Joining Fairy Tail

In the end, Erza still forced herself to finish the vegetables. Seeing how reluctant she was, Cain wanted to tell her that it was fine if she really did not like them.

But Erza said that food should not be wasted.

Cain paused, realizing that she had misunderstood him. What he meant was that she could give them to him.

Cain understood that it was because of her experiences in the Tower of Heaven that Erza said such things. Compared to what she had gone through, he really had it much better.

After eating, the two rested briefly before setting off for Baron Ross's Estate.

When Erza saw Cain taking her to the station and buying two tickets, she asked curiously, "Aren't we going to that baron's estate?"

Seeing Erza looking at him in confusion, Cain remembered that he had never told her that Baron Ross's Estate was not located on Bagya Coast.

"The baron's estate isn't on Bagya Coast. It's in Fithia City."

After hearing Cain say that, Erza understood.

The two then boarded the Magic Train. It was Erza's first time riding one, and she found everything astonishing, looking here and touching there.

Looking at Erza before him, Cain could not imagine how much suffering the eleven-year-old girl from the original story had endured before finally reaching Magnolia and joining Fairy Tail.

Noticing Cain staring at her, Erza became a little embarrassed. She stopped looking around and sat quietly in her seat.

About three hours later, the Magic Train arrived in Fithia City.

"Ah, we're finally here. My butt hurts from sitting so long."

Cain rubbed his backside and muttered to Erza beside him. Erza nodded in agreement; she felt like her butt was about to split into four pieces.

Everything went smoothly as Cain took Erza to the baron's estate to submit the sea pearl. The other party did not make things difficult for him just because he was a child.

After receiving the commission certificate, Cain checked the time and said to Erza, "Erza, let's stay here for the night. We'll head back to the guild first thing tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

Although Erza wanted to see the guild Rob had described as being like a home as soon as possible, she understood that it was already getting late.

After another hearty dinner, Cain took Erza to an inn. He told her to get some good rest, then returned to his own room.

After taking a hot bath, Erza lay on the soft bed and felt as though everything that had happened today was a dream.

From the confusion she had felt when she first escaped the Tower of Heaven, to the shock of meeting Cain, to later discovering that he was a member of Fairy Tail.

Then she had asked him to take her to Fairy Tail. She had thought he would refuse, but Cain had agreed immediately.

After that, he bought her a pretty little dress, took her to eat delicious food, let her ride the Magic Train, and now she was lying on a soft bed. Oh, and when they had first met, he had given her a beautiful sea pearl.

As she recalled everything that had happened today, her initial sadness and confusion gradually faded, replaced by a sense of security and comfort she had never felt before.

The next day

After waking up and washing up, Cain planned to go out for some exercise. To his surprise, when he opened the door, Erza was already standing there prettily.

Cain was somewhat surprised. "Morning, Erza. Did you sleep well last night?"

"Mm. It was the best sleep I've had in years."

Seeing this, Cain gave up on his morning workout. After the two finished breakfast together, they went to the station and bought tickets to Magnolia.

Only then did Erza realize that Cain had paid for the clothes, meals, inn, and train fare over the past two days.

"Cain, thank you." Erza bowed to him in gratitude.

Erza's solemn demeanor left Cain somewhat confused, and he hurriedly helped her up. "Why are you suddenly being so serious?"

Erza then explained that Cain had covered all of their expenses these past two days. She did not know how to repay him, so she could only thank him this way.

Cain waved it off carelessly. "What's the big deal? We're companions, after all. And don't let my appearance fool you, but I don't really lack money."

Cain calling them companions made Erza very happy. As for his claim that he was not short on money, she did not believe him.

Although she had spent the past few years in the Tower of Heaven without any contact with the outside world, she had known how difficult it was to earn money back when she lived in Rosemary Village.

The two chatted casually, and before long, the Magic Train arrived in Magnolia.

"Cain, you're back? Want an apple?" "Yo, Cain, you even brought back a cute little girl?"

Watching Cain warmly greet the people around him, Erza felt that he was amazing. They were clearly about the same age, yet he was so well liked by everyone around him.

After greeting the enthusiastic residents, Cain seemed to remember something and said to Erza, "Erza, everyone at the guild might be a little enthusiastic, so don't get startled, okay?"

A little enthusiastic? Like how the people around us treat Cain? Erza blinked, then nodded. "Don't worry, Cain!"

As she spoke, she patted the worn armor on her chest. Seeing how confident Erza looked, Cain hesitated, then ultimately decided against saying anything.

In his opinion, Erza in the original story had been able to accept it, so she would not be unable to accept it now.

Cain pushed open the guild doors and shouted, "I'm back!"

Woof woof woof!!!

However, aside from Little White's enthusiastic welcome, none of the other guild members paid him any attention. Those drinking kept drinking, and those bragging kept bragging.

Erza looked at Cain in confusion. This is the enthusiasm you meant?

"Ahem, ignore them. I'll take you to see the guild master."

Hearing that she was going to meet the guild master, Erza immediately put the minor matter out of her mind and followed Cain all the way to a drunken little old man at the counter.

"Guild Master, Guild Master, wake up."

Makarov barely opened his eyes. "Cain... Cain... welcome... hic~"

A strong smell of alcohol came from Guild Master Makarov's mouth, and Cain quickly moved farther away from the drunken old man.

"Huh, this... this little... girl is... who?"

As Makarov spoke, he leaned his head toward Erza. Seeing that the guild master was practically about to press himself against her, Cain quickly pulled him away.

So Erza would not think this little old man was some kind of pervert.

"Guild Master, I want to join Fairy Tail. Please allow it."

Erza was not displeased by Makarov's drunken behavior. Instead, she solemnly stated the purpose of her visit.

"Good... good, I'll give you... give you... the guild mark."

The swaying Makarov turned to retrieve the guild stamp, but though it was right in front of him, it kept swaying in his vision, and he could not grasp it no matter what.

Unable to watch any longer, Cain picked up the stamp and asked Erza, "Erza, what color do you want your guild mark to be, and where do you want it?"

"Red. Put it here."

As she spoke, she raised her left hand, indicating her upper arm.

Smack! A bright red mark appeared on Erza's upper left arm. Looking at it, Erza thought that Rob would surely be happy to know that she had joined Fairy Tail.

At that moment, Makarov suddenly leaped to his feet. "A newcomer has joined! Let's have a party!"

Ooooooooooh!!!!