The 'black wisp' was the name Gaia and the priestess used to refer to Khaos. Hearing things related to his cultivation did interest him very much.
"Please, priestess, tell me what you know."
Apparently, now that the high priestess has transcended, she knew more about Gaia's plan for him.
At first, Gaia thought the black wisp influence would be advantageous to his growth but gradually she realized the two will not be able to coexist together.
Especially when his fey bloodline starts to come into the equation.
The fey as the protector of Gaia has affinity in the natural elements. It only enhances his three other elements but will conflict with the darkness element which is his core right now
Hence as the balance has been broken the previous arrangement with the darkness as his main element will no longer be feasible for him.
When Emery came 6 months ago with his natural element severed, the priestess thought of an idea and apparently Gaia listened.
She cannot let him lose his connection to the natural elements as it would also mean they would lose connection to Gaia. Hence, the seed was needed.
"I was more than willing to give my spirit core for you Emery."
Hearing this does move him, then a question came to mind.
"But, priestess, if the seed was created from your spirit core, that would mean-"
"Yes, Emery, you are right. This was the way Gaia showed me. From the start, I know this method had a low success rate, but I believed that, if you are fortunate, you would be able to create your second spirit core."
He hadn't fully understood everything yet, but Emery believed a second spirit core could mean tremendous benefits for him. Unfortunately, he had never learned about it in the academy, nor had he heard anything about it elsewhere before.
Having two spirit cores sounded like such an absurd thing, but it also excited him. If he could pull it off, he would have some leverage when he returns to the academy.
Emery started to think this arrangement really is a good thing for him. Afterall the last few months unable to cast those other spells really infuriates him
Once more, Emery stared at the body drifting on the lake. For all he could feel was his debt to the priestess.
The priestess seemed to know Emery Has began to accept the situation, she continues
"Do you understand now, Emery? This is why… Under any circumstances, you shouldn't ever give up on the seed."
Emery noded, He definitely wouldn't give up his ability to control the other elements.
He hoped when the seed bloomed, the second core would not hinder his advancement to rank 9. This brought him one huge concern. He didn't exactly have a lot of time in this world.
"Priestess, may I ask whether you know how long it will take to make the seed bloom?"
The figure made of water returned into dewdrops glowing with life. The drops floated all around him and whispered, their voice sounding like wind rustling the trees.
"From what I can tell, at the moment it barely filled one tenth of its required energy to bloom"
The number quickly made Emery pause. He had already spent at least 2 or 3 months cultivating the seed with the [Nature Grasp] and, if this rate continues on, he would need another 3 years to make it bloom.
"High Priestess, three years is such a long time… Is there any way to help speed it up?"
The restriction spell may have prevented him from talking about the magus academy or his experiences in another world, but he could at least show her he really needed to reach it in less than one and a half years.
"Emery… Cultivation is a delicate thing, it cannot be forced or it will bring unpleasant results. In fact, you need to take your time. If you must know, it took me 50 years to reach where you are now and that was with the help of Gaia."
Emery could only give a stunned silence. No matter what, he needed the seed to bloom before his third year started, or it would be dangerous for him to accept the recall and not accepting the recall was not an option for him.
the priestess whispered in a voice once more. This time in a gleeful tone.
"Don't you worry, Emery, I can see it would not take you that long.. Gaia favors you much"
"May I ask you to tell me how, Priestess?."
"It is not for me to say. Gaia will show you, Emery."
Once more, Emery was told to touch the tree. He approached the huge tree and touched it just like in the past. Beneath his fingers, he could feel each bump and grain from the surface of the bark.
The moment he touched the tree, his mind felt like it was pulled out at high speed. When he came to, the ground and his surroundings looked blurry. He went further and further, across forests and rivers, left the kingdoms' territory and eventually left the continent.
Behind him, the image of Briton disappeared further and further away, until he arrived at the far eastern continent. Even though he tried to see what the place was like, he was moving too quickly to see anything of substance.
Finally, he stopped at the base of another tree that looked very similar to Gaia's tree. For a few moments, the vision lingered on the tree.
Startled, he let go of his hand from the Gaia tree and fell onto the ground. Right at that moment, the vision ended. Emery dusted himself off, stood up, and said.
"High Priestess, is this what Gaia wished me to do? Gaia wants me to-"
"Yes, Emery, I have seen it, as well." The priestess flew to the base of the tree and said. "The answer you seek lies on the other side of the world."