Erza initially refused, saying she was already grateful for Finn saving her life and couldn't take his tent.
But Finn saw how weak she was. If she spent the night outside in the cold, she might not even wake up the next day. He insisted she take the tent.
Watching the sunset and then the sunrise wasn't so bad.
A sound came from the tent. Finn knew Erza was awake. Soon, she emerged.
"You seem to have slept well," Finn said, noticing her improved spirits.
"Yes, thank you," Erza said little, as usual. Finn shook his head. She seemed to have a lot on her mind.
He said, "Where's your home? I'm leaving soon, and I can take you back."
Erza's remaining eye flickered. Her voice was low. "I...I don't have a home."
Finn was stunned. He'd said the same thing to Gildarts. What had Gildarts said to him?
He looked earnestly at Erza. "Come to Fairy Tail!"
Erza's emotions surged. She grabbed Finn's arm. "You said Fairy Tail?"
Finn was puzzled by her excitement.
"Yes, Fairy Tail. What's wrong? Why are you so excited?"
Erza calmed herself. "Can I see your guild mark?"
Finn, though puzzled, rolled up his sleeve, revealing the red Fairy Tail mark.
Tears glistened in Erza's eyes. She looked at the mark, certain it was the same mark Rob had.
"I want to join this guild," Erza wiped her tears.
"Whoa, really?" Finn was surprised at how easily he'd recruited someone. Did he have a talent for this?
"Of course! Let's go. The guild isn't far," Finn began packing up.
…
Magnolia, Fairy Tail guild entrance.
Finn and Erza stood at the door.
Finn said, "This is Fairy Tail. What do you think?"
Erza looked at the guild's banner, silent.
"Ahem, do you know why Fairy Tail is called Fairy Tail?" Finn interrupted her thoughts.
"Fairy Tail, I know," Erza remembered Rob telling her about Fairy Tail in the Tower of Heaven. Rob was a Fairy Tail member.
"Huh? You already know?" Finn was stunned.
"Yes, Rob told me," Erza said softly.
"Then let's go in," Finn led Erza into the guild.
He kicked open the door and shouted, "I'm back!!"
"Finn! I've told you so many times not to kick the door! Don't learn from those idiots!" Makarov's roar echoed from inside.
Finn's ears rang.
"Haha, Finn got yelled at," Macao laughed.
Finn couldn't take it. He couldn't beat the Master, but he could beat Macao.
He grabbed his backpack and threw it at Macao's face. The force sent Macao flying, knocking over several tables.
…A brawl erupted.
Erza was surprised.
She tugged at Finn's sleeve. "Aren't you guildmates? Why are you fighting?"
"Is this normal?"
Finn shrugged. "It's nothing. This guild doesn't feel like Fairy Tail unless there's a brawl four or five times a day."
"But…" Erza was interrupted. A finger pointed behind Finn.
Finn was puzzled. "What?"
Bang——
A table flew from somewhere and hit Finn's back.
Finn smirked, clenching his fists. "Erza, wait. I'll handle them."
He joined the fight. Someone shouted, "Everyone, Finn's here! Let's get him!!"
Erza saw Finn being overwhelmed…
The brawl ended when Makarov intervened. More than half the guild members were defeated by Finn.
Gray, bruised and swollen, mumbled something.
Macao listened and understood. Gray was saying, "Damn Finn! I didn't hit him, why did he beat me up like this?"
Macao patted Gray's shoulder sympathetically. He was the cause of the fight, yet Gray was the one injured.
Everything calmed down. Finn took Erza to meet the Master. They had a connection. Erza had been captured by a dark guild and taken to the Tower of Heaven.
There, she met Rob, Makarov's close friend and a Fairy Tail mage.
Rob had guided Erza to Fairy Tail.
Makarov took Erza to the eastern forest to see Porlyusica, Fairy Tail's medical consultant, to treat her eye. Porlyusica hated humans and rarely saw people.
Wakaba approached, whispering, "Nice going, Finn. You brought back a girl. Is she your girlfriend?"
Finn's eyes widened. "No! I just brought her to the guild because she had nowhere to go. She's joining the guild."
Wakaba smirked, "I understand."
"Wakaba, are you feeling bored lately? Want me to spice things up?" Finn's voice was dangerous, his fists cracking. Wakaba stiffened.
"Oops, my bad. I have something to do. Getting old, my memory isn't what it used to be," Wakaba patted his head, pretending to forget something.
He turned to leave.
"Don't go!!" Finn grabbed Wakaba, raising his fist.
Wakaba waved his hands, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Finn, let's talk this over!"
"Bang!" Finn clapped his hands and left, leaving Wakaba with a large bump on his head.
Finn decided to leave. It was late, and he was tired.
As he reached the door, it opened, and a boy with yellow hair and headphones entered.
He stopped before Finn, staring seriously.
Finn recognized him – Laxus, Makarov's grandson, a powerful lightning mage.
They'd fought once before, a fistfight stopped by Makarov before they used magic. Laxus had been easily defeated. He'd said he'd fight Finn again someday.
Finn was helpless. Laxus was Makarov's grandson, and Makarov had been kind to him. Makarov had asked him not to hold a grudge. Laxus was just competitive.
Finn didn't mind him.
Fifteen-year-old Laxus was taller than twelve-year-old Finn. This was Finn's only envy.
This strengthened Finn's resolve to drink milk.
"Finn, you know about the S-class mage exam at the end of the year," Laxus said condescendingly.
"The S-class exam?" Finn didn't know. Makarov had said he needed more experience before taking the exam. Finn hadn't paid attention.
Laxus continued, "The S-class exam is when we fight. I've been training and doing missions."
He frowned, becoming more serious. "If you keep hanging around these weaklings, you'll lose."
Finn shrugged. "You really want to fight me? And I've been doing missions."
"Hmph, the strongest will be decided between us. If you don't have the determination to be the strongest, then I was wrong about you," Laxus coldly said and went to the mission board.
People greeted Laxus, but he only nodded.
He took a high-bounty, high-difficulty extermination mission, registered it, and left.
"Doesn't this guy get tired?"
Finn shook his head. Laxus was a rebellious teenager, spoiled by Makarov.
Makarov was a good Master but not a good grandfather. He focused on the guild and neglected his grandson.
Laxus wanted to prove himself, perhaps to get his grandfather's attention. Finn didn't know.
It was Makarov's family matter. Finn shook his head and left the guild.
"Yo, Finn! I have new treats! Want to try?" The cake shop owner greeted Finn, trying to sell his new creations.
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