2 Tree circles

'System, how do I create subordinates, tell me now!'

‹Host Must simply form a new magic core outside the main body. This core will then act as a sapling for the tree to grow. Due to being the creator of the core, host will be already connected to newly growing tree, enabling him to directly channel magic into it.›

After having learned the process I began to let the magic around me slowly converge into three spots. Unlike last time I didn't instantly form the cores but took it slowly. But since I'm not a patient person, I made three at once, hoping to raise my efficiency. Once they were done, I commanded them in my mind to move to their respective places. There they burrowed into the soil, starting to grow, forming a triangle around me. Once I was done a very irritating thought entered my mind.

'System, how long will they take to grow into controllable trees?'

‹Host must wait for approximately 3 years to begin controlling recently planted trees.›

'3 years that's way too long!'

‹Host should remember that growing takes time and shouldn't be rushed.›

I couldn't deny that the system had a point. So I went back to growing and swaying my leaves in the wind. A whole year passed and I was bored. I had only passed a third of the necessary time and I already had nothing to do. I didn't even need to concentrate on absorbing magic to grow anymore, it had become second nature, in fact, it was somewhat comparable to breathing. Yet just before I could lose my sanity to endless boredom a system prompt sounded.

<Congratulations to host for attaining 5 years of age. Your soul has reached the required strength for basic magic use. Suggested affinities are Nature, Healing. Host is requested to chose one and start training.>

A new dilemma had arisen. How was I gone chose? There are so many options!

<Host is advised to stop pretending for self-entertainment and make a choice, as there are only to options.>

'Way to ruin the mood you useless-'

<Beginning summoning procedures of entity [divine lumberjack]. Prepare to be cut down!>

'Hold it, system. You're the best system in the world and I'm so sorry for having called you useless. So abandon summoning right now, I don't wanna die!'

<Apology accepted, abandon summoning.>

'That was way too close for comfort.'

I mentally wiped the nonexistent sweat of my nonexistent face. I seemed to have escaped disaster by only the slightest margin.

But the choice was still to be made nature or healing.

'System, how fast can I heal myself with healing magic?'

<Host is a magical tree, healing magic has no effect. Simply guiding magic to the damaged parts will allow restoration.>

'If healing magic is useless to me and there is no one else around why would you suggest it!'

<System is made to present all viable options of development to host. Host is furthermore advised to be careful of his next choice of words.>

'You want to chop me again, don't you! I'll scream for help.'

<Host doesn't have a mouth. System also suspects that host is having too much fun with this conversation and advises to get serious. >

'Fine. I'll train nature magic.'

<System commends host on fabulous choice. Commencing run-down of [nature magic]. Nature magic is a subclass of life magic that is used to advance the growth of plant life and manipulate it. Host should have no trouble using it as growing is already part of host's nature.>

'Wait, can I speed up the growth of my subordinates with this.'

<While host is not incorrect, current proficiency with nature magic is far too low. Host is suggested to grow ordinary trees with connection to host's roots to enable easy control.>

'And why did I go through the process of making subordinate trees if I can simply grow trees that I can move now?'

<Host might not know this but subordinate trees can be of great help during the process of magic absorption.>

'Well, time to work then.'

Since I would probably need more subordinate trees in the future I made another three magic cores, placing them in a reverse triangle around me. The six buried cores now formed a hexagon or a simple circle with myself being the center. I could now start to take care of the outer circles. I concentrated on my roots, letting some smaller roots separate from the main roots and grow quickly towards the surface. Once they broke through the ground I made all of them grow a trunk and branches with leaves on them.

I had grown 8 trees at once, forming a second, wider circle around me. And behold the trees could move! Well more like slowly shifting their branches.

This was evidently not what I had in mind when I asked to be able to move. But I did find out that I could shoot around leaves, which would be useful if they weren't soft and light.

So yeah, subordinate trees check, ordinary but connected trees check, and back to growing in boredom.

Wait, something over there, in the bushes moved.

'What could it be?'

<Host is advised to not keep himself in suspense any longer and just expand magic perception.>

And so I did. The discovery was... a squirrel with an acorn.

'System, you said I could absorb a fruit, does an acorn count too?'

<Host is indeed correct, an acorn can be used to begin next evolution.>

Thus I set out to kill the squirrel and get the acorn.

And I failed, tragically. I couldn't even touch the little critter. The branches couldn't reach it, the leaves couldn't hurt it and the evil eye I gave it went unnoticed. The only good thing was that my boredom was somewhat relieved as the little runt came by every day, twice! Once in the morning, empty-handed and once in the evening with another acorn. Or at least that's what I judged the time to be. Anyway, the daily target practice of shooting a running squirrel with leaves was interesting and even got me a skill. [leaf turrets] allowed me to fire leaves in quick succession and near instantaneously regrow them.