Published: January 22, 2026
As I turned around, the slash I sent flying backward was suddenly stopped by something.
There was no one in my line of sight. Yet my senses insisted that someone was definitely there.
(Did something block my slash with a magic barrier? No, that was more advanced than that...)
It should be difficult to stop my slash with just a magic barrier.
Even if combined with my supernatural ability, [mana convergence], the result would be the same.
Yet, whatever it was—something that was almost indistinguishable from a magic barrier—effortlessly stopped my slash.
Who on earth is this?
“Good grief, what’s the meaning of suddenly attacking me like that?”
As I kept my guard up and pondered, an unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed inside my head.
I was well familiar with the phenomenon of hearing voices in my mind.
It was Ms. Selma’s [telepathy].
However, this feeling was different from [telepathy].
Had my senses just changed because I had activated my qi to its limit?
“You just suddenly attacked me. Isn’t it rude to ignore me? Or did you just sense my presence, and can’t hear my voice yet?”
The voice continued to echo in my mind.
There was no oddity in the airflow.
So it seemed that [hide] wasn’t being used to conceal the presence.
But regarding mana, I sensed something unusual... something different.
(Hmm? Mana...? Could it be—)
“…I can hear your voice too.”
I spoke to the presence that was definitely there in the empty space.
“What? Then why didn’t you respond sooner? I’m trying to talk to you here.”
“Are you a fairy?”
Simply put, a fairy is sentient mana.
Humans cannot perceive mana.
Only those with supernatural abilities that can interact with mana, like [mana convergence], can perceive a small amount of it, varying based on their skill.
However, even then, fairies, which are a higher form of mana, cannot be perceived.
For that reason, their existence is uncertain, and in the world, fairies appearing in fairy tales are thought to be fictional.
Indeed, fairy tales do not mention fairies as sentient mana.
In my case, it was only because Luna was able to communicate with fairies that I learned the truth about their existence.
“...Wow, you understand quite well.”
The fairy affirmed my muttering.
There was no hostility in its voice.
“Are you an acquaintance of Luna?”
“Luna...? Ah, Ruuko, right? She’s the only human I like.”
I had heard from Luna before that there was a fairy who called her Ruuko.
According to Luna, that fairy had survived the battle against the evil god alongside the hero of the fairy tale and was the Fairy Queen reigning at the top of all fairies.
“So, you’re Titania.”
“Correct.”
I had heard that Luna had been helped by Titania several times in the past.
From what this one said now, it’s easy to imagine that it’s on Luna’s side, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean it is on my side.
Still, I sensed no hostility, so perhaps I could lower my guard a little.
(I never thought the day would come when I’d speak with a fairy...)
Though surprised by the sudden turn of events, I desperately tried to comprehend the situation.
Balancing qi activation is tough, but unless a fight breaks out, I think I can maintain this state.
“Though it surprised me, I apologize for suddenly slashing at you earlier.”
“Absolutely. But it’s fine. I forgive you.”
“Thank you. I have another question—may I ask it?”
“Sure. Whether I answer depends on the question.”
“…Lately, I’ve felt like someone’s been watching me. Was that you?”
“Lately? What do you mean—ah, that. That was probably me.”
Titania seemed to have some idea about my question and affirmed it casually.
So the gaze I’d been feeling was Titania’s.
But why was it watching me?
The only major recent event I could think of was that fight with Oliver.
But would fairies be interested in a human over something like that?
If they were interested, wouldn’t it be in Oliver, not me?
Oliver’s [mana convergence] back then was truly beyond the norm.
“Is it entertaining to watch someone like me?”