While Verdantia returned, her rapidly beating heart calmed down and her mind also slowly exited her previous strange state. She was confused, extremely so. 'Is a branch really enough to make me like this?'

Verdantia had heard in the past that some Sylvans feel close connections with particular flora, making them very attracted to a certain kind of plant. However, World Trees are special. While all Sylvans do feel attracted to World Trees, it's different.

Unless the World Tree initiates it, Sylvans look at them reverently. It's like seeing someone to be praised and respected, not as potential mates. Of course, if the World Tree chooses any Sylvan as a partner, the Sylvan would probably happily accept unless they were already engaged or something similar.

Verdantia's case was strange no matter how you looked at it. 'What would've happened if Flor agreed to bring me to see that World Tree?'

Verdantia shuddered a bit in a mix of excitement and fear. 'I would've followed, right? With how I felt at that time, it is impossible that I wouldn't have followed.'

For her, who had lived a steady and planned life, the sudden realization that she had almost thrown everything away to find that World Tree made her feel strangely elated yet also fearful.

As a long-living race, most Sylvans were much more conservationists than humans would ever be, which added to the list of reasons why, while there was enough knowledge, the cities, technology, etc., were still not that transformative.

Society's objective was not to "develop as fast as possible," but to "integrate with nature while developing."

It was a cultural thing, mostly driven to the front by the long-living dominant race, the Sylvans.

Naturally, some humans who sought advancement rebelled and created many groups to fight for those ideals, throwing the world into a constant state of conflict. But, for the most part, this conflict happened in other, more isolated places.

Furthermore, the grand majority of both races respected World Trees, which made them not only an anchor for life but an anchor that prevented a full-blown world war.

Hence, Verdantia, who knew all of this, was surprised with her own reaction, which went against everything of who she thought she was. 'Ah… Let's bring out the wood shaping and material science books and give them to Flor. I'll then return and go to sleep to clear my head.'

While some people would think that metal was the best way to create weapons, wood was actually a material that could rival and even surpass metalcraft. This comparison was not alluding to common wood but to higher-level wood.

Moreover, unlike metal, which couldn't be grown and just found, wood was a resource that could be planted and harvested.

When Verdantia arrived at the Fortuna First School library, she walked toward the material science bookshelf. As she browsed books, she heard a voice from the side. "Oh? Verdantia, are you here to read something as well?"

Verdantia looked sideways and then down. With her tall stature, most human women only reached around her chest level. She smiled softly and nodded. "Yes. I've become interested in wood weapon crafting, so I wanted to search for books that cover the basic techniques and material science. Can you help me?"

The human woman blushed and smiled shyly. While Sylvans were popular with men, human women were also attracted to them. "O-Of course, I'll help! Ah! Wait, let me as a friend of mine; her mother works in wood shaping and equipment building; I'm sure she can recommend something really nice!"

Verdantia smiled. "That's a happy surprise, thank you."

The woman's face gained a deeper shade of red, and she scurried away while stuttering. "W-Wait here, Verdantia."

Verdantia observed her retreating back, her green eyes dancing with dark thoughts. 'Should I manipulate that human woman to become an information provider? I heard her parents work in the city administration sector and have high rankings.'

As promised, Verdantia waited while also checking out some books herself. After around 20 minutes, the human woman returned, her forehead soaked in sweat. "Verdantia! I'm back!"

"Welcome back. So, what do they recommend?"

The human woman smiled proudly and took out four books. "This [F and E Rank Material List and Properties] book is really good! Also, [Basic Aether Mana Control for Woodcrafting], and this [Elementary Anima Energy Infusion for Woodcrafting]. Finally, [Basic Structures For Woodcrafting Weapons]."

Verdantia took the four books that were as thick as four fingers placed together and smiled. "Thanks a lot. These are certainly better than what I found. It really helped me with what I needed to do."

The human woman laughed shyly. "No problem!" She looked toward the ground and stuttered. "S-So, um. Verdantia, do you want to drink something together? I know a place nearby that's really nice."

Verdantia smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but I need to deliver these books as soon as possible, so I can't stop by. I'm in a hurry, after all."

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The human woman's face became downcast as she nodded. "Okay, I understand. Be careful."

Verdantia laughed and flashed a charming smile. "I will. Thanks for everything." Then, she turned around and left, leaving behind a blushing woman.

As she left, she was seen by one of the people who went with her to the mission. Verdantia also saw them and almost cursed at the coincidence for the first time in her life. However, she managed to smile and greet them as always. "Sorry for leaving so soon. As you can see, I was in a hurry to get something. Moreover, since we had almost the entire work completed, I thought you would be able to complete it without me."

The human male was the one that felt disgruntled, so he snorted. "Forgive you? Do you think that your pretty face is enough for me to forgive you? Ha! You Sylvans think that you are above everyone else, always making trouble while 'thinking' about things!"

Verdantia wanted to say that if she didn't go, a Level 12 creature would've killed them all, but she just smiled. It felt like wasting breath with this person was not worth it. "I see. I won't go on any more missions with you, then. Have a nice day."

Then, without looking at him anymore, she turned around and left. 'Wasting my time, I need to get that branch as quickly as possible. What if Flor disappears because she has found another person?'

However, the man really wanted to mess with her, so he shouted. "Hey! Wait! We are not done talking! Who do you think you are to stop our contract at will? There are termination fees you must answer to, and there is also a rule that says breaking apart at will is not possible. Also-."

Verdantia turned around and locked eyes with him, choking his voice in his throat as the powerful pressure from Verdantia's cold eyes weighed upon him. "I don't have time now. Later, okay?"

The man wanted to continue being angry, but Verdantia's gaze froze him on the spot. Then, Verdantia turned around, her long green hair and dress flowing with her motions, and moved away.

She sighed in relief when she exited the school's precinct while carrying the four heavy books. 'Finally, with this, there shouldn't be any more hindrances.'

She slowly walked toward the east side of the gates and exited the town after showing her student card to the guard. Such a card was used for two purposes: identification and checking whether it was safe to allow people out.

While the culture admired nature, they weren't ignorant of the hidden dangers. If someone had yet to be initiated and have their system unlocked, allowing them out was nothing but ignorance and stupidity itself.

Verdantia rushed through the forest, using her memory and great senses to return to the place where she first met with Flor.

While running and close to the location, a large wolf-like creature suddenly appeared in her path, baring its fangs.

Verdantia's face became serious as she analyzed it.

***

Race: Green Furred Bark Canine

Level: 8

Aether Mana Shards: 172/172

Phoer Body Shards: 920/920

Anima Energy Shards: 264/264

Attributes: Aether 2, Physique 10, Anima 3, Willpower 8, Destiny 8

***

After seeing its stats, her face gained a sneer as she didn't even drop her books and expertly changed her footwork to do a spinning kick. "Out of my way!"

BANG!

Her foot landed on the side of the sizeable wolf-like creature's head, twisting its neck and sending it stumbling to the size as it whimpered. Then, it fell flat on the ground, and her brain clearly shook badly enough to make it lose consciousness. A large [-650] appeared above its head, showing how much damage her kick truly did.

However, she didn't finish it off and continued rushing forward, holding the four books tightly so they didn't fall. The experience it would give wouldn't be that much either way and because it was from a canine race, it probably wasn't alone. Getting entangled with it more would mean she had to fight its pack, something Verdantia didn't want to do.

And, as she had expected, Verdantia heard the howl-like sound of a few other creatures. Thankfully, because of her swift reaction and judgment, she was able to escape their encirclement and leave without needing to do any extra maneuvers.

Verdantia might be Level 4, but her stats were terrifyingly high for her level. In the tests, she was evaluated with an overall E+ Rank, with her Willpower and Anima reaching the D- Rank, while her Aether and Phoer both reached the E Rank.

For these F Rank beasts, she was an actual monster.

After running for ten more minutes, Verdantia stopped while breathing heavily. 'I'm here, please be here still.'

She took a deep breath and called aloud. "Flor? Are you here?"

The answer came instantly. "I'm here."

A voice came from behind her, surprising her.

Verdantia turned around and asked, confused. "Huh? When did you arrive? I couldn't sense you at all."

Flor smirked. "Since you exited the city, I was following you."

Verdantia's eyes widened as a stupid sound left her throat. "Eh?"

Flor snorted. "Did you expect me to wait here patiently? What if you call the guards in the city and tell them that a Level 12 creature is here? Sorry, Verdantia, but I'm not eager to fight my way out."

Verdantia blinked and found it reasonable. "Fair enough." Then, her lips arched. "Now, you should actually know that I'm sincere, right? It's almost impossible to fake my rush, even if I knew about you chasing me since the start. You have to have a skill for it or be the actual World Tree of acting if it exists."

Flor shrugged and flew in front of Verdantia. "I expected it already when I checked that you have almost 1400 Anima Energy Shards and nearly 900 of the other two, but you are truly exceptional for a Level 4." Flor smirked. "You actually remind me of the little one back at home."

Verdantia's green eyes flashed, and she said. "Here are the four books as promised. Now, can I have my branch? Also, what information do I need to give you to let me know where the World Tree is?"

Flor used her Wind Aether Mana to make the four books float and looked at their titles. "Hm… This should be enough for now." Then, she looked at Verdantia and pondered. "Not yet. I know your excitement is not fake."

Verdantia asked. "Then?"

Flor responded curtly. "I don't know if your excitement to see her is for proper or evil reasons. Both would make a reaction similar to the one you are showing."

Verdantia sighed and nodded. "Well, I can wait until you are convinced…" With a pondering look, she asked. "How do I meet with you?"

Flor commented. "I'll send someone else next time. This time, I was in a rush, so I left. Moreover, we are at war, so I don't want to be absent for too long."

Verdantia's face became serious. "There is someone as strong as you?"

Flor blinked and shook her head. "No. I'm the strongest in the area we are in. However, I'm not overwhelmingly strong enough to avoid causing involuntary damage. The last thing I want is for the little one to get hurt because of me."

Verdantia nodded, and after a bit more small talk, Flor left with four books floating by her side and gave Verdantia Liu Shu's branch.

After Flor left, Verdantia hugged her branch and laughed. Her green eyes glowed as her body was filled with bliss.

A whisper spread around.

"Mine~."