Chapter 2: Mirajane's Challenge
"The earthquake stopped! Thank goodness!"
"That was terrifying! I've never felt anything like that before. I didn't know Magnolia Town even got earthquakes."
"At least it passed quickly and wasn't too strong, or we'd really be in trouble!"
Makarov leaped up and smacked Dino on the head, barking, "Dino! You brat! Didn't I tell you to hold back?! Are you trying to bring down the entire guild?!"
Dino's face twisted into an aggrieved expression. "I only used one hand and controlled my power as much as I could! Those cracks are from cheap construction, not me. Don't pin this on me, old man."
The other guild members froze as realization dawned. What were the odds? The new kid was about to demonstrate his magic right when an earthquake hit. Macao's face went pale. "Wait, Master… are you saying that earthquake was actually…"
Makarov's expression turned grim as he nodded. "That's right. The magic Dino possesses is Tremor Magic, a form of Lost Magic capable of generating earthquakes and tsunamis. What you just felt was merely a fraction of his power. In the wrong hands, this magic could devastate the entire world."
Stunned silence fell over the guild. Shockwaves wasn't completely unheard of—plenty of mages could generate shockwaves strong enough to shatter boulders or even mountains. But this? This was something else entirely.
Magic that could destroy the world sounded like fantasy, but after experiencing that earthquake firsthand, after feeling that primal helplessness against a force of nature… if this kid truly mastered his abilities, the thought wasn't so far-fetched anymore.
"Unbelievable!"
"Magic like that actually exists?!"
"Master, where did you even find this monster of a recruit?!"
"That's our Master for you!"
The guild members stared at Dino with new eyes. He looked like an ordinary teenager, but appearances were deceiving. This was clearly S-Class potential, maybe even S-Class strength already.
Makarov puffed out his chest at the praise. "Hmph! My eye for talent is flawless, after all! Hahahaha!"
Everyone gathered around as Makarov recounted how he'd discovered Dino. He'd been passing through an isolated mountain village when locals mentioned something strange: over a dozen earthquakes in half a month, all during daylight hours. Never at night. Many villagers had fled, but some stayed, hoping the tremors would eventually stop.
The pattern was too odd to ignore. Earthquakes that only happened during the day? What kind of natural disaster kept a sleep schedule?
Curious, Makarov tracked the epicenter deep into the mountains. What he found was Dino, and the landscape surrounding him told a story more frightening than any natural disaster. Mountains riddled with fissures. Shattered earth stretching in every direction. Forest reduced to splinters.
Had he not witnessed it himself, Makarov would have assumed a cataclysm had struck. To discover it was all the result of one child practicing magic? He knew immediately he had to bring this boy to Fairy Tail.
Partly to strengthen the guild, yes, but also to prevent someone with that kind of destructive potential from falling into the wrong hands. If dark guilds or the Magic Council's enemies got hold of him, the consequences would be catastrophic. Someone needed to guide this power toward the light.
After some persuading (and perhaps a bit of manipulation), Makarov succeeded in recruiting Dino. Deep down, he'd felt rather heroic about it, like he'd saved the world.
"Hey! You're Dino, right?! Fight me! I'll show you who the strongest mage in Fairy Tail really is!"
"Mirajane!"
While everyone was still processing the terrifying scope of Dino's magic, Mirajane pushed through the crowd and planted herself in front of him, issuing her challenge. Her hot-blooded temperament was legendary throughout the guild.
She loved fighting, loved proclaiming herself the strongest, and loved being the top dog among the younger generation.
First meeting or not, newcomer or not, the strength he'd just displayed threatened her position at the top. She had to put him in his place immediately.
Dino studied Mirajane carefully. This version of her was nothing like the sweet, motherly barmaid from the later timeline. Right now she was all rebellion and aggression, dressed like a delinquent, radiating combative energy. He'd arrived too early in the timeline. He much preferred the gentle Mirajane from the future, but this wild version? Completely outside his comfort zone.
"Ooh! A battle for the strongest of the young generation!"
"The strongest new recruit versus the strongest girl! This is gonna be good!"
"Go, Mira! Show the newbie what Fairy Tail's made of!"
As the crowd worked themselves into a frenzy, Dino slowly raised one hand. "Um… I don't fight girls." He paused, then muttered under his breath, "Well, except in one particular context."