Authors Puff I Hope you Like it.
The morning sun painted Date Village in soft gold, the breeze carrying the smell of fresh soil. Birds chirped cheerfully, and the village felt quiet—but not empty. I walked home from the fields with Alaric beside me, careful eyes scanning the young plants. Even at five, he insisted on staying close, and I didn't mind.
We stopped at Haru's stall, just at the edge of the village.
Haru looked up and smiled. "Ah, Arashi. Curious as always, aren't you? Always with your father, I see. Let me tell you another story."
I nodded eagerly. "Yes, please."
Haru leaned closer. "Long ago, dragons flew across these lands. Humans learned magic to protect themselves or go on adventures far from home. Some who left never returned. And only a few—less than ten percent of people—can actually use magic. Here in the kingdom of Fiore, magic is part of the world, but not everyone can control it."
I felt a surge of excitement I hadn't expected. In my last life, I had never imagined a world like this—filled with Etherno, dragons, and powerful wizards. Even trapped in a five-year-old body, I couldn't help but grin inside. This… this was the world I had always dreamed of seeing. Fairy Tail wasn't just a story anymore; it was real, and I was here.
Haru reached under the counter and pulled out a small, worn book. "It's for beginners. Teaches sensing magic, small exercises. Not many start this young… but I think you could try it."
Alaric stayed just behind me, arms folded. "He won't wander off," he said quietly. "But I'll keep an eye on him. Just… take it slowly."
I took the book carefully, feeling a faint thrill. My hands tingled as I opened it. Something deep inside stirred—like the faint warmth I'd felt during meditation—but now I could sense it more clearly, without understanding it fully.
"Thank you, Haru," I said softly.
Haru chuckled. "Don't thank me yet. You've got a lot to learn."
As we walked home together, Alaric checked the young plants along the way, making sure nothing was damaged. I hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Dad… I want to see more of the world. I want to learn magic and get stronger," I said softly.
Alaric's face tightened. "The world isn't easy. You're still small. I can't just let you wander off on your own."
"I don't want to leave you behind," I said quickly. "I just… I want to get stronger. So one day, we can face the world safely."
He ran a hand over his face, then back to the soil. "I understand. I won't stop you… but we have to be careful. You'll train, learn from the book, practice slowly, and I'll help wherever I can. But nothing dangerous—step by step."
"I understand," I said. That was enough for now.
We spent the morning in the fields. Alaric showed me how to check soil, water plants, and notice which seedlings needed extra attention.
"See this one?" he said. "Some plants are edible, some aren't. You need to know which to eat—they give strength and help you survive."
I followed his instructions carefully. My arms ached slightly from carrying water, but it felt satisfying. "So this is part of surviving?" I asked.
"Exactly," he said. "Attention matters as much as strength."
Even while just farming, I felt a quiet focus settle over me. I learned to move carefully, notice small changes, and—though I didn't fully realize it—my body began responding to the subtle flow of magic from earlier meditations. Not visible, not consciously controlled, but somehow present.
In the afternoon, I tried some exercises from Haru's book. Sitting quietly, I focused on the small meditations and motions. A faint warmth stirred inside me, a soft buzzing along my arms and back. I didn't control it, but it felt alive.
Curious, I whispered to myself, "This… must be my magic. It's gentle… like a massage."
I smiled. "Massage Magic… that's what I'll call it, for now."
Alaric watched me carefully, making sure I didn't overexert myself. "Slow and steady," he reminded. "You'll get there."
Even Miko and Taro, who had come to play, didn't notice it—but I did. That small awareness made me feel stronger, even if just a little.
By the end of the afternoon, the three of us ran around the field edges, laughing and tossing sticks. They stayed close to me, curious, and I realized it felt nice to have someone my own age around—friends who wouldn't just ignore me because I was… different.
That evening, I sat beside Alaric, watching the sun spill gold over the rooftops.
"I want to see the world," I said again, quieter this time.
He nodded slowly. "And you will. But first, you grow stronger here. Learn, pay attention, survive, and I'll help. Then… maybe one day, the world will be ready for you."
I didn't argue. Adventure could wait. Listening, learning, practicing magic in my own small way, and staying close to him was enough—for now.
That night, lying in bed, I thought of Haru's stories, the Magic-Buch, the subtle warmth in my body, the new friends, and Alaric's quiet watch.
Magic existed. I was beginning to feel it. Not yet strong, not yet controlled—but it was there, quietly growing, waiting for me.
And in my heart, a small flame burned: one day, I would see the world beyond Date Village.