Eshu moved through Magnolia like a quiet storm.
From one minor problem to the next, he was a model of focused efficiency.
He retrieved a lost locket from the branches of a tree in South Gate Park for a tearful elderly woman (a combination of parkour knowledge and understanding wind patterns made it simple).
He delivered a series of delicate crystal goblets from the glassblower to Hotel Latham without a single chip (his sense of balance and micro-control of his movements were flawless).
He cleared a magically overgrown drain near Strawberry Street that had been causing minor flooding (understanding the magical flora involved allowed him to neutralize it without damaging the surrounding infrastructure).
He even re-shelved a chaotic section of rare tomes in Book Land, earning the bewildered gratitude of the flustered owner (his ability to instantly recognize and sort any organizational system was key).
Each task was completed with a speed and precision that was almost unnerving to onlookers.
His "ancient" sword and shield made brief, almost perfunctory appearances, typically to deal with minor pests or clear obstructions. No grand magic, no destructive force. Just quiet competence.
Unbeknownst to him initially, his whirlwind of activity hadn't gone entirely unnoticed by his guildmates.
Natsu and Happy, on their way to "find some excitement" (which usually meant Natsu picking a fight), spotted Eshu calmly negotiating the return of a stolen (and subsequently lost by the thief) ornamental garden gnome.
"Hey, isn't that the new guy?" Natsu squinted. "What's he doin' with Old Man Tibbs's gnome?"
"Aye, sir!" Happy chirped, munching on a fish. "He looks like he's… working?"
They watched, puzzled, as Eshu handed over the gnome, received a signature, and then sprinted off with surprising speed towards his next objective.
Later, Macao and Wakaba, taking a "supervisory stroll" (which was their excuse for a smoke break away from the guild), saw Eshu efficiently dispatching a swarm of oversized, magically-enhanced wasps that had nested in the rafters of the Magnolia Bakery. He used no fire, no smoke, just a series of precise strikes with the flat of his rusted blade, grounding them without a single sting delivered or pastry harmed.
"Huh," Macao grunted, impressed despite himself. "Kid's quick. And quiet. Not very Fairy Tail, but effective."
Wakaba nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Gets the job done, that's for sure."
Team Shadow Gear – Levy, Jet, and Droy – encountered him while they were researching a particularly cryptic request. They saw Eshu calmly reasoning with two feuding neighbors whose magical lawn ornaments had animated and were currently engaged in a slow-motion pebble-throwing war. He somehow de-escalated the situation, got the ornaments to stand down (how, they weren't sure), and had both parties shaking hands, all within minutes.
Levy watched with wide eyes. "He didn't even use any visible magic…"
Jet scratched his head. "Yeah, but he moved like a blur when he separated those fighting flowerpots."
Droy just munched on a snack, impressed by the sheer number of job slips Eshu seemed to be carrying.
By mid-day, Eshu had systematically worked his way through every single Magnolia-based request on the board.
The town, as a collective, was buzzing with stories of the polite, incredibly efficient new Fairy Tail mage who seemed to be everywhere at once, solving problems with quiet competence.
He walked back into the Fairy Tail guild hall.
It was livelier now, lunch hour in full swing.
He approached the bar where Mirajane was expertly handling a flurry of food and drink orders.
He placed the thick stack of completed, signed job slips before her. Every single one he had taken that morning.
"All done, Mirajane."
Mirajane paused, holding a tray laden with pies. Her eyes widened as she took in the entire stack.
"Already? Eshu, you took… all of them. And it's barely lunchtime!"
A hush fell over the nearby tables. Natsu, Gray, Erza, Levy – those who had seen glimpses of his work – looked over with renewed interest.
Mirajane began to go through the slips, her initial surprise turning into growing astonishment. Each one was properly signed, often with grateful little notes from the clients. Some even detailed bonuses paid for unexpected extra service or advice.
She started to tally the rewards.
The numbers climbed rapidly.
5,000 Jewels here. 3,000 there. 10,000 for a slightly more complex one. Small amounts individually, but collectively…
Finally, she looked up, a look of genuine shock on her face.
"Eshu… the total reward for all of these jobs comes to… two hundred and thirty-nine thousand, five hundred Jewels."
A collective gasp went through the section of the guild within earshot.
That was a significant sum for half a day's work, especially from what were considered minor, local tasks.
"Plus," Mirajane added, a broad smile now spreading across her face, "it seems you've made quite a positive impression on the entire town. The notes here are full of praise. 'So helpful,' 'incredibly fast,' 'a true professional.' Fairy Tail's reputation in Magnolia has certainly had a boost today!"
Eshu simply nodded. "Good."
Two hundred thirty-nine thousand, five hundred Jewels. And a town full of amicable residents.
All before lunch.
He hadn't even needed to use any of his more impressive enchantments.
Efficiency has its own rewards.
He could feel the eyes of his guildmates on him. Surprise. Curiosity. Respect.
Natsu looked like he was trying to figure out how fighting could have solved those problems faster. Erza gave a small, almost imperceptible nod of approval. Levy was already whispering excitedly to Jet and Droy.
Eshu felt a quiet sense of satisfaction.
He had demonstrated competence. He had acquired resources. He had integrated himself further into this new environment.
And it was only mid-day.
———
With his earnings secured, Eshu excused himself from the bustling guild hall.
He found a quiet eatery, not the cheapest, but one known for quality food – his enhanced senses and absorbed knowledge guided him well in such matters.
He ate a sensible, nutritious meal. He wasn't one for celebratory feasts, just fuel for the tasks ahead.
Food. Shelter. These were practical necessities.
The reputation was a bonus. The money was a tool.
After his meal, he sought out lodging. Not a room at an inn, but something more permanent, more his own.
His exploration of Magnolia had already identified several potential locations.
He found himself drawn to a quieter district by the riverside, away from the town center's immediate hustle but still within easy walking distance of the guild.
There, he found a small apartment building managed by a kind-faced elderly woman, Mrs. Gable, whose smile lines spoke of a life well-lived.
The apartment she showed him was modest but clean, with a decent view of the slow-moving river. It had a small kitchenette, a sleeping area, and a separate washroom.
It was perfect. A blank slate, much like his guild mark.
They discussed terms. The rent was reasonable.
Eshu didn't haggle.
"I'll take it," he said. "I'd like to pay for three months in advance."
Mrs. Gable's eyes widened slightly at the offer. "Oh, my! Well, that's certainly… secure of you, young man."
He counted out the 210,000 Jewels. A significant portion of his day's earnings, but a worthwhile investment for peace and a stable base of operations.
The paperwork was simple. Mrs. Gable, pleased with such a responsible new tenant, even offered him some freshly baked cookies, which he accepted with polite thanks.
Unseen by Eshu, in the threads of fate yet to be woven, the apartment next to his, currently vacant, held a different destiny. A year from this day, it would be occupied by a spirited blonde Celestial Wizard named Lucy Heartfilia, whose arrival would, in its own way, bring a new kind of chaos and camaraderie into his life. But that future was still a distant whisper.
For now, the apartment was just his.
With the remaining Jewels from his morning's work – a comfortable but not extravagant sum – he purchased basic essentials.
Bedding. Some simple cookware. Cleaning supplies. A sturdy table and chair.
He didn't need much. His Requip space held his true tools. This was just for living.
He set up his new room with the same quiet efficiency he applied to everything else.
Everything had its place. Order from potential chaos.
Finally, with his new living space established and his immediate needs met, Eshu felt the pull of the night's interrupted rest.
The intensive swimming. The hours spent mastering Requip and developing his deceptive enchantment style. It had been an overnight session of intense mental and physical exertion.
His body, though resilient, needed recovery.
He lay down on his new, simple bed.
The gentle sounds of the river drifted through the open window.
The soft murmur of Magnolia life outside.
He closed his eyes.
Sleep claimed him quickly. A deep, dreamless rest.
The quiet hum of a new life settling around him.
A base established. Resources acquired.
The next steps were already forming in his mind, even as he slept.
But for now, Eshu Dio rested.
———
Back in the bustling Fairy Tail guild hall, later that afternoon, Erza Scarlet approached the bar.
The initial buzz from Eshu's mass job completion had died down somewhat, but a current of impressed curiosity still lingered among the members.
Mirajane was polishing a glass, her usual serene smile in place.
"Mirajane," Erza began, her tone typically direct but with an undercurrent of inquiry.
"Erza! Can I get you something? Another slice of cake, perhaps?" Mirajane offered cheerfully.
Erza waved a hand dismissively, though her eyes flickered briefly towards the cake display. "Later, perhaps. I was… curious about Eshu."
Mirajane's smile gained a knowing edge. "He certainly made an impression today, didn't he?"
"His efficiency in completing those tasks," Erza continued, "all the Magnolia local requests, in such a short time. It's unusual."
"Unusual, yes, but also quite remarkable," Mirajane agreed, setting down the glass. "The clients were all very pleased. No complaints, only praise. And all tasks verifiably completed to a high standard."
Erza nodded slowly. "I saw him briefly. He seemed… methodical."
That was an understatement. The brief glimpses she'd caught showed a level of focus and precise action that was rare, even among seasoned mages.
"May I see the record book?" Erza asked. "The one where you log the job assignments and completions."
"Of course," Mirajane said, reaching under the counter and producing a large, well-worn ledger. She opened it to the most recent entries, a whole section now dominated by Eshu's name.
Erza leaned over the bar, her keen eyes scanning the neat script detailing each job Eshu had undertaken.
Job title. Client name. Listed reward. Time of acceptance. Time of completion. Notes from Mirajane.
The entries were stark in their uniformity.
"Exterminate Giant Horned Rabbits – Client: Giles. Accepted: 09:15. Completed: 09:40. Notes: Client very satisfied, bonus paid for advice on pest prevention."
"Retrieve Lost Locket – Client: Elara. Accepted: 09:45. Completed: 10:05. Notes: Client overjoyed."
"Repair Magically Disturbed Drain – Client: Magnolia Municipal Works. Accepted: 10:10. Completed: 10:35. Notes: Problem solved with no collateral damage, swift work."
On and on it went.
A dozen, then two dozen entries. All under Eshu Dio's name. All completed within minutes, or at most, half an hour of acceptance.
The sheer volume, cleared in a single morning, was one thing.
The consistent positive feedback and lack of any reported issues were another.
Erza's gaze lingered on the details. She noted the small bonuses, the unsolicited commendations.
This wasn't just about speed. It was about competence. Thoroughness.
"He used no significant magic that anyone reported," Erza mused aloud, more to herself than Mirajane. "His gear appeared old, almost derelict, from what I saw in our spar and what others mentioned."
Mirajane nodded. "That seems to be his style. Very understated. Macao mentioned he dealt with those magical wasps at the bakery with just his sword, no flames or anything."
Erza tapped a finger on the ledger. "He defeated me in single combat, disarming me while I was using Flame Empress Armor. He claimed his enchantments were rudimentary."
Her mind was piecing things together.
The skill he'd shown against her was undeniable. Deadly precision.
Now, this display of incredible efficiency in mundane, practical tasks.
It painted a picture of someone with a broad and deeply ingrained skill set, far beyond what one might expect from a newcomer with apparently substandard equipment.
The "rudimentary" enchantments he'd used against her had been just enough. Perhaps he hadn't needed more. Or perhaps, he was deliberately understating his capabilities.
"He learns quickly," Erza stated, a hint of respect in her voice. "And applies that learning effectively."
Mirajane smiled. "He does seem to be a very capable individual. And quite polite, too, which is a refreshing change from some of the others after a party."
Erza straightened up, her expression thoughtful.
Eshu Dio was an enigma.
His understated approach, combined with the clear evidence of his superior abilities, intrigued her.
He wasn't flashy like Natsu, or stoic like Gray in his own way. He was… something different.
Quietly formidable.
"Thank you, Mirajane," Erza said, her assessment complete for now.
She walked away from the bar, her mind already filing away this new information about their newest guild member.
Fairy Tail attracted all sorts.
But Eshu Dio, she suspected, was going to be a particularly interesting one to watch.
His potential seemed vast. And largely untapped.
Or perhaps, very deliberately controlled.