The One Branch of The Tree

Morning came too quickly, and I wasn't even sure I'd managed to sleep. I spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, listening to the sounds of the city slowly returning to normal outside my window. Meanwhile, annoying notifications continued to flash in the corner of my vision. Class Evolution Available Evolution pending... As if the system was deliberately making sure I couldn't ignore it thank you very helpful, I sat on the edge of the bed staring at my own hands.  Since getting the second fragment there has been a subtle change that is hard to describe where it feels denser, wilder but at the same time more responsive.  It seemed like my body was adapting to something much bigger or slowly giving in to it was still unclear, a small knock was heard at the door. "Enter." Mira opened the door slightly and entered, ready to go. Her simple white robe had been replaced with a dark gray coat to disguise her identity. Convenient. “I thought you weren't awake yet,” he said. “I appreciate that optimism.” Mira looked at my face. “You look bad.” "Thank You." “I mean worse than usual.” I sighed. "Much better." He smiled slightly, our relationship was strange: there was still distance, there was still an unresolved past, but for the first time, his presence didn't feel like an intrusion. Arka knocked on the door from outside. “It's time.” Short.  Efficient.  Threatening the peace.  I stood up and took the sword, as soon as my hand touched the hilt a warm sensation immediately spread to my palm the connection grew stronger somewhat worrying.  We went down through the back path of the inn, the town was still quite quiet, the sun had just risen, a thin morning mist blanketed the stone streets.  Arka led us wordlessly through the commercial district, narrow alleys and then towards the north side of town.  This area is much older, buildings are starting to become sparse, houses look empty, some are even damaged, I looked around. “Your safe place is in the most suspicious area of ​​the city?” Arka kept walking. “The less attractive a place is, the safer it is.” It makes sense but it still feels like the beginning of a bad movie, we stopped in front of an old building that looked like an abandoned warehouse, the wooden door was worn, the stone walls were covered in moss, it was very unconvincing.  Arka opened the door to the dark interior, empty, or at least seemingly empty. He tapped his cane three times on the floor. Click, the entire room shook slightly, and the wooden floorboards in the center slowly opened, revealing a stone staircase leading underground. I stared at it. “Okay. This is definitely a secret lair.” “You talk too much,” Arka replied. We descended the stairs deeper and deeper, the air became colder, denser with mana, the stone walls here were filled with root carvings, ancient symbols, and runes that faintly glowed green.  I touched one of the carvings as I passed by, there was a familiar sensation similar to the altar yesterday, my heart beat a little faster, this place is connected to the World Tree I'm sure.  The stairs ended in a vast underground chamber. I paused, my eyes widening slightly. This room was completely different from what I had expected. It wasn't a cramped room or an old laboratory, but a large, circular stone hall, its ceiling high and supported by massive pillars.  In the center was a giant ritual circle with a pattern of glowing roots, the mana so dense it almost looked like a thin green mist flowing through the air. Mira fell silent. “What is this place?” Arka walked towards the center of the room. “Sanctum,” he answered briefly. “Where one of the core branches of the World Tree used to be.” I looked around, so this was some kind of ancient site. It was a good thing, of course, that the class evolution process had to take place in a place that looked like the site of a forbidden ritual. I was starting to accept my lifestyle. Arka stood at the edge of the circle, staring at me. "Enter." I approached slowly. “Things I need to know before this starts?” “A few,” Arka replied. I sighed. "Of course." He raised one finger. “First, this evolution doesn't just change your class.” "I already guessed." “Second, the fragment will test your compatibility once again.” I frowned. “What kind of test?” Arka was silent for a moment as if choosing his words. "Confrontation." I don't like that at all. "Who with?" Arka's gaze changed slightly. "Yourself." ... I stared at him for a few seconds. “Oh, good,” I said flatly. “Because my life is clearly not tiring enough.” Mira approached with a serious expression. “Is this dangerous?” Arka glanced at him. “Yes.” Quick answer. At least be honest. "What if it fails?" Mira asked again. “Class evolution batal.” I nodded slightly, it still sounded okay. Then Arka added, “Or his consciousness is destroyed.” Ah, there it is, there's always a second part. I massaged my temples. “Why is there never a simple version?” "Because your class is not an ordinary class," answered Arka. Okay I get your point, I stared at the ritual circle in front of me its green light pulsating slowly invitingly yet threateningly.  To be honest, there is not a little fear but a lot, so far I have always moved forward because I was forced to survive to become stronger and fight back, but now it is different, I am very aware that every step further distances me from normal life and even from my own humanity.  I glanced at Mira, and she stared at me silently. There was worry in her eyes, and something else. Trust? It was strange. I didn't expect to see that look from her after everything that had happened. “If I fail, make sure I don't let my body turn into a strange tree,” I said casually, Mira looks annoyed. “Can you be serious for once?” “I'm being serious.” "Not visible." I smiled slightly then walked into the circle, as soon as my feet crossed the boundary of the rune the light immediately lit up brightly the whole room shook, mana surged drastically, the sword at my waist vibrated violently. Notifications appear in succession. Evolution Process Initiated Class: Withered World Tree Fragment Evolution Path Available Processing... A strong wind emerged from within the circle, roots of light grew from the floor encircling my body, it was so cold then hot, so hot I clenched my teeth.  Pain began to spread throughout my body, not as bad as the second fragment synchronization, but far more profound, as if my body were being dismantled and reassembled. I held my breath, and the world around me began to disappear, the room fading, Mira's voice faintly audible. “Cancer!” Then everything turned completely dark, I opened my eyes and immediately realized I was no longer in Sanctum.  I stood in the middle of an endless, dark, silent empty space with only one figure in front of me, I froze.  Because that figure was myself, another version of me but different, his hair was a little longer, his gaze was cold, his dark green eyes were shining faintly, black roots were spreading on some of his body.  The aura that emanated was much heavier, more dangerous, more... empty. He looked at me calmly and then smiled faintly, a smile I really didn't like. "Finally we meet." he said. His voice was exactly the same as mine, I let out a soft gasp. "Of course." I drew my sword, and another version of myself did the same. His sword was bigger and more intimidating. “Let me guess,” I said. “For class evolution, I have to defeat a more problematic version of myself?” He smiled wider. "Appropriate." The answer is not surprising at all, it is a truly consistent life. [END CHAPTER 30]