# Chapter 3: The Road to Magnolia
Cael returned to his camp as the last light faded from the sky. The clearing that had been his home for a year felt different now—smaller somehow, as if his perspective had shifted. He gathered his few belongings: a worn blanket, some basic supplies, and the small knife he'd used for preparing food. Everything fit into a simple pack he'd woven from plant fibers months ago.
He looked around the clearing one final time. The scorch marks on the trees from his early training attempts. The flattened area where he'd drilled his constructs endlessly. The spot by the stream where he'd sat countless evenings, reviewing data on his screens.
"Time to move forward," he said quietly, then turned and headed back toward Riverside.
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Dawn broke with soft golden light filtering through the trees. Cael arrived at the inn just as Levy emerged from the entrance, followed by Jet and Droy. All three looked considerably better than they had the previous evening—rested and healed.
"Cael!" Levy's face brightened when she saw him. "You're early. I wasn't sure if you'd actually come."
"I said I would," Cael replied simply.
"Right, of course." She adjusted the bag on her shoulder. "We've got about a day's walk ahead of us. The train would be faster, but we used most of our mission reward on healing supplies after that ambush."
"Walking is fine," Cael said.
They set off together, leaving Riverside behind as the town began to wake up. The road was well-maintained, winding through farmland and patches of forest. Jet and Droy walked ahead, talking between themselves, while Levy fell into step beside Cael.
"So," she said after a few minutes of comfortable silence, "you mentioned you've been training for a year. What made you choose such an isolated approach?"
"My magic needed development," Cael said. "I couldn't test its limits around other people. Too many variables, too much risk of accidentally hurting someone."
"That's very responsible," Levy observed. "Most wizards can't wait to show off new techniques." She glanced at him curiously. "Do you have family? Friends who were worried about you disappearing for a year?"
"No family," Cael said. The entity's gift meant he'd been reborn into this world without those connections. "No friends either. I've been on my own."
Something in his tone must have conveyed finality because Levy didn't push further. Instead, she shifted topics. "Well, Fairy Tail is basically a giant family. Fair warning though—it's loud, chaotic, and someone's always starting a fight in the guild hall."
"Fights?"
"Not serious ones," Levy laughed. "Just... friendly brawling. Natsu and Gray go at it almost daily. Erza usually has to step in and knock some sense into them."
The names meant nothing to Cael specifically, though he sensed they were important somehow. "You enjoy it there?"
"I love it," Levy said warmly. "Everyone looks out for each other. When we're on missions, I know the whole guild has our backs. And Master Makarov—he's the guild master—he really cares about all of us." She looked at Cael thoughtfully. "I think you'd fit in well."
"I avoid unnecessary conflict," Cael said. "I'm not much for brawling."
"That's fine! Not everyone participates. Some of us just watch and laugh." Levy grinned. "Besides, with your tactical approach, you'd probably end any fight before it really started."
They walked in companionable silence for a while. The morning air was crisp and pleasant. Cael found himself appreciating the peaceful atmosphere—so different from his year of intense, solitary training.
"Can I ask you something?" Levy said eventually.
"Go ahead."
"Your magic—Command Magic. You said you created it based on Archive magic, but it's so much more complex. The tactical displays, the hardlight constructs, the combat applications..." She paused. "What inspired it?"
Cael considered how to answer. He couldn't explain about his previous life or the entity's gift, but he could be honest about his approach. "I've always thought like a strategist. I prefer seeing the whole battlefield, directing forces rather than just throwing power around. Command Magic reflects that."
"A general rather than a soldier," Levy said thoughtfully.
"Exactly."
"That's actually pretty rare in the wizard world. Most magic users focus on personal power—how strong their spells are, how much damage they can do. But you're thinking about coordination, tactics, efficiency." She smiled. "I really do think Master Makarov will be impressed."
"We'll see," Cael said neutrally.
Around midday, they stopped by a stream to rest and eat lunch. Jet and Droy had brought supplies from Riverside, and they shared bread and cheese while sitting on the grassy bank.
"So Cael," Jet said, "that thing yesterday where you had those soldier constructs—how many can you make at once?"
"Currently? About four Assault units comfortably. More if I use less complex types or reduce their operational parameters."
"That's still crazy," Droy said. "It's like having your own army."
"A small squad," Cael corrected. "Not an army. Each unit follows basic programming but can't truly think independently. They're tools, not soldiers."
"Still impressive," Jet said. "Most summoning magic requires contracts or pre-existing creatures. You're just... making them from scratch."
Levy had pulled out her notebook and was sketching something. "The magical theory alone is fascinating. You're essentially creating temporary artificial life from pure magical energy given physical form through hardlight construction..."
"More or less," Cael confirmed.
They resumed walking after lunch. The landscape gradually changed—more hills, denser forests, signs of larger towns in the distance. As the afternoon wore on, Levy moved closer to Cael again.
"I should probably prepare you," she said. "Fairy Tail can be overwhelming at first. There are a lot of powerful wizards there, and the energy level is... intense."
"I'll manage," Cael said.
"I know you will. You seem pretty unflappable." Levy smiled. "But seriously, if it gets too much, you can always find a quiet corner. I usually hide in the library upstairs when I need peace."
"There's a library?"
"A pretty good one too! Lots of books on magic theory, history, regional guides..." Levy's eyes lit up. "I spend a lot of time there. You're welcome to join me whenever you want."
"I might take you up on that," Cael said.
As the sun began setting, the city of Magnolia appeared in the distance. It was larger than Cael had expected—a proper city with multiple districts, tall buildings, and even what looked like a cathedral spire rising above the skyline.
"There it is," Levy said with obvious affection in her voice. "Home."
They entered the city as twilight fell. The streets were still busy with evening crowds. Levy led them through familiar routes, clearly comfortable navigating the urban landscape. Finally, they turned down a particular street and stopped in front of a large building.
The guild hall was impressive—three stories tall, with distinctive architecture and a large emblem mounted above the entrance. Even from outside, Cael could hear noise from within—laughter, shouting, what sounded like things breaking.
"Here we are," Levy announced. "Fairy Tail." She looked at Cael. "Ready?"
Cael studied the building for a moment. This was a decision point—once he walked through those doors, his path would be set. But he'd already made his choice back in Riverside.
"Ready," he confirmed.
Levy pushed open the doors, and they stepped inside.
The guild hall was exactly as chaotic as Levy had warned. The main floor was a massive open space filled with tables, a long bar, and dozens of people. Two young men were indeed fighting in the middle of the room—one with pink hair throwing fire punches, the other with dark hair creating ice. A red-haired woman in armor was yelling at them to stop. Other guild members were eating, drinking, laughing, or watching the fight with amusement.
It was loud, energetic, and completely unlike the solitary quiet of Cael's forest clearing.
"LEVY!" someone shouted from across the room. "You're back!"
Several people noticed Team Shadow Gear's return and called out greetings. The fighting paused momentarily as the pink-haired boy waved at them.
"Everyone!" Levy called out, her voice somehow carrying over the noise. "This is Cael Vernier. He saved our lives yesterday!" She turned to Cael and began pointing out people. "That's Natsu and Gray fighting—ignore them. The scary one in armor is Erza. The bartender is Mirajane. And—"
"Who's the new guy?" A short, elderly man appeared, seeming to materialize out of nowhere. He had a distinctive mustache and sharp eyes that studied Cael with clear intelligence.
"Master Makarov!" Levy said respectfully. "This is Cael. He rescued us from dark wizards yesterday, and I was hoping..." She glanced at Cael. "He's interested in joining the guild."
Master Makarov's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing. "Is that so? What kind of magic do you use, boy?"
"Command Magic," Cael said calmly, meeting the guild master's gaze steadily. "It's my own creation—an advanced form of Archive magic."
"Your own creation?" Makarov's eyebrows rose. "That's ambitious. Show me."
Cael raised one hand, and three screens materialized in a triangular formation around him. The guild hall went quieter as people noticed. Data scrolled across the screens—information about the room, magical signatures detected, structural analysis.
"Interesting," Makarov said. "But Archive magic already exists. What makes yours different?"
"Combat applications," Cael said simply. The screens shifted, and small amounts of energy crackled across their surfaces. "And this."
He manifested a single Assault unit beside him. The hardlight construct solidified, its form clearly humanoid but distinctly artificial. The guild hall went completely silent.
"By the founder..." someone whispered.
Makarov walked around the construct, examining it closely. "Fascinating. You created this? How long did it take you to develop this magic?"
"A year of focused training," Cael replied.
"And you want to join Fairy Tail?"
"Levy invited me. I'm interested in being part of a guild, and your reputation is strong."
Makarov studied Cael for a long moment, then suddenly grinned. "I like you, kid. You're calm, focused, and Levy vouching for you means a lot." He gestured broadly. "Welcome to Fairy Tail! Mirajane, get this boy his guild mark!"
The guild hall erupted in cheers and welcomes. The white-haired woman from behind the bar—Mirajane—approached with a warm smile and a magical stamp.
"Where would you like your mark, and what color?" she asked.
Cael considered briefly. "Left shoulder. Red."
The mark was applied quickly, the Fairy Tail emblem now visible on his shoulder in crimson. As Cael looked at it, something settled in his chest—a sense of belonging he hadn't expected.
"Welcome home," Levy said beside him, her smile genuine and warm.
Cael looked around at the chaotic guild hall, at the diverse group of wizards who were now technically his guildmates, and at Levy's happy expression.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For inviting me."
"Thank you for saying yes," Levy replied. She grabbed his hand suddenly. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone properly. Fair warning—some of them are weird."
As she pulled him into the crowd, Cael allowed himself a small smile. After a year alone, surrounded by noise and chaos and people who seemed genuinely welcoming...
It felt right.