We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A night lost in fantasies.
During a war between demon races, the Yorttenitos Kingdom was saved by the spirits of the Dragon Forest. Since I didn’t know when I would be able to visit the Spirit Tree again, I decided to play with the spirits who appeared.
This is not escapism.
This is a proper repayment of favors!
“Well then, let’s play,” we agreed.
“W-wait for me!”
I never expected it to be a grueling day…
I was caught up in an unprecedented game that merged tag, hide-and-seek, and a walk, and I was getting farther and farther away from the Spirit Tree, my destination.
At first, I was “it,” searching for the hidden spirits. But just finding them wasn’t enough. Once I found them, I had to catch them as they ran, just like in tag. The spirits, while running away, led me deeper and deeper into the Ancient Tree Forest.
I don’t know the geography of the Ancient Tree Forest near the Spirit Tree, a place I rarely get to enter, but I can at least see the Spirit Tree receding behind me.
“Run, run!”
“Eruru is coming!”
“Eek, I’m going to be eaten!”
What is “Eruru”? And I don’t eat spirits!
I wonder if I’ll be able to reach the Spirit Tree by the end of the day. With this slight anxiety, I played with the spirits, running, hiding, and chasing them in the deep Ancient Tree Forest.
Along the way, I found a small stream and quenched my thirst.
The surrounding lush trees made me almost mistake it for summer, but it was winter. The bitterly cold water was a strong stimulus to my throat and invigorated my body, which was flushed from exercise.
After that, I played with the spirits again.
And played.
And played.
“Hey, don’t you guys know the words ‘get bored’ or ‘get tired’?”
By the time I was exhausted, wobbling, and slumped at the roots of an ancient tree, the spirits were peeking at me with concern, and the sky had already begun to darken.
“Is it over?”
“Are we going home?”
“Are you going to sleep?”
“I’m so tired, so tired.”
Their broken speech, like Ares-chan’s, must be common among the spirits who looked like small children.
To become an adult spirit, you have to receive spirit power from the Mimicho Race.
The spirits, appearing as light particles, animals, and insects, not just child-like figures, returned from where they had been hiding and gathered around me.
“I have to go to the Spirit Tree. So, it’s over for today.”
“Over, over.”
“That’s right. So, can you take me to the Spirit Tree?”
“This way, this way.”
A golden-haired little girl, offering to guide me, took my hand.
Her lovely round golden eyes were adorable.
Just like Ares-chan.
…
“Or rather, Ares-chan!”
Why is Ares-chan here?!
I was surprised and scooped her up.
Ares-chan hugged me happily.
This is unexpected!
Ares-chan is a spirit attached to the young Spirit Tree, right?
I never expected her to appear to me, who had let go of the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with the young tree? Is it okay?”
Ares-chan, smiling as she hugged me, nodded vigorously to my question.
“It’s okay because Priscilla is there.”
“I-I see.”
Isn’t this the part where Sleigsta (Old Man) or Mistral’s name should come up?
What are the criteria for your trust relationship?
“But why did you come to me?”
“Cheating, cheating.”
“No, no, that’s Laira.”
“Comical retort, comical retort.”
The surrounding spirits laughed at my exchange with Ares-chan.
“So, what’s the real reason?”
To my repeated question, Ares-chan tilted her head as if puzzled.
“I’m with Elnea too?”
Ah, that’s right.
A long time ago, Grandma Yuuri, the Grand Elder of the Mimicho Race, told me. She said that the Spirit Tree Spirit is attached to me and the young Spirit Tree.
This time, she decided to come to me instead of staying with the young Spirit Tree. I thanked Ares-chan, and she hugged me again happily.
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
At Ares-chan’s command, we headed back into the Ancient Tree Forest with the spirits.
However, we weren’t returning to the Moss Garden. The spirits were guiding me to the Spirit Tree.
And by the time we finally reached the base of the Spirit Tree, it was already pitch dark.
I thanked the spirits of light particles who had been my light source. I also thanked the other spirits who had guided me, and parted ways with them.
The spirits left behind the ominous line, “See you tomorrow,” and floated away.
Without a light source, it became completely dark.
I activated my Dragon Energy in my pupils to secure my vision and proceeded with Ares-chan towards the base of the Spirit Tree.
“I’m tired today.”
Leaning against the thick roots of the Spirit Tree, I sat down.
As I was exhausted from playing all day, I wanted to fall asleep just like this. However, I didn’t feel like I had wasted a valuable day.
If I was able to repay the favor to the spirits, then my accomplishments for today were sufficient. Even though the remaining days have decreased, I don’t think sacrificing important things for my goals is right.
I took a drink from my water bottle, which I had been saving, to moisten my dry throat. My stomach growled, so I took out the sweets the Twin Princesses had given me from my pocket.
Ares-chan looked at me as if she wanted some, so we shared them and ate them happily.
Now, my food supply is exhausted. Will I have to start by getting food tomorrow?
But today, I’m too tired and sleepy.
As I began to doze off, a cold wind, as if to warn me, touched my cheek.
Damn it.
I can’t sleep like this.
Although it’s not as cold as Dragon Peak, winter has also arrived in the Dragon Forest. My body, warm from moving, will gradually cool down. If I fall asleep now, I might not just catch a cold, but I could freeze to death.
Shaking off my drowsiness, I decided to think about tonight before worrying about tomorrow’s food.
Now, how should I spend the night?
The easiest idea is to start a fire. However, starting a fire in this forest is prohibited.
I realized I needed to think about how to stay warm at night, just as I did about food.
There were too many things to deal with in this sudden, unprepared trial.
With a sigh, I slumped my shoulders and then realized.
I’ve been living in a blessed environment until now.
I have many trustworthy family members. I never had to worry about shelter or food, and someone always solved issues related to heat or cold before I even had to think about them deeply.
However, ordinary adventurers spend their days contemplating even these basic aspects of daily life.
How to secure food. How to prepare for the cold at night. Overlooking even one thing can be life-threatening.
I might have finally realized the importance of meticulous preparation for daily life after being suddenly left alone.
Hmm, was I being too dependent?
Perhaps Sleigsta (Old Man) imposed this trial to make me realize these things?
In any case, I have to get through this night first.
Ares-chan, still clinging to me, was already breathing softly as she slept.
Measures against the cold.
I really wish I had completed the Kago no Jutsu (Blessing Technique) for wind. And I’m also realizing its drawback.
Dragon Arts are used to apply blessings, but if I fall asleep, my concentration will break, and the technique will stop. The effect must persist even without my unconsciousness or continuous concentration.
This is a problem!
How will I survive this cold night?
I can hide myself among the roots of the Spirit Tree to escape the cold wind. However, I can’t escape the dropping temperature.
Perhaps the idea of further refining the wind blessing technique after completing it and making it last even while I sleep would be effective. No, no, a technique that I couldn’t complete through trial and error until now won’t be completed in one night.
Should I gather fallen leaves to make a bed? Come to think of it, the Ancient Tree Forest was lush green even in winter. There probably aren’t any fallen leaves. I wonder if I can gather enough to make a bed. Besides, it’s already dark.
No matter how much I think about it, no good ideas come to mind. In times like these, it’s best to meditate and calm my mind.
Sometimes, thinking is pointless. At those times, a change of pace can lead to a brilliant idea.
So, I sat cross-legged without waking Ares-chan and began to meditate.
My deeply submerged consciousness sensed the main current of the Dragon Veins and the presence of the Spirit Tree. Regardless of day or night, the Spirit Tree vigorously drew from the Dragon Veins for its sustenance.
What exactly is a Spirit Tree?
According to legend, giant trees like this Spirit Tree grow in various parts of the world. And all of them are strictly guarded by the Ancient Dragon Species.
When I first met Sleigsta (Old Man), he said I would eventually understand what a Spirit Tree is. Since he doesn’t seem to intend to tell me himself, I suppose I have to find the answer on my own, but I still don’t know what a Spirit Tree truly is.
The Spirit Tree roots I’m leaning against extend deep into the earth, drawing Dragon Veins like blood flow.
The Spirit Tree and the main current of the Dragon Veins are so intertwined that the Dragon Veins the Spirit Tree draws can be recognized as part of the flow.
In other words, the Spirit Tree is pulling up the Dragon Veins flowing underground to the surface.
The drawn Dragon Veins reach the tips of the Spirit Tree, which pierces the clouds, and spread throughout its branches and leaves, covering an entire forest, scattering life. The life force overflowing from the Spirit Tree benefits its surroundings, nurturing lush nature.
It may be too late to realize this, but considering it this way, the Dragon Forest, nurtured by the power of the Spirit Tree, is as important as the Spirit Tree itself.
Ah, I see. That’s why Sleigsta (Old Man) protects not only the Spirit Tree but the entire Dragon Forest.
I intended to meditate because my thoughts were scattered, but I ended up thinking about the Spirit Tree behind me.
What role the Spirit Tree plays is still beyond my current understanding. However, it is something important to the world. And the Ancient Dragon Species that protect it, including Sleigsta (Old Man), are connected to the world.
Am I connected to the world?
I’m constantly reminded that I am not the center of the world, and the world does not revolve around me. However, even if it’s just a corner of the world, I hope to connect with it and do something for it.
Will I eventually be able to connect if I master Dragon Arts, become proficient in the flow of Dragon Veins, and assist Sleigsta (Old Man)?
This might be an overly ambitious idea for a human like me. But it’s okay to strive for it, right?
While immediate goals like mastering the Dragon Sword Dance or absolutely making everyone happy are important, I think having grand dreams is also not a bad thing.
The hero, Listea, works to bring peace to the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom. I want to work hard so I can also contribute to the world in the same way.
… Am I dreaming too big?
It’s fine. Dreams are more fun when they are infinitely big and grand, right?
Riding on Nimia’s or Revalia’s backs, flying around the world and *Eiyah!* solving various problems.
What a wonderful adventure story.
Perhaps my exploits will become legendary.
“Self-discipline, self-discipline.”
Huh.
Ares-chan, reading my thoughts, chimed in.
That’s right. Didn’t I just recall being warned moments ago?
I’m not the one who makes the world revolve. I need to make sure not to forget that.
Speaking of which, Ares-chan woke up.
As I thought that, I opened my eyes and saw that the sky was already faintly brightening.
What a surprise.
I was fantasizing about flying around the world and being active, and morning arrived without me realizing it!
The lesson learned is to moderate nocturnal fantasies. And so, I entered the second day of my trial.
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