After Makarov led the red-haired girl—Erza—into the back room, I stood still, watching the door close behind them. She had barely spoken, yet there was something heavy in the air around her. The firm way she walked. Her presence wasn't loud—but it was impossible to ignore.
"She's seems intense," Gray muttered from behind me.
I turned to see him approaching Cana right beside him.
"You saw that too?" I asked.
"She looked like she walked out of a war," Gray said seriously. "But her eyes weren't scared. Just… determined."
"She reminds me of myself a bit," Cana added quietly. "Only difference is, she seems like the type that bottles it all up. Those kinds… they explode when it matters."
I nodded slightly. "I don't know what she's been through, but... she came straight here. That means something."
We stood in silence for a moment, the noise of the guild fading behind our thoughts.
Then I cleared my throat. "Anyway… I wanted to show you both something."
"Oh?" Cana grinned, shifting moods immediately. "A card? Another summon?"
"Not this time." I stepped back a few paces and raised my hand.
Golden letters began to shimmer in the air, floating gently like glowing feathers as I traced the word.
AIR
The letters snapped into place, and a sharp gust of wind burst forth from the spell, kicking up dust and rattling bottles on nearby tables.
Gray stumbled slightly. Cana's hair whipped wildly.
"Whoa!" she laughed. "That was Solid Script, right?!"
"You actually learned it already?" Gray blinked.
I nodded. "Last night. Took me a lot of effort… but yeah. I'm going to use Solid Script Magic as my main secondary magic alongside summoning."
"That's insane." Gray grinned. "You picked it up way faster than I expected."
"I'm still figuring it out," I admitted. "But I needed something I could rely on. Something direct."
"You're already ahead of most beginners," Cana said with a smirk. "Most people take weeks just to make their words float."
"Well, I've got the motivation," I said, dusting myself off. "Speaking of which... I want to start taking on quests."
"Already?" Gray asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I need the experience. Can't keep just watching everyone else."
Cana crossed her arms. "I could help you with your first quest."
"I was gonna offer too," Gray added.
"Thanks, but I want to try it myself," I said with a small smile. "Start from scratch."
The two exchanged a look but didn't argue.
"it is your choice," Cana said. "But you'll need Master Makarov's approval."
Gray nodded. "He'll want to make sure you're ready."
I looked toward the second floor.
"Guess it's time I asked."
——————————————————————————————————————
I made my way toward the guild office.
Before I even knocked, I paused.
At the center of the guild hall, Erza had returned.
She stood near the main bar counter, holding out her left arm.
Master Makarov stood next to her, Holding the Stamp.
With a smile, he pressed it against her shoulder.
A shimmering blue Fairy Tail guild mark appeared on her skin.
For a moment, she stared at it. Her fingers brushed the mark, as if confirming it was real.
Makarov raised his arms. "Everyone! We've got a new member!"
Cheers erupted. People clapped and shouted. Glasses clinked. The hall filled with laughter and celebration.
Even Erza, for just a second, let the smallest smile tug at the corner of her lips.
I leaned on the railing and smiled too.
She made it.
As the party broke out, I waited a bit longer before approaching Makarov.
——————————————————————————————————————
"You want to do a quest?" he asked, scratching his head with his mug still in hand.
"Yes," I said. "I want to start contributing. Even if it's just something small."
Makarov stroked his beard, glancing from me… to Erza, who was now being offered food and drink by a few curious guild members.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You both just joined. Typically, a new member's first quest is done under the guidance of someone experienced. To teach you how to deal with clients, contracts, expectations… safety."
"I understand."
He glanced again at Erza, who was now politely but silently declining a drink from Wakaba.
"…Maybe it's best if you two do one together."
My eyes widened slightly. "You mean… me and Erza?"
Makarov nodded slowly. "She may be new, but she's not weak. And something tells me you'll be fine if you work together."
Down below, whispers were already beginning.
"Wait, what? Two newbies on a quest?"
"Isn't that breaking protocol?"
"There's supposed to be a senior to guide them!"
Makarov didn't flinch. "I'll pick something safe. Simple."
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a paper slip.
"An easy escort job. A traveling merchant needs protection through the east forest path. Minimal danger. Standard reward: 80,000 Jewels. Starts in two hours."
I nodded. "Understood."
"I'll have someone help Erza prepare. She'll need proper clothes."
He waved over an older female guild member—one of the gentle, motherly types I'd seen tidying the back rooms. She walked over to Erza with a warm smile and guided her away.
——————————————————————————————————————
Time passed.
I waited in the corner of the guild hall, checking over my cards and preparing myself mentally.
Then, about an hour later…
Footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
Erza walked down in clean, simple armor—a silver chestplate over a what seemed to be a white dress over dark blue trousers, and a sword strapped to her hip.
She looked stronger.
More composed.
Like a soldier ready to march.
She walked over to Makarov and the older woman and bowed politely.
"Thank you… for the letting me join. And the clothes."
The older woman who had helped her smiled proudly.
Erza turned.
Her eyes met mine.
She said nothing—just walked forward until we stood face to face.
I gave a small nod.
She returned it.
No words were needed.
The quest was about to begin.