Chapter 31: The Druid Bachelor Party
Abyss and his companions had just settled into their treehouse, ready to rest after their journey, when they heard a commotion below.
Abyss looked down and saw a group of elderly men gathered beneath their tree, their expressions not hostile, but not exactly friendly either. One of them, an old elf, stood in the center, his gaze fixed on Abyss.
“Ahem, greetings, fellow Druid. We’re about to engage in a discussion of magical theory. Would you care to join us?” the elf asked.
“Ah… Let me think about it. You can start without me,” Abyss replied, noticing that not all the visiting Druids were present, only about a dozen or so. And they were all male. He had seen both male and female Druids earlier. This “discussion” seemed to be a private gathering. He could decline if he wished.
Rebecca, glancing down, quickly assessed the situation, her voice reaching Abyss through their telepathic link. “I understand now, Abyss. They overheard our conversation earlier. They’re jealous. I can see it in their eyes. They’re hoping to see you make a fool of yourself. Do you want to participate in their little ‘academic discussion’?”
“Why bother? We can have our own discussion. Aren’t we more entertaining than a bunch of old men?” Leona said, not even looking down. She had no interest in old men, let alone their petty squabbles.
“Druids are generally reclusive, with limited social interaction, which makes finding a partner difficult. Those who live within the council are fortunate. They have more opportunities. But those who wander the world often end up alone,” Rebecca explained, her voice amused. “They rarely find partners, especially the men. They often spend their lives with only animals for company.”
“Aren’t they lonely?” Flora asked, intrigued.
“One of the core teachings of Druidism is to endure solitude. Meditation and communion with nature can alleviate most psychological issues. So, being single isn’t a major problem for them,” Rebecca explained, shrugging. “But that doesn’t mean they’re not susceptible to envy. Seeing a handsome young man like Abyss surrounded by three beautiful women would surely trigger some resentment.”
“That makes sense. They’re quite pathetic,” Leona said, smiling, although her tone lacked any sympathy.
“So, what’s your plan, oh leader of our little family?” Rebecca asked, nudging Abyss’s knee with her foot.
“I’ll join them,” Abyss said after a moment of thought. “A discussion with them could be beneficial.”
“But you don’t know any Druidic magic,” Leona said, her voice filled with concern. “Are you planning to use your necromancy to mimic their spells? It’s not that versatile, is it? And those old geezers are high-ranking Druids. They’ll see through your disguise. They’re not easily fooled.”
“I know nothing about nature magic, but I have a plan,” Abyss said, smiling mysteriously. “And gaining some respect among these Druids could be useful. Every one of those old men hoping to see me fail is a potential ally.”
He was referring to his plan to drain the mana from the area around the sacred tree, a radical idea that would surely be met with resistance. He needed some Druids on his side.
“You’re being secretive again. It’s annoying!” Leona said, pouting. “You’re like an author ending a chapter at a cliffhanger, making us wait for the next volume!”
“You’ll see,” Abyss said, instinctively reaching out and stroking her silver hair, his touch soothing her annoyance.
“Alright, since Abyss is so confident, we’ll support him,” Rebecca said, cracking her knuckles. “He’ll participate in their little competition, and we’ll make sure he looks good. How about it?”
“Your support would be appreciated,” Abyss said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Flora, hearing Rebecca’s words, felt a surge of determination. She hadn’t been able to use her Divine Arts much recently, her role diminished, although Abyss hadn’t shown any signs of neglecting her. But she wasn’t content being a mere decoration. She was eager to contribute.
Leona, however, was stumped. She couldn’t think of anything that would make Abyss look good. She could uproot all the nearby trees, but that seemed more destructive than impressive.
Flora began making preparations, while Leona continued to ponder her role.
Abyss and Rebecca climbed down from the treehouse. The Druids below, pretending to discuss “academic matters,” were waiting for him. As he approached, they surrounded him, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The old elf who had issued the invitation, however, maintained his composure. “Well, my dear colleague, are you ready to join our discussion? I assure you, exchanging ideas and sharing our knowledge will be mutually beneficial.”
“Of course, Master. I’m honored to participate in your discussion,” Abyss replied politely. “I’m eager to learn from such esteemed Druids.”
“Good! Excellent!” the old elf said, pleased by his enthusiasm. “Shall we begin?”
“Of course. Every second of academic discussion is precious. Let’s not waste any time,” Abyss said, smiling. “I’m the youngest among you. Witnessing your mastery of Druidic arts would be an unforgettable experience.”
“Didn’t you claim to be a genius?” one of the Druids asked, unable to resist a jab. “Why so humble now?”
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