96. The Cursed Sevenfold Council Hall. [2]
Gradually, the rain transformed into a full-blown storm. It became difficult to see as the winds intensified, causing the branches of the oak trees to sway vigorously.
The bird, too, struggled in the harsh conditions. Suddenly, a branch snapped off from an oak tree and struck the bird's eye. It shrieked in pain, but quickly sought refuge within a hollow in a tree, prioritizing its survival.
Time passed, and Logan continued walking alongside the woman, enduring the tumultuous storm.
She didn't even flinch in the midst of the rainstorm. The usual warm rays of sunlight cascaded upon the newly planted cypress trees. As the storm within Logan's heart subsided, he found solace in the serene atmosphere.
"Hmm~" The woman hugged herself and hummed.
Logan quickened his pace, covering some distance.
"Hey! That's cheating! You're moving too fast!" the woman exclaimed, accelerating as well. "Tsk! I was so close to seeing your face." Logan clicked his tongue but made sure not to make her feel uncomfortable.
Logan glanced at the now tranquil weather. The bird had lost sight in one eye, yet its primary focus remained survival. Perhaps it was the mating season, and the bird was in search of a potential mate. However, its unattractiveness deterred any interested females.
Time passed, and so did the trees. Now, everywhere Logan looked, there were maple trees. The bird from earlier now perched calmly on one of the maple trees.
"Why is it sitting there?" Logan remarked. Instead of engaging in fights as before, the bird sat calmly, observing its fellow avians.
"It may be experiencing a crisis similar to yours—a midlife crisis," she answered.
"No, my crises are very different," Logan halted and called out to her, but she continued walking, her footsteps never faltering.
"Not comprehending the direction is normal, but you must persist, otherwise, you'll fall behind," she replied.
"But why can't I understand what is happening? It feels so foreign," Logan's voice trembled.
This trial was a tumultuous journey. He felt his body shiver as he peered into the giant bird's eye. He knew what was happening, yet at the same time, he didn't.
The bird had matured, its wings strong, yet it sat perched on the branch of a maple tree.
"What is the reason behind my wishes being fulfilled?" Logan muttered.
"Fufuf~" The woman laughed at Logan's statement.
"No one's wishes are granted unless they've paid an equal or even greater price," she remarked.
Logan wanted to ask more questions, but he restrained himself.
The surroundings changed once again. This time, the bird sat beneath a bodhi tree, motionless. It exuded a sense of tranquility, akin to a boat gently sailing on the sea. Though its eyes were closed, it remained aware of its surroundings.
"Can you feel my footsteps?" she asked suddenly.
"Yes, and they are cold," Logan replied.
"Can you walk with your eyes closed?" she inquired further.
Instead of responding, Logan closed his eyes and walked, guided by the sensation of her chilling footsteps. He continued his journey.
The ice was frigid, reminiscent of loneliness, pain, and agony. It was a feeling Logan disliked.
However, as time passed, the coldness dissipated, replaced by warmth. Logan noticed that his feet no longer sensed anything.
He immediately opened his eyes and witnessed something that left him dumbfounded.
Between the Bodhi tree and an Ash tree, Logan caught sight of the bird. It sat calmly, but the tranquility it exuded wasn't peaceful. Suddenly, the bird, which Logan had been observing, collapsed. Its body fought against the grasp of death for a brief moment before succumbing entirely. It had died.
As Logan looked ahead, he noticed the woman's pace had slowed. The gray clouds had returned, but there was no rain.
"The bird..." Logan gazed at it, his eyes widening.
"The bird chose its path. Even in its moments of wisdom, it remained steadfast and met its demise," the woman calmly explained to Logan.
"Wise, wouldn't you say?" she asked. "And what about you?"
She took a few steps, and the environment shifted once again.
From the bird's ashes, chirp! chirp! Another bird emerged, resembling its initial phase of life.
"It fulfilled its purpose. That bird knew what it was doing until it achieved its purpose—it created its own path. If the bird had followed the natural course, it would have met a peaceful end."
"There are exceptions that attempt to defy the laws of nature, much like that bird did. It utilized its accumulated wisdom to accomplish what it couldn't in its previous life..."
For the first time, the woman turned around, revealing her stunning beauty. She took Logan's breath away. She was truly gorgeous.
Her features were sharp, and her sapphire blue eyes captivated him. Her white hair complemented her appearance, as did her flawless skin.
"And it was reborn." Logan couldn't shake off the echo of her final words. They reverberated in his mind, lingering like an unyielding melody. Each word carried weight, sinking deeper into his thoughts and stirring a myriad of emotions within him. The significance of her message resonated deeply, leaving him with a profound sense of contemplation and uncertainty. As he grappled with the implications, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of responsibility and determination. It was a pivotal moment, one that would shape his path and define his destiny.
Her elongated ears were evidence of her elven heritage. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman Logan had ever seen.
"I hope...this bird will also accept itself for who it is," she said, her radiant smile dazzling Logan.
Logan rushed forward to touch her, but it was too late.
Her body transformed into a husk, disintegrating into the soil.
Before he knew it, Logan had traversed all seven paths.
Now, he stood beneath the Bodhi tree, his face bathed in a pale green light.
Logan was dumbfounded. His heart raced, and he felt a profound change within him.
He glanced around, searching for someone who may have called him, but there was no one.
Logan found himself inside a room similar to where his journey had begun.
Unpredictable events had befallen him, yet he didn't harbor resentment towards them.
From his initial death to his transmigration into this world as a demon, gaining immense power but failing to wield it properly, and ultimately becoming trapped within this realm with more than half of his core shattered, Logan was truly bewildered and regretful of his past choices.
However, he had miraculously been granted another chance—an opportunity he didn't wish to squander.
...
"Huh? You're already here?" Sylvia gasped as she noticed Logan already inside the assessment room.
"You've traversed your path?" she asked.
Before she could say anything further, Lara, Lisa, and Anna emerged from the door as well.
"What the fuck was that!" Lisa exclaimed, expressing her frustration.
"That creature wasn't cute at all! It could have definitely killed me!" Anna joined in, sharing her fear.
Lara began channeling her mana, creating a stone golem with the intention of attacking Sylvia.
"Awa awa awa!" Sylvia ran into the room, desperately seeking safety.
Logan and the other Elf watched as the three girls confronted Sylvia. Although it seemed like they would harm her, they refrained from doing so. Lisa wore a beautifully wicked smile, while Anna had a wild look in her eyes. Lara was the only one who maintained a sane expression, surpassing the mere desire to kill Sylvia.
Moments passed, and everyone caught their breath.
"T-time out, please!" Sylvia raised her arms above her head and apologized.
The trial each of them went through tested their mental and physical capabilities. It involved climbing a mountain without support, encountering an ironjaw wolf or a fire-breathing bear, and even being chased by a boar with ruby eyes. All of this was part of their test.
The Council Hall's seven paths designed this trial to determine the extent of each person's strength.
"Now, now, everyone, please calm down," the Elf interjected.
"Sylvia may not have warned you about the dangers, but it was all for your own good. And you all did wonderfully," she added.
"You've completed the trial in a very short time. Even our elite members couldn't achieve that," she knew how to pacify women, truly a manipulator.
"Now, if you all can come with me, I would like to show you something," she led Logan's group closer to the Bodhi tree.
"Here," she handed them something resembling bracelets.
"These bracelets will display your status and strength," she explained with a smile.
"Huh?" Logan's eyes widened. Wasn't this similar to his status window? He pondered silently. If so, it meant that his system...
"This technology is exclusively created by our master craftsman," she added.
"Miss Lara," she handed each of them a bracelet.
Lara's bracelet had a gray-colored gem embedded in it, while Anna's had an amethyst one. Lisa's bracelet had an orange gem, and Logan's had a white one.
"What are these gems?" Logan inquired.
"They correspond to your affinities," she answered, showing her own bracelet.
"All Elves have a green gem representing their Nature affinity," she explained.
"Some of us possess multiple affinities, but they aren't commonly used since we rely more on our physical strength than magic."
"Miss Lara's primary affinity is Earth, hence the color of her gem reflects that element."
"Miss Anna has Spatial affinity as her main attribute, hence the amethyst color."
"Miss Lisa has Fire and Healing as her primary affinities, hence the orange gem."
"And as for Mister Logan..." She looked at Logan with complicated eyes.
"You are void of any affinity," her statement shocked everyone, especially the trio. They had witnessed how Logan had displayed his power, so hearing that he had no affinity was perplexing. How could that be possible? They had witnessed his might; it seemed impossible.
"Okay," Logan responded with a slight smile. He recalled the words of the beautiful woman: "With the wisdom that bird has, even in its worst state, it can survive without the strength it had before." He remembered observing the bird sitting silently on the Maple tree, observing everything.
"Master," Lisa called out to Logan, but he only blinked and nodded, indicating that he was aware of his condition.
"So, the system has taken away its power?" Logan questioned, but he found no answers. No matter how many times he called, the system remained silent.
"Well, that's how it is," the elf smiled at them, displaying her professionalism. "Based on your group's overall strength, the hall will offer you the first mission," she explained, guiding the group.
"I wouldn't recommend any missions for you at the moment," Sylvia interjected. "You won't be able to survive. When we found your group, you were barely holding on," she continued, emphasizing that she wasn't mocking them. "This place is specifically designed for monsters that can withstand physical damage, and magic has little effect on them." Despite her warning, Sylvia didn't stop them from choosing their first mission.
"At least choose one that involves Tree Ants," she suggested.
And so, everyone began searching for a suitable mission. There were various options available—some required a specific tree, some involved obtaining medicine or a part of a tree.
…
(A/N: These two chapters are crucial and serve as the foundation of the story moving forward. I am currently dedicating great care to developing the characters. I have identified my shortcomings and I am actively working on improving them. I kindly request all of you, my readers, to continue supporting me and to trust in my abilities. Striking the right balance between quality and quantity is a challenging task, and I acknowledge that I have made mistakes that are disheartening to me as well. However, I implore you not to withdraw your support. Thank you.)
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading experience