After the tree leveled up, I checked its status.
[World Tree]
Level: 11
Class: Source of Primordial Element
Maximum Primordial Element: 16,000
Regeneration: 200/units per minute
Current Primordial Element: 5,048/16,000
Elves Created: 10/200
Current Exp: 0/600,000
This time, the values didn't all double. Only the maximum amount of Primordial Element the tree can store doubled. Now, it can hold up to 16,000.
"This is great."
It's great that the EXP required to level up the tree didn't double. I need 600,000 experience points, which equals 300,000 mana points. Gathering 300,000 mana points isn't actually that slow…
The tree generates nearly 9,000 mana points for me each day without me lifting a finger.
"But this is the most important part!"
Conversion Bonus – 70%
The conversion bonus given by the tree increased by 20% after just one level up. That's amazing. If I keep leveling up the tree, my conversion speed will become extremely fast.
Even more so when combined with the "Dual Conversion" bonus.
"Queen?"
At that moment, Serie entered the tree.
I was standing very close to the trunk, so when Serie looked up toward the top of the stairs, she didn't see me. "Did she leave?" she muttered. I suddenly appeared right in front of her.
"UWAAAA!!" she screamed, flying backward with magic.
"What do you think you're doing?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry, I just wanted to play a little prank."
"Don't ever do that again!" Serie took a deep breath to calm herself. "I came to call you for dinner. I thought you'd want to eat with everyone."
"You hunted food for everyone?"
"Yes, I did. After I finished teaching the elves, I went hunting in the forest. I managed to get plenty of meat."
"Great."
"I took Lyuu with me. She learns very quickly. Soon she'll be able to hunt on her own. She can already defend herself quite well."
"Oh? I'm curious. Tomorrow I'll invite her to a mock battle."
"Mock battle? What's that?"
"A fake fight. I just want to have some fun."
"You want to fight Lyuu?! Are you insane? You'll kill her by accident!"
"It's fine, I can control myself."
"Think this through, it's not a good idea," Serie said, visibly nervous.
I ignored her and walked out of the tree toward the dinner table.
####
POV: Third Person
A few hours earlier.
"We're here," Tiona said, holding Fern's hand.
They were standing at the entrance to the Loki Familia's home. The guards noticed Fern's presence but said nothing since she was accompanied by Tiona and Tione.
When they went inside, they headed straight for the room where Loki usually stayed—
The main hall.
There were two luxurious sofas and a table in the center.
When Loki saw Tiona and Tione approaching with Fern, her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Who?" she asked, since she had never seen that child before.
"Goddess, this is Fern." Tiona pushed Fern forward.
Feeling Loki's gaze, Fern instinctively stepped back.
'It feels like she's staring right into my soul. Scary.' A chill ran down Fern's spine, her hair standing on end.
"Fern? Why did you bring her here?" Loki asked.
"Let me explain," Tione said, stepping forward and explaining everything that had happened.
"Hmmm, I see. So this girl is a homeless child." Loki stood up and walked toward Fern. Keeping a serious look, she reached out and lifted Fern's chin, forcing her to look directly into her eyes.
"Urgh…" Fern quickly looked away.
"What's wrong? No need to be nervous. She can stay, but only until Ryuu returns. After that, I don't want her here."
"Understood." Tiona was satisfied with that—it was enough.
'Why? Did she dislike me?' Fern thought. 'But it's fine. At least I'll have a place to stay for the next few days. I hope Ryuu comes back soon.'
"Fern, I'll take you to my room, alright? Stay there the rest of the day. I'll bring food to you tonight."
Tiona led Fern to her room.
Once inside, Tiona crouched down and ruffled Fern's hair.
"You can use my bathroom to clean yourself up, okay? I need to head back to Ais and Bete. They're probably getting impatient. Please, don't leave the room, alright?"
"Alright," Fern replied.
'If I leave the room, that goddess might get upset… She didn't seem to like me much…'
And with that, Tiona left, leaving Fern alone.
"This feels so nice…" Since they had lost Heiter's house, this was the first time Fern had such a cozy room to herself.
####
POV: Frieren
I woke up the next morning feeling very drowsy.
I went to the bathroom in our "new" house and washed my face.
When I stepped outside, I saw a large table set up. It was breakfast. Every day, a table was set up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I walked over, and everyone greeted me with a smile.
Everyone had woken up earlier than I had.
I sat down in one of the chairs and began to eat.
When breakfast ended, Serie approached me and asked, "Do you really want to do that?"
"?" I tilted my head, not understanding her question.
"You forgot?"
I thought for a moment, then remembered the mock battle I had said I wanted to have with Lyuu.
'I did say that, didn't I?'
"Did you explain it to Lyuu?" I asked.
"Yes, and she's really excited. I thought she'd be scared, but that's not the case." I glanced over at Lyuu, who was smiling brightly at me. She looked full of anticipation.
Well, I guess I should go through with it then.
####
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