As the source of the mind‑altering influence vanished, the ominous red markings on the crimson‑leaf tree spirit faded quickly, the raging flames were extinguished, and it reverted to an ordinary dark‑brown trunk.
The brutal red glow in its eyes dissipated, replaced by a look of bewilderment and exhaustion; its struggling weakened considerably, and it let out a low, feeble groan, as if waking from a nightmare.
The green tree spirit, seeing this, let out a satisfied rustle as its massive branches swayed gently.
"So it's done?!"
The forest manager watched Hope's smooth handling and was at a loss for words.
He had just looked so reluctant while haggling, as if it were all about the money... Hope smiled, snapped his fingers, and the intricate Lu Ban lock binding the tree spirit instantly fell apart, turning into pure magical energy that dissipated into the air.
Freed from its restraints, the crimson‑leaf tree spirit shook its head, tried to stand, but staggered due to the prior exertion and injuries.
The green‑leaf tree spirit hurried forward, extending a sturdy branch to support it, and the two spirits whispered to each other in their unique language.
Hope couldn't understand, but fortunately the forest manager translated.
The crimson‑leaf tree spirit had once lived happily deep in the forest, but about half a month ago a human mage arrived; his magic could command the earth's mana and merge his own body with the trees.
At the time it was habitually disguising itself as an ordinary tree to sleep, and was unfortunately passed through by that mage as if it were just a regular tree. The fragment of magic the mage left inside caused it to lose its sanity, becoming violent and belligerent.
Mana can reflect a mage's personality from another angle.
Thus, the mysterious mage who employed the "Great Tree Arc" must be highly warlike.
However, there is too little information about him, and his power seems unfathomable, so there's no need to probe further.
Hope turned to the patron of this mission, rubbed his fingers together, and gave an especially sincere smile.
The forest manager was equally generous, pulling a magical finance card from his pocket and transferring 500,000 J onto the card Mira Jen had lent Hope, saying, "I didn't expect someone so young to be so capable; if our forest ever runs into trouble again, we might have to call on you."
"Sure, sure, the Fairy Tail is always happy to help," Hope said, checked the card, and satisfiedly slipped the finance card into his pocket.
This C‑rank mission yielded returns far beyond expectations.
At that moment, the rescued crimson‑leaf tree spirit, supported by the green one, slowly approached Hope, bowed its massive head, and emitted a few gentle, gratitude‑filled hums.
A fresh, emerald‑green twig still glistening with dew extended from its body and was handed to Hope.
The forest manager translated, "It is thanking you for saving its life. This is its condensed 'Life Branch,' imbued with pure life energy that can grant magical plants temporary intelligence."
Looking at the branch exuding a fresh scent, Hope felt a slight stir of emotion.
This is a perfect tool for granting plants—especially magical ones—temporary sentience; though fleeting, it fits perfectly with the 'plant' magic we're still deciphering.
"Thank you."
Hope solemnly expressed his gratitude, carefully accepting the warm, smooth 'Life Branch.' This trip was truly a bounty of rewards... After bidding farewell to the forest manager and the two tree spirits, Hope bought some souvenirs in Onibasu Town and set off back to the guild.
However, this time he chose to return to Magnoria by magical train rather than on foot.
After all, his pockets were deeper now, so he could treat himself a bit better.
Sitting on the train, Hope watched the scenery roll by while replaying the system's earlier prompts in his mind.
The progress bars for 'Plant Magic' and 'Demon Spell: Curse‑Kill' were advancing at a steady pace—nine days left for the former, fifteen for the latter.
Other spells awaiting decryption included: Card Magic (15 days), 'Receiving Magic' (20 days), and 'Great Tree Arc' (45 days).
There was also an extremely over‑powered, seemingly endless project—'Magnetic Field Power' (97 years). The ever‑growing queue gave Hope a sense of urgency while also filling him with anticipation... Upon returning to the guild, Hope found the usually bustling hall eerily empty, with only a few tables occupied.
Mira Jen was idly playing a number game with the newspaper behind the counter; when she saw someone approach, she immediately smiled, "Hope, welcome back. Was the mission smooth?"
"Smooth as silk."
Hope waved a pillow‑sized cute shark plush in front of Mira Jen, "This is a best‑selling item from the Onibasu Town theater, a little token of my appreciation."
Mira Jen took the plush and hugged it, recognizing Hope's thanks for her initial help, and teased, "Looks like this mission paid off well; I remember those theater souvenirs aren't cheap."
Hope shrugged; indeed they weren't cheap, but as a thank‑you gift for Mira Jen, he felt it would be shameful to give something inferior.
"What about mine?"
A voice came from behind; Hope didn't even need to look—the faint smell of alcohol gave away the speaker.
Kana swaggered into the counter area, pulled out a chair, sat down, and reached for Hope, "I helped you too, so where's my gift?"
"You actually have the nerve to ask..."
Hope's mouth twitched, but he still reached into his luggage.
Seeing his action, Kana, who had only intended to joke, froze; she didn't expect Hope to actually have a present for her.
What could it be?
Probably another cute plush, right?
With Kana's expectant eyes on him, Hope pulled out of his bag a—
A wine‑bottle pillow!
Kana's anticipation shattered, her face turned dark as she snatched the wine‑bottle pillow and swung it at Hope, "You bastard Hope! Don't slap the 'drunk' label on me!"
Hope looked helpless; he had intended to buy a cute plush for Kana, thinking that even if she could drink, she was still a girl, and a cute item would be safe.
But who would have thought the theater's souvenir shop also sold such a bizarre wine‑bottle pillow?
He'd glanced at it by accident and knew he had to buy it for Kana.
Yep, it's all that souvenir shop's fault!
After hearing Hope's blame‑shifting, Kana went even crazier, "You see a wine bottle and think of me, huh? And you say it wasn't on purpose! Go die!"
Mira Jen, standing nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Kana was on a rampage, Mira Jen didn't bail her out, so Hope awkwardly changed the subject, "By the way, why is the hall so empty? Where did everyone go?"
"Oh, they're all watching the play in the back courtyard."
"Naz is challenging Elusha again."