---

Jinseong could recognize it at a glance.

Right before his eyes stood a facility imbued with magical meaning.

The pyramid holds various meanings, but the most commonly known is ‘resting place.’ Unlike other tombs that seek to grant the dead a reprieve, the pyramid serves as a space meant to safeguard those destined to resurrect, providing them with a cozy resting place until the moment of their revival.

Thus, the pyramid signifies not only a resting place but also embodies the meaning of a fortress.

It stands as a bastion protecting the contents inside—from external invasions… a fortress safeguarding the one who yearns to resurrect.

‘Twin spheres orbiting the resting place. They must signify the Sun and Moon.’

The presence of two spheres, seemingly representing the Sun and Moon, orbiting the fortress was quite significant.

The resting place prepared for the one destined for revival.

The Sun and Moon circling around it.

The orbiting of the Sun and Moon means that day and night repeat in accordance with their positions—indicating the passage of time.

Moreover, behold.

The liquid infused with energy falling inside the pyramid.

Consolidated energy gathering and raining down, while the Sun and Moon revolve.

And as it falls, it swiftly flows over the coffin…

‘Just as the tides change with the waxing and waning of the Moon, so does that liquid.’

Earlier, Jinseong thought this place resembled a terrarium.

In that regard, it would be apt to say that the pyramid obstinately embodies the principles of a terrarium.

This pyramid, too, appeared to represent a complete world, a closed terrarium.

However, unlike a terrarium formed of servers, it has a minimal connection to the outside world.

Yes.

That energy.

Drawing in that energy and sending it somewhere.

That is how this closed world connects to the outside.

‘A closed ecosystem, yet strictly speaking, it’s connected with the outside—but that connection doesn’t disturb the ecosystem, forming a strange interaction.’

This seems a tad different from the principles of magic.

It appeared to relate to science.

Like quantum mechanics.

‘With formation techniques, magical symbols, and science combined. Ha ha.’

It indeed could not be called anything other than a bizarre space.

A space concocted by mixing various elements like a mishmash.

A space dedicated to collecting and processing the energy emitted by students.

‘I understand the purpose of this facility. It surely functions to gather and process wasted energy within the school.’

I wasn’t particularly curious about how it was made.

It didn’t seem like extraordinary magic was used, nor did it pique my interest.

I also didn’t care about why it was made.

Upon witnessing the device collecting tiny amounts of energy to inject into the liquid, and processing it once it reaches a saturated state, I understood its function.

This facility was likely created out of thriftiness to accumulate the energy radiated by the students on-site or inherent within them for efficient use.

In Jinseong’s view, this device did not have a negative influence on the students.

…Well.

At least according to his knowledge.

‘Ha ha. Even if it’s hard to understand, if the outcome arises, it’s likely calling forth that result. Isn’t it wisdom to live by utilizing things even if one does not understand them?’

But how could he be certain?

Unless he was the one who designed and built this facility, how could he possibly comprehend it fully?

Knowledge is never enough, and even experts, feeling the weight of their own shortcomings, find themselves encountering the unknown throughout their lives.

So how could one assert that this facility is without problems?

Thus, Jinseong slowly raised his hand.

To act according to the wisdom he possessed.

‘Regardless, this facility harmed Iarin before the rewind. Therefore, demolishing it right here should be the wise choice.’

Understanding is not essential.

What truly matters is the outcome.

Let’s say an object explodes and causes damage.

Is it even necessary to know how that object operates or how such a result was produced?

Generally, one doesn’t seek to know unless they have karma related to it or curiosity. Instead, they usually avoid or distance themselves from the object to prevent further harm, and in somewhat unusual cases, they might consider malicious uses of it, like using it as a bomb.

Yes.

Now is just like that.

What principle does it hold?

What causality does it have?

I cannot know.

I cannot know, but nonetheless, this facility is causing harm to Iarin.

Then.

It must be blown up, of course.

* * *

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Palms collide with each other.

Hands slice through the air as they meet, and with each clap, the sound grows louder.

With this, his palms redden, and a warmth spreads throughout his body, accompanied by a tingling sensation.

The persistent pain feels akin to being burned, and each time his palms collide, the sensation intensifies, leaving a lingering ache even if he stops clapping.

Thus, after what feels like a considerable time of clapping…

Jinseong stands tall in place.

He then draws in mushrooms and causes the spores to move toward his feet.

He glues them to his shoes, reinforcing the act of making the mushrooms grow just as before.

Soon, his shoes are covered in mushrooms, transforming as if becoming their nest.

And so, the nested mushrooms stretch out their roots as if claiming this spot as their own, beginning to collaborate to form a network.

Thus, Jinseong settled his roots there.

“Like attracts like. And so, I take root, resembling a plant.”

What is a root?

It’s the slender stem stretching out from one’s body, allowing them to stand firm in that place. It acts as a pillar supporting the body, the hidden true form beneath the ground, and the hands and mouth extending in all directions to grow and blossom.

Then, I ask this.

What possesses roots?

Those that walk on four legs have no roots.

Those encased in exoskeletons have no roots.

Those creeping about have no roots.

Even those walking on two legs lack roots.

Those with fins also lack roots.

Roots belong to plants.

Therefore, Jinseong had now become a plant.

He imitated a plant, became plant-like, and thus he became a plant.

And starting from the roots, he began to take on the shape of a plant.

His torso became the stem.

The clothes wrapping around him became the leaves.

He stretched out his right and left arms over his head, bending and twisting at the joints’ limits.

His eyes, bursting with blood vessels, turned bright red.

His nostrils, scraped and bruised, filled with blood, turning crimson.

And his mouth, stained red from biting his tongue, shone brightly.

So, his arms and head blossomed into flowers.

『Phytomorphism.』

Human perspectives performing the imitation of plants.

Imitation means to resemble—to struggle to become close to the real thing.

In that sense, Jinseong’s current imitation was indeed satisfying.

Plant-like roots spreading.

Expressing white petals with his arms turned pure white.

Mimicking the patterns of petals with his eyes, nose, and mouth turned bright red.

Ah!

Such imitation is indeed fulfilling.

How could one not admire this imitation?

“O Goddess of Fierce Flowers! I worship your wonders, so please extend your hand here and calm the rage! May you look kindly upon this performance and prevent the flames from spreading!”

It seemed that the goddess lowered her hand, touched the petals with a gentle caress.

The flowers gazed upon him in envy as they witnessed that hand.

Moreover, the flowers strewn about the garden rejoiced and took pride in the fact that one like them received the goddess’s gentle touch.

Thus, those flowers decided to avoid the land of their blessed kin.

They resolved and prepared to sow seeds and sprout new buds.

“O Cistus! Keep that flame from invading this place!”

And thus the flames began to spread throughout the world through selfish acts.

Flowers that chose to take their own lives ignited flames.

Throwing volatile substances to grow the flames.

So the world becomes engulfed in fire.

With flames.

With selfish flames.

Utilizing all ash as nourishment to sprout new buds.

Thus, they burn this closed world.

As the fierceness of the flowers reflects the wrath of the goddess.

Fiercely.

 

---