I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. It is also my first attempt at time skips. Someone left a review asking about shipping. All I can say is that romance is not the main focus of this story. This is partly because I don't know how to write romance, and partly because any type of romance would be so far away at the moment. I'm not saying there will be no chance of romance, it's just unlikely that I will write it, due to lack of skill.

Moving Forward

August, X774

It's been an interesting couple of weeks since I arrived at Mermaid Heel. Well, not entirely interesting. Since Kagura and I were six years old, we needed an education. Apparently, but not surprisingly, Fiore did not have a national public school system like most first world countries back on Earth. Big cities like Crocus had public schools, but smaller cities like Salice were not so lucky. Salice did have schools, but they were private, and thus cost more. So most people were home schooled.

I was set for math and English skills (16 years of schooling for the win). Of course, I tried to dumb myself down a little bit so that Kagura didn't feel left behind, but it was hard to pretend not to know basic math. My hand writing was still bad though, so maybe I'll put effort into making it look nice in this life.

The person who was teaching us was someone named Alana Webb. Who insisted that we just called her Lana for short. She is apparently a founding member of the guild, and is best friends with Celia. It is really amusing to see the two interact with each other. They were almost opposites. Celia is blunt, and to the point, ignoring any type of nuance. Lana is gentler, polite, and knows how to talk to children. I think I bewilder her sometimes, because of my adult mind making me not act like a six year old girl. Kagura, while obliviously not as mentally mature as me, is also very mature for her age.

Lana also has a daughter that she brings to the guild sometimes. Her name was Araña, and she was a very energetic four year old. She had the same curly bright green hair as her mother. She was also obsessed with spiders, and would always come dressed in some type of spider themed dress with her favorite spider plushy in hand. It was named Mr. Fuzzy by the way.

Anyway, my favorite classes were always history. I may have an engineering degree, but I was always a history buff. Learning about an entirely new world is something others dream of.

The kingdom of Fiore started out as a small settlement, which would later be known as the city of Crocus, almost 400 years ago, and was founded by Cornelius E. Fiore. Apparently, only nobility had access to proper magic training and education. If you were a peasant, you had to learn on your own. There were mentions of dragons, but they are considered myths and legends in the books. Magic guilds didn't become a thing until about 170 years ago, when a massive war broke out all over Ishgar, and trained mages were in high demand. So, thousands of magic users were recruited and formerly trained in the magic arts. This was known as The Great Magic War, and after the war was over, the veteran mages went on with the rest of their lives. Naturally, with so many more trained mages around, they were able to pass on their knowledge to others. Guilds started popping up, and the rest is history.

XXX

When it came to magic education, Kagura and I were taught very little, which was most likely due to our age. We were taught that magic is the physical embodiment of spirt, and is created when the physical spirit of a person connects with the spiritual flow of nature. We also learned it takes a lot of concentration. So we spent a lot of time meditating, which if I wasn't an adult mentally, I would not be able to do easily. Surprisingly, Kagura was actually very good at it for someone her age. Although, considering how she acted in the show, I shouldn't be too surprised that she is able to calm herself so easily.

Meditating wasn't the only the thing we did. Celia made us exercise like it was going out of style. We did a lot of running, stretching, and swimming. Celia was particularly passionate about swimming…

"Why are we doing so much swimming?" I asked, panting heavily. Kagura was next to me in the water, floating on her back, also out of breath.

Celia was sitting on an inflatable floating chair, sipping on a drink, in a modest, green one piece swimsuit. Which was surprising, considering that she had an awesome body. After spending a few weeks around the woman, I've learned that she wasn't particularly shy about her body. I think she has more edgy swimsuits, but I suspect Lana threw a fit and forced her to wear something more modest. She was also wearing a white sun hat and dark brown sunglasses.

Celia stopped sipping her drink, "We can't call ourselves Mermaid Heel, and not know how to swim." She said with a sense of a pride. Her face then turned thoughtful, "I don't think I told you two why we are called Mermaid Heel… Well, brats, it's story time!" She then put her drink in one of the cup holders on the chair, and then beckoned us over.

Me and Kagura swam up to her floating chair, and rested our arms on it. Celia then began her tale. "It all starts with the mermaid of Lake Sirena…" Her hands glowed and water rushed upwards from the lake, and formed into the shape of a mermaid about ten feet away. "The story goes that a mermaid used to live in this very lake, in a hidden cave under the center island. Mermaids are said to be the masters of water magic. Nothing had the control over water like a mermaid did…" The mermaid was causing spheres of water float all around it, making them doing various tricks, before the all the spheres fell back into the lake.

"Well, back when Salice was a very small village, over 150 years ago, a fire demon went on a rampage, burning down huge areas of forest…" Water rose out of the lake, forming into a demonic creature, with a large body and horns. "The demon stumbled upon Salice, and started to burn everything, and everyone, and the ashes started poisoning the lake…" Water from the lake formed into a model village, froze into ice suddenly, and then the demon made of water started attacking it. "Seeing the peaceful villagers in peril, and its home being defiled, the mermaid showed itself, and fought the demon." The forms of the mermaid and demon started fighting. Violently.

"After hours of fighting, the mermaid won, but at a cost…" The form of the demon splashed back into the water. Suddenly a massive amount of water came out of the lake, and then rapidly froze. The giant mass of ice was hollowed, and the mermaid went inside. "The mermaid used too much magic, and was severely injured. It returned to its secret cave, and died, but not without leaving a parting gift. It used whatever magic it had left to purify the lake, making the waters a sparkling blue, and forever beautiful... The lake was name Sirena in honor of the mermaid." The ice cave and the mermaid splashed back into the lake. Celia then smiled, "That was my favorite story as a kid, and when I was thinking of a name for the guild, there were none more fitting than Mermaid Heel." She said with a nostalgia filled voice.

I was awestruck by what I just saw. Seeing magic used like this was a surreal experience. I looked to my side to see Kagura with wide, wonder filled eyes, and the biggest smile I've ever seen on her.

Celia then smirked, "Well, break's over, I wanna see five more laps." She said, with slight amusement in her voice.

Well, that killed the mood.

Me and Kagura groaned simultaneously, and started doing laps. "Hey don't complain to me! You two said you wanted to be mages, and I'm going to make you the best damn mages you can be. You'll be lean, mean, magic machines when I'm done with you!" She shouted, before picking up her drink, and started sipping on it once more.

Later that day, Celia was scolded by Lana for overworking us. I would be lying if I said I had any sympathy.

XXX

January 4th, X775

Today was my seventh birthday. The first one without Erza.

I was sitting alone on a snowbank right by the frozen lake, watching people skate on its frozen surface, and kids from the village playing in the snow. I was wearing a red winter jacket with matching snow pants and boots. I didn't pick out the outfit, and I looked like a tomato to be honest. Thankfully, I was at least wearing black gloves. I have a sneaking suspicion that Celia picked out both mine, and Kagura's coats. Because I saw Kagura earlier, wearing all purple, and she looked like an eggplant.

I sighed, and I suddenly found myself no longer alone. Kagura had plopped down right next me. "Why so sad, Rubi?" Her voice was concerned.

We have gotten really gotten close these past few months. We didn't even use the suffixes that this world was fond of. The guild had no other kids, besides me, Kagura, and Araña. But it was mostly just me and Kagura most of time, as Araña came about three times a week. Most members were in their twenties and early thirties. Some members were pregnant, but by the time their children are of age to hold a conversation, Kagura and I will be in our early teens. It's not that the guild isn't welcoming (which it is), it's just that most young adults have better things to do than hang out with little kids all day.

"I turned seven today…" I say dejectedly, still looking at the frozen lake.

I hear Kagura gasp next to me. "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday!?" She exclaimed loudly.

"I'm sorry… I forgot…" I say while bringing my knees up to my chest. I look up to the grey sky, snow was falling, "Erza-nee would always find a way to make this day special, whether it be giving me her candy stash, or somehow acquiring a new toy… She would always go out of her way to make it special, even though we didn't have much."

Kagura stayed silent after my little confession.

I look back down and close my eyes. "It's not the same without her… I wish she wa-"I'm suddenly cut off by full body hug and my eyes snap open. It was Kagura.

I'm stunned.

The hug feels like it lasted an eternity, but in reality, it was only a minute at most. Kagura lets go, and I turn towards her, my eyes were very wide.

She was staring at me, her hazel eyes filled with determination. "I may not be your sister, but that doesn't I can't make this day special for ya" She said with confidence.

I blinked owlishly for a moment, before a large smile makes it way upon my face. "Thank you." I say appreciably.

Unfortunately, Kagura didn't get to respond.

"How curious… Why are you two not joining the other children?" A smooth, elegant voice says behind us, interrupting the moment.

Kagura and I both jump, and snap our heads towards the offending voice to find a pair of emerald green eyes staring at us with curiosity. It was Maribelle Lockhart.

My heart stopped. She was considered the strongest mage in the guild, and would often perform on stage with a violin, before going out on dangerous missions. Kagura absolutely worshiped her, and I would be lying if I said I didn't admire her myself. She would sometimes glance at us after her performances, but never really spoke to us. I don't know what type of magic she uses, but I heard she is a master swordswoman.

She was currently wearing a pure white coat, with white pants and boots. She didn't have her usual pony tail, and her long blonde hair went down to her hips, and curled a little bit at the bottom. She was wearing a pair of white ear muffs, and a white scarf around her neck. She practically blended in with the snow.

"U-Uh" was my only response, and I was internally hitting myself for sounding like an idiot. Kagura was silent. I think her mind was broken from having her idol talk to her. I snap out of my stupor, and try to give a proper response. "T-Today is my birthday, b-but Erza-nee is not h-here." I say, my voice filled with nervousness and a hint of sadness.

Her emerald eyes soften a little, "Hmm, it sounds like you miss her a lot, and wherever she is right now, she must feel the same… But, I doubt she would want you to be melancholy because of her." Her voice was comforting, but never lost its elegant quality. She blinked and then closed her eyes and nodded her head slightly downward. "I apologize for my rudeness, but what I am trying to say is that you should not let what has happened to you decide your actions, and how you feel. Do not rely on luck or misfortune, but instead rely on your own choices, and let them lead your existence towards the future instead."

…Well, that was inspirational.

She opened her eyes again, "I have been watching you two for a while, and you remind me of myself when I was child. Despite facing hardship, you two have not given up yet, and are determined to move forward, despite your current limitations." She then turned around, and started walking away.

She looked back over her shoulder, "Do not lose that drive, and you two will go far. That I am sure of." The snow fall became heavier and she started walking away, her white outline disappearing more and more before disappearing completely.

There's a moment of silence.

"She's amazing…" Kagura breathes out.

I make a noise of agreement.

XXX

March, X775

It was spring again, and Kagura and I where now both seven.

Her birthday was on March 7th if you were wondering.

The sun was out, the birds were chirping, the animals were awaking, and the plants were budding anew.

Me, Kagura and Celia were by the lake front. Kagura and I were both wearing plain white t-shirts. I was wearing tan shorts, while Kagura was wearing grey ones. Celia was wearing a light blue dress. All three of us were bare foot.

Celia was standing in front of us, with an optimistic smirk on her face. "Ok brats, after many months of hard exercise, and long meditations. I have determined that you two are ready to start actual magic training!" She exclaimed.

Both of us froze.

"Are you certain, Master?" I say in a cautious voice, unsure if she is serious or not.

After spending several months here, I stopped calling her Celia-san, and started calling her master. It felt weird calling someone master at first, but it soon became natural after a while.

Her smirk got bigger, "Of course. You two have earned it."

I'm sad to admit that I squeed, and started jumping around in excitement. I'm thankful for Kagura joining me in my excitement so that I wasn't just embarrassing myself.

I bet a million dollars that anyone would do the same if they were given the opportunity to learn magic.

I'm gonna to be a freaking wizard!

Next chapter is going to be a challenge, and I might re-watch Fairy Tail Zero for some inspiration on how they will learn how to use magic. Maribelle was very fun to write, as she is very proper with her speaking, and does not use contractions. I already had Rubina's magic planned out since I first conceived this story in my head months ago, but I'm curious on what others will think it will be.

I got to stop editing chapters at 4 in the morning. I always end up missing something.