Chapter 630 - 627: Companion

Chapter 630: Chapter 627: Companion

"Where is this?"

An unidentifiable scent drifted around Mo Ling.

The Fragrance Bees in the flower patch had prepared many kinds of scents for the solidification ritual. Some smelled wonderful, while others didn’t quite fit the definition of "fragrant."

The scent in this current scent zone was particularly unusual.

Mo Ling found it somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

Stranger still, there wasn’t a single newborn in this scent zone. They probably all disliked this odd aroma.

Mo Ling pondered for a moment, then followed the scent to the center of the zone. He finally remembered where it came from.

"The smell of rotting leaves."

The adult Fragrance Bees from the flower patch had often brought strange scents with them when they came to play with Mo Ling. This was one of them. While not particularly pungent, it had nothing to do with being "fragrant."

’Why would they prepare a scent like this?’ Mo Ling was puzzled.

But after some careful thought, he understood...

These rotting leaves were excellent fertilizer for the flower patch.

If a Fragrance Bee happened to solidify this scent, it would be better able to find "fertile" land.

Fragrance Bees were social creatures that engaged in all sorts of civilized activities. With differences between individuals and a division of labor, they had a relatively healthy social structure.

Those that became floral scents were responsible for nurturing the flower patch. Those that became earthy scents were responsible for observing changes in the soil. And those that became the smell of rotting leaves were responsible for finding more fertile land. They didn’t interfere with one another, but each contributed to the continuation of their species.

As for completely useless scents, they would be cast out of the collective.

And scents that conflicted with one another would inevitably become enemies.

Thinking of this, Mo Ling roughly understood.

’So, there must be one for animal droppings, too. A Fragrance Bee that becomes that scent could use it to drive away animals and protect the flower patch...’

It wasn’t just "fragrant" scents that were useful; every smell had its purpose.

However, it seemed no newborn liked this kind of scent. Most chose aromas like flowers or fruit. Even those who chose the smell of soil were few and far between, let alone a strange odor like this.

Mo Ling continued to drift forward, and sure enough, it wasn’t long before he found the "animal droppings" scent zone.

The pungent odor immediately flooded Mo Ling’s mind, and he hurriedly fled.

Yet, even after experiencing such a powerful smell, the uncollapsed scent molecules within him showed no reaction, as if they were completely dormant.

The anxiety in Mo Ling’s heart deepened...

’It seems I really can’t solidify.’

He drifted through several more scent zones. Mo Ling encountered even more intense odors and also experienced some mild, pleasant fragrances. Some he adored, and some he couldn’t get away from fast enough, but not a single one could stir the scent molecules within him.

He was like a tourist rushing past, experiencing all the scents yet remaining an outsider, ultimately left all alone.

’It’s no use.’ The anxiety in Mo Ling’s heart slowly turned to despair.

He loved these scents, but he just couldn’t solidify.

Just as the Grass and Wood Fragrance had said, there was no point in him participating in the solidification ritual...

The other newborns had all solidified their desired scents and were now chatting happily. Joyful ripples emanated from the scent zones. The newborns who had completed their solidification twined around each other, sensing the scents on their companions. They excitedly debated among themselves while testing their newfound abilities.

Hunting, building, communicating... If their scent concentrations weren’t still too low, they might have started reproducing on the spot.

But Mo Ling, who hadn’t solidified, could only hide far away, sensing a joy that wasn’t his.

A Fragrance Bee that hadn’t solidified lacked even the basics for communication.

They were just a meaningless, undefined mass of scent molecules, unable to produce any ripples, like a stagnant pool of water.

Feeling the other scents bypass his body and drift into the distance, Mo Ling felt a pang of frustration.

’Still no good...?’

All he could do was silently commit these scents to memory, just as before.

After some more time had passed, the Chief’s fruit fragrance seeped in once again.

"Congratulations on finding the scents that suit you best."

"Next, companions with corresponding scents will guide you in learning to control and apply them..."

The Chief’s term of address for everyone had changed from "newborns" to "companions." This meant the solidified individuals had now become members of the colony; they were no longer newborns in need of care.

The scent zones on the ceremonial ground gradually dispersed. Various other scents drifted down from above to guide these fledgling "new companions" and help them familiarize themselves with their newfound abilities.

Only Mo Ling remained where he was, sensing the scents slowly dissipate until they vanished without a trace...

But before long, the familiar Grass and Wood Fragrance appeared once more.

Just like before, it enveloped Mo Ling, trying to stuff him back into his swaddling clothes.

’It’s the Guardian...’

However, the Guardian’s action was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the fruit fragrance. The Chief had appeared by Mo Ling’s side at some point.

"Are you going to stuff him back in again?" the Chief asked faintly.

"He hasn’t grown up yet. It is my responsibility to care for him," the Guardian replied, still adhering to its duty.

"He has already grown up," the Chief retorted.

"No. As long as he hasn’t solidified, he hasn’t grown up... He can’t cope with the changes in the outside world. The war is still spreading. If he can’t solidify, even survival is a vain hope. The swaddling clothes are the only place for him."

"But you... you can’t protect him forever."

"I can."

"..."

The Guardian remained as rigid as ever. The ripples of the Grass and Wood Fragrance were firm and steady, as if nothing could sway its judgment.

The Chief fell silent for a long time. The fruit fragrance spread, its scent gently stroking Mo Ling’s form. It was hard to tell if it was out of pity or regret...

"During the ritual, I was watching him the whole time..."

"He isn’t as fragile as you think. This little one rolled around in the smell of animal droppings, struggled to memorize the scent of sour berries, and was fascinated by the different smells of stink bugs..."

"He is much braver and much smarter than you think. Although he can’t solidify, he has been trying his best to remember all kinds of scents, constantly getting to know the world in his own clumsy way."

"He may not be able to master a scent, but he can already face the world on his own... Isn’t that enough?"

The fruit fragrance slowly diffused into the Grass and Wood Fragrance, pushing aside the Guardian’s embrace.

"Give him a chance... Or rather, let him choose for himself, just once."

The rich fruit fragrance enveloped Mo Ling, but this time he felt no discomfort. He only felt a ball of warm fire cradle him, lifting him above the flames.

It wasn’t a scorching heat, nor was it an incinerating blaze. It simply placed him on equal footing with all other scents, bestowing upon him infinite empathy and respect. The fragrance of the Red Heart Fruit seeped into his core, its ripples steady and warm.

"My companion, may I ask..."

"Are you willing to leave the swaddling clothes and experience the world on your own?"