"You're an alchemist? How could you be an alchemist? You're still just a child, yet you dare to call yourself an alchemist."
Tias eyed him suspiciously, but looking at the child before her, she saw no sign of deceit.
> "Besides, isn't that profession supposed to be something only old, serious humans take up? For someone your age to claim to be an alchemist is just... unbelievable." Tias said, astonished.
> "I'm really not lying. I am an alchemist! Well, technically I'm still an apprentice." Noel replied honestly.
Noel pulled out his apprentice badge to prove himself. Tias took one glance at the shiny, golden badge, and it did look authentic.
> "Fine. I suppose I'll believe you for now. Come into my treehouse so we can talk." Tias finally compromised.
She needed every bit of help she could get, and even a small increase in strength might raise the chances of defeating that monster.
Noel looked around, confused. Treehouse? Where? Was Tias messing with him?
In the distance, Noel saw Tias slip into a layer of green mist and vanish. He quickly followed her through the haze.
Inside was a massive treehouse. Noel had built a treehouse himself once, but compared to this, his felt like a toy.
This tree was impossibly large, likely having stood on this land for thousands of years. The interior was beautifully arranged, though everything was made of wood.
Noel could tell at a glance that wood magic had been used throughout. The beds, tables, and chairs were carved into shape from living wood, giving it a primitive yet warm feel.
Inside the treehouse, Tias' demeanor changed. No longer timid, she was calm and competent, taking command of the situation.
> "Sit wherever you like. I'll go get you some forest fruit." she said before flying up to the upper level of the treehouse.
So this is how convenient it is to be able to fly, Noel thought with a hint of envy. Why don't humans have wings?
He recalled seeing a design in the alchemy manuals about humans attempting to create wings using alchemy. While they did manage to fly, the cost was immense.
The blueprints had been intricate, but they required metal that was both lightweight and capable of withstanding impacts—a nearly impossible material to find. Noel had long given up on the idea.
> "These are fruits unique to the forest. Eat some to regain your strength." Tias said as she returned, carrying a bundle of bright red fruits, which she scattered across the table.
Noel picked up one of the juicy fruits. The moment he bit into it, the sweet juice gushed out, refreshing and tangy.
For Noel, who had been starving since morning, it felt like a gift from the heavens.
He began devouring them hungrily. "They're delicious! So, so good," he said between bites, juice dripping down his chin.
> "Slow down. No one's going to steal them from you," Tias scolded lightly.
> "I'm just really hungry... I only had a flying fish this morning, and it tasted awful..." Noel said, unable to forget the taste of that fish.
> "These fruits are different, though. They're crisp, sweet, and refreshing. They even fill me up." Noel was completely immersed in the delightful flavors bursting on his tongue.
> "I'll go get you some more, then." Tias said, seeing how much he was enjoying them, and she kindly brought him another batch.
Noel finally felt somewhat full, and he noticed a strange sensation of strength welling up within him.
> "Do these fruits have some kind of special effect?" he asked, marveling at the gentle energy flowing through his tired limbs.
> "They're watered using the Lake of Life, so of course they have some special properties. Not as strong as the lake water itself, but enough to have an effect." Tias said casually.
Noel felt a pang of guilt, realizing he now owed Tias another favor.
Tias seemed to sense his discomfort and said in a huff,
> "Don't get the wrong idea. You're a guest in my treehouse, so this is just normal hospitality. Don't think too much about it."
> "I see..." Noel nodded, feeling relieved.
> "Since you've eaten your fill, why don't you act as bait while I handle the monster? If you lure it out, I can bind it with my vines. It shouldn't be too dangerous." Tias suggested confidently.
> "I don't mind being bait, but just binding it with vines won't work. That won't do anything." Noel rejected her plan immediately.
> "I can add poison to the vines, you know. Don't forget, I'm a wood spirit. I can not only control vines, but enhance their toxins." Tias argued.
> "Poison might be useful, but the Nue's hide is too thick. It won't even pierce the skin." Noel countered again.
> "Then what brilliant idea do you have, huh?" Tias snapped, starting to lose her temper.
> "I don't have a brilliant idea, but I was thinking about using explosives to blow it up," Noel admitted reluctantly.
> "Explosives?! Absolutely not! This is a forest, you idiot! Even a single spark could burn everything down. I won't allow it!" Tias was furious. Did this human have any idea what the forest meant to her?
She had dedicated her entire life to protecting this forest, and now he wanted to risk burning it all just to fight the Nue.
> "That's all I can think of. I only know a bit of alchemy and basic wind magic." Noel said helplessly, a deep sense of powerlessness washing over him.
Power wasn't everything, but without strength, he could do nothing to protect this forest.
> "Then let me send you out of the forest now. You don't need to suffer here for something that isn't your responsibility. This is my mission alone." Tias said firmly, her eyes resolute, leaving no room for argument."
> "I want to help. And I still believe using explosives is the best option, but I promise to find a way to minimize the damage." Noel replied sincerely, trying to use his honesty to convince Tias.
Giving up now would go against his principles. If he had already decided to help, then he needed to see it through.
What was the point of quitting halfway and throwing everything back on Tias? Wouldn't that make all his efforts so far meaningless?
> "I don't agree with this plan." Tias said, her voice trembling.
> "I swear on my life that I will keep the damage to a minimum. If you still don't believe me, we can sign a spirit contract." Noel said, bringing out his trump card.
> "You know there are three kinds of people in this world who value contracts above all else: Stellar Magi, Alchemists, and your kind—spirits." Noel said, looking Tias directly in the eye.
> "So please, trust me. I will keep my promise. I truly want to help. Please, give me this chance." Noel pleaded once more.
Tias' resolve finally began to waver. There was no reason left to refuse. This child was so determined, to the point of madness, and maybe... maybe she could go mad with him just this once.
Why was this child so foolish? Why would he go so far for a spirit like her? Was it laughable? Maybe. Was it foolish? Maybe not.
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