Fairy Tail: The Faint Smile in Earthland

Date: Year X785 — July 

Location: Crocus — Grand Coliseum Underground Chambers

The roar of the arena thundered above. But beneath Crocus' grand coliseum, silence reigned.

Teresa walked calmly through wide underground corridors, guided by a council escort. Each step was deliberate, boots clicking lightly against polished marble. She wore full battle attire—silver Claymore armor gleaming beneath torchlight, white cloak flowing behind her shoulders, Fairy Tail's emblem etched proudly across her back.

The message from Raven Fang still lingered—not a threat yet, but a signal.

The shadows had taken notice.

And now, so had the Council.

They approached a heavily reinforced door guarded by two Rune Knights. One officer saluted and gestured inward.

"The Council requests your presence before your next match, Miss Teresa."

"On what grounds?" Her voice was soft, calm, and laced with cold curiosity.

"A... private observation request. You'll be briefed inside."

The man's heartbeat was steady but forced. He knew little. Only that he followed orders.

Inside, the chamber was circular—an observation dome reinforced with enchanted crystal, positioned directly beneath the coliseum's central arena. Seated within: Councilor Org, Warrod Sequen, and two senior Rune Knight commanders. Floating lacrima panels projected detailed readings—tracking every magical surge above.

A controlled environment.

A trap disguised as assessment.

Org spoke first as Teresa stepped forward.

"Lady Teresa of Fairy Tail. You've performed well. The public is... impressed."

"The public's entertainment is irrelevant to my contract," Teresa replied, standing without bowing.

Warrod smiled faintly, easing the tension.

"True. But your capabilities have drawn considerable attention—both from our allies... and less desirable parties."

"Raven Fang," Teresa said simply.

The officials exchanged glances.

"You're aware?" Org asked.

"They contacted me this morning."

Org's fingers drummed on the armrest.

"That confirms our suspicions. Your notoriety draws interest far beyond public admiration."

"Do you believe I am vulnerable?" Teresa asked. The faint smile never wavered.

"Not vulnerable," Org answered. "Valuable."

One Rune Knight commander leaned forward.

"Which is why we've arranged a secondary assessment."

"Assessment?"

"A controlled simulation," the commander continued. "An environment where rogue proxies may attempt to test you—under observation."

Teresa's eyes narrowed.

"You are inviting a live ambush."

"We are inviting their confidence," Org corrected coldly. "And observing how far they dare reach."

Warrod added gently:

"Two goals, Lady Teresa: You demonstrate capability within Council oversight, and we allow the underworld to reveal themselves early."

Teresa processed the implications.

The Council was using her as both bait and shield.

In their arrogance, they assumed her compliance.

"If I refuse?"

"You remain free to withdraw," Org said. "But refusal will be noted. Fairy Tail's position remains... fragile."

"You seek to use me as a sword and lure."

"We seek stability before this tournament escalates beyond control," Org answered.

Warrod's voice softened.

"You've walked alone long enough. This world plays by its own tangled rules. Consider this participation, not exploitation."

Teresa stood silent for several breaths.

This world's corruption mirrored her lost world—different masks, same rot.

But one benefit remained:

The real predators would reveal themselves early.

She bowed her head slightly—not submission. Consent.

"Very well."

The trap was set in motion within the hour.

The modified match was presented publicly as:

"Special Battle Simulation: Multi-Opponent Duel — Restricted Environment."

To the audience: another thrilling challenge.

To those beneath: a live controlled hunt.

The arena floor descended into a subterranean chamber—a simulation of ancient ruins. Jagged rock walls, broken stone pillars, and swirling artificial fog created the perfect shadowed battlefield.

The crowd erupted. Betting circles exploded.

Teresa stood alone as the chamber dimmed.

Her voice whispered:

Her senses expanded—reading airflow, energy shifts, and faint disturbances behind the swirling mist.

Her enemies emerged.

Six rogue freelancers—Raven Fang proxies.

Light armor. Quick. Each specialized: elemental saboteurs, kinetic brawlers, arcane disruptors.

They were not here to win outright.

They were here to collect data.

The first moved — launching compressed fireballs.

"Void Sever."

Two arcs of her Claymore sliced through the paired fireballs mid-air. The blasts detonated harmlessly behind her as she glided aside.

The second charged—a kinetic twin-blade user.

"Phantom Step."

She vanished diagonally, leaving only a faint blur. The attacker's blades struck space.

The third hurled a woven arcane net—paralytic threads designed to entangle her nerves.

"Silken Nerve Control."

Her body bent unnaturally, slipping beneath the net's trajectory, rotating on one foot to position behind the kinetic fighter.

Her blade whispered forward.

"Void Sever."

A precise, non-lethal cut severed key tendons. The fighter collapsed, howling.

The remaining attackers faltered.

They regrouped—but Teresa had already read them.

Above, Org watched through the crystal panels.

"She's not even fully engaging."

Warrod smiled faintly.

"She's cataloguing them.

An autopsy is performed while the patient still moves."

"Their employers will watch closely."

"That was always the point."

Below, the rogues prepared their coordinated strike.

Two attacked in tandem—plasma whips lashing forward as fog condensed into binding tendrils.

Teresa advanced.

"Void Sever"

Her blade carved through plasma strands effortlessly.

The fog tendrils snaked low toward her legs—

She rotated upward with a precise twisting leap, landing within arm's reach of the caster.

The blunt flat of her sword tapped the man's temple.

"Yield."

He dropped instantly.

One by one, the rest fell.

Each strike is clean. Surgical. Non-lethal.

Two minutes.

Complete.

The fog dissipated.

The lights rose.

The crowd erupted.

"SILVER-EYED VALKYRIE!

SILVER-EYED VALKYRIE!"

The announcer's voice boomed:

"Victory! Once again, Fairy Tail's Teresa stands undefeated!"

High above, Org exhaled.

"The underworld won't enjoy today's report."

"Nor will they stop," Warrod added softly. "The real ones will dig deeper."

Later, in her private chamber, as the rogue attackers were tended to by medics, Macao entered, concern etched on his face.

"That... was no ordinary match."

"No."

"Council bait?"

"Yes."

"Raven Fang?"

"Yes."

Macao shook his head.

"They're playing a dangerous game, Teresa."

She met his gaze, voice perfectly calm.

"They're not the only ones who know how to hunt."

The faint smile returned.

**The predators had revealed their teeth.

Now it was her turn.**