Six months passed in rigorous training with his mother, and Robin could feel a newfound sense of balance settling within him. With each battle, his control over life energy grew, filling him with vitality and resilience he'd never known before. However, the increase in life energy brought unexpected changes—he worried he might lose his ability to wield dark energy as easily. Yet, the aura surrounding him had shifted; it was vibrant and almost holy, exuding a presence that resembled that of a devoted priest. Even some of the castle servants began to bow in reverence whenever they saw him, sensing the almost divine energy he radiated.
After another intense training session, Robin returned to his quarters, his resolve firm. "Today's the day to try out druid magic," he murmured, opening his stats to see his progress. The sight filled him with anticipation; this would be his first real attempt at channeling druid magic on his own.
—
[ System Panel ]
Level: 3/24
Energy: 9500/36000
Energies:
Life Energy: 2 / 5500 / 12000
Dark Energy: 3 / 4000 / 24000
Magic Affinities:
Nature Magic ( Life Energy ): [ 10% ]
Skills: Healing Magic [ 25 %], Gluttony [ 5% ], Spatial Storage [ 1% ], Black Fire Ball [ 50% ], Divine Shield [ 80% ], Divine Body [ 80% ]
Body Level: Golden Knight [ 40% ]
Mana Level: Mid-Level Mage, Magical Circle 3 [ 70% ]
Spells: Teleportation, Physical Enhancement
—
Over the past months, Robin had cautiously limited his skills, using only minor healing magic to ease the intense effects of druidic healing. He hadn't touched dark energy, wary of losing control without full mastery. As usual, Ann and Aria joined him for dinner each evening. He didn't know the specifics of their training, but they, too, seemed to grow stronger every time they met.
Once they left, Robin sat on his bed, ready to attempt druid magic in earnest. He focused on replicating the spell his mother used to summon branches from thin air. Concentrating hard, he felt a flicker of energy, and suddenly a small branch burst into existence with a quick, popping sound. His heart raced as he realized he was on the verge of creating something new. He tried again, his pulse quickening, and felt an unprecedented rush of energy: he might have just tapped into _Nature Magic_—something far more primal and potent than druidic magic.
Excitement overwhelmed him, and he knew he couldn't sleep. He slipped out into the training grounds, clutching a notebook where he'd been recording his discoveries. Standing in the center, he raised his hand, feeling the surge of power connect him with the essence of nature itself. Suddenly, the earth trembled, and before him, a massive tree began to grow, twisting up from the ground. Its presence was overwhelming, as if it were alive and conscious.
"Robin! What did you just do?" a voice called out in alarm. His father, King Lion, and his mother, Deria, appeared beside him, eyes wide with shock.
"Robin! This… this is a world tree! Where did you get the seed?" Deria asked, disbelief and awe filling her voice.
"Mom, there… there was no seed," Robin stammered, struggling to explain. "It just… it just grew."
Suddenly, Aria appeared in the distance, sleepwalking in her white nightgown, her gaze fixed on the tree. She walked toward it, as if in a trance. The mana from the tree was overpowering, its energy roaring like a storm reaching for the heavens.
"Aria! Wake up!" Robin shouted, his voice tinged with panic. But she didn't respond. Then, in a burst of blue light, the tree transformed into a humanoid figure, glowing with an ethereal presence. The figure turned to Robin, its voice echoing in his mind: "Honored one, we have awaited your return. Thank you for reviving me."
Without warning, the being entered Aria, and the towering tree shrank instantly into a small, glowing seed, dropping to the ground. The kingdom's alarms sounded, and Robin, sensing the urgency, quickly scooped up the seed, concealing it in his storage space.
Aria fainted, and Robin lifted her, hurrying after his parents as they entered a hidden passage in the training grounds.
"Robin… I don't…" King Lion began, but his words were cut short by the distant howls of wolves and the roars of monstrous creatures echoing through the kingdom. The mana from the world tree had drawn them, and it wouldn't be long before they reached the walls.
"Damn it," Deria muttered, turning to Robin with a grave expression. "They've sensed the world tree's mana. We need to keep this quiet. Don't speak of this to anyone, not even the duke's family. I'll speak with Aria when she wakes up."
With that, they pressed forward into the depths of the secret passage, the kingdom bracing itself against the oncoming horde.
On the peak of a mountain, a towering werewolf, more than 10 feet tall, looked down upon the kingdom below. "Masteeer... that mana has vanished..." hissed a monster with the head of a snake, a human torso, twisted claws, and lizard-like legs. It kept its gaze down, avoiding the werewolf's glowing eyes.
"Have the other kings sensed it?" growled the werewolf, its voice like rumbling thunder.
"No, masteeer..." the snake-headed creature replied in a low murmur.
A wicked grin spread across the werewolf's face. "Then, since we're already here, we might as well devour these humans and seize their lands."
Meanwhile, within the castle, Deria spoke to Robin. "Robin, the magic you wield doesn't exist in this world. But for now we will talk later after i return, you must stay safe with Aria. Your father and I will hold back the horde."
The King looked at his son, his eyes filled with pride. "Something tells me the Empire might be the right place for you. You're my son, and though I was hesitant before, I think you're destined to surpass me."
They stood in a castle corridor bustling with activity. Soldiers in armour hurried through the halls as a commanding voice rang out from outside. "Men! Move, move! We must reach the borders!"
Robin carried Aria at this point as he took her in to his bedroom, the king and queen had already left to fight the monsters. He arrived at the door and placed Aria on his bed and covered her.
"Aaaah! finally they have left ", a voice sounded in Robin head, the all of a sudden Aria sat upright but her pupils had turned pure green. Robin immediately changed into his fighting stance as he hold black fire on one hand. "Wait..... i come in peace, am the world tree", Aria shouted but clearly she had been possessed, she looked as if she wanted to cry. "Aaaah world tree", Robin muttered as he remembered, "So what do you want?", Robin asked.
"Well, i want you to protect this child honoured one, at least until she reach full adulthood", The world tree said. "And why should i do that? also am not sure i can", Robin said, he would protect Aria anytime but for now he wanted to get as much as information from the world tree as possible.
"I can give you a huge boost, that seed a left you eat it directly", The world tree said.
Robin smiled after hearing that, what he needed the most was power currently which he lacked alot but also he was not sure if seed was be really that variable. "Malsa can you check the content of the seed", Robin said. He currently had no way of knowing so he could only as Malsa. "Yes Master", Malsa answered.
--
[ System Panel ]
Analysing: World tree seed
--
As he waited, Robin reflected on Aria's age. She was five years older than him; he had taken her in when she was ten, and he had just turned six. By now, she'd be sixteen—practically an adult by human standards. But he quickly remembered: Aria was an elf, bound to a different scale of time.
"What do you mean until adulthood?" Robin asked aloud, feeling the weight of confusion returning.
"Well," the world tree replied patiently, "this child was already a high elf, but upon me entering her body, she has evolved to a supreme high elf. She won't reach full maturity until around 500 years."
Robin's eyes widened. Even with his extended lifespan as a supreme knight, he'd only live to around 250 years. "Wait! Do you hear yourself? I'm just human," he protested, feeling overwhelmed. "What you're asking is… it's too much."
"You're, the honoured one, should be able to figure it out," the world tree replied calmly, unbothered by Robin's reaction.
Robin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Are you even listening to yourself? And, by the way, what exactly is this 'supreme high elf' you're talking about?"
The world tree explained, "Monsters are divided into stages: early, mid, high, and supreme. Most elves are born as mid-level creatures, possessing a high amount of mana or strong physical abilities. High-level beings are gifted with divine skills, where high elves belong. Supreme beings, though, exist in a realm of their own. They possess multiple divine skills, immense magical power, and unparalleled physical strength, but they also require centuries to mature. Only one supreme being can exist per generation. If such a creature is discovered, they're hunted by all manner of monsters for their blood and flesh. That's why I ask you to protect her. If the seed of my power isn't enough… I'll reveal the truth to her myself if she survives. And, should she reach maturity, we will both grant you whatever you may desire."
The world tree's voice softened. "But I don't have much time; I'll soon fall into slumber."
Robin, still wrestling with the enormity of it all, asked gently, "And… why are you doing this? What are you after?"
The world tree's voice trailed off, filled with a hint of sorrow. "I'm doing it… for my chi…"
Suddenly, Aria's body collapsed to the ground, the world tree's presence unable to sustain itself any longer.
Robin looked down at Aria's peaceful face, her features delicate and serene. He sighed, the weight of the world tree's words still sinking in. "Five hundred years… is that even possible?" he thought, shaking his head.
Then, with a flicker of humour, he mused, "Ah, maybe if I believe hard enough, I'll somehow make it to 500 years with the power of friendship." He nearly laughed aloud at the absurdity, catching himself just in time. The thought was ridiculous, but it lightened his heart, even if only for a moment.
As he looked back at Aria, his resolve hardened. Ridiculous or not, he'd do everything he could to protect her.