Editor : Amethyst00



Fairyland.

The homeland and sanctuary of the fairies.

However, the current Fairyland is a place that was rebuilt 5,000 years ago.

The original Fairyland used to be in one of the elven nations—El-Salvekia.

["As time passed… Except for one, no fairies born in the original Fairyland still exist."]

The single fairy Kiya referred to was Sylord.

"Do you know what the old Fairyland was like?"

Lyl asked, her curiosity piqued.

There were very few records left about the old Fairyland in the current lower world.

Even in the Hero Record, references were nearly nonexistent—such was its age.

["Even my father rarely spoke about the old Fairyland, so I don't know much either."]

"That's unfortunate."

Lyl expressed genuine disappointment.

Among the rare and impressive records about the old Fairyland, the most striking one was that the land was not only home to fairies but also countless elementals.

["To be honest, Father probably doesn't remember much either. Right after he was born, the Age of Calamity began, and he had to leave the old sanctuary."]

"And then he formed a pact with Lady Luna, right?"

["Correct."]

At Chen Xia's words, Kiya nodded.

Eliza, who had been listening, looked regretful.

"I know this is a bit nostalgic, but I heard that thanks to the World Tree, it was relatively easy for old summoners to form contracts with fairies… I envy that."

"The World Tree… I'd like to see it at least once."

At Eliza's murmur, Lyl nodded.

The World Tree.

A divine tree from an age that no longer exists.

And the branches of the World Tree served as mediums for summoning fairies.

But in the current era, such items can no longer be obtained. Thus, to form a pact with a fairy, one must go to Fairyland.

"So? Is Leo really in Fairyland now?"

In front of the Lumene warp gate.

The members summoned under the acting authority of the student council president, Carl, had all gathered.

Party leader Lyl stepped forward.

"Let me explain the situation first."

Lyl lifted the fairy Kiya, who was sitting on her shoulder, onto her palm and held her out front.

"This is Miss Kiya, the Fairy Princess. She's the younger sister of Kiran, with whom Hyung-nim formed a pact."

At the introduction, Kiya lifted the hem of her dress and bowed gracefully.

"So, she's similar to Kiran, the one at the center of this whole incident."

["That's a statement I cannot accept!"]

Kiya flared up at Chen Xia's remark.

Despite her reaction, Chen Xia just smiled brightly.

"According to Miss Kiya, the Fairy King does not have much time left to live. So by his order, she came to Lumene to escort Hyung-nim to Fairyland."

"So Leo is in Fairyland right now?"

"Yes. He's there. According to Carl's reasoning, Professor Mel is likely with him as well."

Now, there wasn't a student unaware of Mel's true identity.

The King of Beginnings and the Silence Dragon were headed to Fairyland.

And before that, Fairyland had sent the Fairy Princess to summon Leo.

That could mean only one thing.

"…There's a crisis occurring in Fairyland, isn't there?"

"Yes. That's Carl's judgment."

Chen Xia and Chelsea's expressions turned serious.

Along with Carl, they both knew not only Mel's true identity—but also Leo's.

The Hero of Beginnings.

'Did Leo move just because he was worried about a friend?'

It was possible.

But Chelsea knew better.

Leo had a deep trust in his old comrades.

Fairy King Sylord had survived the Age of Calamity alongside Leo.

Though they were not bound by a pact, they shared a trust forged through battle and shared risk.

'If he's on the move not because of the King's death, then something far more significant must have happened in Fairyland.'

Chelsea recalled the time during summer vacation when they had visited the Plov family's estate.

She remembered the moment Leo's expression changed subtly when Melina sent an elemental with a message.

Back then, she hadn't thought much of it—but now it seemed strange.

'That was when he first heard about the abnormality in Fairyland.'

An event serious enough to make Leo move.

And Chelsea had an idea of what it could be.

A fragment of Erebos.

As that thought struck her, Chelsea's expression turned to stone.

"Hm."

Lyl rubbed her chin.

"It seems Carl, Chelsea, and…"

Lyl glanced at Chen Xia.

"Miss Xia all know something about Hyung-nim that I don't."

"Eh?"

Chelsea looked startled.

Lyl smiled gently.

While Carl and Chen Xia maintained their poker faces, Chelsea's emotions had slipped through.

And Lyl had caught on.

"Um… well…"

As Chelsea hesitated, Lyl spoke.

"I don't plan to pry. If Hyung-nim hasn't told me, that probably means it's not the right time yet. I assume he didn't tell you three either."

"Well, we found out by accident."

Carl shrugged.

Lyl nodded at that.

"What is it?"

Eliza narrowed her eyes and asked Carl.

Carl winked.

"Secret."

Eliza frowned at his reply.

But she didn't press further.

"Anyway, these are the members Carl gathered to support Hyung-nim."

Chen Xia looked around and nodded.

"Looking at them now, this group really is optimized for this mission."

She was once again impressed by Carl's discernment.

"So?"

Eliza pushed her hair back.

"Why did Leo Plov go to Fairyland? You'll at least tell us that before we leave, right?"

Carl crossed his arms and looked serious.

"This is just my theory… but isn't it strange that the Fairy King hasn't left Fairyland in 5,000 years?"

"…?"

Everyone looked confused at the sudden statement.

Then, slowly, they began to nod.

Now that they thought about it—it was strange.

Even during the great event 3,000 years ago, called the Return of the Calamity, the Fairy King never appeared.

"My guess… is that a fragment of Erebos is in Fairyland."

Everyone's expression darkened at those words.

["What?"]

Even Kiya looked shocked.

"In the worst-case scenario… we may need to support Leo in a fight against Erebos."

Carl looked at Chelsea and Eliza.

"You two are in the party for that reason. In case we need to send reinforcements."

Chelsea and Eliza were among the fastest students not just in Year 3, but in all of Lumene.

While the title of fastest in Lumene technically belonged to Eliana, her combative nature made her unsuitable for this mission.

Carl had chosen the right duo—speedy, agile, and adaptable.

"Lyl and Xia can fully support Leo if something goes wrong."

Carl looked solemn.

"This could be life-threatening. If anyone wants to back out, now's the time."

"No one here's backing out, so don't ask pointless questions."

Eliza smirked.

Chelsea tilted her head.

"Eliza. I thought you might hesitate."

"What do you take me for?"

"I've already decided to support Leo forever. And Xia…"

"I'll always be Master Leo's shadow."

Chen Xia smiled at Chelsea's words.

"As for Lyl-sunbae…"

"As his disciple, how could I turn my back on Hyung-nim as he faces great evil!"

Lyl opened her eyes wide and spoke firmly.

Chelsea turned her gaze from Lyl to Carl.

"Even Carl, as flaky as he seems, has integrity."

"What do you mean flaky."

Carl grumbled.

"Eliza, you don't even like Leo that much, right?"

"Hmph. I don't love him, but I don't hate him either."

Eliza snorted.

"I just happen to want the same world that Leo Plov dreams of."

The world Leo wanted.

A world where Erebos is completely eradicated.

When she first heard that goal in her first year, she secretly laughed.

But watching Leo actually work to make it real changed her view.

At first, he was just an annoying classmate.

Then a rival to surpass.

Now…

'Like it or not, he's a leader.'

Who among those aspiring to be a hero hasn't dreamed of the world Leo speaks of?

"That man's dream… is worth risking one's life for if you dream of being a hero."

Everyone silently agreed.

'And…'

Carl, who might end up in mortal danger without hesitation, also worried her.

Eliza glanced sideways at Carl and snorted.

"Ah~ Love really is powerful."

"Huh? What love?"

Chelsea tilted her head at Chen Xia's sudden remark.

Eliza glared at her like she was going to eat her alive.

"All right, enough chatter. Let's get to the Illusory Forest in the mid-north where Fairyland is! Lyl-sunbae, go through the warp gate first!"

"Me?"

"Yes! You're the party leader!"

"Hmm. Fair enough."

Lyl stepped into the warp gate first.

"Okay! Chelsea! You're next! The vice-leader."

"Me?"

"Yeah. You're the best support for Leo out of all of us. So, vice-leader."

"Heh. Carl, you really do know your stuff."

Chelsea, pleased, also stepped into the gate.

Carl glanced back.

As soon as Lyl and Chelsea vanished, Eliza lunged at Chen Xia.

"Eek~ Carl, help me! Eliza's going to eat me alive!"

Chen Xia made a scene running away, while Eliza, her face red, chased her down.

Carl scratched his cheek as he watched.

'I've felt it for a while… Eliza really is Chen Xia's plaything.'

bl

"This time, I'll definitely find the key."

Melina said firmly as she stepped into the entrance of Fairyland.

Leo followed silently behind her.

While Melina searched for the key within the illusions, Leo had to deal with the lifelike phantoms that appeared.

'…How much longer can Sylord last?'

Leo was deep in thought.

He pretended to be calm so Melina wouldn't worry.

But Sylord's death was enough to shake him.

Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Nostalgia for the past… huh."

He recalled Sylord's subconscious world, exhaled slowly, and opened his eyes.

"…?"

And froze at the scene before him.

He wasn't in the forest of illusions under a canopy of thick trees.

He was in the middle of a busy avenue, surrounded by countless people.

Their faces were filled with darkness.

But not yet despair.

Leo instinctively looked up at the sky.

It was lush, covered by trees.

He looked around the city again.

Unfamiliar.

And yet, strangely nostalgic.

A landscape buried deep in forgotten memory.

Leo looked down at his hand.

A boy's hand—not yet an adult.

But the hand of a rough warrior.

Rough, scarred, immature—a rookie's hand.

Leo had never had such wounds on his hand.

Because from birth, he had been a great hero.

"This is…"

Just as Leo wore a confused expression…

"Kyle!"

A clear voice rang out. Leo turned instinctively at the sound.

As expected—a face from deep in his memory.

Leo whispered the name of that human girl.

"Lasha…"

She was none other than Kyle—Leo's—very first companion.