As the ship landed, the created waves crashed into the ship, splashing water all over us who were still waiting at the railing. Like a cannon, the water shoots into everyone faces, causing a few of us to laugh out in surprise.

Sadly, when I laughed out of shock, a sudden second wave arrived, splashing into my face again, and into my mouth. I swallowed it by accident, and the salty water tasted awful, so I could only cough a few times, trying to get rid of the salty aftertaste.

Seeing my behavior, Anna grinned at me with a gaze full of schadenfreude, so slightly angry, I use a bit of my mana to redirect the next water-wave, splashing it directly into Anna's face.

She, surprised and shocked by the cold water hitting her out of nowhere, could only stare dumbly for a few seconds as she rebooted.

“YOU, Arin, that was on purpose!” (Anna)

Slightly reddened, she began chasing me over the ships deck, fruitlessly trying to catch me. So, evading her with ease, I jump up some of the side-masts, which were easily three meters above deck. My Jumping ability is absolutely wicked, as I can easily jump several meters high out of a standing position, and that’s without the support of magic.

Would I use magic, mostly wind-magic, to accelerate my speed, I could probably even jump tens of meters high, letting me feel like I’m flying. The only problem is the landing, it has to be done carefully if I don’t use magic, otherwise an injury might greet me.

So, looking down at Anna who is struggling to reach me, I couldn't help but grin, leaving her to become even more flustered. So, sitting up there, out of nowhere, I am hit by a ball of wind, causing me to lose balance and fall down.

The ball of wind was Anna's retribution, yet I believe she forgot that I was three meters high in the air. Even if I am more robust than before, that doesn't make me invincible. So, barely keeping up with my surroundings, I manage to roll off using both my light body-weight and my tails.

I rolled off smoothly, managing to catch me again so it didn't even hurt, yet something else cooked up inside me. I mean, WAS SHE CRAZY! That could have killed me!

Feeling Anger rise up in my body, I begin staring at Anna, who also angrily stared back. Suddenly, unable to take it anymore, I begin screaming, accusing Anna of her actions while using some insults I once picked up from the older boys back in the orphanage and at school.

“You stupid Idiot! Why did you use Magic you Hairy Snot Donkey! You could have hurt me you smelly Hob-Goblin!” (Arin)

Hearing me scream at her, Anna becomes flustered, before she retaliated with angry shouts and insults.

I didn't know, but she was just STUPID! Shooting at me with a wind-ball when I am so high above the ground!

“You Stinky Fish!” (Arin)

“You rotten Egg!” (Anna)

“Are food-insults something popular currently? Saria, do you know something?” (Uncle Black)

“You… You fat whale!” (Arin)

“You… you… You retarded Guinea-Pig!” (Anna)

“Now it changed to animals Sir, so I have no idea.” (Saria)

“You uneven water-ball!” (Arin)

“... You… You evaporating cloud!” (Anna)

Yelling at one another, we kept going with one insult after another until both of us were breathing heavily. I believe I heard Uncle Black make a comment during our face-off, but that thought already vanished in the back of my mind. Especially since after some time, my ideas went out, and I just screamed at her whatever popped into my enraged mind.

Angry at her and with a brooding feeling deep inside me, I couldn't stop being apprehensive at Anna. Deep inside, I felt that this is wrong, Yet I couldn't hold myself back, I was angry, angry at her and probably, also at myself.

I selfishly threw water in her face, but she deserved it!

Gnarling Angrily at Anna, suddenly Alice and Sumi show up, both standing between us, cutting down our angry stares.

Slightly irritated, I want to gnarl at Sumi, yet before I could even utter a word, while she was still looking around, somewhat unnerved and unsure, she suddenly made a confident face and pulled me into a hug.

“W.. whuth?” (Arin)

With my face meeting her clothes, even my confused voice ended up muffled. Yet, still feeling anger towards Anna for always suddenly reaching a conclusion and making fun of me, I try to pry over Sumis shoulder to look at her, yet due to height difference and her holding me tightly I couldn't even move.

I could force it, yet deep inside I refused to harm anyone. So, while my erratic breathing calmed down again, I could hear Alice voice who talked purposefully loud.

“ You two went too far now. You both act like kids when it comes to this. Well you are still kids, but anyway! Anna, you know that you can’t just laugh at people, especially when bad things happened. Also, using magic can bring serious harm, did you even think about the consequences of your actions!? Otherwise, after they return the favor, both of you start fighting until tears come out! So both of you made mistakes, and I want you two to make up!

Arin you too, I know that this was dangerous, but you have to admit that you provoked it by laughing at her on top of the mast, so I want you to apologize as well. For now, calm down, and then both come here, I want to hear a clear apology!” (Alice)

Listening to Alice’s commanding tone she took over from Maria, I couldn’t help but feel bitter inside. I know I made a mistake, but I feel wronged, I don’t want to apologize to her.

So, being led and pushed forward by Sumi, I end up facing Anna again, and for a while, the only thing I could hear was the rushing of the waves passing the ship.

Looking deep into Anna’s eyes, I feel unwilling, yet after contemplating that it is better to have peace with Anna again than fight, I keep thinking.

What could I do… I want her to see that she made a mistake… I don’t want to apologize when I was wronged.

Though, after a while, with my face distorting more than once, I just came to a conclusion. Something happened, yet I am alive and uninjured, so, is there a reason to hold a grudge…?

Still slightly apprehensive, I lift my head and look at Anna who was still looking down, contemplating.

So, I lift my hand in front of her slowly, raising it while hoping she would take it.

“I… I am sorry for provoking you… and screaming and insulting you…I apologize…” (Arin)

Feeling my cheeks heat up due to embarrassment, my hand begins shaking. Anna lifted her head as well after hearing my words, only taking my hand hesitatingly after a short while.

“I, I accept your apology. I… I am also sorry for laughing at you... and attacking you...” (Anna)

Shaking my hand, she then also apologized, to which I only nodded in acceptance. So, feeling relieved, and extremely embarrassed, I retracted my hand after Anna let it go, pulled my tails together and hugged them closely, not letting go.

So, forming a fluffy silver-white wall around me, I could only feel Sumi who still hadn’t let go, hugging me from behind. Yet something is missing, as looking through a hole between my tails, I could see Anna still standing there. Alice was next to her, wearing a satisfied smile, seemingly content with how everything ended, but Anna was still looking down, even when she was apologized to.

I don’t understand what is going through her mind, yet I could feel a strong emotion of loss from her, something she seems to be questioning about herself?

Also, I can’t read minds, so I don’t know what’s going through her head, but knowing that she is still troubled, probably by what she had done, I swallow the rest of my bitter feelings and extend the tails I wasn’t holding on to, letting them shoot out and completely encompass Anna.

Her face and head I mostly left alone, as I fear it might hurt her otherwise, yet suddenly being surrounded by my tails, she was shocked for a moment, probably unable to process the sudden change from her thoughts to the current situation. Yet, looking at my eyes that peeked though my tails, she suddenly had tears streaming from her eyes, as she hugged the tails that were with her, thanking me for something…

Unable to understand why she thanked me, I could only crook my head a bit, but Alice next to her has a knowing smile plastered over her face, looking down on Anna who is sitting by now in a motherly kind of way. In this case, leaving it with Anna having regained her cheerfulness, I left it at that and just continued hugging my tails as I remained sitting there.

Now with silence permeating the air, aside from the steps coming from the crew and the waves crashing into the ship, I just sat there, waiting while also regaining my calm and losing some of my embarrassment. Actually, surrounded by this fluffy goodness, I couldn’t help but sink into thoughts, coming up and thinking about ideas I had.

And so, while I was feeling myself losing my tension, I could hear uncle Black calling out to us.

“Everyone, we are entering the harbor of Rod-Byen, if you want to see the scenery, I advise coming to the railing.” (Uncle Black)

Yelling with a slightly teasing undertone, uncle Black kept looking into our direction, seemingly smiling beneath that muffler of his, looking amused.

Feeling my cheeks grow warm again from that look he gives us, I slowly stood up, removing the tails still clinging to me. Anna was slightly regretful when the tails left, but she didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, I suddenly came up with something, something that doesn’t make sense.

“Uncle Black, why do you wear a muffler here?” (Arin)

To my question, Uncle Black only laughed, before the scarf dissolved and returned into his clothing. I already guessed it, but as we traveled south, the weather in this area is rather warm, leaving only the wind passing us to be fresh. So, Uncle Black wearing a muffler is practically an impossibility, unless he just wanted to hide his stupid grin.

Anyway, seeing him use his magic-essence, I remember my own one, who currently has the form of a fox-pendant around my neck, hidden by the collar of my shirt.

Anyway, reminding myself that I forgot to infuse mana into it in the recent days due to travel, I make a mental-note to remember to do so again.

So, removing my gaze from Uncle Black who kept having a warm smile on his face, I lean onto the railings my head can barely lay on, looking forward to what is to come. Yet, just as I was trying to make out the structure of the harbor in front of us, Uncle Black suddenly lifted me up and placed me on his shoulders.

As the smallest one, I could barely see anything when standing next to the others, yet suddenly sitting on top of Uncle Blacks shoulders, I had a perfect view in front, able to see the massive roots making out the harbor from close by.

The harbor itself had a variety of ships coming and going from it, with crews running around on their decks, hastening to load or unload cargo. Actually, I could even spot a variety of onlookers staring in our direction, probably because they saw us descend from the sky.

Still, even with the attention we were receiving, I couldn’t bother with it, as seeing the city from this position was breathtaking. Giant trees could be seen a little bit inland, containing houses and buildings that seem to be practically fused with nature. And next to them, closer to the beach, a variety of building can be spotted, made from a variety of materials. Reaching from wood and stone, to a weird bamboo like structure.

It feels as though someone just took any culture there was, and pushed them all into one spot, trying to mix them together. And somehow, even with it seeming to be unbalanced and chaotic, it gave the city a certain charm. I can’t really describe it, like when you know something is wrong, but you don’t really want to fix it because it still looks good.

So, while I am mesmerized by the colorful view, our ship approached one of the landing stages, coming to a stop beside it, as the crew-members threw ropes over to the workers waiting at the stage. Those in turn pulled and knotted them to the posts that were nearby.

Afterwards, when the ship finished anchoring and came to a standstill, they moved and used some kind of magic, which affected the roots the landing stage was made of. It, shortly afterwards, then moved and by forming a completely new root connected it to our ship, effectively creating a bridge to pass to the landing stage.

Actually, I only realized now, but of all the workers waiting for us, most of them were elves, as pretty obvious by their long and pointy ears, as well as their overly colorful and vibrant hair.

Anyway, with the bridge established, on the side suddenly a gate opened on the ship, directly leading to the cargo bay. So, though surprised, the elves immediately used their magic again, forming another, more broad bridge towards said gate.

Slightly careful, but also giddy due to excitement, every one of us leaves the ship, going over to the landing stage. Once there, while looking back, I could see Cyan looking around, with a weird feeling being expressed from his eyes. Suddenly, as though coming to a decision, he then turned towards me, asking a question I never heard coming from him.

“Uhm, Arin? Is it okay if I leave for a while? I can sense a familiar aura, and I wish to check it out…” (Cyan)

Saying so hesitantly, Cyan looked into my direction, to which I only nodded, agreeing to his request. So, slightly surprised, Cyan immediately thanked me by bowing ever so slightly, before he ran towards the opposite side of the ship and jumped over the railing, falling into the water.

Surprised by his sudden action, I ran on top of the ship again, and towards the railing, and what stepped into my sight was astonishing.

In the water, right beside the ship, I could see Cyan, in his original form. Well, he still had his different colored eyes, aswell as his streamlined dark shell, while the colorful lines on his shell glowed in a myriad of colors. Yet, unlike back then, his size was massive, with nearly ten meters looking out of the water, and the rest still remaining beneath it.

Surprised and with shock, I watched as Cyan looked back for a moment, with his massive dragon like head, to which I only waved my hand, leaving him to smile and continue forward, until he vanished as he swam through the harbors gates.

With him vanishing from my sight, I also turn back, only to be greeted by Uncle Black who picked me back up again and took me back onto his shoulders. True, I jumped off just before without looking back, so while still holding onto Uncle Blacks horns to stay in position, I apologize for running away impulsively. Luckily, Uncle Black was not bothered by it, and easily dropped the matter.

So, leaving the ship again, I am greeted by the whole group, who was waiting with everyone showing a smile. Sadly, Illois refuses to leave the ship, saying that only in the harbor is the mana thin enough for him not to be affected.

Still, while the girls were still excitedly talking about what they saw, and I was enjoying the view of the city, we are approached by a single elf with two escorts.

The elf had long bright blue hair, with his ears pointing out through it. He seems to be rather young, yet it appears to me as though fire burnt in his eyes, even if they were of a bright blue color. The demeanor with which he walked suggested his position, so without reservation, he approached me and Uncle Black, bowing as he began talking.

“In the name of the World-Tree, I greet you visitors from the Dragon Mountains to our island. I am Sage Zaryph, and I am here to welcome and guide you.” (Zaryph)

Greeting us with a friendly demeanor, Uncle Black accepted it and introduced himself with a slight nod.

“I am glad to be here, even if the circumstances of our arrival aren’t the best. I am Aaron Geyser, representing Diplomat of the Dragon-Mountains in the coming weeks. It is an honor to meet you, Sage Zaryph.” (Uncle Black)

Listening to Uncle Black talk, I am confused. Wasn’t he extremely against coming here? Why is he suddenly talking about being glad being here?

Unable to understand the thoughts behind it yet, Uncle Black only gave me a little shove before he tried introducing the others… However, before he could utter a word, the sage before us already opened his mouth.

“Then you must be Arin and Sumi, it is an honor to meet the children chosen by the world-tree.” (Sage Zaryph)

Saying so with a humble tone, he looked interchanging between me and Sumi, with Sumi hiding behind Uncle Black, since she isn’t very good with strangers. The young Sage didn’t seem to mind, and only bowed once before he began guiding us.

“Weird, when there was talk about a Sage, I expected him to be an elder.” (Anna)

Saying so out of nowhere, Anna’s voice suddenly made a rather weird comment, leaving not only me, but Alice and Saria to also be surprised. I could not see Uncle Black’s expression, but I believe it isn’t much different from ours. Meanwhile, Sumi only had a puzzled look, not much different from Anna's, probably unable to understand what Anna's words implied.

Anyway, Anna first had a puzzled expression towards our gazes, before she seemed to realize what she had done, looking towards the back of the sage with an apologetic expression.

Luckily, Zaryph didn’t seem to mind much, as he only laughed, saying that he hadn’t had that job for even thirty years yet.

Anna, Alice and Me were actually shocked listening to this, which would mean he was at least already forty, and he still appears as though he isn’t much older than Alice. However, remembering the classes about the races, as well as the elves lifespan that can easily surpass five-hundred years, I slowly lose said shock. Anna and Alice required a bit more time though, as they seem to never have heard of the exact lifespans elves have. I wonder, how would they react when they hear the average Lifespan of a Dragon or Fox-Kin?

Anyway, leaving those matters behind, our group picked up pace again, walking through the city as a battalion of guards appeared, walking besides us while clearing the way. Honestly, I never had such an escort, so it is an interesting experience.

The soldiers themselves mostly carried spears, swords or shields, with an armor that seems to have veins along its parts, covering all the vital spots, seemingly meant for more agile combat. The only two people with full body armor I saw were Zaryphs original escorts, carrying large swords on their back that were larger than myself, gleaming in the sunlight.

Their armors were perfectly fit on their bodies, and it weirdly didn’t even make a sound when they moved, leaving me to be astonished. Their armors lacked excessive decorations, yet had inscriptions that made them look like leaves were all over their armor, with magic-power flowing through it.

I actually took a closer look at it, realizing that this seems to actually be a stylish enchantment… drawing for enchantments… what an interesting idea…

Lost in thought, I actually barely managed to take a closer look at the city, as we took a quick route towards the teleportation-gates. Uncle Black said that they are not technology, but the power of the tree, so only chosen people can use it.

So, as I kept watching the wondrous faces of the people watching our little convoy, we pass a multitude of houses, before we arrived on a massive plaza, with a weird construct placed in the middle. From the outside, it appeared like an hourglass made of roots, with massive leaves covering the entrance, guarded by soldiers in light armor. Actually, using my perception, I could sense several individuals hidden around the plaza, mostly focused on the people coming too close to the construct.

Are they playing hide and seek out of boredom, or are they hidden guards? Maybe they are training, just like uncle Black does by removing his presence and leaving me to seek him out. Somehow he always starts that game whenever it is time for Guardian-day, the day once a month when the parents and guardians of the kids visit the school to talk and watch the training when it is convenient.

Actually, once found, Uncle Black would always come with us showing a bitter smile, I have yet to find out why, as mostly I can’t see him during the classes, but I can still feel his presence.

Somehow… can it be that he dislikes talking with others…?

Having my thoughts dispersed by the sudden change in lighting, I find myself within the weird structure, which appears somewhat mystical under the light breaking through the leaves.

Within the structure, the light falling through the leaves is aided by small glowing orbs floating around the interior, while small branches with leaves decorate the large roots forming the structure.

Looking around the interior that was large enough to contain a whole party of people, the Sage that lead us suddenly turned around, facing me and Uncle Black.

“We will shortly teleport, so please wait a moment.” (Sage Zaryph)

Saying so, Sage Zaryph closed his eyes, and began moving his mana, as clearly visible to me. And after a few moments of concentration, as though it was natural for him, he began speaking a chant, to which his mana moved, interfering with the glowing orbs around us.

“Licht der Erhabenen, Erhebe dich von deinem Schlaf, verzerre den Spiegel, so dass wir uns auf der anderen Seite sehen mögen.” (Sage Zaryph)

(Light of the Exalted, rise from your sleep, distort the mirror, so that we may see each other on the other side.)

With his voice reverberating in the construct, I could feel the mana move erratically, forming tiny magic-circles all around the air, with the branches that I thought to be decoration moving to form another bigger magic-circle around us.

Meanwhile, the glowing orbs that were floating randomly before suddenly started following a pattern, beginning to race around us in circles, stealing our sight of what was outside our vision, while inside, the light began to become more and more intense.

The brightness somehow didn’t hurt, as it was the calm kind, even though it was bright like never before. Yet, seeing as Anna and Alice closed their eyes to the light, can I guess that this is a Fox-Kin and Dragon thing? Because Uncle Black, Sumi and Saria appear to be fine.

After a moment of time, the light flashed brightly once, as I felt myself suspended in nothing for a moment, before everything returned to normal and the lights surrounding us slowly came to a stop.

Actually, I was still absent minded, as I felt peculiar when traveling through that portal… maybe I could use that feeling to train my space-magic?

Feeling inspired, I really want to have a go at it, yet remembering what happened the last time I experimented with magic without permission, I just try to remember the feeling, before finally regaining my senses to my surroundings.

We found ourselves back inside the construct, yet unlike before, the air is completely different. Before there was salt in the air, but now I can’t smell anything like salt aside from the people in our group. Instead, I quickly picked up the smell of sweet flowers, as well as the smell of tree sap and a honey like substance.

I can’t be sure, yet I somehow became hungry getting a whiff at those delicious scents. Well, I don’t feel hunger, but I still have a ton of appetite now.

So, leaving the weird construct, we are greeted by a myriad of colors, with massive trees in the distance, and flower beds everywhere. I couldn’t help but stare with my mouth wide open, as a soft wind caressed my skin and moved the flowers, leaving me to take in the sweet scent of the flowers-nectar.

Here and there, small animals can be seen mingling among the plants, while I could also see smaller trees standing in the middle of the fields, where I had the illusion those were the guardians among the flowers.

Weirdly enough, outside, not a single guard could be seen, as only us, the sage and the two elite-guards remained standing here.

“We came as close to the World-Tree as possible, so aside from me, Lord Aaron Geyser as well as the two chosen ones Arin and Sumi, I must ask everyone else to remain here or go to the capital. You can also follow us until the so called Spirit-Line, but that is the limit.” (Sage Zaryph)

Saying so with a bit of pride in his tone, Zaryph turned down the others from coming along until the end. Anna actually wanted to complain, yet the moment she was about to step close to the flower field, a sudden root broke through the floor, binding her leg.

She, startled at the unexpected outcome could only retreat while feeling down. So in the end, Uncle Black just mentioned to Saria for her to go with them, with Anna and Alice, guided by the two full-body armored knights standing beside them.

As a result, after everyone was settled, Uncle Black dropped me back onto the ground, before he just held mine and Sumis hand to guide us. Saria, Anna and Alice followed behind us, with Anna walking in a dejected mood. With the Sage taking the lead, we all took a step towards the flowery field. I thought the sage was about to step onto the flowers, with us following, which I thought to be a shame, yet unexpectedly, roots grew from the ground, forming small bridges over the flowery fields.

It was an amazing experience, and it looked like the tiny bridges I once saw in the pictures of Asian gardens, so walking past the fields, I could only continue staring at the beauty and colors displayed.

Sumi is also taken in, as she could only nod once after meeting my eyes. And in silence and awe of our surroundings, we continue making our way through the flower-fields, while approaching the massive tree in the distance.

Yet, before reaching there, we came across a forest teeming with life. It wasn’t a forest filled with animals, yet I could see small figures flying around, while concentrated blobs of magic power where gliding through the air.

I couldn’t understand, yet due to the lushness of the forest, I couldn’t even see the other side. However, above the tree-line, I could barely make out the massive tree the Sage introduced as the World-Tree. He is somehow shrouded in a light fog, which seems to be provided by the surrounding trees.

So, stopping in front of them, the Sage turned towards us with a bitter smile.

“Here we are, the Spirit-Line, the last location before the World-Tree. I must ask the others to stay or return. So for now, before we go in, please wait a moment for me to communicate to open a path for us to enter through.” (Sage Zaryph)

Saying so, the Sage Zaryph walked towards the tree-line and kneeled down, seemingly praying. Seeing him like that, I can only look on, before a sudden shift in mana occurred.

It wasn’t the prayer that Zaryph was making, but in no time, our whole group was suddenly surrounded by hundreds of glowing beings watching us from a certain distance.

Yet, from this whole swarm that was floating nearby, only one suddenly approached, glowing in a white and green manner. So, as soon as it found its way close enough that even Uncle Black could catch it, a sudden high-pitched but sweet voice resounded.

“Are you the invited ones? Nee, nee, you have to go visit the world tree now, you have to go…” (???)