Within the majestic temple stood the revered silent holy tree, an unparalleled and solitary existence in the universe. Even the Holy Land envied this astonishing and marvelous gift bestowed upon by God to the Aston Empire when the very first Saintess was born here. At the dawn of the empire's history, the first Saintess embraced its sacred soil and god bestowed this gift to her country. Now that country has become an empire of this vast Aiton continent.
Under the benevolent awning of the holy tree, an assembly was placed. The people observed in a collective mind because the holy tree failed to yield its fruit this time. They aren't talking because the empire's emperor was also present there. Everyone present here knows what it means if the holy sacred tree doesn't give them the new fruit.
"Why has the holy tree not bore its fruit, High Priest?" the Emperor questioned, with concern.
The High Priest was flustered and replied, "How would I know, Your Majesty? I suspect that someone may be absent."
"Who dares to forsake this occasion? Who could be absent on such a momentous day?" the Emperor's frustration and anger simmered.
"Please, Your Majesty, refrain from anger," the High Priest urged with a hint of trepidation. "In the presence of the holy tree, do not bring any kind of negative feelings. The negative feelings disrupt its sacred aura and may send it into an eternal slumber."
The Emperor, struggling to contain his irritation, then said, "But how will I keep my composure when the future of our empire hangs in the balance? How can I not be angry? The destiny of our empire is intertwined with this moment."
The High Priest hesitated, then admitted, "We may have forgotten a vital detail. The holy tree only bestows its fruit when all three household heirs are present."
The emperor looked gloomy. But couldn't quell his anger while thinking of a family's name. He said slightly angrily, "Ah, you refer to the Herald family. Did they not seal themselves off for fifteen long years? Rumor has it that they are without an heir. Are you implying that without the presence of the Herald family's heir, the imperial heir cannot be chosen today?"
"That is not precisely what I meant, Your Majesty. It is a longstanding tradition, one we cannot defy. We, as humans, do not determine when the tree bears fruit. Forcing it would only consign it to eternal slumber, beyond anyone's power to rouse."
The high Priest clarified.
"What do you mean by that?"
The emperor asked.
"The fruit belongs to the holy tree, and we cannot command it. Forcing the tree may induce it to eternal slumber, never to awaken again."
The high priest explained simply with a serious face.
Seeing him serious, the Emperor's face contorted with disbelief. "Why has such crucial information not been conveyed to the royal family? I had contemplated compelling the tree."
"Please consider, Your Majesty," the High Priest cautioned, "the holy tree possesses a profound understanding. I mean the holy tree possesses the capacity to comprehend our intentions. The repercussions could become dire consequences for the royal family. If the Herald family didn't have an heir, the holy tree would have already graced us with its fruit."
"I beg your pardon." the words slipped out. He coughed "Ahem."
"What options do we have now? Without the Herald family's presence, we would not obtained the sacred fruit today, even on the most auspicious day. Where shall I find the Herald family's heir now?" The emperor's words were spoken in haste.
As the discussion unfolded, an unexpected development interrupted their conversation.
The dignitaries deliberated, and a breathless messenger suddenly burst into the temple, announcing the arrival of the Herald family.
"The herald family came to the temple."
"Where are they?" inquired the Emperor and High Priest in unison.
The Herald family's patriarch, the venerable Marquis, and the rightful heir they had been in search of, arrived.
Everyone in the temple was looking at me. What am I? Am I a national animal or something? I am a human like all of you. Why are you looking at me like that? I don't understand. It is not like that you all didn't see a girl.
The entire congregation within the temple fixed their gaze upon the unexpected guest. A girl, now donned in her youthful appearance, was at the center of this collective attention. As bewildered gazes bore down upon her, even the Crown Prince and the Duke's heir could not hide their astonishment, their eyes fixed upon her with a curiosity akin to having seen a ghost.
I felt the weight of their scrutiny, grappling with the perplexing feeling of being regarded as an anomaly.
"You? You were that student, right?"
The emperor was shocked and asked.
Oh, so all of them recognized me. Why did I say that? It started three years ago when I came into this world as a side character and became the Herald family's heir.
All of you are surprised, right? I knew it would happen.
My story began three years ago. Who knew I would be in this kind of situation now? I had been an ordinary researcher in my past life, eagerly anticipating an award ceremony when an inexplicable transformation had engulfed me.
Three years ago, I awoke to a bewildering reality.
Three years ago.
"I need to wake up. Today I will be awarded the best researcher of the year. But why didn't anyone call me till now? I need to wake up. I can't be late today."
I said in my mind. Because today is an important day in my life.
But when I wanted to wake up, I got a big surprise. Because I can't move now.
"I can't wake up from the bed. Why? I was healthy when I went to bed yesterday. But I can't even move an inch now. Someone kidnapped me, so they tied me up."
I said slowly. So that no one can hear me.
Then I tried to move my hand. I can freely move my hand, but it's in pain.
"I can move my hand. Then why can't I move?"
I said.
Then I opened my eyes and saw my hand. When I saw my hand, I was so surprised, because my hand became tiny like a little girl's.
"What? My hand? How can my hand become like this? Just like I became a little girl? It is a joke or something?"
I shouted.
After thinking for a while.
"This is beyond belief," I exclaimed. "How can a 30-year-old researcher wake up one morning as a young girl? Is this some sort of bizarre jest?"
Then I was talking to myself in disbelief. I lay down on the bed again. This can't happen to me.
What has befallen my hand? How could such a transformation occur? Am I a mere pawn in some whimsical jest? How can a 30-year-old researcher be transformed into a child overnight? My friends would certainly mock me mercilessly if they were to discover that I had become a child. They already considered me eccentric due to my relentless devotion to research. This only reinforces their belief that my curiosity knows no bounds. However, I shall not relinquish my pursuit of knowledge to anyone. I shall tread the path that interests me, heedless of external judgment. No one shall deter me. But why am I feeling so much pain? Where am I? Am I dreaming now? If I sleep again, then I will be the old me. Yes, I need to sleep for a while.
Then I fell asleep again. So that I can wake up from this dream. But when I woke up, I reluctantly opened her eyes. So when I opened my eyes I would become an adult again. But I was left utterly stunned. Not only as I stay as a little girl, but also pain didn't go away completely.
Then I looked around and saw I was inside an old house. There was no one, but I am alone here.
"What? Where am I? How can I come here?"
Determined to unravel the mysteries of my situation, I opened the door and looked outside. I was surprised to see the outside because there was a forest in front of me. It was a breathtaking expanse of forest. It was a world entirely unfamiliar to me.
As I grappled with my newfound predicament, I ventured further, opening my eyes to take in my surroundings. I am astonished to find myself within a quaint, deserted abode. I am utterly alone.
"This is not my world," as I ventured outdoors. "But where exactly am I?"
I was inside of a forest, where no one lives. Only I and that house are here. I stood at the threshold of an isolated forest. There was no sign of civilization, and the only sign of human life was my own presence.
With unwavering determination, I articulated my resolve to myself. My contemplations were interrupted by the growling of my stomach, a reminder of my hunger and the pressing need for nourishment.
"It has been some time since I had my last meal," I muttered.
I am also thirsty.
With resolve, I came to the little cottage to seek respite and sustenance. But there was no water in the house. I only discovered a wooden bucket and a water flagon. I took the water flagon with me and went outside of the house.
"Where can I find water?" I pondered. "I've walked so far, but I can't even find a source of water. Do I have to search for water inside this vast forest? Will I really find the water without getting lost?"
I began the exploration, in the forest. After walking for some time, I heard some sounds.
"What sound it is?"
I walked the winding paths of the forest into the distance to navigate the sounds. I heard the sound of water. Drawn by the melody of flowing water, I pressed forward, eventually stumbling upon a resplendent waterfall.
After traversing the forest, I encountered a breathtaking waterfall, its pristine waters inviting me to drink and cleanse her body. I was happy like a child who got her favorite things after being taken away.
"Oh, there is a waterfall in this forest. I am thirsty. The water of this waterfall is fresh."
I marveled. It was truly marvelous that I didn't have to venture the entire forest.
Then I went near to the fountain. I approached the cascading waters. When I reached close to the water, I saw my reflection in the water. I was unable to suppress my amazement as I caught sight of the reflection that fell on the water. It was a startling revelation.
I was surprised to see myself.
"I become a little girl. Who looks like twelve years old? Did I transmigrate or time travel? But where is this place? First, I will drink water and take some water with me. My body is in pain, so I need to take care of myself. Here no one has to take care of me. Who will take care of me here? There is no one. I am alone in this forest."
I took some water from the waterfall. After quenching my thirst, I considered my peculiar circumstances. I have to take a bath now. Who knows how many days this body wasn't washed? I took off my clothes and started to bathe. In the water, I saw this youthful appearance and the magnificent necklace adorning my neck. It filled me with curiosity and wonder.
I looked at myself closely. As I peered at my reflection, the striking transformation was inescapable—I had assumed the form of a beautiful young girl, adorned with a precious necklace of enchanting design. Suddenly something pops up in my head.
"A necklace," I observed. "A valuable and intricate piece."