What is the meaning of life? In the past, Hestia Thilan might have spent a lot of time pondering this question, especially when life wasn't going well.
But now, she rarely thinks about it. There are so many things worth looking forward to in life, and she no longer wants to dwell on finding a meaning that aligns with everyone's expectations or is widely recognized. As long as there are things she wants to do, she feels that life has meaning.
After experiencing and learning more about the world, she feels the weight of responsibility on her shoulders has increased, but so has her desire to make changes and accomplish things. It's like filling in grids and achievements in a game—she really wants to see what the world would look like after those changes.
“And so, she no longer dwells on the past and begins to weave her first strand of color, which should be the emerald green representing life and nature…”
On the pale page of her journal, a fresh leaf is pressed against the paper. The girl holds a pen and begins to trace the outline of the leaf, then draws the veins and patterns in the middle. The simple strokes, clear lines, and accompanying text create a vivid diary entry.
"What are you writing, Thilan?" Dolores approaches gracefully, holding a delicate copper incense burner in her hand.
"My diary, but I can't show it to you yet," the girl closes the notebook and stands up.
"Oh, Thilan is keeping secrets from me now," Dolores smiles, not minding at all. She just feels that Thilan has become a bit more lively than before.
"You've been busy collecting seeds and data lately. How's it going?"
During their stay at the Withered Tree Garden, they visited various facilities, from the water sources and plantations to the places where arborists study and train, then to the library in the withered forest, and finally the massive underground seed vault. They were amazed by the legacy and accumulation of knowledge preserved by the guardians over the years.
"The seeds have been packed up. They include the main plant species from the Verdant Veil planet four hundred years ago, as well as various enhanced crops developed over centuries. The data is also comprehensive, covering how the planet was terraformed, the major and minor events that occurred, and the experiences summarized by generations of arborists."
"These materials will be a great help in restoring the environment of Verdant Veil. I plan to use the advanced T2-level AI at the academy to analyze and develop a suitable plan."
"But as the arborist mentioned, the biggest challenge is how to deal with the toxins in the rainwater."
"The arborists' idea is that if plants can adapt to this toxic rain environment, they can grow on the land and gradually absorb and solidify the toxins in the air and rainwater."
"While this method sounds good, it would probably take centuries to achieve," Dolores, being an excellent student and a young lady of high standing, quickly identified the issue.
"Yes, it's a long process, but it addresses the root cause, gradually eliminating the impact entirely."
"However, we can accelerate the process by following the example of the elves who terraformed the planet and seek help from the distant 'Wind Whale Garden,'" the girl flips through the pages of her book, revealing an illustration of a giant whale soaring through the sky.
"The Wind Whale Garden is located in the extremely distant Northern Star Region. It would be difficult to get them to come here," Dolores recalls the somewhat unfamiliar name.
"There will be a way," the girl blinks.
"It seems you already have a plan in mind," Dolores doesn't press further and places the incense burner on the table, sitting down beside her.
"This is an incense burner I got from the local arborists today. The 'Osmanthus Wood Incense' they use has a good effect—it can relieve fatigue and anxiety, with a mild calming effect."
"If this were on the market, it would probably be rated as an Outstanding Gold-Grade incense," Dolores, as the young lady of the 'Incense Workshop,' is well-versed in luxury items like fragrances.
"I noticed you've been spending a lot of time in the library lately, often staying up late. This should help you feel better."
"Thank you, Dolores," the girl closes her eyes and takes a light sniff. A faint fragrance enters her mind, and the accumulated fatigue dissipates slightly.
If she usually feels tired and sleepy after six hours of focused reading, with the help of this incense burner, she can last seven to eight hours before feeling drowsy.
"It seems quite effective," the girl opens her eyes but then remembers something else.
"Why don't I see you using it often, Dolores?"
The black-haired young lady beside her chuckles, "How do you know I don't use it?"
She lifts her lace-patterned sleeve and places it near the girl's nose. A faint floral scent wafts in.
"I don't like overly strong scents, so the perfumes I use are usually very light. Also, while these fragrances are good, they should be used in moderation. I only use them when I sleep. If you're constantly surrounded by various scents, you might lose your sensitivity to smell, which isn't a good thing."
"By the way, would you like me to recommend a few perfumes for you? After spending a few nights with you, I realized you've never used perfume. That's quite rare."
"Perfume..." the girl hesitates. It's not that she dislikes it—her mother often used floral perfumes, and her sister occasionally did too. But she herself has never been particularly interested.
Partly because it's a hassle, and partly because she dislikes the smell of cheap perfumes. She prefers the natural state, much like her personality—enjoying quiet moments alone in a corner.
"You seem hesitant. How about I bring out a few bottles for you to smell and see if any suit your taste?" Dolores stands up and goes to her room upstairs, retrieving a small case. She takes out three small glass bottles.
"These three are the ones I use regularly. They're all on the lighter side," she says, placing the perfumes in front of the girl.
"The first one has a top note of cool cedar, a middle note of soft march orchid and jasmine, and a base note of teak and white iris," she places a bottle of snow-like transparent perfume in front of the girl.
"The second one is the one I use the most. Its top note is pear, middle note is black rose and wandering dew, and base note is amber and incense," the transparent glass bottle features a black rose pattern, fitting Dolores's style.
"The last one I use less often. It's a new product from the workshop. Its top note is bergamot and orange, middle note is green orange blossom and raspberry, and base note is lily and red musk," the bottle has an overlapping pattern of orange-red and light green leaves, giving it a fresh and lively feel.
"This..." Thilan is momentarily overwhelmed. This is her first time encountering something like this, and she didn't expect it to be so complex.
"Dolores, you choose for me."
"Then the first one it is," Dolores picks up the perfume that best suits the girl's temperament. She pours out a drop and gently presses it onto Thilan's forehead. Watching the adorable girl blink her eyes, the faint fragrance spreads, making her aura even more serene and tranquil.