The very next morning, I woke before the first rays of sunlight had fully illuminated the horizon.
The habit had long since engraved itself into my body.
Before my mind could even finish waking up, my feet had already found the cold wooden floor.
As always, I began my morning training.
The crisp morning air brushed against my skin as I ran around the estate, each steady breath forming faint white mist before disappearing into the dawn.
The rhythmic thuds of my footsteps echoed across the quiet training grounds while the birds welcomed the new day with cheerful songs from the surrounding trees.
After finishing my laps, I continued with my usual exercises, staff forms, body conditioning, and finally rune practice.
Every movement had become second nature.
There was no hesitation, no wasted motion.
Some might think I trained because Father ordered me to.
But that wasn’t true anymore.
I simply…
enjoyed it.
Training had become a part of who I was.
It taught me discipline, reminded me never to grow complacent, and most importantly, it gave me the feeling that I had already achieved something before the day had truly begun.
No matter what happened afterward, I could always tell myself that I had already made myself stronger than I was yesterday.
It was an incredibly satisfying feeling.
By the time the sun had risen above the treetops, a thin layer of sweat covered my body.
“Haa…”
I let out a long breath before twirling my staff one last time and resting it over my shoulder.
“That’s enough for today.”
Unlike yesterday, there was no scheduled spar with Father.
He had already said we would be taking the day easy before heading to Magnolia.
After wiping away the sweat with a towel, I headed back inside.
The pleasant aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon greeted me the moment I opened the front door.
“I smell breakfast.”
A cheerful smile naturally appeared on my face.
Our family dining room was already prepared.
Mother elegantly poured tea while Father casually read a newspaper, though judging from the way he occasionally glanced toward the kitchen, he seemed far more interested in breakfast than the news.
“Good morning, Luke,” Mother greeted with her usual gentle smile.
“Morning, Mother.”
Father folded the newspaper and looked at me.
“Finished your training?”
“Yes.”
He nodded with satisfaction.
“Good. Go wash up first. You smell like the training yard.”
“…”
I sniffed my shirt.
“…Fair enough.”
Mother chuckled softly as I hurried upstairs.
After a quick bath and changing into clean clothes, I returned to the dining room where breakfast was already waiting.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Just the three of us enjoying breakfast together.
As I buttered a slice of warm bread, Father suddenly cleared his throat.
“Luke.”
“Hm?”
“We’ll be leaving for Magnolia after breakfast.”
I looked up curiously.
“To register you.”
“…Register?”
Father smiled knowingly.
“At Fairy Tail.”
For a brief moment…
My brain stopped working.
“…”
“…Really?”
Father couldn’t help laughing at my stunned expression.
“Really.”
The excitement that surged through my body was impossible to suppress.
“Today?”
“Today.”
I nearly jumped out of my chair.
“Seriously!?”
Mother giggled behind her teacup.
“I had a feeling you’d react like that.”
“Of course I would!”
I’ve been waiting for this day ever since Father first mentioned the guild.
Fairy Tail.
The guild I had admired from both my previous life and this one.
The place where legends gathered.
And today…
I would finally become a member.
Even after all these months, the excitement refused to calm down.
Father simply smiled while sipping his tea.
“I thought you’d be happy.”
“Happy?” I laughed.
“I’m trying very hard not to run all the way to Magnolia right now.”
“Hahaha!”
Even Father couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Mother simply smiled warmly as she watched us.
“It seems breakfast suddenly became much more enjoyable.”
“It definitely did.”
After finishing breakfast, I hurried upstairs to get dressed.
Since we were visiting Magnolia, I wanted to look presentable while still wearing something comfortable.
I chose my favorite outfit.
A neatly fitted white collared shirt trimmed with elegant blue linings along the sleeves and collar, paired with simple white trousers that allowed easy movement.
Nothing overly extravagant.
Comfortable and Practical.
I stood before the mirror and adjusted my collar before brushing a hand through my silvery ash-colored hair.
“…Yeah.”
White had always been my favorite color.
Not only did it feel clean and refreshing, but it also complemented my unusual hair surprisingly well.
It almost looked as though the outfit had been made specifically for me.
I gave myself one final nod before leaving my room.
Mother was already waiting near the entrance, dressed in refined noble attire befitting her status.
Father stood beside her, adjusting the cloak draped over his shoulders.
“Oh? Looking handsome today,” Mother complimented with a smile.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Thanks…”
Father gave me an approving nod.
“Good. First impressions matter.”
Mother picked up a neatly organized stack of documents and tucked them into a leather satchel.
“Although we’ll be traveling together, I’ll be leaving the two of you once we arrive in Magnolia.”
I tilted my head.
“Government business?”
She nodded.
“As members of the nobility, your father and I still have administrative duties to fulfill from time to time. There are reports to submit, meetings to attend, and several matters that require our family’s approval.”
Father let out a tired sigh.
“I’d honestly rather spend the entire day at the guild.”
Mother smiled mischievously.
“And leave all the paperwork to me?”
“…I didn’t say that.”
“You were thinking it.”
“I might have been.”
Their playful exchange earned a small laugh from me.
Some things never changed.
Even after years together, the two of them still teased each other like newlyweds.
Once everything was prepared, Father opened the front door.
The morning breeze drifted inside, carrying with it the lively sounds of a world already beginning its day.
He looked back at me with a smile.
“Ready, Luke?”
“I’ve been ready for a long time.”
And with that, the three of us stepped beyond the gates of our home, beginning our journey toward Magnolia, where the next chapter of my life was waiting.
Our home stood just beyond the outskirts of Magnolia Town, far enough that the lively bustle of the streets faded into little more than a distant murmur, yet close enough that a carriage ride would bring us there in roughly thirty minutes.
On pleasant days, one could even make the trip on foot without much trouble.
It was the perfect balance between civilization and solitude.
The reason for our secluded residence, however, was surprisingly simple.
My father hated people bothering him.
Not in the dramatic, “I’ll exile anyone who approaches my estate” kind of way.
He simply cherished peace with almost religious devotion.
(Flashback)
One afternoon, unable to satisfy my curiosity any longer, I asked him while we were taking a break from training.
“Father… if we’re nobles, shouldn’t we be living inside Magnolia like everyone else?”
He froze halfway through taking a sip of tea.
“…Who told you nobles should live in the city?”
“I just assumed.”
He slowly lowered the teacup onto the table with the expression of a man preparing to deliver profound wisdom.
“Luke…”
“Yes?”
“The farther you live from politicians…”
He raised a single finger.
“…the happier your life becomes.”
I blinked.
“That’s your answer?”
“That is years of experience condensed into one sentence.”
I wasn’t convinced.
He leaned back in his chair, letting out a dramatic sigh.
“Do you know what happens when people know where a retired noble lives?”
I shook my head.
“They visit.”
“…”
“They bring paperwork.”
“…”
“They ask for signatures.”
“…”
“They invite you to banquets.”
“…”
“They ask you to attend ceremonies.”
“…”
“They ask if you can ‘just spare a moment.'”
His face gradually became more lifeless with every sentence.
“And somehow…”
He looked toward the sky with the hollow eyes of a war veteran remembering the battlefield.
“…that ‘moment’ lasts six hours.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“So… you ran away?”
“I tactically relocated.”
“That sounds suspiciously like running away.”
“It is called a strategic withdrawal.”
“I think that’s still running away.”
He folded his arms proudly.
“History is written by whoever survives the paperwork.”
“…I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.”
“It is now.”
Before I could argue any further, Mother walked onto the veranda carrying a basket filled with freshly picked herbs from the garden.
“I heard everything.”
Father visibly stiffened.
She smiled sweetly.
“Luke, your father conveniently forgot to mention the real reason.”
Father immediately looked away.
“There is no ‘real reason.'”
Mother ignored him.
“The truth is, your father wanted a quiet retirement where no one could interrupt his afternoon naps.”
“…”
“…That is slander.”
She tilted her head.
“So you don’t nap every afternoon?”
“…”
“Or hide whenever someone from the capital arrives?”
“…”
“Or pretend not to be home while peeking through the curtains?”
Father coughed into his fist.
“I prefer the term… avoiding unnecessary social interactions.”
Mother giggled.
“I once watched him crawl across the living room because he heard carriage wheels outside.”
“I was… exercising.”
“On the floor?”
“It builds core strength.”
I couldn’t stop myself.
“…Father.”
“Yes?”
“You’re amazing.”
He smiled proudly.
“I know.”
“…At avoiding responsibility.”
His smile instantly disappeared.
Mother burst into laughter, the sound light and melodic as it echoed through the garden.
Even I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Father sighed with exaggerated disappointment.
“My own family… betrayed by my own family.”
“We’re simply telling the truth,” Mother replied with an amused smile.
He crossed his arms.
“Truth can be surprisingly hurtful.”
(Flashback Ends)
Despite all the joking, there were genuine reasons why my parents had chosen this place.
Father’s noble title required surprisingly little administrative work.
Most of his duties amounted to reviewing reports, approving documents, or attending the occasional formal gathering whenever his presence was absolutely necessary.
Since he had already retired from active service as a mage, there was little reason for him to remain within Magnolia’s busy streets.
Mother, on the other hand, adored nature with all her heart.
Every morning she would tend the flower beds, care for the herbs she grew for both cooking and medicine or simply sit beneath the shade of a large oak tree with a book in her hands while birds sang overhead.
She often said that the rustling leaves were more comforting than the noise of any marketplace.
Together, they found the perfect compromise; a peaceful estate nestled among rolling fields and forests, where the wind carried the scent of wildflowers instead of crowded streets.
It was close enough that visiting Magnolia for supplies, errands, or the occasional guild trip was effortless, yet distant enough that our home remained a sanctuary untouched by the city’s constant commotion.
As I looked across the training grounds stretching beside our house, the small garden Mother lovingly cared for, and the quiet forest surrounding the estate, I couldn’t help but agree.
Perhaps Father wasn’t merely avoiding paperwork.
Perhaps…
No.
He was definitely avoiding paperwork.
The peaceful scenery was simply an excellent bonus.
A little time passed as our carriage continued along the dirt road, the gentle rattling of the wooden wheels blending with the rhythmic clopping of the horses’ hooves.
The familiar scenery slowly changed from rolling fields and scattered trees to cultivated farmland and stone watchtowers standing proudly in the distance.
Then, finally…
The towering walls of Magnolia came into view.
They stretched high into the sky, built from sturdy gray stone that had endured countless years of protecting the city.
The massive walls served as the boundary between the peaceful countryside and the bustling town beyond.
Guard towers overlooked the entrance, where soldiers kept watch over the steady stream of merchants, travelers, and mages entering and leaving the city.
“It’s even bigger than I remembered…” I muttered under my breath.
Perhaps it was because I had grown taller over the years, or perhaps because I was seeing it with the eyes of someone who had memories from another world.
Either way, Magnolia looked even more magnificent than it had in the anime.
“Halt! Routine inspection—”
Before he could finish, another guard beside him suddenly widened his eyes.
“Wait… Isn’t that Sir Bor’s carriage?”
The first guard blinked before leaning closer.
“…It is!”
The two immediately straightened their backs, placing a fist over their chest.
“Good day, Sir Bor! Madam Amy! Welcome back to Magnolia!”
Father gave them his usual calm smile and dipped his head slightly.
“Good day. Thank you for your hard work.”
Mother smiled just as warmly.
“It’s nice to see both of you again. I hope the gate hasn’t been too busy today.”
One of the younger guards scratched his cheek with an embarrassed grin.
“Well… not until Old Man Jenkins tried to sneak three goats into the city while insisting they were ‘very hairy dogs.'”
“…”
“…”
Father blinked once.
Mother covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“…Did it work?” Father asked with complete seriousness.
The guard sighed dramatically.
“For about five seconds.”
“I’ll have to ask him how convincing his argument was.”
The guards burst into laughter.
Even I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling.
Magnolia really hadn’t changed.
After a few more pleasantries, the gates slowly opened, allowing our carriage to continue inside.
The moment we crossed the entrance, the atmosphere changed entirely.
The streets were alive.
Merchants loudly advertised their goods from colorful stalls lining both sides of the road.
“Fresh bread!”
“Apples! Sweet apples!”
“New magical tools! Guaranteed to explode… less than the previous model!”
“…That isn’t exactly reassuring,” I muttered looking weirdly to that stall who last say that.
Children chased one another through the streets while couples leisurely strolled along the sidewalks.
Mages wearing guild emblems chatted outside cafés, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries drifted through the air, making my stomach growl despite having eaten breakfast.
The stone-paved roads were clean and well maintained, the houses standing proudly with colorful rooftops and flower boxes decorating their windows.
It was exactly how I remembered it.
Or rather…
How both of my memories remembered it.
Before awakening the memories of my previous life, Mother and Father had occasionally brought me into Magnolia for festivals or market days.
I remembered being carried on Father’s shoulders while watching fireworks paint the night sky and tugging on Mother’s sleeve whenever I spotted a sweets vendor.
Those childhood memories blended seamlessly with the memories from my previous life.
Back then, Magnolia had only existed beyond a television screen.
Now…
I was walking through it.
It felt strangely surreal.
Soon our carriage passed by the most recognizable landmark in the city.
Kardia Cathedral.
Its magnificent white stone walls reflected the afternoon sunlight, while the towering bell tower overlooked the entire city.
Elegant stained-glass windows shimmered in brilliant colors, giving the cathedral an almost divine presence.
Even knowing Fairy Tail’s history, seeing it in person left me speechless.
Father glanced toward the cathedral before tapping lightly on the carriage window.
“Could you stop here?”
The driver nodded.
“Of course, Sir Bor.”
The carriage rolled to a gentle halt.
Father stood and stretched his back.
“I’ll walk the rest of the way with Luke. It’ll be easier than making the carriage circle around.”
Mother nodded in agreement.
“That saves time. I still have some paperwork to finish at the administrative office anyway.”
She stepped down first before smoothing out her dress.
Then she looked at me with a gentle smile.
“Have fun today, Luke.”
“I will.”
She then turned toward Father.
“…And please don’t let your father get swept up by the guild atmosphere.”
I answered before Father even had the chance.
“I’ll guard him with my life.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
Father immediately protested.
“Hey!”
He pointed at both of us in disbelief.
“What kind of image do you two have of me?”
Mother raised an eyebrow.
“The same image everyone in Fairy Tail has.”
“I’ve changed.”
Mother smiled sweetly.
“You once said you were ‘just dropping by to say hello’ and came home three days later after participating in a guild drinking contest.”
“…”
“I was young.”
“You were thirty.”
“…I was… emotionally young.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
Father cleared his throat with all the dignity he could salvage.
“This time is different.”
“Oh?”
“I’m only meeting the Guild Master and some old friends.”
He folded his arms confidently.
“I’m absolutely not rejoining Fairy Tail.”
Mother gave him a suspicious look.
“And if they challenge you to a spar?”
“I’ll politely decline.”
“And if they insult your sword techniques?”
“…I’ll politely educate them.”
“With your fists?”
“…Maybe a little.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“…Mother, I think we should’ve brought chains.”
Mother nodded solemnly.
“I knew I forgot something.”
“Hey!”
Father looked completely betrayed.
“I’m the one recommending Luke today! At least have some faith in me!”
Mother simply giggled before stepping back toward the carriage.
“I’m sure everything will be fine.”
She smiled warmly at us both.
“Take care, you two.”
“We will.”
With one last wave, the carriage began moving once more, carrying Mother toward the administrative district.
Father and I stood together in front of the magnificent Kardia Cathedral, watching it disappear into the distance.
He let out a quiet sigh before smiling at me.
“Well then…”
His eyes drifted toward the direction of Fairy Tail.
“Ready to see the rowdiest guild in Fiore?”
A grin slowly spread across my face.
“… I am ready!”
<Hey!
New Author here!
i just want to tell anyone who is reading this, thank you for taking a little time for reading my creation, this is just a little hobby for me.
hope you enjoy it and any comment, suggestion and opinion don’t be shy to tell me.
just be kind as much as possible that’s it thank you and i hope you have a nice day!>
<Also, give this Fanfic a review if you like it!
Thank you!>