Ken has been wondering about the identity of the sapling ever since he obtained it, the fact that the sapling has a mind of its own proved that it's extraordinary, and its act of constructing a new body for him only fuel more of his speculations.
Not just anyone could perform such a feat, for even the most advance technology of mankind could only clone a persons DNA, while the sapling was already capable of creating a new body, perhaps even the perfect body that mankind could achieve in its later evolution. A body that is immune to diseases, longer life span and optimized body functions.
That's why he wanted to know what the sapling is, something that could achieve such a feat must be a being of higher order, perhaps even the legendary tree that various cultures and mythologies that depicted in their ancient histories.
"What are you?"
The sapling didn't give an immediate reply, as if considering whether to tell him its origins. After a deliberating for some time, it swayed its leaves as if saying it had reached a conclusion.
"I think you have more or less figured out my identity so I might as well reveal it." It paused for several seconds and said with an aura of majesty radiating from the sapling.
"I am a seed of a World Tree."
Upon hearing the confirmation of his speculations, he drew a sharp breath of air, he stared at the sapling in his hand, his body started trembling from the answer of the sapling or should be called the world tree.
"Are you THAT world tree? the one connecting the nine realms from the norse mythology?" he said with a trembling voice.
"No, like I said, I am a seed of a world tree, I am not an existing world tree, I am a new born world tree."
"Oh, so you're like a baby world tree?"
"Technically yes."
"What do you mean technically?"
"You can't really compare the life span of a world tree to a mortal. I have already existed for thousands of years already, which from your mortal perspective, is already very ancient, but for us eternal beings it's just a drop of a water in the vast ocean water."
"I see, I shouldn't apply the common sense of the mortals for the beings of higher order. Another question, why did you strengthened my body?"
"Because I need a champion."
Ken's face suddenly turned very grim from hearing such a response. "Champion?"
"Don't misunderstood, you won't need to fight in a colosseum or anything. A champion is like a gardener for us world tree, although we are capable of extraordinaty feat, but a world tree doesn't have any capability of protecting itself from harm, some new born world tree die even before they matured because of the inability of protecting ourselves. That's why the Champion system has been created, to protect us until our maturity."
"I see, but why are you incapable of protecting yourself, I mean you ARE a world tree, so surely you must have some capability to protect yourself right?"
"Unfortunately we don't have any, it's like the restriction of the universe to maintain balance, in exchange for our extraordinary power of altering the life of a living organism, the universe didn't grant us power to destroy life, so those with malicious intentions often succeeds in their nefarious plans of destroying and sometimes enslaving a world tree for its materials."
"Right, so you wanted me to be your Champion or in other words, gardener, to protect you, but what should I protect you from? the humans are very fragile, I don't think they even have the fire power to leave a dent on you."
The world tree suddenly gives a derisive laugh, "you shouldn't underestimate the greed of humans and their legacy. Why do you think you're still alive know?"
Ken gives it a confused look, "isn't it your doing? I mean you must have pulled my consiousness to that place because you saw some potential to me?" he said with frown. "Isn't it always the case? in the novels, the mc was saved from the brink of death and given some OP skills or abilities."
The world tree laughed loudly. "You really believed that sh*t, there are a lot of people who have more potential than you. You just happen to be in the right place and the right time. In short you're very lucky."
"Then how did I arrvire at that place?!" he yelled with a red face.
"It's because you were fed with a rare mutated *Mutya." The world tree said.
"Oh, is that so. But more importantly, what kind of foes will I face when I became your champion?" he asked with a worried look on his face.
"The most common would definitely be humans, a human greed knows no bound, some world tree has fallen by the hands of the humans, destroying the balance of the planet, slaughtering animals and polluting the world of garbage."
"Although I don't include all the humans but those who have tasted power were hungry for more, that's why the powerful were always at the fore front of this tragedies, while others were the favored creature of Gaia."
"Wait, what do you mean creatures of Gaia?"
"You'll know when you met them, so as I-"
"What do you mean when I met the?! tell me now!" he said while flaring his nose.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," the world tree shook its root, as if dissatisfied for being interrupted, "you won't have to worry about meeting them as long as no one know that a world tree has appeared."
Ken heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that, he really couldn't imagine himself fighting someone to the death, at least now he wouldn't have to fight anyone as long as he kept the existence of the world tree a secret from public.
Then Ken suddenly remembered something important, he abruptly looked at the world tree with widened eyes and asked loudly. "How big are you gonna grow!", exasperated, "how will I hide you if you're gonna grow into a big ass tree! Ehhh!"
The world tree was stunned but suddenly burst out laughing, "Don't just believe those stories you read, just like I said, the world trees were given the ability to alter life but were deprived of the power to take life. What does it mean to have the power to alter life?"
Ken pondered about the question. "Forcing the evolution of a species?"
"That's just a perk of it, the real answer is almost being a god to the existing species, I can create a new species of intellectual organism, diversify and strengthen the existing species when I reach adulthood. And with such power, do you really think I couldn't control how big I can be?"
"I see, that's a relief, I wouldn't really know what to do if you grow as big as the legends depict you. But another important question, what would I get for becoming your Champion?" he said while rubbing his hands.
"Don't be too greedy, I have already given you a perfect body, what more could you ask!" the world tree flaired its roots, seeming as if ready to attack him.
But Ken ignored its attempt to frighten him. Just like it said, it didn't have any attack power. "Yes, I'm grateful for what you did, and I didnt know how I would be able to repay you but you did it of your own volition without even asking for my concent, you're essentially forcing me to a disadvantageous situation, I don't even know how to fight but you expect me to face terrifying foes to protect you."
He paused before continuing, "so, you can't expect me for not asking more."
The world tree deliberated for a bit before saying, "I've watched your dream from before, I take it that you wanted to protect your family and fulfill your dream of building a farm?"
He gives a nod in response.
"Then I can give you that."
"And how can you guarantee that?"
The world tree gives a chuckle. "Kid, the best example of a world tree Champion is The Allfather, Odin, himself."
Ken inhaled shaply. "You mean-!"
"That's right, Odin is a world tree champion."