"The Tree of Life has recognized you."
Aira's eyes widened. She didn't know what to say.
The elder stared at her for several long seconds. Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his face.
"I was totally right."
Aira blinked. "W-what?"
"I knew it."
The elder suddenly laughed. "I knew it from the moment I first saw you."
Aira's eyebrow twitched.
The elder tapped his staff lightly against the ground. "The moment I saw you, there was something different about you. Your presence did not feel like that of an ordinary human. Your scent was strange. Your magical presence was even stranger. And the necklace you are wearing does not belong to our kingdom."
Aira instinctively touched the necklace beneath her clothes.
The elder continued. "But I did not have enough evidence to confirm my suspicion."
He looked toward the Tree of Life. "Until now...."
The golden light beneath the roots pulsed softly.
"The Tree has spoken to you."
Aira swallowed nervously.
