Arc: The Journey to Fairy Tail
Location: Small Trade Village off the Central Road
Month / Year: July, X775
Age:
Kaito — 10 years old
Erza Scarlet — 10 years old
Mirajane Strauss — 10 years old
Lysanna Strauss — 8 years old
Elfman Strauss — 9 years old
POV: Rotating (Erza → Kaito → Lysanna & Elfman)
---
Mirajane's growth stopped abruptly.
Not gently.
Not gradually.
It hit a wall.
The moment came during morning training.
She tried to draw deeper—tried to pull more of the demon's strength into her arm—
—and pain tore through her shoulder.
Mirajane dropped to one knee with a sharp gasp, demon arm flickering violently before shrinking back to its previous state.
"…Tch—!"
Kaito was beside her instantly.
> "Great Sage: Analysis complete.
Adaptive Growth halted.
Reason: Physical vessel insufficient.
Risk of permanent damage if continued."
"Stop," he said firmly.
Mirajane scowled. "I was close."
"You were about to tear your own body apart," he replied.
She slammed her fist into the dirt. "So what? I just… stop getting stronger?"
"No," Kaito said calmly. "You stop forcing it."
Erza, watching from a distance, felt something unexpected loosen in her chest.
Relief.
She hated herself a little for it.
---
Training shifted after that.
No more demon power pushing.
Instead—
Taijutsu.
Kaito stood across from Mirajane in the clearing, sleeves rolled up.
"Demon strength without technique wastes energy," he said. "So we fix that."
Mirajane cracked her neck. "You sure you can handle me without a sword?"
He smiled. "Try."
She rushed him.
Hard.
Fast.
But this time, Kaito didn't overwhelm her.
He guided her.
Redirecting strikes. Adjusting stance. Correcting balance mid-motion.
> "Great Sage: Teaching optimization active.
Muscle memory imprinting accelerated."
"Your center's too high," he said, tapping her hip lightly.
"Again."
Mirajane growled—but listened.
By noon, she was exhausted and grinning.
"…You're annoying," she admitted. "But this works."
Erza sparred with her later.
No demon arm.
Just fists, kicks, and stubborn pride.
Mirajane still lost—but not badly.
Erza noticed.
She's improving the right way now.
That helped her breathe easier.
---
Kaito noticed Erza's mood by evening.
She was quieter.
Sharper.
Too focused.
He waited until they reached the village—small, peaceful, with a bakery that smelled like warm sugar and butter.
"Stay here," he said suddenly.
Erza blinked. "Why?"
He didn't answer.
---
He returned an hour later with a small box.
Inside was a cake.
Simple in shape—but when Erza looked closer, she felt it.
Dense. Warm. Perfect.
"What… is this?" she asked.
"Spatial cake," Kaito said casually. "Compressed nutrients, stabilized sweetness. Won't go stale. And—"
He paused, then added softly, "—you looked like you needed something good today."
Erza stared.
Her face heated. "…You noticed."
"Always do."
She took a bite.
It was unfairly good.
Her chest tightened.
"…Thank you," she said quietly.
He smiled. "Anytime."
From across the street—
Mirajane watched, arms crossed, smirking.
"So that's how you flirt," she muttered. "Food magic."
---
Shopping happened next.
Supplies. Clothes. New wraps for training.
Mirajane tried on gloves and flexed dramatically.
Erza inspected armor straps with practiced eyes.
Kaito paid, unbothered, amused.
And two smaller figures watched them all.
---
Lysanna's POV
They looked… cool.
Like heroes in a story.
Big sister Mira walked close to Kaito, laughing loudly.
Erza walked on the other side—quiet, serious, but smiling when Kaito leaned toward her.
"…They're all strong," Lysanna whispered.
---
Elfman's POV
Elfman nodded firmly.
"They're scary," he said. "But good scary."
He watched Erza and Mirajane bump shoulders—neither backing down.
"…They're totally gonna fight again."
Lysanna giggled.
But both of them noticed something else too.
No matter how loud the rivalry got—
They always stayed together.
---
That night, as they left the village, Erza walked a little closer to Kaito.
Mirajane noticed.
She didn't comment.
Not yet.
The road to Fairy Tail stretched on.
And for the first time—
The rivalry felt balanced.
---
End of Chapter 31
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