Meisen quietly stepped onto the ground near the majestic World Tree. Turning to Leon, he asked casually, "Surely, not everyone here is supposed to receive a branch of the World Tree?"

There was a knowing ease in his voice. Leon nodded in response.

"It’s only for me, as promised."

"Good. Then, follow me alone. Your companions can wait here."

Leon glanced back at his companions, meeting Ria’s eyes. She nodded silently, understanding. With the communication orb from Zirka, they could keep in contact if needed.

Leon then followed Meisen towards the World Tree.

The enormous tree stood on a lush, green field, and a mysterious glow shimmered around it.

‘Is it mana particles?’

It seemed as though invisible mana was gathering, taking visible form as a soft, radiant light.

‘The mana density doesn’t seem particularly high…’

Which made the sight even more remarkable.

They walked for a while, yet the tree’s massive trunk seemed no closer than before. Finally, as the trunk loomed in front of them, Leon felt the overwhelming presence of the World Tree.

The trunk was so enormous that it stretched beyond his vision, reaching up into the sky.

But Meisen didn’t stop there; he circled the trunk, leading Leon deeper until a small wooden structure nestled beside the trunk came into view.

Meisen led Leon to this small building. Though Leon was puzzled as to why they weren’t directly approaching the World Tree, he followed without question.

Inside, the place was modest, with a separate, small room prepared.

Meisen stopped in front of the room.

"Wait here. I’ll be back shortly."

"Understood."

Meisen entered the room, leaving Leon outside. Soon, he heard faint murmurs from within, and a soft light leaked from the door.

Meisen then emerged, holding a small branch with both hands.

Leon looked at the branch, perplexed.

‘Is that the World Tree branch?’

It looked ordinary, like any other twig, without any particularly remarkable appearance. It reminded him of the way his magic sword disguised itself as a wooden training sword.

He’d expected Meisen to break off a branch directly from the tree, but this was clearly different.

Meisen extended the branch for a closer look, holding it forward with both hands.

Leon, a bit bewildered, asked, "Is this the World Tree branch?"

Meisen chuckled, as though reading Leon’s thoughts.

"Does it not seem special?"

Leon, feeling slightly embarrassed, replied, "My apologies if my question was impolite."

"No need to apologize. It’s natural to want to verify an item given as a reward."

He gently stroked the branch’s surface, which began to glow a soft white.

Meisen then paused before handing it over.

"Oh, that’s right. I promised to teach you how to control the magic sword. Take it out for a moment."

Leon pulled the magic sword from his dimensional pocket. Though it retained its wooden sword form, cracks on its surface emitted a deep red glow.

Fortunately, there was no reaction between the sword and the World Tree branch.

‘One would think it would at least say something…’

The sword remained silent, almost as if trying to hide its true nature. The silence felt like the calm before a storm.

Meisen examined the quiet sword, his expression hardening slightly.

"So, it’s hiding its power."

"Excuse me?" Leon asked.

"It’s deliberately holding back, isn’t it?"

Meisen seemed able to detect subtle flows of mana that Leon himself couldn’t sense.

"A sentient sword, perhaps? No wonder it can emit such power. Does it speak to you? Or have you not reached that level yet?"

"It speaks to me occasionally… but it’s silent now."

Meisen let out a wry chuckle.

"Did you tell it we were coming for a branch of the World Tree? If so, I’m sure it would’ve caused a commotion."

He reached out as if to examine the sword himself.

Leon hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "What exactly are the abilities of the World Tree branch?"

"This branch wasn’t cut directly from our mother’s body," Meisen explained, referring to the World Tree as "Mother," a term that implied reverence and divinity. "That’s why we call it a ‘branch of the World Tree.’"

The name, it seemed, honored the artifact’s connection to a divine origin.

"This branch, in truth, is an artifact blessed by our mother. Its primary attribute is its growth power."

"Growth power…"

"Yes. Plant it in the ground, and it will enrich the area with boundless vitality. Anything planted there, crops or otherwise, will flourish remarkably fast."

Meisen continued, suggesting there was more to it.

"It also has a secondary attribute: purification. This power cleanses dark forces. I believe this purification ability will help you manage the sword."

Leon was less intrigued by the growth power.

It would be useful for herbs, but he already had remarkable growth conditions within his orb.

"Then, will the purification ability suppress the sword’s power?"

"Suppression… are you worried it’ll weaken the sword?"

Leon shook his head, responding sincerely.

"No, I need to feel secure using it."

While the thought of restricting the sword’s abilities was somewhat disappointing, Leon prioritized safety above all else.

No matter how powerful a tool was, it wasn’t worth using if it posed a danger to him.

"Hmm… I understand. You’ll be able to set specific restrictions according to the abilities you wish to control."

"Can I determine the restrictions myself?"

Meisen nodded.

"Tell me, then. What exactly is it about the sword’s abilities that you want to restrain?"

Leon explained the sword’s properties, noting that only one stage remained before the full seal was broken. He also mentioned that the sword hadn’t disclosed what would happen upon release and had even proposed a contract—claiming it would absorb his core if he died.

"So you need assurance that the sword won’t harm you once it’s fully unsealed?"

"Yes."

"That’s possible. Unfortunately, you can’t alter the contract itself."

"So… I’d have to accept its demand to absorb my core if I want to use its full power?"

"Yes. To access its complete power, you’d need to agree to that condition. Alternatively, if the sword were willing to modify the terms, that might be an option."

"I see…"

Since Leon had no intention of agreeing to the contract yet, he was satisfied with just ensuring the sword couldn’t act beyond his control once fully unsealed.

"Try negotiating with it. It may respond to your determination."

"It’s… not exactly a negotiable entity."

"I see it’s been a challenge. A sentient sword with this level of power is no easy companion. Still, it was just a suggestion."

Meisen smiled, almost playfully.

As Leon hesitated, Meisen held out the branch again.

"If you’re only concerned about needing the restriction once it’s unsealed, then there’s no need to use it right away. I’ll teach you the technique. Hand me the sword for a moment."

Leon finally handed the sword to Meisen, who lifted it telekinetically, inspecting it.

The sword remained still without resistance.

According to the sword, a contract was necessary for resistance when wielded by someone other than Leon. It seemed unable to refuse voluntarily.

Meisen brought the white World Tree branch close to the floating sword.

As the branch neared, the sword quivered slightly, though it remained silent.

"Once it’s this close, all you need to do is activate the spell."

Instead of casting it himself, Meisen began instructing Leon in the technique and formula.

Blue mana drifted through the air as the spell’s intricate structure unfolded.

Leon committed the spell’s structure to memory, much like when he’d learned the binding spell with Kito.

"When you activate the spell, the World Tree branch will begin to merge into the sword. Place the sword on the magic circle at that time. Afterward, apply a secondary spell to enforce the restriction, and it will hold."

After carefully explaining, Meisen handed the sword back to Leon.

"If you sense anything unusual after breaking the seal, activate the spell immediately. This will prevent the sword’s power from spiraling out of control and consuming you."

"Will the restriction last permanently?"

"As long as the sword doesn’t surpass the World Tree’s power, yes. But that won’t happen."

Meisen’s response was resolute.

However, the Elven King only knew the sword was the Dark Lord’s artifact. He wasn’t aware it had absorbed the Dark Lord’s core.

‘Not that it’s certain yet…’

And Meisen, as a transcendent mage, couldn’t have foreseen how much stronger it might become after breaking the seal entirely.

Moreover, mentioning that the sword could surpass the World Tree’s power was a comment Leon knew better than to make.

"…"

But he wanted to be thorough, so Leon pressed on.

"If the sword’s full power does surpass the World Tree, what then?"

"…"

Meisen paused, studying Leon intently.

Just as Leon began to raise his guard, Meisen broke into a grin.

"If it worries you that much, I have a proposition."