Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 71 – Strange Affinity to Magic (1)

Days went by and the construction had finally come to an end. Max and her row of servants took a tour around the great hall, transformed into an unrecognizably beautiful room.

A gold-plated chandelier hung from the ceiling, shimmering with a subtle but impressive glow. It lit up the former room basked in a perpetual darkness, and underneath it was a carpet embroidered in red and gold threads. A long, soft drape was spread over the staircase, which led to the large, fancy banquet hall.

Max admired the hall in all directions. The cold stone floor was replaced with smooth marble tiles, and three gorgeous, silver chandeliers decorated the arched ceiling of the room. On one wall hung a carpet embroidered with Uigru soaring to the sky on the back of a dragon, and wine-colored curtains covered the windows. On the podium were chairs dressed in silk and fur and a unicorn statue made from marble stood on the terrace outside the window.

“How do you like it, ma’am?”

Aderon carefully asked to make sure the lady of the Calypse castle was pleased. Max slowly moved her head up and down as she touched the clear, shiny glass window. The warm ray of sunlight poured through the glass and brightened up the area.

“I-it’s amazing.”

Satisfaction spread on Aderon’s face and Max smiled along with his genuinely happy grin. Although he might be a tout at times, he was not a trickster, that was for sure. He offered high-quality materials and at an adequate price — as well as faithful, hard workers. To show her appreciation, Max invited Aderon for a feast at the castle. With his stomach full of expensive wine and the chef’s special dish, roasted deer meat, Aderon left the castle for the final time as a satisfied man.

“Oh, wow. I can’t recognize this place at all. Sir Calypse sure will be surprised when he returns.”

Standing by the front door, watching the merchant’s couch disappear in the distance, Max turned her head at the voice. It was Ruth, scratching his messy gray hair, coming down the stairs. Max asked with a hint of uncertainty.

“Wi-will he like it?”

“Well, he did ask for a renovation, so there’s no doubt he will be happy at the sight.”

His apathetic response did not help Max feel confident at all. She glared at the sloppy man, lazily yawning, and replied with frustration.

“Do-does it hu-hurt if you give a co-compliment?”

“Ah, it’s beautiful. It’s so spick and span I can’t seem to open my eyes. My mind is completely blown away by the glittering spectacle,” he soullessly recited as he stretched his back.

Max once again stared at him with disdain, but Ruth ignored her walked towards the door. As he was about to leave, he remembered something and stopped to turn and looked at Max and her entourage of servants.

“Hmm… is this the right time?” he mumbled to himself and pulled out a small bottle, swirling with unknown liqud from his inner chest pocket.

“The… potion to bring the tree back to life is ready. Do you want to test it now?”

“A-already?” Her eyes widened discreetly, aware of the eyes around them.

“I sacrificed my sleep to get this ready,” Ruth said although it was obvious he just woke up from a good long nap. Having seen him sleeping on the library floor a couple times, Max wanted to give a snarky reply, but in the end, she couldn’t resist nodding. It was true that he had gone through extra lengths to help her with the ledger and make the potion…

He turned his steps and walked out to the garden and stood by the lifeless oak tree next to the gazebo. Max stood by him as she watched him uncork the bottle and pour the mysterious liquid over the roots of the tree.

“Oh, the mighty spirit of nature. Take this poor one into your arms and grant your breath of life!” he chanted.

Max rolled her eyes at his loud voice. She herself was frequently treated with spells after being hit by her father often at a young age and was familiar enough with the procedures to know witchcraft can be used with simple commands. She was sure his elaborate monologue was for showing off.

Just as she was wondering why Ruth was exaggerating, Max glimpsed at the servants behind her, full of awe, and realized his intention. It was to show them he was doing his best to bring the tree back to life.

Ruth opened his arms and looked up to the sky as if receiving vigor from the gods above, then brought his hands together by his heart and solemnly closed his eyes. Max bit her lips to swallow her laughter but soon was wide-eyed when she saw faint waves of light coming out from the outer line of his body.

The light began to accumulate around him, and Max exclaimed with astonishment. Besides being the subject of witchcraft, she had never witnessed a spell in action upfront. The soft light oozing from his hands spun around his body once and slowly surrounded the tree and the ugly, dead oak gently took in the light, as if it were drinking it.