"What?" Mikhail blurted out, unable to control his surprise.
This hadn't happened in his previous life even with all those deaths.
Then why now?
But before Mikhail could ask again, Modric already relieved his worries.
"Well, that was what she said first. After the battle, she changed her decision for some reason."
'Huh?'
Seeing Mikhail's expression, Modric continued.
"Yes, that's what she said, refusing to elaborate further. Although she refused to report this incident to the Empire, she stated that from now on, the academy will be subjected to multiple visits in a year."
'This is different.'
None of this had happened in his previous life when she just left, despite the number of the deaths.
Then why?
What happened during the middle of the battle to make her change her mind?
He needed to find out.
Before he could conclude the conversation, Modric added more.
"Not only that, but she stated that all of the visits would be done by her. And any more breaches would make her permanently shutdown the academy."
"Hmmm.." A thoughtful expression appeared on Mikhail's face.
This was intriguing.
He needed time to think about this new information. Time to process it himself alone.
"Alright, you can leave now."
Nodding, Modric did a customary salute before turning to the door to leave.
"Thanks for your efforts, Mord."
The others called him but Mikhail called him 'Mord'. Something he only did.
Modric didn't mind whatever he was called.
That didn't mean that the boy had no emotions. He did.
Just as much as everyone. He just didn't know how to express them.
But in any case, Mikhail genuinely meant the compliment.
If not for Modric, he could have definitely never gotten this mission done.
The understanding the two had for each other was top-tier.
Modric didn't turn back to look, standing frozen at the door with his hand on the knob.
Mikhail took this chance to joke between them after a long while.
"I'm not smiling like a girl, you are."
Immediately, Modric stuttered."
"S-shut up, bastard."
Opening the door, he quickly stepped out and slammed the door shut.
But as he left, the wind carried a message in Mikhail's ears.
"No problem but…trust us more or at least, me."
As the words trailed off, a laugh escaped from Mikhail's mouth.
'So he knew after all.'
These people knew him too well.
_____________
[At Night]
Mikhail stepped out of the infirmary, finally discharged.
He stretched his arms in the air, feeling constricted after all that time.
But except the physical tiredness, he was feeling all well.
No signs of mana overload or anything.
'I should check my Spirit Tree.'
Closing his eyes, he focused on reaching his spirit pool and instantly, he felt his consciousness fading.
His senses warped and distorted but he felt no weirdness.
It used to be present for everyone at the start but now it felt normal.
As the distortion went away, Mikhail knew he was there.
Opening his eyes, Mikhail was greeted by an ever stretching expanse of darkness.
Except a single source of light, nothing could be seen in the place.
Except that source, nothing was present in the place as well for one to see.
Feeling wet, Mikhail looked down, only to see the whole expanse covered in water that came up to his ankles.
'I always forget about this.'
But the sea wasn't his focus right now.
It was that ginormous source of light in front of him, standing high and tall at the center of the space.
With its grand golden branches stretching high above into the ceiling-less black expanse, Mikhail's Tree of Yggdrasil looked healthy as ever.
Splush…
Mikhail started to walk towards the tree, parting through the water.
With its gigantic golden body shining as ever, the grandness of the tree reflected in the water.
As Mikhail reached near, he saw golden leaves of the tree floating on the surface of the murky water.
This gigantic tree was called the Tree Of Yggdrasil, or in short, the spirit tree of a person.
As a person advanced through the ranks of a Magus, his spirit tree would grow as well.
Its branches and roots would spread out and it would grow larger.
The leaves of the tree represented the mana of a person.
As a person used his mana, the leaves of the tree would start to fall down on the water.
At the same time, when he/she replenishes it, the leaves grow back.
For demonic entities such as monsters, they had a spirit tree as well.
Unlike Magus' though, it was called The Tree Of Sephiroth.
Just like humans, they had 5 ranks of progression as well but the effect with each rank-up was different.
The Tree of Yggdrasil represented the human's journey or ascension towards divinity.
While The Tree of Sephiroth represented the monsters or demon's journey or descension towards profanity or madness.
To further show this, The Tree of Sephiroth was inverted in the Spirit Sea.
Rather than growing from the ground, it would grow from the top of the expanse.
It was also why each rank induced not just strength changes, but personality and behavioral changes in a person as well.
Looking at his healthy tree, Mikhail knew that he was perfectly fine.
It was then that he realized the completion of the quest.
Before his dream could end, he saw that both of the rewards from his quest had been granted.
He quickly opened his information tab.
—————〔Information〕—————
• Character Progression 0 ––> 15%
• Mana: 6400 ––>6700/6700 [Dragma]
—————————————————–
It was true. His mana had actually increased.
Although, after the quest, he felt the reward to be a little underwhelming as compared to the risk he had gone through.
Looking at the Character Progression, Mikhail still didn't understand what it meant.
Wait.
'Was this the reason why I had that dream?'
Mikhail still didn't know what that dream meant. Nor did he have the time to think about it.
He had no idea as to why it would contribute to his character.
'I can only wait and see.'
Wanting to leave, Mikhail was about to close his Spirit Tree, when something caught his eye in the distance.
It wasn't anything special or unique.
It was just a normal leaf that fell from his Tree.
But what stood out about it was its color.
It was the reason Mikhail's eyes widened and his expression was replaced with horror.
Rather than shining in a golden light like the rest.
The leaf floating on the surface glowed in crimson-red light.
_____________