Chapter 165. Researching [Ternary Cores].

Words : 1126 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Chapter 165. Researching [Ternary Cores]. Even while Verdantia felt quite nervous, she acted as if she didn't know what Eila Neoflora was talking about before. "Teacher Eila, I wanted to ask about the <Ternary Cores>." Eila kept looking through the window as she listened. "Go on." The Life Sylvan was confused about this reaction. She thought that Eila would ask why, but instead, she told her to go on. So, Verdantia continued. "Hm... I feel like I would clear the conditions for a <Ternary Core> before Level 25. So, I am asking if there are any methods to create them without the help of the <Second Energy Cycle> process." Eila hummed. "I see." She turned to look at Verdantia closely and commented. "How is Verena doing lately?" Verdantia blinked and answered, confused. "She is doing great from all I know. Why?" Eila smiled faintly. "Just asking, making a bit of conversation. Why are you acting so defensive?" Verdantia coughed and was about to refute the accusation of defensive behavior, but she stopped. 'If I defend that, I will be truly acting defensive.' Instead, she said. "Teacher Eila never asked before, so I was curious... What's wrong since a while ago? Teacher Eila has been acting a bit strange." Eila hummed. "Acting strange..." She pondered and looked out of the window again. Then, she sighed. "Okay, let's get this straight. Miss Verdantia..." Verdantia straightened, her heart beating fast, and Eila continued. "Where are those books you've taken?" Verdantia blinked twice, and suddenly, she realized that she had been mistaken. 'Wait, she wants me to confess about the books!?' Eila sighed. "You are an exemplary student. One of the best. However, stealing books from the library will leave a small stain on your otherwise impeccable behavior. I can't graduate you with the highest honors if you don't return the books." Verdantia stuttered while feeling slightly ashamed that the woman before her was worried about her graduation while she was plotting the demise of Fortuna. "Um, those books... I can't really bring them back soon. I lent them to a friend, and until the near future, she is not close, so she can't really give them back." Eila hummed. "Well, you still have around a year until you graduate. I guess that should be enough to give the books back." Verdantia nodded. Eila then stood up from her chair and walked to the side, searching through a few books on the shelves at the sides. She muttered. "Where was this one... I swear that I left it around here..." Verdantia waited patiently until Eila spoke. "Aha. Here it is." She picked a relatively thin book and returned to the table. Sitting on the chair, she spoke. "Here it is. You can read it here if you want." Verdantia blinked. "I can't take it..." However, she quickly shut up when she saw Eila's gaze. "Ahem. Okay, I can't." Eila rolled her eyes and looked outside of the window. "Not until you and Miss Cinderielle return those books." Verdantia's lips twitched. 'She even knows about Cinderielle being involved... Wait.' Verdantia blinked. 'If she has looked into it personally that much, wouldn't she also know which books I have taken? All the World Tree and City Building related books... Once Golden Sap Town is revealed, Eila could easily piece together the clues and realize my involvement. She's smart enough to connect the dots, and if she does, everything could unravel.' Verdantia thought about it hard while looking at the book. Eila commented. "You can go to the library if you feel uncomfortable here." Verdantia snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. "I prefer being here. If there is something I can't understand, I can ask Teacher Eila. I will move to the corner so as not to bother you." Eila laughed faintly. "Well, I did, too. You know, at Level 24, I had well over 100,000 Aether Mana <Ternary Shards>. I crossed that mark when I was..." Eila frowned a bit, and then she relaxed. "Right. When I became Level 20." Eila smiled faintly. "It has been quite a few decades since." Eila sighed. "I was excited to be able to gain my own <Ternary Core>. However, I couldn't bring myself to do it once I learned about it." Eila smiled sadly. "Who would, right? Unless it is a Death and Life situation where you have no other chance, doing so can be considered suicide." Verdantia didn't deny it. 'A normal being having equal energy manipulation skills as a World Tree? That's insanity. Only arrogant and egotistical people would think they are even close to a World Tree's ability to manipulate energy.' Eila added. "Worse, the lower the Level you are in, the higher the risk. After all, you have not experienced the first sub-cycle, you are too young, and you don't really understand how profound the ternary essences are." Eila smiled faintly at Verdantia's complicated expression. "At first, you just think that they are... I don't know, rechargeable energy pools. Like a pool of water that has a constant filling trickle of water filling it. However, as you get older and learn, you realize that you couldn't be more wrong." Verdantia sighed. "I see." She smiled and frowned a bit. "Teacher Eila, do you have a copy of this book?" Eila asked, confused. "Why?" Verdantia coughed. "I want to buy one if possible." Eila blinked twice and sighed. "You really love books." Verdantia scratched her head. "Well, I do." After thinking for a bit, she said. "I'll let you copy it if you promise me not to share it with anyone." Verdantia smiled. "Thank you, Teacher Eila!" Then, she turned around and left. Before Verdantia left, Eila spoke. "Verdantia." Verdantia was halfway out, so she turned around, confused. Eila looked outside of the window and sighed. "Golden Sap Forest... The future is bleak. Think it through." Verdantia's body trembled, and her brain froze for a second. She was unable to come up with an answer as only one thought repeated in her head. 'S-She knows about Liu Shu.' Eila didn't stop looking out of the window. "No need to answer. Go now. I hope to see you at the graduation ceremony, Verdantia." Verdantia nodded and closed the door, leaving with hurried steps. A gentle and all-reaching voice appeared in Eila's head. "Why is the Golden Sap Forest's future bleak?" "Fortuna..." Eila muttered. "Well..." She looked at her table, where a white, half-opened letter stood out against the brown desk. "... Too young."

Chapter 165. Researching [Ternary Cores].

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