Energy Absorption and Purification

"Hey, kid, wait!"

Seeing Richard about to leave again, the Lich Old Man remembered something important and hurriedly called out to stop him.

"What?" Richard asked, looking at the Lich Old Man.

"I just thought of something. You said you suspected that tree in the room had other intentions and might secretly try something dangerous. You're not worried about that; you're even planning to catch it in the act and force it to accept harsher terms, right?" the Lich Old Man said.

"Is there a problem?" Richard asked, sounding slightly puzzled. "Didn't we confirm all this a minute ago?"

"Of course there's a problem!" the Lich Old Man snapped. "From what I know of you, there's no way you'll stay here all the time. Who knows when you'll go out? Sometimes you even leave on long trips for days. What if—and I mean what if—the tree in the room causes trouble while you're gone?"

"Isn't that what you're here for?" Richard replied calmly, glancing at the Lich Old Man.

"Me?" The Lich Old Man froze for a moment before understanding what Richard meant. His eyes widened. "You're really going too far! That tree in the room is a Long-Lived Species. It might look obedient now, but if it truly erupts, who knows how powerful it could be? What if I'm in danger when I deal with it? Besides, as a lich... well, I'm not afraid of it, but what if I make a mistake and fail? How would we handle that?"

"That's why I'm telling you to keep working hard," Richard said. "Improve your strength properly. Develop stronger Magic Puppets. Then, when it comes looking for trouble, you'll be able to handle it."

"That's what you meant just now?" The Lich Old Man blinked.

"What do you think?"

"Well..."

"Alright,