As I began my journey back to town, the forest around me seemed transformed, as if it too had sensed the shift in my powers and the world’s balance. The trees appeared more vibrant, their leaves a richer shade of green, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of growth and renewal. Sunlight dappled through the canopy, casting playful patterns on the forest floor.

Along the way, I stopped to gather herbs and plants, each with its own unique properties and uses. I collected whisperroot for its communicative properties, moonshade petals for their night-enhancing qualities, and several brightly colored flowers unknown to me but pulsating with magical energy. My newfound connection with the natural world guided me to these plants, their locations revealed as if the forest itself was offering them to me.

I realized that with the evolution of my powers and the dimensional shard, I could now begin storing items with it. I scooped up handfuls of rich, loamy soil, sampling from different areas to get a variety of nutrients.

I carefully uprooted a few small saplings, ensuring their roots remained intact. These young trees would be the start of my forest within the shard.

Approaching a bubbling stream, I collected the water and let it flow into the shard. The water be vital for nurturing the life in my shard.

I was taking a rest around noon when a curious squirrel approached me, drawn by my energy. In a moment of whimsy, I decided to test my new abilities. I gently combined the squirrel with nearby ferns, creating a verdant revenant.

The result was a delightful fusion of squirrel and plant life. Fern fronds sprouted along its back and tail, giving it an appearance of a green, leafy creature with the playful demeanor of a squirrel.

I was amused by my creation. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but after a moments reflection, what would I expect in a magic world.

“I’m going to call you Fernando.” I asked. “How does that sound little guy?”

Fernando chittered in agreement and ran up my arm to sit on my head. He resembled a peculiar but charming little hat. Loki rolled her eyes and I could practically hear her groan. Seems like Loki didn’t like my sense of humor.

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With Fernando riding on my head, I continued my journey back to town. The forest no longer felt like a wilderness to me, but more like a companion, a part of my extended self.

As I neared town, I was messing about with my enhanced abilities and made a cool discovery. I was using roots to overturn the soil and when I saw a dilapidated house, I naturally tested my control over the roots and to see how strong they were.

I focused my magic on the roots emerging from the ground and directed them towards the remains of the damaged house. The roots tore into the structure and ripped it all the way down.

I received an unexpected system prompt.

[SYSTEM ALERT: CRAFTING SYSTEM UNLOCKED]

Congratulations, Gavrin! You have unlocked the Crafting System of your Dimensional Shard. This system allows you to grow and craft items within your shard, utilizing a special tree known as the 'Industree'.

Current Crafting Capabilities:

Material Limitations: Currently, you can craft items using stone, rock, and simple plants. As you level up, your crafting capabilities will expand to include more complex materials.

The Industree: This magical tree serves as the foundation for your crafting. Simply introduce a sample of the item you wish to grow or craft, and the Industree will integrate and replicate it.

Growth Time: Items will take time to grow or craft within the Industree, with duration depending on the complexity of the material.

Resource Management: Ensure you provide the Industree with the necessary resources, such as water and minerals, for optimal growth and crafting efficiency.

Note: As you advance in levels, keep an eye out for new materials to expand your crafting repertoire. The Industree is a living, evolving entity within your shard and will grow alongside your magical journey.

[Press 'OK' to Access Your Crafting System]

Now this is what I was talking about. This was magic with a capital em. Then to my shame, I went on a spree. Honestly, what little boy with the power to destroy buildings would just stop at one?

I stored most of the material I collected. I didn’t know what I would do with it but I had some ideas. I experimented with crafting simple tools and objects. The process wasn’t instant so I quickly hit the limit for items in the industree. I smiled when I thought of the name. Even the system was making dad jokes.