Magnolia Town's morning air carried a soft sea breeze as Erza's eyes caught sight of the grand Guild building, standing proud and tall beside the harbor. Its walls bore countless stories — of battles fought, friendships forged, and dreams chased.
"Is this Rob's Guild?" Erza asked quietly, a nervous tremor beneath her words.
"Yes," Escanor smiled warmly. "And from now on, it's your home too. Come on, let's go inside."
Erza hesitated a moment at the threshold, then followed him through the heavy wooden doors.
"Yo~ Minna~ I'm back!" Escanor's booming voice echoed through the hall as he strode inside.
A chorus of voices greeted him, teasing and curious.
"Escanor! Where have you been?"
"Why'd you bring back a little girlfriend, huh?"
Erza's cheeks flamed crimson beneath the teasing. She lowered her gaze, shrinking quietly amid the laughter.
Escanor approached the front desk where Makarov sat, sipping his tea.
"Grandpa, I'm back. I need to talk," Escanor said softly.
Together, the three ascended to the Guild's second floor, away from the bustling crowd below.
Escanor recounted the grim tale of Rob's final mission, the escape, and the sacrifice.
Makarov's face clouded with grief.
"Rob left us in the end… though I expected it, the pain is no less."
Erza stepped forward timidly.
"Master Makarov, may I join the Guild? I want to know what Rob's Guild truly is."
Makarov smiled kindly and placed a hand on her head.
"Of course, child. This will be your home. Here, you need not fear — Fairy Tail is family."
With a solemn nod, Makarov completed Erza's membership, stamping the Guild emblem onto her hand.
"Everyone! We have a new member — a brave little girl!" Makarov called, standing atop a chair.
The hall erupted in cheers and welcomes.
"Welcome, Erza!"
"Welcome to Fairy Tail!"
Erza shyly smiled, feeling the warmth of acceptance for the first time.
Someone asked, curiosity shining in their eyes.
"Erza, what kind of magic do you use?"
Erza didn't hesitate.
"Knight Magic!"
A gleaming short sword appeared in her hand, followed by a suit of shining armor.
Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.
"Transformation?"
"Requip Magic!"
Escanor chuckled to himself.
"With all the monster parts I've gathered, I can finally forge some real armor for her."
His rare treasure trove of magical materials—battled and scavenged from monstrous foes—would now serve a worthy warrior.
Erza was settled into the girls' dormitory, a cozy place paid for by the Guild until she came of age.
Six months passed.
Erza trained relentlessly alongside Escanor, driven by the memory of Rob's sacrifice. She pushed herself harder than anyone else, driven by guilt and determination. Escanor forged her armor from the monster materials he collected, gifting her strength and protection.
Despite Erza's protests, Escanor allowed her to write IOUs for the armor—he never expected her to actually pay.
Fairy Tail itself blossomed. New faces filled the halls: Natsu, the fiery Dragon Slayer; the three siblings mastering Take Over Magic; Cana with her cards; Levy and her scripts. The Guild thrived.
Escanor himself dialed back his missions, focusing instead on preparing for the Guild's S-Class Exam—a trial only he would face, judged by none other than Makarov himself.
Though the battle ahead thrilled Escanor, whispers circulated about his recent restraint in combat. Was he holding back? Why hadn't he claimed S-Class status yet?
Erza, always a loyal fan, stood by him.
"Escanor, I believe you're the strongest. Please let me train with you."
With a smirk, Escanor agreed.
Requip Magic demanded physical prowess—an arena where Escanor's expertise shone brightest.
The clang of swords echoed in the training hall.
"All Reflection!" Erza's blade shimmered as she deflected Escanor's strike, sending the force right back at him.
Escanor's eyes twinkled.
"Well done, Erza. You've mastered it."
Though Escanor preferred raw power over technique, he couldn't deny the skillfulness of this move.
Exhausted, Erza dropped her sword, panting as the heavy blade dug a crater into the ground.
Golden light enveloped her as Escanor healed her muscles and soothed her fatigue.
Erza's strength soared far beyond her peers', her armor gleaming brighter, her spirit fiercer.
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted.
"Armor Girl! I knew I'd find you here!"
A confident girl swaggered forward, arms wrapped possessively around Escanor.
"Escanor, come on a date with me! Mission's over, time to celebrate!"
Erza scowled.
"Let go of him, Navel Girl!"
Caught in the middle, Escanor smiled wryly. Mirajane — the feisty newcomer, always challenging the strongest.
Mirajane's Take Over Magic let her transform into demons, souls that sometimes threatened to consume her.
But after Escanor's fierce glare—the killing intent—her wild spirits quieted, sensing fear for the first time.
Thus began their unusual friendship, a trio united by strength, stubbornness, and laughter.
Their playful bickering spilled out into the Guild, where chaos and camaraderie danced side by side.
Natsu's fiery shouts clashed with Gray's icy retorts.
"Fire-breather, you're too loud!"
"What did you say, ice-maker?!"
Clothes mysteriously vanished, laughter rang out, and Cana's barrel of alcohol disappeared faster than anyone noticed.
The adults watched with soft smiles. These young warriors were the beating heart, the future of Fairy Tail.
In the corner, Lidass Jonah raised his brush, capturing the moment.
With a flourish, he signed his painting:
"The Future of the Guild."