Nightfall in Magnolia City
As night descended on Magnolia City, a grand festival was underway. Townsfolk had gathered in droves, turning the central square into a sea of celebration. Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively, joyous atmosphere.
People wore brightly colored clothes, their faces glowing with excitement and anticipation. They greeted each other warmly, shared smiles, and discussed the evening's events. The air buzzed with a harmonious, energetic vibe that even visiting travelers could feel—a town united in friendship and festivity.
Soft music drifted through the streets. Balloon vendors, snack stalls, and toy sellers moved among the crowds. Children ran about, laughing and shouting, the joyous noise blending into the rhythm of the festival.
With the blow of a whistle, the celebration officially began.
"Ready, Natsu? Let's start," Kael said to the still-excited Natsu beside him.
"Yeah, yeah!" Natsu nodded eagerly.
"Fairy Tail!" Natsu suddenly exhaled flames into the air. They burst, forming the words "Fairy Tail" in fiery letters. At the same time, fireworks exploded above, sending sparks cascading across the sky.
"Path of Colors, Rainbow Bridge!" Kael followed, unleashing his magic.
A rainbow-hued road extended across the town. Every color shone brilliantly—from vibrant reds to soft purples, from bright oranges to deep blues—blending harmoniously to form a breathtaking tableau. The surface sparkled with countless points of light, like stars fallen to Earth, flowing like a river connecting the crowd to the magical path.
At the end of the street, a massive rainbow arched overhead. Its vivid colors gleamed in the light, and the bridge's arch shimmered like moving musical notes, dancing through the air.
The townspeople cheered in awe. Children clamored to be lifted by their parents, reaching out to touch the floating rainbow stardust.
The parade moved along the rainbow road.
First float: Female guild members wore sparkling dance gowns, performing intricate routines and waving to the cheering crowd.
Second float: Erisa stood atop a giant candy tray, clad in a rainbow-feathered "Heavenly Armor." Feathers floated behind her, transforming into candy shapes in the rainbow's light, which rained into the hands of the crowd.
Third float: Decorated with jungle motifs, Wakaba and Makao conjured magical smoke and flame animals, performing comical antics that sent the audience into fits of laughter.
Fourth float: Kanna and Rebi wore adorable animal costumes, perched on a giant swan head, scattering flowers while other guild members performed acrobatics around them.
Fifth float: Gray, in a sleek suit, stood on the shoulders of a colossal "Weiba-tan" mech, waving to the crowd. The mech occasionally transformed into a vehicle, thrilling the children below.
Sixth (final) float: Natsu and Kael stood atop the Guild Master's giant shoulders, forming a glowing sphere. Together, they performed the "Twin Dragon Pearl" trick, culminating in a spectacular explosion in the sky that spelled out "Happy Harvest Festival." The guild raised their classic hand gestures to complete the grand spectacle.
The next morning, the town's shops were selling mini models of the floats, with creative variations imagined by locals. Kael watched in awe. "Impressive," he muttered.
Three Months Later—Year X778
Three months after the Harvest Festival, time had reached X778. Kael's strength had increased significantly—his Haki, combat skills, and magical reserves had all grown, and his swordsmanship had reached mastery.
"Natsu, Gray, Kanna… what are you doing? Haha, you look like wooden puppets," Makao teased as he saw the trio shuffling stiffly into the guild.
"You don't understand! This is a new training method. It's from Kael's weighted gear. I'll get used to it," Natsu panted.
"Kael, what's going on here?" the Guild Master asked as the three of them sat down laboriously and began eating with difficulty while Kael checked mission scrolls.
"Grandmaster," Kael explained, "this is to strengthen their bodies. Natsu and Gray have started sensing Armament Haki, but they want to master it faster, so I prepared weighted gear for them. As for Kanna, she's fully mastered the beginner stage and is now adapting to the next phase."
"I see… excellent. So Kanna is fully learning combat skills with you?" the Guild Master asked, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"Yes. Kanna has great talent in both combat and Haki, and her fine control of magic is impressive. I plan to teach her all my techniques and knowledge. I'd like to bring her on this next mission," Kael replied.
The Guild Master stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Very well. I fully recognize your strength. Once this mission is complete, Gildarts has said he'll return this year, and that will be the time for your S-rank evaluation," the Guild Master concluded. He also disclosed the timing for Kael's upcoming assessment.
Kael's eyes flicked toward Kanna, still struggling with her meal, before returning to his scrolls.
That Night—Back to the Dorms
"Natsu, Gray, tomorrow you'll head into the Eastern Forest with the weighted gear to train against the monsters. Only combat skills—no magic," Kael instructed, watching the two struggle with their slow, cumbersome steps.
"Kael, are you coming? Huhuhu~" Natsu asked, still panting.
"I have a mission assigned, so I'll be preparing over the next three days. You two stay in the guild and train properly. No fighting," Kael replied. "I've asked Erisa to keep an eye on you two, just in case," he added, knowing Natsu and Gray's natural rivalry.
"All right, I'll train properly… won't fight the underwear guy," Natsu nodded seriously.
"I won't fight a brat either," Gray retorted, refusing to be outdone.
"You—what did you just call me?"
"Ah… nothing…"
Kael glanced back at the squabbling pair but ignored them. He turned to Kanna. "Kanna, I want to bring you on this mission. Are you willing?"
After a moment of thought, Kanna nodded. "Yes. I want to see what I'm capable of right now."
"All right. We leave in three days. Use the next few days to prepare supplies and medicine. You don't need the weighted gear yet; focus on adjusting to your own strength," Kael explained in detail.
"You two, hurry up and catch up!" Kael called to the bickering Natsu and Gray as he led the way.