The mages of Fairy Tail fought without rest. As I played, Reed and Loke stood guard, making sure no one interrupted the song. My hands moved across the chords with precise rhythm.
I sped up the tempo and added a small riff, something I'd been trying to pull off, though I still wasn't entirely sure how to do these things.
Then again... I'm not even sure how I've been able to play any of these songs. I just... know the chords, know how to play them. Maybe I really am dreaming.
The shadows attacking the guild began to weaken, their intensity fading. Some even dissolved into wisps of purple smoke.
Fairy Tail gained ground, holding the enemy back from collapsing the guild. Cana managed to destroy the battering rams that had been seconds away from smashing into the wall.
An explosion rang out from the enemy guild's flank, followed by a powerful burst of flames. Natsu's voice roared through the battlefield: "How's that, you scum?!"
I kept playing, this time with greater intensity. The rhythm could still be better. The song originally lasted only two minutes, but I was trying to stretch it with my ability, though I could feel the energy draining. I couldn't hold it much longer.
The battle was nearly over.
"Hey kid, that song sounds great. What's it called?" someone asked as they approached.
Without looking away and with the music still burning in my chest, I answered: "Well… it couldn't be called anything else. This is the Fairy Tail Theme."
"Heh. Hahaha! Good name. Wanna join the guild?" the voice continued.
I turned to see who it was, and froze. Master Makarov stood there, smiling, wisps of magic drifting off his body. I was stunned for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it and kept playing. The song was almost over.
"If you'll have me, Master… I'd love to," I said, smiling.
And with the last of my strength, I finished the theme. The enemy guild trembled violently and collapsed in half.
Cheers erupted all around. I took off my guitar and looked toward the Master again, but he was already gone.
My magic was spent. My body felt heavy. The enemies dissolved into smoke and vanished, signaling Fairy Tail's victory.
The wind began to howl out of nowhere. Clouds made a circle above us, forming a massive opening in the sky. In that moment, I felt insignificant, like a speck caught in the eye of a storm.
But I wasn't afraid. I knew that power wasn't our enemy. It was our ally. Our guide. The strength of the guild… and soon, the strength that would protect me too.
"So this is Fairy Law," I whispered.
The next moment, a blinding light exploded across the battlefield. I had to shut my eyes.
When the brightness faded. The oppressive weight in the air was gone. Many mages had collapsed from exhaustion, but most were still conscious.
Reed dropped his spell, and the magic megaphone vanished into sparkles. Loke spotted Lucy approaching and bolted in the opposite direction.
Erza and the others moved toward the remaining Fairy Tail mages. Cheers erupted. Victory filled the air. Mirajane seemed distant, her eyes searching the wreckage, while Elfman stood still, quietly staring at his arms, deep in thought.
Erza turned to me and walked over. "You're the music mage, right? You helped us a lot in this fight. What's your name?"
I looked her in the eyes and replied, "My name is Ren Cadence. Ren is..."
"Tempo!" someone suddenly shouted from behind. I turned and saw Natsu grinning, waving a bruised arm in the air.
"That was your rhythm out there, wasn't it? Felt like my fire had a heartbeat! Gotta call you something. Ren's too calm. You're Tempo now!"
A few others chuckled or nodded in agreement. Some smiled, others looked at me with wary curiosity. A few muttered about how I'd made them look ridiculous during the battle, which, to be fair… I kind of did.
I blinked, surprised, then let out a tired laugh. "Tempo, huh? I can live with that."
A light chuckle joined mine from behind.
I turned and saw Master Makarov walking slowly toward us, his usual tiny stature now carrying the weight of quiet strength and pride. His robe fluttered with the last whispers of released magic, and though he looked exhausted, his smile was firm.
"So… you're the one who's been making all that noise," he said, crossing his arms. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
I straightened up as best I could, trying not to show how much my legs were trembling."I... thank you, sir. I just wanted to help."
Makarov glanced at the others, watching as the Fairy Tail mages laughed, hugged, and shouted through the rubble."You did more than that. You lifted their spirits when it counted most. A good fight needs strength… but a great fight? It needs heart. And music, apparently."
He looked back at me, then extended a small hand. "Ren Cadence, or Tempo, or whatever they'll call you from now on… if you want it, there's a place for you in Fairy Tail."
I felt my chest tighten, and for a moment, the world went quiet. My hands still tingled from the strings. My voice caught. "I… I'd be honored, Master."
He grinned. "Good. Forget the paperwork, that can wait. For now, welcome to our home."
Cheers erupted again nearby as Gray dumped a bucket of water on Natsu, who immediately started yelling. Lucy groaned and chased after them, and Happy flew past me, holding a fish and singing.
I looked around.
This chaotic, ridiculous, magical place…
It already felt like home.
Voices rose around me, mages shouting requests, asking me to play something to celebrate, but their words felt distant."Maybe I used too much magic…" I thought, my eyelids heavy. "I feel... weak."
My knees buckled.
Erza, Gray, and Natsu rushed to catch me before I hit the ground, but before they could reach me, my body dissolved into a wisp of light.
Mirajane's eyes widened in shock. Panic flashing across her face, she ran to where I had stood, hands glowing as she scanned the magic left behind.
The others looked on, confused and silent. But Mira whispered one word, almost too quietly to hear: "Lisanna…"
....
Meanwhile, I woke up staring at my computer screen.
"Huh!? What the?"
On the screen, the title of my assignment glowed: 'What did the composer feel while writing this piece?'I let out a soft laugh. "If only I could actually feel what I just felt in that dream…"
Stretching, I leaned back in my chair and sighed loudly. "Man, what a dream!"
Just then, a high-pitched beep echoed in my mind. A glowing screen materialized in mid-air in front of me.
Acquired:
Novice Composer
Acoustic Guitar +2
Vocals +1
Song Lyrics Memory +1
"…What the hell?"