After the baby's trial concluded, the other demi-gods who had gathered began stepping forward one by one.
Each pricked their finger, letting a droplet of blood fall upon the massive root of the Tree of Origin.
Kafka watched closely, fascinated as the results varied wildly—some dazzling, some humble—but each unique in its own way.
In one trial, the leaves of the tree transformed into glistening streams of water that cascaded gently into the air.
In another, the branches erupted with flocks of glowing birds that shimmered like jewels.
One demi-god's essence even manifested as tiny golden insects that buzzed joyfully around the trunk before vanishing in light.
The spectacle was breathtaking.
But not all results were remarkable.
Some demi-gods received only faint reactions, small ripples of color, slight movements of the leaves, causing their faces to fall in quiet disappointment.
The crowd would offer half-hearted claps, polite but pitying.
