Year X771 —
Location: Rosemary Village & Deep Forest Clearing
Age: Ren (6) | Erza(6)
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Summer arrived with weight.
Not the gentle warmth of spring, but heat that pressed down on the land and demanded endurance. Even the forest felt denser, shadows darker, air thicker.
Ren wiped sweat from his brow and stared at the clearing ahead.
"…It's quiet," he muttered.
Erza adjusted her grip on her sword, eyes sharp.
"…That's worse."
They had moved deeper into the forest today—past the rabbit trails, beyond the places they knew well.
> Stronger targets.
Real experience.
> [Great Sage: Area Analysis — Increased monster and wild beast activity. Recommend heightened awareness.]
Ren exhaled slowly.
Sun Breathing — Calm Pulse.
His body responded instantly now. Heat distributed evenly. Fatigue dulled.
> This feels… natural.
They moved together, steps light, senses alert.
A deer burst from the bushes ahead—large, fast.
Ren froze for half a second.
> [Great Sage: Suggestion — Utilize coordinated pursuit. Non-lethal preferred.]
Ren nodded internally.
"Left," he whispered.
Erza moved without question.
Ren sprinted, breathing aligned—
Sun Breathing: Second Flow — Warm Horizon.
His movements smoothed, speed maintained without strain. He leapt, striking the ground just ahead of the deer, forcing it to veer.
Erza appeared like a shadow.
Moon Breathing — Crescent Stillness.
Her blade flashed—not to kill, but to guide.
The deer stumbled, trapped between them.
Ren struck again—precise.
The animal collapsed safely.
Both children stood still, hearts racing.
"…We did that," Erza whispered.
Ren stared at his hands.
"…We really did."
> [Great Sage: Combat Coordination — Marked improvement. Recommend registering new combined technique.]
Ren swallowed.
> Later.
They carried their prize carefully, but their expressions were different now—calmer. Confident.
Strength had grown quietly.
Back in the clearing, training resumed.
Ren stood opposite Erza, katana gleaming in the sun.
"…Practice duel," Erza said.
Ren grinned. "Sun versus Moon!"
They bowed.
Then moved.
Ren inhaled—
Sun Breathing — Third Flow: Golden Shelter.
He advanced behind his blade, absorbing Erza's opening strike smoothly.
She pivoted, feet sliding—
Moon Breathing — Third Form.
Her sword curved low, then snapped upward in a crescent arc.
Ren barely blocked.
Clang.
The impact hummed through his arms—but didn't knock him back.
> I'm stronger.
> [Great Sage: Suggestion — Counterflow technique utilizing stored momentum.]
Ren's eyes sharpened.
He exhaled sharply.
Sun Breathing: Fourth Flow — Radiant Return.
He redirected the force of the block into a counter-slash, blade glowing faintly in the light.
Erza's eyes widened.
She twisted, barely deflecting.
"…You made a new one."
Ren laughed. "You noticed!"
She smirked. "…Then I'll answer."
Her breathing deepened.
The air cooled.
Moon Breathing: Fourth Form — Waning Arc.
Her blade traced a narrow crescent that slipped past Ren's guard, stopping just short of his chest.
They froze.
"…Point," Ren admitted.
"…Don't smile," she snapped, though her lips twitched.
They broke apart, both panting.
> [Great Sage: New Forms Registered — Sun Breathing: Fourth Flow 'Radiant Return.' Moon Breathing: Fourth Form 'Waning Arc.']
They collapsed onto the grass.
"…We're not kids anymore," Ren said quietly.
Erza glanced at him. "…We are."
"…But we're stronger."
She nodded. "…Yes."
Daily life followed its steady rhythm.
Hunting larger game now—boar, deer. Selling meat. Earning more coins.
Ren's cooking adjusted—higher protein, heavier meals.
"…You're feeding me like a warrior," Erza muttered between bites.
"You are a warrior!"
She didn't deny it.
Ren practiced late into the evening, sword moving fluidly, breathing instinctive.
> Sun Breathing isn't just power.
It's continuity.
Erza watched sometimes—silent, focused.
> Moon Breathing is restraint.
Control.
They sparred often now—no longer playful, but not deadly.
Each clash taught them something.
Each day, stronger.
One evening, as the sun dipped low, Ren sheathed his blade and laughed breathlessly.
"…Hey, Erza."
"…What."
"…When we're older…"
She glanced at him.
"…We'll be even stronger," he finished brightly.
She smirked. "…Obviously."
They sat together, watching fireflies emerge.
> [Great Sage: Projection — At current growth rate, both subjects will surpass baseline Fairy Tail mages of same age bracket.]
Ren smiled softly.
> Good.
The forest no longer felt frightening.
It felt like a place to grow.
Sunlight faded.
Moonlight rose.
And between them, two blades rested—balanced, sharpened, ready for whatever came next.
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End of Chapter 16 ☀️🌙