Yume Gets His Home he stood in the center of his new apartment, the key still warm in his palm. Sunlight filtered through the window, painting golden squares on the floor. He let out a slow breath, tension leaking from his shoulders as he took it all in—a real roof, sturdy walls, the faint scent of fresh wood polish.
He ran his fingers along the windowsill, tracing the grain. Safe. Mine. Finally. A smile tugged at his lips as he glanced around. Honestly, it was a steal—cheap, nice, and cozy, with just enough space for him to breathe. But the real reason he'd chosen this place ran deeper than price or comfort.
This is Lucy's apartment building, he thought, a secret satisfaction blooming in his chest. In every timeline, this building survives every disaster in Magnolia and all of Fiore. No matter what happens—dragons, dark guilds, even Acnologia—these walls stay standing. If there's anywhere in this world that's truly safe, it's here.
He let himself sink onto the futon, staring up at the ceiling. For a moment, he just listened to the quiet, the distant hum of Magnolia, the promise of a future that felt—if only for a second—peaceful.
He unpacked his few belongings with care, arranging them just so. A notebook on the table, a talisman above the door, a mug by the kettle. Each item, a small anchor in this new life.
Setting his bag aside, Yume pulled out his newest purchase—a set of custom clothes modeled after Jotaro Kujo from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The long, midnight-blue coat with its stiff collar, the golden chain, the cap that seemed to blend into his wild hair—he couldn't help but grin, feeling a little silly but also oddly proud. He spun once in front of the mirror, the coat swirling around his legs.
"Yare yare daze," he muttered, and laughed to himself, the sound echoing warmly in the empty room.
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The next day~
The mountain air was razor-sharp, biting at Yume's skin as he stood atop a windswept plateau, talisman glowing in his palm. He pressed his magic into the paper, and the world seemed to hold its breath. Flames erupted, swirling and coalescing into a massive, simian figure—Enma. Muscles rippled beneath fur like molten bronze, a wild purple mane of fire crowned his head, and a golden staff spun in his grasp. The kinton cloud at his feet shimmered with power.
Yume's heartbeat quickened. This was no ordinary summon—this was a test of mastery.
"Let's see if you're worthy," Yume said, voice low.
Enma's eyes flashed with challenge. He leapt, cloud swirling, staff extending with a metallic screech. Yume's Pandora Orbs materialized instantly, morphing into a collapsible staff that met Enma's blow with a thunderous crack. The shockwave sent dust and pebbles skittering across the plateau.
Enma pressed the attack, spinning his staff in blinding arcs. Yume's reflexes, sharpened by magic, let him weave between the blows, staff shifting into a riot shield to absorb a crushing strike. He countered with a sweep to Enma's legs, but the shikigami vaulted high, landing on his cloud and launching a barrage of fireballs.
Yume's mind raced. Adapt. Improvise. He snapped his Pandora Orbs into twin pistols, firing bursts of compressed air to detonate the fireballs midair. Enma grinned, launching his staff like a spear. Yume ducked, the weapon whistling past his ear, and rolled aside as Enma landed with a ground-shaking crash.
Rika materialized, purple flames licking her form. She darted in, feinting and harrying Enma, her movements a blur. Yume used the distraction to shift his orbs into a grappling hook, swinging up and over Enma's next wild swing. He landed on the cloud, staff in hand, and pressed a talisman to Enma's back.
For a heartbeat, time froze—then Enma let out a booming laugh and bowed, acknowledging his master.
Yume dropped to the ground, sweat beading his brow, heart pounding with exhilaration. "Enma," he said, voice steady, "welcome to the team."
He transferred Macao's fire magic and a rogue mage's tree magic into Enma. The flames on Enma's head blazed brighter, shifting to a fierce, unnatural purple—instantly mirrored by Rika's own fire.
Yume caught his breath, glancing at his hands. "So that's how it works," he murmured, half to himself. "I can't use these magics directly—but I can stack them for a short time, or lend them to my shikigami. Makes them stronger. More versatile." He nodded, a rare glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Not bad."
Rika nodded, eyes glowing with approval.
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Early Morning at the Guild~
The sun was barely up when Yume slipped into the Fairy Tail guild hall. Only a few early risers were about, and Mirajane was already behind the bar, humming as she wiped down the counter. She looked up as Yume approached, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Wow, Yume! That's a new look for you," she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Trying to start a trend?"
Yume adjusted his cap, gaze cool and unreadable. "Just felt right," he replied, voice low, stoic as ever.
Mira leaned in, elbows on the bar. "It suits you. So, what brings you here so early?"
"Looking for a job."
Mirajane scanned the board, then slid a flyer across the counter. "Bandits harassing a town out west. Not much pay, but they need someone reliable."
He took the flyer, nodding. "I'll handle it."
Mira grinned. "Good luck, Yume."
He just gave a small smirk. "Yare yare daze."
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Bandit Hunt~
The next day, Yume and his companions—Rika and Enma—stood on a hill overlooking a battered village. Smoke curled from broken chimneys, and the townsfolk's fear was palpable, their voices hushed as they watched the distant bandit camp. Above, Swiftwings—Yume's bird-like shikigami scouts—circled, relaying the exact positions of every bandit with sharp, mental pings.
Yume crouched behind a crumbling wall, the cold stone rough beneath his gloved fingers. In the woods, the wind creaked through the trees, mixing with the distant crackle of the bandits' campfire and the clatter of iron. A dozen bandits lounged around the flames, their leader—a hulking brute with iron skin and conjured iron weapons—barked orders, the clang of metal echoing through the night.
Yume's heart thudded in his chest. He swallowed, nerves fluttering in his stomach, but his face stayed calm. "Time to move," he whispered, voice low and steady.
He slid into the shadows, magic heightening his senses and reflexes to superhuman levels. His Pandora Orbs shifted into silenced pistols; with precise shots, he shattered lanterns and doused the camp in darkness. Bandits shouted, stumbling blindly, the sudden chaos punctuated by the snap of branches and the thud of bodies hitting the ground.
Rika struck first, a blur of purple flame and shadow. She disarmed two thugs with a flick of her wrist, her blows swift and surgical. Yume moved in tandem, orbs morphing into a riot shield to block a wild axe swing, then into a stun baton to drop another bandit with a crackling jolt. The night filled with the hiss of magic, the clang of metal, and the sharp, panicked cries of the bandits.
A bandit lunged with a sword—Yume's orbs morphed into a grappling hook, yanking the weapon from the man's grasp. He spun, catching another with a bola, pinning him to a tree. His breath came quick, but his motions were smooth and practiced, even as excitement and anxiety tangled in his chest.
Enma descended from above, riding his cloud like a thunder god. His staff extended, sweeping four bandits off their feet in a single, fluid motion. One tried to run—Enma's staff shot out, snagging the man by the ankle and dangling him upside down. The bandits' shouts echoed through the trees, mixing with the distant cries of night birds and the crackle of the dying campfire.
The iron-skinned leader roared, conjuring a massive iron sword and charging Yume. Yume's orbs became a shield, absorbing the first blow with a metallic clang that rang through the clearing. He ducked, rolling under a second swing, and fired a flashbang at the bandit's feet. The leader staggered, blinded.
Yume closed in, magic amplifying his strength and perception. He struck with a flurry of martial arts—elbow, knee, palm—each blow precise and powerful. The leader swung blindly, but Yume sidestepped, then used his orbs to launch a net, binding the brute's arms.
Rika finished the job, her flames forming shackles around the leader's legs. Enma landed beside them, staff planted in the ground, purple fire swirling around his fists.
The rest of the bandits surrendered, dropping their weapons and scrambling away from the trio.
Yume looked down at the defeated leader, his coat billowing in the wind, eyes cold and steady. For a moment, he hesitated, feeling the weight of the villagers' gazes on him. His face warmed, a shy flush creeping up his neck, but a giddy thrill bubbled inside—he'd always wanted to say this.
He drew a breath, voice quiet but firm:
"There's only one reason you lost. You pissed me off."
He turned away, hands in his pockets, and muttered, "Yare yare daze." The words felt electric on his tongue—equal parts embarrassing and exhilarating.
Behind him, the villagers peeked from their homes, relief and awe etched across their faces. For the first time in days, hope flickered in their eyes.
"That coat… Did you see how he moved?"
"He looked so cool—like a hero from a storybook!"
A child clung to her mother's hand, whispering, "We're safe now, aren't we?"
Yume glanced back, cheeks still faintly pink, and managed a small, awkward smile. The sound of the wind, the distant night creatures, and the grateful murmurs of the villagers washed over him—a symphony of peace after chaos.
He didn't linger for praise. He just walked on, heart pounding, the job done, the legend growing.
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Back in his apartment, Yume lay on his futon, staring at the ceiling. The thrill of battle faded fast, replaced by a restless itch. He sighed, fingers drumming on his chest. Is this all? I need something more.
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The next morning, Yume sat quietly in the guild hall, tea cooling in his hands, gaze fixed on the doors. The job board was full, but nothing called to him.
Suddenly, the doors burst open. Natsu strode in, Lucy at his side, her eyes wide with excitement and nerves.
Yume straightened, a slow, knowing smile on his face.
Maybe things are about to get interesting.
End of Chapter 3: