The next morning.
Makarov and Ezreal bid farewell to Porlyusica. The two walked out of the forest and headed towards the Fairy Tail Guild.
Fiore Kingdom, Magnolia City.
This city is located by the sea and is an important port city. Its architectural style is unique, with buildings on both sides of the street predominantly white and gray, adorned with exquisite wooden carvings and geometric patterns.
In the city center, there is a magnificent cathedral with a spire reaching into the clouds. The hourly chimes of the bell echo throughout the entire city.
The forest where Porlyusica lives is located to the east of Magnolia. In this world, there is no rampant deforestation, and the forest area is exaggeratedly large. It took the two about four hours of walking to reach the town.
Two figures, one large and one small, emerged from the dense forest. Makarov was still dressed in his white cape over a short-sleeved shirt.
Ezreal, on the other hand, had changed back into his own clothes, which the two elders had identified as magical equipment.
His upper body was a brown khaki leather jacket with a blue feather-like fur collar as decoration around the neck. On his back was the Piltover emblem, paired with a white short-sleeved shirt inside. He wore light blue slim-fit jeans and matte black Dr. Martens boots. The goggles, which possessed various additional magical properties, were perched on Ezreal's blond hair as an accessory.
Overall, he looked capable and stylish.
"Doesn't this city look pretty good?" Makarov walked ahead with his hands behind his back, followed by Ezreal.
The two stopped at the city gate. The gray and white city wall, nearly twenty meters high, was engraved with magic runes as tall as a person, making it majestic and solemn.
The oppressive feeling of this city wall was completely different from what it was in the anime. Seeing such architecture with his own eyes, the strong otherworldly style made Ezreal lose himself for a moment.
Makarov was educating Ezreal on basic knowledge. "The world we are in is called 'Earth Land.' This is a world of magic, and the power of magic is very widespread in Earth Land. Not only are there shops selling magic or various magic items, but there are also Mages who use magic as a means of livelihood."
Makarov led Ezreal to the city gate, pointed to the Fairy Tail Guild mark on his chest to two soldiers in silver armor holding broadswords, and then pulled up Ezreal's right hand, revealing the Fairy Tail mark that had just been stamped on the back of his hand last night, and they were smoothly allowed to pass.
Ezreal followed the old man into town, glancing back at the broadswords in the hands of the guards, which glowed with a faint white light. He asked in surprise, "Even the city guards have magic items?"
"That's not uncommon. Magic items are not expensive in Earth Land." Makarov nodded and continued his explanation, "The country we are currently in is called the Fiore Kingdom, a permanently neutral country with a population of 17 million. This town is called Magnolia Town, with a population of over 60,000. It is a magical commercial city with a long history."
"Guild Master, are there many people with magical power in Earth Land?" Ezreal looked around at the pedestrians on the street. These town residents seemed relatively ordinary; most did not appear to possess magical power.
Makarov shook his head and said, "About ninety percent of Earth Land's population are ordinary people. Mages who master magical power are only a small portion. Learning magic requires a certain talent and is not easy, even dangerous. Many Mages' magic is even innate."
"However, magic is very convenient in daily life. So, a long time ago, Mages chose to create various magic items from magic that could facilitate people's lives, allowing ordinary people to use magic with the help of these items, and Mages could also use this as a source of income."
"I understand." Ezreal looked at the small fountains visible everywhere on the roadside. The water in them did not come from groundwater, but rather from the water magic runes at the bottom of the fountain and a corner of a blue magic crystal exposed inside the rockery.
Since entering the city, he had seen cars pulled by giant sheep-like magical beasts, children chasing each other on hoverboards, and office workers rushing by on bicycles enhanced with wind magic.
This novel magical otherworld, with its blend of advanced, backward, and fantastical elements, made Ezreal feel exceptionally wondrous.
The old man and the young man walked through the bustling city streets, listening to the old man's explanations, and soon arrived at the Guild.
The wall, made of green bricks and spiky iron railings, was similar to modern residential fences, enclosing an area of about a thousand meters. On the main gate, the prominent characters "Fairy Tail" were written.
Looking inside through the iron gate, a beautiful and ancient four-story villa stood in the center. At the very top, there was a small pavilion with a bronze bell. The bronze bell was large enough for three people to embrace. Looking down from the bronze bell, there was a red flag embroidered with the Fairy Tail emblem.
Even before entering, he could hear the sounds of laughter and playful banter coming from inside, indicating a very lively atmosphere.
"There's a Cardia Cathedral in the city center, and next to it is the city library. For general knowledge about Earth Land, you can go there and flip through some books." Makarov roughly pointed in a direction, then directly led Ezreal through the door, a genuine smile appearing on his face, "Now, let's meet our companions!"
"Children, let's welcome our new companion!"
"Welcome back, Guild Master!"
"Yo! The old man's back!"
"Guild Master."
"Grandpa..."
"Hmm, Guild Master, Man!"
After pushing open the door, what came into view was a tavern-like hall, and a dozen people erupted in a welcome even more enthusiastic than their previous chatter.
Before the two could respond, a group of people surrounded them, all greeting them.
"Old man, why did you pick up another person?" a middle-aged man with a strange cannon-like hairstyle and a cigarette holder in his mouth grumbled.
"Why do you say 'another'?" The speaker was a somewhat flat-chested, blue-haired, intellectual-looking girl with glasses.
"Because Natsu and Erza were both picked up by the Guild Master!"
"And Sister Mira!"
"Elfman too!"
"And Cana and Happy!"
"Get lost! I found my way here myself, I wasn't picked up by the Guild Master!" A black-haired girl with beautiful tanned skin chugged from a basin-sized wooden beer barrel, then tossed the barrel into the crowd, randomly knocking down a lucky spectator.
"No, I was picked up by Natsu!" A blue cat with white wings spoke human language, hovering above Ezreal's head.
Ezreal stood in the crowd, a little awkward. These people were indeed not much different from their anime counterparts; they were very recognizable and very enthusiastic, but the sudden close contact with a group of strangers still made him a bit uncomfortable, and he instinctively took two steps back.
Ezreal could recognize most of these dozen people. Not all of the Fairy Tail main cast were present, likely out on missions, and most of the remaining ones were Fairy Tail side characters. He had a basic impression of them from watching the anime and could call them by name.
"That's enough! Don't scare new companions every time. Introduce yourselves properly!" Makarov's forehead bulged with veins as he watched them bicker, and he immediately stopped them.
Was it every time? No wonder these people swarmed so quickly, Ezreal silently thought to himself.
The Guild members were usually too familiar with each other, so their speech was casual and relaxed. At Makarov's reminder, everyone also felt they had been a bit too enthusiastic. They all stepped back, instinctively lined up, and politely introduced themselves.
"I hope everyone's enthusiasm didn't scare you. Hello, I'm Mirajane, you can just call me Mira." The white-haired lady standing next to the Guild Master, dressed in a server's outfit, had a gentle and polite smile on her face.
"Cana." The tanned, black-haired beauty, reeking of alcohol and with slightly hazy eyes, swayed the beer barrel in her hand.
"Elfman, Man!" A muscular man, over two meters tall, with a scar below his right eye, flexed his bicep.
"Aye, I'm Happy! You have blond hair just like Laxus, but you seem easier to get along with than Laxus, aye!" The little blue cat with white wings happily flew a circle around Ezreal.
"The Guild has another handsome guy. Call me Laki." The bespectacled girl in a white jumpsuit, with purple hair tied in a high ponytail and a red bow on her head, smiled with squinted eyes as she greeted him.
"My name is Natsu, I was raised by the Fire Dragon King Igneel, Na~tsu~." The pink-haired boy happily waved, his face beaming with a bright, sunny smile.
"Alzack."
"Bisca." Two tall, handsome cowboy-dressed individuals, a man and a woman, stood together and politely and reservedly nodded to Ezreal.
...
"Alright, everyone, sit back down." After all the Guild members had introduced themselves, Makarov nodded with satisfaction, pushed through the crowd, had everyone take their seats, and then led Ezreal to the center of the Guild hall.
The center of the hall was a stage, presumably used for performances, and there was even a modern microphone on it. Makarov led Ezreal onto the stage, patted the microphone, "Everyone, welcome our new Guild member! Ezreal!"
Everyone below raised their glasses.
Ezreal was pushed by Makarov, took the microphone, adjusted it to a comfortable height for speaking, "Hello everyone, I'm Ezreal, you can call me EZ or Ez. I'm truly Happy to join Fairy Tail."
The crowd below put down their glasses, waiting intently for Ezreal to say something more.
It's a bit awkward! How do you even introduce yourself in another world?
After saying that one dry sentence, he got stuck. Ezreal looked at the crowd below, pondering. These Fairy Tail members were typically hot-blooded idiots, and besides that, they collectively couldn't even make up a pair of parents.
Should he talk about dreams or a tragic backstory next, to set the mood? Would that help him integrate faster?
I remember the original Ezreal's parents also died, so wouldn't that mean they have something in common?
"Relax, child. A home isn't a place you need to rack your brains to please to fit in, but a place where your heart can find peace." A warm and aged voice came from behind him.
Makarov stood behind Ezreal, his eyes filled with understanding and care. This thoughtful and kind old man always seemed to know what to say and when to help others.
The old man took off his cape, flung it towards the stage, jumped up, grabbed the microphone, and laughed happily, "Everyone, let's have a welcome party!"
"I'm fired up!"
"Aye, welcome party, welcome party, Mira, I want fish~"
"Natsu! Don't just spit fire everywhere!"
"A welcome party is a Man's thing, yeah!"
"Long live the Guild Master!"
The crowd below cheered, and the atmosphere immediately became heated!
And perhaps, overly heated. Natsu, holding a chicken leg and spewing fire from his mouth, lit the drink of an unlucky person at his table. The two immediately started fighting. The people nearby not only didn't stop them but some even watched and drank to cheer them on.
Soon, the fight also spread to the onlookers, and the number of fighters continuously grew. Yet, these people somehow managed to take a few bites of chicken legs or pork knuckles in between fighting, and some even casually took a swig from a beer barrel before continuing to smash it on someone else's head.
Dodging a half-chair thrown by who-knows-who with a tilt of his head, Ezreal looked at the brawling Fairy Tail members below, a relaxed smile on his face. He then turned to look at Makarov, who had, at some point, picked up a giant beer barrel and started drinking.
The old man sat cross-legged on the edge of the stage. The beer barrel was almost as tall as Makarov, yet he held it with both hands and tilted his head back, pouring beer into his mouth. The spilled liquor dripped onto the ground from his shiny silver-white beard.
The old man had no intention of stopping the brawling below; instead, he seemed to be enjoying it immensely.
"Ah, Fairy Tail, it's truly wonderful," Ezreal said from the bottom of his heart.