You Need to Work Hard

"Ten years? One-tenth of its energy? Enough to support the growth of over a hundred thousand trees?" Richard pondered Tinwood's words, then looked at it after a moment. "I can agree to cooperate with you, but the terms need to be changed."

"How?"

"I'm satisfied with the total amount of energy you can provide, but I can't wait ten years, because I need a massive supply of energy right now," Richard said. "How about this? Change the ten years to one year. During that time, provide me with nine-tenths of your energy, and use the remaining one-tenth for your own life transformation.

Once the year is up, you will be free and can leave me whenever you wish. If, by then, you feel your transformation is incomplete and you lack protection, I can continue protecting you until you successfully transform, after which you may leave."

Hearing Richard's revised terms, Tinwood showed a slightly surprised expression. "One year? In that case, wouldn't you be at a disadvantage? The total energy I provide you would be a full one-tenth less."

"I can accept that," Richard said.

"But what do you need so much energy for in such a short time? Under normal circumstances, there's no need for that much. It would only go to waste," Tinwood said, puzzled.

Actually, not only am I not afraid of wasting it, I think it still isn't enough... Richard thought, but he did not explain. He merely said, "I naturally have my reasons. Right now, you only need to tell me whether you agree."

"..."

Silence. Silence. Tinwood fell into a long silence, as though it were trying hard to determine whether this was a trap.

After a long while, it finally spoke. "All right, I agree to your terms of cooperation. Now give me one