Fairy Tail: Threads of Infinity

One Day Later — Behind Fairy Tail Guild Hall

The so-called *training ground* behind Fairy Tail wasn't much to look at. It was just a forest clearing, really. Trees torn to shreds, ground split and cracked like someone had picked a fight with the earth itself, and rocks lying around like innocent casualties. It smelled like old battles and new tension.

And today, the tension was thicker than usual. Like... way thicker. You could almost *feel* it clinging to your skin.

Because today wasn't just training.

No.

Today was a test.

At the far end of the clearing, stood Erza Scarlet.The Titania, Queen of Fairies. Clad in her sleek and deadly *Heart Kreuz Armor*, she looked like a goddess who'd wandered down from the heavens to deliver judgement on mortals. Her sword shimmered with that crisp *shiiing* sound that all cool swords make, and her eyes—oh man—those eyes could freeze a volcano.

Across from her, Shinra just... stood there. Hands in his coat pockets. That same calm, cool expression he always wore. Like he was bored.

"Yo," Shinra called out casually, tilting his head just a little to the side. "You sure about this? I mean, I'm like… the new guy. Might end up tripping and humiliating myself in front of the class."

He smirked.

Erza didn't even blink. "This isn't about humiliating you. This is about understanding."

Whoa. Okay.

Shinra's smile twitched. "Right, right. Understanding. So... what, you wanna test me?"

Erza stepped forward. The tip of her sword scraped along the ground like it had something to say. "You can think of it like that, I want to know if you're one of us… or a wolf wearing sheep's clothing."

Daaamn. That was deep.

Shinra exhaled through his nose, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Harsh, but fair."

Spectators gathered at the edges of the clearing. Natsu had already started bouncing in place like a hyperactive puppy. Lucy looked nervous. Gray crossed his arms like this was going to be no big deal. Mirajane sat on a log, smiling mysteriously. And Makarov? He was sitting on a barrel, drinking sake like this was just another Tuesday.

"Alright then," Shinra muttered under his breath, cracking his knuckles. "Let's... understand each other."

----

There was no warning.

She moved like a red flash of divine steel—her sword arcing through the air at Shinra's torso like it wanted blood.

*BOOOM—*

Wait, no, not boom.

*CLANG!*

That's what echoed out when her blade slammed into... nothing?

Her sword stopped just a hair away from Shinra's side, frozen in place like it hit an invisible wall of air.

Erza narrowed her eyes. "...An absolute defense?"

Shinra yawned,"Something like that. I call it *Infinity*. Things slow down before they reach me. Technically, your sword never actually made contact."

"So a cheat skill," Erza muttered, eyes sharp.

She didn't waste time.

*Flash!*

**Heaven's Wheel Armor!**

Boom—blades spiraled around her like an angry tornado. She launched herself into the air, screaming, "*Circle Slash!*"

Dozens of blades—no, *hundreds*, probably—rained down on Shinra like a divine punishment from above.

Lucy screamed. "SHINRA, MOVE—!"

But Shinra… didn't.

Instead…

*Infinity expanded.*

The blades froze midair. Literally. They wobbled in place like they were trapped in jelly. Everyone watching held their breath.

Then Shinra just raised two fingers like he was flicking away a mosquito.

**Cursed Technique Reversal: Red.**

*BOOOOOOOOOM!*

A red shockwave blasted outward. The swords flew backward like they'd been launched from a cannon, slamming into trees, mountains, probably another dimension—who knows.

Erza flipped in the air with unnatural grace, dodging her own blades as if she was dancing with death itself.

She landed—bam!—and immediately switched.

**Flight Armor!**

Speed Mode: Activated.

She zipped across the field faster than most eyes could follow.

Shinra didn't move.

Slash! Slash! SLASH!

Erza's swordplay was beautiful. Every swing had purpose. Grace. Precision.

And still...

She. Couldn't. Touch. Him.

"IS THIS ALL YOU ARE?!" she yelled, frustration leaking into her usually composed voice. "JUST A WALL?!"

Shinra's smile vanished.

He disappeared.

*Wait, what?!*

Suddenly—he was behind her.

No flashy teleport. No sound cue. Just—teleported like it was nothing.

"Not a wall," he whispered, right into her ear. "A blade you never see."

She turned. Too slow.

Her sword was smacked aside like a toy. Then—

**Tap.**

His palm landed on her shoulder, feather-light.

**Cursed Energy Flow: Soft Touch.**

*BOOOOOOM!*

Behind her, the air *exploded* in a massive trench of kinetic destruction, ripping through trees like paper.

The audience was stunned.

"Holy crap…" Gray muttered, blinking.

"I wanna fight him next!" Natsu shouted, fire already igniting around him.

Erza landed, panting slightly. Her eyes glimmered with something between admiration and... challenge.

"You held back," she said.

"Yup" Shinra replied with a smile.

"Then stop holding back!"

**Black Wing Armor — FULL POWER MODE**

Wings flared. Her sword was thunder in her hands. She *charged*—an unstoppable force.

Shinra didn't dodge.

**Domain Fragment: Engage.**

His hand met her sword.

And stopped it.

The earth split beneath them. Pressure radiated from him like a god had just woken up for breakfast.

Erza gasped. Her whole soul could feel the difference now.

This was what true strength felt like.

Shinra stepped in close. "I'm not your enemy."

"I have to be sure," she murmured.

"You already are."

They stood locked for what felt like an eternity.

And then—

Her sword lowered.

"I yield," she said softly.

The crowd lost it.

"WHAT?!" Lucy gasped.

Mira smiled knowingly.

Makarov sipped his drink and nodded like a wise old master.

Natsu was already halfway to charging Shinra. "MY TURN!"

Erza took a slow step back and gave a deep, proper bow. "You're not a pretender. I'm sorry for doubting you."

Shinra returned the bow, just a little. "I'm not trying to take anyone's place. I just… want to belong."

And for once, Erza smiled.

"Then welcome to Fairy Tail, Shinra."

---

Later That Night...

The stars above Magnolia sparkled like crystals scattered across the void. Shinra sat alone on the roof of the guild hall, legs crossed, head tilted back. The sounds of laughter and music drifted up from below. He had been accepted. He was one of them now.

Suddenly he heard sound of footsteps. Quiet. Barely audible.

He didn't turn. "You didn't come up here to scold me, did you?"

Mirajane laughed softly.

"You still didn't use your full power, did you?"

He turned his head just a little, just enough to see her standing there—breeze tugging at her skirt, moonlight kissing her silver-white hair.

"No," he admitted.

"You still won. Scared half of the guild members senseless," she teased.

"I scare everyone eventually."

Mira sat beside him, knees pulled up, smile playing on her lips. "Not me."

That made him pause.

He turned.

Her smile didn't fade, but her eyes… there was something deep there. Pain. History. A kind of strength that had nothing to do with magic.

He looked away.

"You should," he said quietly.

But she didn't reply. Just leaned on her knees and looked out at the sky with him.

And maybe…

Just maybe…

For the first time in forever, Shinra felt like he was starting to breathe.

Something was beginning.