After speaking with the village chief, Arlen had Ultear and Cana bring Erza, Kagura, and Simon to him. He explained his intention to teach them magic and recommend them to join Fairy Tail.
All three agreed without hesitation.
Their reason was simple—they wanted to protect the village. And more than that, they were grateful to Arlen and the others for everything they had done.
Arlen was naturally pleased. Fairy Tail was his guild—his second home. Bringing in talented individuals was something every member should take pride in.
From that day on, training began.
Arlen first taught them meditation, guiding them to sense and cultivate magic. Then, he demonstrated the different types of magic he and the others knew, explaining their attributes and principles so the three could choose their paths.
Erza chose Requip Magic: The Knight.
Kagura chose Lost Magic: Gravity Magic, the same as Arlen.
But when it came to Simon—
Arlen hesitated.
Simon had a strong, sturdy build. Ice-Make Magic didn't suit him. Time Arc was out of the question—it required both immense magic and rare talent. Card Magic… Arlen didn't even want to think about it. That path was far more suitable for someone like Cana.
Gravity Magic and Requip were options, but Simon's aptitude for them was clearly lower than Erza's or Kagura's.
After going through everything—
There was nothing that truly fit.
Simon grew visibly discouraged.
In the end, Arlen made the call.
"Then you'll walk the path of a physical-type mage."
He decided Simon would learn Take Over Magic.
It would make full use of his powerful physique.
After hearing Arlen's explanation, Simon's eyes lit up. He immediately chose that path.
Though they couldn't teach it here in Rosemary Village, basic training—meditation and physical conditioning—could still begin. The rest would wait until they returned to the guild.
—
Thus began their daily routine.
Erza and Kagura showed a natural affinity for swords, so Arlen also trained them in swordsmanship.
Ultear and Cana focused on refining their own magic.
Simon trained his body relentlessly.
Days passed.
Half a month went by in Rosemary Village.
Aside from training, Arlen even took them to the beach to relax once.
But the Black Magic Cult—
Didn't appear.
Just as Arlen began to suspect they had gone into hiding due to pressure from the Magic Council and guilds—
They finally came.
—
Sitting on the rooftop under the moonlight, Arlen suddenly frowned.
His magic perception picked up—
Roughly three hundred people.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"They're here."
He leapt down silently.
Inside, Ultear and Erza, who were meditating, opened their eyes at the same time.
Ultear immediately understood.
"Arlen-sama… are they here?"
"Yes."
Arlen nodded.
"Go gather the villagers at the chief's house. Protect them."
Ultear hesitated.
"There must be a lot of them… Let Erza and the others handle the villagers. Cana and I can stay and help you."
"I agree," Cana added quickly.
But Arlen shook his head.
"No need."
"I alone am enough."
"Your task is to protect the villagers."
He paused, then added:
"They're almost at the village entrance. Move."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away.
Ultear clenched her fists, watching his back.
"…Let's go."
"We'll complete our task."
—
As they ran into the village, Erza lingered for a moment, staring at Arlen's fading figure—burning the image into her memory.
"Erza?" Kagura asked softly.
"…It's nothing. Let's go."
—
Soon, the villagers were gathered.
And at the village entrance—
Arlen stood alone.
Facing the approaching army of the Black Magic Cult.
His voice was cold.
"You're from the Black Magic Cult."
"Tell me—do you know where the R-System island is?"
The cult members were briefly confused.
Then—
They laughed.
One man stepped forward, looking at Arlen like he was a fool.
"Attack."
"For the great Zeref!"
In an instant—
Magic circles lit up across the battlefield.
Spells of every color surged forward.
Even those without magic used enchanted tools.
Hundreds of attacks—
All aimed at Arlen alone.
—
And yet—
He didn't move.
His expression remained calm.
He drew his blade—Alaya Shiki.
A green, intricate magic circle formed beneath his feet.
The blade shifted color—
From icy blue to emerald green.
Wind roared around it.
"Bakuryūha."
He swung.
—
The incoming magic—
Was swallowed whole by a massive emerald vortex.
Then—
Split into three colossal tornadoes.
And hurled back.
—
The battlefield was consumed.
Wind howled.
Earth shattered.
Silence fell.
The cult members stood frozen in terror.
They had never—
Seen anything like this.
—
Even within the village—
Everyone was stunned.
Cana grabbed Ultear's arm, eyes shining.
"Did you see that?! He absorbed everything!"
Ultear shook her head slowly.
"…I've never seen this one before."
"When he saved me… he used lightning."
Erza, Kagura, and Simon said nothing.
But in their eyes—
A fire had been lit.
A longing.
For strength like that.