I Became the Only Reptile in the Community

Chapter 47

—–CROW—– 

“Tell you about Ceres-nim?”

History class, one of the most notoriously boring classes at the Academy, had just ended, and a short break time followed before the next class.  Efrin, the only elf in the class, tilted her head at her friends’ sudden question.  They were curious about Ceres, the being known as the First World Tree.

“Yeah. The history lesson barely covered her.”

“Right, right. All they talked about was the Second World Tree.”

“The Second World Tree? You should add ‘-nim’ and speak respectfully.”

How dare they speak that way in front of her, a child of the World Tree?  If it were anyone else, it would be a serious offense punishable by an arrow between the eyes, but since it was her friends who said it, she decided to let it slide this time. Of course, not without a warning to be careful.

“Anyway, about the First World Tree…”

“-nim.”

“…-nim, tell us more.”

How commendable it was that they wanted to learn about her creator.  Efrin nodded with a benevolent expression at her admirable friends.  There was enough time left before the next class to explain.

‘This is unexpected, though.’

She hadn’t expected *her* of all people to ask such a question.  Efrin looked curiously at one of the two friends in front of her.

Ji-i-i.

“Why, why are you staring at me like that?”

“Just… surprised.  That *you* of all people are asking *me* this question.”

Efrin knew that no one in the Academy could match her knowledge, not even the professors.  And yet, here was her friend asking her about the First World Tree.  A strange sense of superiority made Efrin’s lips twitch imperceptibly, and her other friend, who had come along to ask the question, nodded knowingly beside her.

“Ah, I get what you mean.  She sometimes acts like some all-knowing sage.  It’s kind of annoying.”

“Wha, what?!”

“And she acts like an old lady, too.”

“You’re the last person I want to hear that from!”

What was the oldest one here saying?  Of course, in elf society, her age wasn’t that different from her friends’, but it was undeniable that she had lived longer.  However, having heard such remarks countless times, Efrin brushed them off easily.

“First of all, as you all know, officially, the current World Tree-nim, our village’s guardian deity, inherited the role from the First.”

“Ignoring me?!”

“We already know that.”

“Hmm. Then do you know this?”

Unlike now, in the distant past, in the primordial age before the Second World Tree even saw the light, the First World Tree, Ceres, who created the village where the elves now lived, created the elves, and protected them, was called the Primordial Mother.  But did they know what she was called *before* she was called the World Tree?

“How would we know something we weren’t taught?”

“Tell us quickly!”

“The Tree of Life.”

At her words, the two tilted their heads.

“The Tree of Life?”

“That’s kind of a cool name.”

Yes, it was natural for them not to know.  The term “Tree of Life” was information not even recorded, unknown to other elves until they heard it directly from the Second World Tree.

“The Tree of Life.  That was Ceres-nim’s title before she was called the World Tree.”

“The Tree of Life. So when did the term World Tree come into use?”

“It was decided at the Spirit Kings’ meeting later on.”

Specifically, it was decided by the words of a certain being present at the time.  And it would be more appropriate to hear about that being from her friend, not herself.  After all, her friend had a very deep connection with that being.

***

-Dad.

[Yes.]

Ceres was finally able to have a proper conversation with me.  Her cute, childlike voice calling me “Dad” had such an impact that I felt a surge of paternal affection. My voice softened involuntarily, and my actions towards Ceres became more cautious.

-Did you go fighting again, Dad?

[Fighting?  I just did some cleaning around the area.]

Even to her question about fighting, I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my back, perhaps due to Ceres’s voice.  I’m sure I used to be more confident, but now that we could communicate, hearing those words in Ceres’s voice made me hesitate in my response.

*Gulp.*

[So, Ceres.  Is anything bothering you? Are you feeling unwell?]

-I’m perfectly fine! I’m overflowing with power.

It was a relief that there were no side effects from her rapid growth. I was worried that she might not be able to control her overflowing life force and feel discomfort somewhere in her body.

‘But this level of life force…’

Seeing the overflowing life force along with her growth beyond expectations, I couldn’t help but think of the guy I had just beaten up.  Could Ceres, as she was now, protect this place safely?

[Ceres, I have a favor to ask of you.]

Perhaps that was why the words I had originally planned to say later slipped out now.  Of course, if this request was too much of a burden for Ceres, I intended to let her refuse immediately.  I had no intention of overworking a child who had just become able to speak.  I planned to try again when she had gained enough strength without being burdened, but…

[You’re sure?]

-I’m overflowing with power, so I can start right now.

Ceres said she could do it right away without any problems. I wondered if those words were just a lie to reassure me, but funnily enough, I couldn’t sense any such feeling in Ceres’s words.

*Woooong.*

Ceres’s life force spread widely, filling the space.  The domination of pure life force, different from mana.  Like a barrier, it enveloped the area, giving all living beings within an instinctive realization.

*Crackle.*

At this moment, the owner of this area had been decided.  If they wanted to remain in this space, they were to not provoke Ceres and protect her from external dangers.

‘External dangers, huh?’

I had a rough idea.  This was one of the reasons why I had been hesitant about this action, along with the burden on Ceres.  A being suddenly appearing in a peaceful area, claiming dominion—how infuriating would that be to those who had been keeping an eye on this place from afar?

‘It’s highly likely that others will come soon.’

There was no guarantee that there wouldn’t be any monsters like the Dragon King or the man I had seen before among them. To protect this place from them and ensure Ceres’s safety, I needed to become stronger.

-Huh?

As I was resolving to become stronger to protect Ceres, she suddenly expressed a question, as if she sensed something strange. What was it? Had a problem arisen?

-Uh… Dad, I think we need to go home soon.

But what Ceres said was completely different from what I was thinking.  Suddenly go home?

[…Did something happen to Cheong and Silphy?]

-It’s a problem, if you can call it that.

But why did she sound so flustered?  I wanted to ask what had happened, but unfortunately, my body was already moving away from Ceres, heading home.

[I’ll be back soon.]

-It’s okay if you come tomorrow. Be sure to prepare yourself.

Leaving Ceres’s understanding words behind, I arrived home.  The inside of the cave was strangely quiet.  Ceres’s words about a problem, combined with my anxiety, made me rush inside.

*Rustle.*

Then I saw Silphy’s back, familiar yet somehow unfamiliar.  She looked more mature than when I had left, closer to the Spirit King Silphy I remembered.

-That feeling just now. Was that Ceres’s doing?

Silphy, who turned around, definitely had a more mature face.  Such a sudden change in appearance… If she, a spirit, was undergoing such a transformation, it must mean…

[…Did you advance to intermediate rank?]

-That’s right. I’m an intermediate spirit now.

Promotion from a low-rank to an intermediate spirit.  I didn’t know what had happened while I was gone, but it was clearly a cause for celebration, and I congratulated her sincerely.

[Congratulations.]

-It’s nothing.  Cheong is the one who deserves more congratulations.

Come to think of it, why hadn’t I seen Cheong since I got back?  And if there was something to celebrate, did that mean Cheong had also undergone some kind of change, like Silphy?

*Dadadada.*

Just then, I heard the sound of something running towards me from deep inside the cave. This presence and feeling… it had to be Cheong.  But why did the footsteps echoing in the cave sound like the steps of someone running on two feet, not four?

*Whoosh.*

‘Fast.’

Just a moment ago, she was so far away that her figure was blurry, but she had closed the distance in an instant and was right in front of me.

“El!”

An unfamiliar voice, and an unknown girl hugging me. Familiar tiger ears poking out from above snow-white hair.  And the familiar scent I had grown accustomed to, living together every day.  It shouldn’t be possible, but for some reason, looking at the unknown girl, I couldn’t help but think of my absent friend.

[…Cheong?]

“Hehe. Yeah!”

At my words, Cheong nodded vigorously, as if overjoyed, and hugged me tighter. What in the world had happened while I was gone?

—–CROW—–