Beauty and/or Beast

6

Walking back to the guild you had a new sense of confidence. Your magic ability was at its highest its ever been, all thanks to your training with the Strauss siblings. The ability you possess was somewhat similar to theirs, so training went easier than expected. Mira on the other hand thought that maybe training with Natsu a little bit would have been a little beneficial. She feared that she didn't know all the tricks in the book for the kind of magic you possess now that you had three full months of training. 

----

"Who should I ship (Y/n) with," I hear Mira ask her little sister, a giggle hanging off her lips.

"Good question," Lisanna pipes in, tapping her chin as she thought. "There are a few good choices."

"Gajeel?"

"I think Levy has a small crush on him. Plus he doesn't fit the vibe (Y/n) gives off."

"You saw that too! I'm glad I wasn't the only one noticing that. You're right, hmmm. Bickslow?"

"Too creepy for her."

"True. How about Gray?"

"That could be a good matchup, but don't tell Juvia."

"Let me think about this for a while, this is important."

"Do I get a word in all this," I ask the two sisters behind me.

"Of course not silly!" Mira pats my head in encouragement as we work our way to the guild. 

---------

The groups that left for three months miraculously arrived at the guild at the same time. Natsu was surprised to see how visibly stronger Elfman got. I mean Elfman worked hard training, he took it seriously. Plus Elfman helped me gain some muscles too, being locked in a cell in a basement really breaks your body. Walking up to the guild there were some shocked faces, I am not the same weak noodle they remember me as.

Seeing everyone's smiling faces though was a good sight to see. It was a small victory after a long training vacation. This is just the start of another long battle, the battle to get Fairy Tails title back of being the strongest guild. It made me excited to see all the other wizards in action, and to see what magic they possess.

"How are you doing?" Erza asks me, a calm expression on her face.

"Honestly a lot better," I express. "I found who I am in the mountains while I trained."

"That is good to hear, I am excited to see what happens."

"Children," Master gains our attention. "I will let you know by tonight who makes the team for the grand magic games, alright?"

He walks inside the guild, leaving us travelers to hang out. Erza stands next to me as friends rejoice with each other. Gajeel telling Natsu how he is so much stronger now. Lisanna updated Lucy on the new takeovers she's mastered. Mira was right on the nail about each guild member. It's crazy how I heard all these stories from Mira during training. Now I am seeing them firsthand. 

Slipping into the guild I walk up to the bar where I find Laki, She sends me a smile before handing me a cold glass of water. I return the smile before I place the cup in front of me, feeling the coolness of the glass against my warm skin.

"(Y/n)?" I hear behind me.

Glancing over my shoulder I see Gray, the ice-mage. Mira told me he is a kindhearted male, who can really hold up his own in a fight. May have a stripping problem though. We never met before so I turn my head fully towards him, noticing he was holding a hand out to me. "Nice to finally meet you, I am Gray. Lucy and Erza couldn't stop talking about you."

Laughing I slip my hand in his, shaking it. I took note of how cold his hands were, much to the glass of water Laki just gave me.

"Mind if I join you?" the male asks, pointing at the empty seat beside me.

"Sure, go ahead." I smile at him.

He sits down next to me, also getting a glass of water from Laki behind the counter, "How did training go for you? I heard you weren't sure what kind of magic you hold."

"Mira doesn't hold back on training, let me tell you that. Elfman too, shouting about how I should be a man or something. I did find my magic, thankfully. At first, I wasn't sure how to cast my magic, but with some error mixed in I got it. After years of not using magic, it became the hardest thing to do."

"I'm glad you had some sort of positive feelings during training. Always feels good when you get something good out of working hard."

"I just hope you guys aren't disappointed in my abilities."

"We would never think that, don't worry. We will care for you all the same, strong or not strong, or whatever you feel. Doesn't matter to us because you are still a part of our guild."

"I appreciate hearing that. I know everyone is anxious to find out what I hold, but I don't want them to be disappointed."

"It shouldn't matter what everyone else thinks, all that matters is how you feel about your power."

My breath gets caught in my throat as Gray speaks. He is right, I keep forgetting that I am out of the cell. I am living and breathing for me, not for anyone else. Dropping my head down I place my hands in my lap, playing with the hem of my pleated skirt. 

"Look," Gray whispers, placing a hand on my shoulder. "If you need anyone to talk to, I will always be here to listen. I may not understand what you went through in your past, but I want to help you move forward."

"Thank you, Gray," I sigh. "it means a lot to me."

------

Erza stood next to Master Makarov, her eyes staring at the back of (Y/n)s head. There were no words exchanged between the two as they didn't have to say anything. The magic energy the small woman possesses is something that hasn't gone unnoticed. 

"Hey guys," Mira smiles at the two. "Aww look at those two cuties over there, I knew Gray would be the one."

"Her power," Erza says. "What is it?"

"It's nothing I have seen before, but it is wonderful. It's beautiful. It is powerful."

"Should I be worried?" Makarov utters.

"No master. Trust me when I tell you this; she is something you will probably never come across again."

"Interesting."

-------

"Please calm down," Lucy pleas to the woman in front of her. "They are just talking."

"Yeah, about kissing and smooching," Happy adds to the wound.

"She is my new love-rival." Juvia grips the table in front of her, practically shattering it. "I will kill her!"

"That is a bit extreme," Wendy whispers to Carla.

"I will do anything for my beloved Gray, they are probably planning their wedding right now!"

"Cool it Juvia," Erza warns. "You don't want to be the first one to be on (Y/n)s bad side."

"Too late, she is my love rival. I will do anything to come in between them!" Juvia shouts, gaining the attention of the pair at the bar. Gray tells something to (Y/n) before getting up, walking over to the group causing the commotion.

"Is there a problem?" He asks.

"No my love," Juvia fake cries. "I just need to be comforted right now, please hug me."

Gray waves the female off, finding a seat over by Max. He wasn't in the mood to get in a fight with the water mage right now.