"Eresh, come in!"
"This is the house of Father, in the town of Magnolia."
"From now on, it will be our home too..."
After Erza confirmed Eresh's identity, she brought her younger sister Eresh back to Ian's villa.
At this moment, the villa, unlike its usual bustling atmosphere, was in complete silence.
The most important reason for this calmness was because the usual noisy group of youngsters who lived here with Ian had all been selected to participate in this year's Fairy Tail guild's S-Class Mage Examination.
Natsu and Happy, for instance, were off in the eastern forest training some sort of special finishing move they planned to use during the exam.
Gray was working on syncing with Bickslow, so he hadn't come back to the villa either.
Mirajane, along with her siblings, was conducting field training and didn't return because she was afraid Erza would eavesdrop on her battle plans.
Ultear had been staying long-term at the ruins of the Magic Development Bureau lately.
As for Brian, even though he was an absolute scoundrel, and his personality was even worse than his second identity—the guild master 'Zero' who called himself purely evil—the knowledge he held in his head was indeed genuine. The Magic Development Device that Brian spent years working on proved useful for Ultear.
If Brian didn't have some true skills, he wouldn't have been able to fool the entire Magic Council and eventually gain their trust, becoming the respected Director of the Magic Development Bureau.
"So, this is Father's house?"
"The whole place is filled with Father's aura."
As a dragon, Eresh had an extraordinary sensitivity to the magic particles flowing through the air in the villa. She quickly picked up Ian's unique magic signature.
"Yes, Father's room is over there..."
"It's connected to his study and occupies the biggest room in the villa."
"Let me arrange a room for you first!"
"Father's villa is large, and there are plenty of empty rooms..."
"I've arranged for your room to be next to mine. I hope you don't mind?"
Erza held Eresh's hand and chatted as they walked.
"Rather than saying I don't mind..."
"It's more like I feel lucky to live alongside you, Sister."
Eresh smiled, maybe because of their blood bond or perhaps something else. For some reason, she always felt an indescribable sense of security when she was around Erza.
Perhaps it was because the same blood flowed in both their veins?
After setting up the room.
"Sister Erza, can we sleep together tonight?!"
"I want to learn more about Father, and I also want to know more about you..."
Eresh, now dressed in her sleepwear, held onto Erza's hand seriously as Erza was about to leave.
"Alright, let's sleep together tonight."
"Honestly, I also want to learn more about you, Eresh."
With those words, Erza used her Requip magic to change into a light sleeping gown.
And just like that, the two sisters lay in bed, hand in hand, chatting.
The secret whispers of young girls were endless.
Erza shared many stories about Fairy Tail and about Ian.
In return, Eresh talked about the differences between dragons and humans and the customs of Elentear, a world completely different from Earth Land.
During the conversation, the two sisters also touched upon some grudges between their mothers...
In the end, they concluded that any grudges between their mothers should be left to them to resolve. They, as the younger generation, would rather stay out of it.
Time flew by, and by noon the next day, Erza brought Eresh to the entrance of the Fairy Tail guild.
Since Erza wanted to team up with Eresh and participate in this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Examination, she at least needed to fulfill one basic prerequisite—make Eresh a Fairy Tail member.
"So this is the guild that Father joined?!"
"Just by looking at the exterior of this building, you can tell it's a remarkable place."
Standing at the entrance of Fairy Tail, the grand and old-fashioned building that looked as solemn as a cathedral, Eresh couldn't help but feel a bit of reverence.
"Come on, Eresh, stop standing outside, hurry in."
After lightly patting Eresh's shoulder, Erza stepped ahead into the grand building. She couldn't wait to show off her younger sister to Mirajane.
"Alright..."
As soon as Erza entered, Eresh took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and stepped towards the Fairy Tail guild's door.
After all, she was about to meet Father's companions...
Truth be told, she felt a bit excited deep down.
Creak
With that thought, Eresh walked up to the guild door and pushed open the massive gateway to this new world, ready to meet Ian's human companions...
But what came into view next...
Shook even this young dragon who had lived for hundreds of years and seen all manner of things.
"Found you, Mirajane."
Erza strolled into the first-floor hall of Fairy Tail, her gaze swept around until it locked on a certain snowy-white figure amidst the crowd...
With her target locked, Erza strode decisively toward Mirajane, the person she utterly disliked.
"So sweet~"
Sitting in the corner, Mirajane was unaware of what she was about to face.
Enjoying a rare break, she slowly savored her pricey handmade magic strawberry cream cake while sipping hot cocoa, looking every bit the picture of contentment...
"Oh?!"
"Didn't expect to see you eating cake."
"Is it for me? How thoughtful..."
Without waiting for a response, Erza took Mirajane's cake, devouring it in just a few bites.
"Mmm, quite good~"
"Thanks, Mirajane."
Erza licked the cream from her fingers and looked at Mirajane provocatively.
"Ah..."
"My cake."
"Erza, how are you going to compensate me?"
"Do you have any idea how expensive that cake was?"
Mirajane pointed at Erza angrily, her forehead veins bulging.
"Of course I know."
"After all, you ate the cake I bought a few days ago..."
"Did you forget already? How dare you?"
"Do you have any idea that I waited in line for two whole hours just to get that limited-edition cake?!"
"And in the end, I didn't get even a bite..."
"Do you really understand my pain?"
While speaking, Erza slammed her fist down on the table in front of Mirajane.
Bang!
With a muffled noise, the long table several meters away broke into pieces.
Crash...
The other guild members seated at that table couldn't avoid getting caught up in the mess—their beer mugs shattered.
"Our beer!"
Seeing the broken mugs, many Fairy Tail members nearly broke into tears. They didn't care about the table; it wasn't their money that would replace it. The mugs breaking wasn't a big deal either, but seeing their precious beer spilled... That hurt the most.
"Hey, Erza, that's going too far."
The affected Fairy Tail members stood up to protest.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Erza tilted her head, looking toward those planning to confront her, a hint of menace in her gaze.
"Uh, never mind. You didn't hear anything from us."
Like mice in front of a cat, the guild members quickly backed down, their resolve dissolving as they tried to avoid even eye contact with Erza...
It seemed they feared Erza would set aside Mirajane and turn her attention to them instead—like a beast ready to devour them.
"I'll compensate you for the beer..."
"At ten times the value."
Erza wasn't unreasonable. Seeing the spilled beer, she acknowledged her mistake and offered compensation.
"Well, if you insist..."
The guild members, who had been angry a moment ago, quickly swallowed their protests and put on pleased expressions.
After all, who could say no to such generosity?
After handling the guild members, Mirajane, who had remained silent until now, finally exploded in anger...
She transformed, using her Take-Over Magic, taking on Deliora's arm, and crushed the cocoa cup in her hand, throwing it forcefully at Erza.
"Hmph."
With a flick of her sword, Erza sliced the incoming cup in half, knocking it away effortlessly...
Then she calmly said, "Such trivial tricks are beneath me; they're quite boring, you know."
"As for your challenge..."
"I, Erza, accept anytime."
With her sword in hand, her eyes shone with fighting spirit.
"Fine! Let's do this!"
Mirajane shouted.
"Requip: Black Feather Armor!"
"Take Over: Satan Soul!"
And just like that, Erza and Mirajane were fighting in the Fairy Tail guild again.
"Again? Erza and Mirajane are at it again?!"
Wakaba sighed as he looked at the fight breaking out between Erza and Mirajane.
"What can you do? They just don't get along."
Macao took a sip of his drink and shook his head.
"Honestly, I kind of ship the two of them."
Reedus, who was painting, added with a helpless smile.
"You can't ship everything!"
"That kind of thinking will only get you into trouble..."
Macao and Wakaba shouted at Reedus.
"Let me draw it anyway!"
"Erza and Mirajane's friendship in the future..."
With that, Reedus began drawing.
"Finished..."
"What a perfect representation of friendship."
Reedus smiled in satisfaction at his work.
Just then...
The cup Mirajane threw, which Erza cut in half and knocked away, fell from above, landing on Reedus and Macao's heads.
Thud!
Reedus passed out immediately.
As for Macao, purple flames erupted from his body, forming sharp blades.
"Who threw the cup?! Was it you?!"
"Huh?!"
A random Fairy Tail mage happened to pass by, glanced at Macao, and was immediately mistaken for the culprit.
Boom!
"Flame-Make: Undying Fire Arrow!"
Several arrows formed of flames were hurled at the passerby.
Boom!
"Who dares cast spells here? You want a fight?!"
"I've had enough of this. Do you want to fight?!"
"I'm not afraid of you!"
And just like that, the entire Fairy Tail guild was engulfed in a brawl due to Erza and Mirajane's fight.
With every shout, countless magic circles appeared, unleashing powerful magic, setting off a new storm within the hall of Fairy Tail.
"These idiots are at it again. The Master just left for a day."
Gray, who had just returned, sighed at the chaos.
"Hey, Gray..."
"Do I look like a team member now?"
Bickslow, in charge of getting their uniforms, arrived behind Gray.
"Let me see..."
Gray turned to look, only to be stunned by Bickslow's nudity.
"Bickslow, what are you doing?!"
"Huh?!"
"I thought I was following your lead?"
Bickslow furrowed his brow in confusion as he looked at Gray, who was also without clothes.
"What?!"
"Darn it, where are my clothes?!"
Gray hurriedly searched for his clothing.
"Hahaha..."
"Gray, you lost your clothes again. How irresponsible."
Not far away, Lyon, also without clothes, mocked Gray.
"You're no better; you're also naked!"
Gray retorted.
"It's different; I'm not wearing clothes on purpose."
Lyon smirked.
"Seriously?!"
"That's worse!"
Gray shouted, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"Luckily, I set up a spell here earlier."
Freed, standing nearby, watched Gray and the others with relief.
Thankfully, he had inscribed a spell around the Fairy Tail guild—anyone stripping would have a censor mark automatically placed over their private parts.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable...
"Drunkards, degenerate gamblers..."
"Perverts stripping in public..."
"And brawlers fighting nonstop."
"What kind of guild is this?"
"Did I come to the wrong place?"
Standing at the entrance, witnessing everything, Eresh was filled with despair. After hesitating for a moment, she left and stood outside the guild, where the sign read "FAIRY TAIL." Taking a deep breath, she muttered...
"I must have opened the door the wrong way."
With that thought, she opened the door once more.
What she saw was...
The same old Fairy Tail guild.
"Nothing's changed at all!"
"Father, is this really your guild?!"
"Why is it like this?!"
"It's completely different from what I imagined..."
Eresh collapsed to the ground in despair, her eyes welling with tears.
Originally, Eresh had left the Blackmoon Mountain to escape what felt like a demonic pit, yearning for the human civilized world...
Only to find herself moving from one pit to another.
In that moment, Eresh suddenly felt that her parents getting together wasn't coincidental at all; in essence, they were the same kind of people.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
As Eresh's hopes shattered, Erza and Mirajane's battle finally ended, with Erza barely winning again.
"Erza, have you found a partner for the S-Class Mage Examination this time?"
"Or are you going solo again?"
On one knee, Mirajane looked at Erza, hoping to find some weakness to exploit.
But this time, Erza remained confident.
"Oh, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it."
"Let me introduce you all~"
"This is Eresh, my sister."
Erza walked quickly over to Eresh, who was still staring blankly at the entrance, and brought her in front of Mirajane, proudly introducing her to everyone in Fairy Tail.
"Your sister? An adopted sister?"
Mirajane was stunned, staring at Eresh, who looked every bit like Erza's elder sister.
"How rude!"
"What do you mean adopted sister?"
"Eresh is my biological sister, sharing a strong blood connection."
Erza smirked, patting Eresh on the back proudly.
"Wait, what?"
"So, she's Ian's daughter too?"
Mirajane was utterly shocked, looking at Eresh.
"What? Ian has more daughters?"
The entire guild, previously in chaos, suddenly quieted down. Everyone looked over with curiosity, eavesdropping on Erza and Eresh.