Time moves in its own way in Magnolia.
Before anyone realized it, a full year had passed since the day two boys—still too young to fully grasp the weight of their power—stood in the center of the guild's backyard and shook everyone who watched.
The year was X772.
In that one year, many things changed. But for Ren Chicle, the change didn't come in the form of a flash. There were no grand explosions or epic battles that shifted the world. Instead, there were only... small steps. But they were consistent.
Since the day he discovered and began to master his new magic, Texture Surprise, Ren's life took on a different rhythm. If before he was merely surviving, now he was starting to... live. He was no longer just a boy with a dark past; he was a member of Fairy Tail. And like any other member, he had one simple goal: taking missions.
The Request Board
The request board was always the heart of the guild. Every morning, before the laughter grew loud and the tables began to shake with rowdiness, the board was crowded with hopeful stares.
Ren was among them.
At first, he stayed in the back, observing. He read every sheet of paper pinned there:
Finding lost items.
Cleaning warehouses.
Catching escaped livestock.
Small things. Things other wizards might find trivial. But for Ren, it was the beginning. He wasn't in a rush; he knew he was still learning. More importantly, he knew that trust is earned. Every mission had to be approved by the Master. Every step had to be weighed. And Ren... did not want to make a mistake.
His first mission was simple: a Magnolia citizen had lost a family ring in a small forest on the edge of town. There was no great danger—just a vast area of thickets and shrubs.
Ren took it seriously. He spent hours in that forest, observing the ground, using his gum to reach difficult areas, and even using Texture Surprise to mask his scent and presence so as not to disturb the environment. When he finally found the ring snagged between the roots of an old tree, he didn't feel pride. He felt a small, quiet satisfaction.
The first step had been taken.
Expanding Horizons
From there, missions began to flow. They were still simple, still small, but the difficulty slowly increased. Ren helped small traders haul goods, helped farmers fix broken fences, and chased wild animals away from fields.
Every mission gave him new experience. Every mission taught him something. And every time he returned to the guild to report his success, Makarov would simply nod. No grand praise. No heavy commentary. But there was no rejection either. And for Ren, that was enough.
As the seasons changed, a small reputation began to form.
"That kid... he always gets the job done.""He's fast.""And he rarely causes trouble."
Ren heard the whispers and simply offered a thin smile. After several months, he stopped looking only at the "small" requests. His eyes drifted toward something else: high-risk missions. Bandit suppression. Caravan escorts. Travel outside the city.
One morning, he stood before the board, eyes locked on one paper: an escort request for a merchant caravan traveling to several villages outside Magnolia. The path wasn't particularly lethal, but there were risks of bandits and wild beasts.
Ren stared at the paper. His hand reached out, then stopped. He took a slow breath. Am I ready? The question didn't come from fear, but from a sense of responsibility.
He turned and walked straight to Makarov. He explained his intent briefly and clearly, without exaggeration. Makarov leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Your first escort, then." Ren nodded. "Yes." Makarov looked at him longer than usual, weighing not just his strength, but his readiness. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Go. And come back in one piece."
The Road and the Reward
The journey was... quiet. There were no sudden ambushes or grand battles. There was only the long road, the creaking of wooden wheels, and the sight of simple, small villages.
Ren walked beside the carriage. Sometimes in front, sometimes behind. His eyes were constantly moving—observing, listening, feeling. He used Bungee Gum to reach high vantage points and Texture Surprise to camouflage himself while scouting the perimeter.
The merchants were hesitant at first. But over time, they began to trust him. The boy didn't talk much, but he was always there. Always ready. Always alert.
When they finally reached their last destination without a single scratch on the cargo, Ren stood in silence as the caravan departed. It was done. The pay he received was substantial—at least to him. He looked at the small pouch of jewels, not out of greed, but because it was the result of his labor and the trust placed in him.
For the first time, Ren didn't head straight back to the guild. He walked through the city with a different purpose. Not to survive, but to enjoy. * He bought new clothes—simple, but clean and comfortable.
He bought a proper meal and ate it slowly, without fear.
These small things felt monumental.
An Unexpected Encounter
As the sun began to set, Ren finally approached the guild. His pace was steady, his heart light. The guild doors were just ahead, and the faint sound of laughter drifted from within.
However, he stopped right in front of the door.
A small girl stood there. She was tiny, with slightly messy long hair. Beside her sat a white dog, unmoving. The girl looked hesitant. She seemed like she wanted to go in but didn't have the courage. Ren watched her for a moment from a distance, not approaching immediately.
The little girl gripped the hem of her shirt tightly, her eyes darting between the guild doors and the ground. The dog remained vigilant, ready to protect its master.
Ren stepped forward quietly, careful not to startle her. He stopped a few paces behind her. "...Are you lost?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear. The girl flinched slightly and turned around. Her eyes met Ren's. There was fear there, but also a flicker of hope. "U-uh..." She gripped her shirt tighter.
Ren didn't move closer. He gave her space. The girl took a small breath. "...I'm... I'm looking for someone." Ren nodded slightly. "Who?" The girl raised her head slowly. "...My father."
Ren remained silent. "His name is..." She hesitated. "Gildarts."
Silence. The name wasn't familiar to Ren. He racked his brain, but came up empty. "...I don't know him," Ren answered honestly.
The girl went still. The small hope that had sparked in her eyes began to fade. "...Oh..." her voice was barely a whisper. Her dog let out a small, low sound.
Ren saw the way her small shoulders slumped. He saw her eyes begin to water as she tried to hold back tears. He let out a soft sigh. "...Just go inside."
The girl looked up, surprised. Ren pointed to the door. "If he's a member of the guild... someone in there will know." She looked at him, doubtful. "...I'm allowed to?" Ren nodded. "This is a place for people like us."
He turned and pushed the door open. "Come on."
The girl stood still for a second, then slowly stepped forward. The white dog followed faithfully, matching her hesitant pace. Ren closed the guild door behind them. The creak of the wood sounded like the closing of one chapter and the start of another.
For the first time, Ren's small journey had led him to something much larger than a mission. An encounter. One that might... change everything.