"Find the World Tree... Find the World Tree."
The first light of dawn pierced through the window, dancing across white curtains that swayed gently in the breeze. The morning sun beamed directly into the young boy's eyes, making it impossible to cling to sleep any longer.
He opened his eyes to find himself drooling all over his blue pillow, leaving a noticeable stain. The clock beside his bed kept ticking away, showing absolutely no intention of ringing an alarm. Panic setting in, the boy reached for his phone to check the time instead.
"I'm late! I have school today! It's almost seven o'clock?! Oh no, I'm doomed!" His heart practically leaped out of his chest the moment he saw the number seven flashing on the screen.
Without thinking, the young boy threw himself out of his star-patterned, ocean-blue bed. Unfortunately, his clumsy foot stepped right onto a stray sheep plushie, sending him crashing onto the concrete floor.
"Ouch! That hurt... What is all this? I didn't clean up from yesterday, did I?"
The young cougar beastman looked around his room. It was an absolute disaster zone—plushies scattered everywhere, empty water bottles left abandoned, and his electronic keyboard lying on the floor, forgotten outside its case. He must have been exhausted after returning late last night from a music gig with his older brothers.
They had strictly drilled it into him not to forget his alarm. When he unlocked his phone to check properly, his stomach dropped: 10 missed calls from a contact saved as 'Big Brother.'
"Oh man... I'm going to get chewed out so hard. Better go shower right now!"
The young mountain lion quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and dashed into the bathroom. He figured a quick face wash and brushing his teeth would suffice. But as he closed his eyes, letting the facial foam wash away under the streaming water...
That voice returned.
"Find the World Tree... Find the World Tree."
"Again? The World Tree?"
The boy wiped the water streaming down his face and opened his striking green eyes. He pondered over the mysterious voice calling out for the 'World Tree'—a voice that had been echoing in his mind for who knows how long. He figured he should probably keep it to himself and look up some information in the school library later.
As he rinsed his fur and brushed his teeth, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. A young cougar stared back. But as a cougar, he was notably smaller than other big cat beastmen like lions, panthers, or tigers. In fact, he was smaller than everyone else in his family. It was no wonder they all treated him like a permanent kid.
Phisanmon was his real name. It was a combination of 'Phisan,' meaning vast or grand, and 'Mon,' meaning impurity or darkness. His parents believed naming him this would reverse his bad luck, pushing all evil things vastly far away from him. However, the boy himself didn't quite buy into it. He secretly thought that by now, the 'impurities' had probably just accumulated inside him instead.
"Come on, pull it together and get to school, Poon!"
The boy slapped his own cheeks to snap out of it. He shoved his school uniform and supplies into his dark blue backpack, stepping downstairs while quickly dialing his brother on the way.
"Woke up late again, didn't ya, Poon? Your big bro talks and teaches, but you never learn," Lim fired off a barrage of Northern Thai dialect through the phone, completely uncaring of the country they were currently living in.
"P'Lim, wait up for Lil' Poon! I'm almost downstairs!" Poon replied in the same dialect. When he reached the ground floor, he saw his brother already waiting out front.
"You're late. Hurry up and get on!" Lim switched back to standard Japanese, having finished scolding his younger brother. He revved his motorcycle, waiting for Poon to hop onto the back.
"I'm sorry, P'Lim. Poon forgot to set the alarm," Poon apologized cutely. His older brother could only let out a heavy sigh as he drove out of the apartment complex.
As the little mountain lion looked around the bustling city of Nagoya, he was reminded of how naturally humans and beastmen coexisted—not just here, but across the entire globe.
It all began back in the year 2573 when scientists were researching ways to extend human lifespans. They discovered that animal cells could significantly increase longevity, and after countless experiments, the world's first mouse beastman, Asaki Yume, was born.
Following that breakthrough, citizens worldwide were given the choice to undergo the transformation. While many embraced the chance for a longer life, differing ideologies inevitably led to a massive global war. Once the dust settled, the World Government issued a mandate for peace, officially registering and accepting beastmen into human society. Fortunately, modern beastmen had completely shed their primal ferocity. Even though raw instincts remained, nearly 98% of their wild nature had been scientifically suppressed. Today, beastmen lived in total freedom, free from human discrimination.
As Poon took in the morning scenery of shops just starting to open, Lim broke the silence.
"You know, Poon... you're getting older. I think it's time you start waking up on your own," Lim lectured gently. Poon wasn't a kid anymore; he would be an adult in a few short years. If he didn't improve his habits, life was going to get tough.
Poon was a naturally laid-back, easygoing kid. As an older brother, Lim could only advise him, but ultimately, Poon had to take responsibility for his own life.
"Yes... I'll try my best," Poon murmured, his voice lacking confidence. He wrapped his arms tightly around his brother's waist to ensure he wouldn't fall off the speeding motorcycle.
"Don't forget that Mom and Dad sent us to Japan so we could learn to be more responsible. Understand?" Lim reminded him for the umpteenth time.
Poon could only nod and listen. Despite a bit of morning traffic, Lim managed to get Poon to school just in time. Poon handed the helmet back to his brother, adjusted his backpack, and flashed a bright smile at the brother he loved most.
"See you later, Bro!"
Lim waved goodbye before accelerating away toward his own university. Now alone, Poon turned to look at the front gates of his school. Nagoya International High School was situated right in the heart of the city; it was quite large, yet simple and unpretentious—a perfect place for someone like him.
"Poon! Hurry up! We're going to miss the opening orientation!"
A brown-furred cat suddenly grabbed Poon's hand, dragging him into a sprint toward the assembly hall.
The cat leading the charge was Charles de Vondu, an international student from a wealthy French family; his father was a prominent hospital owner and university professor. Charles had been Poon's closest friend since they both transferred here in their first year of high school. Back then, Charles had helped Poon tremendously with English, which Poon absolutely struggled with. Because they both belonged to the feline family and shared a love for books in the Library Club, they instantly clicked.
Bursting into the assembly hall right before the bell rang, Poon breathed a sigh of relief. He had survived another morning. Tomorrow, the little cougar resolved internally, I am definitely setting my alarm earlier.
After the chaotic morning rush, classes finally began. Now in their second year of high school, the curriculum had gotten significantly tougher compared to the first year, leaving Poon completely overwhelmed.
During the first two periods—Math and Social Studies—Poon's hand practically cramped from frantically taking notes. Finally, the bell rang for his favorite class: Foreign Literature.
The beastman instructor began introducing Norse mythology. "In Norse myth, the cosmos is divided into nine realms: Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Nidavellir, Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim, and Niflheim. All of these lands are held together and supported by the great World Tree..."
The moment those words left the teacher's mouth, something triggered inside Poon's mind.
"Find the World Tree... Find the World Tree."
Poon drifted into a daze, completely tuning out the rest of the lecture until the lunch bell snapped him out of his trance. He quickly packed his things into his desk.
Within seconds, Charles slid over to his desk. "Whew! I really thought we weren't going to make it this morning. You gave me a near-heart attack, Poon!" Charles gasped, clutching his chest dramatically to show how worried he had been.
"I'm sorry, Charles. I just forgot to set my alarm," Poon said, scratching his head with a sheepish, guilty smile.
"It's fine, but seriously, don't forget again. I went to see your music performance last night, and while it was amazing, it's concerning if it starts affecting your schoolwork. Oh, and one more thing, Poon..." Charles paused, shifting into a more serious tone. "You're growing up now. You really need to stop referring to yourself by your own name. Use 'I' or 'me' like an adult. Even if you want to use informal slang, I wouldn't mind. It just sounds a bit childish."
Charles was genuinely worried about his feline friend. Poon was incredibly innocent—he was far too trusting and kind-hearted. Charles constantly feared that someone would take advantage of that innocence and hurt him, and as his best friend, Charles refused to let that happen.
"Um... Okay. I will try. Hehe. But I won't use rough slang, that's way too rude."
Despite his innocence, Poon still knew his manners, which was perhaps his most admirable trait. Charles smiled, slinging an arm around Poon's shoulder as they headed down to the cafeteria.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, Poon bought himself a bowl of Shoyu Ramen and walked over to the table Charles had saved. Unlike Poon, Charles always brought a beautifully prepared bento box. Poon lived alone and was terrible at making Japanese lunches. He had originally wanted to bring a traditional Thai tiffin carrier (Pinto) from home, but his parents had forbidden it, telling him to blend in with the local Japanese culture. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, Poon thought.
"Your bento looks so beautiful, Charles," Poon complimented. The sleek, silver circular box was flawlessly arranged: two crispy pieces of mini shrimp tempura, tonkatsu drizzled in savory sauce, fresh lettuce, and vibrant cherry tomatoes. It looked like a meal fit for royalty.
"Thank you! To be honest, my father and I actually woke up early to make this together. We didn't let the family chef help at all," Charles beamed proudly, clearly overjoyed by the joint effort. "Though, truth be told, there was supposed to be a tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) too, but Father completely burnt it to a crisp. So I only let him pour the sauce. I basically did all the actual cooking myself! After he ruined it, he wouldn't stop apologizing. He can be so uncool sometimes... but I love him anyway."
Poon giggled, vividly picturing the wealthy professor panicking over a blackened omelet in front of his beloved son. It was heartwarming.
"Hey! Poon, Charles! Mind if we join you?"
A familiar voice boomed across the cafeteria. It belonged to a wolf senior everyone knew well: Tanda Tonatsuki. Tanda was a grey wolf with striking yellow under-fur that contrasted beautifully with his dark grey coat. He was a talented vocalist possessing a powerful voice capable of commanding a stage. As usual, students around the cafeteria were glancing over, whispering compliments about Tanda's charisma and his latest songs.
Tanda wasn't alone. Walking right behind him were two more wolves. Kumoma Hanaki, a red-furred wolf wearing a black jacket over his school uniform, and Getsuga Akaitsuki, a dark brown-and-black wolf with a stern, imposing expression. Their intimidating auras stood in stark contrast to Tanda, who was currently flashing a radiant, carefree smile at everyone.
Poon had learned that these three wolves were brothers, famously dubbed "The Tri-Luna" because they hailed from the ancient Luna clan—a prestigious samurai lineage from feudal times. Despite their heritage, all three had chosen entirely different paths. Poon had met Tanda and Kumo through a music gig; Poon played the keyboard, Tanda sang, and Kumo played bass. Getsuga, however, was introduced a few days later. At first, Getsuga always looked incredibly annoyed, but after talking a bit, they had become good friends.
"Of course, Senpai! I mean... I'd love for you to sit with us," Poon offered warmly, still tripping over his pronouns.
Charles chuckled at Poon's struggle, smiling as he shifted over to make room for Kumo, who dragged a reluctant Getsuga down next to him. Getsuga shot Tanda a look that clearly communicated he wanted to sit next to him, but Kumo's grip was ironclad. Tanda took the seat right next to Poon, and the three wolves opened their bentos.
"Thanks, bud. By the way, did you finally change the way you talk?" Tanda noted cheerfully, catching Poon's sudden switch to "I."
"About time," Kumo chimed in, his tone sharp but constructive. "You need to look like a grown-up, not a kid who refuses to mature." Though his words cut deep, Poon knew Kumo was just looking out for him.
"Hey now, Kumo, don't be so harsh! You're going to make Poon cry," Tanda quickly intervened, turning to comfort the innocent younger boy. "No matter how you talk, Poon, you're always adorable."
"It's alright, Tanda-senpai. I... I understand completely," Poon nodded, taking Kumo's advice to heart. He really did need to act more maturely so others wouldn't have to worry about him. Tanda merely narrowed his eyes playfully at Kumo; Tanda himself had once been saved by Kumo's brutally honest words, so he couldn't argue too much.
"Yeah, I agree. There was no need to say it so bluntly," Getsugs muttered quietly before opening his lunchbox and looking at Tanda. "Anyway, look at my bento, Tanda. I put broccoli in it today. It's really sweet and crunchy. Try some." It was obvious Getsuga had made Tanda's lunch box for him today.
"I hate broccoli..." Tanda deadpanned, immediately poking the green vegetable to the absolute edge of his container.
Getsuga's face visibly fell. The crushing rejection right in front of his face inflicted an immediate emotional wound.
"Um... I can eat it for you! I actually love broccoli," Poon offered gently, extending his chopsticks toward Tanda's box. Tanda gladly handed it over.
However, out of the corner of his eye, Poon felt a sudden, terrifying aura of pure jealousy radiating from Getsuga. Tanda quickly shot Getsuga a warning glare, forcing the dark wolf to snap back to a normal expression, looking like a thoroughly defeated puppy. Poon popped the broccoli into his mouth.
"Wow, it really is sweet and crunchy, just like Getsuga-senpai said!" Poon praised genuinely.
"Really? Well, in that case, good job, Getsuga," Tanda smiled, turning to give Getsuga a subtle, playful wink.
Instantly, the withered dark wolf practically bloomed back to life.
"Thanks," Getsuga replied smoothly, trying to maintain a stoic face, though everyone could tell he was secretly thrilled to receive Tanda's praise.
Tanda turned back to Poon with a grin. "Honestly though, the one that looks the most delicious is Kumo's."
Kumo always cooked his own meals, and his culinary skills were legendary. Poon recalled a time during their band practice when Senior Kumo brought bentos for the whole band; it was so delicious that Poon desperately wanted the recipe so he could make it for his beloved brother Lim.
"It's just average. Stop exaggerating," Kumo mumbled, turning his head away to hide his blushing face as he hastily chugged a carton of soy milk.
"No, Senior Kumo, it really looks incredible," Charles admired. He secretly thought to himself that whoever ended up with Kumo in the future was getting the ultimate house-husband.
Inside Kumo's magenta bento box, three pieces of sweet tamagoyaki were perfectly aligned alongside precisely sliced lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers. The rice was elegantly dusted with white sesame seeds, accompanied by tiny, adorable onigiri wrapped in seaweed. It was a flawless visual masterpiece.
"Enough, seriously. I just make what I feel like eating. It's nothing special," Kumo dismissed the compliments, clearly embarrassed by the attention.
While they were eating, a cheetah beastman suddenly approached the table.
"Mind if I sit here, Charles? Ah! Senpai, you're here too? Sorry to intrude!"
The newcomer blinked, just realizing the three infamous wolf seniors were sitting there. The moment Charles made eye contact with the cheetah, he immediately averted his gaze, hiding behind Kumo. The red wolf let out a quiet chuckle.
"What is wrong with you, Charles?" Kumo teased.
The cheetah beastman was Benkei Shungetsu, though most people knew him by his racetrack pseudonym, "Betax." Benkei competed in provincial motorcycle racing and was the fierce rival of Poon's brother, Lim (known on the track as "Lima"). Two years ago, Benkei had taken first place while Lim took second, cementing their rivalry ever since.
Moreover, Poon secretly knew a giant secret: Charles was harboring a massive crush on his best friend, Benkei. Poon thought it was the most beautiful, pure thing—romance between best friends. Poon couldn't help but wonder if he would ever experience a love like that.
"Have a seat, don't be shy. The more the merrier!" Tanda welcomed Benkei warmly.
"Thank you, Senpai," Benkei smiled, taking the seat next to Poon, which put him directly opposite Charles, giving them a perfect view of one another.
"Are you okay, Charles?" Benkei asked, noticing his friend's flushed face and shifty behavior. "You look really red. Are you coming down with something?"
"N-No! I'm completely fine!" Charles shot back defensively, forcing himself to look normal as he aggressively poked at his bento.
While the entire table was fully aware of Charles's raging crush, Benkei remained entirely, blissfully oblivious.
"Well, if you say so," Benkei shrugged. "Hey, is everyone free tomorrow night?"
"What's going on tomorrow?" Tanda asked.
"I wanted to invite everyone out for stargazing. The president of the Occult Research Club mentioned that stargazing tomorrow brings excellent luck. Plus, he said we'd get a perfect view of Scorpio, Leo, and a bunch of other constellations!" Benkei explained excitedly.
"The Occult Club President? That weirdo is highly suspicious," Kumo scoffed. "Though, stargazing doesn't sound terrible."
Rumor had it that the Occult President could actually use real magic, earning him the nickname 'The Magician,' though no one had ever actually seen him perform any.
"Tomorrow night? Ah, I can't make it. I have a singing gig lined up, so I have to pass. Sorry about that," Tanda said, raising a hand apologetically. It wasn't surprising; as a rising star, managing school and a music career kept him incredibly busy.
"I'd love to go, but I'm swamped too. I have a web novel deadline to meet," Kumo declined next, finishing his final bite of food. Kumo was a talented writer who occasionally shared drafts with Poon. Poon loved Kumo's stories, even if Kumo sometimes accidentally included mature scenes that completely went over Poon's innocent head (and nearly got Poon grounded by Lim).
"I have swordsmanship practice," Getsuga stated flatly, taking a sip of boxed tea. True to his samurai lineage, Getsuga was deeply dedicated to the blade, projecting an aura of cool discipline.
"Always with the sword practice. Are you trying to win a Kendo medal or something?" Tanda teased.
"Of course. I intend to bring honor to my family through the blade. Though I still can't beat your dual-dagger style, so you're still the stronger one in my book," Getsuga replied earnestly.
Tanda's face flushed a deep crimson, and he covered his face in sheer embarrassment. "What are you even saying?! There are people here! Kumo, did you let Getsuga read your romance novels again?!"
Kumo quickly looked away. "Don't look at me. I've never let him touch my drafts."
Before the awkward silence could linger, Poon spoke up. "Actually, I think I—"
Tanda suddenly leaned in, cutting him off by whispering directly into his ear. "Poon, let those two go together. Don't ruin their romantic moment."
Poon blinked, understanding immediately. "Right! Actually, I'm not free either. I... I have to look for the World Tree."
The entire table froze, staring at Poon in utter bewilderment. Poon instantly panicked, realizing how bizarre that sounded. "I-I mean! I want to research the World Tree—Yggdrasil—in the library! I heard about it in literature class and thought it sounded super interesting!" He quickly covered up, blushing furiously at his own slip of the tongue.
The group nodded, pretending to buy the explanation.
"Well... I guess that leaves just us," Charles stammered, his face burning up.
Kumo nudged Charles sharply with his elbow, whispering, "Don't waste this opportunity, you idiot. Go get your man."
Charles snapped out of it, turning to Benkei. "I'll go with you!"
Benkei beamed happily. "Awesome! Thanks, Charles."
Seeing that radiant smile, Charles immediately buried his face into Kumo's arm, squeezing his eyes shut. The table shared a collective, silent smile, mentally cheering for the helpless cat. Kumo could only sigh, accepting his fate as Charles's emotional shield.
"Are you sure you're okay, Charles?" Benkei asked again, watching his friend look like he wanted to melt into the floor.
"He's fine. Just a sudden headache," Kumo lied smoothly. "In fact, since you're so worried, why don't you take him to the infirmary?"
"Sure, I can do that. I'm finished eating anyway. Let's go, Charles," Benkei agreed, standing up.
"Poon, go with them," Tanda instructed. "Help prop Charles up so he doesn't collapse on the way. We're gonna clean up here. See ya!"
Tanda, Kumo, and Getsuga quickly gathered their things and left, leaving the two felines and the cheetah. Together, Poon and Benkei practically dragged a heavily blushing Charles down the hallway to the clinic.
Benkei pushed the door open, revealing the school doctor—a massive wild boar—currently napping on one of the patient beds. He groaned, sitting up and glaring crossly at the trio.
"What do you want?" the doctor grunted, thoroughly annoyed at having his nap interrupted.
"Hello, Dr. Etharus. Our friend has a severe headache, and his face is completely red. We're not sure if he's sick," Benkei explained.
Dr. Etharus, clad in his white lab coat, walked over to Charles. He took one look at the cat's crimson face, put two and two together, and immediately let out a loud laugh. He knew a lovesick, embarrassed kid when he saw one. He walked over to his desk to log the visit.
"Sigh... Put the 'patient' on the bed. Coming to the infirmary for a little blush, honestly, kids these days... I'll take it from here. You boys... actually, just the little cougar over there. Out of my room."
Poon blinked as Dr. Etharus pointedly kicked him out, leaving Benkei and Charles alone. Realizing he was officially a third wheel, Poon smiled. "Well, if the doctor says so... See you later, Benkei, Charles!"
Poon waved goodbye and strolled down the hallway. On his way, he spotted a massive, tough-looking shark leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. It was Psychark.
Psychark was the talented drummer of Tanda's band. Sporting a black-and-red jacket over a white tank top that showed off his athletic build, the blue-toned great white shark looked like a textbook delinquent. He looked up, spotting Poon, and raised a hand.
"Yo, Poon! Long time no see. How've you been since the gig? Your brother isn't dead yet, right?" Scyarch greeted with a rough grin. He and Lim were apparently close riding buddies.
Poon smiled warmly. "Hello, Psychark! My brother is doing great. Are you here to see Mr. Cetagon today?"
Mr. Zetagon was Psychark's older brother. While Psychark was a blue-hued white shark, Cetagon was a melanistic black shark. He was notably leaner than his muscular younger brother, though still quite fit for a teacher.
"Yeah, that idiot promised we'd grab lunch together today. I was just heading over to drag him out," Scyarch grumbled, kicking the base of the wall just as Cetagon walked around the corner.
"Hello, Poon. And hello to you, Scy. My apologies for my younger brother's crude behavior; I trust he hasn't terrified you," Cetagon sighed, adjusting his glasses. He always worried Scyarch's thug-like demeanor would scare the students. But Poon actually liked Scyarch; he reminded him a bit of his own chaotic brothers.
"I haven't done anything wrong, you annoying bookworm! You promised we'd eat at noon, look what time it is now!" Scyarch snapped, sticking his tongue out immaturely. Despite being nearly thirty, Scyarch still acted like a child—though Poon prided himself on having much better manners.
"I had a back-to-back lecture. An unemployed slacker like you wouldn't understand what real work looks like," Zetagon countered coldly. The words pierced Psychark like a physical blade, making the drummer gag dramatically.
"Who says I'm unemployed?! I have a job, you jerk!" Psychark yelled, pointing a finger at his brother.
"A part-time gig that lasts two hours a week is not a career, Scy. How many times do I have to tell you to find a stable job?"
As the shark brothers descended into a loud argument, Poon quietly backed away. 'When things get heated, walk away,' Lim had always taught him. Poon slipped past the bickering siblings and continued down the corridor.
Walking past the clubroom wing, Poon gazed out at the passing students. Humans and beastmen walking side by side, their predatory instincts entirely erased by modern science. There were no longer stories of carnivores attacking herbivores, nor beastmen going feral. They were entirely free.
Eventually, Poon reached the very end of the hallway. He stopped in front of a door that most students actively avoided: The Occult Research Club.
This was the domain of The Magician, the mysterious club president Benkei and Kumo had mentioned. Normally, Poon wouldn't dare step foot inside, but the mysterious voice about the 'World Tree' was driving him crazy. Maybe, just maybe, these occult weirdos had an answer.
Poon reached out, turned the doorknob, and stepped inside.
The room was pitch black. Suddenly, a hand shot out from the darkness, grabbing Poon by the collar and yanking him inside. The door slammed shut behind him.
Terrified, Poon squeezed his eyes shut. The distinct flick of a lighter echoed through the room. Poon opened his eyes to see floating sparks of flame igniting candle after candle upon an ornate candelabra. The room was bathed in a dim, eerie orange glow. Sitting directly across from him at a velvet-covered table was the President of the Occult Research Club.
"Welcome. To the one who has wandered, and the one who was destined to arrive. I am Chiron Lycoris. I shall unravel the mystery that plagues your soul," the wolf stated theatrically.
Poon blinked, slightly taken aback by the dramatic introduction.
"Is it a question of love? Your grades? Or perhaps the winning lottery numbers for next week?" Chiron guessed, leaning forward.
The blatant scam-artist vibe immediately drained all of Poon's respect for the guy. Just as Poon turned around to leave, Chiron's voice dropped to a low whisper.
"Or perhaps... the mystery you seek is the World Tree?"
Poon froze, the hair on his arms standing completely on end. A chill ran down his spine. How could this total stranger know exactly what was inside his head?
"You wonder how I know," Chiron murmured.
Suddenly, the candles blew out, plunging the room back into darkness. Poon gasped as a piece of glowing green chalk levitated into the air, rapidly sketching the luminous outline of a massive, sprawling tree in the void. Before Poon could react, Chiron grabbed him by the hands, spinning him around the dark room in a bizarre, elegant waltz as he spoke.
"The World Tree... a cosmic nexus connecting all dimensions. The ultimate anchor of alternate realities. Ancient lore dictates that it holds the very core of our existence. Should the Tree ever be destroyed, all nine realms shall collapse into the eternal abyss of hell. That is all you need to know for now."
With a final spin, Poon was guided back into his chair.
The main lights clicked on. Poon blinked against the sudden brightness, finally seeing the president clearly. Chiron was a grey wolf with deep, heavy dark circles under his eyes, giving him a naturally menacing look. He stared at Poon like a predator sizing up its prey, baring his sharp fangs in a sinister grin.
"As for the World Tree... I shall be your guide. However, you must return to this room tonight. At exactly 11:00 PM. I will show you the path to the World Tree you so desperately seek."
The prospect of sneaking out at night made Poon incredibly anxious, but he knew that if he didn't solve this mystery, he wouldn't be able to focus on school at all.
"Thank you, Chiron-senpai," Poon said, pulling out his wallet to pay for the consultation.
"No need. I do not take currency for this. Now leave. I must prepare the necessary components for the ritual."
Poon nodded, slipping out of the room.
Chiron watched the door close, sighing deeply as he leaned against his desk. Suddenly, a pristine white wolf materialized out of thin air right beside him.
"Thank you, Chiron. For guiding the boy," the white wolf spoke softly, watching the closed door.
Chiron rolled his eyes, letting out a defeated sigh. "Don't thank me. The kid is going to have a mountain of work ahead of him anyway. You should get going too. Don't you have your own duties to attend to, Hoshino? Or should I call you by your grand title... The Star?" Chiron smirked mockingly.
"Drop the ridiculous title," Hoshino replied with a soft chuckle, waving a hand as he faded back into the ether. "But I'm counting on you. Take care of him."
Chiron turned back to his dark room. Tonight was the night. Tonight, Poon would finally discover the truth behind the World Tree.
"Find the World Tree... Find the World Tree."