Before dawn, Lin Yuan had already packed his luggage.
He packed a change of clothes, medicine, tinder, rope, and dry rations that could be stored for a long time into a travel bag. Since the other world might not use Fiore's currency, he still brought a small bag of gold coins and a few Magic Crystal that could be exchanged for goods.
The Nameless hung at his waist. The Fairy Tail guild crest remained on his right shoulder.
The sound of a key turning came from the front door.
Mira pushed open the door and walked in, glancing at the travel bag on the table. "At least I didn't arrive in the other world only to find I hadn't brought anything with me."
"We didn't have time to prepare last time."
"That's why I didn't bring up what I said last time."
Mira walked up to Lin Yuan and took out a silver necklace from her pocket. The pendant was only the size of a thumb, with the Fairy Tail crest engraved on the front and Lin Yuan's name engraved on the back.
"I had the silversmith make it after the Harvest Festival," Mira said. "I was originally planning to give it to you in a few days."
Instead of handing her the necklace, she went around behind Lin Yuan and fastened the silver chain around his neck.
"The pendant isn't Enchantment Magic, and it can't open a passage back for you."
Lin Yuan lowered his head and grasped the silver emblem. "I will bring it back."
"Nonsense. Of course you have to bring back what I gave you." Mira patted him on the shoulder from behind. "I made you wear it so you'd remember where you came from."
As the two left the residence, the first rays of dawn were just appearing in the east.
Upon arriving at the Pine Needle Mountain, Lin Yuan discovered that most of the guild members had arrived.
Natsu stood in front of the wooden fence, constantly looking up at the mountain. Gray leaned against a tree trunk, yawning. Erza was responsible for preventing the two from crossing the blockade. Lisanna and Elfman also followed Makarov.
"Didn't you say that only the president and Mira needed to come?" Lin Yuan asked.
"Information can never be kept secret in a guild," Makarov said.
Cana held up the bottle of liquor she carried with her. "We can't stay in the guild drinking at a time like this."
"You're drinking now too," Gray said.
The farewell drinks are different.
Lin Yuan crossed the wooden fence and led everyone to the outer edge of the spatial barrier. The village chief had already ordered the hunters to guard the two mountain paths, and all the villagers had retreated to the foot of the mountain.
The black crack in front of the rock wall has widened compared to yesterday. Eight spatial traces are flashing continuously, and the uppermost mark has broken.
Lin Yuan did not approach the entrance immediately.
He first repaired the broken spatial traces, then tightened the eight markings inward. The black crack was compressed, its width shrinking from nearly two meters to just enough for one person to pass through.
"Once I enter, the eight markers will disintegrate in sequence," Lin Yuan told Makarov. "When the last marker disappears, the entrance to the Fairy Tail world will close. No one should approach before the entrance closes."
Makarov nodded and led the others to retreat outside the spatial barrier.
Natsu shouted from across the barrier, "When you come back, we'll have another match!"
"Defeat Erza first."
Natsu immediately turned to look at Erza, and silently postponed the challenge until later.
Lisanna cupped her hands around her mouth. "Brother Lin Yuan, you must come back!"
Elfman swung his arm forcefully. "A real man brings Yui back with him!"
Lin Yuan nodded to the two of them.
Erza didn't say anything unnecessary, only earnestly stating, "We will take good care of the guild. Once you find your way back, don't linger alone in the other world."
"I've got it."
Makarov stepped in front of the barrier. "I don't know what the rules are in the other world. When faced with something you can't handle, save your own life first. Fairy Tail doesn't need you to prove your courage by not coming back."
I will come back.
Mira was the last to reach the barrier.
Lin Yuan opened a gap in the spatial barrier. Mira stepped into the sealed area, grabbed his collar, and pulled him in front of her.
"You promised to tell me before you left, so I'm letting you go." Mira stared into his eyes. "That doesn't mean you can stay in another world as long as you want."
I'm not sure when I'll be back.
"Then we'll find a solution as soon as possible."
Mira loosened her collar and placed her hand on the silver pendant on his chest.
" Yui is our partner, and our family. Once we find the way to Aincrad, we'll bring her back."
"Good."
"You have to come back too," Mira said. "Not one less."
Lin Yuan held her hand for a moment, then helped her back outside the spatial barrier, resealed the gap, and walked alone towards the black rift.
The Space God-Slaying Magic Power enveloped his entire body, and the silver pendant, attached to his chest, vibrated gently with the magic.
Lin Yuan took one last look at the crowd outside the barrier, then turned and stepped into the crevice.
The up-down and forward-backward directions disappear simultaneously.
The eight spatial traces collapsed one after another, starting from the top. The black entrance rapidly contracted, until only a thin line remained.
Mira stood there, watching the last silver dot of light disappear into the morning woods.