Chapter 3

At the train station of Pertempt, a young boy with black hair and a girl of similar age with scarlet red hair climbed out of the train and the two began walking towards the center of the city. They eventually arrived at a large building with a metal sign that read "EXPERIMENTAL POWER AGENCY" in large letters.

The two exchanged glances before walking up to the door and pulling it open. It was a large factory full of all kind machines. One particular machine that stood out among the rest was a thirty foot tall and twenty foot wide tube-like container attached to a metal vacuum cleaner-like block of metal. An overweight man with a beard walked up to the two strange children at the door.

"I assume you are the Fairy Tail mages we asked for?" After getting a nod of confirmation from Erza, he continued. "I hope you realize that this job requires large amount of magic , so if you don't have much it will take a long time - and your payment will be lessened."

"We already know, and my friend here will be happy to fill it up all by himself. It may seem impossible, but he has enormous amount of magic power and I am pretty confident that he can compete this task on his own"said by Erza.

"In that case, I'd like you to put your hand inside this tube, and when I press this button, the machine will slowly absorb your magic. until to the point where you will begin to feel tired due to your magic being completely sucked , and when that happens tell and I'll stop absorbing your magic".

"Tell me when you're ready to begin," the man said.

"I'm all ready." Natsu replied with a confident grin. After hearing his response the man pressed the button.

As the machine started absorbing Natsu's magic, A glowing rainbow like substance began filling up the tube an incredibly rate, and within the span of 15 minutes, the machine was completely filled to the brim.

The man was shocked. No one would have thought that someone whose as young Natsu would possess such incredible amount of magic, and he also never seen such pure magic energy before. He was stunned by the sudden turn of event. It took him a full minute before regained himself. He turned off the machine and he turned his attention towards the two, as natsu took his hand out of the tube.

"I really don't know what to say. You possess such incredible magic power, and the energy you emits is the purest thing that I have ever seen in my whole life". the man said with smile.I'm sure you will become a great wizard someday". and btw here's your reward".

He then put a large sack of jewels on the table, after a quick thought, he added two more bags and set them besides the large sack." I never expected for this job to be done within the span of 15 minutes. This just made my work easier, and the money I'm giving you is nothing compared to the help you've given me. Good luck and farewell young wizards!!. as the man bid his farewell to Natsu and Erza.

Natsu was grinning widely and Erza was only mildly surprised. She had expected something like this. However, she still couldn't help but admire Natsu not just for his strength but his modesty. He didn't brag about his strength, at most he just acted like it was nothing.

"Well, it seems our job here is done, who would have thought that it would only take you 15 minutes to fill the entire container all by yourself."And not only did you do the job extremely well, but you also earned three times the reward which is three million jewels". Erza said while complementing natsu.

"Thanks, Erza. Though to be honest you can have all the money. I don't even know what to do with all that money," Natsu said with a smile.

Erza was surprised at this.She thought He had to at least have a place to stay, and a food eat. moreover, he was the one who did all the work. "There's no way I can accept that. I didn't even do anything. "Where are you even going to sleep, and how are you going to buy food?" she asked feeling concerned.

"Well, I've been sleeping in the forest for the past 12 years or so, and I've also get my own food from it," he replied, thinking it was obvious.

Erza's eyes widened. "You can't sleep outside! And you have to get the right food!" she exclaimed.

"But, I like sleeping in the forest, and the food's fine," Natsu said.

Erza narrowed her eyes. "You'll get stronger if you have lots of the right food to eat. Isn't that what you want? And a good night's sleep keeps you healthy. Sleeping outside isn't sanitary, and it might make you sick. moreover, doing so will slow down your progress. How would you get more powerful?"

Natsu was surprised. He hadn't thought of it that way. He realized she was right. "Okay then, I'll follow your advice. Although, I really don't know how to buy a house at all. And about the food… I don't really know how to cook at all, so I wouldn't know what to do."

Erza smiled. "I'll help you get a good house. And you know what? I'll teach you how to cook as well. You seem like a really nice person, so I can't help but want to." She felt the need to help Natsu. She wanted him to be happier. This was a new feeling for her. It was normal for her to love her guild mates and protect them, but its different whenever she's with him for some reason.

Natsu looked at her and said. "I really am glad for meeting you Erza, your such a kind and caring person. I really don't know what I'd do without you".

Instinctively, Erza gave him a hug. She really couldn't explain why she did it, but she just wanted to. As soon as she realized what she did, she began to pull back, but was stopped by Natsu as he tride hugging her back. "It's fine. You're my first friend besides my teachers. again,thank you."

"No problem. I think we should get going and catch a train back no Magnolia. though, speaking of trains, I'll help you overcome your motion sickness as well". after saying that, she began walking towards the train station while having Natsu right beside her.

Natsu couldn't help but grin. He couldn't wait to pick out a house and learn how to cook. Just thinking about doing new things made him happy, and now Erza would be with him as well.

On the way back to Magnolia, Erza still had her arm wrapped around Natsu's neck with his head laying on her chest as Natsu quickly fell asleep while being embraced. Erza looked at Natsu fondly. "We're going to be great friends, I can already tell". she thought to herself. "He's kind, strong, smart, polite and good looking as well. I wonder how much power he really has?

When the train arrived at Magnolia, the two walked back to the guild happily, as the train only took an hour and a half ride. they arrived at exacly eleven pm before midnight.

back at the guild, Makarov watched the guild members who are getting ready to go back home for the day. "I wonder how Erza and Natsu are doing. They should be coming back in about a week, though I wouldn't be surprised if it were a day or two considering Natsu's strength." As Makarov thought to himself.

Just then, the doors of the guild were suddenly thrown open by the very two people Makarov had been thinking about. The eye's of the guild were focused on the two. a lot of them were surprised knowing that the both them are already back; they'd heard the two went on a mission just a few hours ago. Most, however, were just afraid for some reason and pretending that they haven't been brawling all day and instead been acting like great friends.

Natsu took notice at this, and was curious as to why his guild mates act's this way whenever Erza's around.

"Why's everyone afraid of you , Erza? Natsu asked.

Erza looked at him for a moment, as she then kept walking towards Makarov. "I have a bit of a reputation for punishing those who would break the rules. As Erza said with a stern face.

Natsu pondered that for a bit, thinking she just cared about her guildmates and that people sometimes were afraid. He couldn't see her being mean, though, since she had been so kind to him on their job.

They walked up to the guildmaster, who was surprised to see them. "Did you finish the job?" he asked.

Erza looked at him and smiled. "It only took 15 minutes for Natsu to fill up the container with his magic. The client was astounded and gave us three times the pay. Not only that, but apparently his magic was the purest he'd seen in his life. It was a glowing in rainbow like substance that I have to admit seemed beautiful."

Erza looke at him and smiled " It only took Natsu 15 minutes to completely fill up the container with his magic. The client was so impressed that he gave us three times of the original payment. Not only that, but apparently the energy that his magic emits was the purest and were glowing in rainbow like substance, and I had to admit it was beautiful.

Natsu looked embarrassed at this. "I mean, it wasn't too hard or anything…" he mumbled.

Makarov just grinned at Natsu's reaction. "I'm glad you didn't get a big head from that - most people would think they're some kind of big shot or anything. You really are special, Natsu. Well, it's time for me to close the guild, so I'll see you two tomorrow . and good job to you both."

After saying that Makarov started closing up the guild, as most of the guild began walking towards their home . Erza looked over at Natsu, and realized that he had no where to stay for the time being.

"Hey, Natsu?" she asked. "I want you to come stay at my room in Fairy Hills for tonight, since you don't have anywhere to sleep."

Natsu looked at her and said. "Thanks for the offer, but I couldn't intrude." He smiled. "After all, you're doing so much for me already."

Erza knew he would say something like that, but she would not allow him to sleep outside. "There's no way I'm letting you. You're coming with me whether you like it or not." She grabbed his arm and began pulling him toward Fairy Hills, the girls' dormitory that female Fairy Tail guild members could stay at, for a price.

"Alright, alright. You don't need to drag me. I'm coming," Natsu said while laughing.

They soon arrived at Fairy Hills, as they entered they were soon stopped by the Fairy Hills innkeeper, an old woman who has a fiery temper who goes by the name Hilda.

"I'm sorry Miss Hilda, but Natsu here needs somewhere to stay for the tonight until he can buy a house. It's only for tonight," Erza said, hoping she would let them through.

Hilda thought for a bit. Erza was always very responsible, and had constantly kept boys from entering Fairy Hills many times. She trusted Erza, so she figured she'd let herq. "hmm....Alright then, but only for tonight."

After gaining her approval, they immediately walked up the stairs until finally arriving at Erza's room.She quickly requipped her keys and unlocked the door.

The room wasn't very special. Plain white walls, with a large bed in the middle. The door to the bathroom on the left and a large closet on the right. One thing Natsu found interesting, however, were the sets of armor hanging around the room. Weapons stood up on the walls as well.

"Why do you have so much equipment?" he asked. He'd noticed her requipping her keys, so he wondered if that was the magic she used.

Erza closed the door behind them, and then answered. "I use requip magic, which I noticed you use as well. I have many sets of armor and weapons in my arsenal. Each gives me certain enhanced abilities or resistances that help me in fights."

Natsu smiled. "That's pretty cool. I only have three different sets of armor, and they aren't too special. One reflects magic attacks and has really good defense, another makes my fire magic more powerful, and another gives my physical strength a boost."

"I have sets of armor similar to those, and many more. Maybe you could buy a few with that money you've gotten," Erza said. "Anyway, I think it's time we go to bed. What do you say?"

"Sure. Just let me requip this jacket and shoes off. Want me to sleep on the floor?" Natsu asked, as there was only one bed.

Erza smiled at him, and answered. "You're my guest, so you can sleep on the bed with me. Just don't try anything funny," she said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked as he got into the bed.

Erza realized Natsu wasn't that kind of person. "Nevermind. I'm turning the lights off. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Erza."