Chapter 2: The Green Mage Awakens
Deo's mind whirred, struggling to grasp the sudden shift in his reality. The luxurious gala, the grand summoning, the unknown world... and now this desolate land? Before he could properly assess his surroundings, an authoritative voice echoed around him.
[Analysing Entity: Deo... Determining suitable class options...]
A pulse of light surrounded Deo, seeming to scan his entire being.
[Scanning for combat skills... None detected.]
"Well, I could've told you that," Deo murmured, slightly offended.
[Scanning for physical abilities... Below average.]
Deo rolled his eyes, muttering, "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
[Scanning for mental capabilities... Average. Aptitude for plants detected.]
"That's more like it!" he exclaimed, a bit of pride entering his voice.
[Listing available classes...]
The space before Deo seemed to shimmer, materialising into an ethereal, translucent screen, like a holographic display. Words began to flow smoothly onto the screen, bathed in the same unassuming hue of grey. It was mesmerising, and for a moment, he felt like he was inside a futuristic video game.
"Class options? What on Earth... or whatever this world is called... are 'classes?" Deo voiced his confusion aloud, hoping for some clarity.
[Classes: Categorisations of skill and knowledge sets that can be chosen by an entity to enhance specific abilities.]
"So... it's like choosing a career, but with magical perks?" Deo pondered, raising an eyebrow.
[Affirmative. Please select a class to proceed. The colour of each class denotes its rarity. Grey for Common, Green for Uncommon, Blue for Rare etc..]
"This is surreal," Deo muttered, gazing at the ever-scrolling list. But before diving deeper, Deo quizzed the system. "What do these rarities mean? And... is there an option to change or evolve a class later?"
[Class rarities indicate the uniqueness and potential power of the class. Common classes are widely available but come with fewer skills and lower stat gain. Rarer classes offer more abilities and greater growth potential but require more experience to level. Once a class is chosen, it can't be changed. However, as one progresses, a class can evolve, offering advanced capabilities and skills.]
He focused on the Common classes displayed in front of him first. The grey-coded ones felt tangible, familiar even.
[Farmer - Common]
Gain profound knowledge of agricultural practices.
Skills:
* Crop Mastery: Increases the growth rate and yield of crops.
* Soil Enrichment: Ability to enhance the fertility of the soil.
[Gatherer - Common]
Expertise in locating and collecting natural resources from the world around.
Skills:
* Resource Radar: Detect nearby valuable materials or plants.
* Harvest Hand: Enhance the quality and quantity of gathered materials.
[Mage - Common]
A basic practitioner of the arcane arts. Capable of tapping into the ethereal energy of the world to manifest basic spells.
Skills:
* Force Blast: Emits a burst of pure arcane energy towards the target, causing damage and pushback.
* Ward Shield: Erects a brief protective barrier around oneself, deflecting minor threats.
Deo's fingertips hovered over the "Mage" option. The allure of magic was undeniable. Just the thought of channelling mystical energies and manifesting them into reality was exhilarating. "Harnessing arcane forces, even in its simplest form, would be... incredible," he mused, remembering the wind mage from the summoning, who effortlessly silenced Damien with a gust of wind. Such power, even if in a diluted form, was tempting. However, he reminded himself, "Better look through all the possibilities before I settle on one."
As the classes scrolled endlessly, he spotted a few others. [Carpenter - Common], [Miner - Common], and even [Baker - Common]. Each title conjured images in his mind of potential futures.
"I could bake... I do love a good pie," he murmured. But as he glanced around at the unfamiliar terrain and remembered the dire circumstances that brought him here, Deo knew he'd need more than just culinary skills to survive. The notion of simply gathering or farming in a world so potentially perilous seemed limiting.
"I need something that helps me survive," Deo said, somewhat to himself and partly to the system. "Maybe fend off threats, adapt to this strange place?"
The shimmering air before him churned and displayed a fresh set of classes.
[Village Guard - Common]
A defender of the common folk. Utilises basic weaponry to fend off threats and maintain peace within the local community.
Skills:
* Basic Combat: Engage in hand-to-hand or melee combat with moderate proficiency. Specialise into a weapon of choice.
* Patrol Awareness: Increased alertness to potential threats in a given area.
[Brawler - Common]
A Brawler is one who thrives in close combat, using their physical prowess and raw strength to overpower enemies. While they might not have the finesse of trained martial artists or the arsenal of a knight, Brawlers are known for their resilience, tenacity, and sheer determination.
Skills:
* Fist of Fury: Channel your innate power into your fists, delivering a series of rapid, powerful punches to your adversary. Each successive punch deals incrementally more damage.
* Unyielding Resolve: For a short duration, boost your physical and mental fortitude, reducing the impact of all incoming damage and granting resistance to crowd control effects.
As he went through the list, Deo pondered, "Are there any rarer options available to me?"
[Based on your lacklustre attributes and experiences, you are primarily eligible for common classes. However, you do have one uncommon class available to you.]
The list sped up, bypassing numerous entries, and pausing on a singular, jade-coloured entry.
[Green Mage - Uncommon]
The harmonious blend of magecraft and nature. Draw from the world's verdant power, mastering the essence of plants and harnessing their boundless potential.
Skills:
* Botanical Knowledge: Provides deep insights into various plants and their properties.
* Flora Communication: Engage in a symbiotic relationship with plants, understanding their needs and desires.
* Verdant Growth: Rapidly cultivate and control plant growth in desired areas.
* Nature's Essence: Extract and utilise the latent magical properties of plants.
This... this felt right. It was an intersection of Deo's passion for plants and the potential for magic, a force he had always been enamoured with in tales and myths.
Feeling quite sheepish, Deo declared aloud, "I choose the Green Mage class."
[Selection Confirmed: Green Mage]
A sudden rush of energy enveloped him. Deo's senses sharpened, and his vision became awash with myriad shades of green. His once brown hair transformed into a vibrant shade of emerald. Deo instinctively reached up, running his fingers through his now green hair in amazement.
[Initiating Class Changes... Completed] [Class Attributes Applied]
[New Skills Acquired] [Opening Status Page]
[Status Page]
Name: Deo Mitchell
Race: Human (Outworlder)
Class: Green Mage (Uncommon)
Level: 1
Experience: 0/121
Titles: Whisked by Fate's Winds, Cosmic Newcomer (Temporary)
Stats:
* Agility: 11 (+1 per level)
* Endurance: 12 (+1 per level)
* Intelligence: 14 (+3 per level)
* Strength: 10 (+1 per level)
* Vitality: 12 (+2 per level)
* Wisdom: 16 (+3 per level)
* HP: 60/60 (Vitality x 5)
* Mana: 70/70 (Intelligence x 5)
Skills:
Botanical Knowledge (Level 7), Flora Communication (Level 1), Verdant Growth (Level 1), Nature’s Essence (Level 1)
Deo's gaze lingered on the title "Whisked by Fate's Winds" for a moment. With a tap, he expanded the description:
[Whisked by Fate's Winds]: Awarded to those who have been swept away multiple times by the unpredictable gusts of destiny within quick succession. Grants the passive ability "Unpredictable Trajectory": Increases evasion from unexpected threats by 15%.
Next his fingers clicked to his other title:
[Cosmic Newcomer (Temporary)]: Due to being an Outworlder, experience gain is enhanced by 200% for one year to aid in adaptation.
"Ah, so that's how the system compensates for my... unexpected arrival."
Then, his curiosity piqued by the skill list, he began to investigate each one:
Botanical Knowledge (Level 7): The innate understanding of plants and their properties. Higher levels provide deeper insights into rarer and mystical flora.
"Level 7?" he whispered. "Guess it recognised my time in the garden."
Flora Communication: The ability to perceive and interpret the signals, emotions, and basic thoughts of plants.
"Talking with plants? If I had this skill earlier, maybe I could've asked my fiddle-leaf fig why it was dropping its leaves all the time," Deo mused, recalling the countless times he'd tried to pinpoint the cause of its distress.
Verdant Growth: The power to stimulate plants to grow at an accelerated rate. With concentration, the caster can guide the direction and form of the growth.
Nature's Essence: Draw from the energy of the natural world to extract and utilise the latent magical properties of plants.
Intrigued, Deo wondered how he would harness and utilise such an ability.
Lastly, he turned his attention to the attributes. "What do these numbers mean?"
Strength: Affects physical power and ability to exert force.
Agility: Determines speed, reflexes, and evasive ability.
Intelligence: Influences mana capacity, magic effectiveness, and cognitive abilities.
Endurance: Ability to withstand prolonged physical exertion and physical resistance.
Vitality: Determines health points, recovery rate, and resistance to poisons and toxins.
Wisdom: Affects mana recovery rate, depth of understanding and decision-making.
"So, these attributes define my abilities and potential, huh?" Deo murmured to himself as the status page closed. "Now, what on earth am I supposed to do?"
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
He looked around, really taking in his surroundings for the first time. The landscape was rugged, but not barren, with clusters of trees and unfamiliar plants dotting the terrain. The sky was overcast, casting a moody shadow over everything. A distant wind howled, and Deo shivered, realising the very real threat of exposure.
Shelter. He needed shelter.
But curiosity tugged at him first. His eyes fell on a plant near his feet, one he had never seen before. Its leaves were a vivid green, and it seemed to beckon to him.
Experimenting with his new Botanical Knowledge skill, he reached out mentally, and a rush of information filled his mind.
[Common: Viridian Shrub - Found in temperate zones. The leaves contain mild healing properties, and the roots are edible and nutritious.]
A sense of pride and accomplishment welled in him.
[Experience Gained: +9 XP]
Curious about the depth of his connection to plants, Deo tried his Flora Communication skill. Tentatively reaching out, he tried to “speak” to the shrub. He didn’t receive words or thoughts in return, but instead, he felt a vague sense of contentment and calm emanating from the plant. It was subtle, but it was there.
"This... is going to take some getting used to," Deo murmured, still marvelling at the notion of communicating with plants on such an intimate level.
Then, a soft chime, and three new messages appeared:
Quest: Flora Explorer
Examine and catalogue 20 different plant species using your Botanical Knowledge skill.
Progress: 1/20
Rewards: +1000 XP, Herbologist's kit
Quest: Reach Level 5
Reach Level 5 as a Green Mage to get your starting gear.
Progress: 1/5
Rewards: Green Mage Gear Set
Quest: Survive the Wilderness
Survive in the unfamiliar environment. Build or find shelter, source water, and food.
Rewards: +1000 XP, Homestead Scroll
Failure: Death
Deo's eyes widened at the very real and immediate challenge presented to him and the stark price of failure. This was no game. This was life, a life that he had to forge in a strange and unknown world.
He glanced again at the viridian shrub, the realisation sinking in that this world was his reality now. And he had to adapt. Bending down, he picked a blade of grass, holding it up to inspect. Using his Botanical Knowledge skill, he focused.
[Basic: Grassblade - Ubiquitous across most terrains. While not particularly nutritious, it serves as the base for many ecosystems.]
[Experience Gained: +3 XP]
"Every little helps, I guess," he commented with a small smile. Curious, Deo tried to reach out with Flora Communication to the grass. However, the feedback was so faint, it was almost non-existent, as if the consciousness of such a simple plant was too rudimentary to establish any meaningful connection.
With a determined nod, Deo set off, scanning the landscape for anything that might serve as temporary shelter. His mind was already whirling with the possibilities of what his newfound skills could mean. The landscape ahead was a mesmerising mix of the familiar and the bizarre. As Deo moved forward, the patches of shrubs and tufts of grass began to give way to denser vegetation. In the distance he could see saplings grow more frequent, slowly evolving into mature trees as he looked deeper. Not too far away, he spotted a cluster of towering, thick-stalked plants, crowned with bright blue petals. The stalks were as thick as his arm, and the petals seemed to shimmer as they caught the light. Drawn to their majesty, he approached the towering plants. Using his Botanical Knowledge, he delved into understanding them.
[Uncommon: Blue Crowned Sentinel – Found at forest edges. The stalks are sturdy and can be used for makeshift shelters or tools, while the petals, when crushed, emit a powerful odour that deters most animals.]
[Experience Gained: +18 XP]
Curious, Deo reached out with his Flora Communication skill towards the Blue Crowned Sentinel, attempting to connect with these majestic beings. The feedback was clear—a sense of age, watchfulness, and gentle pride. The Sentinels, as their name implied, seemed to have stood guard at this edge of the forest for many cycles.
[Skill Level Up! Flora Communication has reached Level 2! Enhanced sensitivity and clearer communication with plants.]
"That was quick," Deo mused, a little startled at how rapidly his skill had levelled up. "At this rate, I'll be having deep philosophical conversations with daisies by next week." He chuckled, appreciating the little boost in confidence the advancement gave him. The world around him was alive in ways he had never imagined.
Carefully brushing past the imposing Sentinels, Deo entered the threshold of the forest. The transition was palpable. The air was cooler, filled with a rich mixture of earthy fragrances. The gentle rustling of leaves combined with occasional chirps and distant animal calls made the environment feel alive and full of mysteries.
His gaze was first drawn to a slender sapling, its young bark smooth with a greyish sheen and with spotted orange leaves. Reaching out with his Botanical Knowledge, he sought to identify it.
[Rare: Young Ironbark Tree - A resilient, rare tree occasionally found in temperate forests. When mature, the bark becomes exceptionally tough and is sought after for crafting purposes.]
[Experience Gained: +60 XP]
"Whoa, that's a lot more than the previous plants," Deo remarked, pleasantly surprised. "Is it because this tree is rare?"
Encouraged, Deo's curiosity led him to a larger tree of the same variety, its bark now dark and deeply ridged. The dense canopy above filtered sunlight, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.
[Rare: Ironbark Tree - Mature form of the Young Ironbark Tree. The tough, resilient bark is a prized commodity, harvested to craft high-quality shields, armour, and specialised gear. Effective protection against sharp attacks, acid, and air elemental magic, but vulnerable to fire and provides little protection against blunt attacks.]
"No experience for that one," he thought aloud, connecting the dots. "Because it's the same species, just older. Makes sense." He ran a hand over the rough surface of the mature Ironbark, pondering. "If this bark is so valuable, maybe I could find a way to harvest it? It could be useful."
Taking a deep breath, Deo reached out with his Flora Communication skill towards the mature Ironbark Tree. While he understood that trees didn't have thoughts and emotions in the same way humans did, the skill would, in theory, allow him to perceive the tree's 'feelings' and the basic pulses of life energy coursing through it.
A sensation washed over him, different from the quick burst of knowledge provided by his Botanical skill. This was more... grounding, ancient, as if he were touching the very essence of the tree's long life. It felt strong, enduring, and in its own quiet way, protective, perhaps a reflection of its sturdy exterior that had shielded it for years.
There wasn't direct communication, no 'words' or coherent messages, but Deo could sense a presence, a steadfastness in the tree's being. It was like listening to an old, wordless song that conveyed emotion without lyrics.
Breaking the connection, Deo exhaled, a little overwhelmed by the profound experience. The connection he had just felt was distinctly different from his earlier interactions with the smaller plants. Where the grass and the Sentinels offered brief, fleeting sensations, the tree emanated a deep-rooted strength and history, as if each ring of its age held countless stories and experiences.
And although their way of 'communicating' was worlds apart from human interaction, it was, in its own right, just as intricate and complex. The way the tree's energy had touched his own, hinted at depths and layers of existence that he'd never considered before. It was a reminder that every living entity, from the smallest blade of grass to the grandest of trees, had its own unique story, its own place in the tapestry of life.
Hesitating for a moment, Deo's thoughts shifted to the Nature's Essence skill he had yet to try. The description mentioned drawing from the energy of the natural world, and what could be more potent than the venerable Ironbark Tree standing before him?
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Deo reached out mentally towards the tree, attempting to tap into its ancient power. He envisioned the tree's energy, the centuries of sunlight it absorbed, the countless rainfalls it drank, the very essence of life that flowed within its bark, and tried to draw a fragment of that strength into himself.
He could sense a sort of natural barrier or reluctance from the tree. Was it aware of his intentions? Could it feel his presence and was actively resisting him?
Refusing to give up, Deo decided to employ his Flora Communication skill. He concentrated, sending out waves of emotion and intent. Feelings of vulnerability, confusion, a sense of being lost, and a genuine plea for help emanated from him, directed at the tree. He tried to convey his situation: a foreigner in an unfamiliar land, far from home and in need of protection.
There was a pause, an almost tangible moment of silent contemplation from the tree. And then, Deo felt a change. The resistance he initially felt started to fade, replaced with an understanding and a hint of compassion. The tree, in its own way, seemed to be acknowledging Deo's plight.
[New Skill Acquired: Ironbark Armour]
Deo glanced at the status prompt in disbelief. Ironbark Armor – the ability to summon a protective covering made from the energy of the Ironbark Tree. The bond he had formed with the tree, the understanding reached, had granted him something entirely new.
Deo took a moment to send feelings of gratitude toward the tree. While they were worlds apart in terms of existence, in that moment, they shared a connection deeper than words could convey. Just like humans, these ancient trees had complexities and emotions, and forming bonds with them could lead to unexpected boons.
Pulling back his consciousness from the tree, Deo felt the lingering warmth of their shared connection fade. The forest around him returned to its usual ambiance, but the world seemed a bit more magical now that he had experienced such a profound interaction with one of its oldest inhabitants.
As he took a deep breath, adjusting to the normalcy around him, more notifications caught his attention:
[Skill Level Up! Flora Communication has reached Level 3!]
[Skill Level Up! Nature's Essence has levelled up to Level 2! Can maintain a greater number of connections to the environment and allows for more potent energy absorption.]
“Wow, I guess gaining a new skill must be impressive for the skills to level up instantly,” Deo muttered.
Eager to see the result of his new bond with the Ironbark tree, Deo activated the skill. A swirling green icon popped into his vision indicating the skill's activation, with a blue bar slowly dissipating on the side. Almost immediately, he could feel a tingling sensation envelop his skin. Glancing down, he watched in awe as his skin slowly started getting coated with a layer of greyish bark. Within moments, his entire body was encased in this protective layer, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance.
Taking a deep breath, he felt different, more grounded. The weight of the armour was surprisingly light and flexible, allowing him to move with ease. Curious about its durability, Deo located a nearby stone and lightly struck his forearm. The stone left no mark and barely registered any sensation of impact.
Testing further, he clenched and unclenched his bark-covered fist, feeling the strength and security it provided. "This is... incredible," he whispered to himself. "It's like I have become a part of the forest."
However, as he maintained the skill, he could feel a steady drain on his mana. The mental alertness required to maintain the armour was evident. After a little while, he deactivated the skill, and the bark receded, revealing his normal skin underneath.
As the bark receded from his skin, Deo's vision was once again filled with a flashing notification:
[New Title Acquired: Ironbark’s Kin]
Curious, he tapped the notification to view its details.
[Ironbark’s Kin: Awarded to those who have formed a deep bond with the ancient guardians of the forest, the kinship grants the bearer a small portion of the Ironbark’s fortitude. Grants a passive bonus of +5 to Endurance and +5 to Vitality.]
While examining the new title's benefits, a realisation dawned on Deo. "Endurance and vitality... they're so essential, especially given that my mage class doesn't naturally boost them much," he pondered.
Endurance, the ability to withstand fatigue and resist physical strain, would help him survive in potentially harsh conditions or in situations where prolonged efforts were needed. It would dictate how long he could run, climb, or even battle before succumbing to exhaustion.
Vitality, on the other hand, related to his overall health and resistance to illnesses or poisons. A high vitality could make the difference between life and death when exposed to the unknown dangers of this new world.
"For a Green Mage, who primarily focuses on intelligence and wisdom, these stats could be lifesavers," Deo reasoned. While his primary abilities revolved around understanding and manipulating nature, the physical demands of this unfamiliar realm shouldn't be underestimated. In a world where he was a stranger, every advantage counted. And now, thanks to the Ironbark tree, he had just gained a significant one.
Deo stepped away from the Ironbark tree, his thoughts still reeling from the newfound connection with the plant. As he moved further into the forest, his eyes caught a splash of vibrant colour. A shrub, roughly waist-high, was adorned with clusters of deep purple berries, each shimmering enticingly under the dappled forest sunlight.
The sight of berries brought a pang of hunger to his stomach, and for a moment, Deo entertained the thought of plucking a few and enjoying a sweet treat. But something urged him to be cautious. He reached out with his Botanical Knowledge skill, focusing on the mysterious fruit.
[Rare: Fluoroantimonic Berries: Berries that contain a potent acid. Potentially lethal if consumed without proper preparation. Often used in alchemical potions.]
[Skill Level Up! Botanical Knowledge has reached Level 8!]
[Experience Gained: +60 XP]
To his surprise, another notification blinked into his view:
[Congratulations! You have levelled up to Level 2.]
Deo's eyes widened in realisation. He had come dangerously close to making a potentially fatal mistake. "Whoa, could have just died," he muttered, shaking his head at the near mishap. "At least I got a level out of it."
He reached out again, this time with Flora Communication, attempting to understand more about the berries. The vibe from them was sharp, almost cautioning, echoing the dangerous nature he had just uncovered.
Deo backed away, grateful for his newfound skills that had just saved him from a terrible mistake. His respect for this world's flora grew with each discovery, and he knew that he had only just scratched the surface.
The experience with the Fluoroantimonic Berries was another lesson, a reminder that this world held both wonders and dangers, often concealed beneath an alluring facade. Every step was a learning experience, every discovery a potential key to survival. He gave the plant one last glance, his thoughts a mix of admiration and caution. The duality of this world, with its blend of beauty and danger, was fast becoming clear to him.
Drawing a deep breath to steady himself, Deo mentally brought up his status page once more:
[Status Page]
Name: Deo Mitchell
Race: Human (Outworlder)
Class: Green Mage (Uncommon)
Level: 2
Experience: 150/440
Titles: Whisked by Fate's Winds, Cosmic Newcomer (Temporary), Ironbark’s Kin
Stats:
* Agility: 12
* Endurance: 18
* Intelligence: 17
* Strength: 11
* Vitality: 19
* Wisdom: 19
* HP: 95/95
* Mana: 85/85
Skills:
Botanical Knowledge (Level 8), Flora Communication (Level 3), Verdant Growth (Level 1), Nature’s Essence (Level 2), Ironbark Armour (Level 1)
Quests:
* Flora Explorer
* Examine and catalogue 20 different plant species using your Botanical Knowledge skill.
* Progress: 5/20
* Reach Level 5
* Reach Level 5 as a Green Mage to get your starting gear.
* Progress: 2/5
* Survive the Wilderness
* Survive in the unfamiliar environment. Build or find shelter, source water, and food.
* Progress: Ongoing.
After glancing over the quest progress, Deo grew in confidence. With five plants already catalogued, he was well on his way to meeting the requirements for the 'Flora Explorer' quest. A small smile crept onto his face. "Well, maybe this won't be too hard to survive here after all," he mused aloud, the daunting nature of his situation slightly alleviated by his initial successes.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. A deep, menacing snarl—filled with primal aggression and carrying the weight of hunger—echoed from behind him, crushing Deo’s momentary sense of bravado.