Chapter 238 Sylvana’s Power Revelation
"Really? You didn't hear anything?" Sylvana asked again, tilting her head in confusion.
"Yes, dear... I didn't hear anything. Big sis Michaela didn't hear anything either, and she's an archangel; she never lies," Envy reassured Sylvana. She then turned toward Michaela, who was engrossed in choosing a new bonsai while muttering to herself, "Uuuuwaa, which one should I choose? They all look the same..."
Seeing Michaela in this dilemma, Envy let out a long sigh. She then spoke to little Sylvana.
"Give Aunt Envy five minutes, okay? After that, I'll make a fresh breakfast for you, and we'll go to the zoo together. Does that sound good?" Envy made a promise to Sylvana before turning back to help Michaela select a new bonsai to replace the old one.
Left to her own devices, little Sylvana walked toward the half-burnt bonsai. Its cries for help dwindled, as if its remaining strength was slipping away from its miserable form.
"Hey there, young lady. I heard what went down. You wanna assist your well-meaning big sis, that archangel of yours? How 'bout you give a shot at healing that poor little bonsai?" the small potted cactus in her hand suggested in its distinctive speech style.
"And how can I do that, Mr. Cactus?" Sylvana inquired innocently, looking at the cactus in her hand for guidance.
The cactus hesitated for a moment. "I'm not sure... maybe... try touching the little bonsai and wish for it to heal, grow, and get stronger?" It suggested with uncertainty. It wasn't entirely sure about the process but thought it was worth a try, especially given Sylvana's unique ability to hear their voices.
"Ok... Mr.cactus. I'll do it!" Little SYlvana nodded cutely, but with determination.
Sylvana stood near the half-burnt bonsai, which was gradually fading. She reached out and willed it in her heart to heal. She concentrated for a full 10 seconds, but nothing appeared to be happening.
"Are you sure this is the right way, Mr. Cactus?" Sylvana asked, starting to doubt the advice from the cactus in her hand.
"Maybe... you could put some more effort into it? Pray or somethin'. Give it a bit more oomph!" The cactus suggested, uncertain about the process himself. This was the best explanation it could offer.
Unbeknownst to the two, on Sylvana's first attempt to heal the little bonsai, a tiny green shoot began to grow from the base of the burned plant. Unfortunately, it remained hidden behind the shadow of the charred stump, and neither Sylvana nor the cactus noticed it, as they were soon engaged in an argument.
"I'll try again!" Sylvana declared with determination. Maybe she should shout this time. She thought that her previous attempt had failed because she hadn't given it enough power. This time, she would put everything into it.
Sylvana touched the little bonsai once more, closed her eyes, and concentrated. She took a deep breath as her hand began to glow, emitting a soft green light that extended from her hand to the half-burnt bonsai.
The moment the white-green light shone from Sylvana's hand, Envy quickly turned toward her, witnessing the scene where the green glow brightened and expanded to encompass the entire room. Envy may not be an expert in plant magic, but she had served as the Hightower Grand Councilor for a long time. She recognized nature mana when she saw it, and this mana was heavily plant-based.
"Oooommpph!!!" Little Sylvana shouted, and the bright green light expanded outward, filling the room.
"Sylvy, stop!" Envy attempted to rush in and help Sylvana, but both she and Michaela were pushed back outside the house. The force of the powerful nature mana pushed them through the wall.
Outside the condominium, they found themselves suspended in the air and about to fall, along with many items of furniture and decorations that had also been pushed outside.
Michaela quickly regained her composure and transformed into her true archangel form. Three pairs of angelic wings unfurled, and her holy armor replaced her casual attire. She swiftly flew to where Envy was falling and caught her in the air before carrying her to a nearby rooftop to assess the situation.
The once-charred bonsai, now imbued with Sylvana's immense nature mana, began to transform. It grew rapidly, its trunk thickening, and its branches extending outwards. Its leaves sprouted in vibrant shades of green, and the entire tree shone with a radiant aura. What was once a small, struggling bonsai had evolved into a colossal tree.
As it continued to grow, its roots descended from the base of the tree, each one reaching out with a purpose. The roots stretched downward, aiming for the nearby buildings. With precision and grace, they entwined with the structures, creating an intricate web of support that anchored the enormous tree to the surrounding buildings. The roots latched onto the walls, wrapping around them like strong, yet gentle, tendrils.
With each root that secured its place, the thundering sounds reverberated throughout the area. The buildings themselves quaked under the immense power of the tree, while debris from the older, weaker structures on the rooftop fell in showers, a cascade of dust and fragments.
The ground trembled beneath the weight and force of the growing tree and its expanding roots. The booming noise was impossible to ignore, and it sent shockwaves of surprise and concern throughout the base.
Residents of the condominium, caught off guard by the spectacle unfolding above them, rushed to their windows and balconies. Their faces displayed a mix of awe and fear as they witnessed the miraculous transformation taking place on the rooftop.
Emergency alarms blared throughout the base, and security personnel quickly mobilized to assess the situation. The base was on high alert, trying to comprehend the cause of the extraordinary disturbance. Radio communications came alive with reports of the growing tree and the structural damage it had caused.
Upon witnessing the chaotic scene but still finding no sign of Sylvana, Michaela swiftly materialized her holy sword, ready to rush in and save Sylvana from the ruined house. She had already failed in her duty as a bodyguard once, and she was determined not to let it happen again.
"Lady Envy, please stay here for now. I'm going in to save Sylvana!" Michaela declared. But just as she was about to fly towards their damaged home, Envy halted her.
"Wait... Let's observe first. I know a spell that's similar to what caused this tree's rapid growth. Even with its gigantic size, trees are the most innocent beings in the world; it won't harm its benefactor, no matter what," Envy reassured Michaela, whose heart was still racing.
Hearing Envy's explanation, Michaela gradually calmed down. Apart from the initial surge of growth that had caused chaos, the colossal tree remained stationary, just like any regular tree. Michaela looked up at the artificial sky, which was now mostly covered by the enormous shadow of the bonsai.
Envy's attention was focused on the base of the tree's roots, where Daniel's home had once stood. The news of the commotion was likely to reach Daniel soon, and he would be on his way. However, Envy and Michaela needed to get Sylvana out of their damaged home before he arrived.
"Michaela, can you take me to that spot?" Envy asked, pointing to the location where their home had been.
"Of course," Michaela replied and promptly transported Envy to the designated area. Envy then touched the tip of Michaela's blade with her index finger, causing a small cut and startling Michaela. With her bleeding index finger, Envy proceeded to draw a small magic circle on the root of the gigantic bonsai.
"What are you doing, Ms. Envy?" Michaela inquired.
"I'll attempt to communicate with this tree. This magic circle serves as the bridge between my mind and the tree's consciousness. It's fortunate that the tree has grown to this size; it should make communication easier. The tree's speech should now be somewhat akin to that of regular people," Envy explained.
"But what about Sylvana? You told her you couldn't hear anything, and now you're telling me you can communicate with the tree. Did you deceive her?" Michaela inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of reproach, and she wore a slight pout directed at Envy for potentially misleading little Sylvana.
"I meant what I said. I genuinely didn't hear the tree talk, but that doesn't mean I can't communicate with them, right?" Envy explained, wearing a wry smile. The archangel had a strong aversion to lying, a sentiment she kept to herself.
Envy's expression turned solemn as she continued, "Besides, it's impossible for anyone to hear the voices of trees, especially from small ones like potted plants. The most extraordinary human plant mage I've encountered in a century is Patrick Dupont, but even he couldn't hear potted plants. As for non-human plant mages, Queen Sylpharia Silverleaf from the elven clan could, at most, hear trees the size of a small car, and that required a specific magic ritual." Envy's face remained serious as she explained this.
"Does this mean Sylvana is a prodigy in plant-based magic? As expected of my lord's daughter!" Michaela praised enthusiastically, sporting a broad smile. Envy, however, remained focused on drawing the magic circle.nove)lb/In
"It might not be that simple," Envy responded, her expression still serious, knowing the information she possessed was rather sensitive.
"What do you mean?" This time, it was Daniel who voiced the question, joining the conversation.