"Surprised?"
The Great Tree King smiled gently.
"Mm!"
Nahida nodded. The news truly startled her.
She couldn't help but murmur, "This is so sudden. In my understanding, beings like you, Great Tree King, usually don't have partners, do they?"
"You said it yourself — usually."
The Great Tree King laughed softly and patted her head. "People see me as the embodiment of wisdom, a rational existence. But gods are merely higher beings with greater power. We have the same emotions as humans. Falling in love with someone who captures our heart is perfectly normal."
"I see…"
Nahida finally understood. She had already experienced human emotions herself — that feeling of weakness and inferiority that had trapped her heart for so long.
"Don't judge by common sense," the Great Tree King said with a smile. "Observe more, think more, and consider all the possibilities."
"Now," she asked, "are you still afraid?"
Nahida sat there with her small hands clasped, thought for a while, and shook her head. "I'm not scared anymore, but… I still feel nervous."
"Why?" the Great Tree King asked curiously.
"Because… well, it's just not easy to relax all at once." Nahida hugged her head. How could a few words completely calm her down?
The Great Tree King chuckled. This wasn't unusual.
Lu Heng had said before that many people were like this until they got to know him. Paimon was a perfect example.
"Think of him as your elder," the Great Tree King suggested.
"…Elder?"
Nahida tilted her head. The Great Tree King was her elder. So naturally, the Great Tree King's beloved would be her elder too.
"What should I call him then?" she asked. "Should I say 'Father'… or 'Uncle'?"
The Great Tree King blinked and laughed. "Why do you ask that?"
"Well…" Nahida squirmed a little, embarrassed. "Because I look so much like you. When the sages first found me, they even said I might be your daughter."
The Great Tree King couldn't help but laugh. "You're a branch I plucked from the World Tree. And I am the World Tree's embodiment. We share the same root. Strictly speaking, there's no difference in generation between us."
Nahida's eyes widened. "But since you created me, emotionally, doesn't that make me your child?"
"I suppose it does."
The Great Tree King thought for a moment and said, "But I prefer to think of you as my little sister. You can call him Brother."
Nahida pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Okay!"
"Then let's talk about what comes next for you."
The Great Tree King's words made Nahida tense up immediately. Her little hands even began to sweat.
"Don't be so nervous," the Great Tree King soothed. "I won't give you any heavy tasks. For now, what you need to do is study."
"Study?"
Study sounded wonderful!
Nahida's eyes lit up. It was because she lacked knowledge that she had once been looked down upon. And now the all-knowing Great Tree King stood before her — the perfect teacher!
Her head bobbed eagerly like a pecking chick. "I'm willing!"
"Such a studious child." The Great Tree King's voice was filled with comfort. With time, Nahida's growing store of knowledge would give her confidence too.
In worlds of extraordinary power, one's state of mind was always critical. In a cultivation world, without a firm heart, one couldn't control great power and risked falling into madness. It was the same for Nahida now.
If she were to suddenly inherit all the Great Tree King's power and prestige without the proper mindset, disaster would be inevitable — like a naïve child becoming all-knowing overnight. Knowledge alone couldn't instantly mature someone's heart.
But with the Great Tree King guiding her, Nahida's heart and knowledge would grow step by step. The Great Tree King had time — endless time — to teach her.
"But you need to be mentally prepared," the Great Tree King teased, gently tapping Nahida's nose. "Heavy coursework means piles of assignments."
"I'm not afraid!"
The little Nahida didn't yet understand what she would face. Innocent and full of confidence, she clasped her hands and answered loudly.
Full of spirit! May she keep it up.
——
The Akademiya, Grand Sage's Office.
"Tsk tsk, speaking so tough now that you're Acting Grand Sage," Kaveh drawled sarcastically. "Could you spare some funding, or do you want me to starve?"
"Keep talking and next month's funding disappears too." Alhaitham was buried in paperwork.
Funding? Dream on.
If it wasn't essential, it was better to save it for pulling cards. Any unnecessary projects were cut immediately.
Kaveh shut his mouth. He wasn't only here for funds — he'd come to help as well. Straightening his face, he said, "The Akademiya's atmosphere needs reform, doesn't it?"
"Mm." Alhaitham nodded.
There were plenty of problems within the Akademiya. Some scholars used shortcuts just to graduate early. Some mentors stole their students' research to advance themselves. Those needed to be dealt with harshly. And then there were teams randomly applying for funding.
Sure, some research was meaningful — but not all. Why waste Mora on the meaningless? Wouldn't it be better to save that money for card pulls? What if they drew knowledge from another world? That return could be far greater.
"Ah…"
Tighnari sighed deeply as he handed a stack of documents to a nearby scholar. The more he looked, the more the Akademiya seemed riddled with holes. Every problem needed fixing. He could already imagine how busy he'd be in the days ahead.
"Thanks. Approve this one too," Kaveh said, handing Alhaitham another file.
"No trouble." Alhaitham shook his head.
Kaveh was just about to praise his work ethic when Alhaitham added dryly, "I just have a bitter fate."
Kaveh snorted. "Who told you to be so smart? You were born to be Grand Sage."
"Don't flatter me." Alhaitham scoffed. Being a scribe had been perfect — clock in, clock out on time, a dream life. That dream was gone now. But he wouldn't slack off. The Great Tree King had high expectations. He had to work hard.
"Got any eye drops?" Cyno asked as he pushed the door open.
"I've got something." Tighnari pulled a sachet from his Vision space and tossed it over. "A little herbal mix I grew. Rub it around your eyes; it eases fatigue."
"Thanks." Cyno nodded.
"Kinda tragic, huh? He's basically turned into a human scanner," Kaveh said with sympathy.
Cyno had the "Eye of Judgment." No one could hide their good or evil deeds from him. If they were going to clean up the Akademiya, they needed Cyno. Just by standing there, he could tell who was good and who wasn't. Of course they'd use such a gift.
And so poor Cyno had been staring and scanning non-stop.
The skill wasn't innate — it was a technique — but after using it so long, he almost felt like an actual third eye had grown on his forehead. His real eyes were sore too. Yet he couldn't stop. There were too many people to check, not just in the Akademiya but also in the schools below.
"I think we should have Cyno check future applicants during admissions too," Tighnari suggested.
Alhaitham paused his writing, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Good idea."
"But hearts can change," Kaveh mused. "They might be pure at first but not stay that way."
"Then do a full screening every year." Alhaitham didn't see the problem. It might be hard on Cyno, but in the long run, the Akademiya would stay clean for years to come.
"Poor guy," Tighnari said with a faint, almost gleeful smile.
"We'll consider a special bonus for the disciplinary department," Alhaitham added.
"?"
Kaveh's sympathy vanished instantly. He feared for his brother's suffering but envied his brother's rewards. According to the "more work, more pay" principle, Cyno's job was hard — but the pay was high.
"Jealous?" Alhaitham asked.
"Not jealous. That's hard-earned money — blood and sweat," Kaveh said, collecting the signed documents. "All right, I'm heading back to the academy. Never thought I'd be running the show one day…"
"That's only because we're short-staffed. Otherwise an unreliable guy like you wouldn't be fit to lead," Alhaitham said flatly.
"Unbelievable!"
Kaveh sighed and left quickly, not wanting to hear Alhaitham's cold words.
Turning to Tighnari, Alhaitham asked, "Have you finished compiling the data?"
Tighnari shook his head. "Too much. I can't finish for now…"
"At least sort out thirty billion Mora first." Alhaitham knew exactly what mattered most.
A major purge of the Akademiya would leave scholars unsettled. At such times, the card system could motivate them. In Sumeru's unique system, scholars were officials in another sense — their power was less direct but still real. With enough incentives, hearts would unite, and the rest would be easier.
"I understand. Thirty billion is simple enough." Tighnari nodded. He had experienced the card system himself and knew how great the demand was. Ordinary people wanted it, and scholars with clear goals wanted it even more. Whether knowledge or power, it was all sought after. Cards could help people progress without betrayal, without being a sinister temptation on the path of knowledge. Simply put, cards were legitimate.
——
Lu Heng returned to the gates of the Sanctuary of Purity with Ying and Paimon. Nahida was walking beside the Great Tree King.
When she suddenly saw Lu Heng, she froze, then quickly hid behind the Great Tree King, peeking out timidly with half her face.
"Don't be scared, Nahida," Paimon said with a smile. "I used to be afraid of Boss Lu too, but now I'm not at all. Once you get used to him, it's fine!"
"Thank you."
Nahida turned to Paimon to express her gratitude.
Seeing the clear, pure light in Nahida's eyes, Ying and Paimon both felt warm inside. Only through living it could one feel how much a person could change when their fate was altered. Lu Heng and his card shop truly were saviors — for all of Teyvat, and for individuals alike. Ying and Paimon both felt drawn to this new Nahida.
"You always have to take the first step," the Great Tree King said with a smile. "Start by saying hello."
Nahida's face was tense, but she nodded, gathered her courage, and greeted him, "Hello, Brother~"
"And hello to you."
Lu Heng inclined his head slightly, smiling with satisfaction. "Seeing you so different from your original fate makes me happy. Congratulations on your freedom. I wish you a joyful and happy life."
"Thank you, Brother!"
Nahida could feel the kindness radiating from Lu Heng, which allowed her to relax a little.
Lu Heng smiled and asked, "Are you heading out?"
The Great Tree King didn't answer but looked at Nahida encouragingly.
Nahida took a moment before saying, "I asked Sister Tree King to take me out. I want to visit Dinezade's home."
Dinezade?
Lu Heng remembered the young lady plagued by the scales disease. The root cause — elemental imbalance — had long been solved. Her illness wouldn't worsen and would gradually heal over time.
But just a few days ago, Azar and his group had used the Void System to drain Sumeru citizens' dreams. On the streets, many still looked weary. They might need days to recover. With Dinezade's frail body, her condition might not be good.
"Perfect. Let's go check on her together." Lu Heng looked at Ying and Paimon. "What about you two?"
"Of course!" Ying nodded. "I want to see how Dinezade is doing."
"Me too!" Paimon chirped. "She's such a nice person. I hope she's safe and well."
They set out immediately.
——
"Ahhh!!!"
A shriek of excitement rang out from within the Humayri household.
"Dinezade, calm down! Don't get so worked up!" Dehya covered her face helplessly.
"You don't understand, Dehya!"
Dinezade's face was pale, but her expression was full of joy. "The Little Lucky Grass God herself is coming to see me! Personally! I'm so lucky!!"
Dehya's exasperation deepened. "All right, all right, I get it. The Little Lucky Grass God is coming."
"Hurry, hurry!" Dinezade urged. "Clean up the house! Mother's gone back to the countryside to rest. Call Father home right away. We must give the Little Lucky Grass God and the Tree King a proper welcome!"
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T/N:
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