Chapter 25: The Great Tree of Bullshit

When my parents were confirmed dead from the last hunt, I was left with just an old cow; a dilapidated house and barely anything to eat. There was no one who would help me within the village either.

Work? My body was too weak for that. I also hadn't gotten any education since my family was poor. Not to mention, I had no special skills to make money. So I'd just made do by eating the least I could and awaiting my demise.

I could faintly hear the snickers of the villagers out there—I wonder what I did wrong.

One day, when I was about to die from hunger, a magician came to me with a sack filled with magic seeds. Of course, the trade wasn't for free. I agreed to relinquish this useless dung of a cow for it since the mage already assured me by tossing over all the beans and it rapidly grew at a visible pace.

He told me to wait for at least one night before it had fully grown; while giving me a hint, that whatever solving my issue of hunger would be there.

The mage flew off on his broom towards the forest.

Overnight, the tree grew until it reached the clouds above. The villagers from all over, who just ignored my pleas for help, gathered like it's some kind of event.

"Why are you guys here?"

The villagers didn't answer my question and instead replied with their own, "How did you get a miraculous plant to grow?"

If I replied, 'Why should I tell you' I wouldn't be able to avoid getting beat up as I wasn't good at fighting. I told them honestly "A magician visited me and I traded my useless cow for it."

They thought I was lying, but I managed to reassure them I didn't have any reason to.

I also lied about the location where the magician left, that it was toward the mountains instead of the forest.

"We don't need to know that, you weak trash. Don't tell anything more than necessary." one of the stronger-looking villagers rudely shoved me to the side, causing me to fall on my bum; the people all laughed mockingly.

"This garbage aside, we sure had a good finding, eh? Legends said, wherever there's a tree reaching up to the heavens, there'd be a Keep filled with a giant, a kidnapped princess and most importantly—treasures!"

With my whole body still aching, it was quite fortunate those despicable folk did not even notice my presence. I kept lying on the ground—knowing no one would help me up either way. It's much better than getting beat up.

"Let's secure some weapons and raid it right away!"

"Are you sure we do not need to contact the Chief?"

"That old bastard? Feh! He'd want a lion share of this or else he'd tell on the Baron scum. Either way, we would suffer. Best not to let him know!"

"Oh, that's right! If this Chief know, it's all this weak trash's fault. Who else could he complain to, now that his Mommy and Daddy were dead?"

"Hahahahaha!"

Anger started to well up within my heart. Just you wait, I'd get my revenge for all this humiliation.

I kept lying for a while until all of these guys managed to climb the tree far enough.

I ran as fast I could to the woodcutter's shack which located quite far. Funny during this state, hunger didn't affect me.

Entering the shack, I negotiated with the busy-looking woodcutter about downing the giant tree and giving him the lion share. I would also sell him my share lower than the market price.

"It's not possible to cut in a short time, sorry."

Yet, his greed flared up when I told him, he could have the entire tree as long he'd cut it down.

The village was rather empty due to everyone climbing up the tree; save for some children, women and old people. Yet, those people would always stay at home anyway.

Before we went back, I asked for some food, which the woodcutter generously provide. My relief went back with an unbearable sensation of hunger, thank goodness this man still had some heart.

Yet, I didn't go along with him midway, as he seems so entranced he didn't even notice me missing. Given that he could have so much wealth from cutting it down, he'd be sure to do the job.

I turned back and walked towards the forest, where the mage left.

The blue sky turned into a darker tangerine shade. With the sound of something toppling, which shook the entire ground, I couldn't help but smile.

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As if anticipating me, he stood before the entrance with a solemn look.

"Did you solve the issue of your hunger?"

"Temporarily."

I wasn't that hungry as I was a light eater, but I need more food when night approached.

"So, is this the reason why you seek me, young man? On what basis you trust me to satiate your hunger?"

"Well, you came to me when everyone else left me be. Although I do not know the reason you came and gave me the seeds instead of someone else."

"You want to know, young man?"

"Only if you feel like telling."

"That's a good answer."

Many years back, when the mage was just an apprentice, he got lost in the forest with no magical power left.

My parents happen to be the one who came across him when he was near death and they led him to their encampment; giving him food, water and rest—all without asking for anything in return.

He wants to repay back the favor but did not know how to do it in a fell swoop. After all, he didn't like to mingle in the lives of mere mortals. Though he kept observing my parents and me just to get even bit by bit, safeguarding our family. Yet, the uneventful peace made him lower his vigilance.

The wizard felt remorse upon hearing of my parents' death, as he was deep in seclusion for his magic research at that time; unable to repay his debt by saving their life when push comes to shove.

Yet, the wizard had shifted his focus to me, who's on the brink of death. Seeing as I was completely hopeless, he did not help me the way my parents did to him.

"Your life wouldn't be saved that way. If I gave you generous portions of food and water, you'd be robbed by the other villagers since you're rather pathetic.

So I decided to test your worth.

That seed was merely a trial and the only way it grew was from me injecting magic power into it. Nice to know, you're not so naive.

You know your weakness by not giving it to anger and ego from the people who mocked you.

You manage to persuade someone to do your bidding using their own inner greed. This impressed me quite a bit.

You enacted revenge by making someone else commit the crime and exiting it while there's no one around. That was quite despicable and at the same time, commendable.

By lying about my location without giving any clues and instead of pointing out the dangerous mountain where magical beasts reside, not only you refrain from selling me out, I believe you have the qualification.

Do you wish to become my disciple?"

"Only after I know the details of which activities I'd be partaking. If it entails doing human experiments and the like, I'd pass. Besides, since you didn't seem to be indebted to me, why would I expect a generous treatment?"

"...hooo, you're a lot more clever than I thought. Tell me, why someone with an intellect like you would lay down and wait for his death, instead of looking for ways to survive?"

"Well, it's just—too much of a bother."

"Huh?"

"I don't think dying is actually that bad. Besides, not doing anything was what I wanna do. Now that you arrived, it changed somehow."

"So tell me, young man. What is it, that you wish to do now?"

"I'm okay as long I got food, water, rest and humane treatment--I'm okay."

"...and you think you got enough worth to bargain with me?"

"I don't know? Do you?"

"Ah...I gave up, you're just too interesting. Well then, let's just say I make you a disciple until I changed my mind. I will be reasonable with my request but I won't tolerate any laziness, got it?"

"On a second thought, no—please let me learn at the pace I'm comfortable with."

"You...."

I overlooked one fact that I need to be tested in Magic Aptitude first. Luckily, I was considered a talent—although my age was a bit old for learning magic—he couldn't be picky since people with such aptitude were rare in the first place.

Alas, I knew the answer on how to solve my hunger.

You just have to eat enough food when you're hungry—it's as simple as that.

Disappointed?

Same here. I thought it'd be more profound—I'd rather hear some bullshit.

Oh well.