Natsu, now occupying Loke's abandoned seat, leaned forward with wide eyes. "So, whatcha been up to today, Jin? Got any new crazy stories?"
Jin shrugged modestly. "Nothing new, to be honest. Just did a couple more jobs that needed some physicality."
"Jin and I also took down a small dark guild today," Gray added. "Nothing too big, but it was fun just smacking some bad guys about."
Natsu's expression immediately soured as he pouted. "Wait, really? You didn't invite me?! I want to smack some bad guys too!"
"Weren't you busy training, or something?" Gray replied. "Figured we didn't bother since you're squaring off with Erza pretty soon."
"Are you saying you didn't need me?" Natsu's irritation flared, and he immediately got up in Gray's face. "I'd have burned them down and been done with it!"
Gray stood to meet him, their foreheads butting. "Exactly why we didn't invite you, ash-for-brains! You'd have scorched the dark guild and the whole damn forest surrounding the place!"
Natsu growled. "Better than freezing everything in sight, you icy stripper! Like you could do a better job than me!"
"I did do a better job! Jin and I took care of it just fine without you!"
Their bickering quickly escalated, and in a split second, fists were flying. Gray sent a punch to Natsu's gut, while Natsu responded by launching Gray into a table, splintering it into pieces. The whole guild froze for a moment, and then, as if on cue, the entire hall erupted into chaos. Fists flew, tables overturned, and drinks spilled as the usual Fairy Tail brawl ensued.
Jin, having been dragged back to the bar by Cana and Lucy, stood there wide-eyed and slack-jawed as the hall devolved into an all-out brawl. His second home—the place that had brought him so much joy—was now a battlefield.
"Wha... what's happening?" he stammered.
Lucy crossed her arms, sighing in resignation. "Welcome to Fairy Tail. Get used to it."
He turned to Cana for answers, but his jaw dropped seeing her take a hefty swig from a barrel of beer that she lifted like it was nothing. Jin knew she was a heavy drinker, but this… this was absurd.
Jin picked up his jaw and quickly shook himself out of his stupor. "Hey Cana, shouldn't we do something?"
Cana smirked, wiping her mouth. "Eh, let 'em have their fun. This happens all the time. Natsu and Gray? They've been at it for as long as they've been in the guild, so you might as well just let it happen."
"But—" Jin began, his mind racing at the thought of what Erza would do in this situation. She would stop this. Someone would stop this, but she wasn't here, and he couldn't just 'let it happen.'
Taking a deep breath, Jin squared his shoulders. Maybe he could do what Erza would—maybe he could stop this before it got worse. Gathering his resolve, Jin jogged toward the chaos.
"Jin, wait!" Lucy called after him.
"He's trying to be the hero, huh?" Cana mused, chuckling softly. "Must be taking after the ol' redhead."
Meanwhile, Gray and Natsu were in the thick of it, their fists flying with reckless abandon.
"Jin's a better partner than you ever were!" Gray shouted, his attire now down to a pair of black boxer shorts.
"Who made you the judge of that?!" Natsu shot back, his fist raised. "He's never even done a job with me yet!"
Just as they charged at each other again, Jin slid between them, holding his arms out. Gray halted just in time, but Natsu's momentum carried him forward.
"Guys!" Jin yelled, his head darting to Gray and then Natsu. "Can we just stop for a se—"
Before Jin could even react, Natsu's fist collided with his face. The impact sent him stumbling backward, tripping over a fallen chair. A hush fell over the room, the chaos freezing for just a moment as everyone stared in shock.
"Jin!" Lucy yelled, running over to him.
"Oh… oh crap!" Natsu's face drained of color, his hands flying to his mouth. "Jin! I—I didn't mean to—"
Gray rushed over, eyes wide with concern. "Jin! You alright?"
Gray and Lucy helped Jin up as he rubbed his jaw, his head spinning from the blow. At first, he felt a flare of anger—how could Natsu just hit him like that without thinking? But as he stood there, feeling the thrum of his heartbeat and the sting in his face, something else began to bubble up inside him.
Excitement.
The hit had stung, sure, but it was... fun? His Saiyan blood stirred, and for the first time since arriving at Fairy Tail, Jin felt the thrill of a fight that wasn't filled with hatred or anger—just pure, friendly rivalry, and a wide grin spread across his face.
"You asked for it."
Without warning, Jin reared back and punched Natsu square in the chest, sending him flying across the hall into a group of guild members.
The guild erupted again, louder this time, as Jin dove headfirst into the chaos. Gray stood there, blinking in disbelief, before shaking his head with a proud smile seeing that Jin really did take his advice to heart. Minus the brawling part.
Lucy slumped in defeat, rubbing her forehead. "Great. Just when I was starting to like him."
Cana walked over and laughed, clapping Lucy on the back. "Hey, if anything, this just means he really is one of us now."
Lucy managed a slight chuckle, allowing a small smile seeing Jin actually enjoying himself. "I guess so."
Later that night, Jin made his way up to the second floor of his apartment building. He was sore, bruised, and still a little grimy from the day's events. A bruise bloomed on his left arm, and there was a slight burn mark on his shoulder courtesy of a certain Dragon Slayer.
Despite his rough state, he couldn't help but smile, still feeling the rush of adrenaline from the guild brawl. A few days ago, he wouldn't have believed that something like that could be fun, but now? He was already looking forward to the next one. He shook his head with a chuckle as he approached his door, already reaching for the key in his pocket.
"Rent!"
Jin froze, his heart skipping a beat. He turned slowly and spotted Aldrik with a mop in hand. The man squinted at him before bursting into laughter.
"Ach! Sorry, lad. Force o' habit!" Aldrik chuckled, waving his free hand. "Ye just moved in yesterday, after all."
Jin let out a small breath, laughing lightly. "It's okay, Mr. Kane. You scared me there for a second."
Aldrik's eyes narrowed, taking in Jin's disheveled appearance. "Blimey! What happened t' ya? Ya look like ya went ten rounds with a rabid animal!"
Jin scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish. "Uh... well, things got a bit... wild at the guild hall."
Aldrik's eyebrows shot up. "One o' them famous Fairy Tail scraps, eh? Did ya join in? Neva' pegged ye as the type t'enjoy a punch-up."
Jin blinked, then smiled faintly. "I didn't either... but it was kind of fun. Never thought I'd say that."
Aldrik slapped his knee, laughing heartily. "Ah, lad, now yer talkin'! Good to see ya havin' some fun, but the old man'll set ya straight before ye do any real damage." He winked, then waved Jin off. "But get yerself cleaned up, lad. No need fer the stink o' a brawl stickin' to the place."
Jin chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm on my way to do just that. Good night, Mr. Kane."
"G'night, lad. And take care o' that arm o' yours!" Aldrik waved him off, wrapping up his mopping as Jin entered his apartment.
As soon as the door clicked shut, he exhaled heavily, rolling his shoulders as he began peeling off his suit. The fabric briefly clung to his skin as he took it off, stiff with sweat and grime. setting it aside to wash later. He grabbed a towel from the closet, wrapping it around his waist to cover his lower half before placing his father's shrunken Saiyan armor on the nightstand.
Next to the armor were three framed portraits: one of each of his parents, and the other of a family photo from when he was still a child. His eyes lingered on the images, feeling a tug in his chest as memories of them washed over him. But unlike before, the grief no longer felt unbearable. It was there, always, but it was... softer now.
He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his hands together absentmindedly. So much had changed in just a week. Fairy Tail had welcomed him with open arms, and for the first time in years, he felt... accepted. Not just tolerated, but truly wanted. Even now, it was almost too much to take in, but he was starting to believe it was real. Joining Fairy Tail had brought him a new sense of purpose, but also a lot to process.
He sighed, shaking his head. No point dwelling on it now. He stood up to head toward the common bathroom at the hallway, but just as he swung the door open, a hand slammed into his forehead with a solid thunk.
"Ow! What the—?" Jin yelped, stumbling back and clutching his head. He blinked in confusion, rubbing the spot where the hand had knocked him, and his eyes widened when he realized who was standing there.
Erza.
"Oh, my apologies!" She gasped. "I meant to knock on the door, not... your head."
Jin blinked once, then twice, before realizing his state of dress—or lack thereof. Jin's eyes widened in shock, his mind still processing the fact that Erza was standing at his door... and his towel being the only thing separating him from complete embarrassment. In a flustered panic, he ducked behind the door with one hand gripping the towel tightly.
"Erza!" Jin blurted out, peeking from behind the door. "Wha—what are you doing here?"
"Well, I'm back," she said simply, as if her sudden appearance in his apartment was the most natural thing in the world. "Mira told me that you just moved in here, so I thought I'd come by and see it for myself. May I?"
Jin's heart raced. Erza, here, at his apartment? He wasn't prepared for this. He swallowed hard and nodded rapidly, forcing himself to sound somewhat normal.
"Uh, sure, just—just give me a second!" Without waiting for a response, Jin shut the door, his heart racing as he planted his back against it. "She's back... she's here."
With a giddy, wide grin breaking across his face and a nervous chuckle, he scrambled for his suit as fast as his shaking hands allowed, all while mentally chastising himself for being so disheveled.
Why now? Of all the times? But that didn't matter. What mattered was that she was here.
Once dressed, he took a deep breath, steadied himself, and opened the door properly.
"Sorry about that," Jin mumbled, stepping aside. "Come on in."
Erza stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the small apartment. It was humble compared to the size and grandeur of her own room in the guild dorm, but there was a warmth to it, a feeling that it was Jin's space.
"You've made yourself quite at home here," she remarked, her lips curving into a soft smile. "It suits you."
Jin rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly stepping aside to give her space. "Yeah, it's not much, but it feels... right. Cozy, I guess."
"My own dorm is… well, much larger, to be honest. Yours feels more... personal."
"Yeah... I suppose."
Erza turned to him with that same kind smile, and for a moment, Jin felt like everything was perfectly in place. He shuffled awkwardly, feeling the weight of her attention.
"I... I missed you," he admitted, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I mean, not just you, but everyone—Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Happy…" He trailed off, his gaze lowering to the floor. "It's only been a few days, but it feels like forever since we've all been together."
Erza turned to him with a gentle smile. "I missed you too, Jin. I didn't mean to be away for so long. My job took longer than expected, but it seems you've been busy while I was out. Mira and the others have been filling me in."
Jin's eyes widened slightly. "Oh... they told you?"
"About everything," Erza said with a nod. "It seems you've made quite an impression on the guild. All the jobs you've been doing, making friends... and causing a bit of chaos."
Jin chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek. "Yeah, I guess so. It's been... a lot to take in. I never expected things to change this quickly, but I really am having a great time in Fairy Tail."
Erza's smile widened as she stepped closer, her tone growing more tender. "It's good to see you like this. Really. You've come so far since we first met, and I'm proud of you."
Jin's heart swelled. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. Instead, he just stared at her for a moment, letting her words sink in. He hadn't expected her to come straight to his apartment, but... he was so glad she had. He felt a warmth blossom in his chest, one that made him stand a little taller.
"Erza..." He said quietly, trying to find his voice. "I... I wouldn't have come this far if it wasn't for you. You were the first person who made me believe that I could have a new life here. I—" He swallowed hard, his pulse quickening. "You've kind of... become an inspiration for me. You and the others pulled me out of a place I thought I'd never escape, and I… I can't thank you enough."
Erza's eyes widened slightly at his confession. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words, but she quickly returned it with a warm smile.
"I'm just glad to see you're finding your way, Jin. But more than anything, I'm just… happy to see you happy."
A sudden surge of emotion swept through Jin, and without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. For a brief moment, he forgot about the armor pressing into him, but the sharp edges quickly reminded him, and he winced.
"Ow."
Erza chuckled, returning the hug with gentle firmness. "Be more careful next time."
"Yeah," Jin mumbled, his face heating up as they parted, suddenly embarrassed. "Sorry... I just... I wasn't thinking."
"There you go again, Jin," Erza replied. "It's fine. This isn't the first time we've hugged, after all."
Jin smiled awkwardly as he glanced away, scratching the back of his neck, before noticing Erza's attention had shifted to the nightstand.
"Oh… yeah, that's the same armor I've been wearing," Jin said, tilting his head slightly. "It's small, as you can see, but that's because it can be stretched…"
Jin trailed off seeing that her attention wasn't on his armor at all, but the framed photo of his family. Her eyes softened as she picked it up and Jin's heart tightened.
"Is this…?" Erza asked softly, tracing the edges of the frame.
"Yeah… that's... my family," he said quietly, walking over to stand beside her. "My parents. Saiyan parents."
Erza studied the photo, her thumb brushing over the image of Jin as a child, his wide eyes filled with innocence and happiness despite the harshness of his upbringing. For a moment, she could only stare, remembering the pain he had shared with her not long ago. Seeing these pictures, seeing what he once was, only made her heart sink even more.
She placed the photo back down, turning to face him with a soft smile. "They would be proud of you. I'm sure of it."
Jin swallowed the lump in his throat, his chest tightening at her words. "Thank you, Erza... I really hope so."
"Anyway, I won't keep you any longer. I still have my fight with Natsu tomorrow. I assume you'll be there?"
Jin blinked for a moment, before nodding firmly. "Of course I will." Jin then waved his hand, gesturing to the door. "Shall I… uh, you know?"
Erza chuckled, realizing that he wanted to escort her. "What a gentleman."
Jin held the door open for her exit, and he watched her make her way through the small hallway. As she left, Erza paused at the top of the stairs, looking back at Jin with a teasing smirk.
"By the way... you looked cute when you were younger."
Jin's face flushed red. "I—wha—"
Before he could form a coherent response, she was already heading down the stairs, her soft laughter echoing behind her.
Jin closed the door and leaned against it, his heart full as he let out a loud but contented sigh. He allowed a small, almost disbelieving smile spread across his face.
But he groaned in disgust as the realization hit him, and he rubbed his temples in embarrassment.
"Why the hell did I hug her while I was still covered in sweat? Ugh."
The afternoon sun gleamed off the rooftops as Jin soared through the sky, the cool air rushing past him. Below, Magnolia was bustling, and already, a small sea of people had gathered outside Fairy Tail's guild hall. As he neared the street, Jin could see them: a crowd made up of both civilians and guild members alike, all surrounding the two who were the center of attention—Natsu and Erza.
Touching down lightly on the cobblestone street, Jin straightened his posture, scanning the area. Natsu and Erza were already standing opposite each other, both calm yet poised for battle. He caught sight of Gray, Lucy, and the others gathered at one patch of the crowd, and made his way over.
"What did I miss?" Jin asked, his gaze still locked on the two fighters.
"Not much. They're still just staring each other down," Gray replied. "But it's gonna be good. Trust me."
"Yeah, looks like they're about to go all out," Lucy added, standing next to Gray. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, but there was a hint of nervousness too. "I still can't believe they're really going through with it... You sure they're not gonna kill each other?"
"Erza'll be fine," Gray said with a wave of his hand. "As for Natsu? Well... he'll survive. Probably."
Elfman grinned and pounded his fists together. "If you're gonna call yourself a man, you better be ready to throw down! Especially with someone like Erza."
"But… Erza's not a man?" Jin pointed out, causing Elfman to frown for a moment before laughing.
"Manliness isn't about gender, my friend!" Elfman declared. "It's about strength, courage, and fighting spirit!"
"You know how Natsu is," Lucy said with a sigh. "He said he's been itching for a rematch with Erza. But seriously, this is crazy! I mean, they're supposed to be on the same team!"
"Just how we do things around here," Gray said with a shrug, leaning back casually. "Sparring's normal, keeps us sharp. And with those two? Should be fun to watch."
"That I can agree with," Jin muttered before turning to Mirajane, who smiled warmly at him.
"You're in for a treat, Jin!" Mirajane said. "These two are the best of the best."
"Natsu's tough, sure," Elfman added. "But Erza? She's on a whole other level. Might as well call this thing now."
"You all forget about Laxus or Mystogan?" Gray chimed in. "Now those two, they'd mop the floor with either of them."
Jin's ears perked up, his curiosity piqued. "Laxus? Mystogan? Who are they?"
"Laxus is Master Makarov's grandson. He's got insane Lightning Magic," Levy explained. "Mystogan, though… He's a bit of a mystery. He's an S-Class wizard just like Erza and Laxus, but no one really knows much about him. He doesn't show up often, and when he does, he keeps to himself."
Jin nodded. There was always more to learn about this guild—more fighters, more powers. Each name added to his growing list of people he wanted to challenge or at least see in action.
"I see… I'll have to keep that in mind."
"You're not planning on challenging them, are you?" Jet asked, his voice laced with concern.
Jin shrugged. "I wasn't, but it's good to know at least."
"It's been a while since we've squared off like this, hasn't it, Natsu?" Erza said.
"I was just a little kid back then," Natsu replied, bringing his fists up. "Today's gonna be different. I'm taking you down, Erza."
"Well, I'm not going easy on you," Erza continued. "In fact, I have the perfect armor for this occasion."
With a bright flash of light, Erza's armor shifted into something new. Plates of red and black metal covered her body, and a fiery crown adorned her head—her Flame Empress Armor. The temperature around them seemed to rise with her transformation, and Natsu's grin only widened.
"Damn," Gray muttered. "She's pulling out the big guns early."
"Not surprised she's using that for Natsu," Cana added, taking a swig from her bottle. "He's toast."
Gray glanced at Jin, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Alright, Jin, now's the real question. Who are you betting on?"
Jin blinked, taken off guard by the question. "Betting?"
"Yeah. Natsu or Erza?" Gray's grin widened. "I mean, I think we all know where you're leaning… with obvious reasons and all."
Jin shot Gray an incredulous look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Dude, it's not that hard to figure out. I'm just saying, you seem to have a soft spot for Erza."
"What? No! I mean—" Jin stammered, trying to find his words as Gray chuckled at his reaction. "I just… don't usually pick sides when it comes to fights like this."
"Oh?" Gray tilted his head, feigning innocence. "And why's that?"
"Well…" Jin trailed off slightly. "I just don't see the point when I could be learning from both of them. I'm more interested in what they're capable of."
Gray shot him a look. "Not picking sides? That's boring."
Jin shrugged. "Again, it's not about the sides. If there's something I can gather from this fight right here, then cool. It's about learning."
Levy raised an eyebrow. "Learning, huh?"
"Correct," Jin said, his gaze now locked on Erza's Flame Empress Armor. "Watching their techniques, their timing, everything in between… That's what's important."
"So you're taking the 'I'm neutral' approach, huh?" Gray smirked, shaking his head. "You're dodging the question, but okay. Although just for you, my bet's on Erza. You're practically her fanboy."
Jin shot Gray a frown.. "Fan… what?"
"Jinnie, come on," Levy chuckled, throwing a teasing glance at Lucy. "You're telling me you don't have even a little bias after Erza's pampering?"
Jin's face flushed. "That's—That's different!" he stammered, before realization began to dawn on him. "Wait… how do you even know that?"
Levy pointed discreetly at Lucy. Jin's gaze darted to her, who predictably whistled and looked off to the side, avoiding his accusatory glare.
"You told her?!"
"Uh… whoops?" Lucy shrugged, a guilty smile tugging at her lips. "Slip of the tongue!"
Jin opened his mouth to argue but stopped, forcing himself to focus on the fight at hand. It would be easy, almost natural, to side with Erza. She meant so much to him, not just as a fighter but as someone who had helped him, understood him, cared for him. But at the same time, how could he dismiss Natsu's strength and resolve? He may not have been with the Dragon Slayer as often, but there was no denying his capabilities. Both of them had earned his respect in their own ways.
"So," Gray began with a smirk. "Still gonna sit this one out?"
"Look, I'm just gonna watch and learn, okay?" Jin finally said, though it sounded more like he was convincing himself than them. "Whoever wins, it'll be a good fight, like you said."
"Alright, alright," Gray said with a grin. "Still can't shake the feeling you're Team Erza, though."
Jin sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Maybe Gray wasn't entirely wrong.
"Wow, Flame Empress Armor, huh?" Natsu said, engulfing his fists in flames. "Good news for me! That means I can turn up the heat as high as I want to!"
Finally, Makarov entered the scene, raising his hand. "Round one, start!"
Natsu rushed at Erza with a flaming fist. Erza jumped backward and evaded the attack, making a swift horizontal fire slash that Natsu dodged. He launched a flaming roundhouse kick, which Erza blocked and followed up with another slash that Natsu avoided.
Flying backward, Natsu launched a Fire Dragon Roar, which Erza easily dodged as she flew towards him. Natsu moved his head, causing the flaming stream from his mouth to follow her. They continued exchanging fiery blows, neither landing a decisive hit. The crowd watched in awe and anticipation while Jin observed silently, noting his new friends' fighting styles and prowess.
"Whoa…" Lucy muttered in amazement.
"See? It's a good fight, huh?" Elfman mused.
Gray sighed and frowned. "This fight sucks."
Erza reared her sword backward and charged at Natsu. The Dragon Slayer groaned in frustration and charged forth with flaming fists. Just before they could clash, the sudden sound of a gong echoed through the street, causing the fight to halt.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, but saw no gong. Instead, it was a humanoid frog that clapped its hands, formally dressed in a blue jacket with red trimmings and a long white skirt.
"This fight is over!" the frog declared in a feminine voice, approaching the center of the crowd. "May I have your attention, please? I have come on behalf of the Magic Council!"
The Fairy Tail wizards collectively gasped, and the crowd murmured in confusion.
"No way!"
"Seriously?!"
"Why would the Council send her here?"
"Am I the only one who noticed she's a FROG?!" Lucy exclaimed.
The Council representative produced a small document, holding it out in front of her to read its contents.
"As a result of the Eisenwald incident, a member of your guild has been charged with eleven counts of criminal property damage! Erza Scarlet, you are under arrest!"
"Huh?!" Natsu exclaimed. "You're putting her under a what?!"
Jin felt a rush of adrenaline surge through him as he instinctively stepped forward, his body moving before his mind could catch up. He couldn't let this happen—not to Erza, but just as he was about to intervene, the representative's voice cut through again.
"I'm afraid I am not finished," she continued, procuring an additional document and causing the crowd's confusion and anxiety to grow. "Is the individual named 'Jin' present in this gathering?"
Erza's eyes widened. "What…?"
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, more confused. All eyes slowly turned to Jin who stood frozen in place, and he felt a cold pit form in his stomach. His name had been called, but for what? Slowly, he raised his hand, acknowledging the question.
"That… that would be me," Jin said softly, cautiously stepping out of the crowd and walking to the center next to Natsu and Erza.
"What now?!" Lucy whispered in worry. "What did Jin do?!
"Aw geez," Gray muttered. "This day just keeps getting better."
"Based on statements and observations from the guild masters at the conference in Clover, it has been noted that you possess abilities that do not originate from magic energy. Due to the unknown nature and potential threat of this power, Jin, you are also under arrest!"
"WHAT?!" Makarov and the rest of the guild yelled in shock.
Jin stood there, numb, his mind racing. For what other reason could he be arrested if not for saving lives? His thoughts spiraled as the crowd murmured around him, uncertainty and worry flashing across every face. He could feel their eyes on him, questioning, doubting. This kind of attention was all too familiar, and for the first time since joining Fairy Tail, Jin felt exposed.
"This is bull!" Natsu shouted, stepping toward the representative with fists alight. "Jin hasn't done anything wrong!"
"No," Erza ordered sharply, grabbing his shoulder. "Stand down."
Natsu's flames flickered, the fight draining from him as he stepped back reluctantly. "But—"
"That's an order."
Erza's words halted Natsu, but her eyes weren't on him at all. Jin, left standing in stunned silence, shared a long, heavy glance with her. They both knew what this could mean. The implications of his arrest.
His chest tightened as he looked into Erza's eyes. There was fear there—fear that mirrored his own. She knew, at least in part, about his past, about what he truly was, and Jin could see it all too clearly—she was worried. Not for herself, but for him.
"Jin..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crowd.
He didn't respond. He couldn't. And then, deep down, something even darker stirred within his mind.
Did someone in the Magic Council know what he really was?