The next day passed in a steady, uneventful rhythm. Leon walked the road toward Magnolia, the sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows on the ground as he made his way through the countryside.
The day was peaceful, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant call of birds overhead. Leon welcomed it, though. It gave him time to think, to reflect on the events of the past few days, and to focus on the task ahead.
When the hunger pangs hit around midday, Leon decided to do what he did best—scavenge, the forest provided perfectly good meals.
With the patience of someone who had grown up learning how to survive on his own, Leon set up a simple trap near a stream. It wasn't fancy, but it will do.
After a few hours of waiting, he had caught a rabbit, after skinning and gutting, he roasted the rabbit over a small fire, savoring the moment of quiet solitude.
Once he had his fill, he extinguished the fire and packed up his things. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, he made his way to the next patch of trees, looking for a safe place to rest for the night.
By the time darkness fell, Leon had found a secluded spot under a large oak tree, its branches forming a thick canopy above him. He didn't have a tent, but the shelter of the tree would be enough for tonight.
He settled in, stretching his legs out and looking up at the stars. They were different here—brighter, more vivid than he remembered. Maybe it was just the novelty of being in a new world, or maybe it was the peace he'd found out here, far from the chaos of cities. Whatever it was, it felt... right.
The night passed quietly. The only sounds were the occasional hoot of an owl or the rustle of wind through the trees. Leon let sleep take him, knowing that tomorrow would be another day on the road.
And the next morning, he packed up his things, stretched, and set off again, the sight of Magnolia now just a day's walk away.
The sun was just beginning to rise as Leon's footsteps finally brought him to the outskirts of Magnolia. The familiar sights of a bustling town came into view, its skyline dotted with rooftops and the distant outline of the Fairy Tail guild hall standing proud against the sky.
The journey had been simple, even peaceful.
Leon scanned the town, it had an energy to it, a sort of unspoken vibrance that spoke volumes about its inhabitants.
As he walked further into the heart of Magnolia, he couldn't help but notice the familiar banner hanging from the guild hall. The Fairy Tail emblem. This was where it would all start.
His new life. His new path.
But first, he needed to find a place to stay. He hadn't exactly planned for his arrival to be seamless. With no money and no clear connections, he'd need to figure out how to survive in the meantime. He made a mental note to find a place to rest
Leon passed by a small bakery, its scent of freshly baked bread reaching his nose. He almost walked past but stopped, the craving hitting him before he could think twice.
The baker, a woman with a warm smile, greeted him. "What can I get for you, dear?"
Leon glanced around at the wide assortment of bread and cakes on display. "I'll take one of those, the ones with the jam in them," he said, pointing to a sweet-looking pastry.
"Coming right up," the baker replied, wrapping the pastry in parchment paper and handing it to him.
He fumbled for his wallet, only to remember that he didn't have any jewels to pay with. The thought made him pause, and he hesitated. "Actually, on second thought—"
"Don't worry about it, dear. First one's on me. Welcome to Magnolia," the baker interrupted with a friendly wink.
Leon's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? I didn't bring any money with me."
The woman chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I can tell you're new. A stranger on the road usually comes with little more than a few clothes and hunger. Consider it a welcome gift to the town."
Flushed with gratitude, Leon took the pastry, his words tumbling out. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
"No need to thank me," she said, waving him off. "Just promise you'll enjoy it. Magnolia's a place for good food and good people."
Leon smiled back, feeling a little lighter than before. Maybe this new world wouldn't be so hard to navigate after all.
He finished the pastry and, after a brief moment of enjoying the scenery around him, set his sights back on the Fairy Tail guild hall, his next destination. His heart thudded a little faster as he walked towards the building.
As he approached, Leon took in the guild's iconic emblem, its bold and fiery wings standing out even from a distance. He could hear laughter spilling out of the open windows, the air felt charged, full of energy, just like he remembered from the anime.
This is it.
He reached the front doors of the guild, pushing them open cautiously. The moment he stepped inside, the noise hit him. The guild hall was alive with activity—members shouting, laughing, drinking, and exchanging stories.
There, near the bar, a familiar figure stood, talking to someone. Leon immediately recognized him—Laxus. The same prideful, stoic figure he'd met in the woods not long ago, though now he was in the thick of the guild's madness, a part of this chaotic family.
Leon hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Laxus. He wondered if Laxus had even recognized him from their earlier encounter. Probably not. But the thought of interacting with him again was a little unsettling, especially with what happened.
"First time here?" A voice broke through his thoughts, and Leon turned to see a woman with bright red hair and a friendly grin standing next to him.
Erza Scarlet. He recognized her, it was not hard to, with his iconic red hair and armor. Erza is one of the most beloved Fairy Tail characters.
She had a relaxed, confident energy about her that immediately put him at ease. "Yeah," he answered, offering a small, unsure smile. "I'm Leon. Just... looking around, I guess."
Erza eyed him for a second, studying him. Then, as if reading his thoughts, she gave him a knowing smile. "Well, you've found the right place. Welcome to Fairy Tail."
"Thanks," Leon replied, his voice steadier now. "I'm just... figuring things out."
"No better place to figure things out than here," she said, giving him a wink. "But I'll be honest, if you want to join, you'd better be prepared. We're not exactly a quiet bunch."
Leon laughed lightly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. "I think I can handle it."