Merlin.
This was the alias Naoki chose on the spot. Since Aesc wanted him to teach Uther, this name fit better. Later, if he disguised his golden hair as white with illusion, he'd look even more the part.
(Well… I'll pay Merlin the copyright fee later.)
Hearing Naoki say this, Uther couldn't help glancing at Aesc. "This big brother is my teacher… Master, don't you want me anymore?"
"No, it's not like that, Uther." Aesc said, stroking his hair. "I'm a Magus. Teaching you Magecraft is fine, but I'm not skilled at teaching combat. Merlin is far better than me at this, so letting him teach you is best."
Naoki's reputation at the Clock Tower had spread for years. In a way, he was indeed exceptional. Even now, stories circulated about his time as a self-defense instructor—destroying classrooms during practice or beating students daily…
"Uther, my beloved disciple, you need to become a knight who can lead humans to defeat fairies, not a Magus. That's something I can't teach you. From now on, learn well from Merlin, understood?"
"Hmm… If Master says so, then…"
Though still a bit confused, Uther wouldn't refuse his teacher's request. He bowed politely to Naoki. "From now on, please teach me how to fight, Teacher Merlin."
"Just call me Brother Merlin or Merlin." Naoki said, following Aesc's example and ruffling Uther's golden hair into a mess. Then he pulled a lollipop from nowhere. "Want this? It's sweet."
"Merlin, what's that?"
"Candy. Aesc, want one too? Here."
With that, Naoki produced another and handed it to Aesc.
Watching the three—meeting for the first time—get along peacefully, Totorot blinked, hopped to Hector's side, and nudged him. "Hector, am I imagining it? Why do these three feel like they've instantly formed some weird vibe?"
"Really? I don't feel it." Hector said in his deep voice. "But… Aesc must be happy with this. At least she's showing an expression she doesn't outside."
"True. Aesc is prettiest when she smiles. Out traveling, she always looks serious. Her smiles aren't genuine."
Seeing Aesc smile so beautifully now, Totorot truly felt it was wonderful.
"Oh, right."
Aesc curiously tried her lollipop, then paused. "I said I'd find you a place to stay, Merlin. I almost forgot. We'll discuss it later. Uther, I'll escort Merlin to settle in first."
"Okay, then I'll head back to training. Master, and Brother… Merlin!"
"Yes, yes, be careful on the way."
Waving as Uther ran off, Naoki laughed. "He's a good kid. I somewhat understand why you chose him as your disciple… His Magic Circuits are excellent."
"Not entirely for that reason. At first, I accidentally saved his life, and he made me his idol. I taught him some minor Magecraft, and somehow it spread that he was my disciple…" Aesc sighed softly. "Anyway, forget that. I'll take you to find a place."
"Yes, thank you."
Though she said she'd find him a place, Aesc didn't know Londinium's housing situation well.
She wasn't the manager here, and she often traveled to handle calamities… In fact, with humans gradually gathering, housing in Londinium was tight.
In the end, the place found for Naoki was—
"Sorry, Naoki. I'll have to trouble you to stay with us."
The residence of Aesc, Totorot, and Hector.
Though called a trio's home, Hector usually stayed in the workshop, forging iron weapons for human battles. Normally, only Aesc and Totorot lived here. Given Totorot's size, she slept with Aesc.
Meaning, there were plenty of empty rooms.
Naoki chose the empty room next to Aesc's as his residence in this world.
Of course, it had no furniture. But such a small issue was no problem for Naoki. Through Imaginary Manifestation, he instantly materialized plenty of furnishings. While at it, he renovated Aesc and Totorot's rooms—and the entire house.
Specifically, he upgraded the village wooden house into an urban luxury villa.
"This is direct world-modification permission, Imaginary Manifestation?"
Though she knew from Morgan's memories, seeing it firsthand, Aesc still sighed in awe. "Truly a convenient, almost omnipotent ability."
[T/N: Turns out the MC's race isn't Fairy, but Elemental Spirit. 🙏🏻]
"I think Aesc could do it too, right?" Naoki said. "Fairies and elementals are similar. The difference is just scale. Fairies generally exist on a smaller scale, invisible to ordinary people, while Elemental Spirits are fairies large enough to be seen."
"Both are very close species. So it wouldn't make sense if I can use Imaginary Manifestation but Aesc can't?"
"Yes, I can't." Aesc nodded. "Other fairies seem able to, but I'm a Paradise Fairy. There must have been adjustments since my birth. In short, I can't use Imaginary Manifestation. Even if I could, the scale I could affect is far below yours."
Not all Elemental Spirits can use Imaginary Manifestation like Naoki. The difference stems from permission levels. The fairies now in Britain have reproduced for over ten thousand years, countless generations. Naoki is first-generation, rivaling—even ranking above—the six primordial fairies.
Their usable power and permissions naturally differ.
"But whether I can or not doesn't matter. As long as Naoki is my comrade, it's as if I can use Imaginary Manifestation too. For me, that's enough."
"True… At least I'll always be by your side to help." Naoki smiled, extending his hand to Aesc. "Then, consider this the start of our future life together…"
"I am Naoki, also Merlin—your comrade who will stay by your side until this world's end."
"Please take care of me, Aesc."