A young boy lay curled up against the guild's main doors.
Next to him, a small pile of ash sat cold and lifeless, the fire having burned out long ago.
The morning air was cold and the boy shivered slightly in his sleep, pressing closer to the wood for warmth.
This was the scene Makarov Dreyar encountered when he arrived at the guild entrance.
"Hey, wake up, little one."
Through the haze of drowsiness, Raizel felt someone gently shaking him.
He slowly opened his eyes, rubbing the sleep from them.
The first thing that came into his view was a bald head—so shiny it seemed to reflect the morning light—framed by tufts of white hair on the sides.
It belonged to a short, elderly man wearing a white shirt printed with a black guild emblem and a high-collared coat.
Makarov Dreyar.
The appearance was unmistakably familiar: the Third Master of Fairy Tail, a man known for his kindness and for treating his guild members like his own children.
Though he looked small and frail, he was one of the Ten Wizard Saints, a mage of immense power standing at the pinnacle of the continent.
"Boy, why are you here? Did you spend the whole night outside?" Makarov frowned slightly, his voice filled with concern as he saw Raizel fully wake up.
"I came to join Fairy Tail," Raizel replied, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face as he looked at the legendary master.
"When I arrived last night, there was no one here. I didn't have any money for an inn, so I fell asleep leaning against the door."
"Join the guild? Well, come inside first. It's too cold out here."
Makarov had initially intended to explain that one needed magic to join the guild, but seeing the boy's hopeful smile, he swallowed the words.
'I'll let him warm up first,' Makarov thought. 'If he doesn't have magic, I'll give him some money and send him home.'
Makarov pushed the heavy doors open.
Raizel stood up, dusted himself off, and followed the old man inside, secretly measuring their height difference.
'I'm taller than him,' Raizel noted with satisfaction. 'Good. With a face this handsome, it would be a tragedy to be short.'
He glanced around the guild hall.
It was spacious, with four large pillars supporting the high ceiling.
Tables and benches were neatly arranged, and a bar counter sat at the far end.
Staircases on either side led to the second floor.
Makarov hopped onto the counter with practiced ease.
He poured himself a mug of beer, then used a quick spell to heat a cup of water, which he handed to Raizel.
"Here, drink this. Warm yourself up," Makarov said. "Now, let's talk. Sit wherever you like."
Raizel took a seat on a nearby stool.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Makarov Dreyar, the Guild Master of Fairy Tail," the old man said.
"What is your name, boy? How old are you?"
"Raizel Bael. I'm eight years old. You can just call me Raizel."
In his previous life, his name had also been Raizel.
Since this world had a Western fantasy setting, he decided to keep it, adding "Bael" as a surname.
Makarov took a sip of his beer and nodded.
"Eight years old... You're the same age as my grandson. His name is Laxus. He's not here right now, though."
'Laxus is eight', Raizel calculated silently.
'If I remember correctly, the main story begins in the year X784, when Laxus is twenty-three. That means it's currently the year X769. Even Cana hasn't joined yet. There are still more than ten years before the plot begins.'
"Alright, Raizel," Makarov continued. "Where are your parents? Why did you come to the guild alone?"
"My parents passed away," Raizel said calmly. "I came from... far away. I heard that there's a mage named Gildarts in Fairy Tail who is very powerful, so I wanted to join you."
Makarov's expression softened into one of regret.
He furrowed his brow, clearly feeling guilty for asking.
"Old man, you don't need to look like that. I'm used to it," Raizel said, flashing a bright, confident grin to ease the tension.
"Hmph. Don't call me 'old man' yet," Makarov grumbled, though his tone was gentle. "Let's get back to business. Do you know what a Mage is? A Mage must awaken their magic power and harness it to cast spells. We take on quests—missions—that can often be dangerous. If you don't know magic, I cannot accept you into the guild. It would be irresponsible of me to put you in danger."
Raizel didn't answer with words.
Instead, he hopped off the stool and stepped into the center of the room.
"Take Over: Omegamon!"
A white magic circle instantly spun into existence beneath his feet.
'The Royal Knight—Omegamon—descends!'
Armor materialized over his body.
His left arm transformed into the head of WarGreymon, the brave shield and sword retracting; his right arm morphed into the head of MetalGarurumon, cannons ready.
"Take Over Magic..." Makarov's eyes widened slightly as he observed the transformation.
'Light attribute? And an armor soul I've never seen before. His magic power is still low, but the form is complete. He's young and has plenty of potential.'
Magic in Earthland was incredibly diverse; even a Wizard Saint couldn't know every spell in existence.
Makarov didn't dwell on the specifics of the armor but nodded in approval.
"This is indeed Take Over Magic," Makarov said. "When did you awaken it?"
"Yesterday," Raizel lied smoothly as he canceled the spell and sat back down. "I was being chased by a monster in the eastern forest."
It wasn't entirely a lie—he had been chased by a monster, though the system had activated his magic later.
"Why do you want to join the guild and what are you gonna use your magic for?" Makarov asked, his gaze sharpening.
This was the most important question.
"To protect myself," Raizel met Makarov's eyes, his expression serious. "And to fight for the peaceful life I want."
Makarov held his gaze for a moment, then broke into a warm, squinty-eyed smile.
"A good answer. Honest." Makarov raised his beer mug.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Raizel. You can call me Grandpa or Master. From now on, this guild is your home."
Raizel raised his cup of warm water and clinked it against Makarov's mug.
"Please take care of me, Gramps."
He looked around the empty hall. "But why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?"
"Hahaha! We had a party last night and everyone drank too much. They're all likely passed out somewhere," Makarov laughed. "Come here. Let me give you your Guild Mark. Have you decided where you want it?"
Makarov retrieved the magical stamp from behind the counter.
"Orange. On the back of my left hand," Raizel said, extending his arm.
Makarov pressed the stamp down.
A soft light glowed, and when he pulled it away, the orange Fairy Tail emblem was perfectly imprinted on Raizel's hand.
"I've finally joined Fairy Tail!" Raizel stared at the mark, his eyes shining with genuine excitement.
Makarov watched him, sensing the boy's joy. "Now, about your living arrangements. You said you have no money, correct?"
Raizel nodded. "I've been wandering for a while."
Makarov sighed, rubbing his chin. "You're too young to work for a living just yet. For now, you can come live with me. I live with my grandson, Laxus. When he returns, you two can keep each other company. The guild doesn't have a dormitory for boys, and it's not safe for you to be out on the streets."
"Really?" Raizel grinned, revealing his canine teeth. "Thank you, Gramps!"
He felt a little embarrassed about freeloading, but he promised himself he would repay the old man's kindness tenfold in the future.