Don't mind me, just posting early again because I can't control myself... again.
KaidoFett: Twas always the plan, my friend.
The Storm Master 567: I do plan on having Minato being as close to canon as I can. Mostly, that includes trying to write him as intelligent as he was in Naruto's canon.
The first glimmer of dawn passed through their windows, lighting up the interior of their bedroom. Minato's closed eyes twitched slightly before slowly opening. He lifted himself into an upright position as he yawned, his muscles stretching in delight as he gave a small groan of relief. He perked when he heard soft, rhythmic breathing beside him. Erza lay curled on her bed, her hair splayed out across the pillow. He couldn't prevent the soft smile from appearing on his face.
His movements were careful so as not to wake her. He padded quietly to the window, gazing out at Lake Scilliora. He could already see a few boats of fishermen sitting atop the water. He tensed slightly as a sharp flash of memories hit him. The guards he had killed. Some had fearful faces, others had died before they realized they had even died. His fists closed around the windowsill as he took in a breath.
I had to.
A sharp knock jolted Minato from his mental reverie.
Right, Master said he was going to come over in the morning.
Composing himself, he turned to Erza. She was still asleep, no worries to be found on her face. Closing the bedroom door gently, he made his way over to the living space. His hand closed around the knob firmly, and he took a slight breath before opening it.
Standing on their doorstep was Master Makarov, his face holding a gentle smile. Beside him stood a much taller woman with pink hair, her face set in a strict, if almost disdainful expression. The sight of the short, kind Master and the looming, asocial woman was jarring, to say the least.
"Good morning, Master Makarov," Minato greeted with a polite bow before turning to the pink-haired woman, "good morning to you as well, ma'am."
The woman's eyes softened lightly but still held their cold gaze, "Another human child? You collect them like trinkets, Makarov. Though at least this one has manners, I suppose."
Makarov chuckled, unbothered by the woman's tone, "Minato, this is Porlyusica, the healer I mentioned the other day. Porlyusica, this is Minato Namikaze, one of our newest family members.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Minato said, maintaining his composure, "Erza and I are grateful that you've decided to come this way."
Porlyusica's eyes narrowed before kneeling down and scanning over Minato's form with a clinical gaze, "You seem to have recovered well, at least physically. Where's the girl?"
"Still sleeping," Minato replied, startled by her perceptiveness, "I didn't want to wake her yet."
"Good," Porlyusica nodded approvingly before turning to Makarov, "At least one of your brats understands basic health recovery."
"Should I wake her?"
Porlyusica shook her head, "No. It's better if I diagnose her while she's still asleep. Children are far too fitful when they're awake."
Minato nodded, leading them down toward the bedroom at the end of the hall, where Erza was still resting peacefully. Porlyusica breezed past Minato, kneeling before the bed, her expression softening slightly.
"How long has it been since she lost it?"
"One week," Minato answered, voice thick with emotion.
Porlyusica clicked her tongue in disapproval, "What treatment has she received?"
"A doctor in Hargeon cleaned her wound and gave us bandages," Minato admitted, his voice flickering between relief and trepidation, "but other than that…"
Porlyusica nodded. She supposed it was the most non-magic doctors could do. Slowly, her hands began to remove Erza's bandage, revealing the raw, healing wound. Minato felt the urge to avert his eyes but forced himself to keep looking. He'd seen it before, but the sight still caused a wave of anger and resentment to course through him.
Jellal…
"Can you help her?" Minato asked, his voice strained with worry.
The healer turned to him, giving a short glance before turning back to the girl, "I cannot restore what has been lost," she said bluntly, "but I can create something that will help."
"You can?" Minato murmured with wide eyes.
"I am not a simple healer, child."
Minato stepped back, his face flushed, "Right, sorry, ma'am."
Porlyusica's expression lightened slightly, nodding to the boy. She reached into her bag and pulled out several vials of colorful liquid, alongside what appeared to be medical instruments. Minato recognized some, others were foreign to him.
"I can craft her an artificial eye," Porlyusica explained as her hands were already setting up her workspace. "It will be a near-flawless replica. She will be able to see out of it as if it were her normal eye."
"An artificial eye?" Minato asked, astonished. He had heard of magical healing, but this was the first time he had seen it.
"Yes. It's a delicate process, one that I rarely, if ever, perform." Porlyusica paused, her gaze lingering on Erza. "The girl will need to remain still for the procedure. Will she panic when she wakes?"
Minato covered his mouth in thought, his eyes scrunching. A silent beat passed before Minato nodded, "I believe so. Her eye was taken forcibly. And there is the chance she will panic if she wakes up to someone she doesn't immediately recognize.
Porlyusica sighed, taking a step back, "Wake her now, then. Explain what's happening before I begin."
He did as she asked, gently nudging Erza awake. Erza stirred for a moment, her eye opening slightly, attempting to blink the drowsiness away.
"Minato?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Her eye flicked over to the other two occupants. Master Makarov and…
She tensed as her eyes lingered over the tall, intimidating woman. Minato's hand found her shoulder, putting her involuntarily at ease.
"It's okay," he spoke gently, "This is Porlyusica. Remember? Master said she would come in to take a look at your eye."
Erza felt her shoulders relax slightly, "My eye?"
"That's right," Makarov nodded, "It's only fitting that a young lady like you should have both eyes!"
Porlyusica shook her head at Makarov's actions before turning to Erza, "I can create an artificial eye for you. It will function like a normal eye, though the process will be… uncomfortable."
Erza's lone eye widened, her hand rising up to her unbandaged wound, "I'll have both eyes?"
"Yes," Porlyusica confirmed, "however, I need you to do one thing for me, child. I need you to stay completely still during the procedure. Do you think you can do that?"
Erza hesitated for a moment, looking down at her hands. Minato moved to reassure her, but before he could, her eye snapped up to her, a resolute glint in her eyes, "I can."
The girl's resolve almost caused Porlyusica to give a smirk. Almost.
"Very well," Porlyusica turned to both male occupants, "It'd be better if you two were to leave. I cannot afford any distractions."
Minato's lips set in a straight line before speaking up, "Are you sur—"
"Boy," Porlyusica muttered darkly, causing him to flinch, "If I tell you to leave, you leave."
Minato felt his heart pang painfully, and it looked almost as if he was ready to argue again.
"Minato," came Erza's soft voice. He turned and saw the pure determination in her eye, "I'll be fine."
He paused, maintaining her gaze for a moment longer before nodding, turning to leave with Master Makarov. Erza gave him a reassuring grin as he walked out, leaving her and Porlyusica alone.
"Lay on your back, child," Porlyusica said sternly.
Erza gave a small nod as she laid back, her hair splaying across the pillow. She watched as Porlyusica mixed some vials together, her face set in a concentrated expression.
"Um," Erza started nervously, her earlier resolve waning slightly in front of the unfamiliar woman, "How long is this going to take?"
"Several hours," Porlyusica replied, her eyes never leaving her work. "The creation of an artificial eye is incredibly delicate. Here, drink this."
Erza took a vial of green liquid hesitantly, "What is it?"
"A mild sedative. It won't put you to sleep, but it will numb the pain."
Porlyusica's eyes finally turned to Erza, "This will not be pleasant, child."
Erza nodded, gathering her wits before swallowing the liquid in a single gulp. She cringed at the bitter taste but otherwise said nothing.
"Good," Porlyusica said, a hint of approval flashing through her eyes, "Now, lay back, close your eyes, and think of something that brings you comfort."
Erza closed her eye, trying to follow Porlyusica's instructions. Something that brought comfort? Her mind immediately conjured up an image of Minato's face, his reassuring smile, the way he had protected her time and again in the Tower. Then, unbidden, came memories of strawberry cake—the sweetness that had momentarily banished all the darkness.
Minato stood in the living room, sitting on a couch with his eyes closed, attempting to meditate the same way the hermit taught him. Despite his worry for Erza, his mind melted back into a memory from a few years ago, yet it seemed so distant now. When he was young, he remembered seeing an old man approach his village. He was strange. His white hair was long and wild. Minato had originally been terrified of him, but the hermit gave a boisterous laugh.
"Boy!" The hermit had laughed, "There are only two things you should fear in life! A lack of mental discipline and the fury of women!"
Minato couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips. The hermit was a strange old man that had stayed in his village for a few weeks. He would often stare at Minato as if assessing him. Then, out of nowhere, he declared he would be Minato's teacher.
"What are you laughing about, Minato?" Makarov's voice brought back Minato from his sudden flashback.
"Oh," Minato laughed sheepishly, "Just remembering someone who tutored me back before…"
His eyes grew dim as sympathy flashed over Makarov.
"What did he tutor you in?" Makarov smoothly changed the subject, much to Minato's relief.
"Sealing Arts," he murmured.
Makarov's eyes lit up with interest, "Ah yes, I do remember you saying something about that the other day. Sealing Arts, eh?"
Minato perked up at Makarov's words, "Do you know about Sealing Arts Magic, Master?"
"Mmm, likely not as much as your mentor," Makarov admitted, "but I know the theory well enough. Sealing Arts Magic has been a lost magic for the past four centuries."
Minato's eyes widened, "Four centuries?"
"Yes, though I am curious as to how far you advanced?"
Minato shrugged modestly, "I was learning quickly before… that happened."
Makarov hummed, "Well, you're in luck. Fairy Tail's library has quite a collection of magical texts! I'm sure we can find something on the Sealing Arts to help you continue your training."
"A library?" Minato asked, his brow raising questioningly. "Forgive my assumptions, Master, but the guild doesn't seem like the reading type."
Instead of being offended, Makarov laughed loudly, "You'd be correct, boy! Most of our members prefer action to study. However, our library was curated around the personal library of our founder, Mavis Vermillion. It was one of her final gifts to the guild."
Minato's eyes lit up at the mention of the guild's founder. "Mavis Vermillion? Who was she?"
Makarov's expression brightened with pride. "The First Master of Fairy Tail! She was one of the most brilliant magical minds in history! She founded our guild over a hundred years ago and was an unparalleled tactician!"
The boy leaned forward as his worry for Erza, though still prevalent, was overtaken by his interest. "Was she a Sealing Arts Master too?"
"No, no," The Master laughed, "Her specialty was Illusion Magic, amongst a few others. But she collected knowledge on all forms of magic. Her philosophy of magic was unique. By understanding the fundamentals of different magical disciplines, people could open the gate to understand one another."
"By understanding magic, we open the gate to understanding each other?" Minato murmured, mulling over the idea. It was an appealing philosophy.
"Indeed. You remind me a bit of her— with that mind of yours," Makarov scanned over Minato for a moment, "Tell me, what specifically interests you about the Sealing Arts?"
Minato stayed silent for a moment. Why did he enjoy the Sealing Arts? Was it because he enjoyed the challenge? Or was it because he was just bored in Marigold?
"I think it's because I enjoy the precision required," Minato finally answered, his brow furrowed in thought, "You need to understand not just what you're doing but why each character works with the other. One incorrect line can change a barrier seal into an explosive tag."
Makarov nodded, "Yes, from what I've seen, the Sealing Arts do indeed require precision. They bridge the gap between written magic and pure magical manipulation. Not many have the patience or mental discipline for it."
"The hermit said I had a natural aptitude," Minato admitted, a hint of pride breaking through his usually humble demeanor, "that my mind worked a bit differently than most."
"And this hermit, did he have a name?"
Minato's face scrunched up. "If he did, he never gave me it. Everyone in the village just called him the Toad Hermit, mostly because he was always surrounded by toads. He even talked to them. He had long white hair and these red markings on his face," Minato traced lines down his cheeks with his fingers. "He was pretty eccentric."
"He sounds like it," Makarov laughed, "well, we still have a few hours until Erza's surgery is finished. I could take you to the library so you can check out some books?"
Minato looked down, his eyes flickering over to the door. Makarov caught it, and his expression turned gentle, "She will still be here when we come back, Minato. And while Porlyusica is far from a combat specialist, she isn't helpless."
Minato nodded slowly, understanding the logic. "Okay," he agreed, though his voice held a hint of reluctance.
"Excellent!" Makarov clapped his hands together. "It's not far from the guild hall—we keep it separate to minimize... damage."
The two walked towards a small building on the guildhall's outskirts. Minato's eyes roamed over the exterior of the library. Unlike the rambunctious guildhall, this building stood with quiet dignity—a two-story stone structure with large windows and an ornate door bearing the Fairy Tail emblem.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail's library," Makarov announced proudly as they stepped inside.
Minato's eyes widened as he took in the interior. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with tomes, grimoires, scrolls, and everything in between.
"This is…" Minato couldn't finish the words, too awed by the legacy of the First Master.
"Yes," Makarov breathed out, "I am ashamed to admit that it has been a while since even I have entered the library."
Minato nodded absentmindedly, browsing around the nearest shelf. Several books stood out to him:
The Draconis Histoire
A History of the Ancient Sages
Lost Summonings Throughout the Ages
The Tales of the Tailed Beasts
A Legacy of Fairies
Minato raised a brow at these. They seemed so… specific.
"Master Mavis was very precise and meticulous when it came to organizing her library. Right now, you're reading from the Ancient Creatures section," Makarov elaborated, "I believe she has an entire section on script-based magic on the second floor. There should be a catalog at the entrance of the second floor that should specify where the Sealing Arts are."
Minato nodded eagerly, "Thank you, Master."
The stairs creaked beneath their feet as they climbed to the second floor. True to Makarov's word, a large, leather-bound catalog rested on a pedestal near the staircase. Minato approached it carefully, his fingers tracing over the pages as he flipped through them. The catalog was meticulously organized by subject, then by author, then by date of publication.
"Sealing Arts... Sealing Arts..." Minato muttered, running his finger down the index. Let's see… there!
Minato couldn't help but love how organized everything was. In order to find the Sealing Arts, he had to look through the Script-Based Magic Category, which then divided into the various script based magics, like Letter Magic, Scripture Magic, and Sealing Arts Magic. They were then broken down into their individual divisions. Letter Magic was split between Solid Script, Dark Écriture, and Written Enchantment Magic. Sealing Arts Magic was split between Sealing Script and Arcane Formulaic Script, often shortened to Arcane Script.
Minato traced his fingers down the Script Magic section. According to the catalog, the books were shelved in… Section 4-E, subsection 7. He gave a small, delighted grin.
Thank you, Master Mavis.
Minato's eyes gleamed as he traced through the catalog, following the markers until he reached a shelf tucked into the corner. The books were older, their spines weathered with age but carefully preserved. His fingers brushed over the spines when a series of books caught his attention. They were bound in blue leather with silver script etched into their spines:
Fundamentals of Basic Sealing
Advanced Applications of Formulaic Sealing
Applications of Barrier Matrices
The Principle of Dimensional Storage
History of Sealing Masters
Minato's eyes widened at the sight of so many texts on Sealing Arts. He had studied under the Toad Hermit for only a few weeks before the man had departed from his village, leaving him with only basic knowledge. Now, before him, lay a treasure trove of information on the magic he had grown to love.
With gentle, almost reverential care, he pulled the first book from the shelf. Opening it, he found precise and detailed diagrams of sealing formulas, detailed explanations of the meaning of each character, and the theory behind every basic combination.
"I take it you've found what you're looking for?" Makarov asked, a wide grin plastered on his face at the boy's wonder.
"Yes," Minato whispered, his eyes reading over each line of text.
Makarov nodded, "I'm glad. I'm sure Mavis would be exhilarated to have someone in her library."
Makarov looked outside. It was still fully bright out.
"Minato," he called out, earning the boy's attention, "I have guild duties to attend, but you may remain here. I will come and gather you when Erza has emerged from her surgery."
Minato nodded, his focus already returning to the book in his hands. "Thank you, Master."
As Makarov's footsteps faded down the stairs, Minato settled into a comfortable chair by the window, sunlight streaming over the pages of the ancient tome. For the first time since the Tower, he felt a sense of normalcy return to him—the familiar comfort of learning, of expanding his mind. The books were complex and far more detailed than anything the Toad Hermit had shown him, but the challenge only excited him more.
Time blurred as he lost himself within the pages of the book. He couldn't keep up with the sheer amount of knowledge being dropped on him.
And this was Basic Sealing… Minato mused. Next time, he'd have to bring a notebook.
Outside the library window, the sun had begun its descent, casting an orange glow across Magnolia. Minato had lost track of time completely, his mind immersed in the intricacies of sealing formulas. The foundation the hermit left for him was enhanced by the basics of this tome. He was particularly focused on the dimensional storage seals. While he did know the basics of the storage seal, according to this book, advanced seals could store elemental magic. Using it correctly, one could even swallow up and store an enemy's attacks.
"Minato."
The voice startled him from his studies. Looking up, he found Makarov standing in the doorway, his expression calm.
"Master?" Minato said in surprise, jolting to his feet, "Is Erza—"
"She is," Makarov nodded, watching as Minato's shoulders sagged with relief.
"Porlyusica did an excellent job, as I knew she would. She's waiting with Erza back at your cottage."
Minato carefully closed the book, placing it back on the shelf with reluctance. "Can I borrow these sometime?"
"You can borrow them now," Makarov said, "Just tell me which ones you wish to borrow, and I'll record them for you."
Minato nodded, gathering three books in succession. The Fundamentals of Basic Sealing, Advanced Applications of Formulaic Sealing, and The Principle of Dimensional Storage.
Makarov nodded, recording the titles in a small ledger he pulled from his pocket. "Good choices. Now, shall we go see how Erza is doing?"
Minato clutched the books to his chest and nodded eagerly, following Makarov out of the library. The walk back to the cottage seemed to take forever, each step weighted with anticipation. As they approached, Minato could see light streaming from the windows, casting a warm glow on the path.
Makarov pushed open the door, but Minato bolted past him, his eyes searching for Erza. He found her sitting at the small kitchen table, her posture straight and dignified. He was vaguely aware of Porlyusica packing away her instruments, but his eyes were focused on Erza. She turned to him, and his breath caught in his throat as two warm, brown eyes gazed at him.
"Erza," he murmured, carefully placing his books on a nearby chair. Erza smiled shyly, her hand touching the area around her new artificial eye.
"What do you think?" she asked, her voice quiet. Minato stared closely. The artificial eye was flawless. If he hadn't known prior to the surgery, he never would have guessed she lost an eye.
"It's perfect," Minato finally said, a small smile gracing his lips, "You can't tell the difference."
"The procedure was a success," Porlyusica stated matter-of-factly, though there was a hint of pride in her voice. "The artificial eye will function exactly like her original. There may be some discomfort as she adjusts to her restored depth perception. However, other than that, there should be no more issues. If there are, you come to me immediately, got that?" Her voice took a dark tone at the end as if she had dealt with incredibly stubborn patients in the past.
"Yes, ma'am!" Erza spoke nervously, intimidated by the woman before her.
Porlyusica switched her gaze to Minato, who immediately stiffened under the glare, "And you! You are to make sure that she does indeed come to me, even if she refuses, got that!?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Minato replied instantly, his back straightening under her attention.
Porlyusica nodded in satisfaction, "Good. I'm leaving now. Too much human interaction for one day."
Makarov chuckled as she opened the door, "Thank you, old friend. Your kindness never ceases to amaze me."
"Kindness?" the woman scoffed. "Hardly. I simply couldn't bear the thought of such a girl walking around half-blind." With that, she swept out the door without a single look back.
As soon as Porlyusica was gone, Erza's figure slumped in relief, "She's intense."
"But brilliant," Makarov laughed to himself. "How does it feel, Erza?"
Erza covered each eye experimentally, testing the difference only to realize they were the same. No difference in vision.
"I can't feel a difference in vision, Master," Erza admitted, "but it does feel… strange. Like I'm looking through someone else's eyes. Though, Ms. Porlyusica said that would pass."
"Good, good," Makarov nodded, pleased by the news.
"But I've been meaning to ask," Erza said, pointing at the three books he brought. "What are those?"
"Oh!" Minato's face lit up with excitement. "Master Makarov took me to the guild's library while you were... recovering. These are books on Sealing Arts! There's so much information—things I never even knew. You know how storage seals can seal physical objects and ethernano?"
Erza nodded, the memory of his improvised siphon seal back at the Tower.
"Well, apparently, you can also seal magic attacks too!" Minato said excitedly, his eyes gleaming with joy. "Then you can unseal the same spell later, using it against the enemy."
"Wow!" Erza exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with amazement. "But, where does it go?"
"It gets sealed into a timeless pocket dimension!"
"These seals sound similar to requip, now that I think about it," Makarov murmured.
Erza perked up at that, her head tilting in curiosity, "Requip?"
"Requip Magic allows the user to store items—primarily weapons, armor, and clothing—in a pocket dimension," Makarov explained. "The mage can then 'requip' these items at will, summoning them instantly for battle, allowing for nearly unparalleled fluid adaptability in combat."
"That sounds incredibly useful," Erza said, her eyes wide with interest. Minato noticed a strange gleam in her eyes—the same look she'd had when first tasting strawberry cake.
"It is," Makarov nodded, taking note of her expression.
"Can I requip an entire set of armor?" She murmured quietly, her mind racing with thoughts.
"You can store entire sets of armor," Makarov explained, "But requipping an entire set of armor is difficult and cumbersome. Most tend to prefer to requip weapons, armor segments, and items. It's much faster that way."
"But it is possible?" Erza stressed, her eyes setting in an odd, determined expression.
Makarov raised an eyebrow at her persistence. "Yes, it is possible, though rare. The magical energy required to instantly summon a complete set of armor is substantial. Only mages with exceptional magical reserves can manage it effectively."
I have to, she thought to herself, if I can adapt to any situation, in addition to my telekinesis, I can become strong! With adaptable armor, I can take the hits my friends can't…
Her thoughts trailed off as she looked over to Minato, who was giving her an encouraging smile.
"I want to learn it," Erza declared, her voice firm with conviction.
Makarov's bushy eyebrows rose slightly, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Well, I certainly can't deny your determination. Very well, I'll arrange for someone to teach you the basics of Requip Magic."
Erza's face lit up, her eyes shining with thrill. "Thank you, Master!"
Makarov chuckled, "Don't thank me yet, my child. It's not an easy magic to master. It will be an arduous journey."
"One that I'm more than willing to take, Master!" Erza exclaimed, her whole body trembling with excitement.
Makarov smiled at the two children, pride swelling in his chest. In just a day, they had already shown such determination and drive. These two would grow to be fine wizards, he was certain.
"Well," Makarov spoke up, "I believe it's getting late. I should return to the guild. I'll have someone bring over some proper supplies for you both tomorrow."
"Thank you, Master," Minato and Erza spoke in unison, bowing slightly.
As Makarov left, the cottage fell into a comfortable silence. Erza was still adjusting to having two eyes again, occasionally blinking rapidly or touching the area around her artificial eye.
"You sure you're okay?" Minato asked, noticing her movements.
"Hmmm?" Erza asked, stopping her actions, "Oh! Yes, it's just that I'm still adjusting."
Minato nodded, watching her with a mixture of concern and joy. Even with the occasional awkward blink or curious touch to her face, seeing Erza with two eyes again filled him with a sense of relief. It was as if a small piece of what Jellal had stolen from them had been restored.
"So…" Erza called out to him, "What did you bring from the library?"
Minato's eyes lit up as he retrieved the three books, carefully arranging them on the small kitchen table. He sat beside Erza, their shoulders almost touching as he opened the first book.
"This one covers the fundamentals," he explained, his finger tracing over a complex diagram. "It explains the basic theory behind sealing—how characters interact, the flow of ethernano through the matrix, and basic applications. Here, take a closer look."
Erza leaned closer, her brow furrowing as she picked up the book and squinted her eyes at the array of complex symbols.
"…I can't read this."
Minato blinked in surprise. "You can't read it?"
"No," Erza admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I can read normal writing, but these symbols..." Her fingers traced over the intricate characters that filled the pages, complex arrays of lines and curves that seemed to shimmer slightly in the dim light of their cottage.
Minato's expression softened as understanding dawned on him. "Of course you can't. These are specialized sealing scripts—even most wizards can't read them without training."
"Did your hermit teach you how to read them?" Erza asked, carefully closing the book and handing it back to him.
Minato nodded. "The basics, at least. Each character represents not just a concept but a flow of magical energy. When combined properly, they create pathways for ethernano to follow." He paused, noticing Erza's slightly downcast expression. "I could teach you if you'd like."
Her eyes brightened immediately. "Really?"
"Of course," Minato replied with a warm smile. "Though I should warn you, it's not easy. The hermit said it took most of his students years to master even the fundamentals."
"I don't mind," Erza said firmly. "If I'm going to learn Requip Magic and you're going to master Sealing Arts, we should understand each other's magic."
Minato felt a warmth pass through him at her words and flashed a smile at her, "Yeah. You're right."
The two of them stayed silent for a while, basking in each other's presence. It wasn't until an errant thought struck Minato that the comfortable silence ended.
He stood up abruptly, startling Erza.
"Minato, what's wro—!"
"We forgot to send a letter to Ms. Hannah!"
"You're right!" Erza gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "She made us promise to write as soon as we arrived!"
Minato scrambled around the cottage, searching through drawers and cupboards. "Do we even have paper and ink?"
"I don't think so," Erza admitted, joining his search. "We'll have to buy some tomorrow."
They both paused, the reality of their situation settling in. "We don't have much money left," Minato said quietly.
Erza's shoulders slumped slightly before her expression turned determined. "Then we need to start taking jobs soon. Real jobs, as Fairy Tail wizards."
Minato nodded, his eyes reflecting the same resolve. "Yes, but before that, we probably need to train a bit more. Master said he would provide an allowance for us until we can take on missions on our own."
"But first," Erza added, "we need to get paper and write to Ms. Hannah. She was worried about us."
Minato smiled at Erza's concern for the doctor who had helped them. "You're right. We'll make it our first priority."
As night fell over their small cottage, they prepared for bed, the excitement of their new magic studies temporarily set aside. Tomorrow would be their first real day as Fairy Tail wizards—the beginning of their journey to become stronger, to protect each other and their new family.
"Goodnight, Erza," Minato said softly, settling onto his mattress beside her bed.
"G'night… Mina," she mumbled back, her voice thick with sleep.
Minato's breath hitched at that. Mina? It was the first time Erza had called him that. The nickname felt warm somehow, like a small bridge connecting them even further. He gave a soft smile as Erza's rhythmic breathing lulled him into sleep.
For the next few weeks, Minato and Erza settled into a routine that gave them both a sense of mundanity they hadn't felt since they left the Tower.
Each morning, they would rise with the sun, eat a quick breakfast, and make their way to the guild hall. Makarov had arranged for both of them to receive basic training in their chosen magics. For Erza, this meant sessions with a friend of Makarov's, Kara, who specialized in Requip Magic. For Minato, it meant hours in the library, poring over the ancient texts on Sealing Arts.
"Focus on the pocket dimension," Kara instructed firmly, her voice stern as she guided Erza through another attempt. "Imagine it as an extension of your mind- a space that belongs to you and only you."
"Right!" Erza nodded, concentrating on the small knife in front of her. She had been practicing basic requipping for days, starting with simple, small objects. The theory was simple: create a personal pocket dimension, store an item there, and then recall it at will.
The practical attempts, however, were far more difficult.
"Relax," Kara advised her, noticing her taut form. "Forcing it will only cause your pocket dimension to collapse."
Erza took a breath, relaxing her posture. She pictured it— a space that was dark and infinite yet connected firmly to her magical core. She imagined placing the sword into that space. A soft golden light enveloped the sword. Then, to Erza's simultaneous surprise and delight, the sword disappeared.
"I did it!" Erza's cheered, her body thrumming with excitement.
"Good," Kara nodded approvingly, her black hair swaying with her movements, "Now recall it."
Erza nodded, clenching both of her hands. She imagined herself opening the doorway to her pocket dimension. She reached out mentally, willing it to return to her hand. For a second, nothing happened. Then, a flicker of golden light appeared. When it died down, the sword was in her palm.
"Yes!" Erza yelled out, raising the sword to the sky.
"Very good." Kara nodded, a hint of a smile on her face. "You're progressing rapidly for someone of your age. With your current rate of progression, I wouldn't doubt it if you become a master before your twenties."
Erza beamed at the praise, turning the sword over in her hand. "When can I try with something bigger? Like an armor set?"
"One step at a time," Kara cautioned. "First, practice with the sword until you can requip it instantly, without hesitation. Speed is crucial in combat situations."
Minato's training was far different, however…
Minato sat cross-legged on the library floor, surrounded by open books and scrolls covered in intricate symbols. Unlike Erza's training, which required constant supervision, his studies were largely self-directed, with occasional guidance from Makarov and the memories he could dredge from his mentor. His quiet ramblings resonated in the library, notes scattered across the floor as Minato practiced his calligraphy.
He frowned at his work, noting a slight imperfection in one of the characters. With a sigh, he crumpled the paper and began again. The Sealing Arts demanded perfection—a single misplaced line could cause a seal to fail catastrophically or, worse, activate in unpredictable ways.
That didn't mean he was inactive, however. He knew that despite his mind being his greatest advantage, he still had to nurture his speed and combat. He had learned basic combat and the utility of kunai but little to no actual hand-to-hand. While inside the library, Minato had grown curious and wondered if the library held any books for a martial arts style that fit his style.
To his delight, he found a section on combat magic and physical enhancement techniques. One book in particular caught his eye: Humming Bird Style Martial Arts: The Art of Fast-Paced Combat and Grappling.
The book detailed a style focused on speed, agility, and precision rather than raw power—perfect for Minato's natural talents.
"Maintain fluid transitions," Minato murmured to himself, reading from the text as he practiced the basic stance in a small clearing behind the library. "The Humming Bird style relies on constant movement—never remain stationary."
And they didn't stop at just training. Minato and Erza began to go on missions. Very small stuff within Magnolia only. The Master had specified this as a way to earn their keep and familiarize themselves with Fiore.
Time began to blur again, and it wasn't until Erza came in that he realized it was late.
"Minato?" Erza called, her voice echoing through the library. "Are you still in here?"
Minato looked up from his practice, sweat beading on his forehead. He quickly gathered his scattered notes and books, arranging them in a neat pile. "Over here, Erza!"
She appeared around one of the towering bookshelves, her red hair slightly disheveled from her training. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of him surrounded by books, papers, and what appeared to be chalk markings on the floor.
"Have you been here all day?" she asked, approaching him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"I guess I lost track of time," Minato admitted sheepishly. "How was your training with Ms. Kara?"
Erza's face lit up immediately. "I did it! I successfully requipped a sword today!" She demonstrated by extending her palm, concentrating briefly, and summoning the sword in a flash of golden light.
"Very nice," Minato grinned at her, "Are you planning on becoming a full swordsman… swordswoman?"
Erza beamed, twirling the sword with growing confidence. "I'm focusing on swords for now, but Ms. Kara says I should diversify. She thinks my telekinesis will pair well with multiple weapons."
"That makes sense," Minato nodded, gathering his books. "You could control several weapons at once while wielding another."
"Exactly!" Erza's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And eventually, I want to add armor. Different sets for different situations."
Minato smiled at her enthusiasm. "I can already picture it: Erza Scarlet, the armored swordswoman of Fairy Tail."
A faint blush colored her cheeks as she requipped the knife away. "What about you? I know you're focusing on your seals and have a martial arts style lined up, but have you thought of having any weapons?"
Minato paused for a moment. Weapons? To be honest, he hadn't considered it. His mind vaguely turned to the Tower of Heaven. He had used two daggers he found on the ground to great effect. He closed his eyes, forcing the image of the bloodied guards down. Instead, he also focused on an old memory, one of the hermit. He carried around a specific type of blade, a kunai…
"Maybe kunai," Minato murmured. "The hermit used to use them. They're small throwing knives, used for close combat and ranged attacks."
Erza leaned forward, a lock of her hair trailing over her shoulder, "They seem perfect for your kind of fighting style. Small, fast, and precise."
"I think so too," Minato nodded, "But I'd need to find a blacksmith who could make them the way I wanted."
Erza nodded, "Agreed. I need to find one too if I want to use my requip accurately. Maybe they could make me some specialized armor!"
"We should ask Master if he knows any," Minato suggested, getting to his feet and stretching his stiff muscles. "I'm sure there must be a skilled blacksmith in Magnolia."
"True, but we need money first," Erza pointed out before a sharp smile took over. "Well, do you reckon we're ready for a mission, at least?"
Minato gave a small smile, "I reckon so."
"Though..." Minato paused, his expression turning thoughtful, "maybe we should ask Master Makarov if there are any beginner-friendly missions we could take."
Erza nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. We shouldn't overestimate ourselves, especially for our first mission."
"Well," Minato drawled playfully, "technically, we have gone on beginner missions. Maybe a thief request?"
"Or a bodyguard."
Minato nodded, "True, but we should ask Master. He'd likely know."
Erza nodded, and together, they walked towards the guild. Within a few minutes, Minato and Erza stood before the request board in the guild hall, examining the various job postings. Most were clearly beyond their current abilities—monster exterminations, dark guild investigations, and escort missions through dangerous territories.
"What about this one?" Erza pointed to a simple-looking flyer, "Capturing a thief that stole some jewelry."
"How much is it?" Minato peeked over her shoulder, curious.
"100,000 jewels," Erza read aloud, her eyes widening slightly. "That's more than enough for both of us to get some basic equipment."
Makarov's voice came from behind them, making both children jump. "Looking for a job, are we?"
They turned to see the guild master standing there, his arms crossed but his expression kind.
"Yes, Master," Minato replied. "We thought it was time we tried a real mission."
Makarov stroked his mustache thoughtfully, his eyes scanning over the request board.
"A thief job, eh?" Makarov murmured before sighing, "I'm afraid I can't let you leave without a guide."
"But Master—!" Erza tried to argue but fell silent when Makarov raised his hand, "Now, I didn't say I would refuse to let you go. You just need a guide. Now, let's see…"
Makarov's old eyes scanned the guild hall.
Macoa…? No.
Wakaba…? No.
Enno…? Perhaps.
The doors to the main hall creaked open as a boy with spiky blonde hair and headphones around his neck walked in. He looked to be a few years older than them, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, with a lightning-shaped scar running down his right eye.
"Yo, gramps!" the boy called out, eyes closed. "I just finished my mission in Onibus, so I think—"
"Thank you for volunteering, Laxus!" Makarov exclaimed, a cheeky grin on his face.
Laxus blinked in surprise, "Volunteer for what?" He looked down at the two kids in front, "And who are the runts?"
"These are our newest members, Minato Namikaze and Erza Scarlet," Makarov said cheerfully, inwardly cackling at the growing realization on his grandson's face, "They need an experienced guide for their first real mission."
"… You're joking, right gramps?"
"I'm afraid not," Makarov replied, his tone firm despite the mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You're the perfect candidate, Laxus. You've been complaining about wanting more responsibility."
Laxus' eye twitched, "You know that's not what I meant, gramps."
"Even so, this is an important lesson if you wish to become S-Class one day, my boy!" Makarov stated firmly, Laxus standing up a bit straighter, "An S-Class Wizard must be able to lead confidently!"
Laxus stayed silent for a moment as he mulled Makarov's words. Finally, he sighed, clearly unhappy but otherwise subdued. "Fine, but I'm not holding their hands the whole way. I'll only step in if necessary."
"That's fine," Erza replied, her voice tinged with determination. "We're not looking for a babysitter."
Laxus raised an eyebrow at her tone but said nothing, merely shrugging his shoulders. "Whatever. Let me see the job request."
Minato handed him the flyer, watching as the older boy's eyes scanned over the details.
"A jewelry thief in Oshibana," Laxus muttered. "Simple enough. When do you want to leave?"
"As soon as possible," Minato answered, exchanging a quick glance with Erza. "We can be ready within the hour."
"Then meet me at the train station in an hour," Laxus said, handing the flyer back. "Don't be late."
As Laxus walked away, Minato couldn't help but speak, "He seems… friendly."
Erza snorted as Makarov chuckled. "Don't mind my grandson's attitude," Makarov spoke softly, "He's been difficult lately, but he is still a skilled wizard and will keep you safe."
"Grandson?" Minato asked, his eyes widening.
"Indeed," Makarov nodded, his eyes becoming tender and nostalgic. He shook his head before turning to the duo. "You all must go and prepare. I'm afraid Laxus doesn't enjoy waiting."
"Couldn't have guessed," Erza murmured quietly. Minato held back a chuckle as he grabbed Erza's hand and led her to the cottage. He turned back to her with a gentle grin, "Are you excited?"
Erza's face lit up with a broad grin. "Our first real mission outside Magnolia! Of course I'm excited."
They reached their cottage quickly, both rushing to gather what little equipment they had. Minato packed his sealing supplies—ink, brushes, pre-made seal tags—while Erza made sure she could reliably requip the few weapons she had managed to store in her pocket dimension. With a final grin towards each other, the two made their way to Magnolia Station.
"Hannah!" A voice called out to her. Hannah looked up from her desk as the mailman entered her clinic. "I've got some more letters for you from Magnolia."
Hannah's eyes lit up as she took the letters from the mailman. "Thank you," she said gratefully, already tearing open the first envelope.
Her eyes scanned the pages eagerly, a smile growing on her face as she read the children's words. Minato's neat, precise handwriting detailed their arrival in Magnolia, their acceptance into the Fairy Tail guild, and the magical training they had begun. Erza's slightly messier script spoke of her new eye, her excitement about learning Requip magic, and how kind everyone at the guild had been.
Hannah felt a warmth spread through her chest. Despite her initial misgivings, it seemed the children had found a good home with this wizard guild. She read on, chuckling at their descriptions of guild members and their enthusiasm for their new lives.
Perhaps Fairy Tail isn't as bad as everyone says…