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"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X788]
~ With Shisui ~
Shisui reappeared at the edge of the mining town, his arrival far less graceful than usual as fatigue made his landing slightly awkward. To his surprise, the town was not asleep despite the late hour. Lights burned in many windows, and a small crowd had gathered in the main square.
Men, women, elderly, and even children, all with expressions of concern as they peered in the direction of the distant battlefield.
When they spotted his approaching figure, a wave of recognition passed through the group. The old man from the tavern stepped forward, his weathered face lighting up with relief. Without warning, he bent at the waist in a deep, ninety-degree bow that took Shisui completely by surprise. The gesture was one of profound respect, far beyond what he'd expected from someone he'd barely interacted with previously.
"Thank you," the old man thanked emotionally.
"Thank you for saving our town, for stopping those monsters, for..." his voice caught slightly, "for avenging my son."
One by one, the gathered townspeople followed the old man's example, bowing deeply to Shisui. Even the children mimicked their parents, their small bodies bent in earnest gratitude. The unexpected display left Shisui momentarily at a loss, a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with chakra or exertion.
Their reaction seemed disproportionate to his brief time in their town... Until he realized they must have learned who had sent him. His suspicion was confirmed moments later when he caught snippets of whispered conversations about "the Wizard Saint's champion" and "the mage powerful enough to be backed by a Wizard Saint."
~ A few hours earlier, General POV of the townsmen ~
Hours earlier, when the tremors and distant flashes of light had finally ceased, the townspeople had emerged from their shelters hesitantly, uncertain whether the threat had passed or merely paused. Their anxiety had turned to surprise at the sudden arrival of Rune Knights.
A clear sign that the Magic Council had finally become aware of their situation.
The tavern owner, Eldin, had been among the first to approach the Knights, eager for information about what had happened at the cathedral. The squad leader had reassured them that a powerful mage, sent directly by Wizard Saint Warrod Sequen himself, should have arrived much earlier than them and was likely responsible for the disturbances just moments prior. The revelation had shocked those who remembered the young, dark-haired stranger asking questions in the tavern just the previous day.
"That boy?" the old man had asked in disbelief. "The one who listened to my encounter with the beasts?"
The townspeople had been stunned to realize the unassuming visitor had been a mage of such caliber. They'd begun to pray for his safety, hoping that his powers were indeed as great as his backing suggested.
~ With Shisui, present time ~
Now, face to face with their savior, the town's gratitude manifested in this collective gesture of respect. Shisui, somewhat embarrassed by the display, gently requested that they raise their heads.
"Please," he said softly, but loud enough to be heard in the quiet square. "You don't need to bow."
As they straightened, Shisui could see the genuine relief and gratitude in their faces.
"If I had known the situation earlier," Shisui admitted with genuine regret, "I could have come sooner. I'm sorry for what you've all endured."
The old man shook his head firmly. "Nonsense. What matters is that you came at all. You saved everyone who's left. That's what counts."
To the collective surprise of the townspeople, and the absolute shock of the Rune Knights who had just arrived at the edge of the square, Shisui then bowed his own head in response.
"I'm sorry for your losses all the same," he said quietly.
The gesture, coming from someone they now understood to be exceptionally powerful, left many of the townspeople speechless. The Rune Knights exchanged glances of surprise, clearly reassessing the character of the mage they'd heard about. In their experience, individuals with power rarely showed such humility. Yet, Shisui was clearly out of the norm.
The rest of the townspeople quickly rushed towards Shisui, as cries of reassurance echoed throughout the night.
~ With Shisui, a few days later in Warrod's home ~
A few days had passed since the battle with Khathros, allowing Shisui time to rest and organize his thoughts before reporting to Warrod. Their arrangement of Shisui taking S-class missions had evolved into something resembling a partnership, though Warrod's position as a Wizard Saint meant he would always technically be the superior in their dynamic.
"The Obsidian Fang's preparations were more advanced than we anticipated," Shisui explained, seated across from Warrod at the wooden table that had hosted many of their post-mission discussions. "They had already secured the heart fragment of Khathros and were in the final stages of the resurrection ritual when I arrived."
Warrod nodded gravely. "And Veran? The Bonecaller?"
"Eliminated," Shisui confirmed. "Though not directly by my hand. He attempted to merge with Khathros's heart fragment, believing he could control the demon's power. He was sorely mistaken."
Shisui went on to describe the ritual he'd witnessed and the horrific transformation that followed.
Veran being consumed by the demonic flesh rather than mastering it. He detailed Khathros's abilities, the devastating sonic attacks that could liquefy stone, the regenerative capabilities, and the creature's apparent growth in power over the course of the battle. What he deliberately kept vague were the specific techniques he had used, describing his attacks in generalized terms rather than naming his jutsu or explaining the nature of his chakra.
"Most importantly," Shisui concluded, "the creature showed particular vulnerability to lightning-based attacks. I'm not certain if this was a weakness inherent to all demons of its type, or specific to Khathros due to its crystalline structure."
"Interesting," Warrod mused, stroking his wooden beard thoughtfully. "This information could prove invaluable if we encounter similar entities in the future. The Council will want a full written report, of course, but your account gives us a head start on understanding what we're dealing with."
Throughout Shisui's explanation, he'd noticed Warrod studying him with that penetrating gaze that suggested the ancient mage was seeing more than Shisui intended to reveal. It was a reminder that despite his eccentric personality, Warrod hadn't become a Wizard Saint through lack of perception.
"Once again, Shisui, you've handled a situation that would have challenged even experienced S-class mages," Warrod said, his tone shifting to one of genuine appreciation. "The town would have been destroyed had you not intervened as effectively as you did."
There was something in Warrod's expression, perhaps a twinkle in his eye, that made Shisui suspect the Wizard Saint was up to something.
"I received quite the detailed report from the Rune Knight captain," Warrod continued, confirming Shisui's suspicion.
"He was particularly impressed by the scene his Knights witnessed in town. A powerful mage bowing his head to common townspeople." His wooden lips curved into a smile. "That's not something one sees every day."
Shisui maintained his composure, though he felt a touch of embarrassment at having his moment of humility reported back to Warrod.
"They deserved respect for their resilience," he said simply.
"Indeed they did," Warrod agreed, his smile widening. "You've developed quite a reputation this past year, you know. A mage backed by one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, 'Shisui the Teleporter', they're calling you now."
The name, so similar to his title from his previous life, struck Shisui with a wave of nostalgia. He hadn't realized his identity had become established enough in this world to earn such a moniker.
Warrod seemed to sense his surprise. "Does the name displease you? I find it rather fitting, given your distinctive speed and abilities. Although perhaps 'Shisui the Elemental' would have been better?"
"It's fine," Shisui replied, shaking his head. "Just unexpected. And one moniker is enough, thank you very much."
Warrod nodded, then his expression shifted slightly, taking on an apologetic look that immediately put Shisui on alert. In his experience, that particular look from Warrod always preceded something troublesome.
"I hate to impose so soon after such a demanding mission," the Wizard Saint began, confirming Shisui's suspicion, "but I wondered if you might consider taking on another task. A personal mission, if you will."
Shisui's eyebrow rose slightly. In all the S-class assignments he'd completed over the past year, none had been classified as "personal missions". The unusual terminology triggered his natural caution.
"What kind of mission?" he asked hesitantly, watching Warrod's expression carefully.
The scheming smile that spread across Warrod's wooden features did nothing to alleviate Shisui's concern. If anything, it heightened his sense that whatever was coming would not be a simple request.
"The mission," Warrod said, obvious enjoyment in his voice, "is to join Fairy Tail as a guild mage for the next five years."
~ End of Chapter 32 ~
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