Fairy Tail: The Faint Smile in Earthland

📍 Crocus — Domus Flau Arena

📅 July X791

The air still felt heavy after Lucy's fall—like the whole stadium hadn't quite shaken off the ache. But the show had to go on, and slowly, the crowd stirred again. Cheers picked up, a little hesitant at first, then louder as the next matchup lit up the screens.

Toby Horhorta from Lamia Scale versus Kurohebi of Raven Tail.

The cameras zoomed in on Toby's eager grin. He bounced in place like an overexcited puppy, his long hair flopping wildly with each jump.

"I'm gonna win! And then I'll find my lost sock! YEAH!"

His voice boomed awkwardly across the arena, echoing off stone walls.

A wave of confused laughter swept through the crowd. Even the more stoic guild members cracked reluctant smiles.

In Fairy Tail's booth, Makarov blinked. "Did he just say… sock?"

Levy nearly choked on her snack, clutching her sides. "He's serious! He lost one last year—still hasn't given up looking for it!"

Jet and Droy howled with laughter, nearly falling out of their seats.

Mavis floated nearby, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Her shoulders trembled with light giggles.

"Such a tiny thing," she said, eyes warm. "And yet… it echoes through him so clearly."

Up in the observation booth, Teresa remained silent, eyes fixed on the field.

Macao glanced at her, expecting some biting comment.

Instead, she tilted her head slightly.

"A sock as motivation," she murmured. "Trivial… but unclouded. There's a kind of resilience in holding fast to something that small."

Macao blinked. That wasn't sarcasm. It was… genuine.

Kinana muffled a laugh behind her hand, sneaking a glance at Teresa with something close to wonder.

On the field, the match began.

Toby charged with wild energy, shouting about his sock between exaggerated swings. Kurohebi moved like a shadow given shape—slippery, silent, and always just out of reach.

"You lost it because you're too weak to hold onto anything," Kurohebi sneered, his hair trailing behind like living smoke.

Toby paused mid-spin. "T-That's not true! Socks have feelings too!"

The stadium burst into laughter. It wasn't mockery—just raw amusement, the kind that bubbles up whether you want it to or not.

Teresa's eyes didn't waver, but her tone shifted—less like a commander dissecting a battle, more like a curious observer watching something new unfold.

"Erratic stance. Weak guard. Poor form," she noted quietly. "But… oddly unshaken."

Back in the booth, Levy was wheezing from laughter. Makarov wiped his eyes, trying to regain composure.

Mavis floated higher, her voice gentle.

"Even a missing sock can give someone the courage to stand their ground."

Toby, unfortunately, tripped over his momentum. He face-planted with a dull thud. Kurohebi wasted no time—his shadows coiled tight around Toby's limbs.

"Winner: Kurohebi of Raven Tail!" the referee called.

Applause came in patches. A few cheers. A few shrugs. Most just kept laughing.

Toby sat up, dirt on his nose, eyes watery. "I'll find it… no matter what."

Kurohebi shook his head and stalked off.

The next few matches flew by in a blur—quick spells, loud mistakes, and plenty of absurdity.

One Blue Pegasus brawler tried to flirt mid-battle… and got punched so hard he spun like a top.

A Quatro Cerberus illusionist conjured a dragon so terrifying he scared himself, screamed, and forfeited on the spot.

Teresa, still unmoved, watched it all with quiet precision.

"Distractions. Inefficient," she murmured. "But these small echoes… they keep the blade from going dull."

Macao chuckled. "Even warriors need to laugh sometimes, right?"

She didn't reply. But her fingers shifted slightly, like they were adjusting a blade no one could see. And for a moment—a heartbeat, maybe—there was something like a smile.

Kinana leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper.

"I think even you need a little laughter now and then."

Teresa didn't respond. But she didn't look away either.

Back in Fairy Tail's booth, the laughter eventually faded. Levy wiped her eyes, still smiling. Makarov leaned back, letting out a long, contented sigh.

Mavis hovered above them, calm and glowing.

"Laughter keeps the bonds from breaking," she said softly. "Sometimes, one silly moment can echo longer than a battle cry."

The screens above the arena shifted again, this time revealing the next serious match. The audience sat up straighter. The atmosphere began to shift.

But the lightness lingered—soft, glowing, and strangely strong.

And high above them all, Teresa continued to watch.

She cataloged patterns. Noted weaknesses. Calculated risks.

But deep within those silver eyes, a flicker of warmth danced—just faint enough to miss, just strong enough to stay.

Another smile, small and hidden, curved at the edge of her mouth.

And then it disappeared.