Page 16 of I Married A Syllen

“I’m the Chair of the Xenobotany Department!” he exclaimed, as if that was all the justification he required.

“And that matters to me why?” I asked, making it clear he was seriously trying my patience.

He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, appearing to look for a proper response and failing miserably.

“I designed this garden!” he blurted at last.

I stared at him with an unimpressed expression before glancing at the surrounding garden with disgust.

“In your stead, I wouldn’t brag about it, Head of Xenobotany. What you have done here is an abomination,” I said, my voice dripping with contempt.

Kayog wrapped his right hand around his beak. Judging by the look in his eyes, he was trying to refrain from laughing. Mares was similarly pressing his lips together, his gaze lowered in what I believe to be an effort to avoid smiling.

The annoying male sputtered in outrage, but I had no time to waste on him trying to defend whatever pathetic honor he felt had been trampled.

“Take me to the Kalrin,” I commend it.

Teeth clenched and back stiff, the professor gestured for us to follow him as he led us down the path. As soon as we got close enough to the first plants, the handful of Mother Trees nearby began shaking their leaves, and their flowers bloomed.

“The land is happy to see you,” Mares said warmly.

I shook my head.

“Unfortunately, the Mothers are expressing relief, not happiness,” I said grimly. “They’re calling out for help. This garden is an insult to nature and common sense.”

In front of us, the professor fisted his hands and walked a little faster. Lagging slightly behind us, Kayog was touching the glass of his bracer.

After a five-minute walk, we finally reached a Kandra tree. I hurried to it, only to find the three Kalrins it sheltered still deeply hibernating. The creatures had not even remotely begun their awakening process. The dry bark on their skins clearly indicated that the rehydration process had yet to be initiated.

I jerked my head around to glare at the wretched professor and bared my teeth at him.

“This is not the Kalrin that awakened. Where is it?!” I snarled.

“There… There are a few in the garden. I’m not sure—”

“Get the woman here!” I angrily ordered Mares, interrupting the idiot.

“I messaged her already,” Kayog responded in his stead. “She’s on her way.”

“Good!” I said before glaring one last time at the foul professor, who had the audacity to look angered by Kayog’s words.

Shifting my attention back to the Kandra tree, I extruded the veris vines around my legs and feet and let them sink into the ground. In seconds, they allowed me to test the level of nutrients and overall health of the soil. Although not ideal for these specific trees and plants, it was acceptable enough. That also explained why the tree and Kalrins looked in a much better state than the ones in the valley.

“The soil is good,” I mused aloud. “It is not depleted here like it is in the valley. Then again, this area does not have the same iron concentration.”

“Of course,” Ludwig said pompously. “We properly fertilize and water the garden.”

“Your fertilizers are bad, Doopelok Moniuk,” I said with contempt. “The soil itself is good. The nutrients below are sufficient. Something happened in the valley that drained—”

The words died on my tongue as my back stiffened, and heat radiated all over my face, although I understood it emanated from my eyes. My vision blurred as they glowed for the briefest instant. I jerked my head to the left.

“Impossible!” I whispered, horrified.

And yet, the signs were undeniable.

I stared in shock as a human female continued to advance, her eyes wide as she stared at me with awe. Tearing my gaze away from the woman, I glanced at Kayog. The smug expression on his face confirmed my dreadful suspicions.

“You knew?!” I asked, although my tone was more accusatory than inquisitive.