Chapter 4 A Bond Forged In Battle

'Companion: Igneel?' Fate blinked, staring at the new section on his screen, the glowing notification lingering like an itch in the back of his mind.

In the background, Erza was busy pounding Natsu into the ground, their usual bickering escalating into a full-blown skirmish that rattled the walls of the guild hall. The noise faded into the background, though, as Fate's curiosity pulled him deeper into the mystery at hand.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he allowed his consciousness to drift. When he opened it again, the world around him had shifted entirely.

He stood in the heart of a volcanic wasteland, the sky overhead a swirling mass of ash and smoke. Rivers of molten lava carved glowing paths through the jagged black rocks, the air thick with heat and the acrid stench of sulfur. But Fate felt none of the oppressive warmth. 

Then, from the darkness above, a pair of massive, glowing yellow eyes pierced through the gloom, fixing on him with an intensity that could make even the bravest man falter.

But Fate wasn't like most men. 

"Who are you?" A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the cavernous space, filled with authority and a hint of menace. The sound alone could have turned lesser souls to ash.

Fate met the gaze without flinching, his expression unreadable, calm. "I'm Fate. Fate Redgrave," he answered simply. His voice didn't waver. "And you must be the Fire Dragon King—Igneel."

From the shadows, the gigantic dragon emerged, each step sending tremors through the ground beneath Fate's feet. Igneel's massive form was cloaked in dark red scales, his underbelly and the inner parts of his tail and legs a contrasting beige. Scars crisscrossed his formidable body, each one a testament to battles fought and survived. His back bristled with black spikes, running down to the tip of his long, powerful tail. Two horns curved backward from his head, while a sharp, singular horn jutted upward from just above his nose, gleaming in the dim light.

For a moment, the Fire Dragon King simply stared, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is this place?" Igneel rumbled, his voice a mix of confusion and suspicion. "I don't feel like I'm with Natsu anymore."

Fate shrugged, casual as ever, though even he couldn't fully explain the situation. "Best guess?" he began, glancing around at the surreal landscape. "I think I… copied your soul. And now you're linked with me."

Igneel's eyes gleamed brighter, scrutinizing the boy before him. "You… copied my soul?" The dragon's voice was both incredulous and curious. "How?"

Fate's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "I was trying to learn Natsu's magic," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But the process… didn't go as planned." His nonchalance belied the complexity of the situation, but deep down, he knew better than to expect things to go smoothly. Nothing ever did.

Igneel's gaze darkened slightly, his massive claws flexing against the molten earth. "If what you say is true… then what happened to my original self?"

Fate waved a hand dismissively. "Still with Natsu," he replied. "Since I tried to tap into his magic, I guess I accidentally pulled part of you along for the ride. But don't worry, it's not like I ripped you out entirely, you're still inside him and releasing your antibodies." He shrugged again, his tone indifferent, but his mind was already racing through the implications. Soul copying? This was new even for him.

The Fire Dragon King was silent for a long moment, his golden eyes studying Fate with an intensity that could melt stone. "You speak of things no ordinary human should know." His voice dropped to a low growl. "You even know about the antibodies that prevent Dragon Slayers from turning into dragons."

Fate chuckled softly, like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Yeah, I know a lot of things I probably shouldn't," he said cryptically. His gaze met Igneel's, unwavering. "But I'm not a Dragon Slayer, so you won't need to worry about that here."

Igneel's eyes narrowed further, suspicion flaring. Something wasn't right about this boy. His scent wasn't entirely human, and the way he spoke—so casually, so unafraid—unsettled even the mighty Fire Dragon King. "Boy, what are you exactly?"

Fate tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Who knows?" he answered softly, his voice carrying a weight that suggested he wasn't just being flippant. "Even I'm not sure myself."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the volcanic landscape crackling quietly around them.

Then, as abruptly as he had arrived, Fate straightened and turned away. "Anyway," he said, his tone shifting back to its usual nonchalance, "since I have no use for you right now… I'm just gonna leave."

Igneel blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Wait—"

But Fate was already gone, his form vanishing into the ether, leaving the colossal dragon alone in the vast, empty world of molten rock and smoldering ash.

Silence settled over the volcanic realm, broken only by the distant bubbling of magma. Igneel stared into the space where the boy had been, his massive form tense with unease.

"Hello?" Igneel's voice echoed, uncertainty creeping into his usually commanding tone. "You're coming back, right? Right?!"

But no answer came.

For the first time in centuries, the Fire Dragon King felt the unfamiliar sting of isolation, trapped in a world that wasn't his own, tethered to a boy who was far more than he seemed.

Back outside, Fate opens his eyes to see Natsu being hanged like a pinata, Erza down below with a blindfold holding a metal sword.

"Alright Erza, that's enough!" Fate calls out to Erza, as the redhead turns to him. "I think he has enough. Natsu, you learn your lesson, right?" Fate said, looking at Natsu who was crying as he nodded violently upon hearing Fate's words.

"Really?" Erza said narrowing her glare back to Natsu who gave her a pleading look.

"Don't worry, let it go." Fate pulls Erza away, and Natsu cries tears of joy as he is saved.

The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground outside Fate's treehouse. The air was crisp, filled with the faint scent of dew and wildflowers. But Fate wasn't interested in the serene beauty of nature.

His focus was on power.

Kneeling down, he hovered his index finger above a delicate flower, his eyes narrowing as ancient symbols began to materialize beneath his fingertip. The runic language, old as time itself, shimmered faintly against the vibrant petals.

Cast.

The moment the word formed in his mind, the flower withered instantly, its vibrant colors draining into dull gray before crumbling into dust. Fate quickly snapped his fingers, halting the decay from spreading further.

"Interesting," he murmured, studying the remaining specks of ash.

Thanks to his [Translator] Mastery, Fate could read and understand any language, even the long-forgotten runes of ancient magic. This ability allowed him to manipulate these symbols with precision, turning them into formidable spells. But today, Fate wasn't just content with simple decay.

Pulling out his short sword, he examined his reflection in the polished metal. The memory of an old Minecraft enchantment system flickered in his mind. A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he raised his glowing finger once more.

The runes began to crawl over the blade's surface, moving like living creatures seeking a home.

Enchant.

The runes bound themselves to the steel, and the sword emitted a faint purple glow. Fate gave it an experimental swing. It felt light as a feather, almost weightless in his grip. With a flick of his wrist, he struck a nearby stone. Sparks burst from the contact, leaving a faint cut on the rock, yet the blade's edge remained pristine.

Satisfied, Fate tossed the sword into the air, letting it spin out of sight. He raised his hand, palm open.

"Return."

With a sharp whistle, the blade shot back like a homing missile. Fate had to duck as it embedded itself into the tree trunk behind him, quivering from the force.

He straightened, pulling the sword free with ease. "So this is the power of [Primordial Rune Magic]," he muttered, admiring his work. But the satisfaction was tempered by a sudden wave of exhaustion. A significant chunk of his magical energy had been drained by the enchantment. Unlike other mages, Fate couldn't control his magic flow effortlessly. Still, this was a worthwhile substitute for his current limitations.

I wonder if I can disenchant this...

As if responding to his thoughts, a screen popped up before his eyes.

Clear Runes: 100SP

A chuckle escaped him. So, I can clear the enchantments with SP. But... how far can I push this? How broken can I make a weapon?

Driven by curiosity, Fate grabbed another dagger from his stash. This time, he began layering ridiculously powerful runes onto it, pushing the limits of his newfound magic.

But just as the final rune settled into place, another message flashed across his vision.

Not Enough Magical Energy - Request using 100000 SP to pay

His eyes widened. 100,000 SP? That was absurd, even by his standards.

"Cancel." He dismissed the prompt with a sigh, sliding the half-finished dagger back into his belt. So if I don't have enough magical energy, it defaults to SP... but that's a waste unless I'm sure the enchantment will work.

Fate picked up his previously enchanted short sword and, with a flick of his wrist, stored it in his spatial pocket using [Requip Magic]. It functioned like an inventory system from his favorite games, letting him switch weapons on the fly.

The very next day.

"Fate! Let's take this job." Erza's voice was sharp and energetic as she thrust a job request flyer into Fate's face. The bold print caught his attention immediately:

Reward: 20,000 Jewels

Target: Three-Eyed Wolf

Description: A wolf slightly larger than an average adult wolf, known for its heightened senses and aggressive nature.

Fate scanned the request, a grin creeping across his face. "Hunting a three-eyed wolf? Slightly larger, huh?" He chuckled, tucking the flyer into his pocket. "This might actually be fun."

Without another word, the two set off, their footsteps light but determined.

Inside the Umbra Forest. 

The dense canopy above filtered the sunlight, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of moss and damp earth. They'd been traveling for hours, and now, by the crackling campfire, Fate was finishing up a simple meal.

Erza took a massive bite out of a drumstick, her eyes lighting up in delight. "So good!" she mumbled around a mouthful, holding two hefty drumsticks, one in each hand. She devoured them like a starving warrior, oblivious to Fate's distant stare.

He sat across from her, his food untouched, his eyes dull and lifeless, as if his body was moving on autopilot.

Erza paused mid-bite, her brow furrowing. "Are you… alright?" Her voice was softer now, tinged with concern.

Fate didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on the flickering flames, his mind elsewhere.

Then, a howl pierced the stillness—a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the forest. The hairs on the back of Erza's neck stood up.

Fate's eyes snapped back to reality, sharp and alert. "I believe that's our target," he said, rising to his feet.

"Yeah…" Erza replied, quickly dousing the fire. She shoved her worry to the back of her mind. There was still a job to do.

Both of them requipped their weapons, the metallic hum of magic filling the air. Erza could feel it—the prickling sensation of being watched. She scanned the dense foliage, her heart pounding in her chest. But the forest was still, too still.

Fate's instincts kicked in. He knew the wolf was out there, watching, waiting. But they didn't know where it would strike from.

"Erza, cover me," Fate said, dropping to one knee. His fingers began to trace runic symbols into the dirt beneath their feet.

Erza blinked in confusion but didn't hesitate. She didn't understand the strange letters he was crafting, but she trusted him. That trust brought a smile to her face as she tightened her grip on her sword, ready for anything.

And then it happened.

A blur of gray fur and gleaming eyes lunged from the left, targeting Erza's blind spot. The three-eyed wolf was massive, far larger than described in the job request. It barreled toward them with terrifying speed, its jaws wide and claws gleaming.

Cast.

A ring of magenta light exploded around them just as the wolf lunged. It passed through the barrier as if it were nothing, but mid-stride, its body locked up. The beast's muscles tensed, its movement slowed to a crawl. Its third eye flickered before its vision went pitch black.

Erza seized the opportunity, grabbing Fate and dragging him out of the way as the beast crashed head-first into the ground, snarling in confusion and rage.

"What… was that?" Erza panted, her eyes flicking between Fate and the downed beast. The wolf was far larger than any wolf she'd encountered—its massive frame rivaling that of a small tree.

Fate was breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. "[Primordial Rune Magic]. It's powerful… but it takes a lot out of me."

He steadied himself, his mind racing. The runes had to be written with precision. A single mistake could've paralyzed both of them instead of just the wolf. The more complex the spell, the more magic it drained from him—and this one had been nearly too much.

"That wolf is way larger than the job info suggested," Fate added, his voice strained.

"We'll worry about that later." Erza's eyes hardened as she stood tall, her sword at the ready. "Stay behind me. I'll protect you."

The wolf's sight was gone, but its other senses were razor-sharp. It could still smell them. With a guttural growl, it charged again.

Erza met the beast head-on, requipping a shield just in time to block its swipe. The sheer force sent her flying backward, crashing into a tree.

Cast.

Another magenta rune appeared on the wolf's hind leg. Its body slumped, exhaustion flooding its muscles as if it hadn't slept in days. But it wasn't done yet. It turned toward Fate, sensing his weakened state.

Fate's hand shot up, activating his [Music Player].

"YOU CANNOT KILL ME! I AM OMEGA!"

The deafening metal lyrics blasted through the forest, the sheer volume causing the wolf to wince and stagger. Its sensitive ears throbbed under the auditory assault. Before it could recover, two daggers embedded themselves deep into its hind legs.

The wolf let out a piercing howl, collapsing as its legs gave out. The daggers, enchanted with sharpness and piercing, had sliced through its tough hide effortlessly, aided by Fate's [Take Aim] ability.

Fate lunged, trying to finish it off, but his strength was waning. His swing barely left a scratch on the beast's thick hide.

The wolf roared in fury and retaliated, its massive paw swinging toward Fate. But Erza was faster.

She intercepted the attack, her broken sword absorbing most of the impact as she was knocked back into Fate. The two of them crashed to the ground in a heap.

"Fate, are you okay?" Erza gasped, pushing herself up.

"I'm fine…" Fate gritted his teeth, clutching his dislocated arm. His body was screaming in pain, but he forced himself to his feet. "I should be asking you that."

Erza gave him a strained but warm smile. "I'm fine. My armor took most of the hit."

But her armor was damaged, deep claw marks gouging through the chest plate. Without it, she would've been dead.

Fate's eyes narrowed. "Erza, take off your armor."

Her face went beet-red. "WHAT?! Fate, I'm flattered, but—"

"Your armor's broken. It won't survive another hit, and it's slowing you down." His tone left no room for argument.

Erza hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. She shed the damaged armor, now clad only in her white dress. It wasn't much, but it gave her the speed she needed.

Fate tossed her his enchanted short sword. The blade glowed with a dim purple light, ancient runes swirling along its surface.

"This is…" Erza whispered, marveling at how weightless the blade felt. With a simple swing, she could feel the air parting around it.

"I'm giving you all I have left," Fate said, his voice steady. "If anyone can slay that thing, it's you."

Erza's heart swelled. She gripped the sword tightly, her resolve solidifying.

"My sword is your sword. My strength is your strength. My fate is your fate." She smiled, readying herself for the final strike.

Fate's fingers glowed as he touched her back.

Cast.

Erza felt a surge of energy flood her body. Ancient runes crawled across her skin like living serpents, their power coursing through her veins. The ethernano in the air seemed to flow into her, amplifying her strength. The pain, the fatigue—they all vanished.

"I am your sword. I will protect you," Erza whispered, feeling a sense of calm determination wash over her.

Fate collapsed behind her, drained of both his magic energy and 1000 SP. But he knew she could finish it.

The massive wolf charged one last time, its claws outstretched. But Erza was faster. With enhanced speed and strength, she met the beast head-on. Their weapons clashed, but the enchanted blade held strong.

With a powerful swing, Erza sliced through the wolf's neck, its massive head rolling to the ground. The beast's body collapsed with a thunderous thud, and the forest fell silent.

Erza gasped for air, the runic energy slowly leaving her body. She turned to Fate, a bright smile on her face.

They had done it.

Despite the faulty job info, despite the odds, they'd survived. And right now, all Erza felt was gratitude for her strength, for the victory, and most of all, for Fate.

A Knight's Oath: +10 points

Condition Unlock: [Magic Circuits] Tree is now available.

'Magic Circuits? Like in Fate?'

[Magic Circuits] - Are part of one soul, a pseudo-nervous system that spreads itself through the human body. Letting the magi the ability to tap into magic and Magecraft through the activation of one's magic circuit. Their Quality and Quantity are ranked through letters like Magecraft, and their Composition often varies between magi. Like any other organ, the number of Magic Circuits that one possesses is determined at birth and cannot decrease or increase naturally. You can convert 1000SP into 1 Magic Circuit, the quality will be randomly picked from Low - Average - High - Very High once start. This only works for the first time, after unlocking Magic Circuits the cost will be 10000SP for 1 Magic Circuit.

'I see, with this I can finally get access to magic and not have to rely only on this system and my skills.' Fate thought looking at his 12 points turning them into SP. Now having 32502 SP. He convert 32000SP into 32 Magic Circuits.

A mysterious luck has taken effect: Magic Circuits Quality change from [Low] to [High]

Magic Circuits Access - Magic Circuits: 32 - Quality: High - Close/Open

"Alright then, let—" Fate snapped back to reality, realizing that Erza was carrying him in a bridal style.

"Morning. It seems you're finally awake," Erza said with a smile, still holding him effortlessly.

Fate blinked as he took in his surroundings. The sun was already rising in the distance, meaning he had been unconscious for quite some time. From the weight of the pouch hanging from Erza's waist, it was clear she had already collected their reward.

"Can you put me down now?" he asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed. They were walking through town, and many eyes were already on them.

"Nope. You're still weak and need to rest," Erza replied cheerfully, completely unfazed by the attention they were getting.

Fate sighed, resigning himself to his fate. 'So this is how Shirou feels when Saber carries him, huh?' he mused, realizing he didn't even have the strength to escape Erza's grasp.

As they reached the guild, Erza didn't bother with subtlety—she kicked the doors open. Instantly, every pair of eyes turned toward them. The sight of Erza—smiling, armorless, and carrying an expressionless Fate—was enough to make quite an impression.

"Welcome back, Erza, Fate," Makarov greeted them with a warm smile. "I heard about the misinformation regarding your mission. But I'm glad to see you both return safely."

The old guild master was genuinely relieved. Missions with inaccurate details often ended in disaster, and he hadn't expected two kids who hadn't even hit puberty yet to walk away from a B-rank threat unscathed. That alone was impressive—but more than that, Erza seemed especially happy, which meant something interesting must have happened.

"Thank you for your concern, Master," Erza replied, her smile unwavering.

Makarov stroked his beard. "I heard you two took down that three-eyed wolf. I must admit, I'm curious—how exactly did you manage to slay it?"

"Simple," Erza said proudly. "After it injured Fate, we joined forces, and I took its head off with a single swing."

Her explanation was blunt, almost anticlimactic, but confident.

"Here, I'll even show you!" Erza added, activating her [Requip] Magic.

In an instant, the massive corpse of the three-eyed wolf materialized in the middle of the guild. The sheer size of the beast sent a ripple of shock through the mages.

""EHHHHH?!""

A collective gasp echoed through the hall as Fairy Tail members gawked at the decapitated creature. Even Fate, who had been lost in thought, was jolted back to reality.

"You... kept it?" he asked, still in Erza's arms, looking down at the lifeless beast.

"Of course!" Erza grinned. "It'd be a waste to let such good meat rot out there. And besides..." She smirked, squeezing him slightly. "I just so happen to have the best cook in my arms."

Fate raised an eyebrow, but his lips curled into a small smile.

"So, I'm giving it to you," Erza declared.

Fate's interest shifted. While he wasn't particularly excited about cooking, the idea of extracting rare materials from the wolf piqued his curiosity. His mind was already racing with ideas—if he could find a way to craft his own weapons and armor, it would open up a whole new realm of possibilities for him.

'Maybe I should develop a skill or magic for crafting equipment,' he thought. After all, powerful gear wouldn't just drop from slain enemies like in a game.

As the rest of the guild continued their loud chatter over the shocking sight, Fate simply let out a small sigh, still resting in Erza's arms.

"...At least put me down first."

Erza only smiled in response.