The days at the Fairy Tail guild passed quickly—too quickly for some, yet warmly for those who had finally found a place to call home.
A few days after her arrival, Cana began to change. Initially, she just sat quietly in the corner, observing. Her eyes followed every movement, every magical explosion, and every small bickering match that broke out almost hourly. But slowly, the fear faded, replaced by a burning curiosity.
One afternoon, as sunlight streamed through the guild windows, Cana sat at a table near the bar. In front of her, several guild members were showing off their magic.
"Look at this!" shouted one mage, creating a small ball of fire in his hand. "Try this!" another chimed in, conjuring a small whirlwind like a mini-tornado.
Cana watched with sparkling eyes. "Wow..."
Ren, standing beside her, glanced over and gave a small smirk. "Interested?" Cana nodded quickly. "Yes... magic is... so cool."
Macao, drinking nearby, laughed. "Everyone says that the first time! So, Cana, you want to learn magic too?"
Cana looked at her own hands. "...I do."
Ren nodded slowly. "Alright. But there are many types of magic; you have to choose what kind you want to learn."
"Like me!" shouted a mage showing off ice magic. "Or me!" another displayed sound magic.
The guild instantly turned into a spontaneous magic exhibition. Cana was a bit overwhelmed but happy with the members' enthusiasm. She watched everything until her gaze stopped on something different. A member was playing with cards in his hand. The cards glowed faintly, then transformed into small magical symbols before vanishing.
Cana stepped closer. "That... what is it?" The mage smiled. "This? Card Magic."
Cana looked closer. "Cards... can become magic?" "They can. It depends on how you use them. Cards can also be used for fortune-telling."
Ren crossed his arms. "Card Magic, huh?" Cana went silent for a few seconds. "I want to learn that."
A brief silence followed. "Eh?" Macao frowned. "Seriously? Card Magic?" Wakaba, passing by, chimed in. "That magic is... how do I put it... it's not weak, but it's not exactly a powerhouse either." "It's more about support or tricks," another added. "If you want to be strong, there might be better options."
Cana gripped her hands tight. This time, she didn't hesitate. "I still want it." Everyone fell quiet. Ren looked at her. "...Why?"
Cana stared at the cards. "Because a wizard's strength isn't determined by the type of magic." She paused. "And... I can tell fortunes."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Fortune-telling?" Cana nodded. Ren let out a soft breath. "...I see."
"If that's your reason..." Macao scratched his head. "Nothing we can do then," Wakaba puffed his pipe.
From a distance, Makarov, who had been watching the conversation, hopped down from the bar. "If you have chosen," he said calmly, "then it is our job to help."
He stood before Cana. "Card Magic is not an easy path. But... that doesn't mean it's weak." He pulled a card from his pocket, and it glowed. "It's not about raw power. It's about how you use the possibilities."
Cana focused intently. Makarov smiled. "If you are serious... I will teach you the basics." Cana's eyes widened. "...Thank you, Master!"
Time passed. Cana transformed from a shy little girl into a brave and confident apprentice. In her hands was a deck of cards. Her eyes were sharp.
"Card Draw!" Several cards floated in the air. One glowed brightly. "Fortune Wind!" A small gale swirled, lifting dust from the training floor.
"Not bad," Wakaba commented. "Her control is already good," Macao added.
With everyone's help and Makarov's guidance, Cana slowly became a skilled mage.
One afternoon, the guild doors swung open. Ren walked in, his hair slightly longer and messier, his clothes worn from travel. But his smile remained the same.
"Yo." "RENNN!!!" Macao greeted him warmly. "Kid! You're finally back!" Ren laughed softly. "The mission was easy, but there was a lot of walking."
Ren sat near the bar where Cana was waiting. She looked at him. "Welcome back." Ren glanced at her. "I'm home. You've changed." Cana smiled and puffed out her chest slightly with pride.
The atmosphere was relaxed as they sat with Macao, the conversation flowing lightly about the latest missions and trivial things that invited laughter. Everything felt peaceful until suddenly...
BRAAK!!
A loud thud echoed from outside, forcibly shattering the silence. Laughter stopped instantly. Every head in the room snapped toward the source of the sound, their expressions turning alert in seconds.
"What was 그at?!" "Another brawl?"
Ren stood up. "Let's see."
They went outside. There stood a man, tall and muscular, with messy orange hair. However, his face looked a bit dazed.
Ren narrowed his eyes. "...That's him?" Other guild members began to crowd around. Then, someone screamed:
"GILDARTS!!!"
The mood shifted instantly. "WHAT?!" "SERIOUSLY?!" "HE'S BACK!!!"
The name echoed. Gildarts Clive.
Ren stared at the man seriously. "...That's Gildarts?" He observed him from top to bottom. "...He looks... ordinary." Macao laughed. "Haha! Don't be fooled! He's a monster!"
Ren kept watching. Was the aura truly ordinary, or just too deep to read? He then looked to his side.
Cana stood frozen. Her eyes were locked onto the man. For the first time in her life, she saw him with her own eyes. The man who had lived only in her thoughts.
A storm of emotions raged in her chest—joy mixed with a creeping cold fear and doubt that held her feet in place. Cana was paralyzed, completely unsure of what to do or how to face the reality in front of her.
"...That's..." She gripped her cards, her hands trembling.
Ren noticed, but said nothing. Up ahead, Makarov walked toward Gildarts with a wide grin. "You're finally back, Gildarts!"
Gildarts scratched his head. "Ah... yeah, Master. Sorry... I kind of... forgot the way." "As usual," Wakaba muttered.
Makarov laughed. "I'm glad you're safe. Come in. Report your mission on the second floor." "Right."
Gildarts walked into the guild, and the party began. "GILDARTS IS BACK!!!" "DRINK!!!" "PARTY!!!"
The guild exploded in joy once more. But amidst the chaos, two children stood still. Ren and Cana. One observing. One feeling.