What I Wanted...

(Miluno)

After finishing lunch in the sunlight in the woods, Ceruno and I went our separate ways.

She took my plan to the branch to find SpiCa;

I, however, wanted to visit the "lord" of the Garden District for other reasons.

After passing through the forest belt surrounding the Garden District, we arrived at the central flower garden, where the magical girls who came to visit were all gathered. The colorful flowers and green plants were carefully tended and bloomed in the lazy sunlight.

"Miss Barbara, would you please come out and meet me?"

Ignoring the stares of the other magical girls, I called out loudly in the center of the garden, trying to get their attention.

"... So it really won't work?"

Unfortunately, no one came out to see me.

"Oh my? Isn't this Miluno?"

A voice, both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar, came from behind me.

Turning around with questions in mind, I saw a magical girl with short blonde hair, carrying a heavy guitar case, wearing headphones and chewing gum.

"Miss Freya?"

The holographic nameplate on her chest reads: Harvest Goddess - Fran.

She is a well-known musician in Britain and has previously participated in Idol Festival.

"It seems we can finally communicate normally here in the 'Zodiacal'."

When I said that, she smiled faintly. She seemed much gentler than she had been during the Idol Festival. Her clothes were a little dirty and covered in dirt.

Although they had crossed paths before, and she even composed the final theme for Ceruno's final match, their conversations back then relied on a rather unintelligent translation program. But now, even if she takes off her headphones, we can still converse using the translation function of the Central Control System.

This Central Control System is indeed convenient.

"Just call me Fran here. Are you looking for someone by wandering around here?"

"I'm searching for the mysterious NEET-type magical girl in the Garden District, could it be...?"

"Oh, that must be me."

"As expected."

I guessed wrong.

"My magic is to stimulate the vitality of plants, promote their growth, and also to transfer their vitality to heal the wounded. Every inch of red flowers and green trees you see before you is the result of my efforts over this period of time, and I have indeed never left this place."

"Did you plant the entire Garden District?"

"That's right."

Aren't you tired?

"I'm not only a musician, but also the daughter of a farmer. I'm used to this level of farming."

Managing this 40,000-square-meter Garden District by herself is equivalent to cultivating 60 acres of land by one person. The farm owner's daughter is truly astounding.

Since the City School is an artificial creation, the plants on it must all be transplanted. The Garden District was not open before, perhaps not only because there were too few students, but also because the plants had not yet grown properly. As the gardener who took care of all this, Fran's magic was obviously much more suitable.

"Looks like I made a wasted trip. I thought the magical girl in charge here was Miss Barbara, and I was hoping to discuss some potions with her."

Fran replied, "Barbara does have a connection to this place. These flowers aren't just ornamental plants; they're also ingredients for making potions. But she can't stray too far from where she's rooted, or she'll never be able to turn back."

Yin Wei also said that the pit where Barbara lives is actually her rooted place for thousands of years, which is why she can't leave.

"She still wants to be her own tree?"

Fran shrugged.

"I'm not very familiar with her, I've only heard this from her."

"Is that so..."

"If you want to see her, could you please bring the medicinal herbs with Past?"

Fran brought out a large box of freshly picked flowers and herbs from somewhere.

"Understood, I'll make the trip then."

After all, I did have something to ask of them.

Unexpectedly, I returned to the branch with Ceruno, but I didn't stay. I opened a long-distance portal and headed to the Forest Park in the southern suburbs.

Barbara's residence is surrounded by a wire mesh wall, and visitors can only view it from a distance, not get close—but that's none of my business.

Knock knock.

I knocked on the wooden door.

"Miss Barbara, I'm Miluno. I'd like to ask you for a favor."

I rarely use honorifics, but Barbara, who was over 1,400 years old, was an elder to humankind, so showing respect was necessary...

The wooden door opened.

A small, verdant head peeked out from the doorway, listlessly holding up a tablet computer.

[Miluno, no appointment]

Um, so you really need an appointment to see her?

Put your hands together in a gesture of apology.

"I'm sorry, I don't have your contact information, but I brought some medicinal herbs. Miss Fran asked me to deliver them."

[Come in first, then we'll talk]

Although I hadn't made an appointment, she opened the door and invited me in because of the herbs and flowers she sold.

It's still the same here, the herbal smell even stronger than in a pharmacy lingers, and even breathing feels a bit bitter.

[Lie down]

"Huh?"

Making such a request out of the blue...

[You need to have your body checked]

They probably wanted to check for any aftereffects left by the previous potion.

I lay down on her small bed, and she put the tablet in front of me again.

Tell us why you came here.

It means I need to explain while I'm checking.

She placed her hand on my back, and I immediately felt a sharp, pricking pain as the tiny roots at her fingertips were drawing blood from the ends of my veins through my pores.

Based on previous experience, this process will continue for some time.

I hesitated before asking, "Miss Barbara, um... can your potions modify the body? Not a complete transformation like a metamorphosis, but something more functional... like growing gills for underwater breathing, scales to enhance defense, compound eyes for dynamic observation, and so on."

I didn't dare to state my needs directly; I just asked this question.

[Yes, that's my research area.]

Barbara freed one hand to type a reply.

[But the effect isn't as ideal as you described. Even if a new organ grows, you won't use it.]

She then pointed to her throat.

I added a voice to my body, but I still can't pronounce anything.

Wait, she already has vocal cords?

But...

I will definitely use the organ I want.

As I was pondering how to bring it up, Barbara withdrew her hand from behind me.

[Inspection complete]

The Enhancer did not leave any side effects.

[I am in good health]

However, the Star Crystal's condition is strange; Palpation can only reveal limited problems. It's best to have a full examination at a medical facility.

"Strangeness?"

I know my Star Crystal is a size larger than others', which is due to my high adaptability that has led to evolution, but this is the first time I've been called strange.

Is it good or bad?

[Unclear]

She paused, then typed out a rather long message.

[There's an assumption, but it might not be correct, that your Star Crystal is so special not because it grows quickly, but because it constantly suppresses its output to adapt to your progress.]

"You mean, my high Crystal Compatibility is because they are adapting to me?"

That sounds like good news.

But it seems it can't hold back anymore.

That's the bad news.