Year X770 —
Location: Forest Clearing, Rosemary Village
Age: Ren (5) | Erza (5)
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Ren stared at the sword in front of him.
It wasn't really a sword—just a badly maintained iron blade, chipped near the edge, its handle wrapped in old cloth. One of the hunters had left it behind near the forest shed, declaring it "too troublesome to fix."
To Ren, it looked beautiful.
He squatted in front of it, eyes sparkling.
"Ooooo…" he breathed. "A sword."
Erza stood beside him, arms crossed.
"…It's junk."
Ren gasped loudly, placing a hand over his chest as if wounded. "That's so mean! Look, it's trying its best!"
"It can barely cut."
"So?" Ren puffed his cheeks. "I can barely reach shelves, but I'm still amazing."
Erza snorted despite herself.
Ren gently picked the sword up with both hands. It was heavy—too heavy for a child—but his grip didn't waver. His posture adjusted instinctively, feet shifting, spine straightening.
Erza noticed.
"…You've held one before."
Ren froze.
> Oops.
He laughed nervously and scratched his head. "In my dreams!"
"…Weird dreams."
He swung the blade once.
Not fast. Not strong.
But clean.
The air whispered.
Erza's eyes widened slightly.
> [Great Sage: Observation — Subject Ren demonstrates innate sword affinity exceeding physical age parameters.]
[Hypothesis: Past-life motor memory + Sun Breathing foundation increasing neuromuscular efficiency.]
Ren blinked.
> So I really am meant to be a swordsman…
The thought made his chest warm.
He looked down at the blade, suddenly serious.
"…I don't want to punch or blast magic," he murmured. "I want to cut properly."
Erza tilted her head. "…That's dangerous."
Ren smiled.
"That's why it's cool."
She stared at him for a long second, then turned away. "…Idiot."
But she didn't stop watching.
Ren lowered the sword and inhaled.
Slow.
Deep.
Sun Breathing—First Foundation.
The warmth spread again, subtle but steady.
> [Great Sage: Sun Breathing synchronization at 14%. Warning: Prolonged usage may cause muscle strain at current age.]
[Suggestion: Limit activation to short intervals. Focus on posture and breath rhythm.]
Ren nodded internally.
> Got it. Don't overdo it.
He exhaled and performed a second swing.
Better.
Third.
Even better.
His small hands trembled slightly.
Erza stepped forward.
"…Your arms are shaking."
Ren looked at them and laughed. "Hehehe… guess I'm still small."
She hesitated—then reached out and adjusted his grip.
"Like this," she said stiffly. "Don't squeeze so hard."
Ren froze completely.
> She touched my hand.
"…O-okay," he squeaked.
She immediately pulled back, cheeks faintly pink.
"…Don't misunderstand."
Ren grinned. "Too late."
She smacked him lightly with the wooden sword.
"Ow!"
But he laughed anyway.
> [Great Sage: Emotional feedback — Mutual trust increasing. This bond may significantly alter future Fate Nodes.]
Ren's smile softened.
> That's the point.
He sat down on a fallen log, placing the sword beside him.
"I think…" he said slowly, "I'm going to be a swordsman."
Erza blinked. "…You decided that just now?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "Yep!"
"…You're strange."
"I know!"
Ren kicked his legs happily, humming.
"But if I'm a swordsman," he continued, more quietly, "then I need a proper blade."
Erza frowned. "You already have one."
Ren shook his head.
"This one's temporary."
> [Great Sage: Inquiry — Preferred weapon form detected from memory data.]
[Suggestion: Katana-type blade recommended. Single-edged curvature supports Sun Breathing flow and precision cuts.]
Ren's eyes lit up.
> Yes! Exactly!
"A katana," he whispered.
"…A what?"
"It's a sword!" Ren said quickly. "A special one! Curved, sharp, and really honest!"
"…Swords can be honest?"
"Yep!"
Erza stared. "…Explain."
Ren struggled for words, waving his hands.
"It's like—when you swing it, it tells you if you're wrong! If your breathing's bad or your posture's off, it won't work properly!"
She looked unconvinced.
"…That sounds made up."
"Hehehe… maybe a little."
Ren lay back on the log, staring at the leaves above.
> Nichirin blades… responded to the wielder.
> This world won't have them.
"…But I can make something similar," he whispered.
> [Great Sage: Proposal — Mana-responsive alloy synthesis possible in Fairy Tail world.]
[Recommendation: Seek blacksmith with magic metal exposure. Rosemary Village insufficient.]
Ren sighed.
> So not yet.
He turned his head toward Erza.
"Hey."
"…What?"
"I'm making something for you too."
She stiffened. "…You already did."
Ren shook his head.
"Not a sword. A path."
She didn't respond.
The forest grew quiet.
Ren sat up again, placing the sword between his knees.
He inhaled—but this time, he didn't activate Sun Breathing.
Instead, he observed.
His stance. His balance. His center.
> [Great Sage: Suggestion — Swordsmanship foundation training should precede advanced breathing forms.]
[Recommended drills: Footwork, grip stability, single-strike repetition.]
Ren nodded.
"Okay," he whispered. "Basics first."
He stood.
"One strike," he said aloud.
Erza raised an eyebrow. "…That's it?"
"Yep!"
He lifted the blade.
Breathed.
And struck.
Whisper.
The blade stopped exactly where he intended.
Ren beamed. "Did you see that?!"
"…I did," Erza admitted quietly.
He struck again.
And again.
By the tenth strike, sweat dripped down his face.
By the twentieth, his arms burned.
By the thirtieth—
His legs buckled.
He fell onto his butt.
"Oof!"
Erza rushed forward. "…Idiot! I told you not to push!"
Ren laughed weakly. "Hehehe… but it was fun…"
She clenched her fists. "…You don't need to hurt yourself."
Ren looked up at her.
Serious now.
"I do," he said gently. "So you don't have to."
She froze.
> [Great Sage: Warning — Emotional statement may create dependency.]
[Counter-Suggestion: Reframe motivation as mutual growth.]
Ren blinked.
"…I mean!" he added quickly, panicking. "We'll both get stronger! Together!"
Erza looked away, jaw tight.
"…You're annoying."
But her voice shook.
She sat beside him.
They rested there in silence.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
> [Great Sage: Long-term Projection — Ren as Sun-aligned swordsman with mana-responsive katana. Erza as Moon-aligned warrior with refined control.]
[Conclusion: Dual growth increases survival probability against major future calamities.]
Ren closed his eyes.
> Then let's walk that future.
He smiled faintly—then suddenly brightened, clapping his hands.
"Hey! After I get a cool sword, I'll protect the village!"
Erza deadpanned. "…You can't even protect yourself."
"Details!"
She sighed—but this time, there was warmth in it.
"…Fine."
Ren grinned up at the sky.
The sun burned steadily.
The moon waited patiently.
And somewhere in the quiet forest of Rosemary Village—
A swordsman took his first real step.
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End of Chapter 3 ☀️🌙