Zeil quickly reoriented himself. He found that he was at the guild branch.

The proctor spoke to them

“You are now hunters at the bottom of the well. But I have a feeling that you lot aren’t as weak as those newbies. Therefore, I’ll tell the receptionist to put in a further proficiency test to find your actual class ranks”

He pulled out his identification card

“bring me your identification cards, I’ll officialise your entrance”

The proctor took his card and placed it on Zeil’s card. They flashed and when the proctor removed his identification a new insignia was on Zeil’s Card. He repeated the process for the tree beings.

“Now your id cards are fully activated. Be back here in an hour. By then the receptionist should be able to sort something out”

The proctor then turned and walked away

Zeil decided that since an hour was quite short. He would continue meditating on the visions that the will of the word gave him. Before he could leave however, one of the tree beings moved towards him and spoke

“Greetings, I am Draje “he then pointed to the other tree being “she is Gloi”

“We wished to compliment the skill that you displayed during the combat test. we noticed your combat skills were unusual and were interested in what style you were using”

Zeil greeted in reply and said “ I am known as Scholar. The techniques that I used were learned from a hermit whose name was lost in time. It has no name or title simply because what I used was not a combat style but merely an application of something else.”

Draje didn’t seem offended by the lack of information. In fact, he grinned as he replied “aren’t all the best combat styles applications of other things”

Zeil spoke in turn “your use of plant life was something similar. However, it seemed like a inherit ability rather than a trained one like mine. May I ask what type of Being you are”

Once again Draje grinned as if he found Zeil amusing “ Our ancient title for our people were Ygdrain. The kin of the World tree Ygdrassil. In modern times however, we share a title with our cousin’s the treeant’s”

He then lifted his hand to Zeil and on it a flower grew

His eyes glowed as he said “And yes the skill earlier is inherit in our Kin. As the Kin of the world tree all forms of plant life can be manipulated”

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He then pointed at a secluded spot and a plant grew from the ground. It continued growing until it was about 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. 3 smaller plants sprouted around it each being 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

“Come then scholar, we can discuss the skills differences further”

He turned and walked to the plant. Zeil followed him

Draje then beckoned to Gloi to come over.He turned and addressed Zeil

“forgive my companion. She is unused to communicating with strangers”

He then sat down on one of the smaller plants and gestured for Zeil to do the same

Shortly after Gloi arrived and she too sat down

Draje then spoke to Zeil “now that were all here. We can talk further on the differences between my inherit skill and your learned one. May I ask do you have the ability to control all forms of plants as well?”

Zeil lifted his hand and the largest plant began to shake and vibrate. It then grew branches and on the branches were petal leaves.

Zeil responded “whilst, I do have a measure of ability. It isn’t as easy to use, and the effects are limited by my understanding of plant life. Perhaps instead of plant manipulation. It would be easier to call it a manipulation of the plants life force”

Zeil then paused and seemed to contemplate what he was going to say

“you’re inherit skill on the other hand, seems to communicate with the plant rather than its life force. May I ask if plants have a symbiotic relationship with you”

Draje smiled as he responded “My friend, what you’ve just said has been deemed un-credible by at least ¾ of this world’s inhabitants. Be proud, you have figured out something which academicians from high technological civilizations have failed to realise in centuries of studying our Kin.”

He then paused and the plants around him began to blossom with flowers

“our abilities were gifted to us by the progenitor of our kin. Yggdrasil. As the world tree which held up several dimensions. It enabled us to become a sort of nobility towards all plant life. In short creating an authority which all plants must obey”

He then gestured to Gloi “our females in general have greater authorities over plants, so whilst my skills may impress a few. In truth the males of the Ygdrain’s are collectively less impressive than the female counterparts. However, regardless of skill. We do hold a greater authority over plants than our lesser cousin’s the treeants.”

He paused once more, and his eyes took a dark shine

“there are ways to overcome this authority. but such secrets are kept hidden from our kin by the elders. Beings who are the closest in blood towards Yggdrasil and act as his speakers.”

Zeil noticing the change in attitude spoke “it seems like you have something to prove but allow me to give you advice from a man who has seen a lot in his life. To gain, you must sacrifice. If you were to truly learn the means to overcome this limitation. There will be a lot of blood and death involved”

Zeil’s eyes went blank as if recalling a lost memory “Many civilizations I have seen followed similar situations and in many of them they ended up falling to extinction because such an unrest occurred.”

Draje seemed contemplative of Zeil’s words. He then replied switching the topic completely

“it seems the time has come; an hour has passed. The receptionist should be ready now. Perhaps we should move now. I look forward to a further test of my skills”

Draje and Gloi then stood up. Draje addressed Zeil once more

“we can continue speaking on the way there, You can tell me more of your experiences as we walk”

Zeil replied with a nod as he got up

Draje waved his hands and the plants disappeared

“then let us go then.”