Episode 48
Miel continued absorbing the miasma, cold sweat dripping from her brow. As time passed, the World Tree gradually began to regain its original form.
Koselico quietly called her name, but his voice didn’t reach Miel’s ears.
She was completely focused, pouring all her strength into absorbing the miasma.
Koselico watched the changes occurring in her body with awe.
“She’s transforming the miasma into her own magical power… But with such a small body, there’s no way she can fully withstand all that energy.”
Koselico thought to himself as he kept watch over her.
“Once this is over, most of the gathered energy will probably scatter.”
Still, Miel would become stronger than before.
“Yes… this power… it really belongs to that child.”
Koselico reflected on the distant past. Looking at Miel, he thought of her father.
“So that’s why Liad sent you here, Miel.”
His gaze shifted from Miel back to the World Tree.
“Liad… you’re helping the elves once more.”
Perhaps that great sage had foreseen all of this.
“The miasma… and the marble… The origin of it all…”
It had always been connected to the Great Sage.
At some point, the pitch-black sky began to show signs of light. In the distance, the sun was rising, casting a bluish dawn light.
“Miel…”
Finally, the World Tree had reclaimed its original radiance—strong, beautiful, and brimming with life.
“We… did it…”
Looking at the lush green leaves and sturdy trunk, Miel murmured softly.
“Ah… I feel dizzy…”
But then, her small body collapsed into the soft grass.
“Miel! Miel, are you okay?!”
“…I’m fine, Coco… just need a little salt…”
Miel’s body had long reached its limit after using magic for such an extended time.
The once-contaminated World Tree now radiated with pure energy, and the surrounding field gently embraced her as she fell asleep, lying on her side with her hand clenched.
“Miel!”
At the same time, in Laura’s house—
“Miel…”
Jade was dreaming. It felt like a memory from a long-forgotten past—a nightmare of his final moments in a previous life.
He saw the moment Miel gave up her life to save him.
“Miel!”
Jade awoke with cold sweat, instinctively calling out her name. After splashing water on his face, he sat up.
“Why… why now?”
Since returning to the past, it was the first time he had such a dream. And for some reason, an ominous feeling overwhelmed him.
He quickly threw on his robe and rushed out of the room, heading straight to Miel’s quarters.
Knock, knock.
He knocked on her door. But there was no sound from within.
“Asleep?”
It was nearly dawn—she could easily still be sleeping. But something didn’t sit right. Without thinking, Jade opened the door.
Miel was not there.
“Dien?”
Even Koselico, who always stayed close to her, was gone.
“Where did she go…?”
Then a thought flashed through Jade’s mind. On their way back from seeing the World Tree yesterday, Miel had turned to look at it several times.
“No way…”
Immediately, Jade gathered his magical energy. He would need a significant amount of power to teleport—but that didn’t matter now.
In the next moment, Jade appeared near the World Tree. What first caught his eye was the massive tree, now completely purified and radiating a strong life force.
Not just the tree, but the entire forest surrounding it had returned to its original state.
“…Impossible.”
Jade was stunned speechless—until he heard Koselico’s voice calling out to him.
“Over here!”
Jade rushed toward the voice and soon spotted Miel, collapsed in the grass. He quickly checked her condition.
“What happened? Tell me everything.”
“Miel absorbed the miasma of the World Tree. She turned that power into her own magical energy and used it to purify everything. This whole forest was cleansed thanks to her.”
Jade’s eyes widened in disbelief. But right now, Miel came first. He lifted her gently into his arms.
“You, hop on too.”
Koselico flew onto his shoulder. Jade used teleportation again, quickly returning them to Miel’s room.
“She’s burning up with fever…”
Jade laid her down on the bed. Though she seemed to be asleep, her body was burning with heat.
Fwoosh—
Jade cast a cooling spell. The moment it touched her, Miel’s face visibly relaxed.
“The fever’s going down… thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be any lasting damage.”
He pulled a chair close to the bed and sat beside her.
“Miel absorbed the miasma…”
Jade stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“She’s been hiding this power well…”
Now, he finally understood her abilities. Her companions must have kept it secret—even from the head of the Magic Tower himself.
“That explains why, during the magic test…”
During the test with the water sphere, Miel’s results had shown a rare color—something categorized as a “special ability.”
“Yes… only someone with power like this would get a reading like that.”
Jade brushed back his hair.
“Koselico, you seem to know something about Miel.”
His crimson eyes turned toward the bird, who flinched.
“Hmph. Well, of course I do!”
Koselico replied nonchalantly.
“Miel is the daughter of the Great Sage. So naturally, I know a few things about her. But I can’t tell you everything I know.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s the Great Sage’s secret. You don’t need to know.”
At that, Jade’s gaze sharpened briefly—but then he nodded slowly.
“You’re right. What matters now isn’t the Great Sage’s secrets. It’s keeping this girl safe.”
He turned to quietly watch over Miel. Eventually, her breathing steadied.
Then, her eyelids fluttered, revealing her golden eyes.
“…Master?”
Seeing her mentor as soon as she woke, Miel was startled.
“Miel, are you okay?”
At Jade’s question, Miel tried to sit up. He quickly helped support her back.
“This is… my room.”
“Yes. I found you collapsed at the World Tree and brought you here.”
“…Ah.”
Miel silently recalled her last memory—confirming the World Tree had returned to its original state.
“You’re the one who restored it, aren’t you? With your power.”
Jade looked at her knowingly. Seeing his expression, Miel realized he knew everything.
“You’ve also figured out what kind of power I have, haven’t you?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”
“And what would I gain from doing that?”
At her request, Jade smiled faintly, his lips curling slightly.
“Don’t worry. I would never put my apprentice in danger. But… I am concerned. Did you push yourself too hard?”
Miel was slightly taken aback. Her teacher… was worried about her?
“I’m fine. I didn’t overdo it.”
Though in truth, it had been the most power she had ever used at once. Still, by purifying the miasma within her body and converting it into her own magic, she had managed.
“You seem like someone who tries too hard not to appear weak.”
At those words, Miel looked up at him. Their eyes met in silence.
“Do I?”
“Yes. Sometimes, it’s okay to lean on others.”
Jade smiled softly—an expression rarely seen. The sight of it made Miel’s heart skip a beat.
“I… I do lean on others sometimes…”
She quickly turned away from his gaze.
Damn it… something’s definitely wrong with my heart…
