The Returnee Is Great at Teaching People a Lesson

Chapter 140: World Tree Root

The next day.

From early morning, the Rome Academy was turned upside down.

It wasn't the students, but the faculty and the Principal.

And even the heart of Rome Academy—no, the heart of Rome itself—the Returnee Holy King.

A few core individuals were all gathered in one place.

"Just what is this……."

The Holy King's expression sank.

Never had she made such a face since her return.

She had power, and she had holy protection.

Yet the Holy King's expression was crumbling in real-time.

The other teachers shared the same miserable expressions.

In particular, the one in the highest position, the Principal.

That is, Totti, the Holy King's grandfather, showed his devastation clearly on his face.

"……."

In his speechless gaze.

There stood a tree that had withered overnight.

If it were just a normal tree, it wouldn't have caused such expressions.

This tree was the one the Holy King brought from the other world, the crystal that protected Rome Academy.

Furthermore, though she told no one else, it was said to be the only hope the Holy King brought for the distant future.

That hope.

Was dead.

His gaze turned toward the Holy King.

His granddaughter.

No, one of only four Returnees in the world.

He saw the life gradually fading from the Holy King's eyes.

It was clear that something terrible had happened.

Only to an extent that he could not handle.

No, he thought that perhaps something so catastrophic had occurred that even the Holy King... even the world…… might not be able to handle it.

When Yoo Jin arrived at the room where the tree was.

The air was heavy, as if suffocating.

It was because of the gazes he met, and because of the dead expressions.

Yoo jin's gaze passed the Holy King, who was hanging her head, and headed toward the tree.

As if questioning if it was truly the same tree he saw just yesterday, its vitality had vanished completely.

A tree that had entirely withered.

The mana had disappeared.

No.

To be precise, the natural Demonic Energy had completely evaporated.

Holy King Karina's legs gave out from the shock, and as she was about to collapse, her grandfather, Principal Totti, barely supported her.

Karina's lips were trembling.

"This is impossible…… this root…… this tree…… does not die. It cannot die…… and yet……."

Karina's words amplified the horror.

Something that cannot die was dead.

Yoo jin met eyes with Karina, his expression unreadable.

After a brief silent conversation, Karina put strength back into her legs to stand up straight and moved her steps.

Approaching the tree, the Holy King let out a deep exhale and raised her hand.

Holy light bloomed from the Holy King's fingertips.

A holy light that made one want to kneel just by looking at it.

But

The moment the light touched the tree, it went out as if rejecting it.

"It doesn't reach……?"

The Holy King.

A despair unbefitting the name of a Saint filled her face.

The air in the room grew heavy once more.

The faces of the key figures of Rome Academy gathered there also showed feelings of resignation.

In that dry silence, Yoo jin's voice was almost luxuriously calm.

"Hmm……."

He didn't make a particularly loud sound, but everyone looked at Yoo jin.

Most had similar expressions, but among them, the emotion held in the Holy King's pupils was felt overtly by Yoo jin.

She wasn't necessarily wishing for something.

But it was human nature to want to grasp at even a straw if it was the last place to lean on.

The Holy King.

A Returnee.

If it didn't work with her power, it was something no one else in Rome could do.

However, another Returnee.

If it were another Returnee called the Demon King.

Perhaps.

It might be possible.

No, it wasn't a matter of whether it was possible or not.

The gazes continued, simply wishing for him to at least try once.

Scratching the back of his head, Yoo jin let out a sigh.

Yoo Jin tilted his head slightly and looked at the dead World Tree.

And without saying a word, he reached out one hand.

It was not mana, nor a magic circle, nor the holy attribute, nor even Demonic Energy.

An unexplainable ripple flowed slowly from his fingertips.

The teachers of Rome Academy instinctively caught their breath.

A faculty consisting only of the most capable people in the world.

Even they could not dare to define the power manifesting before their eyes.

They didn't know the answer to what the power was, but since they had a certain level of class, they could know one thing.

Power that no one else could use.

Not an S-Rank, nor the monster-like Returnees.

Not even the Holy King, called the messenger of God.

None of them could handle such power.

A power that only one who has diverged from the human classification can use.

That power filled the space.

It was wrapping around the withered tree.

However.

"It's no good, no good."

Yoo Jin withdrew his hand.

Even he could not fix this tree.

Totti covered his mouth.

One of the teachers in the crowd muttered involuntarily.

"Don't tell me…… even with the Demon King's power……."

Then, Yoo jin said slowly.

"Saving things isn't my specialty. Since the Holy King couldn't save it, there's no way someone like me, who can't even use magic properly, could save it."

Silence fell again at his sharp voice.

Clicking his tongue once, Yoo jin turned his head and looked at the Holy King.

"You know it too, don't you?"

"Pardon? What do you mean……"

"The root can't possibly die."

"Yes. But…… if it has withered like this, it must be dead…."

"It's not dead."

"……."

The Holy King's powerless eyes waited for Yoo jin's next words.

"It has vanished."

The Department Heads, Totti, and even the Holy King. All of their faces hardened.

Yoo Jin looked at the World Tree root as if slowly stroking it.

"Mana… there's no need to hide it. The Demonic Energy didn't leak out… it was pulled out."

Karina's expression turned pale.

"Does that mean someone……."

Yoo jin nodded.

"Good grief. To think there exists a human who could pull out this power in its entirety, even if it is just a root fragment……."

Yoo Jin's expression was gradually darkening.

"For now, Rome Academy will suspend all classes for at least one week."

It was hard to call it a conclusion, but it was the best measure that could be taken right now.

And.

"It is a pity, but it seems the field trip for the Korean students ends here."

After the Holy King swallowed her emotions, Yoo jin nodded quietly.

The withering of the tree.

It was a top-secret matter among top secrets.

He wouldn't be able to hide it from all the students anyway, but since it was the Rome Academy with its thorough security, there wouldn't be a big problem as long as it wasn't leaked to the outside.

For the time being.

And in truth.

The fact that this tree had withered.

And the power held within it had vanished—just how big of an issue that was.

The only people who truly knew were the Holy King and Yoo Jin.

Everyone else thought it was a big deal, but they didn't know exactly how big.

In the first place, they didn't even know what that tree was.

And they wouldn't know exactly what Demonic Energy was contained inside it.

That was why.

The Holy King and the Demon King.

Karina and Yoo jin could only exchange these farewells.

"Even if you control and investigate every person, you won't be able to identify the culprit. If they have the power to take this, they'll have the power to hide themselves."

"I know. Now, we just have to prepare. We have no choice but to wait until the power is used. So……."

"Whether it's Korea or Rome. Wherever the power of the root is felt. Let's meet then."

Without even being able to give a proper farewell, the Holy King and the Demon King promised to meet next time.

However, both knew.

It wouldn't be long.

Until they met again.

If there was someone who could handle the power of the root.

Since they knew to some extent what he intended to do with the power of the root…….

Yoo jin turned his body away from Karina.

Returning to the dormitory, Yoo jin told Lee Si-wang the gist of the story.

"It's a big deal…… but more than that, I'm more worried about the children being disappointed. We came planning for a week, but it looks like we're returning without even finishing half of it."

"I feel the same way. But what can be done. The owners told us to leave."

"However, you're surprisingly compliant. At other times, I thought you'd tear everything down, asking why they're doing as they please."

"Come here. Your sunglasses are crooked."

"Don't… don't lie. You were trying to hit me, weren't you……."

"Tsk. Quick on the uptake, aren't you."

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Yoo jin said to Lee Si-wang.

"First, go to the dormitory where the kids are and tell them to pack their bags. Don't mention the tree. It's better for the kids not to know. I'll go and explain it well and tell them let's go back."

"Yes."

Lee Si-wang, who was about to leave the room, came to a sudden halt.

"But…… who would do such a thing? They say the security here is the best in the world. To break through that and take the tree……."

"……."

The gaze he met sank.

When Yoo Jin gave no answer, Lee Si-wang, reading the atmosphere, gave an awkward nod and left the room.

In the room left alone.

In that place filled only with silence.

Yoo jin's gaze swept the empty air.

A deep sigh flowed.

"Indeed, who could have done it?"

Contrary to his voice.

Yoo Jin was wearing a pained expression.

"No!!!!"

"That can't be!"

"I'm not going!!!"

The dormitory where the Class A children stay.

Wailing sounds echoed in the corridor.

Like a young child who had thrown himself down spread-eagle in the toy section of a mart.

The twins and Seong-hyeon were stretched out spread-eagle on the dormitory floor.

"Why so suddenly?"

"We didn't do anything wrong?"

"Ah…… my Rome tour……."

"If I knew it would be like this, I wouldn't have saved the clothes I brought."

The children's grumbling continued from inside the rooms and in the corridor.

Lee Si-wang had expected this much.

It couldn't be helped.

The original schedule was for a week.

To suddenly say they are returning to Korea today, and right now at that, it would be strange if there was no disappointment left.

"Sorry. I can't help it either. Everyone, pack your bags quickly. We have to leave immediately."

Most of the children began packing their bags, leaving their disappointment behind.

Though they were listening compliantly, the disappointment was clearly felt just by looking at the children's backs.

Watching those backs, Lee Si-wang let out a bitter sigh.

"I hate it!!!!"

"I haven't found my Senorita yet!!"

"I can't go back like this! I have no memories other than the muscle man!! Is this why I came! Is this why I came!!!"

In Lee Si-wang's ears, despite his sunken expression, the voices of Seong-hyeon and the twins who still hadn't given up could be heard, but he didn't bother to point it out.

Because no one expected they would return like this.

Even himself.

"I brought a large suitcase for nothing."

Lee Si-wang's expectations had been as great as the children's.