Deo stepped over the threshold of his largest greenhouse, the warm, humid air washing over and enveloping him, a stark contrast to the crisp autumn chill outside. His gaze was immediately drawn to the majestic Celestia Tree at the centre, its leaves shimmering beneath the transparent roof. With excitement quickening his steps, he strode toward his crowning achievement, his footsteps echoing softly in the tranquil space. He paused before it, savouring the sight of the magnificent tree with its solid trunk reaching skyward, and the bark adorned with twisting spirals of interlocking silver and gold. Though bereft of its glorious fruit after the recent harvest, the tree still radiated an aura of ethereal beauty. Delicate green buds had already begun to emerge along its branches, promising future bounty yet to come. Deo approached reverently, marvelling anew at the epic specimen he had nurtured from a mere seed.
Clasping his left hand firmly around Yggdrasil’s Branch, Deo planted the staff in the rich soil at his feet. He closed his eyes and reached out with his Flora Communication skill, seeking to connect with the Celestia Tree on a deeper level. To his astonishment, the tree's consciousness readily recognised him, its awareness surprisingly lucid and direct, especially compared to his previous interactions with the Ironbark tree.
"Welcome, progenitor," the tree seemed to whisper, its leaves rustling gently though no breeze stirred the greenhouse air. Despite its large and imposing presence, the tree possessed a surprisingly juvenile presence, which brushed against his mind, conveying a rush of emotions and impressions. Foremost was a profound sense of gratitude, the tree's thankfulness for the mana and care Deo had lavished upon it during its growth.
The second sentiment was a questioning thought, accompanied by vivid images of the fruit it had previously borne, heavily laden on its boughs. The Celestia Tree's consciousness seemed curious about the fate of its offspring, the delicious bounty it had produced under Deo's nurturing hand. Recognizing the tree's inquiry, Deo sent fervent thanks and gratitude back through their mental link, along with the feelings of delight and the exquisite taste of the fruit he had enjoyed. He shared memories of the awe and wonder the Celestia Fruit had inspired in those who consumed it, the vitality and rejuvenation it bestowed upon the lucky few.
Sensing the tree's satisfaction with his response, Deo gently steered their communication toward his tentative request. With respectful entreaty, he asked the Celestia Tree to consider bonding with him, to gift him with a new skill through his Nature's Essence ability. The tree's response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive, its consciousness surging forward to envelop Deo in an ethereal embrace. The connection between them deepened, the boundaries of their minds blurring as the Celestia Tree welcomed him into its essence.
Through the tree's perspective, Deo saw the world anew. He experienced the sapling's first moments, breaking through the soil and stretching its delicate leaves toward the sun. He felt the rush of nutrients and mana flowing through its veins, the joy of growth and the thrill of reaching ever-higher. The tree's memories unfolded like a kaleidoscope, showing Deo the passage of days and nights, the dance of sunlight and shadow across its leaves, and the whispers of the greenhouse's other occupants.
As their bond intensified, Deo witnessed the tree's first flowering, the delicate starburst blossoms unfurling like celestial fireworks. He shared in the anticipation and pride as the Celestia Fruit began to form, swelling with cosmic energy and the promise of wonders untold. Through it all, the tree's consciousness thrummed with the power of Deo's mana and the unwavering dedication of its progenitor. In this moment of perfect symbiosis, the Celestia Tree bestowed upon Deo a fragment of its celestial essence, a skill born of their unique connection:
[New Skill Acquired: Celestial Vitality - This skill allows Deo to infuse himself or others with the Celestia Tree’s life-giving energy, granting a temporary boost to vitality and overall health.]
[Skill Level Up! Nature's Essence has levelled up to Level 6! Reorganised Status Page appropriately.]
As the newly acquired skill took root within Deo's consciousness, he sent a wave of pure gratitude and appreciation back through the bond to the Celestia Tree. The tree's presence seemed to hum with contentment, its leaves shimmering with an ethereal glow as it basked in the warmth of their connection. With a gentle mental caress, Deo slowly withdrew from the link, allowing the boundaries of their minds to re-establish themselves.
Opening his eyes, Deo found himself back in the material world, the greenhouse's warm air and earthy scents flooding his senses. His body thrummed with the afterglow of the profound experience, the Celestia Tree's essence now an integral part of his being. Filled with excitement and curiosity, Deo wasted no time in testing his newfound ability. He stepped out of the greenhouse and into the crisp autumn air, the chill instantly piercing the cocoon of warmth he'd just left behind. Drawing in a deep breath, Deo focused his thoughts inward, seeking the new well of power that now resided within him. With a surge of intent, he activated the Celestial Vitality skill, directing its effects upon himself.
The moment the skill took hold, Deo felt a significant drain on his mana reserves, the cost of wielding such potent life-giving energy making itself known. However, any sense of fatigue was quickly washed away as a surge of vitality flooded his body. It was as if liquid starlight coursed through his veins, suffusing every cell with rejuvenating energy. His skin seemed to glow with an inner radiance, and any lingering aches or weariness melted away beneath the skill's cosmic touch.
Marvelling at the sensation, Deo called upon his status page, eager to see the tangible effects of Celestial Vitality:
[Status Page]
Name: Deo Mitchell
Race: Human (Outworlder)
Class: Yggdrasil’s Chosen (Legendary)
Level: 33
Experience: 171132 / 175385
Titles: Whisked by Fate's Winds, Cosmic Newcomer (Temporary), Ironbark’s Kin, Giant Slayer, Daring Pioneer, Settlement Shaper, Guardian’s Pact, Greenfield Guardian, Legendary Synergy, Hellhound’s Kin, Stoneheart Champion, Marked by Yggdrasil, Epic Arborist
Stats:
* Agility: 59
* Endurance: 65
* Intelligence: 162
* Strength: 58
* Vitality: 220 (Celestial Vitality active: x2 modifier applied)
* Wisdom: 162
* HP: 1100/1100
* Mana: 524/810
Boons:
* Celestial Vitality (Duration: 1 hour)
Green Mage Skills:
Botanical Knowledge (Level 17), Flora Communication (Level 12), Verdant Growth (Level 16), Nature’s Essence (Level 6), Fauna Communication (Level 5), Wildlife Insight (Level 10), Whispers of the World Tree (Level 6), Celestial Bloom (Level 3), Verdant Surge (Level 6), Sylvan Step (Level 2),
Nature's Essence Skills:
Flora
Fauna
Ironbark Armour (Level 6)
Inferno Pulse (Level 8)
Leaf in the Wind (Level 25)
Shadowmeld Mantle (Level 4)
Sylvanus' Grasp (Level 8)
Chthonic Key (Level 1)
Celestial Vitality (Level 1)
Territories:
* Harmony’s Refuge
* System Points: 2095
Quests:
* Yggdrasil’s Champion (Class Mission)
* Your sacred duty is to purify the realm, eradicating the unnatural corruption that seeks to defile it. Traverse the lands, seek out the sources of contamination, and restore balance using your unparalleled connection to the ancient power of Yggdrasil.
* Yggdrasil’s Chosen Class Quest
* Please select a quest from the list of options.
* Attend the Quinquennial Druidic Conclave
* You have been cordially invited to attend the Quinquennial Druidic Conclave, a prestigious gathering of druids held every five years. This conclave brings together practitioners of druidic and nature magic from various regions and races to share knowledge, celebrate nature, and discuss the challenges facing the natural world.
* Uncover the Hidden Darkness of the Elven Realm
* A sinister shadow looms beneath the serene façade of the elven lands. Whispers of unrest, deceit, and a darkness that creeps through the heart of the Ancientroot Enclave have reached your ears. This hidden threat, cloaked in secrecy, poses a danger not just to the elves but to the balance of nature itself.
* From Hamlet to Village
* Upgrade your hamlet to the level of a village.
* Progress: 4/5.
Bonded Partner: Pyro
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Deo's eyes widened as he took in the changes to his stats, an involuntary "That's crazy!" escaping his lips. The Celestial Vitality skill had granted him a boon that doubled his Vitality, making it his highest stat and boosting his HP by the commensurate amount. While undeniably powerful for him, he instantly realized that the skill's effectiveness would be even more pronounced on classes that centred around a high Vitality attribute, dramatically enhancing their survivability. However, the boon's limited duration of one hour meant he would need to carefully manage its uptime, as letting it expire at an inopportune time could be disastrous.
As his gaze traversed the list, Deo noticed the reorganized skills the system had presented. "Hmm, neat," he muttered, his eyes lingering on the Flora and Fauna columns. It was clear that he needed to prioritize bonding with more wildlife to balance out his Nature's Essence skills, which were currently skewed heavily towards flora. His attention was next drawn to Chthonic Key, a skill he had yet to utilise, still sitting at Level 1. Intrigued, Deo decided to give it a try. As he concentrated, a faint, indistinct sensation began to emerge. It was like trying to tune into a distant, static-filled radio signal. He strained to grasp any coherent feedback, but the connection remained elusive. A fuzzy, disjointed feeling filled his mind, as if he were reaching for something just out of his grasp. Despite his best efforts, the connection fizzled out as nothing tangible materialized. Deo stood still for a few more moments, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried again, but the Chthonic Key refused to respond. Shrugging his shoulders, Deo decided to leave the mysterious skill unsolved for now, as he shifted focus to his Celestial Bloom skill.
Thus far, he had solely employed the skill to greatly amplify his Verdant Growth skill, but he pondered on how he could harness its full potential. Dismissing the status page, Deo took a moment to bask in the autumn sunlight, the crisp air invigorating his senses. A spark of inspiration kindled within him, and he decided it was time to experiment. Eyeing his distant home, Deo activated Sylvan Step, teleporting a few meters closer and consuming roughly 20 mana in the process. Then, he called upon Celestial Bloom, focusing on intertwining the two skills. With a surge of intent, he directed the combined power towards his goal, willing himself to traverse further towards his house. As the skills merged, mana flooded out of him and he sagged as almost 400 mana points were consumed in an instant, leaving him momentarily breathless.
The world around him seemed to warp and distort, the fabric of reality bending to his will. Deo felt himself being pulled into a swirling vortex of cosmic energy, his body becoming weightless as he was enveloped in a shimmering cocoon of celestial light and the earthy scent of the forest. The autumn landscape blurred into a medley of streaky colours, like a careless artist had dragged broad, heavy brushstrokes across a canvas, blending hues haphazardly. Time itself seemed to stretch and compress, milliseconds becoming eternities as Deo hurtled through the very essence of the universe. He could feel the heartbeat of the world, the pulsing rhythm of life and magic that flowed through every blade of grass and every star in the sky.
As he surrendered to the celestial current, Deo's thoughts turned to his destination. He had hoped to travel twice the distance of his usual Sylvan Step, to push the boundaries of what was possible. But as the swirling vortex of energy carried him forward, he realized that he had vastly underestimated the power of this celestial fusion. In a sudden burst of light, Deo materialized outside his front door, a cascade of autumn leaves raining down around him. The air crackled with residual energy, tiny motes of starlight dancing in the breeze. He stood there for a moment, his heart pounding with a mixture of exhilaration and awe, his body trembling slightly from the sheer intensity of the experience.
Lena, who had just been exiting her house nearby, jumped back in surprise, a small yelp escaping her lips. As recognition dawned on her face, she marched over to Deo, her brow furrowed in a mix of relief and annoyance.
"Deo! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" she chided, delivering a soft whack to his arm. "What in the world was that? I've never seen you teleport like that before."
Deo grinned sheepishly, rubbing the spot where Lena had struck him. "Sorry, Lena. I was experimenting with a new combination of skills. I didn't mean to startle you."
Lena crossed her arms, still looking flustered. "Well, a little warning would be nice next time!”
Deo held up his hands in a placating gesture, his grin turning apologetic. "You're right, Lena. I should have given you a heads up. It won't happen again."
Lena's expression softened slightly, but before she could respond, Deo's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration.
"Wait here a second!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with renewed excitement. "There's something else new I want to show you!"
Without waiting for a response, Deo rushed into his house, leaving a bemused Lena standing outside. A moment later, he emerged, a mana potion clutched in his hand. As he walked back towards Lena, he uncorked the vial and downed its contents in one swift gulp. Lena watched, her eyebrows raised, as Deo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a look of determination settling over his features. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, and then activated his new Celestial Vitality skill once more, but directing it to Lena instead on this occasion.
A shimmering aura of golden light erupted from Deo's hand, enveloping Lena in its warm, comforting embrace. She gasped, her eyes widening as the celestial energy suffused her body, causing her to stand taller. Her eyes then went vacant as she visibly viewed the skill in her status page.
“Ah a boon skill! And a powerful one at that. I’ve not seen one that has a multiplicative effect before; they are typically additive. This could prove very useful indeed," she remarked.
As the initial excitement of the discovery settled, Lena's expression shifted to one of thoughtful contemplation. She gently tugged at a loose strand of her hair, a subtle sign of the gears turning in her mind. "I'd been meaning to come talk to you anyway, Deo," she began, her voice taking on a more serious note. "We need to start preparing for the winter in earnest. It's just around the corner, and we can't afford to be caught off guard."
Lena gestured towards the fields that stretched out in the distance, the autumn colours painting a picturesque landscape. "I've asked some of the dwarves to gather wood so we can stockpile more fuel. The nights are getting colder, and we'll need to keep our homes warm and our forges burning throughout the season."
She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting to the bountiful crops that swayed gently in the breeze. "As for the final harvest, I think we should keep it just for ourselves this time. We've made a good profit with our surplus in the past, but with the uncertainty of the winter ahead, it's prudent to ensure we have plenty to last us through the season."
Deo nodded in agreement, his own mind already churning with the logistics of winter preparedness. Lena continued, her words flowing with the practiced ease of someone well-versed in the art of planning and organization.
"Water obviously won't be an issue, with the lake nearby. It might freeze over in parts, but we'll still have access to fresh water. However, we need to secure warmer clothing and suitable footwear for everyone. The dwarves, in particular, aren't prepared for an outdoor winter since they're accustomed to the microclimate of their hold. The last thing we want is for someone to fall ill due to inadequate protection against the elements."
Lena paused, her gaze meeting Deo's, a silent question in her eyes. "I assume I have your blessing to go ahead with this?" she asked, her tone both respectful and confident.
Deo nodded without hesitation, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yes, of course. I trust your judgment, Lena. If you think it's necessary, then make it happen. The well-being of our people is our top priority."
The days that followed saw Harmony's Refuge buzzing with activity, as everyone worked together to prepare for the coming winter. The dwarves, led by the enthusiastic Freya and the resourceful Hilda, ventured into the nearby woodland, their axes ringing out as they felled trees and gathered firewood. The piles of logs grew steadily, stacked neatly outside each house within the settlement. Deo, meanwhile, focused his efforts on the crops, rising early each morning to make his rounds through the fields. With each passing day, he could feel the chill in the air growing more pronounced, the sun's warmth fading as the nights lengthened. The once-vibrant leaves of the trees now painted the landscape in shades of gold, orange, and red, a final burst of colour before the bleakness of winter set in.
Undeterred by the changing seasons, Deo called upon his Verdant Growth skill, pouring his mana into the plants, urging them to flourish and mature before the frost could claim them. The crops responded eagerly to his magic, their leaves stretching towards the pale autumn sun, their bounty swelling and ripening at an accelerated pace as if they, too, sensed the impending winter and hurried to reach their full potential. As the days grew shorter and the nights longer, Lena's nervousness became more palpable. She could often be found poring over lists and inventories, muttering to herself as she double-checked their supplies and provisions. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on her shoulders, the well-being of a community resting in her hands for the very first time.
Despite the growing sense of urgency, Deo remained a calming presence, his quiet confidence and unwavering dedication a source of strength for all those around him. He worked tirelessly, his skills and magic pushing the limits of what was possible, ensuring that Harmony's Refuge would enter the winter strong and well-prepared. About a week before the official start of winter, Deo awoke to a now-familiar notification flashing before his eyes:
[You have successfully grown a crop of Sylphbeans! +1000 XP, +20 SP awarded.]
[You have successfully grown a crop of Golden Grain! +1000 XP, +20 SP awarded.]
[You have successfully grown a crop of Crimsonroot! +1000 XP, +20 SP awarded.]
[You have successfully grown a crop of Silverspice! +250 XP, +5 SP awarded.]
[You have successfully grown a crop of Honeydew Melons! +750 XP, +15 SP awarded.]
[You have successfully grown a crop of Weeping Cabbages! +750 XP, +15 SP awarded.]
[Congratulations! You've levelled up! You are now level 34!]