Chapter 339: Chapter 339 : Realisation

Aeliana, Thalion, and Elaria all went still.

For a long heartbeat, none of them spoke—just staring at Alex as if he had casually mentioned the name of a buried god.

Thalion recovered first.

“How do you know about it?” he asked quietly, his gaze sharpening.

In his mind, Alex smiled.

’Nailed it,’ he thought. ’Looks like my guess was right. Even the royal family really does have it. And even though the alchemy recipe to produce it was lost long ago… maybe it can still work as a catalyst to remove the other curses on my physique and bloodline.’

He met Thalion’s eyes.

“How I know,” Alex said aloud, “doesn’t matter to you. What matters is that I want it—and you have it.”

Thalion glanced toward Aeliana.

She met his gaze and gave a small nod and a gentle smile.

He sighed. “Fine,” he said. “Come with me.”

“I want to have breakfast first,” Alex replied instantly.

Elaria exhaled loudly. “Didn’t you already order a bunch of things to eat while you were hiding inside that room?”

“Hey,” Alex said, offended. “I used a lot of power because of your family. It’s time to replenish it.”

“Why not?” Aeliana said lightly. “In fact, I came here to ask you to join us for breakfast.”

Thalion nodded. “Alright. We can talk about it over breakfast. Let’s go.”

He turned and led the way down the corridor.

Alex followed beside Aeliana, while Elaria grumbled under her breath behind them.

—

Thalion brought Alex to a grand dining hall.

High arched ceilings carved from living wood stretched overhead, inlaid with glowing crystals that mimicked starlight. Long windows lined the walls, framed by curling vines, letting in the golden morning sun. A table of polished, dark elderwood sat at the center of the room, long enough to seat dozens. Intricate silver patterns traced its edges.

Alex took it all in with a glance.

“Well,” he muttered under his breath, “it looks bigger than my palace. But nothing special.”

Thalion clapped his hands once.

Elven maids entered in graceful lines, each one elegant enough to pass for a noble in other kingdoms. They carried silver trays piled with delicacies—fresh fruits that glowed faintly with mana, steaming breads, roasted meats, crystal dishes of salads, and carafes filled with fragrant teas and juices. They moved like a practiced dance, placing everything neatly on the table.

Thalion sat at the head of the table.

Aeliana took the seat beside him.

Alex sat next to the elven queen—far closer than Thalion liked. The king’s jaw tightened for a moment, but he sighed inwardly.

’Whatever,’ he thought. ’Aeliana loves me dearly, and he’s just some brat.’

A brat with very good looks, frightening talent, and a mind sharp enough to become a king young—and keep his nation, and his people, alive.

Thalion sighed again.

’Looks like I’m jealous.’

Aeliana seemed to sense it. She reached under the table and gently took his hand.

Thalion glanced at her and smiled.

Meanwhile, Alex was already eating like there was no tomorrow.

He completely ignored royal etiquette, devouring dish after dish with impressive speed, stacking emptied plates in front of him. To him, this was not a formal breakfast—it was a recovery operation.

“Don’t you have any table manners?” Elaria asked, staring in disbelief.

“I only know one manner,” Alex replied between bites. “It doesn’t matter what people think about you. The only thing that matters while eating… is to eat until you’re full.”

He swallowed and added, “And FYI, yes, I do know manners. My mother taught me all kinds of things.”

He reached for another plate—then paused, looking around.

“Where’s Alden, by the way?” he asked.

“He already ate,” Thalion said. “He asked to see our training facilities, so he should be there now.”

Alex nodded. “Figures.”

Aeliana tilted her head, speaking in a sweet tone.

“Can you tell us why you want the Tears of Atheria?” she asked.

“Sorry,” Alex said immediately. “Can’t tell you that.”

“Then at least tell us what you know about it,” she pressed gently.

Alex washed down his food with a sip of tea, then set the cup down.

“I know that the elixir can heal not only flesh, mana veins, and mana cores,” he said, “but fractured souls as well. Those whose souls were damaged by curses, forbidden magic, or divine backlash can be restored—something no modern potion can replicate.”

He leaned back slightly.

“And that’s just the start,” he continued. “I’ve heard it can even affect your potential cap. Drinking it can rewind the body’s age by decadesor or some years without affecting memories. It can also bring out abilities that have been dormant for a long time.”

He shrugged.

“Well, I could go on, but I’m sure you all know at least as much as I just listed.”

Thalion exhaled slowly.

“Well, the thing is,” he said, “the alchemy recipe to make it hasn’t gone missing.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed with interest.

“It was hard,” Thalion went on, “but I looked through everything I could—old records, sealed archives, even forbidden tomes—and managed to piece together the recipe.”

“But…?” Alex prompted.

Thalion’s expression turned wry.

“But the ingredients were the hardest thing to gather,” he said. “Still, I managed it. All except for one thing.”

Alex’s gaze sharpened. “But what?”

“It cannot be made,” Thalion replied, “without the fruit of the World Tree.”

He paused, letting the weight of the words hang in the air.

“The Fruit of the Beginning.”

“We tried everything we could to make it without it” Thalion said, voice heavy. “But even our best alchemists have failed.”

“Let me guess,” Alex replied. “The main ingredient is that fruit.”

Thalion nodded.

Elaria crossed her arms. “You can forget it,” she said. “That fruit is called the Fruit of Beginnings. The World Tree doesn’t provide us with it anymore. And it only grows once a decade, at that.”

“Once a decade, huh,” Alex said. “And what do you mean by ’provide’? Is it dead?”

Aeliana shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “It’s not that the fruits don’t grow. It’s that the World Tree only gives the fruit to those with a pure soul—those it deems worthy.”

She paused.

“It wasn’t always like that,” she continued. “But since the time our ancestors began using the elixir for wars and conflicts among our own people—causing nothing but bloodshed—the tree stopped providing it to us. Instead, it gives the fruit only to those it believes can guide the elves toward true prosperity.”

Elaria added, “The last time it happened was with my great‑great‑grandfather. He was the one who ended the war the elves started.”

“Well, that’s quite the story,” Alex said. A slow grin formed. “Looks like my time to shine has come.”

Elaria’s mouth twitched. “You narcissistic bastard,” she snapped. “Didn’t you hear what we just said? It only chooses pure souls. Do you really think it will even let you get near it?”

“And you would know that how, black‑hearted princess?” Alex replied.

“What did you say?” she growled.

“Aren’t I right?” he said. “Don’t tell me you didn’t already try to take the fruit—and the tree rejected you.”

Elaria’s lips snapped shut.

Because she had.

In the past, she had stood before the World Tree, heart full of hope, only to feel… nothing. No response. No fruit. No acknowledgment.

Alex chuckled. “I’m right, aren’t I,” he said, leaning closer.

He whispered in her ear. “Black‑hearted princess.”

Elaria’s shoulders shook with rage. She swung a punch at him.

Alex tilted his head and dodged easily.

’Diana, descend right now and kick his ass,’ Elaria screamed in her mind.

{ Child, } Diana’s calm voice replied, { learn when to give up. That kid knows exactly how to get under your skin. }

’Not you too…’ Elaria thought, on the verge of tears.

Alex looked back to Thalion. “I don’t have much time,” he said. “So I want to go to the World Tree as soon as possible.”

Thalion and Aeliana exchanged a look, then both nodded.

Then, unexpectedly, they both stood and bowed to him.

“You’ve done a lot for our family and our nation,” Thalion said. “Usually, even trying to go near the World Tree would get you executed. But not you. You may go.”

Aeliana added, “But please, try not to harm it—even a little. We can be understanding… but the elves here would do anything to tear you apart if they saw you bring harm to the World Tree.”

“Noted,” Alex said. “Don’t worry. No harm will come to it.”

Thalion and Aeliana smiled faintly.

“We would appreciate that,” Thalion said.

He handed Alex a small, intricately carved plaque bearing the royal crest. “This will mark you as a guest of the royal family,” he said. “No one will stop you.”

“Good,” Alex said, standing. “Then I’m going right away.”

“Take Elaria with you,” Aeliana interjected. “It will make things easier.”

“Do I really have to?” Alex asked.

“Does it look like I want to go with you?” Elaria shot back. “But I have to. Otherwise, who knows if you’ll burn the whole tree down.”

“Alright, alright,” Alex said. “Stop nagging and start guiding.”

Elaria huffed, looked away with a sharp “hmph,” then turned and began leading him out of the palace.

—

As they stepped outside, the heart of the elven nation opened before them.

In the very center stood a colossal tree that pierced the sky, its trunk so wide entire districts could have fit within it. Its branches stretched outward like an endless canopy, shimmering with countless leaves that glowed with gentle, emerald light. Pure, vibrant energy poured from it, washing over the city like a living tide.

The World Tree.

“Wow,” Alex breathed. “Seeing it in real life really is different.”

Elaria’s lips curled into a smug smile.

“Of course it is,” she said. “It’s very precious to us elves. And just a warning—don’t try to take anything by force. Many have tried. The World Tree didn’t give them an easy death.”

Alex gulped. “Okay. Noted.”

Elaria continued walking, talking as they went.

She started blabbering enthusiastically about the World Tree—its blessings, how its roots nourished the land, how its presence strengthened elven mana, how its leaves could be used in rituals and its blessings shaped their culture.

After a while, she glanced back to check if Alex was listening.

He was gone.

Her eyes widened as rage took over. “You better pray I don’t find you!” she shouted, fists clenched.

—

Elsewhere, Alex was strolling down the streets of the elven capital alone, the royal plaque tucked safely away. Elegant wooden bridges arched overhead, elven houses grew from living trees, and lights glowed softly in the morning. He moved calmly, but his thoughts were anything but relaxed.

The system’s voice echoed in his mind.

[ Are you sure you want to do this right now? ]

“After that fight,” Alex replied quietly, ’I just realized how close I was to dying. And how weak I still am without that accursed skill.’

He clenched his fists.

’In the future, I’m going to face even stronger enemies. So I have to release those curses. If the Tears of Atheria can help, then so be it.’

His gaze hardened.

“If it comes down to it… I’ll burn that whole tree down if I have to.”

—-

A/N:

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