Chapter 128 - Spirit of the Guardian Tree (7)

Cecil's emotional behavior was largely due to my poor conduct.

There was little room to deny her accusation about only meeting top seats. Since the only people I'd interacted with while wearing the mask were top seats like Luna and Sion, her resentment was understandable.

It would be troublesome if our relationship ended with this emotional rift. I needed to soothe and comfort her for now.

"Alright, but what exactly do you mean about a spirit appearing?"

The news of a spirit at the Guardian Tree was enough to catch my interest. Perhaps it was the thought entity I hadn't dealt with.

"Do you know the legend of the Guardian Tree?"

I searched my memories. I recall Silveryn mentioning the legend while explaining about the Guardian Tree.

A priestess cast magic on herself to become the Guardian Tree to protect Eternia. I remember it being something like a fairy tale.

There was also talk that if one confessed to the Guardian Tree, it sometimes answered.

"Roughly."

"You know the Guardian Tree was originally a priestess, right? Apparently, that priestess sometimes walks around in human form. Several people have seen her."

"...What does she look like?"

"According to witnesses, a young woman with long white hair."

Hearing the description, I had someone in mind.

"...Couldn't it just be a person rather than a spirit?"

"Besides professors, there's no one with white hair at our school."

"There must be similar colors. Human eyes aren't exactly precise."

"Well, witnesses say she's the most beautiful being they've ever seen. They looked entranced, like they'd been bewitched by a Siren. If it's really that legendary priestess, there's something I really want to ask her. I'm just too curious."

It must be Trisha secretly coming out and being spotted by some people. At least it wasn’t a thought entity.

Cecil narrowed her eyes and stared at me intently as I was lost in thought.

"Why did your reaction change when I mentioned she was beautiful?"

"Can you see my expression?"

"Yes, I have x-ray vision. I can see Candy behind the mask, slightly ugly but endearing."

"Guess we can't play cards together."

Seeing Cecil's mood had improved somewhat, I stood up.

I could help her investigate the Guardian Tree, and then ask her about appraising and processing the wingless dragon's crystal afterward.

It would be disastrous if Trisha, sneaking out of the labyrinth, was caught by other students. I should take preventive action.

"Then I'll see you this evening. Any other supplies needed?"

Cecil hid her face behind her book and said, "Just bring yourself."

After sunset, I came to the dormitory garden where I'd promised to meet Cecil.

Cecil was waiting, wearing a black robe pulled low over her head, perhaps for disguise. Though it was evening, many students wandered near the dormitory, and her suspicious appearance drew attention.

Cecil waved.

"Candy! You really came. Good boy."

"It's a restricted area—do you have a way in?"

"You don't go there much, do you? Until recently there were surveillance magic and Planteras, but they're gone now. The restriction's just superficial—there’s no real problem entering."

I asked casually, but she was quite well-informed.

I'd visited the labyrinth to warn Trisha never to come out, but couldn't deliver the message as she wasn't there.

I moved toward the Guardian Tree with Cecil. We looked incredibly suspicious—one wearing a mask, the other with a robe pulled low.

While walking, Cecil asked, "Hey... by the way."

"Yes?"

"How did you get close to Sion?"

I answered flatly, "We're not close."

"Then why did you go to Rigbed?"

"Had business. What about you?"

"I went for fortune-telling."

"How was your reading?"

"As you saw in Rigbed, I couldn't meet the Stone Prophet. I wanted to try the fish bowl reading too."

"Fish bowl...?"

"Yes. Apparently, they tell fortunes using stones and a fish bowl. Good at seeing both future and past."

"..."

"Too bad, I wanted to know my marriage fortune."

"What kind of amazing person are you trying to meet that you need a fortune?"

"I'm not that picky. Don't need anything else, just has to be handsome."

"..."

"Candy, what's your ideal type?"

To clear up the misunderstanding about liking people based on grades, maybe I should make something up.

"Well, anyone who eats well looks good to me."

"Hmm... you sound like an old man."

We stopped at the boundary between the forest and a clearing. Cecil crouched down in a suitable spot. She patted the ground beside her and said, "Come sit here."

"Do you have some plan?"

I sat beside Cecil, leaning against a stump.

"What plan? We just wait."

It was getting chilly as the sun set. We couldn't exactly light a fire near the Guardian Tree. 

I wonder how long we can last.

"What about the cold?"

Cecil smiled brightly and pulled a black bottle from her robe.

"I brought a warming potion for that."

Seems like a lot for a potion.

She uncorked it and took several big gulps first. Then, wiped the black liquid from her mouth with her sleeve and handed me the bottle.

"Here, you drink too."

"..."

I turned away from her, lifted my mask slightly, and took a drink.

Pfft!

I spat out the liquid after a few sips. 

This isn't a potion—it’s wine!

"How could you waste something so expensive?"

"This is alcohol!"

"You readily drink harsh potions but get sensitive about common alcohol?"

Can't argue with that.

"It's banned in the dormitory."

"This is my first time drinking too. I brought one just for show, but keeping it in the dormitory was awkward so I thought we'd empty it now, warm up too."

"..."

After considering for a while, I closed my eyes tight and took several big gulps of wine.

The bitter, astringent liquid went down my throat. I really didn't understand what taste people found in wine.

Cecil took the bottle back and took several more big gulps. This woman must be crazy.

We killed time silently like that for a while.

Slightly tipsy from the alcohol, I stared blankly at the Guardian Tree and said, "At this rate, any spirit will run away seeing us."

"No way. I really have something to ask, I really gotta meet them. Hic"

Cecil seemed to have hiccups and pounded her chest with her fist.

"Candy, hic, pat my, hic, back."

I patted Cecil's back like a massage with my fist. Finally, her hiccups stopped.

"That's better."

She turned and slowly rested her head on my shoulder.

"It's surprisingly nice here at night. So quiet."

Only the sound of wind through trees and insects filled the silence.

I asked Cecil, "...How long are you planning to stay?"

"Until midnight."

Rather than catching spirits... seemed like she just came to drink and fool around.

Then a dark figure moved behind the Guardian Tree. I thought it was an animal, but looking closer, it was human-shaped.

"Wait, did you see that?"

"...What?"

"Something moved behind the Guardian Tree?"

"Hmm... really? I don't see anything. Let's go check."

Cecil stood up, gripping the wine bottle like a weapon. She already seemed somewhat drunk.

As Cecil stumbled, I grabbed her wrist and led her.

She must have spotted something too, speaking with wonder.

"There really is something!"

But it wasn't the spirit Cecil talked about. If it were, white hair would have reflected in the moonlight.

She took another drink from the bottle while walking. She really couldn't control herself, despite claiming no drinking experience.

"Drink moderately. Are you planning on entering the dormitory while completely drunk?"

"This is from my proud House Fontar's vineyard. I can't waste a single drop."

I approached the Guardian Tree quietly. I heard rustling behind the tree.

I held my breath and took a defensive stance.

Then Cecil shouted loudly, "Who's theeeere? Hic"

And a woman's voice came from the opposite side.

"...Cecil?"

Cecil stared wide-eyed for a moment before speaking, "...Elias?"

Soon after, a couple emerged from behind the Guardian Tree.

It was Cecil's friend Elias and the student I had saved in the circulatory system prior, Victor.

Elias spoke with a puzzled expression.

"Cecil, why are you... here? What's that in your hand?"

Cecil suddenly sobered up and spoke normally, "Ah, just a potion?"

"...Really? What brings you here?"

"Looking for the Guardian Tree's spirit. You?"

"W-we came for the same reason. We wondered who you were with your strange appearance. Ah, we should have worn masks too in case we got caught!"

There seemed to be another reason, but since we looked equally suspicious, I didn't press further.

Victor looked back and forth between Cecil and me, nodding as if understanding everything. 

Whatever you're thinking, that's not it, you fool.

Then, another figure lurking near the Guardian Tree jumped out.

Showing obvious hostility.

"Hey, what are you!?"

Someone wearing a suspicious black sack-like mask with eye and breathing holes cut out emerged from the forest.

Judging by the voice and build, it was a male around our age.

His distinguishing features were a defensive dagger in one hand and a pure white canvas in the other.

He looked us over once and shouted, "A-are you first-years?"

Though his attitude was intimidating, he couldn't hide his nervousness.

I whispered to Cecil, "How widely spread are the rumors about the spirit?"