Fairy Tail: The Journey
Chapter 5
The gentle rocking of the waves slowly stirred Kai from his sleep. The cool ocean breeze brushed against his face as sunlight reflected across the endless blue sea.
Kai opened his eyes slowly and looked down at his arms.
Erza was still unconscious, resting against his chest while hugging him tightly. Her breathing was faint, and her face looked pale from exhaustion.
Kai immediately sat up slightly, worry filling his eyes.
"Erza…"
He gently touched her cheek, noticing how cold her skin felt. The small boat continued drifting across the ocean with no land in sight.
Kai's mind quickly turned toward the system.
"Yes… system, where is my reward?"
A faint blue window appeared in front of his eyes as his Inventory opened.
Inside it were two items.
A magic book titled "Flying Thunder God Magic" ×1.
And Senzu Beans ×10.
Kai's eyes instantly lit up with excitement.
"Senzu beans… they can heal all physical injuries and make you full for seven days," he muttered. "Perfect."
He quickly grabbed two beans from the inventory.
Without hesitation Kai ate one himself. His exhausted body instantly recovered as energy surged through his muscles.
Then he gently lifted the second bean toward Erza's lips.
"Erza… eat it."
He carefully stroked her hair while guiding the small bean into her mouth.
Erza slowly chewed weakly before swallowing it.
The effect was immediate.
Energy flooded through her body like a warm wave. The pale color of her skin slowly returned to normal.
Her malnourished body regained strength, and even her crimson red hair seemed brighter under the sunlight.
Kai smiled softly as he continued stroking her hair.
"Good… you'll be fine now."
He leaned back slightly against the wooden edge of the boat and closed his eyes for a moment.
"System… use Magic Book."
The system immediately responded.
{Ding! Using Magic Book}
Suddenly a massive flow of information flooded Kai's mind.
Formulas.
Symbols.
Marking techniques.
The knowledge of Flying Thunder God Magic carved itself directly into his memory.
Kai could clearly feel the method to create FTG marks and teleport between them instantly.
At the same time, something else awakened within his body.
His magic source.
Kai slowly opened his eyes as he sensed something new flowing through him.
Because he constantly maintained Sun Breathing, the Ethernano in the surrounding environment was naturally drawn into his body and converted into magic power.
Kai's grin slowly widened.
"Perfect… so breathing styles give this passive buff."
At that moment, Erza stirred in his arms.
Her eyes slowly opened as she looked around in confusion.
"Kai…?"
Kai looked down at her and smiled gently.
"You awake?"
Erza blinked several times before suddenly remembering everything.
"Kai… we escaped?"
Kai nodded.
"Yes."
Erza immediately buried her face into his chest as tears began falling down her cheeks.
"We really escaped…"
Kai quietly stroked her hair and back while letting her cry.
"It's over," he said softly. "We're free now."
The small boat continued drifting peacefully across the sea as the two rested quietly.
After some time passed, Kai began explaining something to her.
"Erza… I'm going to teach you something."
She looked up curiously.
"What is it?"
Kai demonstrated the breathing rhythm slowly.
"It's called a Breathing Style. It strengthens the body and improves combat ability."
Erza listened carefully as Kai explained Sun Breathing to her.
She tried following the breathing pattern but quickly frowned.
"I… can't do it."
Kai chuckled lightly.
"That's normal."
Erza crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Then I'll create my own."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Erza nodded firmly.
"I'll learn from yours and make my own style."
Kai smiled slightly.
"That sounds like you."
Just then another system notification appeared before his eyes.
{Ding! New Mission Available}
{Mission — Join a Guild}
{Reward — ????}
Kai quietly noted the mission but didn't say anything.
For now, survival was more important.
Three days passed as the small boat drifted across the ocean.
Kai occasionally paddled to guide their direction while Erza rested and slowly recovered.
Finally—
Land appeared on the horizon.
Erza immediately stood up with excitement.
"Kai! Look!"
Kai followed her gaze and smiled.
"Yeah… we made it."
They paddled the boat toward the shore and eventually reached land safely.
After wandering for some time, they finally found a small village nearby.
The villagers were surprised to see two exhausted children arriving from the sea.
After asking around, Kai and Erza finally received directions toward Magnolia.
They began traveling on foot.
In the next town they passed through, they bought simple clothes to replace their torn prison rags.
Erza also bought a simple set of armor and two swords.
Kai picked up one of them and tested its balance.
"Not bad," he said.
As for money…
Some suspicious people on the road tried to trick them, thinking the two children were easy targets.
Unfortunately for those men—
They ended up "lending" money to Kai and Erza instead.
After that, their journey toward Magnolia continued.
During their travels, Kai began training Erza in swordsmanship.
Her learning speed was terrifying.
"What? That fast?" Kai muttered after watching her copy a movement perfectly.
Erza smirked proudly.
"I told you I'd learn."
Weeks passed as they traveled, trained, and slowly grew stronger.
Finally—
After nearly a month of traveling, the large town of Magnolia appeared before them.
The year was X776.
Kai looked at the lively town with a calm smile.
Then he turned toward Erza.
"You ready for the guild?"
Erza looked at the tall buildings and busy streets with nervous eyes.
"…A little nervous."
Kai chuckled softly.
"Don't worry."
The two walked together toward the heart of Magnolia.
Toward the guild that would change their lives forever.