Fairy Tail : Radiant Path

(Alder Brightwood's Point of View)

The path back to the Fairy Tail guild hall was lively with the bustle of Magnolia Town. The sounds of merchants hawking their wares and children laughing filled the streets, but the only thing breaking our silence was the crunch of gravel underfoot and the constant grumbling from Laxus.

"Man, I feel like my legs are gonna fall off," Laxus muttered, dragging his feet. "These stupid weighted clothes are gonna kill me before I even hit twenty. And why does every muscle in my body hurt ? I'm a Dragon Slayer ! This isn't supposed to happen to me!"

I shot him a sidelong glance, wiping the last sheen of sweat from my brow. "It's called 'training,' Laxus. Maybe if you stopped whining and embraced it, you'd see results faster. Besides, you're the one with naturally augmented physical attributes, thanks to your magic. You've got no excuse."

Laxus glared, sparks of lightning dancing across his fingers. "Says the guy who broke my nose. Careful, Alder. I've got enough energy left for one good zap."

Before I could fire back, a familiar chime echoed in my head.

[Ding!]

[Daily Quest Completed: "The Preparation to Become Powerful."]

[Rewards Received: +3 Stat Points to All Attributes.]

The notification appeared before my eyes, its golden glow shortly obscuring my vision. I blinked at it and muttered under my breath, "Finally…"

"What now?" Laxus asked, noticing my distracted look.

I smirked, dismissing the screen with a wave of my hand. "Nothing much. Just thinking out loud."

"Anyway!" Laxus said, exasperated, "mind telling me why you can't just heal us completely with that magic of yours?"

"It doesn't work like that, you know," I replied casually.

"Yeah, but I still don't get how it works in the first place," Laxus said, rubbing his still-sore muscles. "I mean, I know Holy Magic is some kind of Lost Magic like Dragon Slayer Magic, but isn't it supposed to be for destroying demons and monsters? Not healing people ?"

I paused for a moment, and as if on cue, a glowing screen appeared before me.

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[Skill Name: Purify]

Level: 24

Type: Active

Description: The paladin unleashes a burst of holy energy to cleanse all impurities, dispel harmful effects, and deal radiant damage to corrupted or evil-aligned enemies.

Activation Cost: 25 Mana Points

Range: 5-meter radius around the paladin

Cooldown: 30 seconds

Effects:

_Cleanse Allies: Removes all negative status effects (e.g., poison, curses, paralysis) from the paladin and nearby allies within the radius.

_ Damage to Enemies: Deals 200% magic attack as radiant damage to all enemies in the area, with an additional 50% bonus damage to evil, undead, or corrupted enemies.

_Weaken Corruption: Temporarily reduces the attack and defense of evil or dark-aligned enemies by 20% for 10 seconds.

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I dismissed the screen and glanced at Laxus. "Basically, Holy Magic was created during the Age of Myth as a response to the overwhelming number of demons, monsters, and dark art users littering the land. Back then, it was the only widely accepted form of magic before the guild system came into place."

"And the spell you used to heal us?" Laxus asked, still rubbing his nose.

"It's called Purify." I gestured vaguely. "It wasn't originally designed to heal—it was made to cleanse impurities, like demonic possession. Healing's just a side effect of how my magic works."

Laxus frowned, poking at his now intact nose. "Still, if you can heal people, why not just completely fix us up after training?"

I sighed. "Lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises causes small damage to muscle fibers, right ? Your body responds by repairing them, making them stronger. That is how strength develops—and sometimes, soreness too.

If I use Purify, your body gets 'cleansed' and reset to its original state. That means whatever progress we made would get erased. Same concept applies to our Ethernano container—the internal 'container' that determines our magic capacity. Resetting it means you don't get stronger."

Laxus groaned. "Still sounds like a pain."

"Oi, don't start complaining," I shot back. "I already healed your broken nose and fixed any bruises we gave each other during training. You are welcome, by the way. Maybe one day you'll be strong enough that you won't need me patching you up after every fight."

Laxus grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, but my grin widened as I caught a faint mumble.

"Or maybe I'll get strong enough to beat you into the ground," he muttered darkly.

"Good luck with that," I said, my smirk growing. "Now hurry up. We're almost at the guild."

Laxus trudged along, his steps heavy under the weight of the enchanted clothes. "You know what? I'm gonna eat my weight in food when we get there, and I'm not sharing a single bite with you."

"Sure, sure," I replied with a laugh as the lively hum of Fairy Tail's guild hall grew louder in the distance.

However, as we stepped into the guild hall, we were greeted by a rather unusual sight.

"So… do you have any idea when Gildarts will be back?"

At the center of the guild stood a small girl, about three years younger than me. She had slim, tanned skin, with brown hair tied into a loose ponytail and large brown eyes that sparkled with curiosity. A plain shoulder bag hung diagonally across her chest, and beside her, a small dog rested lazily at her feet.

She was chatting with Macao and Wakaba, who were seated nearby as Enno served them drinks. Her voice carried a slight nervousness, but she had the kind of confidence that made people pay attention.

For some reason, a faint memory stirred at the back of my mind—a fleeting moment buried beneath the hazy remnants of the void and the time I had spent in this world. Something about her seemed… familiar, though I could not quite place it.

Before I could dwell on it any longer, Laxus clapped me on the shoulder, breaking me from my trance.

"Finally," he said with a satisfied sigh. "I'm gonna take a shower, then grab lunch with Grandpa. See you later, Alder."

"Yeah, see you," I replied, still distracted as I glanced back at the girl, her nervous laughter blending into the lively atmosphere of the guild hall.

Sighing, I decided to approach the group.

Enno was the first to notice me. With a warm smile, she waved me over and said, "Oh, Alder, you're back ! How was your training session with Laxus ?"

"It went well," I replied casually.

"I can smell that," Wakaba chimed in, wrinkling his nose.

I shot him a glare. "At least I'm doing something productive instead of spending all day hulled up drinking in the guild hall."

"He's got you there," Macao added, smirking as everyone within earshot erupted into laughter.

"Wakaba got told off by a kid!" someone guffawed, clutching their sides as the laughter grew louder.

"I did not!" Wakaba yelled dramatically, waving his arms in protest.

Ignoring the rising commotion—which would no doubt escalate into an all-out brawl—I made my way to one of the empty chairs near the bar and sat down beside the little girl.

Enno noticed immediately and handed me a mug of tart cherry juice. "Here you go, Alder," she said with a smile. I accepted it gratefully, taking a small sip before turning my attention to the girl.

Now that I was closer, I could see her properly. She was small—tiny, even. Her hands clutched a leash attached to a white puppy resting beside her chair. A small satchel hung from her shoulder. Her clothes were stained with dirt, and her shoes were caked in mud.

Nevertheless, what truly caught my attention was the look in her eyes. Hidden behind her large brown irises was a haunting emptiness, a profound sense of loss.

It was a look I was all too familiar with. No child—especially someone her age—should ever have to carry that expression.

Such a small child traveling alone ?

"Alder, say hello," Enno said, breaking my train of thought. "This is Cana Alberona. She just joined the guild."

At the mention of that name, a spark of memory burned at the back of my mind—something vague and unformed. However, I brushed it aside for now.

Smiling as gently as I could manage, I looked at the girl and spoke. "Hello, my name's Alder Brightwood. Nice to meet you."

The girl's cheeks flushed pink as she stammered, "I… I'm Cana…"

Back near the crowd, which had come dangerously close to breaking into a full-blown brawl, a sudden silence fell. Then whispers began to ripple through the room.

"Guys… you're seeing this, right?" someone murmured, pointing toward me. "That monster of a brat is smiling."

"Impossible!"

"The kid whose idea of fun is training in the forest or taking missions by himself?"

"Quick! Someone grab a recording Lacrima !"

Hearing their chatter, I felt a vein twitch in my temple. Discreetly I cast a sharp glare in their direction, my eyes briefly flashing from their usual blue to a deep, dark Golden hue.

The effect was instantaneous. The guild fell deathly silent.

Satisfied, I turned back to Cana, who now seemed even smaller in her seat. Smiling softly, I said, "Don't worry about them they're harmless. Anyway Welcome to Fairy Tail."

"Thank you for having me," she said quietly, her voice a little steadier this time.

I glanced at the small white puppy resting beside her. "Your puppy's well-behaved," I said, smiling again, hoping to ease any lingering worries she might have after what just happened.

Reaching out slowly, I placed a gentle hand on the puppy's head. He relaxed immediately, leaning into the touch, wagging his tail happily, as he closed his eyes.

Cana's face lit up with excitement. "His name is Gil," she said proudly.

"Gil, huh? A fitting name for a good boy like him," I said with a chuckle, continuing to rub the pup's head affectionately.

Enno, who had been cleaning the bar, finished wiping the counter and approached us with a sad smile. "Little Cana," she began gently, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Gildarts probably took another S-rank quest. He likely won't be back for at least another three months or so."

The light in Cana's eyes dimmed almost instantly, her expression falling.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you planning to wait for him until he gets back ?" I paused, lowering my voice slightly. "Do you… have anywhere to stay ? Or someone to take care of you in the meantime ?"

Cana shook her head, her small hands tightening around the leash as she looked down at the floor. "No… I don't," she murmured.

Her voice was barely audible, but the weight behind it hit me hard.

I glanced at Enno, who was now frowning, her worry evident as she wiped her hands on her apron. The silence between us stretched for a moment, broken only by the quiet hum of the guild hall in the background.

Leaning forward slightly, I kept my tone gentle. "So, you've been traveling all alone ?"

She nodded, her brown eyes flicking up to meet mine briefly before darting back down. "I… I was looking for Gildarts," she admitted softly. "I thought if I found him, everything would be okay."

Her words struck a chord deep within me. That look of hers—the one filled with quiet desperation, loss, and a glimmer of hope—it was something I had seen countless times before. I had worn that same expression once, not long ago.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Enno, who gave me a small, knowing nod of encouragement.

"Well," I began, speaking slowly and clearly, "you're not alone anymore. You're part of Fairy Tail now, and that means you've got all of us to look out for you." I smiled gently, trying to convey the warmth and reassurance she needed. "We'll take care of you until Gildarts gets back. Okay ?"

Cana looked up at me, her wide brown eyes filled with uncertainty. "Really ?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Really," I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "Fairy Tail has a foster care system for new members who can't take care of themselves. It was created by the first master and is still enforced by our current master, Makarov."

I paused for a moment as memories crept to the surface—dark, bitter memories of the incident that had taken my parents away, unlocking the memories of my previous life and activating the system that had changed everything. That same event had left my grandmother and me in financial ruins, struggling to get by.

Shaking off those thoughts, I focused on Cana. "Master took care of me for a while, too—until I was strong enough to take on missions and earn enough to become financially independent. Do not worry. One day, it'll be your turn to repay the favor to someone else who needs your help."

Her expression softened as I continued. "You'll have a roof over your head, food to eat, access to the guild archives to strengthen your magic, and a whole guild full of people who've got your back." I reached out and ruffled her hair lightly, earning a small, shy smile from her.

"You're not alone, Cana," Enno added, stepping closer and placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "That's what being part of Fairy Tail means."

Cana hesitated, her small hands gripping the leash tightly as if it were her lifeline. Then, with a shaky nod, she whispered, "Thank you." Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall. She desperately wiped them away, but the smile on her face made my heart ache with warmth.

"Anytime," I replied with a grin. Glancing down at the little white puppy beside her, I added, "And that goes for you too, Gild."

The pup barked happily in response, his tail wagging furiously as if he understood every word.

"Well, it's decided then," Enno said, clapping her hands together. "Let's get you to Fairy Hills so you can get cleaned up." She turned to me with a smile. "Alder, could you take Cana there for me? I've still got some work to finish here."

"Of course," I replied, returning her smile. 

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Fairy Hills was perched atop a rocky, grassy hill about two kilometers from the guild's main building. Holding Cana's hand, I led her up the path. I could have flown us there in seconds, but I wanted to give her a chance to see the town—a tour of what would now be her new home.

Fairy Hills itself was an impressive and slightly intimidating structure, built from sturdy brick. The building's central section stretched long and proud, flanked by two protruding wings. The right wing housed the main entrance—a double door crowned with a triangular roof, supported by strong wooden beams.

For me, Fairy Hills wasn't a place I frequented. Besides the occasional small delivery for the master or an easy E-rank quest, I rarely had a reason to come here.

As we reached the top of the hill, an old woman was waiting for us.

"Boy! Quit being a mage!"

The voice belonged to Granny Hilda, the caretaker of Fairy Hills. She was short, her flabby face etched with wrinkles, and her gray eyebrows seemed perpetually furrowed. Her tightly tied gray bun gave her a stern, no-nonsense look, and she wore her usual attire: a violet long-sleeved shirt beneath a dark red vest.

"Hello to you too, Granny," I said with a smirk. "Hilda, I believe Enno informed you of our arrival?"

Granny Hilda ignored me entirely, her sharp gaze fixed on Cana, who shrank behind me, gripping my shirt tightly.

"This little girl is Cana Alberona," I explained. "She just joined the guild. She's part of the foster care system, so please take extra care of her."

Hilda didn't respond immediately, her expression unreadable.

Sighing, I turned to leave, but Cana's small hand tugged at my shirt. Slowly, with hesitant steps, she let go of my arm and approached Granny Hilda. I stopped to watch, a smile tugging at my lips as I decided to give her a show.

"Don't worry, Cana," I said, glancing back over my shoulder. "She may seem strict, stubborn, and a bit nagging—"

"How rude!" Hilda snapped, glaring at me.

"—but deep down, she's really a kind person," I continued, ignoring her outburst. "Over there is the dorm where you'll be staying. You must be tired, so go rest up and take a bath. I can't go on any quests because I'm still grounded, but how about I take you on a tour around town tomorrow?"

With that, I took a step back and gathered [Holy Power] around me. Golden wings sprouted from my back, glowing feathers shedding in the air as I prepared to take off.

[Through repeated use, the skill [Angel Wings] has increased. Level 5 → Level 7.]

"See you tomorrow, Cana," I said with a smile, flapping my wings.

In an instant, I was airborne, the town shrinking below me as I soared toward home. But as I flew, a thought nagged at the back of my mind:

"Cana Alberona... Why does that name sound so familiar ?"