The guild hall of Fairy Tail buzzed with chaotic energy. Wizards brawled on one side while another table erupted into laughter over spilled ale. Ren sat stiffly near the back, a cup of water in his hand, watching everything with wide, careful eyes.
Despite having received the guild mark not even an hour ago, he already felt the weight of every stare. It wasn't just that he was new—new kids joined all the time. No, it was the way the other wizards felt when they looked at him. Like a chill down their spines. A cold gust that swept through the warmth of the room.
> "There's something strange about that one."
"His magic… It's like it eats the air."
"He doesn't feel like a wizard. He feels… empty."
Erza, sitting across from him, said nothing. She was quiet, eyes flicking around the room, always alert. Ren had learned she wasn't big on small talk. But unlike the others, she didn't flinch when she sat near him. That, somehow, meant more than words.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke through the noise.
"Who's the new guy?!"
A pink-haired boy burst through the crowd, scarf trailing behind him. His grin was wide, and a tiny blue cat with wings hovered beside him.
"Natsu," Erza muttered. "Of course."
Ren blinked. Natsu Dragneel. And that must be—
"Aye, sir!" the cat added, flapping enthusiastically.
—Happy.
Natsu dropped into the seat next to Ren without hesitation. "I heard you've got weird magic. What is it? Fire? Lightning? You gonna fight me?"
Happy nodded. "He looks kinda gloomy. Maybe he uses Shadow Magic!"
Ren looked between the two, completely thrown off by the boy's energy. "I… don't really know what it is yet. I think it's some kind of… Anti-Magic."
Natsu blinked. "What, like anti-magic? That's not even a thing."
Ren shrugged. "Tell that to the wolves I disintegrated last night with my bare hands."
Natsu's eyes lit up like a challenge had just been thrown. "You're lying."
"I'm not."
"Then let's fight!"
Before Ren could even process what was happening, Natsu had already slammed both fists onto the table, sending silverware flying.
Makarov's voice bellowed from above. "No fights inside the guild, Natsu!"
"C'mon, just a tiny one!" Natsu protested, flames igniting around his fists. "I gotta know if he's strong!"
Ren sighed and stood. He wasn't scared—just tired already.
"Fine," he muttered. "But outside."
---
The courtyard behind Fairy Tail was large, open, and reinforced with enough magical wards to withstand several young hotheads blowing each other up. It was practically built for situations like this.
A crowd quickly gathered—Gray, Cana, Macao, even Mirajane watched with curious eyes.
"Place your bets, boys!" Max called out, grinning. "My money's on Natsu!"
Ren stood on one end, arms relaxed. Natsu bounced on his toes like a boxer ready to pounce.
"You ready?" Natsu grinned.
Ren exhaled slowly. "Not really."
Too late.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu rushed in, flame-wrapped fist heading straight for Ren's face. The crowd gasped as the fire collided—
—and vanished.
Not exploded. Not blocked. Just… extinguished.
Natsu's eyes widened as his fist passed through harmlessly, the flames dying in the air. A black mist had surrounded Ren at the last second, swallowing the magic like a vacuum.
"What the—?!"
Ren stepped back, raising a hand. Dark tendrils of smoky energy curled around his arm like living shadows.
"I told you," he said quietly. "My magic… cancels yours."
With a sudden flick, the tendrils lashed forward—not to hurt, but to wrap around Natsu's arm. The moment they made contact, Natsu stumbled. His flames dimmed instantly.
"I can nullify magic," Ren continued, "especially Dragon Slayer magic. It's… instinctual."
The crowd murmured in confusion. Some were in awe. Others were scared.
Gray stepped forward. "That's not normal magic. That's like—"
"—some kind of Slayer magic," Macao finished. "But… reversed."
Makarov, who had been watching silently from above, nodded to himself.
> Anti-Dragon Slayer Magic. Thought extinct. Thought forbidden…
Erza stared hard at Ren, her fists clenched.
Natsu growled and tried to summon fire again, but it sputtered the moment he got close. "That's not fair!" he shouted. "Magic's supposed to clash! Not disappear!"
Ren slowly released the tendrils. "Fair or not, I don't choose how this power works."
The mist retreated into his arm, the glowing sigil fading to a dull blue-black. Natsu stumbled back, shaking out his hands.
"Okay," he muttered. "That was… kinda cool."
Ren blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You suck at fighting," Natsu said bluntly, "but that magic's crazy. When you learn to control it, we're fighting for real."
Happy zipped around him. "Aye! Just don't make the fire go away next time!"
The tension broke. The crowd began to laugh, some cheering. Ren exhaled slowly, some knot in his chest finally loosening.
---
Later that night, as the guild hall quieted, Ren sat at the same table, rubbing the mark on his arm. Makarov approached and took a seat beside him.
"You're not from here, are you?" the old master asked.
Ren froze. "…What makes you say that?"
"That magic of yours. It doesn't belong in this world. It feels like a weapon forged to erase part of what this world is made of."
Ren said nothing.
"I don't know where you came from," Makarov continued, "and I won't ask until you're ready. But hear this—your magic is dangerous. Not just to others, but to yourself."
Ren nodded. "I know."
"But," Makarov said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "you're a member of Fairy Tail now. And no matter how heavy that magic becomes… you won't carry it alone."
For a moment, Ren couldn't speak. No one had ever said something like that to him before. Not in his old life. Not in his new one. Until now.
"…Thank you, Master."
Makarov smiled. "Get some sleep, Dragonless Slayer. Tomorrow, your real training begins."