How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

I recalled the time before the vacation when I consulted Yggdrasil.

“Hm, are you talking about ‘using the Elixir for hyperawakening syndrome’?”

Yggdrasil replied to my question as if it were nothing serious.

“Hyperawakening syndrome is when an innate awakeners’ abilities are exceptionally strong, but their vessel, that is, their body, cannot handle it and goes into overdrive. The Elixir is an excellent medicine that cures all diseases and optimizes the body’s condition. So, if you have the Elixir, curing hyperawakening syndrome should be quite easy.”

“I see.”

“Well, that’s only if you have the Elixir. As you know, all the Elixirs were used up during the Yongin Gate disaster seven years ago, and there are no materials left to create more, so there’s no way to obtain the Elixir.”

As I thought about what Yggdrasil said, I looked up at him and, after a moment of contemplation, began to form a plan.

I felt a bit uneasy about using Yggdrasil, but my family was still the most important thing to me.

“What if I could obtain it?”

“What?”

“What if I actually obtain the Elixir and use it on a hyperawakened person? Would you be willing to come see the Elixir then, Yggdrasil?”

At my words, Yggdrasil widened her eyes slightly and then, as if she had realized something, smiled broadly.

“…You seem to have something in mind, don’t you?”

“Yes. I can obtain the Elixir, and I intend to do so.”

Yggdrasil would probably have a vague idea of how I planned to obtain the Elixir.

Right after the tournament, the children had discussed how they would rescue me and talked about my powers. Yggdrasil, who had been eavesdropping, would have recognized that I possessed some strange abilities.

Yggdrasil chuckled at my resolute words and jumped up onto the desk. Her strong gaze was filled with curiosity as she looked at me.

“How do you plan to obtain it? Just so you know, as your teacher, I have an obligation to stop you if you do anything dangerous.”

“I won’t do anything dangerous. I will simply use my own abilities.”

“-That’s fine. In that case, I’ll be happy to come and check it out. But I’ll need to bring someone along to verify that the Elixir is real.”

“Thank you.”

I will contact you once I obtain it.

At my words, Yggdrasil laughed heartily.

Alright!

I had secured her affirmation, so there was nothing to worry about. All I needed was…

“Noona, Teacher!”

“Ah, Nahyun has come! Welcome back! I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you; I was busy tidying up the flower bed.”

“It’s alright. More importantly, I have something to tell you. Can you spare a moment? Kang Yu, you too.”

“Of course!”

“Yes!”

It’s just a matter of getting permission from the teacher and Kang Yu.

When the teacher suggested we go to her room to talk, I headed there with the two of them.

This place, primarily used as a reception room, was decorated like a typical school principal’s office, with a low table and a sofa appropriate for its purpose. After seating them on the old, sagging sofa, I got straight to the point.

“I’ve found a way to resolve hyperawareness without removing Kang Yu’s abilities.”

“…What? Really?”

“Yes.”

Both Kang Yu’s and the teacher’s faces lit up with surprise.

“But if you cure the hyperawareness, Kang Yu will just be treated as an awakened person, right?”

“That would be the case, yes.”

“Then she would have to enroll in the Guardian Academy and would only be able to become a Hunter or a related researcher. However, if she undergoes surgery this winter, it’s different. She would lose her abilities and become a regular person. She couldn’t become a Hunter, but she could do anything freely.”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

“So I want to get the teacher’s permission and give Kang Yu the opportunity to choose her future.”

At my words, the teacher nodded silently.

“I believe that one should be able to choose their own future. I want to give Kang Yu that choice.”

“…That’s what she says. Kang Yu, what do you think?”

At my question, Kang Yu, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, turned her blue eyes toward me without saying a word. Then she smiled.

“Noona, you know my answer is already decided.”

Kang Yu reached out her hand to me, as if asking for another future that I held.

“I’m going to become a Hunter. I’ll protect everyone and stand by your side, Noona.”

That was her answer, so I smiled and nodded silently.

Now, all that was left was to contact Yggdrasil.

After finishing our discussion, I took out the Elixir with the two of them sitting beside me. Then, I made a video call to Yggdrasil through my device.

Yggdrasil picked up the call right away.

It seemed she was busy; I could see people who looked like researchers bustling around behind her.

Hmm! Is that Kang Na-hyun? It’s been a while!

“Hello, Yggdrasil. It’s been a long time.”

Yes. Contacting me during the break—what’s going on?

“I’ve obtained the Elixir. I’m going to give it to my younger sibling who is suffering from hyperawareness, so please come as promised.”

I shook the bottle containing the Elixir toward the screen. The bottle was adorned with colorful patterns resembling intertwined vines.

Since a lot of Elixirs came out during the Savior Assault Team days, she would likely recognize what it was just by looking at the bottle.

As expected, upon seeing the screen, Yggdrasil narrowed her eyes and let out a hum.

Hmm… Good! I’ll confirm whether my disciple was scammed or made an achievement!

“I wasn’t scammed.”

The Meta System doesn’t scam. I confidently smiled while holding the Elixir made by the Meta System.

Seeing me like that, Yggdrasil chuckled and assured me she would come soon.

Thus, the appointment was set for just a few days later. I was grateful she took the time to see me despite being busy.

***

A few days quickly passed after the discussion about the Elixir.

Kang Yu and I were waiting for Yggdrasil near the main street close to the orphanage at the scheduled time.

She had said she would pick us up in her car if we were waiting near the orphanage.

She only left the comment that we would recognize her car when we saw it.

Knowing what her car looked like through rumors, I just nodded and moved on. It was definitely the kind of car that anyone would recognize as Yggdrasil’s.

“Noona, what should we do? I’m so nervous!”

“Don’t worry. It will be fine.”

Kang Yu, with a face full of excitement, looked around the street and asked if any unique cars she spotted might be hers.

Every time she asked, I corrected her, and she pouted a little in disappointment.

Looking up at the large clock on the street, it was exactly 2 o’clock, the time of our appointment.

She should be arriving soon.

Just as I thought that, a ridiculously flashy car appeared, drawing everyone’s attention.

It was a pure white sports car, but the problem was that it was covered in monster stickers all over its body. They even depicted the monsters in a much cuter style, making it look like a monster otaku’s vehicle.

In the driver’s seat, Yggdrasil, wearing sunglasses, waved at us with her long silver hair flowing in the wind.

“Wow!”

Seeing Yggdrasil in such a ridiculous-looking car instantly brightened Kang Yu’s face as she jumped and waved her hands.

I tried my best to look calm and lightly waved back. That car was indeed a bit embarrassing.

Yggdrasil parked grandly in front of us, who were standing before the large clock, and rolled down the window on the passenger side. She slightly lifted her sunglasses with her fingertips.

“What are you doing, kiddos? Get in!”

“Yes!”

“Okay.”

Excited, Kang Yu quickly approached the car. I got into the passenger seat while Kang Yu sat in the back seat.

Inside the car, instead of monsters, there were cute drawings of various weapons plastered everywhere, and Kang Yu was mesmerized, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Well, if you like it, that’s all that matters…

As soon as Yggdrasil started the car, she blasted some rough rock music and began blowing bubble gum.

“…That’s quite hip.”

“Really? Thanks.”

Yggdrasil smiled as she stepped on the brake.

Contrary to her rough appearance, her driving was surprisingly stable.

With her hands resting on the steering wheel, she said, “I’ve requested a researcher to come. He’ll determine whether the elixir you have is genuine or not.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Well, whether what’s inside is real or fake, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that bottle, so this is just a small favor. Plus, you’re my student. When a student asks their teacher for help, it’s only right for the teacher to assist them.”

“……”

For some reason, my face felt hot.

I was relieved that Yggdrasil was focused on driving and looking ahead, so I could glance out at the scenery beside her.

Before long, our car entered a large, shining building.

Following her lead, we made our way to a certain room.

When she opened the door, inside there was…

“Hoo hoo, hoo hoo… if you add slime’s mucus to the blood of a harpy—”

Something felt a bit off.

“Just the sticky blood of a harpy is complete!!! Huh-huh, huh-huh…! It’s useless! But this uselessness is charming…!”

There was a very strange person.

But why did it feel familiar?

I instinctively took a step back from the strong scent of Park Yu-ra that I sensed coming from the unfamiliar person.

Yggdrasil, who had been making a strange expression at the sight of the researcher in the room, muttered, “…Looks like a weird guy has come to help. Hey, get your act together!”

Yggdrasil, standing behind the researcher who was huddled and muttering to himself about monster materials, kicked him hard.

Thud!

The researcher, knocked forward by the small kick, groaned as he got up.

“Ugh… What is it? I’m busy here.”

Thick harpy blood dripped down his white coat.

…It wasn’t a pleasant sight.

Yggdrasil lightly kicked the researcher’s calf and pointed at us, who were standing quietly by the door.

“It’s work, rookie. Aren’t you here to verify the elixir’s authenticity?”

“Ah? Ah, right! Please come in! Welcome!”

Only after hearing that did he seem to remember what he had to do, shaking off the sticky substance from his clothes and opening his arms wide toward us.

And I…