Elfkind (2)
Yggdrasil began tending to the humans around her with utmost sincerity. She created fruit for the hungry, wove huts from branches for those without shelter, and made herbal remedies for the sick. She cared for the humans under her shade with extreme devotion—even blocking out the sun with her leaves if it got too strong. It was almost too much, but whenever I said something, she'd just reply, "That's not something Mom should be saying, is it?" No idea why she had to drag me into it.
Anyway. The humans living around Yggdrasil started changing bit by bit. Whether it was from idolizing the massive tree or from eating the fruit she bore, I couldn't say. The idea that humans were starting to resemble trees was a bit hard to wrap my head around... but what could I do? It was actually happening.
Their growth slowed, but their lifespans lengthened. Their hair began photosynthesizing... huh? Why? Isn't photosynthesis supposed to require chlorophyll? But these humans didn't have any. Were they using mana to mimic it somehow? How the heck does that even work? Hmm... no clue. I handle mana myself, but sometimes I wonder just how far this stuff can go. I don't like brushing off impossible things with a simple "Mana did it!" I want to know why it happens!
Hmm. Maybe I should buckle down and research it properly sometime. While I'm at it, systematize magic too. Right now, no one besides me and the dragons uses it, so it doesn't matter. We all just will our overflowing mana to cause phenomena—no real structure at all, not even a fingernail's worth.
If others start using magic someday, we'd have to ditch these haphazard methods. Better sort it out now in preparation for when crowds of people wield it. Eh, not urgent, so moving on.
The humans gathering around Yggdrasil began changing physically too. Losing body hair everywhere except their heads and eyebrows, their limbs elongating into model-like figures—that was minor. They grew ever closer to Yggdrasil, gaining the ability to converse with spirits. With their extended lifespans, mana accumulated in their bodies over time. Not dragon levels, but far beyond ordinary humans.
This felt familiar... Ears aside, they were straight out of fantasy—elves! But something was missing. Their ears! Elves need pointy ears! And they have to be good with bows! No bow skills, no elf status! My inner elf purist demands it!!!
So. "You want to give those kids a gift?"
"Mm. Nothing grand."
Under the guise of a gift, I'd make their ears grow! "What kind of sudden gift...?"
"Something that suits those kids."
I held a bow made from flexible, unbreakable wood. The string was fiber from vines, and wooden arrows to boot! Elf starter kit complete! Give them this, grow the ears, and my perfect elves are done!
"What's that? Looks like a weird branch."
"Made it thinking it'd suit the humans you're tending. Hang this wooden rod on this string, pull back, and shoot far."
I lightly drew and released the empty string. Twang! It vibrated satisfyingly.
"And I came up with a name that fits the humans around you. For their race."
"Uh, um... You're not showering them with gifts just because I said you favored humans before, right?"
"As if. I prepared this purely for the humans you're caring for!"
I could feel Yggdrasil's distrustful gaze. Despite having no eyes.
"Fine. I'll gather the kids."
Moments later, humans assembled in the small square at Yggdrasil's base.
"Who are you...?"
"World Tree. A wanderer come to deliver Yggdrasil's gift."
So brazenly shameless.
Shh. These are Yggdrasil's kids, so I should minimize my interference. I blocked the humans from hearing Yggdrasil's voice and continued. "I thought you needed weapons to protect yourselves, so I brought these."
I showed them the bow and arrows. They gasped sharply.
Hm...? Not the reaction I expected...
"H-how could you do such a thing..."
"Butchering a branch like that..."
"That thin thing... vine fibers stripped thin...? Horrifying..."
"Those little twigs... horrifying..."
Eh...?
"Beast! Monster! Woodcutter!!!"
"Not even human!"
"Get out of this forest!!!"
Why the intense backlash?! It's just trimmed wood! Ah, wood... They must have gained the ability to hear trees' voices. To them, me cutting branches and stripping fibers probably looked like yanking out human bones and tendons to craft a bow. Pretty gruesome, that.
"Wait! I get the anger, but! I consulted the tree before cutting!"
Total lie. No consultation. What're they gonna do about it? Yggdrasil's my kid. Jealous? Surpass her.
So I didn't snap at the immature humans. Didn't snap. Yellow card for now. Collect a hundred for the Apocalypse Dragon's descent. Kidding.
Petty much, Mom.
Quiet. They're the bad guys for raging like they're about to stone me over a gift. Even accounting for their immaturity.
"Or will you ignore Yggdrasil's feelings in sending this gift for your sake?"
Unease rippled through them. Murmurs grew louder. For humans surviving on Yggdrasil's grace, ignoring her feelings hit hard.
"If... if the World Tree wishes it... we'll understand."
An elder spoke for them. About time. Why rage at the gift-bringer? Like yelling at Santa.
Ahem. Swallowed my irritation. "This tool is called a bow. Hang the arrow here, draw back, and shoot far."
I nocked a wooden arrow, drew lightly, and fired at a nearby rock. Boom! It shattered casually. Minor.
"You can't live off Yggdrasil's fruit forever. Your numbers will keep growing."
Her fruits have limits too.
"True, but..."
"Does the World Tree think so too?"
"Of course. She might wither from feeding you all."
A few hundred fruits won't kill me.
Just an expression. And hundreds won't cut it forever.
"Anyway, I give you this bow and arrows. Hunt with them for food."
"Grateful, but just one...? Should we copy it and make more?"
I scanned them. Fear in their eyes. Hm. Tough? Making bows and arrows means cutting talking-tree branches—like asking them to use others' bones and tendons...
Might refuse outright. Can't have that.
"Then like this."
I lifted a foot and stomped. A large pit formed instantly. Humans recoiled in shock—ignore. I scattered bows and arrows in it, filled it with mana, then cast growth magic.
Still-living wood. Growth magic made a tree sprout rapidly. Its fruits? Perfect bows and arrows.
Easier than crafting each one, right?
Such an absurd spell.
What? Trees bear all kinds of fruit. Fantasy world—why not a bow-and-arrow tree?