Chapter 25

Silvia and I learned a portion of the world’s truth from Guild Master Serena, along with the mission hidden within my magical power.

Our next destination was the “Source of Magical Power”—a sanctuary that had been forbidden ground since ancient times, where further details of the goddess’s plan and the origin of my inexhaustible magical power were said to slumber.

Serena warned that the journey there would be fraught with danger, but our resolve was unshakable.

“If you’re sending Yuuto, I’m going too. The mystery of his magical power must connect to my purpose as well.”

“Yuuto-san, please allow me to accompany you. I’ll do everything in my power to make your journey as peaceful as possible.”

“An adventure without Yuuto-kun would be boring! I’m going too! Leave information gathering to me!”

“Wherever Yuuto Minakata goes, I go as well. My role is to be his sword and his shield.”

Not just Silvia, but Lunaria, Fiona, and Eleanor as well naturally offered to accompany me, saying they couldn’t let me go alone.

Receiving their strong feelings, I decided with heartfelt gratitude to depart together.

On the morning of our departure, we each exchanged kisses filled with firm resolve. They were pledges of love and trust to overcome the difficult journey ahead.

The only thing we could rely on for the path to the sanctuary was an ancient map Serena had prepared.

We crossed steep mountain ranges, pushed through deep forests, and traversed raging rivers.

Along the way, we were attacked by packs of powerful magical beasts and blocked by cunning traps created by nature itself.

However, by trusting each other and cooperating, we overcame those difficulties one by one.

Silvia’s overwhelming offensive magic, Eleanor’s ironclad defense and swordsmanship, Lunaria’s precise healing and support, Fiona’s quick thinking and information-gathering abilities.

And my magical power amplification through kisses elevated their abilities to the extreme, becoming the power to overcome any formidable enemy.

At night, we’d gather around the campfire to reflect on the day or engage in idle chatter.

Under the star-filled sky, the heroines would take turns sitting beside me, giving me gentle kisses as if to reward the day’s efforts and provide vitality for tomorrow.

Through the journey, I felt the bond between the heroines and me growing deeper and stronger than words could express.

Particularly, as my magical power drew closer to the sanctuary, strange phenomena occurred—the surrounding nature and mana would stir in response to me, sometimes even seeming to show us the way.

Is this sanctuary… calling to me…?

After a long journey, we finally reached a massive cave said to be the entrance to the forbidden sanctuary.

From deep within the cave, a mystical yet somehow unwelcoming tremendous magical power leaked out.

Just as we were about to take a step inside, it happened.

From the darkness of the cave, a presence like a giant stone statue appeared.

It was the “Guardian” that had been protecting the sanctuary since ancient times.

“Visitors after so long… Do you possess the qualifications to set foot in this sacred ground…?”

The Guardian’s voice was as heavy and solemn as an earthquake.

And its gaze was directed straight at me.

“Especially you… the power dwelling within you… I shall test it.”

The Guardian declared it would impose a strict trial to test my power and determine our qualifications to enter the sanctuary.

My pure will and the power of love with the heroines were about to be tested.

Chapter 26

At the entrance to the forbidden sanctuary, the ancient Guardian stood before us.

Its intimidating presence was tremendous—an ordinary mage would freeze up.

The Guardian announced it would impose three trials to determine whether I had the qualifications to proceed into the depths of the sanctuary.

The first trial was “Control of Power.” It tested how precisely I could control my inexhaustible magical power without letting it run wild.

“Your power is far too great. One misstep, and it becomes a torrent that could destroy the world. Those who lack the skill to command it have no right to proceed.”

What the Guardian created were countless floating targets.

I had to accurately hit all of them with arrows of magical power, distributing it evenly with minimal output.

Subdividing and controlling such vast magical power was extremely difficult.

The heroines supported me mentally as I nearly failed repeatedly.

“You can do it, Yuuto! Concentrate!”

“Yuuto-san, we’re here with you!”

And they gently placed kisses on my cheeks and forehead, helping me adjust my magical power with that warmth.

The trust and warmth of the people I loved heightened my concentration to its limit.

And finally, I succeeded in hitting all the targets with perfect magical power control.

“…Splendid. I acknowledge your passage of the first trial.”

The Guardian quietly announced this.

The second trial that followed was “Proof of Bonds.”

The Guardian began showing each of Silvia, Lunaria, Fiona, and Eleanor powerful illusions designed to provoke distrust and jealousy toward me.

It was a mental attack that skillfully stimulated past traumas and anxieties hidden deep in their hearts.

The heroines showed anguished expressions for a moment, but immediately broke through the illusions with resolute attitudes.

“I believe in Yuuto! As if I’d be fooled by illusions like these!”

“Our bond isn’t something so fragile!”

And I too, with absolute trust in them in my heart, kept calling their names.

Our hearts were firmly bound together.

The heroines magnificently broke through the illusions and rushed to my side.

We exchanged kisses on each other’s foreheads, filled with vows and trust.

“A magnificent bond. I’ll count the second trial as passed as well.”

The Guardian’s voice seemed to contain a note of admiration.

And then, the final trial. It was to offer a “True Love’s Kiss.”

“You—what is the source that draws out your power to its maximum? Choose one person you truly love and offer that person a ‘True Love’s Kiss.’ That shall be the key to your awakening.”

A cruel pronouncement. Choose one from among the heroines?

Silvia, Lunaria, Fiona, Eleanor… to me, every single one was irreplaceable.

Choosing just one was impossible.

As I agonized, the heroines smiled gently.

“Yuuto, follow your heart.”

I steeled my resolve.

And I made my declaration to the Guardian.

“The one I love isn’t just one person! It’s everyone here! My love isn’t singular!”

I stood before all four of them—Silvia, Lunaria, Fiona, Eleanor—and kissed all their lips simultaneously.

Four loves melted into one within me, overflowing from my body as golden light.

In that moment, my magical power awakened to a new stage.

It wasn’t merely powerful—it was a warm, gentle power that embraced and harmonized everything. Something that could be called “Harmonizing Magical Power.”

“…To think such a form of love could exist. Splendid, young one. I acknowledge your awakening and shall guide you to the depths of the sanctuary.”

The Guardian said this in a voice mixed with surprise and admiration, then opened the path leading to the sanctuary’s depths for us.

Beyond it, even greater truths concerning this world’s foundation must slumber.

I held hands with the heroines and, with this new power in my heart, stepped into the sanctuary’s innermost depths.