> "I sense a very peculiar aura from you, the same as Sylph's. So, could you please come out and meet me? Trust me, I truly mean no harm." Noel called out again.
> "Really? You're really not a bad person? Are you... are you Sylph's Wind Envoy? Thank the heavens, you're finally here!"
Suddenly, one of the towering trees nearby began to shift, transforming before Noel's eyes into the form of a small girl.
Noel was stunned. That massive tree had turned into such a petite spirit—it was like a scene from a dream.
She was undeniably cute, with a smooth, pale face like a porcelain doll from a fairy tale.
Her deep, black eyes held a hint of unease, yet were crystal clear, and her small cherry-colored lips completed the image perfectly.
> "Are you truly Sylph's envoy? I need to be sure of this." the wood spirit asked anxiously.
> "I don't know if I'm truly her envoy, but I do have a contract with Sylph, and I carry her blessing." Noel explained earnestly.
> "Even so, I still can't trust you completely. After all, you drank from the Lake of Life. As far as Tias is concerned, you're nothing but a thief, someone who steals from others, you know that?" the spirit, Tias, snapped, her anger rising.
> "I can explain that," Noel said quickly. "After I entered the forest, I was chased here by a monster. I was dying of thirst, and I drank from the lake because I had no other choice. It wasn't intentional."
> "That's not an excuse for stealing," Tias huffed. "But... since you seem to truly regret it, I'll let it go this time."
> "But remember, the water of the Lake of Life is sacred to us wood spirits. It is our inheritance." Tias glared sharply at him, both a warning and a threat.
Noel felt a bit wronged, though he admitted it had been his fault.
> "You're a wood spirit, right? You must know the forest well. Could you guide me on a path that would let me avoid that monster and get back to the forest's edge?" Noel asked meekly.
> "What? You're not here to help me deal with that monster? Aren't you Sylph's envoy?" Tias' expression turned panicked.
> "I don't know anything about that. Sylph never told me anything like that, and we have a contract of equality. She can't order me around, and if I did something unreasonable, she could refuse," Noel explained.
> "What should I do? What should I do?" Tias repeated, pacing in agitation.
> "What's wrong with you?" Noel asked, patting Tias on the head. "You're not feverish... and you don't look insane either."
> "What do you think you're doing?! Do you even know what it means to touch a spirit's head?!" Tias shrieked.
Tias' mind was in chaos. Did this human actually like her? As a wood spirit, Tias valued her freedom and would never sign a contract with anyone.
She told herself that, anyway. Few people were even willing to contract with wood spirits, since their abilities were too limited. They were useful in the forest, but otherwise offered little help.
Most alchemists would never contract with a wood spirit, as the four basic elements were usually more than enough for their work. Who would bother with something unnecessary?
> "Fine, I'll forgive you this once. But don't ever touch my head again," Tias said, cheeks flushing.
> "Can you please tell me what's going on? If you need help, I'm willing to lend a hand. Believe me, I'm a responsible person. So if you need help, please, let me know," Noel pleaded.
> "You may think I'm a thief, but I can tell you have something weighing on your heart," Noel added gently.
> "Even if there is something, it's none of your business! I'll handle it my own way. Just stay here by the Lake of Life and wait for my good news. I will defeat that monster myself." Tias insisted stubbornly, and she flew off toward the green mist.
> "Some things can't be handled alone, and I'm more than willing to help. Why do you have to force yourself to face it alone?" Noel called after her.
> "That monster is incredibly strong, I've seen it myself. Even if you go alone, what can you possibly change?!"
Noel dashed forward to block Tias' path. "If you want to leave, you'll have to go around me."
Tias, flying too fast, crashed straight into Noel, nearly knocking him over from the impact.
> "What are you doing?! If we let it go on, that Nue will destroy the entire forest! Please, don't stop me—let me go!" Tias finally broke down in tears, the courage she had worked so hard to gather shattered by this stubborn human blocking her path.
So that monster is called a Nue, Noel realized. In his alchemy notes, a Nue was described as a vicious, destructive beast with a terrible temper.
Now he understood why Tias was so desperate. If a Nue wanted to, it truly could destroy the forest.
> "This forest is my home. I can't let the Nue destroy it. At the very least, I need to try to stop it, so I won't live with regret." Tias sobbed, her earlier fierceness gone, looking like a normal young girl crying and begging.
> "The Nue's hide is thick, Tias. Your vines won't be able to hurt it," Noel tried to reason with her.
He knew firsthand that even his Wind Blade had only made the creature's fur shinier, doing little more than scratching an itch.
Vines were nowhere near as sharp as a Wind Blade. At most, they could restrict movement, but that came with its own dangers.
> "Even if it's dangerous, I have to try. Everyone has something they must protect. For me, it's this forest. I've dedicated my life to protecting it," Tias said firmly.
Noel could see she meant it. Wood spirits had always sworn to serve a single forest for life, and if that forest was destroyed, they would willingly die with it.
> "If the forest is destroyed, what's the point of me living?" Tias shouted.
> "We can work together. Let me help you."
Noel didn't want to watch this wood spirit throw her life away for nothing.
> "I don't want to drag outsiders into this. You have no obligation to protect this forest," Tias said firmly, rejecting his offer.
She could see that this boy was kind and gentle, warm-hearted. She couldn't bear to put someone like him in danger for her sake.
> "I drank the water of the Lake of Life, so I owe your people a debt. Let me repay it by helping you. But I do have one condition: could you give me a small bottle of the Lake of Life's water? I've heard it's an ingredient for the Elixir of Life, and I really need it. So please, let me help."
Tias still hesitated, unsure if she should accept this child's request.
Noticing her hesitation, Noel added:
> "You don't need to worry. I'm offering my help of my own free will. I'll lend my strength, and in return, you'll provide payment. This is equivalent exchange, and it aligns perfectly with the principles of an alchemist."
Author's note: Who is Tias ?
Tias is a Wood Elf living in the forest near Agafari City. She has a small, doll-like appearance with clear, dark eyes and a pure, gentle aura, but also a stubborn spirit when it comes to protecting her home. As a Wood Elf, Tias has vowed to protect her forest for life, even if it means risking herself against powerful threats. She deeply values the traditions of her people and feels responsible for the safety of the forest, showing both courage and vulnerability in her determination to fight.
Who is Nue ?
Nue is a ferocious, destructive monster that has invaded the forest Tias protects. In this series, Nue is known for its thick hide, bad temper, and love of destruction, capable of destroying the forest if left unchecked. It is so strong that even Noel's wind blades cannot harm it, making it a real threat that challenges Tias's oath to protect her home.
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