Ren stood in front of the House of Rhythm that morning, a small bag strapped to his back. Lina stood by the door, holding a neatly wrapped parcel of bread.
"This is for your journey, Ren. You've been a big help here. Stay safe until you reach Fiore," Lina said warmly.
Ren took the parcel and nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Lina. I won't forget the history and music you taught me. The caravan is already waiting at the northern pier."
He walked out of Flerouge with the borrowed flute tucked safely in his bag. The merchant caravan from Fiore was ready at the edge of the city. Marco, the caravan leader, waved from the lead carriage.
"Ren, hop in the back carriage! We're heading to the northern port of Minstrel now. It's a two-day trip by land."
Ren climbed onto the wooden carriage, which was packed with goods. Inside, two other merchants were busy organizing dance fabrics. As the carriage rolled out of Flerouge, Ren watched the city shrink in the distance. The buildings with their open stages and the Great Dance Lake faded into a blur. He clutched his scarf; the purple bird was as clear as ever. Soon, he would finally have his answers.
The Road to the Northern Port
The overland journey took them through rolling green hills. They stopped briefly in small villages for lunch, where Marco distributed bread and water. Ren ate quietly, listening to the merchants' chatter.
"The northern port is busy," one merchant noted. "Dozens of ships from Fiore pass through every week. we'll load our goods there and cross the sea."
Ren spent the first night in a roadside inn, sleeping on a thin blanket. Before bed, he practiced the flute. The sound was soft, but noticeably cleaner than before. He remembered Ben's advice: practice every day.
On the second morning, they reached the port. It was a massive hub with long piers and towering wooden ships. Marco began coordinating the cargo.
"Ren, help us load these fabrics onto the Kapal Laut. We set sail at noon."
Ren helped with the smaller items. The port was a cacophony of shouting traders and sailors hauling ropes. The smell of sea salt was overpowering. Once the cargo was secured, Ren boarded the Kapal Laut. Captain Rino, a sturdy man, gave Ren a small bunk below deck.
"Marco already covered your fare. Just keep it light—help out with the dishes in the galley."
Crossing the Great Bay of Ishgar
The ship departed at midday, the wind catching the sails with a powerful tug. Ren stood on the deck, watching the Minstrel coastline retreat. The journey across the Great Bay of Ishgar would take four days.
While cutting vegetables in the galley, Ren listened to the sailors talk about their destination.
"In Fiore, there are many magic guilds. But the one everyone talks about is Fairy Tail."
Ren stopped washing a plate. "Fairy Tail? Is that the one with the bird emblem? Like the one on my scarf?"
the sailor laughed. "That's the one! But the stories in Minstrel are different from the ones in Fiore. Out here, people say Fairy Tail is a guild of heroes and grand adventures. But in Fiore? They're famous for being troublemakers. Broken buildings, wrecked streets—but they always get the job done. In Magnolia, they say they're like a storm: they help you, but they leave a trail of debris behind."
Ren went silent for a moment. "So, the stories are different?"
"Exactly," the sailor replied. "In Fiore, people say they love to fight but have hearts of gold. What are you looking for there?"
"I want to see the guild for myself," Ren answered. "The image on my mother's scarf matches their mark."
Arrival in the Kingdom of Fiore
On the fourth day, the ship approached the shores of Fiore. Ren stood at the bow as the lush green land appeared. They docked at a small port town called Hargeon.
"We've arrived, Ren," Marco said, settling his goods. "From here, you can take a train to Magnolia. The fare isn't high. Watch your back."
Ren stepped off the ship. The air in Fiore felt drier compared to the humid breeze of Minstrel. Hargeon was teeming with mages carrying large bags and traders hawking their wares. Ren bought some bread and approached a port guard.
"Sir, is there a train to Magnolia?"
The guard pointed toward a station building at the end of the harbor. "There's a train this afternoon. Leaves in an hour. Just hop on and pay inside."
The Gates of Fairy Tail
The train ride took Ren through dense forests and wide fields. Inside the carriage, he overheard passengers discussing the local news.
"Fairy Tail caused a scene again last week," a middle-aged man told his friend. "They took down a monster in the mountains, but half the town was leveled in the process. Still, people love them. They always protect the weak."
His friend laughed. "Their reputation abroad is much more 'glamorous.' Here, we just know they love a good brawl. But Magnolia is safe because of them."
When the train finally pulled into Magnolia, Ren found a bustling city of stone streets and busy shops. He asked a local for directions.
"Fairy Tail? Just walk straight for about two kilometers," the man said, pointing north. "Big building with a bird emblem. You can't miss it. But be careful—they're a rowdy bunch."
Ren walked the main road, his legs tired but his resolve firm. He saw a massive building at the end of the street. Above the doors hung a flag with a bird emblem identical to the one on his scarf. The Fairy Tail Guild.