Erza looked down slightly as her smile widened. "Oh~ I didn't know a rookie could have the kind of abilities you do..."
"Even if I'm not a rookie mage, that doesn't change the fact that I just joined Fairy Tail..."
"Don't worry about that..." Erza answered sharply, stepping closer to Allen.
"I do worry," Allen replied bluntly. He could tell Erza was very strict, and changing her mind would be difficult. Allen had no intention of fighting her, but he also knew that if he didn't earn her respect now, she never would respect him.
But just as Erza's hand was about to reach him and Allen was preparing to act, Lucy stepped in between them with her arms outstretched like a shield.
"W-Wait!" Lucy was sweating and had a shadowed look in her eyes that clearly showed how scared she was. Still, she refused to move.
"Oh? Are you going to stand in my way?" Erza smiled, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes. You don't have the right to force us into anything..."
"You're brave..." Despite her smile, Erza started to release her magic, which manifested as an aura around her. "But courage without strength is just recklessness..."
Some people nearby began to slowly back away, afraid of being caught in a fight between mages.
"Even so, I won't move!"
This standoff was unexpected—both for Erza, who was secretly pleased to see Lucy standing up for her partner and for Allen, who hadn't expected the seemingly timid girl to show such courage. He recalled a famous quote from a madman: "People show their true face when faced with death."
"Idiot..." Allen placed his hand on Lucy's head and smiled. "You make me really happy, but... it's not necessary."
Seeing Allen's expression, Lucy felt her fear melt away. The pressure coming from Erza disappeared as well. Allen gently moved Lucy behind him and faced Erza. Her eyes were now hidden by her hair, but her smile had grown.
"She's a very good girl..." Erza said.
"She is..." Allen replied.
Lucy blushed, but she was happy to be acknowledged by both Erza and Allen. However, a disturbing silence soon followed.
"Lucy, back up..."
Allen's words only confirmed the inevitable. Lucy looked at him worriedly but obeyed. Timcampy also flew out of Allen's hoodie so as not to get in the way, landing gently on Lucy's head.
Now that only the two of them remained, their eyes locked. It felt like déjà vu from the moment they first met—still staring, still filled with curiosity about each other.
This was an inevitable battle...
Erza needed to confirm something—this strange feeling she got from this mysterious young man who continued to surprise her. She was also curious about what he had that made a girl willing to risk her life to protect him.
As for Allen, he needed to prove his strength—not just to avoid being beneath Erza like most in the guild, but because he was genuinely curious about the power of an S-Class mage and the strongest woman in Fairy Tail.
A final exchange before Erza stomped the ground, cracking it beneath her as she launched herself at Allen, summoning a sword into her hand, still smiling. Allen, for his part, raised his guard and activated the One-Man Army, his own smile forming slightly.
Late July, X784. Onibas Town, Kingdom of Fiore.
This day would later be remembered as the first time Erza Scarlet and Allen Walker fought.