Chapter 129 - Spirit of the Guardian Tree (8)

Cecil whispered back to my question, "Probably quite famous?"

Right, in a world where people cross borders just to meet someone beautiful, rumors can't help but spread.

The masked man looked us over several times, his shoulders slumping as if somewhat relieved.

"F-first-years, alright. Why are you dressed so suspiciously? Made me nervous for nothing."

From his way of speaking, he seemed to be a senior. Given the canvas under his arm and the brushes in his belt, he was likely connected to the Art Club.

Cecil retorted, "You look the most suspicious and dangerous."

"Whatever, why are you here? This isn't a place for romance."

"What about you?"

He held up his canvas and brushes demonstratively.

"I'm here to paint."

Cecil crossed her arms and muttered, "Your outfit makes you look like a fanatic who sacrifices people."

The man awkwardly scratched his mask.

Victor stepped forward and spoke politely, "We heard about a spirit appearing here and came to see."

The masked man stiffened at the word “spirit.” Then grumbled discontentedly, "Damn, I told them not to spread that."

"...?"

He asked accusingly, "Who told you about that rumor?"

Cecil answered, "It's spread too far to matter who told us now?"

The man sighed deeply.

"You obviously came out of curiosity, but the priestess will never appear if you loiter openly before the Guardian Tree. You'll only interfere."

He spoke like someone who'd actually seen it.

Suspicious, I stepped forward to question him.

"Have you seen the spirit yourself?"

"Of course. I was the first to meet her."

"Did you speak with her up close?"

He shook his head.

"No, I saw her praying and approached, but suddenly lost consciousness. I experienced an overwhelming divine power then."

"Have you seen her since?"

"Once more. Just watched briefly from afar."

"..."

"Now that you know, why don't you leave? The priestess only reveals herself to those who truly yearn to meet her and have deep faith. She won't care about impulsive kids like you."

He talked as of it was his territory despite being an intruder himself. This guy obviously camped out here as soon as surveillance loosened, waiting for the spirit. Bringing art supplies showed how infatuated he was. I'd probably see him in art class tomorrow.

Tonight, I needed to return to Thorn Garden Dormitory and firmly warn Trisha.

Cecil challenged his words again.

"You don't seem to have come with such devout intentions either."

"W-what do you know about me? I'll have you know I was born into the faith."

As Cecil pursed her lips, loading up more sarcastic comments, I quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside. Further bickering would only cause headaches.

"Excuse us."

"Ah... Candy, wait!"

After putting some distance between us and them, I told Cecil, "Let's head back now."

"Why so soon?"

"Too many people. Even with loose security, this many people might attract supervisors."

I knew what I needed to know—once I properly warned Trisha, the spirit commotion should quietly die down.

"..."

Cecil exhaled weakly. Her wine-scented breath brushed my chin.

She shook the wine bottle in her hand. About a third remained.

"Haa, fine. I didn't expect so many unwanted guests."

"Did you want to see the spirit that badly?"

"Yes, did you know the Guardian Tree is a place for confession? I really really have something I want to ask. Though I also wanted to see drunk Candy a little."

"What did you want to ask? I'll ask for you if I meet them later."

"Pfft, forget it. You're too devious, the priestess wouldn't even talk to you."

"..."

Though unlikely, if that person really existed, I also have things I'd like to ask. Things about Silveryn that I couldn't ask her directly. Purely out of curiosity, of course.

"Then escort me back to the dormitory! It's dark and scary."

Cecil slipped beside me and linked arms.

As we walked together, Cecil suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke, "By the way, Candy."

"Yes?"

"Why did you send Stitch this morning?"

"Ah, I almost forgot."

I took out the crystal from the wingless dragon's heart and handed it to Cecil.

Now that her hurt feelings seem mostly resolved, I should be able to ask.

"When you have time, could you appraise this?"

Cecil held the crystal up to the moonlight and asked, "What is this?"

"I got it from a lizard in the circulatory system. Looks like it needs an expert's appraisal."

***

After seeing Cecil off, I gathered some clothes and visited the Thorn Garden Dormitory in the labyrinth after a long while. It was nearly midnight.

As I opened the entrance door and stepped inside, there was suddenly a crashing sound from the second floor. Then, Trisha came running down the stairs barefoot.

She leaned over the railing halfway down and shouted at me, "Why are you so late!!"

"Where were you earlier? You weren't here when I came."

"I was in class. What about the welcome ceremony?"

Ah, right, we were supposed to do the dormitory welcome ceremony together here. Just like what others do...

Damn, after that mess, I'm sick of even looking at underwear. Three baskets of cloth scraps still occupy a corner of my room. I never want to experience that foolishness again.

Trisha's eyes sparkle with anticipation. She drums the railing with her palms.

"Welcome ceremony! Welcome ceremony! Did you already enjoy yours?"

"Yes, got it pretty bad."

"I want to do it too!"

I unconsciously shook my head in revulsion.

"Do you really want to experience that?"

"Yes!!"

This is complicated. But I made a promise, so we should perform at least a simple ceremony.

"Then... grab some underwear or socks and come to the garden."

"Okay!!"

Trisha, excited for some reason, answered energetically and ran back to her room with more crashing sounds.

I gathered two logs from the kitchen and a spare piece of underwear, then went out to the entrance garden.

Finding a suitable spot where fire wouldn't spread, I split the logs lengthwise and arranged them in a cone shape.

Trisha came out so fast that I worried she might fall. A white piece of cloth fluttered like a flag in her hand.

She ran up to me with sparkling eyes and asked, "What do we do now?"

"We'll light a fire."

I couldn't show Trisha the seniors' barbaric methods. We should perform the ceremony in our own mature way.

I placed my hand on the logs and summoned the fire spirit. Summoned above my hand, it flapped its wings, lit the logs, and flew up. Then, it naturally settled on Trisha's shoulder. That one seemed to like the people around me far more than me.

Stroking the spirit with her finger, Trisha said, "This one’s gotten fatter since I last saw him."

"...Really?"

I can't tell at all.

"Yes. Look how chubby it is! Definitely gained weight. Aren't you feeding it too much?"

"I've never fed him."

I don't even know what to feed him.

"Who else would feed it if not you? Take better care of it! It won't be able to fly if you feed it more."

I thought no one else would feed him, but suddenly one suspicious person came to mind.

There was someone who could control that one better than me. Well, I couldn't even tell if it had really gained weight, so I couldn't be sure if that person had done it.

"...Sit down first."

I sat down first by the smoking firewood, and Trisha crouched opposite me.

"Now we'll start the ceremony."

"...What do I do here?"

As the sparks grew into red flames, I threw in the underwear I was holding.

Trisha asked curiously, "What's that?"

"Throw it in the fire."

"...Is that the tradition?"

"Yes. Don't like it?"

"No, I love it because it's completely uncivilized."

Though she said that, she couldn't easily throw what she was clutching.

"What's wrong, attached to it?"

"...Yes, it's my favorite underwear."

"...Then bring something else. Socks or gloves are fine too."

She hesitated before speaking, "No. I'll throw this one. It has holes so I can't wear it anyway."

Then, she spread out the underwear and put her hand through the hole to show me directly.

She's really like an uncivilized wild animal. There’s no need to show me something like that.

Trisha made a big decision and placed it on top of the logs.

The cloth scraps for the ceremony blackened and smoldered, giving off dark smoke.

I closed my eyes briefly and prayed to the goddess.

I prayed for Trisha’s continued well-being at Eternia.

I think this was a fairly dignified and proper method compared to Eternia's customs.

Trisha hugged her legs, rested her chin on her knees, and watched the small altar.

The bright yellow flames reflected in her eyes.

After staring blankly for a while, she spoke, "I've seen this before."

"...Where?"

"I remember clearly. In a small village called Harongkos."

"Is there an academy there too?"

"No, I saw it while passing through. It's quite an old village. They called this a Soul Marriage Ceremony."

"Soul Marriage...?"

"Yes. When engaged couples died before coming of age, they'd cut and burn their underwear and hair together. So they could fulfill their engagement that way."

"Well, ceremonies involving burning cherished clothes must exist everywhere in some form."

"It was sad. They loved each other but couldn't bear fruit. Even though I didn't know them or their story, I cried because it was so heartbreaking. That's why I remember. "

"This ceremony is for new beginnings. Let’s put past memories aside for now."

Seeing Trisha's expression darken slightly, I changed the subject.

"And tomorrow's important... I can't have you showing up with puffy eyes."

"Why?"

"Don’t you remember agreeing to help me? The Art Club friend's drawing class."

Trisha's eyes and mouth slowly widened in surprise.

"...Right!"

"Come properly dressed. Don't wear anything too fancy—it'll be hard to draw."

"Okay. I'll come looking super pretty!"

Trisha shook off her gloom and returned to her usual self. 

Yes, I like this resilience of hers.

"But can you stay still for three or four hours? That's needed for drawing."

Given how unpredictable Trisha was, and how peculiar the Art Club seniors' personalities were, I was worried about potential friction.

Trisha answered confidently, "No!"