The boy returned to the shore of the Holy Lake.
With no guidance and no prophecy, he made his way back to the clear, tranquil lakeshore on his own two feet. He took off his Treasure Armor, closed his eyes, and walked into the water.
The blood and grime on his body were washed away in the lake, and even the beard on his face fell off.
He seemed to have become the same person he had been when he first arrived in this world, except that now his eyes held thought, and his body was stronger.
He emerged from the Holy Lake, tied up his inconveniently long hair with a grass cord, and put his Treasure Armor back on—and then he saw them.
The Lady of the Lake and that peculiar Magecraft user had somehow reappeared beside him. They watched him with faint, knowing smiles.
"It seems you found something extraordinary in the Fairy Realm. At the very least, your eyes don't look so frightening anymore."
The Lady of the Lake spoke a little before the Magecraft user. At last, there was a hint of approval in her gaze as she looked at Anno.
This was a very important step for a person.
"Well, well. Looks like you've figured out what I wanted you to do when I sent you to the Fairy Realm. Nicely done."
The Magecraft user, seated by the lakeside, smiled as he spoke.
Anno looked at the Magecraft user for a long time without saying a word.
Had he actually told me anything specific back then?
Now that I think about it, hadn't he basically thrown me into the Fairy Realm and then left me to my own devices?
Still, if he'd guided me the whole way, I couldn't have arrived at the kind of understanding I have now.
"Merlin, I want to leave the Fairy Realm and see the real human world."
Sitting across from Merlin, Anno spoke calmly.
"I knew you'd say that sooner or later."
Merlin smiled and nodded, then took out a bundle and placed it in front of Anno.
"There are a few changes of underclothes in here, along with some of the things called coins. In the human world, you can trade them for food and water, or for a quiet room to sleep in. It should be enough to last you a while."
"You understand human language and etiquette, and you've learned how to survive in the Fairy Realm. Now go see the human world with your own eyes."
"But before you set off, Lady of the Lake has one more gift for you."
As he spoke, Merlin looked toward the Lady of the Lake.
"But Lady of the Lake has already given me the Treasure Armor. I shouldn't ask for anything more."
Anno looked down at the gleaming white armor he wore and shook his head, apparently unwilling to accept another gift from her.
"You don't have to refuse. Calling it a gift is a bit of a stretch. I'm only giving form to the blessings that were already entwined around you."
"That dazzling white light was your own power to begin with. Besides, your iron sword broke in the Fairy Realm, so you need a new weapon, don't you?"
The Lady of the Lake smiled, then lifted something out of the water.
A sword?
It looked like something from an entirely different world compared to his old iron sword. A deep-blue gem was set in its hilt, and its pure-white blade made it impossible to tell what the sword was made of.
But whatever it was, it was definitely sturdy.
Anno found himself thinking that without meaning to.
"The first light an unblemished person sees has blessed him. Whether that light came from a fairy or something else, it can now be wielded by you. This is the [mystery] you were born with."
Merlin took the white sword from the Lady of the Lake and held it out to Anno.
"It's a replica of the Star Holy Sword, blended with the qualities you possess. The result is this. You can call it [Chalkiness of Sighs]."
"Holy Sword Chalk."
Anno glanced at the Lady of the Lake. After she nodded in permission, he exchanged a look with Merlin, then reached out and grasped the hilt.
Vmmm—
A tremendous aura burst outward from Anno, sending ripples across the surface of the lake.
Anno's eyes lit up against his will, and the blade shone with a dazzling, pale light. Its overwhelmingly powerful Magecraft roared like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
But the next moment—
Click.
A scabbard snapped into place over the Holy Sword.
It was Merlin.
"Your first lesson in the human world: just because you have far greater power than ordinary people doesn't mean you should use it recklessly. Life is beautiful, but fragile. You have to learn to cherish it."
Anno nodded blankly and fastened the Holy Sword, scabbard and all, to his waist. At some point, the heavy white plate armor he wore had also changed into chain mail that fit closer to his body and was easier to move in.
The Lady of the Lake wiped the sweat from her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
With its power unleashed, the Holy Sword could easily wipe a city off the map. That situation just now had been...
Next time I give someone the Holy Sword, I need to make sure I warn them about that.
"Now for the second lesson: unless you have to, don't flaunt the wealth you possess. When it comes to greed, some humans are no different from fairies. And if you run into someone who's after something from you, you can stop holding back your power for a while. Just remember not to cause trouble for other people."
Merlin looked over Anno's inconspicuous armor and nodded with satisfaction.
This guy really learns fast. He seems to pick up a lot of things without anyone teaching him. Not bad, not bad!
"I see. I understand."
Anno nodded.
Some humans are practically the same as fairies? I've already had some experience with that.
If Kelpie hadn't stopped me, I probably would have made even more mistakes.
So, thinking about it that way...
Anno raised his hand and clenched his fist. The powerful biceps in his arm bulged.
"Huh?"
The smile vanished from Merlin's face.
"Y-you're not thinking of doing anything, are you? I'm—"
THUD!!!
"Ah—!"
But before Merlin could finish, Anno's fist slammed squarely into his head.
Merlin's head was driven into the ground, and his body twitched faintly. He had clearly been knocked unconscious.
"That's what you just taught me. If someone's after something from me, I don't need to hold back my power."
When he finished, Anno looked at the Lady of the Lake.
"Lady of the Lake, I haven't caused you any trouble, have I?"
The Lady of the Lake stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! You're absolutely hilarious! Exactly, exactly! You did the right thing!"
"When it comes to someone like Merlin, you really shouldn't hold back your power!"
Merlin, stuck headfirst in the ground:
Before you continue