NOVPUBChapter 852: Impersonating
Adam passed through the gates of Constantine without a sound. The guards on duty didn’t even register his presence. As if a breeze had slipped by, unseen.
As he walked through the cobbled street, he immediately registered a shift in the environment.
His pupils constricted, and he thought incredulously, This… Impossible!
He focused the Sphere of Resonance and looked at the air around him. Wisps of mystical energy flowed all around him, and it got denser the closer one moved toward the heart of the town.
How did this happen?!
He was afraid to even think it in his mind, shocked by the sheer incredulity of it. He hastened his footsteps and walked toward the ash tree in the center of the town.
When he had received the letter in Hannes City, he was told to come here because the scholars and researchers of the Brotherhood stationed in this town had found shocking results.
They said the ash tree that he had planted had started showing abnormalities.
Upon arriving here, Adam finally found out what it was.
Now, if it were any other Mana Vortex Magus, they would have only discovered it after staying here for a few hours.
However, he was able to immediately learn about this abnormality because of his extremely heightened observational capabilities.
As he hurried his way towards the center of Constantine, he couldn’t help but wonder about the circumstances revolving around the time he had planted the ash tree.
After planting the seed on the ground and carving runes around it to foster its growth, I performed a ceremonial act of praying to the Great Mother, he thought, his heart beating rapidly.
I had prayed to the Great Mother to bless the seed and allow it to protect the people of this settlement.
Could it be…
A shocking possibility arose in his mind.
Could it be that the Great Mother heard my prayers?!
No, that’s ridiculous… Even if she did, why would she respond? I am a nobody, and this planet is on the fringes of the Outer Universe.
No, wait!
Adam quickly realized the flaw in his own thinking.
So what if Tron lies in the farthest corners of the Outer Universe?!
She is the Great Mother Yggdrasil, the silent cosmic observer, and master of space!
He recalled the countless titles by which the inhabitants of the Greater Universe revered the World Tree.
The Matriarch of the Infinite Branches.
The Axis of all Coordinates.
The One Who Watches.
The Great Mother Yggdrasil!
A drop of sweat trickled down the side of the forehead, and he hastened his footsteps.
Did she actually respond to my prayer?!
This doesn’t make any sense!
He felt the air around him, the mystical energy pulsing through it becoming stronger and stronger as he approached the ash tree.
It was faint, yet undeniably present.
Suddenly, his footsteps slowed down. The cheerful hum of conversation from Constantine’s townfolks filled his ears, grounding him in the present. His heartbeat also began to ease.
He had arrived at the town square. Gathered there were people of all ages, children chasing each other with laughter, elders spinning old tales beneath the shade, and couples exchanging smiles under the radiant sun.
At the heart of this warmth and joy stood a bronze statue.
Adam found himself drawn to this statue, ignoring the curious gazes the surrounding people were directing at him.
The finely sculpted bronze statue depicted a young man wearing Magus robes, standing tall with pride.
His right arm was raised, finger pointed towards the heavens, as if declaring a bold destiny towards the stars.
A triumphant smile was etched across his face, full of hope and defiance.
And atop his head…
Sat a pointy hat!
Adam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He gazed at the face of the bronze statue, completely dumbstruck. “Is that…”
However, his words got caught in his throat when suddenly a little girl approached him. “Mister, you are suspicious!”
The raven-haired young man turned his head, his gaze drawn to the adorable little child who was standing next to him with her arms on her hips.
She was scowling at him, but it turned out to be rather funny to look at.
Despite her attempt at authority, her appearance and posture were far too cute to take her seriously.
“Eh?” Adam’s lips twitched. “What do you mean, young miss?”
The little girl’s eyes narrowed. “You… Why are you dressed like our founder?”
“Dressed like your… founder?” Adam blinked.
The little girl harrumphed, puffing up with righteous indignation as she pointed her tiny finger at the bronze statue.
“Him! Our founder, the one this town is named after! So, tell me, mister, why are you dressed like him? Are you trying to cause trouble or what?”
“Dressed like him?” Adam awkwardly scratched his chin. “I’m not trying to cause any trouble, though…”
“Hmph, fine!” The little girl crossed her arms, glaring at him. She then pointed at him and spoke coolly, “I’ll be watching you, mister.”
With that said, she snorted in victory and strutted away.
Adam was dumbfounded.
A moment later, he found most of the people gathered at the square eyeing him with curiosity and even… disdain.
Don’t tell me, he thought of something and couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Do they all think I’m impersonating the statue?
I am the statue!
Regardless, he put away his pointy hat. He was probably the only person wearing a pointy hat in this town. Such accessories were considered old fashioned and the Magi of today rarely wore it.
He cast one final glance at his statue and smirked.
Not bad, he thought.
I am quite handsome.
He then resumed his journey to the heart of Constantine. Several minutes later, the base of the ash tree finally came into view.
The area around the tree was cordoned off. Though technically off-limits, the reverence in the residents’ demeanor made it feel less like a restricted zone and more like a sacred pilgrimage site.
Adam cast a concealment spell on himself and walked towards the ash tree. He walked past the wooden barriers and approached its base.
As I thought, he wondered, his expression solemn.
Standing at the base of the towering ash tree he had once planted, Adam lifted his gaze to the canopy above.
Its branches swayed gently, and the leaves danced in the wind, as if welcoming his arrival.
Adam felt a sense of warmth and serenity wash over him.
He reached out and pressed his hand against the tree’s broad trunk. He closed his eyes for a long, quiet breath.
When he opened them again, his suspicions were more or less confirmed.
The mana in the surroundings had grown noticeably denser… and at the heart of it all was this very tree!
Another chapter coming up in a few more hours. I’m feeling a little lazy today… Probably because its sunday…
