Days passed quietly.
There were no major disturbances; almost everything was normal — the only unusual thing was that the group members kept receiving strange magical items as login rewards.
Miku began coming to Yuuto's world every day.
Sometimes to eat, sometimes just to sit and play with dogs or cats. But she didn't forget her main purpose there: to make sure Yuuto didn't get swallowed by fae instincts.
"If you start talking like a naughty fairy, I'll pinch your cheek."
"Go ahead," Yuuto said, laughing.
---
Elsewhere, Lady Avalon continued teaching — but this time it wasn't general magic lessons. Merlin focused on lessons and controlling fae abilities.
How to control and manage fae eyes and powers. How to understand the voices of the earth, animals, and wind around him.
"Don't reject the voice of nature, Yuuto. Listen… then decide what belongs to you and what doesn't."
Yuuto also practiced swordsmanship daily; the more he trained, the heavier his sword felt.
---
In the afternoons, as usual, Honoka, Kotori, and Umi came bearing cakes, snacks, or just school gossip. Sometimes they simply sat on the giant root seats and watched Yuuto train.
Life was peaceful.
But that peace was temporary.
The mission day drew closer.
Finally…
The countdown reached 1 day.
---
Night — Training Warehouse
The moon hung high. Silence was almost absolute.
Yuuto stood at the center of the warehouse.
He wore Arthur's armor — the armor he had gotten from that morning's login.
In front of him, the Gravity Blade was planted with its hilt pointed at his chest.
Yuuto bowed his head, both hands resting on the sword's hilt. His eyes were closed.
The only light came from the soft blue glow of the system hologram floating beside him.
10:00
"Ten minutes left…" Yuuto whispered.
"First mission."
He took a slow breath, recalling all the magic training, Merlin's words, and the sword training from Arthur stored in his muscles and memory.
"Gravity Blade… right now I can only control one ton of weight with this sword."
He clenched his fingers. "But it's enough."
The warehouse was so quiet Yuuto could hear the grass outside move softly.
Time passed.
10
09
08
Yuuto opened his eyes.
His fae eyes slowly reflected blue light.
He lifted his face.
04
03
02
01
When the counter hit zero—
Yuuto took one long breath.
"…I'm ready."
BOOM.
White light exploded outward, filling the whole warehouse instantly.
When the light faded the warehouse was empty.
Yuuto had gone to another world.
---
The beach was calm, waves washing soft sand. Then — a thin scream of light, and a woman in an elegant black cloak appeared there.
Her long red hair flowed, her revealing dress showed an old scar on her abdomen — Irene Belserion, the strongest woman of the Dragon-Human race.
She opened her eyes slowly. In front of her stood two figures.
The first was a tall, strong woman in distinctive attire. Long white hair, sharp animal-like eyes but full of cheer.
The second was a small black-haired girl in strange clothes, trembling as if seeing a demon.
The woman in the distinctive outfit waved cheerfully.
"Ooh! You must be Irene Belserion, right? Introductions — my name is… Kozuki Oden!"
She posed proudly.
Then she raised a finger.
"…That's what I wanted to say, but you probably remember my real name, right?"
Behind her, a frightened girl clung to Yamato's arm, half hiding.
"Y-Yamato… don't push me…."
"Come on! Introduce yourself properly! This is our first meeting, right?"
Kuroneko glanced at Irene. Irene's look was cold, sharp, like a red dragon judging the quality of its prey.
The girl swallowed and stepped half a step forward.
"Ha-hello… my name is Ruri Gokou… but you can call me Kuroneko."
Having said that, the little girl immediately retreated behind Yamato like a scared cat.
Irene looked at them both without expression. The beach wind was cold… but Irene's aura was colder.
A few seconds of silence.
Then Yamato waved again.
"Ireeeene? Hey, why are you so quiet? Something wrong?"
Irene finally spoke. Her voice was soft…
"…I have seen your power from the video Kuroneko sent to the group."
Yamato smiled proudly.
Irene continued, her gaze like a dragon's executioner.
"Seeing it in person… is far more shocking. The energy in your body… unstable, wild, and very large."
She stepped closer. Yamato still smiled cheerfully — he didn't feel threatened at all.
"You… are stronger."
Yamato looked surprised.
Then Yamato laughed loudly.
"WAHAHAHAHA!! You flatter me too much! But I'm still weaker than my damn father!"
He scratched his head and laughed freely.
Irene narrowed her eyes slightly.
'Of course this creature isn't proud. He's like a big dog that doesn't realize how strong he is.'
Irene's gaze turned to Kuroneko. Kuroneko froze — standing rigid like she'd been paralyzed.
"H-h-h-hello…."
Irene stepped half a pace closer, her red eyes evaluating the small girl from head to toe.
"…Don't tremble. I won't eat you."
Her flat tone made Kuroneko even paler.
"I-I'm not—n-n-not scared…."
"You lie very badly."
Kuroneko immediately hid behind Yamato again like a feral cat.
Yamato just laughed at the scene.
---
Suddenly—
WUUUMMM—!
A bright light appeared around them.
Yamato raised his eyebrows.
"Oh? Looks like someone else arrived."
The teleport light faded slowly. In the remaining sparkle stood a girl.
Hatsune Miku.
Kuroneko jumped toward her the moment she saw her.
"M-Miku!"
She ran, lifting her skirt to keep it from dragging through sand, and hugged Miku excitedly.
"Kuroneko!"
Miku returned the hug with a quiet laugh — happy to see her friend.
Soon Yamato walked over waving his big hands like a giant puppy.
"Hi Miku! How are you? It's been so long!"
"Hehe, yes. It's been a while, Yamato. You seem more cheerful than usual."
"Of course! This is the first time we're all meeting, right!?"
Yamato laughed loudly.
Now Irene stepped forward. A pressure of magical aura accompanied her steps. Miku looked at her and smiled gently.
"Hello Irene… long time no see."
Irene looked Miku up and down.
"…You seem fine."
The tone was flat — but, by Irene's standard.
Miku smiled faintly. Kuroneko patted her chest in relief that Irene wasn't "peeling anyone alive" today.
A few seconds later—
WUUUMMM—!
Two teleportation pillars appeared at once.
Yamato raised an eyebrow.
"WOOO—! Two at the same time this time! I thought they'd come one by one!"
Miku held her hair against the wind of light.
"If two lights appear at once… you already know who it is."
Kuroneko nodded slowly, her face respectful.
"Yes… the two strongest members."
Irene glanced briefly — that was enough to show her interest.
"…The strongest, huh."
The teleport lights dimmed—
And two figures stood there.
A blonde man in white-and-blue armor. Calm face, sharp charisma — like a king from a lost age.
And a white-haired woman in magus robes and Avalon's purple-white mantle. A misty aura surrounded her like an ancient hush.
"Oh… looks like everyone's here. Are we late?" she smiled gently, elegant.
Miku stepped forward waving.
"Not at all, Lady Avalon! We just appeared too."
"And Yuuto! How are you~?"
"Hello, Miku."
As Miku approached, Yuuto saw a tall, muscular horned figure with a bright grin greet like a firecracker.
"Oh! So you're Yuuto! And you must be Lady Avalon! Introduce myself — I'm Kozuki Oden! But you can call me Yamato! Or Oden!"
Yuuto bowed slightly, polite like a knight.
"Hello, Ms. Yamato. I'm Yuuto Kido."
"Hehehe~ And I'm Lady Avalon! Or Merlin, if you prefer."
"Hahahaha! You two… look very strong!"
Yuuto then turned to someone hiding behind Miku.
"H-h-hello… my name is Ruri Gokou… but just call me Kuroneko…"
Yuuto stepped a bit closer and gave a gentle smile.
"Hello, Kuroneko. We've talked a lot in the group. No need to hide — I won't hurt you."
Kuroneko took two steps back and hid immediately behind Miku like a vampire facing garlic.
"St-stay back! Don't come so close!"
Miku sighed and slapped her forehead.
"Yuuto… don't scare her. You're dangerous, remember?"
"Mmm~ yes I'm even charmed by you now. Your fae power is amazing, Yuuto!!" Yamato said, nodding enthusiastically.
Yuuto could only look back, unsure how to respond.
Merlin — who had been waiting his turn — leaned forward, tapping the ground with his staff.
"My student~ did you forget to greet your teacher? It hurts my heart, you know…"
Yuuto turned quickly.
"Ah, sorry sensei. Introductions again — my name is Yuuto Kido. Thank you for all your guidance."
"Aaaah that's right. That's how it should be~ So Yuuto… what do you think of your teacher's appearance?"
Lady Avalon smiled confidently, seeking praise. Yuuto suddenly moved closer, raised his hand…
…and put his fingers together as if about to snap.
"Yu–Yuuto? What are you doing…?"
"Sorry."
BOOM!!
The snap sounded like a small explosion. Merlin's head was flicked — it rolled and tumbled several meters away as he screamed like a cat thrown in water.
"GYAAAAAA–!! MY HEEAD!!"
Yuuto casually flicked his fingers.
"Your wish is granted, Arthur. Rest in peace."
The line made everyone fall silent. Miku covered her mouth, Yamato stifled a laugh, Kuroneko froze.
Only one voice spoke — low, furious, and incredulous.
Irene Belserion, who had been silent with her arms folded, finally spoke.
"…why… is there a creature like this…?"
Irene narrowed her eyes, as if what she saw made no sense.