The late afternoon in the park felt peaceful—the sky slowly turning gold as sunlight filtered gently through the leaves.
Yuuto sat on a bench, the hood of his jacket pulled slightly forward, hiding part of his face.
He had just finished reading the last message from the group, but before he could close his phone—
Ding.
A soft blue holographic screen appeared from the flip phone in his hand.
Yuuto frowned slightly.
"Hm… a private message from Lady Avalon?"
He tapped the screen, and elegant letters floated into view, glowing softly like magical ink dancing in the air.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
My dear student, I believe it is time to begin your first training. 🌙✨
Unfortunately, I still cannot travel to your world, since the Chat Group system has not yet unlocked Cross-World Travel.
So, for now, I can only guide you through messages.
---
[Kido]:
Wait, why can't you come here?
Miku was able to, wasn't she?
---
The reply came almost instantly.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Oh, Miku? Of course she can. She's the Admin of this Chat Group, darling~
Admins have cross-world travel permission, while I do not.
So… this time we'll train the old-fashioned way — through thought and words.
---
Yuuto gave a small, awkward smile. "The old way, huh…"
Before he could type again, another message arrived.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Listen closely.
Before you learn magic, you must first understand your body.
The body you have now is no longer a normal human's — especially your heart.
---
Yuuto fell silent.
He looked at his own hand, as if he could see past skin and bone.
---
[Kido]:
Yeah. I noticed that… when I saw Arthur's memories.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Good. That will make things easier.
Your first training is simple but essential:
Feel and synchronize with the flow of mana within your body.
That flow originates from your Dragon Core — the source of your strength.
Find its rhythm… and breathe with it.
---
Yuuto stared at the screen.
"Feel the mana flow, huh…" he murmured.
He slowly closed the phone and stood up.
"Alright… I'll head home and try—"
But before he could stand fully, the phone vibrated again.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Wait.
This is just advice, but… don't train at home.
If you don't want your apartment to have an 'accidental gas explosion',
find somewhere quiet — like an empty warehouse or a field on the edge of town.
---
Yuuto froze.
He fully understood what "accident" she meant.
He exhaled and typed back.
---
[Kido]:
Alright, Merlin-sensei.
I'll find a place far enough away.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Smart boy~ ❤️
I'll be waiting.
If you get confused, just ask me.
---
A short time later, Yuuto stood before an old, abandoned warehouse on the edge of town.
The metal siding was rusted, the paint peeling, the doors open just enough for wind to push them.
Forgotten by time — but perfect for him.
He stepped inside. Dust rose under his feet, sunlight leaking through cracks in the ceiling in thin golden rays.
"This place… is quiet enough," he murmured.
He set down his shopping bag and pulled out his flip phone.
The holographic screen lit up again.
---
[Kido]:
Merlin-sensei, I found a place.
What should I do first?
Should I sit cross-legged?
---
The reply came at once.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Oh, my diligent student~
You are not in a Chinese cultivation novel. 😌
You may stand, sit, or even lie down — just don't fall asleep.
---
Yuuto let out a slow breath, rolling his eyes slightly.
"She really likes to joke, huh…"
Another message arrived.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
But if you want my advice — stand.
Your body once belonged to a knight.
Let it move as one.
---
[Kido]:
Alright. I'll stand.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Good.
Since you have Arthur's memories and experience, this shouldn't be too difficult.
Now… let's see how well you can command your own body.
---
Yuuto closed the screen.
Silence filled the warehouse.
He stood in the center, posture straight — like a knight preparing for battle.
"Okay… let's try this."
Time passed.
The warehouse remained silent.
But nothing happened.
No mana.
No warmth.
No sign of the Dragon Core responding.
Yuuto stared at his trembling hand.
"…Why isn't it working?"
He clenched his fist.
"Think, Yuuto… what's missing?"
Then he remembered.
The trigger.
He closed his eyes, calmed his breath, and recalled the memory of Miku snapping her fingers and saying, "Silent."
The sound echoed clearly in his mind.
He snapped his fingers.
Click.
The world froze.
His heart — or the Dragon's heart — pulsed once, deep and powerful.
Mana ignited.
Warm, golden, alive.
Yuuto slowly opened his eyes.
His irises glowed faintly — blue tinged with gold.
"So that's it…" he whispered.
"That's my trigger."
He smiled softly, almost gratefully.
"Miku… even now, you're helping me."
The glow slowly faded.
The warehouse returned to stillness.
Yuuto took a breath and pressed call.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"Oh? A direct call~ What is it, my student?"
---
[Kido]:
"I succeeded."
---
A short silence. Then a delighted laugh.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"As expected of my talented student. Alright, next we—"
---
But Yuuto interrupted — voice firm.
---
[Kido]:
"Merlin-sensei, I have a question."
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"Ask."
---
Yuuto looked at his glowing hand, voice low but sincere.
---
[Kido]:
"Can magic… heal someone with a medical condition?"
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"That's simple enough.
Why? Is there someone you wish to heal?
A family member?
A sibling?
Or perhaps… a lover~?"
---
Yuuto exhaled slowly.
---
[Kido]:
"She was my classmate in elementary school."
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"Oh?
Is she a girl?"
---
[Kido]:
"Yes."
---
A soft laugh from the other side — amused, knowing.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
Ah… childhood friend romance, is it?
But remember—
childhood friends lose in 80% of stories.
---
Yuuto sighed.
---
[Kido]:
It's not like that.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
But with a Saber-face and a king's charisma, you'll be fine~ 💫
---
Yuuto snapped.
---
[Kido]:
LET ME FINISH, SENSEI!!!
---
Silence.
Then a small cough.
---
[Lady Avalon]:
…Continue.
---
Yuuto spoke softly this time — words heavy with regret.
---
[Kido]:
"She was the first person who accepted me.
When everyone avoided me, she still smiled.
But when she was bullied…
I did nothing.
I ran.
I acted like I didn't know her."
He swallowed.
"I want to fix the mistake I made.
I want to protect her now."
---
Quiet.
Long, gentle quiet.
Even across worlds, Merlin said nothing for a moment.
Then—
---
[Lady Avalon]:
"…And her condition?"
---
Yuuto closed his eyes.
His voice was small, but steady.
---
[Kido]:
"She's deaf."