Frieren in Danmachi

I had just finished converting another thousand primordial elements when suddenly, someone opened the door. It was Serie, carrying a basket of fruit. As soon as she saw I was awake, she smiled.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Serie. Did anything happen while I was training?"

"Nothing happened, everything's fine."

"I see." I approached and took the fruit basket. "Has it been two months already?"

"Tomorrow makes two months."

"Hmmm…" I evolved the tree and my own status more than I expected in just two months. I think it's thanks to the conversion bonus. It increases by 10% every time I reach a new layer.

The current bonus is 90%.

I'm converting 100% faster thanks to my talent that boosts conversion speed by an additional 10%.

'Speaking of which, it's been a while since I checked my status. I remember reaching a new layer.'

Cultivation: 1st Magic Circle – Ninth Layer (Conversion Bonus +90%)

Magic Proficiency: 14,800 / 25,600

Mana: 4,680 / 25,600

Collected Elements: 0

Talent: Rapid Conversion (+10% conversion speed)

'The required magic proficiency is so high. I can convert 1,000 primordial elements in less than a day, but it will still takes a long time to advance to the next layer.'

My conversion speed has improved so much that I can now convert 2,000 primordial elements in a single day. Before, it took me two days to convert just 200.

The speed has more than doubled—definitely.

I think it depends on my experience. The more familiar I become with the "conversion", the faster it goes. 'That must be the only explanation.'

"Goddess, the tree has changed a lot in these past two months."

"Yes, I know. I can see the tree's stats."

"Stats?"

"Yes, I can see the tree's abilities when I touch it." I approached the tree and placed my hand on its trunk.

[World Tree]

Level: 7

Class: Source of Primordial Element

Maximum Primordial Element: 1,000

Regeneration: 24 units per minute

Current Primordial Element: 224 / 1,000

Elves Created: 0 / 30

Current EXP: 34,400 / 64,000

Special Ability: Elven Creation (uses mana to create a new elf)

Mana Generation: Produces 10 mana points per minute for all elves within a 1km radius

Elven Protection: Grants powerful magical protection to all elves

Elven Evolution: Grants an evolution bonus to all elves. Training becomes 40% more effective.

'Oh, there's a new ability. I hadn't seen that before. Elven Evolution… training becomes 40% more effective.'

"So that's why you always touch the tree's trunk when you finish training."

"Exactly. That's why the tree is regaining its beauty. Isn't it amazing?"

"Yes, it really is." Serie smiled and came closer. Standing beside me, she touched the tree's trunk as well. "What does it feel like to you?"

"I feel a warm sensation throughout my body whenever I touch it. I can feel the tree's power flowing through me. When that happens, an image appears in front of me."

"In front of you?"

"That's right. It's like a book. On the page, all the tree's abilities are listed. I can monitor its progress."

"That's… strange?"

"Yes, this has never happened before, right? It started happening after I woke up."

"Why didn't you tell me about it earlier?"

"I didn't fully understand it myself. I should've told you."

"It's alright. So, what are the tree's current abilities? I'm curious."

"It generates mana, provides protection for the elves, and boosts the training effectiveness."

"It's very similar to how it used to be." Serie had a bright smile on her face. She took her hand off the trunk and said, "I'm glad everything is starting to go back to normal."

"It'll still take a long time, but I'm on the right path."

I took my hand off the tree trunk and picked up a fruit to eat.

"Are you going to keep training?"

"Today? I don't think so. I'll take a break for now."

"Finally…"

"What's that supposed to mean? Were you missing my company?"

"Do you have any idea how many times Ryuu came here?"

"Just her? No other elves came?"

"Only her."

"I see…" I was expecting more elves to show up since Ryuu sensed the changes in the tree and came here. It seems the others have stopped caring about the tree—or about me.

But can I blame them?

I'm sure they'll come once they realize I'm here.

"Are you feeling sad?"

"Why would I be sad?"

"Most of the elves haven't come back. Many of them never returned here again. Doesn't it make you feel sad or angry that they've abandoned their roots?"

"I don't feel bad about it. They just didn't believe I could return."

"But they should've felt the tree's power like Ryuu and I did."

"Well…"

"Okay, fine, let's stop talking about that. Please go take a bath, I've already prepared your clothes."

"The same clothes I used to wear?"

"Yes, the very same."

I felt excited and went with Serie to her house.

I bathed in her bathroom, and when I stepped out with a towel wrapped around my body, I saw the clothes laid out on the bed. 'Striped shirt, white jacket, a belt, and a skirt.'

Serie had even prepared my earrings.

I smiled and began getting dressed.

When I finished, I stood in front of the mirror.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, the small fragment of Isaac's consciousness within me took control.

"I really am Frieren. Look at these clothes… this face."

My mind has become conflicted. I remembered my appearance as Isaac—a healthy, handsome man.

But it only lasted a few seconds.

Isaac's consciousness disappeared once again.

"I missed wearing these clothes so much," I said, looking into my own eyes in the mirror as I smiled.

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Next Chapters: Chapter 13 - Beol Mountains. / Chapter 14 - It can't be. / Chapter 15 - Ares