It's been 3 days since Daisy last contacted me, was it really so mad at the name? Eating my porridge I thought back to the last few days.
I tried many things to see if it would appear.
I even tried hitting my head on my brothers bed again, unfortunately I got no healing so I am blessed with a bruised forehead.
Regardless, over these last days I was thinking on how the system would even utilise me, I don't have any skills that'd allow me to get into a training program to enter the restricted areas, and to match my lack of skills I must admit, I'm not the bravest.
I doubt throwing plant pots at enemies would do anything other than aggro, and I don't even have the stamina or speed to be in charge of something like aggro.
'Maybe... It's just going through an update? That does seem plausible, maybe it just wants me to have a fright and think it left so it didn't tell me beforehand'
With that, I felt I hit the nail on the head and decided to just wait a little longer, if by the end of the week it doesn't appear, I guess it-
[Hello, I'm back from my update, I hope I didn't miss- oh come on did you hit your self on your brothers bed again???? ]
I felt a pulse of warmth on my head and the lingering pain disappeared.
[I hope that taught you a lesson, hmph
(•ˋ _ ˊ•) ]
'I guess I don't need to wait till the end of the week'
Placing my spoon on the napkin next to my bowl, I directed my full attention to the glowing blue screen.
"I almost thought you got so mad at the name I have given you that you just left me, I guess it was indeed just an update"
A small smile appeared on my face, in a way I got surprisingly used to the systems antics despite our short time spent together, so I suppose them being back is a good thing.
[Ah yes, that name, that name that you gave me, that name you specifically bestowed upon my being, Daisy. I hope you know, in technicality this name isn't reversible ಥ_ಥ]
"Oh, it isn't? Well in my definitely unbiased opinion, I think it's perfect so no worries"
[Haha, anyways, I'm not so mad that I'd just up and leave. It took a while longer since the update wasn't just about severity of your injuries. Open up your quest screen, there's a little present for you, I picked it specifically with you in mind☆(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*]
'Oh, an update to the quest screen? A gift? Now that's intriguing'
"Quest!" I exclaimed, and just as the words left my mouth a new blinding blue screen appeared in my face. It really did look extremely different, for majority of the quests, I couldn't even see what they do and what Rank I need to be to know what to do to get the rewards, it's just question marks. There are 2 exceptions though.
{Rank 0 Quest - A gift for the new partnership} COMPLETED
-Vial of flora
-Seeds from #####
"What's this... " I muttered to myself.
[I realised you have no skills to get anything from the quests, so as a gracious system I decided to bestow a lovely gift on you. This vial will help you gain the ability to enter those restricted zones. A small warning, upon ingestion it is quite painful, but the reward is worth it. Promise (≡^∇^≡) ]
"P-p-painful? " that does not sound like my cup of tea. I looked at the vial in my hand like it was poison that'll escape in the nearest future and devour my soul. "Do I NEED to consume it? "
[... ]
The system shook a little in response.
[Yes, without this vial you would never be able to unlock the rest of these rewards, including all the wonderous potions you'd have at your disposal.]
It was most likely very correct to say that. I am weak.
[Also, I'm kinda offended, I gifted you this precious gift vial that I created through tireless effort and you have the thought of refusing it. Kinda hurts (´;ω;｀)]
"Wait, you're the one making these potions? "
[Yes? Is that a problem? Who else would make them if not me. ]
"Fair point, " I respond as I gaze back to the vial containing the gift. The liquid inside is green, and there seems to be a slight shimmer of gold to it, quite beautiful. At least if I didn't know that this vial would cause me pain. But, I didn't have a choice. If I wished to cure my brother, then this vial is where it all starts.
[I see you've made your choice, incase you have a weak pain tolerance I'd suggest you get onto your bed, I feel like that would be for the best. Also bringing that porridge would be a good idea as well, potions aren't exactly known for their incredible flavour, and I don't have time to experiment to see whether I can change that.]
'Well, I guess the advice is considerate. I'll take it up on that offer.'
Lifting myself from the wooden chair I sat upon, I took the vial with the terrifying liquid and my tasty porridge to my bedroom.
*****
After settling into my cosy bed, wrapping myself in my duvet and putting a pillow on my lap, I was finally ready... probably.
"Well, it's now or never I guess"
With that I took out the cork from the tear shaped vial and poured the liquid into my mouth and quickly swallowed.
"Blergh, you're right the aftertaste is-" then an incredible pain started to spread throughout my body. It started from my stomach then it spread quickly throughout my body. I felt like my muscles were being ripped apart and my bones were being crushed to dust. Fully losing control of my limbs, I laid there on my bed in a very loose fetal position, my eyes blurred and my teeth hurting from me stopping myself from screaming then blank.
-----------
With a blaring headache, I carefully opened my eyes to the view of my bedside table. Honestly, with how badly my body was hurting before, I thought I wouldn't be able to move for a whole year, yet now I just feel the soreness of an intense workout.
Regardless, I just wanted to sleep, but fate seemed to have a different opinion on that since the aftertaste of that potion came back to haunt me just as I starting snuggling into my duvet.
"Blergh" I shot up and looked around for my porridge. My hands moved faster than my thoughts and I instantly brought over my porridge to myself and starting relishing in the superior flavour, honestly I even teared up.
'I never thought I'd be this happy eating plain porridge.'
After I finished my incredible meal, the aftertaste seemed to disappear, and along with that sensation the system came back to view.
[Welcome back! I'm sorry it hurt so much, I didn't realise how intense it'd be for you.
(´;ω;`)]
I glared at the system in severe disapproval.
[Anyways, you're probably feeling a bit sore right now, but we should probably see if the vial worked. Aren't you curious 👀]
'It can also use emojis? Well anyways, I guess I am curious, I don't remember whether I even asked what the gift does.'
"Uh Daisy, I think I forgot to ask but what does that Vial even do? I know it gives me a 'gift' but what even is that 'gift'? "
[Why are you asking me? You have a status, I didn't explain it before because you didn't seem too concerned with its results]
With that my status screen popped up without me even telling it to.
' I guess the system can open the status for me whenever it wants to.'
With that I glanced at my status and honestly was extremely shocked.
"What the..."
[Gift - Mage of Flora ]
Abilities=
-Ability to grow any flora (plants, flowers etc) from a seed
Proficiency - 2%
"Huh, 2%? But I never used this at all"
[You seem to have a natural 'green thumb', so since you're so proficient in this field, I decided to use that as an attribute in your gift, resulting in it taking your experience and converting it to proficiency]
"I-I see... " honestly I still can't seem to put my head around it. None of this makes sense, how could all of this come from that tiny vial of green liquid?
[I see... This must clearly be a big shock right? Hmm, for good training you need a clear mind, so I'll leave you to get yourself ready for training tomorrow. It's night so you should sleep]
"Ah wait!"
[Hmm? ]
"Well uhh, I'm busy throughout the day, so I'm not sure when we'd be able to do anything... "
[There's always nightime and breaks, I don't plan to make you do anything outrageous. If anything, maybe we could try during your work, since you ARE a botanist (ﾉ*°▽°)ﾉ ]
"Right... I suppose you're right" with a very uncertain smile, I bid the system farewell for the night and resumed to deep thought.
_________
And with that, the true journey of Marie the Mage of Flora and Daisy the System begins.