Chapter 257 – The Leaf’s Choice (1)
“…I can’t tell. I have a poor sense of taste. So, why did you come?”
Bao is still fast asleep in my room, and I couldn’t bring myself to lie down next to him and disturb his rest. So, I had no choice but to pay her a visit.
Being in Taeyang and Aori’s room was also an option, but their high-level conversation made it difficult to interject. Their penchant for risqué banter felt contagious, making the situation uncomfortable.
This atmosphere suits me best. Sitting beside someone calming in a warm, comforting space, with a cup of delicious black tea by my side. It’s healing just to be in her presence.
“It’s most comfortable being next to you.”
Upon my candid admission, Sansuyu averts her gaze subtly. Her teacup shows no sign of emptying.
“Why?”
“Indeed.”
Sansuyu, it seemed, had an innate ability to lead people. I had thought such comments were simply a roundabout way of complimenting her charisma, but now it appeared to be a genuine trait.
“Are you heading to sleep?”
If she was, it would suit me well.
Before long, we finished our tea. We extinguished the light and withdrew to the confines of the bed. There was no awkwardness between us; we had grown accustomed to sharing a bed.
Settling my head on an extra pillow, I surrendered to a peaceful slumber. Ordinarily, sleep eluded me. The miraculous power of healing could even revive fatigue, allowing me to function without rest. Yet, astonishingly, when nestled beside Sansuyu, I found sleep came easily every night.
“Wake me if you’re in pain.”
“Mm-hmm.”
With those words, I closed my eyes.
Instead of the usual nightmares, I was gifted with a slightly different dream that night. A dream of drinking milk laced with an abundance of sugar.
* * * * * * * *
I awoke to the taste of breast milk in my mouth.
It wasn’t a faint trace; it was potent, as though I had started the day with a generous swig.
“…”
Puzzling.
Was it some bizarre dream? A wild fancy induced by sleeping next to Sansuyu? Turning my head, I found Sansuyu awake, gazing at me while clutching the blanket in her hands. Her eyes seemed rounder than usual. Today, the two prominent peaks rising above the blanket seemed particularly irksome.
“Sansuyu.”
“…Yes?”
“Did you…did you do something to me last night?”
She shook her head with a mischievous grin. Sansuyu wasn’t the type to lie. Trusting her implicitly, I dropped my suspicion and scratched the back of my head.
“I see. Well, alright.”
There was an odd sense of disappointment, yet a hint of happiness crept in.
In any case.
The second ordeal would commence today.
Unlike the first trial, this one would not be filmed. The reluctance of the trees to be filmed, and their occasional absurd demands, had led to a ban on broadcasting by the world tree. They couldn’t bear to see their reputation tarnished. The arrogant behavior of the trees was unlikely to find favor in the public eye. While there were some merits, considering multiple factors led to the decision not to broadcast.
Instead, the success of the participants in the trials would be separately announced on the website.
After leaving Sansuyu’s room, I entered my own to prepare. I was worried that she might have messed up my room, but thankfully most of my belongings were untouched.
After changing into the participant’s attire, I prepared to face the ordeal.
This time, there’s no need for a separate announcement. Upon receiving the message privately, one can arrange a meeting with the tree at a time of their preference.
Seated in a chair, I waited for Lim Jong-hyun, who had received the instruction earlier, to appear.
Had he also succeeded?
Did he possess such prowess? Doubts surfaced, but they were cut short as Lim Jong-hyun turned his head and exited.
Now, it was my turn. As I rose, Lim Jong-hyun momentarily paused his steps and shot me a glance.
His expression was one of noticeable irritability.
I responded with a casual smile and advanced. Lim Jong-hyun observed me from behind before leaving his spot.
Unfazed by his stare, I navigated towards the information desk.
“Hello.”
“Ah! Hello, Cadet Lee Si-heon. Your performance in the first trial was truly commendable.”
As soon as the staff responsible for guiding the students of El Academy spotted me, they extended a warm smile and their hand.
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Haven’t you checked the internet? The story is creating a buzz everywhere.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t yet viewed the internet.
Most of my personal time had been consumed in squabbles with Baobab, causing me to forget.
“I’m not accustomed to such attention, haha…”
Upon contemplating the best response, I opted for modesty and responded with a sheepish smile.
At my reaction, the staff member offered me an endearing smile and said,
“Well, you’re likely to get quite busy once this selection process concludes.”
“Is that so?”
“Hahaha, indeed. You’re not just anyone…you fought with a national tree. Honestly, I find it hard to believe myself.”
I hadn’t intended for my name to become so widely recognized.
Oddly, I had only faced trials that involved national trees. Consequently, there were times when I had no choice but to step out of the status window.
“When else would I get a chance to battle national trees? If we were to seriously fight, I would undoubtedly lose.”
“Hehe, that’s true. Normally, one wouldn’t dare to.”
Despite the circumstances, I had no choice but to explain that I had battled a national tree and reached a draw.
For security reasons, it’s impossible for national trees to fully utilize their power.
The potential of a tree-being explosively increases when unleashed. Hence, my explanation wasn’t entirely without merit.
“Oh, right. The trial explanation… There are so many stories about Cadet Lee Si-heon that even I got excited. For the second trial, you should proceed to the basement. The World Tree candidate you will meet is… you should head to room D-521.”
Room D-521.
I mentally noted the name.
“Are you sharing the room with Cadet Lim Jong-hyun?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You can enter at any time, but it’s better to discuss with the tree-being whenever possible. Unnecessary irritations can lead to expulsion due to discourtesy. There have been quite a few cases.”
Discourtesy. Are there instances of expulsion due to such reasons?
The information staff communicated this as if it were a known fact, their expression impassive.
The second trial may not go as smoothly as expected.
Before departing from the information desk, I cautiously queried the staff.
“Wouldn’t it be prudent to make our mark today?”
“Undoubtedly. The earlier, the better. For the Trees, you would be the first to seek audience.”
So said the guide. Suddenly, I found my thoughts drifting to Lim Jong-hyun, who had glared at me earlier. Did he know I was meeting the same Tree? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
The sooner one meets, the easier it is to make a favorable impression—an axiomatic truth.
From the perspective of a company manager, an employee who arrives 30 minutes early is more appealing and commendable than one who arrives punctually. Even the most rational person is not devoid of emotions. How much more so for the Trees, who thrive on their exceptional attributes?
“Understood.”
As I responded, I hastily took the documents she extended and descended to the basement. I navigated through the throng of neophytes, towards the sanctuary where Trees, potential World Trees, were housed.
I sprinted as quickly as I could and reached for the doorknob of Room D-521.
-Clink!-
The doorknob didn’t turn fully, something was obstructing it. Someone had beaten me to it.
“Sigh…”
(Occupied)
A sign hung on the door.
With a tinge of disappointment, I fiddled with the doorknob a few more times before stepping back. There was a bench for those waiting, providing a place to sit and sigh in frustration.
It couldn’t be helped. Even if the Trees have their quirks, there was no point arguing over who entered first. However, if pressed, I could contest it.
‘I cannot afford to be eliminated.’
As long as there was a chance for Flower to appear, I had to stay here until the very end. Strength was not the only requisite. This level of craftiness was unexpectedly necessary.
I unfolded the document I had just received, scanning the information. A Tree with striking green pointed leaves, next to an ID photo of it adorned in exquisite attire. The notion of Trees wearing clothes contradicted my understanding entirely.
‘…Is that meant to be underwear?’
A portion gently veiled by cloth. I discreetly covered the photo with my palm. It was simply too disconcerting to behold. On the left of the document, a brief profile of the Tree I was to meet was inscribed.
—
Name: Mary
Species: Cedar
Height and Weight: 2m 16cm / Not Disclosed
Likes: Tasty water and fertilizer, pranks,
Dislikes: Humans.
—
“……”
Dislikes: Humans.
Why must I always be at odds with these damn Trees?
-Thunk.-
Just then, the door swung open. Jong-hyun, who sported a smirk after glancing at me, exited the room and walked past me. His mocking expression was the least of my concerns now. A single Tree peered at me through the crevice of the door, its branches adorned with fabric reminiscent of a wedding dress.
At the pinnacle, a tiara crafted of precious gems adorned its crown.
Each leaf radiated an unblemished, azure luminescence, as if affirming their growth in a place of nobility. I grimaced upon regarding the tree.
“What are you doing?”
The tree enquired.
“Is it because you’re a human that you lack manners? Not even a greeting. How tardy… I wonder if you’re not a lesser species.”
The tree’s words resonated sharply in my ears. As an inheritor of King Mokryeong’s power, it prided itself on its ability to commune with other trees surpassing anyone else.
Therefore, its voice echoed vividly in my ears, as if I were tuning into a provincial broadcast.
“What should I do?”
I began to fret over the future.