Chapter 342 : Life Withers
Chapter 342: Life Withers
Right after Janna Roland completed her final Emergency Mission, Godwalker Hermes leapt in front of her in a flash of deep violet contract light.
"You mean, Professor Grace Eva isn’t in the Magic Tower right now？"
"That’s~ right~"
Hearing Hermes’ answer, Janna couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Hermes。"
"You’re~ welcome~"
After thanking him, Janna dispelled the power of the contract and sent Godwalker Hermes back into the 【Spirit Realm】.
"I’d better go in person。"
Due to Janna’s oversight, when she had Godwalker Hermes deliver the message, she didn’t have him bring an extra copy to any other official wizards.
It wasn’t because she forgot—rather, until she could confirm that there was indeed something wrong with Elena and the baby in her womb, she didn’t want to tell too many people about her suspicion.
After all, this so-called danger came only from a “prophecy” obtained through a divination performed by a Contracted Creature belonging to a mere Wizard Apprentice like her.
Although it held some reference value, for a meticulous wizard it couldn’t yet be considered conclusive evidence.
Precisely because of this, Janna wanted to find a wizard she knew well—aside from Anthony-Rook—to help her verify the prophecy’s authenticity.
At present, because Anthony-Rook was still recovering from serious injuries, the acting headmaster of White Coral Academy was temporarily Grace Eva.
That also meant Grace Eva, who had once enjoyed a leisurely life, had now become overwhelmingly busy.
Just the negotiation meetings with Blackbone Grove and Mist Tower alone had already left her without even a moment to enjoy her afternoon tea—
So, both to save time and for her own safety, Janna decided to first return to the academy and directly inform a few other wizards in person.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Janna confirmed the situation at the Antler Alley Tavern with the Thornflower Sprite, then cast the 【Featherlight Spell】 and sped toward White Coral Academy.
"Hm？"
As Janna hurried along, a single withered leaf made her stop in her tracks.
"Autumn’s come this early this year？"
The saying “one leaf heralds autumn” rang true—due to Turin’s northern geography, summer didn’t last long, and the boundary between summer and autumn could easily be marked by a single fallen leaf.
However, it was now August, the hottest time of year in Turin, and under normal circumstances there shouldn’t be any sign of withering leaves.
"No, that’s not right！"
When Janna picked up the fallen leaf beneath the tree using the 【Wizard’s Hand】, she didn’t sense any aura of 【Withering】 on it.
Instead, it felt more like the “disease energy” she had sensed from Elena and the others when the plague struck.
"Could it be that even the trees have been infected by the plague？"
Looking at the tall trees lining Turin City’s main avenue, Janna quickly walked over and pressed her palm firmly against the trunk where the most leaves had fallen.
"It really is sick—"
Using the communicative ability granted by her 【Plant Affinity】 talent, Janna easily sensed the emotions of the tree before her.
Just as she suspected, the plague in Turin City was not only infecting people—trees, too, had fallen victim.
"The trees here are infected as well—even more severely than ordinary humans。"
Letting out a faint sigh, Janna withdrew her hand, deciding not to treat it for now.
After all, her top priority at the moment was to report these abnormal signs to the official wizards of White Coral Academy.
"Professor Grace Eva has likely noticed these abnormalities, but for someone like me—who holds the 【Law of Growth Fragment】 and 【Withering Law Fragment】—my perception of the situation might be even clearer——"
Placing the withered leaf into her Thorn Bracelet, Janna once again cast the 【Featherlight Spell】 and hurried along Turin City’s main avenue.
"Mr. Tower Spirit, I’d like to see Professor Mary Margaret。"
"She’s not here。"
"Then what about Professor Uta and Professor Lilith Mage？"
"They’re not here either。"
Hearing the Tower Spirit’s stiff tone, Janna’s brows furrowed slightly.
"Mr. Tower Spirit, may I ask when exactly they’ll be back? I have an urgent matter to report to them。"
The Tower Spirit didn’t give her a direct answer.
After a long silence, Janna could only shake her head helplessly.
"Since you’re not sure, I’ll just take my leave—"
"Wait。"
Just as Janna thought the Tower Spirit had no intention of speaking further and was about to turn and leave, it suddenly called out to her.
"If they return, I’ll let you know in advance。"
"Thank you, Lord Tower Spirit！"
Touched by this uncharacteristically human-like attitude, Janna felt a surge of gratitude.
"You’re welcome。"
With a crisp chime, Janna stepped out through the elevator doors and walked toward the Magic Tower’s exit.
"Looks like all I can do now… is wait——"
Staring at the dim sky, Janna could only once more check in with the Thornflower Sprite to understand the current situation before returning to her dormitory.
"I heard you were looking for me？"
Just as Janna reached the Dormitory Door and was about to open it, a low female voice from behind made her freeze for a split second.
But almost immediately, her expression lit up with joy.
"Professor Grace Eva, you’re finally back！"
Turning around to see Grace Eva in her red wizard robe, the burden in Janna’s heart finally lifted.
"Your messenger has been looking for me nonstop. If I didn’t show up, he might have waited until nightfall。"
Janna’s eyes flickered slightly at that.
Earlier that afternoon, Hermes had already returned to tell her he hadn’t found Grace Eva.
Although the result had disappointed her, she felt no dissatisfaction—she simply greeted Godwalker Hermes casually and dismissed the contract power, letting him go back.
What she hadn’t expected was that, instead of returning immediately to the 【Spirit Realm】, Hermes had gone back to the Magic Tower and waited there pitifully until Grace Eva appeared.
The realization left Janna not only surprised but also quietly moved.
"Professor Grace Eva, would it be convenient to talk inside？"
"Of course。"
At Janna’s invitation, Grace Eva showed no impatience and walked directly into the room the moment Janna opened the door.
"It seems you enjoy cultivating all kinds of magical plants——"