The corridors beneath Magnolia Guild carried an ancient chill, as if the stone still remembered forgotten wars and dormant magic sealed long before Fairy Tail even existed. Torches flickered along the rough walls, their wavering light casting elongated shadows that danced around Thomas as he descended the final staircase. The scent of dust and cold iron filled the air, mixing with the lingering echo of mana flowing through the underground training hall.
He had asked for a private room, but Master Makarov had quietly redirected him here—not a simple chamber, but an expanse designed for Rank A and S preparations, protected by enchantments strong enough to withstand the force of rampaging dragons. It was an unmistakable signal: after the Rank S battle, Thomas had reached a threshold.
He walked forward slowly, muscles still aching from the previous mission, clothes brushing against his skin with a reminder of every bruise earned. The fight had pushed him close to collapse, and every pulse of magic he felt within his body now carried the faint aftertaste of the synergy he had achieved with Lucy, Mirajane, Erza, and Juvia.
He drew in a steady breath.
I need to control this system—deliberately, not accidentally. The touches, the synergy, the power… It can't be incidental anymore. It must be strategic.
He pressed his palm against a glowing rune. The training hall hummed, shifting from darkness into a wide circular arena lined with protective barriers. As the enchantments activated, the system flickered before his eyes.
System Notification:
Training Room (Tier S) Detected.
Potential for Ability Unlock: High.
Recommended: Multi-Harem Sync Exercise.
Warning: Overuse may cause Temporary Exhaustion.
He exhaled sharply.
"Of course. It wants me to involve them."
The heavy door behind him opened with a groaning rumble. Thomas turned, instantly alert—then relaxed when he saw the four silhouettes he knew by heart.
Lucy entered first, bright expression softened by concern. Her celestial keys chimed faintly at her hip.
Erza followed with purposeful, measured steps, wearing light armor for mobility rather than her usual heavy plates. Her gaze swept the hall with calculative interest.
Juvia moved silently, water aura drifting behind her like a veil, her eyes fixed entirely on Thomas.
And Mirajane—she arrived last, a lazy, warm smile curling over her lips, her demonic power lightly pulsing beneath her gentle exterior.
Lucy jogged ahead, stopping in front of him.
"Thomas, Master Makarov told us you asked for a private session. But he said you'd need us."
She tilted her head.
"Is it true? Are we doing… coordinated training?"
The system pulsed faintly—Harem Points +4.
Even simple anticipation triggered rewards now.
Thomas nodded.
"Yes. The system responds strongly to all of you. If I can control the flow—if I can learn to channel synergy deliberately—my spells will stabilize. We need to train together, but with precision."
Erza crossed her arms.
"Define precision. If your intention is to rely on unstructured intimacy during combat, that will fail. Structured synergy, however…" She stepped forward, eyes narrowing with interest.
"…that has potential."
Mirajane brushed past Erza, fingers trailing lightly along Thomas's arm—Harem Points +6, Magic Sensitivity +3—an immediate reminder of how reactive the system had become.
"We'll support you. But you need to tell us exactly what you're aiming for."
Juvia lingered behind him, her hand hovering near his back but never fully touching.
"Juvia is ready… whenever Thomas is."
He steadied himself.
"We're testing controlled proximity effects. The touches, alignment, the shared intent… They amplify me, but I need stability. The Rank S fight showed clearly that raw synergy isn't enough. We need coordinated channels."
Erza nodded.
"Then let's begin. First phase: movement sync."
---
Movement Sync Training
The arena brightened as Erza activated the runes, and magic trails appeared across the floor—paths meant to test coordination and precision. Thomas positioned himself at the center, with Lucy on his left, Juvia behind him, Mirajane at his right, Erza ahead.
"Follow my pace," Thomas instructed.
He stepped forward, channeling a basic spell. Lightning flickered in his palm, unstable at first—
Then Lucy touched his wrist lightly, aligning her celestial magic with his tempo. The spell instantly sharpened.
System Notification:
Light Contact Sync – Lucy
Accuracy +10, Output Stability +8
"Good," she murmured. "Keep the flow steady."
Mirajane moved in next, fingers grazing his elbow. Her demonic aura intertwined with his lightning, darkening it slightly, giving it weight.
Synergy Correction Detected
Demonic Merge + Celestial Boost
Magic Output +12%
Erza circled around him, sword slicing through the shifting runes with flawless precision.
"Maintain tempo. Your lightning is still too reactive."
Juvia extended a slow-moving water barrier that wrapped partially around Thomas, stabilizing fluctuating elements.
"The water will reduce the recoil."
He exhaled and pushed forward again, faster this time.
They followed him—
Lucy adjusting his stance,
Mirajane controlling his momentum,
Juvia buffering his mana,
Erza dictating spacing and timing.
The system pulsed violently.
Harem Multi-Sync Phase Initiated.
All stats temporarily boosted by +15%.
Caution: Heart Rate Elevated.
Thomas gritted his teeth.
Too fast. I can feel everything at once.
Lucy stepped closer, pressing her forehead briefly against his temple.
"You're doing great. Stay centered."
Mirajane's hand slid to his shoulder.
"Let the flow work through you."
Juvia's aura thickened.
"Juvia will regulate the excess."
Erza raised her sword, pointing directly at Thomas.
"Now release the spell. Don't hesitate."
He thrust the lightning forward—
The combined effect detonated across the arena in a shockwave of electricity, steam, and demonic force, slamming into the far barrier with explosive strength.
The entire hall vibrated.
But Thomas remained standing.
Lucy gasped softly.
"You controlled it."
Erza lowered her weapon, impressed.
"Excellent output."
Mirajane hummed with approval.
"So, with guidance, you can avoid overload."
Juvia placed a hand on his back—gentle, controlled.
"Thomas is improving faster than Juvia expected."
Harem Points +20
Magic Control +13
New Trait Unlocked: Stabilized Synergy Core
Thomas breathed heavily.
"Yes. But we're not done."
---
Advanced Sync: Physical Proximity Challenge
Erza initiated the second phase, activating tighter rune configurations that forced the group into closer proximity. They had to move together, weaving between magical hazards, spells, and shifting platforms.
Thomas felt every brush of skin, every breath against him—
Lucy's fingers briefly linking with his,
Mirajane positioning herself close behind him during a leap,
Juvia's hands gripping his waist to stabilize him mid-rotation,
Erza catching his wrist and pulling him through a collapsing rune pattern.
They were no longer four separate mages assisting him.
They were a unit—
aligned, breathing the same tempo, sharing magic.
System Notification:
Harem Sync Peak: Level 2
Temporary Buff: Reflexes +18, Agility +16, Mana Flow Optimization +12
Thomas vaulted over a collapsing platform, Lucy pressed to his side for balance.
"Focus, Thomas—don't let the system's feedback overwhelm you."
Mirajane landed next to him, her thigh brushing firmly against his.
"Let it fuel you, not control you."
Juvia wrapped a ribbon of water around his torso to steady his landing.
"Juvia is supporting your momentum."
Erza charged ahead, cleaving a rune cluster.
"Push forward! Don't lag!"
The obstacles intensified—
magic blasts, collapsing floors, rotating barriers.
Thomas surged ahead, powered by their closeness, coordination, and shared energy. He weaved through the chaos, spells firing with perfect timing.
The final obstacle closed in—a spiral of crushing force.
"Together!" Erza commanded.
Lucy grabbed his left hand.
Mirajane seized his right.
Juvia's water coiled around all three.
Erza anchored the group with her sword.
Thomas unleashed his full power—
driven by synergy, amplified by desire, sharpened by intent.
The attack tore through the spiral with overwhelming force.
Silence followed.
Then the system chimed:
Training Complete: Multi-Sync Stabilized
Rewards:
+50 Harem Points
Magic Output +20
Control +15
New Passive Ability Unlocked: Synergy Channeling
Thomas staggered, but Lucy caught him quickly.
"You did it."
Erza approached with quiet satisfaction.
"You are ready for the next level."
Mirajane leaned in, her breath warm against his ear.
"And you handled the proximity training… surprisingly well."
Juvia pressed lightly against his back.
"Thomas was amazing."
Their praise didn't inflate him—it grounded him.
Because he knew the truth:
He had only taken the first step in mastering a power that could redefine his existence.
He straightened slowly.
"We keep going tomorrow. The Rank S threats aren't waiting."
Erza nodded once.
"Agreed."
Lucy smiled.
"We'll be here with you."
Mirajane winked.
"Always."
Juvia whispered.
"Juvia won't leave Thomas alone."
As they ascended toward the surface, Thomas felt the weight of the day settle into his muscles—
fatigue mixed with a rising anticipation.
Today, he had proven he could synchronize his power deliberately.
Tomorrow, he would learn to weaponize it.
This world, these threats, this harem—
Everything was accelerating.
And he intended to rise with it.