Chapter 6 – A New Name, A New Beginning
Morning sunlight spilled through the cracks of the wooden shutters, casting golden stripes across the floor. The room was quiet, warm, and unfamiliar. Erza's eyes fluttered open, blinking against the soft light. For a moment, she was confused—where was she?
She sat up suddenly.
The fire… the village… the attack…
Memories from the previous day rushed back like a crashing wave. Her chest tightened with the memory of flames, the screams of her neighbors, and the terrifying faces of the dark mages. But then, like a light in the darkness, the memory of him returned—the silver-haired boy who had appeared out of nowhere and saved her.
Erza swung her legs off the bed, her bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. The room was simple—just a bed, a chair, and a small table—but it felt safe. She got up quickly, still wearing the clothes from the day before, and made her way toward the door.
As she stepped into the hallway and turned the corner, the smell of food met her nose—eggs, bread, and something sweet. Her eyes widened slightly as she peeked into the kitchen.
There he was.
Arthur stood near the stove, focused on preparing breakfast. His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window, and he looked completely at ease. When he turned and noticed her in the doorway, a warm smile lit up his face.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully. "Did you sleep well?"
Erza stood still for a moment, then nodded. "Yes… thank you."
She hesitated, glancing around. "Is… is everyone okay?"
Arthur wiped his hands on a cloth and walked over to the table, setting down a plate of food.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "I already took care of the bandits. Everyone's safe now."
Erza exhaled in relief.
Arthur gestured to the food. "Come on. Sit down and eat. The village chief brought all this for us—he said we needed a good meal after everything."
Erza hesitated for a second, then slowly sat at the table. The food looked amazing, but she found herself watching Arthur instead of eating. She wanted to speak—so many questions swirled in her mind—but she didn't know how to ask.
Arthur noticed. He grinned as he watched her fidget with a piece of bread, her expression thoughtful and shy.
"You can ask me anything, Erza," he said, laughing lightly. "I don't mind."
Her eyes met his. "Are you… a mage?"
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. I am."
Her eyes lit up, hopeful and excited. "Then… can you teach me magic?"
He paused, the smile on his face softening.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I can't. My magic was awakened naturally… It's not something I can teach. It's different."
Erza's face fell, her shoulders sagging.
Seeing her so disappointed tugged at Arthur's heart.
"But," he added, his voice full of promise, "I'm heading to a mage guild. They can teach you everything about magic there. If you want, you can come with me."
Her eyes lit up again, though doubt still lingered. "Do you… do you really think I can learn? I mean… what if I'm not special?"
Arthur leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
"Every mage has magic because they carry mana in their body. That's what allows them to cast spells, to control elements, to protect others. And you… Erza… I can feel it. You have mana inside you."
She stared at him, her voice quiet. "Really?"
He nodded firmly. "Absolutely. So… do you want to come with me?"
Erza smiled, hope blooming inside her. "Yes!"
Arthur chuckled. "Then let's introduce ourselves properly."
He stood and placed a hand over his chest, bowing playfully. "My name is Arthur Kent."
Erza blinked. "My name is… Erza."
"Just Erza?" he asked, tilting his head. "That's no good. A strong mage needs a strong name."
He walked around the table, knelt beside her, and gently picked up a strand of her long red hair. The morning light made it shimmer like rubies.
"I know what your name should be."
She blinked again, curious.
Arthur smiled. "From now on… your name is Erza Scarlet."
She gasped softly. "Erza Scarlet…"
"It fits you," Arthur said, looking into her eyes. "Strong, beautiful, and proud."
Erza lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed. She nodded shyly. "Erza Scarlet… I like it."
They finished breakfast quietly, both feeling the bond between them grow stronger. Afterward, they thanked the village chief for his kindness. He had provided food, water, warm cloaks, and a hand-drawn map of the region. As they stood at the edge of the village, the chief waved goodbye.
"Take care of each other," he said.
"We will," Arthur replied, taking Erza's hand gently.
They walked down the dirt path, the road stretching toward the horizon.
"The chief was really kind to us," Arthur said, adjusting his backpack. "He even gave us supplies for the journey."
Erza nodded. "Yeah… he was. Um… Arthur?"
"Yeah?"
"What's the name of the guild we're going to?" she asked, her eyes curious.
Arthur smiled. "It's called Fairy Tail."
Erza's eyes sparkled. "I like that name."
Arthur glanced at her and smiled to himself. She had been through so much, and yet she was still standing, still smiling. This was only the beginning of her journey, and he would make sure she never had to face the darkness alone again.
They continued walking, the wind at their backs and a new future ahead of them.
Together.
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