The ship The Dancing Sea slowly docked at the stone pier of Minstrel port on a morning in the year 771. The morning air in Minstrel felt warm, carried by a sea breeze smelling of spices and fresh silk. Ren Chicle stood at the bow, his small hands clutching his mother's worn-out scarf. The image of a faint purple bird was clearly visible under the sunlight. Captain Ravel held the helm one last time while shouting his final orders.
"All hands ready! Secure the ropes tightly!" Captain Ravel bellowed from the helm. His voice thundered over the hustle and bustle of the busy crew. "Liric, Olda, help Ren carry those dance costume crates to the pier. Don't let a single one fall into the water."
Liric hopped over, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Aye, Captain! Ren, use your magic again. Your Bungee Gum makes the work go by so much faster. I've been exhausted from lifting things since dawn."
Ren nodded quickly. "Alright, Liric-san. I'll help now." He extended his right hand. Thin purple threads emerged from his palm. "Bungee Gum: Sticky Binding."
The threads attached to a large crate filled with dance costumes, and with a simple motion, Ren pulled it. The crate lifted effortlessly and glided onto the pier without touching the water.
Olda stood nearby, her apron stained with spice marks. She laughed softly while wiping her hands on a cloth. "You're getting more skilled, Ren. When you first boarded, you could only lift one small box. Now you're lifting three at once. Captain Ravel, did you see that? The boy is like a permanent crew member now."
Captain Ravel stepped down from the helm and approached them. "Indeed, Olda. Ren, you've been part of this crew for two weeks now. But today we arrive in Minstrel. You said you wanted to ask about your mother's scarf. We'll help you with that before you decide on your next move."
Ren retracted his gum threads and pulled the scarf from his neck. He spread it out over an empty crate on the pier. "Thank you, Captain. This bird image on the cloth... I want to know what it means. My mother left this for me when I was born. I hope someone here knows it."
Liric leaned in, squinting at the image. "A purple bird with wide-open wings. It looks like an ordinary bird, but the color is strange. In Minstrel, there are many bird designs on dance costumes, but none are purple like this. Let's ask the people at the harbor first. Olda, do you have any of last night's leftover stew? Let's eat while we ask around."
Olda nodded, pulling bowls from her bag. "I do. Come, sit on the pier benches. Ren, tell us the details of the cloth again. Is there any writing or other patterns on the back?"
They sat on the long wooden benches of the pier. Ren flipped the cloth over. "No writing. Just the bird and some purple thread that is the same color as my magic. I've been looking at it since Sinael."
Captain Ravel chewed on a piece of bread as he observed. "We'll start with the harbor guards. They see many goods from other ships. Liric, take Ren to the harbor office. Olda and I will handle the ship's permits first."
Liric stood up and patted Ren's shoulder. "Come on, Ren. Let's head over. The office is close, just a hundred steps from here."
They walked through the crowded pier. Sailors from other ships shouted about cargo, and merchants hawked brightly colored dance fabrics. Ren held his scarf tightly.
A harbor guard in a red-and-gold uniform stood in front of the office door. Liric waved. "Sir, could we ask you something? We're from The Dancing Sea. Our friend here has an old cloth with a bird image. Have you ever seen anything like it?"
The guard narrowed his eyes at the cloth Ren spread out. "A purple bird? Not from Minstrel. Here, dance birds are usually red or gold. Try asking at the central art market in Flerouge. There are many antique artifact dealers there. They sell items from all over Ishgar."
Liric nodded. "Thank you, Sir. Ren, let's go to the market first. The Captain said we'll meet at the inn near the Great Dance Lake this afternoon."
Ren followed Liric through the wide stone streets. The buildings around the harbor had open-stage roofs for small dance performances.
"Liric-san, have you been to Minstrel often?"
Liric laughed as he walked. "Only twice. The first time was when I just became a sailor. Minstrel is very lively. Everyone loves to dance, even when they're buying and selling. See that? That merchant is dancing while weighing spices."
They arrived at the vast central art market. Stalls were filled with dance costumes, music lacrima, and small dancer figurines. Ren approached a middle-aged woman who was arranging silk fabrics. He bowed politely.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Could you look at this cloth? This purple bird image—do you know what it means or where it comes from?"
The merchant took the cloth and held it close to her eyes. "This isn't a Minstrel design. But I once saw a wizard from the north who had a purple bird tattoo on his arm. He said the tattoo was from a guild in Fiore. But I don't know the details. Try asking in the capital, Flerouge. There are dance masters there who know more about such things."
Liric pulled Ren to the next stall. An old man with a short beard sat behind a table filled with pendants and small maps.
"Sir, please take a look at this," Liric said, pointing to the cloth in Ren's hand. "Our friend is looking for information about this purple bird. The merchant earlier said it looks like a wizard's tattoo from Fiore."
The old man took the cloth and turned it over slowly. "Correct. I've seen a wizard with a tattoo of a purple bird exactly like this. He came from the Fairy Tail guild in Fiore. That guild is to the northwest of here. The wizard said the tattoo was their guild mark. If this image is from your mother, perhaps she once met a wizard from that guild."
Ren's eyes widened slightly upon hearing those words. "Fairy Tail? Is that a magic guild in Fiore?"
The old man nodded. "Indeed. Fiore is northwest of here, across the Great Bay of Ishgar. Many merchant ships go there to trade. If this cloth is from your mother, you must go to Fiore. But first, go to Flerouge. There are more people there who know about wizards from abroad."
Liric patted Ren's hand. "Great job, Ren! We're heading to Flerouge now. The Captain and Olda are probably at the inn by now, but we can tell them later. From the southern port to the capital, it's a two-day walk or a short train ride."
Ren nodded. "I'm going, Liric-san. I need to ask more in Flerouge."
Liric and Ren returned to the inn near the lake that evening. Captain Ravel and Olda were already sitting at a large wooden table with bowls of spicy stew.
Captain Ravel waved. "You two took forever. Tell us. Did you find the answer you were looking for?"
Liric sat down and poured some water. "We did, Captain. Ren, tell them yourself."
Ren sat in a chair and placed the cloth on the table. "This bird image is similar to a tattoo seen on wizards from the Fairy Tail guild in Fiore. The merchant and the old man at the stall said so. I think I have to go to Flerouge first to ask more, then to Fiore."
Olda pushed a bowl of stew toward Ren. "Eat first, Ren. So, you're going to Flerouge tomorrow? We've been happy to help you this far, but our ship has to return to Sin tomorrow morning. We'll drop you off at the station for the train to the capital first."
Ren took a spoon and ate slowly. "Yes, Olda-san. I've made up my mind. I'll stay with you all today, but tomorrow I will leave for Flerouge."
Captain Ravel nodded slowly. "We respect your decision, Ren. You've helped us a lot on the ship. Your Bungee Gum saved us from sea monsters. Now it's your turn to find answers about your mother."
Liric leaned forward. "Ren, remember this. If you ever get lonely in Flerouge, look for us at the southern port. We stop by every three months. And don't forget the dance moves I taught you. Those elastic movements with your magic will definitely fit in there."
Ren smiled faintly. "I'll remember, Liric-san. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh and how to work as a team. I know now that cooperation is better."
Olda wiped her eyes briefly and smiled. "You've been like our own son during your time on the ship. If you're hungry in Flerouge, remember my spicy stew recipe. Mix in enough Sin Pepper so your Ethernano stays strong. And take care of that scarf. It's the only thing your mother left behind."
Ren nodded. "I will protect it, Olda-san. Thank you for cooking every day. I've learned a lot from you all."
Captain Ravel pulled a small pouch of Rhythm coins from his pocket. "This is for you, Ren. For the train fare to Flerouge and the ship to Fiore later. You worked hard on The Dancing Sea. Don't refuse it. We are a crew, even if only temporarily."
Ren accepted the pouch with both hands. "Thank you, Captain. I don't know what else to say. You all took me in without asking many questions back in Sinael."
They ate together, talking late into the night. Liric told stories about his girlfriend in Flerouge, who was a dancer. "Tomorrow before you leave, I'll take you to see her practice the Amore Dance. Maybe you can use Bungee Gum to make the movements longer."
Ren chuckled softly. "Thank you, Liric-san. But don't be too long. I have to ask about that tattoo in the capital."
Olda added, "And I'll teach you one more quick recipe. Take these spices. There's bound to be a market in Flerouge that sells something similar."
Captain Ravel wiped his mouth and stood up. "Now, get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we'll take you to the small train station. It's a two-day journey from the southern port to Flerouge."
That night at the inn, Ren sat in the small room with them. They played simple card games while chatting.
Liric threw down a card. "Ren, if you meet a strong wizard in Fiore, show them your Snapback Combat. I bet they'll be impressed."
Ren picked up a card and replied, "I'll show them if I have to. But first, I'll find out about this image. Maybe a wizard from Fairy Tail knows something about my mother."
Olda won the hand and laughed. "You've gotten good at this game. When you first joined the ship, you lost every time. Now you've won twice."
Captain Ravel watched from his chair. "Ren, remember one thing. There are many guilds in Fiore. Don't just join the first one you see. See which one fits you best. You have unique magic. Bungee Gum can help many people."
Ren nodded. "I understand, Captain. Thank you for the advice."
The next morning, they walked to the small train station on the edge of the southern port. The air was still fresh. Ren held a small bag containing bread and spices from Olda.
At the station, Captain Ravel pointed to a simple wooden train. "That's the one. The conductor knows me. I've told him you're a paying passenger."
Liric hugged Ren briefly. "Take care of yourself, Ren. Send word via ship if you can."
Olda hugged him longer. "Eat enough. Don't forget the spicy stew if you miss us."
Ren returned the hug. "I will send word. Thank you, everyone."
Captain Ravel shook Ren's hand. "Safe travels, Ren Chicle. You're no longer the cold boy who boarded the ship in Sinael. Now, you have friends everywhere."
Ren boarded the train with a steady step. He waved from the window. "Thank you, Dancing Sea! I won't forget you!"
The train began to move slowly, leaving the southern port behind. Ren sat on the wooden bench, clutching his scarf. The purple bird image was clear under the morning light. He knew his destination now was Flerouge.