The sun began to set behind the numerous trees. The birds stopped singing, and the now-cold breeze no longer caressed the girl's hair. The life of the forest was lost: the animals, the trees, which had always creaked, fell silent; even the moon didn't announce its arrival.

  Only the girl's breathing broke the silence. Mikua stood in shock, motionless. His black needles were neither angry nor happy, nor sad, nor puzzled. They expressed nothing, as if he were an ordinary tree and not a very powerful creature.

  The black needles began to move, forming the shape of an open mouth. But the only thing that came out was "uhm," in a rather disappointed tone. He opened and closed his mouth a couple more times.

  What's he upset about? I can't understand him. Well, since he doesn't want to tell me anything, I guess I can go and continue my business.

  Turning my back to them, my feet had already started to take the first step, but stopped as soon as I heard him.

  -A deal is when we exchange something. And I want to offer you a deal. One you can't refuse. I'll give you the books, and you... you'll finally tell me your name. I'm very interested in your personality.

  Not understanding the last part of his sentence, I decided to refuse his deal. I... I don't know my name. That he constantly wants it from me. As if it's so important to a huge spruce.

  -No.

  -? What do you mean, no? Is it really that hard for you to tell me your name? Then you told me you didn't have it, but that's not how it works. What kind of people are we living in these times? Just a couple of centuries ago, they wouldn't have been able to contradict me. Okay, then, let's do it this way.

  Mikua slapped her branches like a human and, with a happier expression, began to speak.

  -You tell me your name and your status, and I'll give you books and... I'll help you train! To make you stronger. Because in this cruel world, the strongest rule. Will you agree to such a deal?

  I could argue that I'm being caught in some kind of trap or scam right now, but on the other hand, I could also deceive him. I see nothing wrong with extra books and training. So I'll accept his offer.

  My hand hesitantly reached out to the branch and grasped it weakly. Mikua's face brightened. Well, not brighter, but brighter... The color hasn't changed! But his expression became happier.

  -Now I'd like to know your name and status.

  -I... My name... I don't know it. I probably don't have one.

  The tree's eyes nearly fell out at my words. Then its face became menacing and terrifying. Apparently, it was quite angry at my words. After all, it thought it had tricked me... heh.

  -What? WHAT! Even the Handshake Contract didn't do anything to you! Do you really not know your name? But HOW is that possible? I wouldn't say that after living so many years, you still don't know your name. So you don't have a system...

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  -First of all, what are years? Secondly, a system...? Are those the words that asked me to say my name?

  -A system is a system. In short, and as I understand it, it's something that reveals everything about you. How strong you are, how fast you are, how smart you are, and so on. No, that's not it... it reveals your maximum and your true strength. You can reach your maximum through training. And your maximum can be increased by increasing your prestige, which is awarded for your various actions. For example, my "Strength" is (7901), and my maximum is 9246. If I train, my strength will increase, and likewise, if I stop, my stats will slowly begin to decline. So you've really never seen your status?

  -Probably never... Stop! Wait, you didn't answer my first question! What is a "year"?

  -A year is a period of time equal to 371 sunsets. Don't you even know that? I thought they taught that in human schools. Isn't that right?

  Apparently. I'm thinking. So, I don't even have a year? I've only seen a few sunsets.

  -Is a year a lot or a little?

  -For me, it's just a fraction of my life. But for you humans, I imagine it's a very long time. Even the strongest of you only survive for a hundred and forty years. And those are the strongest of you. Ordinary people live for about fifty years.

  -Then... I guess I'm less than a year old?

  The fir tree's black needles almost fell out of the branches again. And the top of the fir tree had become a little whiter? Or am I imagining it? No, I'm not imagining it. What's he doing?

  -WHAT? You? What? How is this possible? It can't be! I don't believe it! What! You're lying to me! This can't be! You look much older than a one-year-old.

  -Well, it turns out that it's possible...

  -So you haven't seen autumn, summer, or spring?

  -???

  -Exactly. Then you don't know for sure. Summer is usually very hot, spring is the time when everything is in bloom—it's actually approaching now—and in autumn, everything gets colder.

  -Then I've definitely never seen any of this. Heh...

  -WHAT'S SO FUNNY?? You look like a teenager, and you're not even a year old! Were you kept in the basement by any chance?

  -Basement? What is that?

  -It doesn't matter... Eh, it's not even interesting when you don't know the meaning of words. After all, jokes stop being funny when only one person gets it. Okay, anyway, I think I should go. See you later, little girl. HEH

  -Where did you go? And the other part of the deal? Where do you give me books and train me?

  -Eh... Well, I wasn't really counting on this deal. So I can't fulfill my end of the bargain now. But don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow and I'll do everything right!

  -What if you deceive me? What if that happens?

  -I have to fulfill my end of the bargain. The Handshake Contract will force me to do it. Even if I don't want to or can't. That's how it works.

  -So you created a contract with me without telling me about it?

  -Bye!

  -OHH YOU BIT...!!!!!