Chapter 20: Ultimate Milksandwich

Freeing all the people from the clutches of the Cult of Zeref, Leo examined the people on the island. Now next step was to get out of the island. Thankfully, he had managed to save some non-combatants from the cult who knew how to get off the island.

"Leo!" Erza came sprinting towards him, urgency etched on her face. "Jellal, can you take a look at him?"

Leo offered a curt nod and followed Erza. They reached a clearing filled with children of various hair colors. A pang of recognition shot through him – he spotted several future Fairy Tail members, like Millianna and Sorano. But his attention snagged on a blue-haired boy lying in the center, moaning in pain.

The sight of Jellal stopped Leo cold. His body was ravaged by multiple cuts and wounds, his face gaunt and pale. It was a miracle the kid was still alive.

"He took the blame for the rebels," Erza explained, her voice strained. "They tortured him mercilessly. I used all the healing potions you gave me, but..." Her voice trailed off, heavy with worry.

Sensing her frustration, Leo reached out and patted her back reassuringly. "Hey, I have another one." A mischievous grin spread across his face as he pulled out another health potion, surprising Erza.

Leo had originally gotten two health potions from gacha rolls. Before the mission, he'd given one to Erza in case of emergencies. He'd kept the other as a backup, thankfully unused.

There was a catch, though. These potions only worked on magic users – they wouldn't do anything for Leo himself.

Carefully, he cradled Jellal's head and helped him drink the potion. It worked like magic – Jellal's wounds visibly healed, and his eyes fluttered open.

"Those... mustaches..." he mumbled, then cracked a weak smile. "They looked... kinda cool."

Leo realized he was still wearing his fake mustache. He had put it on for a disguise, but thinking back, it was a pretty stupid idea. Still, if it made the future antihero happy, so be it. Though he didn't like Jellal much since he rejected Erza.

Suddenly, Leo felt a familiar presence. A grin stretched across his face. "Well, well," he murmured, "looks like our plot device has arrived."

---

Afterwards, Leo and the other adults managed to make boats and departed for the mainland. He handed the children over to the authorities and informed the Magic Council about the Tower of Heaven incident.

After clearing the legal proceedings, Leo brought Erza to the Fairy Tail guild.

'Power of friendship. Yup, this place is the originator of this concept,' Leo chuckled softly as he stared at the sign of Fairy Tail. Though the anime had a lot of plot holes, it was still one of Leo's favorites from his previous life. It held a special place in his heart.

"Let's go," Leo gestured to Erza, who nodded sternly.

When they entered, the atmosphere seemed to halt due to the presence of two unidentified individuals at the gates, but soon the guild members resumed their fun. Unlike the rowdy atmosphere he knew from the anime, this version of the guild was a lot calmer.

He searched and soon found the iconic, small, old dwarf Makarov Dreyar, the leader of Fairy Tail guild.

"How may I be of help?" Makarov asked. Leo looked at Erza, and receiving a nod from her, he began to explain her circumstances.

After hearing everything, Makarov's face twisted with contempt before regaining his composure. "I see." Makarov rubbed his chin. "Mr. Leo, I will look after this child then."

"Ahem, actually, there is something I wanted to discuss in person," Leo added, pointing at Erza.

Makarov nodded before taking Leo to his office. Leo asked Erza to get familiar with the guild as she would be joining it. Reluctant to leave Leo's side, she eventually agreed.

"Sexual harassment?" Makarov's face twisted in disbelief. "Those human scums…!"

Leo then explained what really happened to Erza at the Tower of Heaven, something he couldn't disclose before others and Erza.

"That's why I am fearful for her mental state." Leo bowed his head. "That's why I must request that you look after her. I'm not asking you to pay her special attention, but just to correct her judgment if she begins to stray from the right path."

Erza's character was important for the story. If she grew up with her current mentality, she would definitely become a different character entirely. Therefore, Leo wanted to ensure she would grow up taking the right path.

Makarov's smile softened. "I'll do that regardless, young man. But she's lucky to have you. Even as a stranger, you've gone above and beyond."

Leo could only manage a tight smile. How could he explain he wasn't just some kind soul – he needed Erza to become the hero she was destined to be, not a vengeance-fueled warrior.

Makarov then suggested a visit to Porlyusica, Fairy Tail's resident medical advisor. Leo agreed and accompanied them. The pink-haired woman radiated a serene calmness, yet her gaze flicked towards Leo and Makarov with disdain. Leo knew better than to question her – the old woman was notorious for disliking humans, despite being one herself.

Porlyusica examined Erza's right eye before giving a curt nod. "I can handle this. I'll create a functional magical eye for her." Relief washed over Erza as the prospect of regaining her vision became a reality.

"Excellent! And," Leo interjected, "I'll cover the costs, of course."

"No!" Erza's voice rang out. "Leo also has a missing eye! Please heal him too!"

Porlyusica raised an eyebrow at Leo's confirmation, and he gently removed his prosthetic eye. "Unfortunately, my injury is far more complex. Scar tissue has filled the socket."

"True," Porlyusica mused, stroking her chin. "But I might be able to create a solution."

"I appreciate the offer," Leo replied politely, "but I must decline. I wouldn't want to impose further."

As much as Leo wanted his missing eye and arm back, he couldn't ask for it. First, Porlyusica would be making a magical eye, which Leo couldn't use since he didn't have magic, nor did his present world. Secondly, he had other matters to attend to.

Seeing her friend about to leave, Erza's face fell. Leo, ever the strategist, deployed his secret weapon to cheer the red head up – the Head Petting Technique. It proved super effective.

"Don't worry," he reassured her, gently stroking her hair. "I'll be back to train you in that sword style you keep pestering me about. Just listen to the grown-ups, alright? And if that old pervert of a master tries anything funny, you tell Porlyusica immediately."

"Hey!" Makarov spluttered, his cheeks flushing a suspicious red. "Who are you calling a pervert?" (Though his flustered demeanor did little to dispel the accusation.)

Erza offered a small, sad smile and hugged Leo tightly. The display of affection surprised him – when did that start? But if it comforted her, he wouldn't complain. He did, however, catch the disapproving stares of the two elderly guild members, though their reasons remained unclear.

Erza, a flush creeping up her cheeks, darted inside the guild. With a final goodbye to Makarov, Leo turned to leave.

"Young man," Makarov rumbled in a grandfatherly tone, "love seems to be blossoming between you two. But remember, patience is key. She's still a child."

Leo's jaw nearly hit the floor. 'Love? What in the actual fugg is he talking about?'

He politely excused himself from the bewildered old man and continued down the path.

Reaching the port town once more, he spotted a lone figure – a small girl with dark hair.

"Ready to go, Miss... Ultimate Milksandwich?" Leo teased with a wide grin.

"It's Ultear Milkovich! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Ultear sputtered, a hint of annoyance laced with her sigh. "Fine, let's just go."

===

Sorry guys, my laptop was busted because of excessive heat from the whether. Still in repairs but I got the draft chapters at least.

If you would like to read in advance or support me, visit:

www.patr eon.com/J_Titan