Warlock Apprentice

As the energy level limitation was activated, a shackle indescribable by words constrained every member of the fairy tribe.

However, the one who felt it the most was probably the strongest, the Vine Demoness. Although the other fairies sensed it, they only perceived that the energy absorbed into their bodies became slightly inert, and their leveling up slowed down a bit.

Because the maximum upper limit of the energy level limitation set by Sanders this time was based on the strength of a Third Level Apprentice. Among the current fairy tribe, only the Vine Demoness had touched this bottleneck, while the other fairies were still far from the upper limit.

In the distance, the Vine Demoness clearly saw that there was still a lot of energy fog bestowed by the Mother Tree around, yet she could not absorb it into her body, making her anxious. She then turned back to whisper prayers to the Mother Tree, inquiring about the reason.

The behavior of the Vine Demoness also drew the attention of the other fairies, who genuinely felt the energy change. Previously, they could instantly digest energy and their strength would grow significantly, but now the digestion time had increased a hundredfold, a thousandfold. Even if they paused the absorption, it wouldn’t delay much time.

Therefore, they all stopped at this moment, looking back at the Mother Tree, hoping to get a response from it.

However, the collective prayers of the fairies did not immediately receive a response from the Mother Tree.

It wasn’t that the Mother Tree didn’t respond, but rather... Angel had temporarily taken over the tree civilization, and he was pondering how to respond to them.

After a long time, the fairy tribe finally received a response.

But the response from the Mother Tree was very brief, not even forming a complete sentence, with only two words: balance, wait.

The fairies, existing in this world thanks to the tree civilization, were imbued with wisdom at birth. Although they hadn’t truly reached the level of a ”civilized society,” they understood the meaning of these two words through the will conveyed by the Mother Tree.

Waiting means doing nothing until the desired thing appears.

This word somewhat calmed the fairies. The intention of the Mother Tree was evidently that although there is a shackle now, as long as they patiently wait, there is hope to break through the bottleneck.

At least it prevented them from despairing.

But the word ”balance” left them a bit puzzled.

Balance is maintaining equilibrium between two ends.

Did the Mother Tree mean to maintain balance with some force or race?

Which force? Which race? As the fairies pondered this, they seemed to think of something, turning their gaze to the other side.

Was it them? Humans? Was the Mother Tree instructing the fairies to maintain balance with humans?

While the fairies were still contemplating, their revered Mother Tree sent forth another revelation. This time, the revelation was much longer.

The Mother Tree emanated a spiritual meaning around, which not only the fairies understood but also Frode, who was in the distance, comprehended.

”My children, rooted in this domain, a lot of energy is consumed by me. Also, to give birth to you—Dream Plant Fairies, a portion of Origin was consumed.”

The Mother Tree’s first statement explained some of the doubts in the minds of the fairies.

They didn’t doubt the words of the Mother Tree; everything they had, including wisdom, language, and abilities came from the Mother Tree, so they naturally accepted the Mother Tree’s source explanation.

They immediately identified with their identity, acknowledging themselves as the race created by the Mother, named Dream Plant Fairies.

”The consumption of the Origin requires some time for restoration, so next, I may fall into dormancy.”

Upon learning that ”Mother” was going to dormant, all the fairies emitted emotions of reluctance and worry.

”Rest assured, when this barren realm is covered in greenery, I will awaken.”

As the fairies breathed a sigh of relief, the Mother Tree conveyed new information: ”Before dormancy, what I need to tell you is. In relation to this barren realm, both I and you are foreign guests. Gaining a living space is not easy, so do not destroy this domain.”

”I have also communicated with the Guardians of this realm. The Dream Plant Fairy tribe desires to proliferate in this realm and must maintain balance with other inhabitants of this domain.”

”Furthermore, unless necessary, try to avoid entering the human domain.”

At this time, although the fairy tribe had no concept of the human territory, the words of the Mother Tree left an imprint in their hearts.

”What if humans or other creatures enter our territory?” the Vine Demoness asked the Mother Tree.

After a long time, an ethereal response reached their minds: ”... grasp the balance on your own.”

With this, the Mother Tree’s response came to an end. No one received a reply regardless of who called for the Mother Tree afterward.

For the Dream Plant Fairy tribe, the Mother Tree had likely entered a dormancy period already.

Although the Mother Tree’s content was limited, and they still did not know how to resolve the energy bottleneck, they at least now knew a goal and a taboo.

The goal is to let this barren realm become covered in greenery. This way, they can awaken the Mother Tree as soon as possible.

The taboo is to maintain balance with humans. This so-called balance is something they don’t know how to maintain and measure for now, but since the Mother Tree has left it to them to grasp the scale, a discussion is necessary.

Thinking of this, all the fairies involuntarily looked at the Vine Demoness. She was the first-born Dream Plant Fairy and also the strongest among their tribe, naturally becoming the center.

”First, communicate with the humans over there. At the very least, we need to know the information about this barren realm,” said the Vine Demoness.

The fairies nodded to this, indeed, the most important thing now is to know the information here. Even to maintain balance with humans, they must know where the human territory is.

Yet when they planned to go and communicate with the humans, they turned around to see that the humans who were in the distance before had disappeared at some point.

”They disappeared? Did they leave?”

The Vine Demoness: ”Since they left, we can communicate when we see them next time. For now, while the energy from the Mother Tree hasn’t dissipated, continue absorbing the energy, it’s best to reach the bottleneck.”

In a sense, the Vine Demoness essentially represented the leader of the Dream Plant Fairy tribe. Her words were immediately met with a response, and all the newly emerged fairies calmed themselves to continue absorbing the energy from the Mother Tree that was scattered around.

Only the Vine Demoness, having reached the bottleneck, refrained from action.

She quietly watched the place in the distance where the three humans previously stood.

Speaking of three humans, the Vine Demoness truly remembered only the curly-haired, dark-circled young man among them. She didn’t even dare to directly observe the other two. Facing those two, she had an illusion akin to facing the Mother Tree, even more frightening than the Mother Tree.

If all humans are so terrifying, can they really maintain balance with them?