Six months had passed since I first began helping Dad in the fields and exploring the edges of Date Village. I carried baskets a little faster, walked longer distances, and practiced the breathing exercises from Haru's magic book more steadily. I didn't fully understand it yet, but somehow… I felt stronger. My muscles didn't ache as much after work, and I could lift baskets with less effort. Dad noticed quietly, occasionally adjusting how I held the basket or bent to lift, but he didn't say much.
The children still whispered and giggled at my strange mix of focus and determination, but a few—Miko and Taro—had begun to quietly follow me, curious about what I was learning. The adults nodded as we passed, seeing what the kids didn't: a boy who paid attention, who learned steadily.
Fieldwork and Plant Lessons
The fields were warm under the sun. Dad carried a basket of harvested vegetables; I had a smaller one. "First, finish the crops," Dad said. "Then we can move on."
As we worked, he pointed out different plants, their names, and how to tell which were ready to harvest. "This one needs more sunlight," he said, brushing the dirt off a young sprout. "And these—you have to water them evenly, or the leaves curl." I listened closely, nodding as I tucked the knowledge away. One day, this will help me understand the land better.
Each motion—the bending, lifting, careful sorting—felt heavy, but satisfying. I began to notice patterns in how the plants grew, how the soil looked after watering, and how some leaves reacted to the sun. Dad's quiet guidance made the work feel like more than just chores; it felt like training for life itself.
After finishing, Dad didn't send me inside. "Just a walk around the fields," he said. "Steady steps. Not running." I adjusted the basket strap and smiled faintly.
"I don't know much about training," Dad continued, wiping sweat from his brow. "But when you work the fields, you learn something else… to endure. To keep going when it rains or when it doesn't go right. That's what matters." I let out a small laugh. "I'll try not to break."
Magic Training (Massage Magic)
Later, Dad stayed nearby as I opened Haru's magic book. "Same exercises?" he asked. I nodded, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Just the breathing ones." "Don't push it," he said. "Do a little every day. That's enough."
I closed my eyes and followed the instructions. Nothing spectacular happened I could see. Still, I felt the faint, familiar vibration in my muscles—my Massage Magic. I didn't control it—it just happened. It helped me move more easily, lift baskets, and walk longer distances without thinking. I smiled quietly to myself. One day, when I can control it, I'll use this magic to help Dad, to ease his stiffness after work. Dad adjusted a tool beside me, glancing at me with a small smile, silently encouraging me.
Garron – The Hunter
On our way toward the forest edge, Dad slowed and gestured toward a man adjusting the straps on his pack. "Arashi, this is Garron," he said. "He knows the forest well and will show you a few things—safely."
Garron studied me for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You really want to be out here, huh? At your age, most kids would just play in the yard."
I nodded eagerly, a small grin spreading across my face. The sunlight filtered through the trees, the leaves rustled in the wind, and faint smoke drifted from distant chimneys. I wanted to see it all. I wanted to see the world, not just the small glimpses I had watched on the old television back home. I was here, in Fiore, in the world of Fairy Tail. I wanted to visit the cities, explore the kingdoms, and most of all… see the Fairy Tail guild and meet Makarov with my own eyes. The thought made my heart beat faster.
I let out a quiet breath, trying not to grin. Everyone thinks I sneak off when I glance toward the forests beyond. But really… it's not sneaking. It's curiosity, excitement. The world out there feels alive, like it's waiting for me to notice it—and I was ready to see everything, not just on a screen, but with my own eyes.
"Why do you let him come with you?" Garron asked Dad, eyebrow raised.
Dad smiled faintly, shaking his head. "He's curious. I won't stop him from learning a little—safely. Just enough to see how the forest works and handle small challenges."
Garron glanced back at me, still smiling. "Well, at least he knows it's not just a game."
Foreshadowing Illness / Missing Children
On the way back, Miko and Taro lingered near the well. "You went far today," Taro said. "Not like before."
"I'm just learning," I said, brushing dirt from my hands.
Miko hesitated. "Some kids… haven't come out. Fever, they say."
Dad noticed me watching. "That's why knowing how to endure matters. Not just in the fields."
Garron added quietly, adjusting his pack. "Even some adults stay home lately. Unusual."
I frowned slightly, feeling a chill, but my excitement didn't fade.
Evening – Father-Son Bond
That night, we sat outside the house. Dad adjusted the lantern, careful and quiet. The second chair remained empty.
He glanced at me briefly, then back at his hands. "I know you don't understand it yet," he said softly. "You're still a child… but stubborn, focused, and… sometimes… you act older than you are. I'm proud of that. Truly."
I stayed silent, a small smile tugging at my lips. My fingers fiddled with the edge of the blanket, feeling a quiet warmth from his words.
Then, unexpectedly, he pulled me into a brief hug. "I love you," he said. "Just… keep learning. Keep noticing. That's what matters for now."
Outside, faint children's laughter drifted. Some weren't out today. I frowned lightly, a little unease creeping in. Some of them… aren't well, I realized, though I didn't know why.
Later, lying in bed, my muscles felt warm from the day's work. Not healed, not light. Just ready to move again tomorrow. I thought of Garron's quiet steps, Dad's steady presence, and the forest waiting beyond the fields. A small, satisfied smile crossed my face before drifting off to sleep, my mind already wandering toward all the adventures I still wanted to see in this world of Fairy Tail, the cities of Fiore, and meeting Makarov himself.