When the other three Sylvans arrived, their reaction mirrored Tempestria's. All three of them were stupefied when they saw the infant
The caveat was that, as they absorbed dead energy and matter, their bodies became toxic to living beings, pushing intelligent creatures to classify them as pests. Whether they harmed creatures intentionally or not, they were an overall danger to living species. Therefore, that kind of classification wasn't over the top.
Naturally, like with most things, there were ways to prevent a Sylphaith from developing in that regard. Verdantia spoke about it. "Tempestria, since you are her mother, I'll give you the books about their species. After little Eluan's birth, I've gathered many related to the dryad-class creatures. Liu Shu's children seem to be focused in that direction."
Cinderielle was listening closely and became thoughtful. "Are there any related to fire?"
Her question made Liu Shu look over with a smirk. "Is Cinderielle eager~?"
The Fire Sylvan didn't get ashamed, though. Lying by Liu Shu's side, she hugged the petite girl and smiled widely. "Of course~. After you get enough rest, I won't let you escape, love."
Harmonixia looked as Tempestria poked her exotic daughter and asked. "So, in the end, what name do you want to give her? We have Dewna, Eluan, and now this child."
Liu Shu commented. "You also have Grey, Red, Green, Violet and Violue!" She waved her finger back and forth. "You can't forget about your many other children just because they are a bit stupid!"
The four Sylvans choked. Harmonixia coughed. "Can you not describe your own children like that, please?"
"Why?" The World Tree blinked. "I don't want to sugarcoat something that's inherent in them. If they have mental limitations, I'll just take care of them more closely. It's not like I'll love them less, right? Moreover, it's not like I'll be calling them it left and right. I just used it to describe them."
The other four were speechless for a second. However, there was some sense in what Liu Shu said. "Either way," Harmonixia changed the subject. "Tempestria, do you know how to name her? Or are you still thinking?"
Looking at her distinct daughter, the Wind Sylvan scratched her head. "Honestly. I am clueless. She is so unique that any name I am thinking of feels like it doesn't fit. Do you have any advice?"
Cinderielle spoke up. "How about one related to her species? That way, she can be proud of her species and also know that we won't really hate her because of that."
Tempestria's grey eyes gained a glint. "I like how that sounds." She looked at Liu Shu and asked with a smile. "What do you think, Shu'er?"
"Go ahead." Liu Shu caressed the baby's cheek, making her vine-like arms wriggle happily. The Wind Sylvan smiled at her daughter's cute antics, and she commented. Then… how about Sylvia?"
Liu Shu laughed. "That's quite a common name, right? Why did you think of that one?" She added, reassuring her lover. "I like it. Don't get me wrong. However, after what Cinderielle said, I was expecting something else."
"Right…" Tempestria crossed her arms in thought. "Then… we could call her Wraith."
Harmonixia deadpanned and glanced at her friend. "You are not very good with names, are you?"
Tempestria's cheeks gained a faint red hue. "That's… Not true. I am just testing the waters. Don't take all my suggestions at face value. Also, how about adding something yourself? I can't work if all my suggestions are just shot down."
"It's your daughter, not mine." Harmonixia laughed. "Still, if you are having trouble, you can always choose Sylvia. It is a pretty name, even if somewhat ordinary."
Liu Shu saw her usually cool and elegant lover look at her, asking for help. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Let's go with Sylvia. I also like it." Looking at the baby, she kissed her face and tenderly smiled. "Baby, your name will be Sylvia. Do you like it?"
The two large purple eyes looked at Liu Shu, blinking occasionally with seemingly no thoughts behind them. The gaze was so cute that the girls couldn't hold back their bubbling laughter. Verdantia commented. "I didn't expect an infant Sylphaith to be this adorable."
Harmonixia caressed her cheek playfully as well, her lips arched in a smile. Then, they all spent a bit of time together, while Liu Shu asked questions about what had happened during the last months.
The second that question came, their eyes became playful, giving our World Tree a foreboding feeling. Cinderielle commented. "Don't you remember what happened the day after you unlocked the new
With expressions like theirs, Liu Shu felt that each word she was about to say would fall into some kind of trap. Therefore, she answered warily. "I don't." She had some recollection that she managed to keep herself awake for two or three days. However, other than that, the memories of that time were somewhat blurry.
Harmonixia laughed and commented. "Oh, really? You don't remember giving us a small mountain of money and shouting how much you loved us? I heard that you even bothered Flor and Ignatia, hahaha."
The Avatar showed a perplexed expression, and then, she started thinking back. As her mind pounded painfully for a few minutes, her thoughts suddenly clicked, and memories came rushing down.
While that happened, the girls saw Liu Shu change from showing confusion and annoyance to slowly morphing into a surprised and, eventually, embarrassed face. "T-That was not me. It was Wisdom!"
Harmonixia teased her. "Oh, sure, sure. So Wisdom told us that she loves us? It seems that you have competition, love. Her gesture was so romantic that I could feel my heart palpitating~."
Cinderielle joined her. "Right, right. I also heard that Flor and Ignatia found Wisdom very cute."
Verdantia giggled. "Should we speak with Wisdom more often? She was so cute and adorable during that time~."
[Wisdom: …]
An uncomfortable feeling settled in Liu Shu's heart. After all, she just gave birth, so her Avatar's hormones were a bit all over. Those words somewhat triggered her anxiety, and the World Tree panicked, her large eyes starting to have a faint sheen of moisture. "W-What are you talking about!? How could you even say that? You are only mine!"
The tone was clearly playful, but they failed to take into account that Liu Shu was quite sensitive at this moment. Naturally, the second they noticed her reaction, the girls stopped messing with her. The Sound Sylvan softened her tone and asked with a smile. "Silly girl, why are you overreacting? Can't you tell that we are messing with you?"
The girls approached and gave her a group hug, placing Sylvia in the middle. Liu Shu relaxed a bit, but her mind was somewhat confused and messy. The reason was the little catgirl she met during those moments. 'The name was… Tanya?'
With that in mind, she scouted the area where the catkin played, searching for the small child. 'Do they still live here? Or have they moved?'
Seeing the Avatar spacing out, the four Sylvans understood that their Liu Shu was using her main consciousness for other things. Still, even if she spaced out, she could still converse with them.
Tempestria kissed her cheek and spoke with the other girls. "Where are Dewna and Eluan right now?"
Verdantia smiled. "Dewna is with her grandma. Mother likes taking care of her quite a lot, and the same goes for Papa. So, lately, I've been leaving her there while I take care of a few government processes. I'll be free in a week, though. So I'll go pick her up on that day."
Harmonixia commented. "Eluan is with Violet. Violet is not a full-fledged Tree House yet. Her Level is not low, and she also knows that Eluan is someone she needs to take care of. Therefore, I am not worried. Moreover, I'll be returning in two hours, so nothing bad can really happen."
Cinderielle listened to them and rubbed her chin. "I guess I can ask Mom and Dad in the future. Dad is getting a bit too old, so if Mom can divide her affection, the shock won't be so powerful when that day inevitably arrives."
"Ah!" Liu Shu exclaimed, interrupting. "I found her!"
The girls were confused at her sudden exclamation. "Who did you find, dear?"
Our World Tree didn't answer her question. Instead, she brought her hands to her face. "Wah… So embarrassing. Why did I do that?"
She couldn't believe that she was so eager to find a friend that she played with a small child who ignorantly called her a friend. The girls were somewhat lost at her reaction. Looking at each other, a smile tugged at the corners of their lips. Then, Cinderielle asked. "So… What happened? Tell us, love. We won't laugh at you, we promise."
Liu Shu lowered her hands, cradling Sylvia again. Her expression was complicated as she asked. "Really? You won't laugh?"
Tempestria nodded seriously. "Of course. Why would we laugh, baby? Tell us, and we will give you advice on what to do."
While they were pleasant words, Liu Shu was reluctant to make what had happened known. She just wanted to leave it behind and forget about it. Eventually, the child would grow out of her delusion, after all. Either way, in Liu Shu's opinion, once Tanya understands what a World Tree represents, she might immediately give up on her fantasies.
Still, after thinking for a little while, Liu Shu became resolute and decided to explain. "Well… This happened. When I was groggy during the Tiering Up process, I…"
She explained the cause and effect leading her to do what she did, and by the time she ended, the World Tree covered her face again. "... So embarrassing. What kind of World Tree makes friends with a child because they want a friend?"
The girls were expecting something funny, not something that made them want to hug their darling and pamper her to the skies! Thinking about it for a bit, Verdantia decided to give some advice. "Why not continue?"
"Eh?" The pretty Avatar looked at Verdantia with her gorgeous violet eyes.
"Yes, you heard me. I mean, it's not like you are damaging anyone. Moreover, your intentions are purely friendship, right? So, I don't see why you couldn't become friends with her. Moreover, if you approach Tanya when she is young, she won't have as much difficulty approaching or talking to you in the future. She might separate for a while. However, eventually, she might come back to your side as a good friend."
Those words sounded quite tempting. "... I'll think about it."