I Got a Fake Job at the Academy
Chapter 476: Mother and Daughter (2)

Chapter 476: Mother and Daughter (2)

Ella's gaze toward Sedina was complicated.

The mixed feelings about her daughter returning to this dangerous place and the joy and happiness of meeting her beloved daughter again.

-Why did you come back? You could have just stayed away.

"Because mom is here."

-How thoughtful of our daughter. You've really grown up so much.

Let me hug you again.

Ella opened her arms, but Sedina didn't embrace her like before.

Sedina was hesitating as if worried about something.

-Our daughter. Are you shy now because you've grown up?

"...Are you really leaving?"

At Sedina's meaningful words, Ella's eyes widened.

She shook her head with a faint smile.

-Where would I go? I'll stay here forever.

"But mom is..."

-Dead? But aren't I talking with you right now?

"How is that possible?"

-Usually, dead souls disappear at some point. But the World Tree is different. We elves' souls remain here. Ventmin simply calls it memories and data, but well...the World Tree isn't that simple.

The wood zombies implemented through the World Tree.

It wasn't simply the World Tree storing and implementing dead elves' DNA, but truly implementing the souls of those elves in a body made of wood.

Hard to believe, but making it actually possible.

That was the power and mystery of the World Tree.

-Originally I should have disappeared and lost my self like Ventmin, but it seems the World Tree is specially keeping me because it was badly wounded in this incident. It seems to need at least one guardian to protect this place.

"Then...can we keep meeting in the future?"

-Yes. If you stay with the World Tree, we can meet. Though not often, just occasionally.

Ella had things she needed to do.

She had to stabilize the World Tree that was severely damaged by Ventmin and remove the malicious code planted inside.

That process would take a very, very long time.

She couldn't easily meet just because Sedina wanted to see her.

But for Sedina, just having the possibility of meeting her mother again was enough to make her happy.

"I, I..."

-You don't have to say it.

Ella said this as she approached Sedina and hugged her tightly.

Sedina struggled like she was throwing a tantrum, but soon gave up and let herself be embraced.

-Your hair has grown longer since I last saw you. The color is interesting too. Originally it resembled him, but the newly grown parts resemble mine.

"Does it look strange?"

-No, not at all. If anything, it's just pretty. You really are the lovely daughter of me and him.

"Dad..."

Sedina's expression darkened at the thought of Walter.

Rudger came to save her, and considering the people who came to help in between, it must have been Walter who sent them.

But it was difficult to feel grateful for that given her relationship with Walter until now.

After Ella died, Walter completely cut off his interest in Sedina.

Ella, knowing Sedina's feelings, spoke as if to comfort her.

-Yes. He can be quite frustrating in these aspects. I can clearly see him acting like he didn't mind being hated if it was to protect you. Mom used to fight with him a lot about that too.

"...Really?"

-Of course. Mom scolded him a lot for being insensitive.

Ella said while gently stroking Sedina's lengthened silver hair.

-Still, he definitely loves you. He just acted that way because he couldn't be honest. I should have stayed by his side continuously...

"Mom..."

Sedina wanted to say some words of comfort.

Surely just as she had been sad, Ella was sad too.

After all, she also had to part with her family.

Ella felt guilty.

Even though it wasn't intentional, she left her daughter and husband's side, and that became the trigger for their relationship to break down.

But even knowing that, there was no way to fix it.

She could only exist within the World Tree, and Walter, being human, couldn't meet her.

Sedina understood those feelings too, so she bit her lip.

"Mom. I'm okay."

-Hm?

"Although I struggled a lot because of dad and got hurt..."

Sedina thought about it.

What if her father Walter had treated her well?

It would have surely provided at least minimal comfort to a child grieving the loss of her mother.

She wouldn't have developed this kind of personality, and would have grown up as a brighter child than now.

Though scars would remain in her heart, surely the wounds would have healed.

Comforting each other and overcoming the sadness together.

Someday they might have become a happy family again.

Surely such a future could have existed.

But.

"I...like how things are now."

Surely Sedina's past life was a continuous series of difficult and painful events.

Hating her father, despising the family.

Even losing a close friend and joining the Black Dawn Society.

Even there, she had to live on the outskirts, unable to properly fit in.

Perhaps she thought she might have to live alone and lonely like this forever.

"Even though it's still really hard when I think about that time..."

Then one day she met her destined person.

The man she calls teacher and serves.

At first, she was scared.

He was someone much talked about even within the Black Dawn Society, and approaching him was considered fatal.

Even approaching him was basically forced upon her, pushed into it.

"But now I've met many good people."

Getting to know Rudger, and through him, getting to know Owen's people.

Hans, who teaches everything when asked despite being grumpy.

Alex, who's playful and smooth-talking but considerate of others.

Pantos, who's quiet but listens well to requests.

Arpa, who treats her with childlike innocence.

Bellaruna, who's somewhat strange for an elf but gives a sense of kinship.

Seridan, who strangely feels a connection with her due to their build.

And Violetta, who shows friendliness for serving right beside Rudger.

Surely these connections were precious to Sedina.

If things had been smooth with Walter, Sedina would never have joined the Black Dawn Society and she would never have met Rudger.

Having endured through difficult times to encounter these connections, Sedina decided to cherish them even more.

"So I'm okay now."

-...You've really grown up unrecognizably.

Ella hugged Sedina even more tightly, as if proud of her.

They stayed like that for a while, quietly feeling each other's warmth.

After some time passed, Sedina was the first to speak.

"What should I do now?"

-What do you mean?

"Well, Ventmin Lifrey is dead, and the kingdom is in chaos. I accessed the World Tree and gained its authority."

The position of protecting the World Tree had become vacant.

Though unintended, the most suitable candidate for that empty position ended up being Sedina herself.

She found herself in a position that came with responsibilities to bear.

Rationally thinking, it should have been something to be happy about.

It meant she could become the new leader of the elf kingdom rather than being just an insignificant assistant at Theon Academy.

For elves, the authority to use the World Tree's power was extremely significant.

Just now, even though Ventmin used only a tiny portion of the World Tree's power, she made Lifrey the greatest family.

With much more authority than that?

Beyond rebuilding the now-vanished Plante, she could unite the kingdom's seven families into one and establish an absolute monarchy.

In other words, becoming the queen of a unified elf kingdom.

There wouldn't be any opposition.

Lifrey and Shadewarden were gone, and the three noble families had suffered devastating damage.

The most intact Dentis and Burke would support her from behind.

-But it doesn't appeal to you.

Sedina silently nodded.

-Do you think the position doesn't suit you?

"That's part of it, but if I take this position...I won't be able to meet other people anymore. I don't like that."

Sedina could understand how important this power she had awakened was to the elves.

In the end, she had no choice but to become the central figure.

She couldn't abandon it even if she wanted to, nor could she transfer it to someone else.

Sedina wasn't yet mentally prepared to shoulder the heavy duty that came with the power.

-Then, why not just cleanly give up?

"What? How is that possible!"

-Forcing yourself to do something you don't like will cause problems in its own way. This mother was the same. People around kept forcing me, nagging me so I always hid and ran away but sometimes I have regrets, wondering if I should have given up everything and left earlier.

"Wasn't it hard when you left the forest?"

-It was hard. Sometimes I thought I suffered unnecessarily after going outside, and wondered if I had done something foolish.

Ella met Sedina's eyes and smiled reassuringly.

-But then, I had you.

"..."

-You don't have to do something just because someone tells you to. This mother wants our daughter to do what she wants.

"What I...want?"

-Yes. Sedina, what do you want to do?

"I..."

Sedina, who had been wavering in contemplation, soon opened her mouth as if having decided something.

* * *

"Ah."

Sedina opened her eyes.

As she raised her body, the World Tree's sap flowed down from her body with a swooshing sound.

She looked around.

Everyone was watching her around the small pond formed by the collected sap.

"Are you awake?"

Rudger asked Sedina.

Staggering to her feet, Sedina lifted her head to look at the sky.

The World Tree, which had spread its branches in all directions to create a birdcage, had returned to its original form.

Some parts were damaged and severely wounded, but considering its vitality, it would surely recover soon.

Beyond the World Tree, the blue sky and white clouds were beautifully spread out, as if unconcerned with earthly affairs.

The war was over and with victory for their side.

"Good work."

Rudger grabbed and pulled Sedina's hand as she tried to leave the pond.

Only then did Sedina realize her hair had grown very long.

Perhaps because it was wet, her hair felt much heavier than usual.

But as soon as she emerged from the pond, her newly grown silver hair gradually shortened and returned to its usual length.

Sedina stroked her hair several times, fascinated by her condition.

"Is it finally over? Ugh! I'm exhausted!"

Alex flopped down on the ground.

There was no one to criticize his undignified behavior since everyone was equally tired.

"It's not over. There are still too many things to resolve. Just figuring out how to handle the post-war situation is overwhelming."

Vierano looked glumly at the collapsed Serendel Castle, the wounded World Tree, and the partially destroyed outer wall.

Their proud homeland had become ruins.

With the kingdom symbolizing Renar-Tirone shattered, it was clear that the Forest of Life would be thrown into chaos for a while.

Especially what the World Tree did when it awoke this time would be even more deeply engraved in the elves' memories.

How long would it take to return to how it was before?

No, could it even return to the old days at all?

"Don't we have other matters to resolve as well?"

Luther wasn't finished yet.

His sharp gaze like a well-honed blade turned toward Sedina.

"Though that witch lady has disappeared, it seems a new lady has taken her place."

Luther instinctively realized that Sedina had become the new administrator of the World Tree.

He had just painfully realized how dangerous the World Tree was.

The emergence of someone who could handle such a World Tree again couldn't be taken lightly from the position of worrying about the empire's safety.

Perhaps sensing that intensity, Ambella blocked Luther's path.

"Hey Luther. Do you really have to rain on this happy occasion?"

"Please step aside. I don't want to harm an old benefactor."

"Ha. The youngster has grown a lot. But can you actually do it?"

"I don't think I would lose to someone who's so severely injured."

The atmosphere grew increasingly serious.

Rudger, Hans, Alex, and Vierano also raised their guard.

They were fully prepared to join Ambella in the fight at any moment.

At that critical moment, contrary to everyone's concerns, Sedina stepped forward.

"I have no intention of being hostile to the empire in the first place, so please stop."

"How can I believe that? An even bigger threat has appeared, should I just step back believing those words?"

"...The kingdom has already suffered too many wounds. The same goes for the World Tree. The World Tree needs to focus only on recovery until it returns to its original state."

"So it's safe? Even using just a tiny portion of that tree's power would be enough to pose a danger to the empire."

From Luther's perspective, the World Tree was something that shouldn't exist.

If it awakens again, and if Sedina has ill intentions the continent would be engulfed in disaster.

"I'm certain that won't happen."

"Why?"

"Because I'm still half an imperial citizen."

Luther's eyes widened at this completely unexpected answer.

"I'm also a student at Theon, you know. How could someone like me fight against the empire?"

"Heh. Hehehe."

Seeing Sedina speaking straight while looking at him without wavering, Luther finally burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Right. You're half human and an imperial citizen so it's fine? What an amusing counter-argument!"

Everyone around looked at Sedina with expressions asking if that really counted as persuasion.

After laughing for a while, Luther stopped and said with a much refreshed face.

"If you say that much, I should believe you once."

Luther sheathed the sword in his hand.

"...!"

The atmosphere that had been tightly wound with tension instantly relaxed.

People who thought they would fight right away were puzzled by Luther's reaction.

They hadn't expected him to back down so easily.

It wasn't that Luther completely believed Sedina's words but sometimes, a single show of spirit can weigh more heavily than a hundred words.

The moment he met Sedina's eyes, Luther decided it would be good to believe her once.

"Right. At least I can't deny that we fought together as comrades to prevent war."

"Ha."

Ambella felt relieved at this and slumped down.

Perhaps because she lost one arm, her head was dizzy despite the bleeding being stopped.

"That arm..."

Sedina approached, looking at Ambella's severed arm.

"No need to worry. Losing just one arm is getting off easy."

Though she said that, there's no way it could be fine.

For a swordsman, the arm that holds the sword is as precious as life itself.

It would be a lie to say there was no regret.

But not wanting to burden Sedina, Ambella decided to think positively.

"It's not something you need to worry about."

"No. I share responsibility so I'll help you."

Sedina said with a confident voice.

Ambella stared into Sedina's eyes as if asking what she meant.

"How?"

"I can restore your severed arm."