Fairy Heart and the World Tree's Invitation (5400)

The distant voice was gentle yet childish, carrying a pure goodwill.

Ian looked in that direction and vaguely saw a hazy humanoid figure.

Even among Fairies, this figure was quite petite. She seemed to be floating atop a high platform, silver hair longer than her body cascading over the ground like a waterfall. Behind her hovered six enormous wings of varying shapes, wrapping around her like an embrace.

She smiled across the distant reaches of time and space. Though she looked young, she possessed a mother's gentleness and tolerance.

"A world where one can refuse..."

Ian murmured to himself, then chuckled. "Yes. With Fairies' lifespans, power, and forms of existence, none of this world's rules and restrictions can bind lives born powerful, immortal, and independent of every social system..."

"So if they do not want to do something, they can refuse."

"Even if they no longer wish to live, they can freely choose death and disperse into this world."

He raised his head and met the figure's gaze. "Life's ultimate freedom is choosing one's own death, refusing life. All other freedoms can rise no higher than 'refusal.'"

"So that is a world where one can refuse... I understand it completely now."

That was wonderful. He completely understood the essence of Fairies.

The Fairy spoke softly. But understanding did not mean acceptance. She could sense that Fairies were not his goal. He merely wished to use Fairies as a springboard. He regarded Fairies as a foundational template, just as Fairies had once used humanity as their own template and foundation to gain the power to reshape the world...

That was wonderful. How interesting. Work hard, Ian, brand-new Native Fairy...

She greatly looked forward to the place he was going.

The voice gradually faded away.

Ian opened his eyes.

The world had