episode_0053

There’s no way.

How can a person not have a single talent?

Even if they’re a gem in all other areas, they should have talent in magic at least.

With that thought in mind, I continued to train.

And continued to hit a wall.

“Hmm? Why isn’t this working? It should be working, shouldn’t it?”

“Give me some tips.”

“There are no tips. Just imagine the essence of each attribute in your mind and release your magic. 1st tier spells are that easy.”

“······.”

Is Alicia saying those words because she doesn’t understand the concept of failure?

No. Alicia is right.

In theory, 1st tier spells are really just basic spells that anyone can use.

“I’ve never seen a case like this before. Usually, people struggle with magic control, not with 1st tier spells. If you can handle magic control perfectly, you should breeze through the 1st tier spells… How can you be so perfect at magic control and still not be able to use magic?”

Every word Alicia says feels like a dagger piercing my heart.

It’s only now that I realize.

The old man who first taught me magic wasn’t a fraud.

“You’re hopeless at magic. If you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of others, learn subtle magic that doesn’t attract attention.”

There wasn’t a single wrong thing in the old man’s words.

I wasn’t capable of using high-tier magic from the beginning.

I excelled in thief-exclusive magic that wasn’t classified by attribute.

“Wow… Already at the 2nd tier? Hey, your magic acquisition is too fast, isn’t it?”

Meanwhile, Mijeong is making rapid progress.

She’s already spewing fire from her hands and wielding electric whips like it’s nothing.

I consider myself lucky.

At least one of them has talent in magic.

From now on, Mijeong will be in charge of magic.

“Don’t get discouraged. Not all magic is connected to attribute magic. For example! Healing magic isn’t classified under any attribute and exists independently. Maybe you have talent for that kind of magic!”

“What tier is that?”

“7th tier… ”

“What are the chances of me mastering the 7th tier in one go?”

“Unless you’re a saint, close to zero…”

Alicia, who was trying to comfort me, starts to trail off.

I was already struggling with 1st tier spells.

There’s no way I could learn 7th tier spells in one go.

Thinking about it, I start to feel a sense of awe.

For attribute magic, you start from the 1st tier and work your way up the tech tree.

But for healing magic or blessing magic, you have to learn them from scratch without any prerequisites.

‘I thought you were just a whiny saint who only knew how to whine.’

There was just one screw loose somewhere.

She was indeed a genius with extraordinary talent.

Feeling powerless, I decide to leave Mijeong to teach magic and take a break.

“I’ll take a break. Mijeong, keep teaching magic.”

“Yes…”

I need some time alone.

I gently stroke Mijeong’s head, who is immersed in magic, and leave the training ground.

As I step outside, the weather is unexpectedly nice.

The sunlight filtering through the leaves of the giant world tree is warm.

Birds chirp.

The scent of flowers is fragrant.

The weather is so nice that I feel like giving up everything and just enjoying the day.

“Sigh…”

I find a spot in the grass and sit down.

I know that every minute counts.

I know that swinging a sword even for a minute would be more helpful than sitting here.

Just a little.

I just want to rest a little.

I’m tired.

I’m starting to think that maybe I’m just not talented enough…

‘I should have known from the moment I got that bullshit ability like regression.’

Well.

If I had talent, I wouldn’t have come up to the 13th round.

Still, my mood improves when I lower my expectations.

The problem is that this is the final round.

Even if I discover the limits of my talent, there is no way to make up for those weaknesses through regression.

A deep sigh escapes me.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah…?”

At that moment.

I turn my head to the unfamiliar voice calling me from the side.

A young elf is standing there, looking at me with wide eyes.

“I saw it. Hyung turning off the fire.”

“Oh, really? Congratulations. Go tell the High Elves. They’ll probably give you candy if you ask them to keep it quiet.”

“Is Hyung also here to fight?”

“What?”

“Our dad was a really strong wizard, but he left to fight and never came back. Is Hyung here to help our dad?”

What nonsense is this kid talking about.

It seems like the offspring of someone who sacrificed themselves by entering the dungeon.

“When did he go in?”

“Ten nights ago.”

Ten days ago.

Then it’s safe to assume he’s dead.

It’s impossible to survive on your own inside the dungeon.

Even if he’s a great wizard, he can’t last ten days inside the dungeon.

This kid’s father is probably a pile of bones wandering somewhere in the dungeon by now.

“Yeah. What you said is right. Hyung came to help your dad.”

“Really? Where’s our dad now? Is he okay? Did he kill a lot of monsters? The adults won’t answer me when I ask these things.”

“Um…”

It’s a bit difficult to answer this.

Should I tell him the harsh reality that he’s probably dead?

Or should I give him vague hope that he’s still alive?

Neither option seems like the right answer.

I can’t guarantee the survival of an elf I’ve never seen before.

“Is your dad strong?”

“Yes, very strong! He runs a school and has many students, and there are many wizards who respect him!”

“Do you trust your dad?”

“Yes. I trust him. He’s definitely bravely fighting right now.”

“Then he’s probably alive and well. Because he has a child who believes in him like this.”

I can only give hope as much as he believes.

Anything more is a luxury, and anything less is hopeless.

I don’t want to teach this kid how to become familiar with despair and helplessness.

“While people are dying in real time, what kind of good fortune was I thinking about.”

Thanks to that, my thoughts are organized.

I don’t have talent?

There’s no room for such arrogant complaints.

People without talent are still dying all over the world.

You never know.

Because I hesitated for a moment, the people who will help me in the future might die because of my negligence.

In a more extreme sense, my future colleague who will help me defeat the final boss might die unexpectedly because I was too relaxed.

“Your dad will be rescued soon. Can you take care of this until then?”

“Ugh…”

Swiftly.

I take out the hat from my pocket, carefully unfold it, and put it on the boy’s head.

A unique item in this world.

A baseball cap custom-made by me.

It’s quite strange to see it on the head of a blond elf boy.

“Keep it safe. How old are you?”

“I’m 51 years old.”

“Oh.”

Suddenly, my immersion is broken.

I realize that the age of adulthood for elves is 100 years.

He may be considered a child by elf standards.

But thinking that he’s trying to act mature with a 30-year age difference from me suddenly fills me with self-doubt.

“How old are you, Hyung?”

“That’s right… There are more than you.”

“100 years? 120 years?”

“No, that’s… ”

“Cheon Michael Jackson-nim.”

At that moment, a cheerful voice calls out to me.

Even without turning around, I know.

This sweet voice belongs to the goddess, Mia.

As I turn around with the elf boy, an elf woman who looks like the boy’s mother rushes over and takes the child’s hand, then leaves.

“If you come back, I’ll make sure to return the hat for you!”

“It seems like you’ve already become close with the child here.”

“We just exchanged a few words. So, what’s the matter? Have you made a decision about the request?”

“Please give me a little more time. We are still in the middle of a meeting.”

Mia removes the veil covering her face and approaches.

It’s my first time seeing her.

The face of the goddess of the World Tree, Mia.

With light green hair.

And a face that looks much younger than I expected.

But seeing her firm expression, I don’t dare to underestimate her, as it seems like a strong will is hidden behind it.

If Mijung seems indifferent and emotionless, Mia gives off the impression of suppressing all her emotions.

“The prophecy of the World Tree is ready.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, apart from the request, I received a prophecy ticket as a reward for capturing the Ifrit.

It’s like a trial before receiving a lifetime free pass.

Turning back with a meaningful expression, I follow Mia towards the World Tree.

Soon, a small tunnel appears under the base of the World Tree.

Without hesitation, Mia enters.

The priests and guards all wait outside the tunnel.

“What are you doing? Come in.”

“Going in.”

It’s a damp and dark tunnel that makes you reluctant to enter.

When your eyes start to get used to the darkness.

A huge hall with bright light flashing from the other side comes into view.

“Long time no see. The Eye of the World Tree.”

This place is called the ‘Eye of the World Tree.’

It’s a place where the World Tree can see, hear, and speak.

The air here is different from outside.

Unlike the slightly stuffy air filled with mana outside, there’s almost no mana here, giving a refreshing feeling.

Despite being quite humid, it feels comfortable.

“I will tell you the prophecy soon, so wait comfortably.”

“…”

Mia strides across the ground filled with the roots of the World Tree and places her hand on the central wall.

Then, she closes her eyes and begins to concentrate.

It seems to take some time for her to fully absorb the prophecy.

In the meantime, I roughly find a spot to sit on the ground…

“She’s really damn pretty.”

I can’t take my eyes off Mia’s face.

Elves are generally known for their beauty, but she seems exceptionally beautiful among them.

I haven’t seen that face in the past 12 times.

I’ve wasted 12 years of my life.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Oh. Did you catch me?”

“The senses of the World Tree are connected to me. Even if I close my eyes, I can see what you’re doing through the eyes of the World Tree.”

“I’m sorry. Should I turn around if I’m bothering you?”

“No… I don’t need to apologize. It’s not that you’re bothering me. I was just curious why you were staring at me like that.”

Mia tilts her head in confusion.

Her voice sounded quite nervous, so I thought she was annoyed.

That’s just her usual attitude.

That’s why she avoided eye contact for the past 12 times.

Why did she only talk to me behind the veil?

Well, to be honest, except for delivering prophecies, she never responded to casual conversations.

But this time, Mia initiated small talk before the prophecy.

Entering this chapter, has there been a sudden change in mood?

“Just. It’s because I think I’m seeing the Lady for the first time.”

“I apologize for covering my face. I know it goes against etiquette, but it was just because of a prophecy… The person the prophecy speaks of doesn’t seem to be you, so I revealed myself.”

“Thank goodness. I thought I was receiving your hatred.”

“No way! I’m really sorry for causing any misunderstandings.”

“If you’re sorry, how about treating me to a meal later?”

“What?”

“The elders have already enjoyed their feast. Let’s leave out the old folks and have a conversation with the Lady.”

“…”

I’m so disappointed.

I always thought Mia was cold and indifferent during the past 12 chapters.

To think that she would open her mouth at the last chapter.

I want to know more about Mia.

Not the character described in the game settings and story.

But about Mia as an individual living in this world, I can only find out by meeting her and talking to her.

I thought I had seen all the hidden elements of the game.

But when unknown achievements suddenly pop up, it’s hard to resist trying to uncover them.

If you’re a gamer, you’ll understand my feelings.

“Hmm. Old folks, you say… It’s the first time someone has called us that. People usually can’t tell the difference between old and young elves.”

“Seems like you have no eye for it. The vitality on our faces is different.”

“Right…”

“So, are you going to buy me a meal or not?”

“Um…”

Just as Mia hesitated with a faint smile and a thoughtful tone.

“Oh. A prophecy has come down.”

The World Tree interrupts the flow.

I haven’t even heard the answer yet.

Clueless child.

Still, I want to wait to hear what the prophecy is about.

But Mia’s expression gradually hardens.

“Why is that?”

“The prophecy seems strange. It’s not the usual tone of the World Tree…”

“Just recite it as it is for now.”

“Alright. Ahem, ahem.”

Mia clears her throat and then opens her lips again.

However, as she utters the first word, I freeze.

“Velfegor…? Is that the race you mentioned.”

“…!”

“What does this mean? Velfegor, it sounds like a person’s name.”

I immediately catch on.

This isn’t the World Tree’s prophecy.

This tone belongs to Cali.

“Darn it…”

As I turn around in surprise.

The tree roots covering the wall start to wriggle.

This place is the eyes, ears, and mouth of the World Tree.

If this place falls into Cali’s hands, it could be used as his eyes, ears, and mouth.

I have been exposed to Cali’s presence.

“Die, poor child.”

“Mia!”

“Huh…?”

Crash!

With a loud noise, the earthen wall collapses, blocking the entrance.

The fireflies all fall to the ground, plunging everything into darkness.