A woman with green hair appeared before me—the very same woman who, three years ago, had cast me into this strange place. That woman was none other than the incarnation of the World Tree.
No… wait, she didn't appear.
She was simply… there.
As if she had always been waiting for me.
Her pointed ears stood out among soft locks of hair that fell like autumn leaves, and her eyes… her golden eyes that seemed to scrutinize every part of my soul.
Now I could feel her mana more clearly; it was immense.
But at the same time… strangely warm.
Like sinking into warm water after a long fall.
"Come closer," she said softly.
Her voice didn't echo in the air.
It slipped… directly into me.
I took a step forward.
Then another.
I was curious about what she was going to say and the reason for this test.
I looked at her with a hint of anticipation, but instantly my heart felt a slight tremor.
Because I already knew what this was all about.
Or at least… part of me knew.
