124 A Small Talk With Yggdra
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“I guess you wanted to talk? Go on, don’t be shy.”
“…”
“Geez… well, take your time.”
I walked back home but once more, it happened.
She was very shy, I see.
I stood there without looking back at her.
“Sylph… Sylph…”
“Yes?”
…..
“…Sylph?”
“Hmm?”
“Sylph!”
It felt as if a little girl was playing around with me. Her embracing aura encompassed my body… I could somehow see the faint humanoid figure of Yggdra walking around me, playfully jumping.
It looked like a fairy, a creature from myths, from fairy tales… a little creature.
“Heheh…” She giggled cutely.
I closed my eyes to not scare her as I gently caught her and hugged her.
“Sylph!”
“So, you can already talk like this?”
“…”
I felt her little body-shaped aura pressing on my body. Maybe meeting her was her way to greet me for my birthday?
“Little Yggdra, can you talk more?” I asked.
“More talk…?” she asked in response.
“Yeah. See? You’re talking more now,” I told her in response.
I was really wondering what made her turn out this way. I’ve heard from my parents that trees that had magical properties could develop their souls as they grew. In fact, some of them could evolve into spiritual trees and become far sturdier and taller.
Trees that could speak like she does have lived for thousands of years already, but this girl had only been living for less time than I had. I think I planted her before I was a year old, so she must be near my own age… so five? Almost five years of age.
And she’s already talking… it must be all thanks to my powers. After all, I’ve been using Agriculture on her every single day, nourishing her. As my mother said, this power I had made Yggdra evolve ahead of her age and allowed her to develop new powers.
That she gave birth to Naturia was already a big signal that her amazing capabilities seemed to have no bounds. If this was possible, then Yggdra could develop even more with each passing year…
I wonder if she’ll find a way to walk on her own one of these days. It would be nice to bring her with me.
Yggdra spoke a few more words, which only made her look more adorable.
“Sylph… speak? Me speak…” she told me.
“Yes, you speak… your name’s Yggdra… mine’s Sylph… you know, you’re like my little sister, right? I love you lots, Yggdra.” I told her.
With that, I hugged her again and caressed her head. The form she appeared in resembled a tiny humanoid creature no bigger than half my body. It was like a small gnome or something, but made out of only white and yellow light, plus a verdant aura.
She didn’t have any face and it was all bright over her body… but her voice was so soothing and innocent that it would calm anyone’s heart.
“Love… sister!” she said, seemingly lose some of her shyness.
“Why are you so shy, dear?” I asked.
“Shy…” she replied, only for her to start slowly dissipating all of a sudden.
“Ah, you’re tired? You’re going to sleep?” I asked.
“Sleep… Sylph!” she cried.
“Don’t worry. I will come every day, so you’re never alone…” I told her.
“Hmm…!” she said while nodding as she slowly faded away before going back to her body.
She must’ve done this because she misses me. Perhaps when I go away, she feels sad.
This little tree is very clingy, I see…
With that in mind, I decided to go back to her and hug her one last time.
“Sleep well, Yggdra… I’m going to celebrate my fifth birthday now… I wonder how many years ‘ll live… I hope as many as I can, so I can stay by your side…”
“…”
Yggdra’s aura encompassed my body, embracing me before going back. Her presence became dimmer as she seemingly went to sleep.
My mother had told me that trees slept most of the time. They required sleep to save up energy. Intelligent trees that were able to talk which she had met before slept for years. On the other hand, Yggdra usually slept for months.
I wonder when she’ll wake up again to greet me?
Looking at her bark, I caress her gently before going back home now that the clingy little tree had gone to sleep.
Surprisingly, the door of the house was open. Soon, I found my family outside. They were all grilling a lot of types of meat. There were also sausages, ribs, burgers, beef, steaks, and more.
“Hey, look who’s back!” said my father.
“Sylphy, you’re finally back! You were practicing for like three hours…” Aquarina could not help but say.
“Eh? Hahaha! I get engrossed every once in a while, so I don’t realize how long I take…” I replied.
“You really practice a lot… you’re such a workaholic for your age…” Zack could not help but say in response.
“Well, you also work pretty hard, don’t you? I’ve seen you swing your axe in front of the trees and slowly cut them off yourself to make lumber every morning,” I said in response.
“W-What? Are you spying me or something? Pervert…” Zack replied.
“S-Sylphy wouldn’t spy you anyways! A-Also, I work hard as well, Sylphy!” Aquarina said in response to Zack’s words.
“Indeed, she’s doing my harsh training every morning,” said Shade all of a sudden.
“H-Harsh training? Well, I know you’re practicing magic and the knife… and your movements has gotten pretty good but what sort… of training?” I asked, curious.
“Ah well, going around a trap-filled area, evading giant logs trying to hit her, jumping over cliffs and maneuvering through trees… also aim training, throw training, bow training, knife training, jump training, acrobatics and…” replied Shade, listing a lot of tasks.
“Eh?! T-That’s a lot!” I could not help but mutter.
“Daddy, don’t tell her! It was supposed to be a secret! Dummy!” exclaimed Aquarina while pouting angrily.
“A-Ah! I forgot… sorry… wait, Aquarina, don’t get angry with papa…” Shade quickly apologized as he began to follow Aquarina who walked away angrily while crossing her arms.
“Why did she want to keep it a secret?” I asked.
“Well, she’s worried you’ll begin to worry about her. Also, she said she doesn’t want to be a burden anymore or something like that,” Nepheline replied.
“I see…”
Aquarina, you’ve really grown a lot.
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