Chapter 81 : Catastrophe

The scent of fresh moss damp with dew brushed the tip of my nose.

The inside of the World Tree was shrouded in shimmering mist, exhaling humid air.

It felt less like the inside of a tree and more like a dungeon.

It was hard to believe that such a colossal tree would one day be half-burned.

The fact that the inside of a living being was larger than the shrine of a priestess was simply astounding.

“Did she say to sit in the central space and meditate?”

The World Tree is a transcendent being, and its appearance is merely a vessel to connect with reality.

So unless one is a priestess, communication must be made through the inner world.

Well, if a tree with no mouth could speak, that would be even weirder.

I sat cross-legged on the damp ground and focused my mind.

The wet sensation on my butt was uncomfortable, but I chose to ignore it.

When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer under the dark tree roots, but standing in the middle of a meadow under a pale violet sky.

Right in front of me stood a leafless, golden tree — just under twice my height.

The moment I saw it, I immediately recognized its true identity.

“The World Tree.”

[Yes, that’s right, child.]

His voice echoed directly in my mind, like Teferi’s mystical telepathy.

Though called “Mother,” his voice was androgynous and serene.

Despite being far smaller than before, his presence still radiated undeniable majesty.

Should I say… he was on a different level?

It was like a 2D being witnessing a 3D screen — a being of a wholly different dimension.

An unknowable godly entity.

That golden tree was the true form of the World Tree, the highest persona among the Eight-Colored Cross.

“Why did you call me?”

Even in that overwhelming presence, I couldn’t bring myself to recognize him as a god.

If a superior being can be understood by someone lower, isn’t that proof of imperfection?

Can one truly accept something imperfect as an object of faith?

That’s why my tone was so brash.

Surely a so-called god wouldn’t get mad over a bit of impudence.

[That’s not quite right. Was it not you who sought me out?]

“I’m not here for wordplay. If I truly didn’t want to see you, you wouldn’t have met me.”

I didn’t want to be toyed with by transcendent beings anymore.

All the suffering I’m enduring in this world… it’s all because I fell into this novel.

Thankfully, the World Tree didn’t go back and forth with riddles.

Instead, he saw right through what I wanted.

[Yes, you seek ascension, don’t you?]

A direct approach like this helps in times like this.

“It’s a very vague method though.”

[But it’s the only way I know.]

The method he gave was metaphorical — like reading poetry.

Not only was it unclear how to do it, but even the interpretation was difficult.

Is that why he told me for free?

He spoke at length and in detail, but none of it really stuck in my mind.

I didn’t expect it to be easy, but still…

A blue window? I have no clue.

Judging by his tone, it didn’t seem like a normal object, but how am I supposed to find or pursue something I don’t even understand?

Should I ask Professor Aram?

As the wind blew from afar, the reeds swaying across the meadow began to move gently.

The pale violet sky, with stars visible even in broad daylight, made it clear this was a mental realm.

These were signs that my consciousness was fading.

It was almost time to leave.

“So, why did you call me?”

[No particular reason. I was simply curious about the one with two souls.]

He said it casually, but I was left stunned.

Until now, no one had ever noticed.

People with multiple souls aren’t exactly rare.

There are necromancers, parasite mages… come to think of it, they’re all related to sorcery.

But the soul the World Tree spoke of wasn’t something trivial like that.

He saw through my state exactly.

[That child, is she still alive?]

Yeah.

Let me be clear — this is a secret.

The original soul of Trea is still alive.

More accurately, I have her sealed away.

The World Tree seemed to understand and responded knowingly.

[So you’re borrowing her name.]

“That’s none of your concern.”

The mental world was gradually closing.

The gently glowing golden tree stopped questioning me — perhaps realizing this was the end.

Instead, like the name “Mother of the Earth,” he blessed me in an aged voice.

[Indeed, it’s not my concern. I wish you good fortune, Trea Ludbeck.]

A blessing for Trea Ludbeck.

Who was that blessing truly for?

The one borrowing the name?

Or the original owner?

With my mouth tightly shut, I was pushed out of the mental realm.

My clenched jaw ached.

“This… hurts like hell.”

“Of course it does. It’s supposed to hurt.”

Time is relative, and in the mental realm, it flows much faster.

Even so, two hours here becoming two full days out there is a bit much.

Apparently, two whole days passed in the outside world while I was meeting the World Tree.

Which meant I had to return to the academy as if nothing had happened.

Is this what it feels like for soldiers who lose their short vacations?

The problem was that others thought I had vanished, and they worried.

If it were just me, I wouldn’t care, but hearing that others searched for me made me feel guilty.

“This time, it’s clearly your fault, Miss Trea.”

“I know, ugh…”

Apparently, Amiter worried about me quite a bit.

She searched everywhere until she finally heard from Marsil about where I’d gone.

Since I knew I was in the wrong, I quietly accepted her pinches — but honestly, it felt unfair!

I thought it would be over in half a day at most.

Who would’ve known it’d take this long?

Lruee watched our interaction with a chuckle.

Hey, don’t just laugh — help me out here!

My cheeks hurt!

“Anyway, I envy you, Trea. Disappearing for just two days, and everyone in town goes looking for you…”

“Lruee? Please shut up.”

“Hmph, how boring. Then I shall take my leave, Trea.”

With that, Lruee scurried away to her carriage under Amiter’s glare.

Don’t go! Come back and help rein in this personality-ruined, class-obsessed socialist!

But ignoring my plea, Amiter finally let go of my cheek after a long while.

Hopefully it didn’t get stretched…

“Ow ow, I said I was sorry!”

“Then don’t do things you’ll be sorry for.”

“…I didn’t want to either. What about Teferi?”

Unlike the others, Teferi — now an important figure — had been attending a high-level meeting that morning.

Maybe that’s why she looked completely worn out inside the carriage.

[Oh, you’re back? Thank goodness… How was the World Tree?]

“He’s stingy. Didn’t give me a damn thing.”

In other stories, World Tree leaves are magical catalysts, but seeing all the fallen leaves on the road proves that’s not always the case.

The carriage rumbled and began moving away from the land of the elves.

Feels like we’re parting too soon.

I briefly explained to the others about my conversation with the World Tree.

Surprisingly, Teferi seemed to know a bit about the “blue window.”

“A type of mystery, huh…”

But even with her explanation, I didn’t fully grasp it.

After her explanation, Teferi asked me:

[Trea, wouldn’t your brother know more about this? He’s incredibly smart, right?]

“Well, yeah, but…”

Thud — the carriage jolted violently on an unpaved road.

At the same time, a thought struck me.

Wait a minute — how do you know that?

[…Huh? What?]

That’s strange.

“I’ve never once mentioned my brother out loud.”

So how do you know?

Not once have I spoken about him to anyone.

The mood inside the carriage instantly froze.

What had been a cheerful atmosphere turned into tense silence.

Realizing her mistake, Teferi broke into cold sweat and tried to explain.

[W-Well, family ties are something I could’ve figured out…]

“No. You couldn’t have known.”

“For personal reasons, his existence is kept hidden.”

“Everyone else believes I’m an only child.”

My face grew increasingly stern.

Even the half-dozing Amiter realized something was wrong and sat up.

Please, no.

Not now.

I thought something good might finally happen.

Yes, I’d sensed something was off for a while now.

I swear I’ll never trust my gut again.

“…Who are you?”

Crack.

Even without commanding it, my mana began to gather on its own.

It’s something that happens when a mage senses a threat.