The morning over Magnolia was glowing with a soft gold, yet the air carried a tension that hummed beneath the usual guild bustle. The victory against the Rank S mage had shaken the region, but for Thomas, it was only the beginning. As he stepped into the guild hall, he sensed the shift—curiosity, admiration, and a whisper of something more primal lingering in the gazes of the women around him.
He was changing. Stronger. Sharper. More attuned to every breath, every movement, every spark of synergy flowing from the women closest to him. And the system pulsed in agreement, windows flickering faintly in the corner of his vision:
System Alert: Synergy Threshold Reached. New Module Unlocked — Intimacy Resonance Training (IRT).
Thomas inhaled slowly, steadying his heartbeat. He knew exactly what this meant:
Training that enhanced combat… through closeness. Through shared energy. Through the bond he had with each of the women.
Lucy was the first to approach, warmth radiating from her even before her hand brushed his arm. "You look different," she murmured, eyes locked on his. "More intense. More confident."
The system chimed softly.
Harem Points +4. Focus +2. Emotional Resonance +3.
Mirajane leaned on the counter, chin resting on her hand, a mischievous smile curling her lips. "Don't tease him too much, Lucy. He has a busy day. After all, we need to test the new module unlocked by the system." Her tone was velvet, dancing on the fine line between playful and provocative.
Juvia appeared behind him almost silently, hands gently pressing his shoulders. A soothing wave of water magic washed through him. "Juvia is ready to help with… training," she whispered, cheeks flushed but eyes determined.
Erza approached last, her steps precise, her gaze sharp. "The master wants a full report on your new capabilities. We must ensure Fairy Tail is ready. Another Rank S signature was detected at dawn."
Thomas stiffened. "Another one? That soon?"
Erza nodded. "And stronger than the last. If your new… synergy-based system enhances combat as effectively as yesterday, we must master it immediately."
The decision was made.
Training first. Mission after.
---
They moved to the eastern training grounds—isolated, wide, and bordered by thick stone walls charred from countless sessions. The morning air tasted of dew and magic, crisp and charged.
Erza crossed her arms. "The system described this module as Intimacy Resonance Training. Explain."
Thomas opened the system interface, its light shimmering across the group.
Intimacy Resonance Training (IRT)
— Harmonizes magic between bonded partners through physical closeness, emotional synchronization, and coordinated movement.
— Boosts reflexes, magical output, and resistance.
— Requires trust, closeness, and moment-to-moment interaction.
— Efficiency increases with multiple partners engaged simultaneously.
Mirajane smirked. "So basically… the closer we are to you, the stronger you become."
Lucy coughed lightly. "That's… quite the module."
Juvia stepped closer, hands clasped. "Juvia volunteers."
Erza sighed with resigned professionalism. "Fine. Let's begin."
---
Training Phase 1 – Emotional Sync
Lucy stood directly in front of Thomas, their breaths mingling. Her fingers slid up his arms, gentle and warm, her gaze unwavering.
"Feel my magic," she whispered. "Let it match yours."
A pulse shot through Thomas—soft at first, then rising like a tide. The system reacted instantly:
Emotional Sync: 68%… 74%… 82%. Magic Output +10. Precision +7.
Lucy shivered. "This is… stronger than before."
"Focus," Thomas murmured, though his voice had thickened.
Mirajane stepped behind him, her hands resting lightly on his hips, aura humming with demonic vibration. The heat of her magic fused with the celestial pulse from Lucy, creating a swirling path of energy through his spine.
Tri-Point Resonance Achieved. Reaction Speed +12. Stamina +10.
Juvia joined, fingertips brushing his lower back, water magic cascading like a cool stream through the fire and light.
Full Resonance Forming. Synergy +15.
Erza observed, jaw tightening just slightly. Not jealousy—calculation. Strategy. She was watching a weapon being forged.
---
Training Phase 2 – Movement Sync
Erza finally stepped forward, drawing her sword. "Now. All of you. Coordinate your movement with Thomas. Stay in contact. Enhance his rhythm."
Lucy took his left arm.
Juvia wrapped his right.
Mirajane pressed against his back, hands guiding his hips.
Erza attacked.
Steel flashed. Thomas barely dodged the first strike. But the touch of each woman sparked a different current—warmth, coolness, fire, precision. His feet moved faster, breath steadier, magic sharper.
The system vibrated:
Movement Synergy: 92%. Combat Efficiency +20%. Predictive Reflex +18.
Erza's attacks intensified—slashes, thrusts, feints, bursts of light magic. Thomas countered with elemental sequences, bending and weaving with a fluidity he had never known. Every moment of contact amplified him.
Lucy's breath grazed his cheek as she cast supporting spells.
Juvia's water reinforced his defenses.
Mirajane's demon aura merged with his lightning.
Even Erza, through sheer proximity, fueled the system's tactical analysis.
They moved as one organism—four different magics pulsing through Thomas, merging into a single explosive flow.
When Erza finally halted, armor glowing with heat, she took a long breath. "Your control is improving rapidly. But this module… is far more intimate than anticipated."
Mirajane giggled. "Oh, Erza, don't tell me you're shy."
Erza's ear twitched—just a fraction. "I am not. I simply prefer structure."
Thomas exhaled deeply, pulse racing. "What's next?"
Juvia raised a hand timidly. "The system… says there's a third stage."
Thomas opened the interface.
Training Phase 3 – Physical Core Boost
— Requires sustained close contact.
— Enhances durability, magic recovery, and raw physical strength.
— Works best with simultaneous multi-partner resonance.
Lucy blinked. "Sustained close contact…? As in…?"
Mirajane smiled wickedly. "Like I said—intimate."
Thomas felt his face heat, but he stood his ground. "If it boosts strength, we need it."
Erza exhaled through her nose. "Fine. Keep it professional."
It wasn't professional.
It wasn't meant to be.
---
Training Phase 3 – Core Resonance
Lucy wrapped her arms around him fully, pressing close, magic swirling like starlight.
Juvia slid her hands across his abdomen, water magic cooling and steadying his breath.
Mirajane's fingers traced his spine, demonic energy channeling raw power into his core.
Erza remained close enough for the system to include her presence—her disciplined aura stabilizing the chaotic mixture.
Heat surged. Power filled him from every direction. His muscles trembled, jaw tightening as magic pulsed up his spine with breathtaking intensity.
Core Resonance 45%… 63%… 81%. Strength +15. Recovery Rate +18. Magic Reserve +20.
Lucy's breath tickled his neck.
Juvia's magic pulsed with soft warmth.
Mirajane leaned into him, aura winding around his chest.
Erza's presence steadied everything, grounding the chaos into purpose.
Finally—
Core Resonance MAXED. Total Buffs: +45%.
Thomas staggered slightly as the energy settled.
Lucy caught him. "Easy… That was a lot."
Juvia nodded quickly. "Thomas must rest."
Mirajane smirked. "He handled it very well."
Erza eyed him seriously. "Your power has increased dramatically. Good. Because you'll need it."
A cold wind sliced across the training grounds.
The sky dimmed.
The system shrieked:
WARNING: Second Rank S Magic Signature Detected. Distance: 70 kilometers. Threat Level: Catastrophic.
Thomas straightened immediately. "Already?"
Erza's expression hardened. "Guild intel says this one is far more destructive. And moving fast."
Lucy grabbed his hand. "We go together."
Juvia nodded firmly. "Juvia will protect Thomas."
Mirajane cracked her knuckles, aura flaring. "Let's show the world what synergy really looks like."
The system pulsed through Thomas's veins, hotter and more alive than ever.
This wasn't just combat anymore.
It was evolution.
A fusion of desire, power, and destiny—driving him toward something greater than any single mage had ever achieved.
He tightened his fists.
"Let's move."
Under the rising storm, Team Thomas launched toward the new threat—stronger, closer, and more connected than ever.