Issei Hyoudou Meets Erza Scarlet

A warm breeze brushed against Issei’s face as he stepped forward, the golden sunlight bathing the stone streets of a lively town. The scent of baked bread and sizzling meat filled the air, mingling with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and merchants calling out their wares. The town had an old-world charm, with timber-framed buildings, cobbled roads, and an enormous stone castle towering in the distance.

He looked around, rubbing the back of his head. 'Well, this definitely isn’t Kouh. Another world, another town, and still no idea where I am. Figures.'

(The air here feels more magical than usual.) Ddraig gives his own thoughts of the place.

The sound of armored boots against stone caught his attention. He turned just in time to see a woman approaching, her presence commanding immediate attention.

She was tall and striking, with long, flowing scarlet hair that shimmered under the sunlight. Her sharp brown eyes carried an intense gaze, filled with both discipline and authority. A silver breastplate that covered her breasts and Issei could not tell how big they were adorned her torso, the polished metal gleaming, and beneath it, a blue skirt with matching armored greaves. A sword rested at her hip, its hilt well-worn from use. She walked with a purposeful stride, exuding confidence and strength.

How unfortunate I can't tell what size she is. Issei could also tell by the sharpness in her eyes that this was not someone to mess with.

The woman stopped in front of him, arms crossed, her expression firm. “You. Who are you, and what guild do you belong to?” The scarlet haired woman could also tell with her magic eye that the boy in front of her was strong.

Issei blinked. Guild?

"Uh… I’m Issei Hyoudou. And… I don’t have a guild?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “No guild mark, unusual attire, and unfamiliar presence… That makes you a suspicious individual.”

“Hey, I get that a lot,” Issei admitted, hands raised in mock surrender. “But I swear, I didn’t sneak in or anything. I kinda just... appeared here.”

Her brow furrowed. “Appeared?”

“Yeah. One moment I was somewhere else, next moment I was standing in this town.” He glanced around. “What’s this place called, anyway?”

“You’re in Magnolia,” she said, still watching him carefully. “And I am Erza Scarlet, S-Class Mage of Fairy Tail.”

Issei took a moment to process that. S-Class? 

(It must be like a form of rank. I believe.)

Sounds like she’s a big deal.

“Well, nice to meet you, Erza. I’d introduce myself better, but I still have no clue where I am or how I got here.”

Erza studied him for a moment before glancing at his left hand. Her sharp gaze landed on the faint glow of the Dimensional Watch on his arm. “That watch… What is it?”

Issei sighed, lifting his arm. “This? Dimensional Watch. Long story short—it’s an artifact that lets me go through other dimensions.”

There was a brief pause before Erza gave a small nod. “I see. A magical artifact, then.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

She crossed her arms again, her expression unreadable. “If what you say is true, then you are not an enemy… for now.”

Issei grinned. “I’ll take ‘not an enemy’ as a win.”

Erza regarded him for a few more moments before turning slightly. “Follow me. If you are lost, then the least I can do is take you to my guild. We will determine what to do from there.”

Issei tilted his head. “And if I refuse?”

She gave him a calm but utterly serious look. “That would be unwise.”

Issei chuckled nervously. Yup. Definitely not someone to mess with.

“Well, when you put it like that… Lead the way, Erza.”

As he followed her through the bustling streets, he had a feeling this world wasn’t going to be boring.