Date: July 7, X770
Location: Rosemary Village, Outskirts
The morning mist clung to the rolling hills of Rosemary Village, a quiet settlement tucked away in the Kingdom of Fiore. For five-year-old Ren, the day didn't start with a mother's kiss or the smell of breakfast, but with the damp scent of earth and the heavy weight of a wooden practice sword.
Ren sat cross-legged near a small brook, his long burgundy hair tied back in a messy ponytail. His deep red eyes—striking and far too focused for a toddler—stared at the water. On his forehead, the faint, flame-like birthmark pulsed slightly.
« Notice: Breathing stabilized. Heart rate optimized for physical exertion. »
The voice of the [Great Sage] echoed in his mind—cool, robotic, and reliable. It was his only companion since he could remember.
"Sage," Ren whispered, his voice high-pitched and tiny. "Is my form okay today?"
« Analysis: Current stance is 4% too wide for your center of gravity. Adjust the left foot. »
Ren shifted his weight, his small feet digging into the dirt. He swung the wooden branch—a makeshift katana—with a sharp whoosh. He was small, but his movements had a strange, haunting fluidness, reminiscent of a master swordsman trapped in a child's body.
THE ENCOUNTER.
Ren's daily routine involved more than just swinging sticks. As an orphan, survival was a game of calories. He headed toward the treeline, his eyes scanning for wild herbs he could trade with the village elder for a scrap of bread.
« Identification: Red-root Herb. Medicinal properties: Antiseptic. Market value: 2 Jewel. »
"Found one!" Ren cheered, his childish side winning over his stoic training. He lunged for the plant, but stopped when he heard a soft, rhythmic thud coming from behind a large oak tree.
Peeking around the trunk, he saw a shock of vibrant scarlet hair.
A young girl, roughly his age, was kicking a tree trunk. Her face was set in a determined pout, her eyes brimming with a fierce, lonely light. This was Erza.
Ren watched her for a moment. She looked as lonely as he felt, yet she was trying so hard to be strong. His heart gave a little tug.
"You're going to hurt your toes if you keep doing that," Ren said, stepping out into the open.
Erza jumped, spinning around. Her eyes widened, taking in the strange boy with the red hair and the birthmark. "Who are you? I didn't see you there!"
Ren gave a playful, toothy grin. He took a step forward and bowed—a little too formally for a five-year-old, looking like a miniature samurai.
"I'm Ren. I live in the shack by the river," he said, his eyes twinkling. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, sweet-smelling flower he'd picked earlier. "And you are far too pretty to be scowling at a tree, Erza-chan."
Erza's face instantly matched her hair color. "E-Erza-chan?! How do you know my name? And don't say embarrassing things!"
Ren giggled, the sound bright and innocent. "The village kids talk. But they didn't mention you had eyes like the evening sky. Do you want to train with me? It's more fun than hitting wood."
Erza looked at his wooden sword, then back at his friendly face. The loneliness that usually sat on her shoulders seemed to lighten just a fraction.
"I... I'm going to be a great knight one day," she declared, puffing out her chest.
"Then you'll need a rival," Ren replied, tossing her a sturdy branch he had found earlier. "I'm going to be the strongest swordsman under the sun. If you stay by my side, maybe some of that greatness will rub off on you."
Erza caught the branch, a small, competitive smirk forming on her lips. "In your dreams, Ren! I'll be Stronger than you!"