97 New spell: Sprouting

Shifting his gaze to the stats, Ramie noticed some changes.

The first thing he noticed was the artifact's percent rising. It had risen to 98%.

This change wasn't odd, as when he first casted the morphing spell, the same thing happened. Of course, the reason for this change was very simple; the bloodline that he got belonged to a magical beast, which meant that after fusing with it, his body's capacity for magic would rise. This wasn't unusual, as the beasts are known for having capacity for magic energy much larger than humans.

Anyway, after the rise in integration percent, he was becoming closer to a beast. Hence, his body's capacity rose.

The increase of his body's capacity from 69 to 98 confirmed this juncture of his. Also, the unlocking of the 'Sprouting' spell further ascertained his guess.

Now, Ramie discovered another method to unlock spells, other than advancing his artifact. Of course, this is a method that he decided to never resort to. After all, he really didn't want to turn into a tree beast, or any beast.

The new spell and the rise in the base value of magic energy lessened the aggravation in his heart: 'At least I got something out of this mess…'

Ramie shifted his focus on the Rooting spell. He was feeling very anxious, he was hoping that the 'deactivate (uproot)' terms next to the rooting spell meant that it was possible for him to regain his human form. Also, he wanted to see if the information of the spell had appeared or not, he was depending on the possibility of an update coming in when he was unconscious.

< Spell: Rooting (Active) >

< Grade of the spell: Special >

< Effect: A transformation type spell, it allows the caster to assume the subterranean plant form; it hides the aura, enhances vitality, and allows the user to absorb nutrition's directly from earth. This spell has no time limit. >

< Special warning 1: This spell temporarily raises the bloodline's integration percent to successfully take effect. Hence, it temporarily deactivates the morphing spell. So, the user mustn't cast it not unless he has an additional magic energy reserve than the needed for the cast >

< Cost: 10 magic energy units >

Seeing the special warning, ramie's mood went terrible.

Now, it had to be said that when a magician cast a spell without having the magic energy required for it, he usually only passes out for a while, with no further effect.

However, to bloodline magicians, the backlash of this action holds entirely different meaning, and consequences.

The morphing spell, which is a standard spell in any bloodline type of artifact, is a passive spell. It is the only thing suppressing the highly potent bloodlines' genes, and preventing them from turning the magicians to full-fledged beasts.

The morphing spell exhaust 0.4 magic energy point per day to entrap the bloodline… Hence, bloodline magicians must never fully exhaust their magic energy reserve, to shackle the bloodline.

As per minimum, the bloodline magicians must at least have 0.1 magic energy points at any given moment to maintain the morphing spell. This would sustain the morphing spell for 6 hours. Afterward, the magician must rest to recover magic energy.

Actually, even if the bloodline magician has 0.0001 magic energy points… as long as he maintains his consciousness, he'd be able to recast the morphing spell.

However, in Ramie's case, the worst case scenario came to be.

When he casted the Rooting spell, he had only few magic energy points. Hence, and given that the Rooting spell magic energy point requirement was 10, 'which he didn't know at the time due to the missing information,' exceeding the limits by this much had caused him not only to fail in sustaining the morphing spell… but also to draw magic energy from the bloodline. On the same time, surpassing his limit by this much had led to him losing consciousness.

This action was akin to unlock the gates wide open, and allow the shark entry into the fish pool. Of course, the fish in this metaphor was the human genes.

As the bloodline was let loose, it immediately, out of its defensive instincts, started devouring the weaker genes. In this process, the bloodline shackled the artifact and even revolted against the consciousness. To the bloodline, survival for the fittest was an absolute role, hence, no weakness was allowed. This even surpasses self reservation. Thus, even if eliminating the weaker genes led to death… the gene 'purification' process would still continue.

This was all to protect the specie. Even at the expense of the individual.

This was the reason why Ramie was terrified.

In short, exceeding the magic energy limit led to him losing consciousness, and on the same time, expending all of the magic energy reserve resulted in the deactivation of the morphing spell.

As a direct result, the bloodline revolted and commenced devouring his genes, while preventing him from awakening, to ensure the continuation of the gene 'purification process!' Since ramie couldn't wake up, he couldn't recast the morphing spell.

Thinking of all of this, ramie's thoughts sped up, his mind reeling at its max, calculating the consequences.

He had no idea for how long he's been unconscious for, or the situation outside?

However, since he had only 3 remaining magic energy points, Ramie had to recover at least 10 points before using rooting spell to revert back to his human form.

The bloodline progression was bad. However, not knowing the situation outside was even worse.

How many bugs are outside now?

Is it possible for them to locate him in this form?

Although the rooting spell description mentioned hiding the aura… however, does this property work on these bugs, or not?

Without testing this aspect out, how could he be sure of it?

Ramie instantly pushed the matter of the bloodline progression to the back of his mind.

Although it was severe matter, however, keeping his life was even more important.

As time went on, ramie started growing anxious.

'I have to calm down. Agitation won't solve a thing…' reminding himself, ramie cooled down.

'I can't just cast rooting the moment I regain 10 point, but I have to cast it only when I recover all of my magic. This way, even if the situation outside is bad… at least; I'll be able to protect myself, or cast rooting again…'

'Wait… even if I can't see or hear I should still be able to sense auras. I hope the violet dust is no longer there…'

Focusing on something to do, Ramie's agitation lessened a bit by bit.

Spreading his senses, Ramie started perceiving many dots in the vicinity around him. Some dots were large and bright, like light pulps in night time, signifying strong beasts. While others small and weak, like distant sparks, signifying weak beasts.

Most of the auras belonged to beasts that could not even qualify to be considered tier-1 beasts. They were all far too.

There was only one low tier-1 beast, and it was tenths of meters away.

'Whew… it seems that the bugs are no longer here, or only one of them…' Ramie felt relived. After all, there was no way for him to fight the tier-2 bug beasts alone.

However, soon, he frowned: 'Could Lance and the rest have escaped safely…? I wish they did…!'

Letting out a mental sigh, ramie focused on the overflowing magic energy around him: 'it seems that there is an increase of magic energy concentration in the area. Hmm… so this is the reason why the artifact managed to awaken my consciousness. Whew…! It seems that I have lucked out here.'

'I should check the new spell, while I wait for the magic energy to recover…'

< Spell: Sprouting (Active) >

< Grade of the spell: Rare >

< Effect: undifferentiating the cells in any area of the body to stem cells, then, re-differentiating them to form the required type of cells. Can be used to bud 'whistling flowers,' 'air vibration recipient,' 'central-peripheral secondary eyes.' >

< Special note: Whistling flowers; special types of flowers that sucks in air and then blows it through special tubes to induce sounds. Air vibration recipient; sensory organ that can receive sound waves though thin hairy cells, and then change the sound waves to electrical signals to be sent to the brain. Central-peripheral secondary eyes; sensory organ that collects the light in the environment to form an image, then converts this image into a set of electrical signals, and transmits these signals to the brain >

< Cost: 1 magic energy units >

'Hmm… so, basically; eyes, ears, and mouth…? Maybe…?'

Ramie was a bit confused by this spell, and a bit disappointed.

He was confused because he wasn't sure on why this particular spell was unlocked among others…. disappointed because he didn't get a battle oriented spell, which he was in dire need of.

'Mouth… I'm not sure if it can be helpful to me. But eyes… could it be that if I sprout more of them I can have better vision…? As for ears, maybe I can use them to enhance my hearing… maybe?'

'Wait… if I can sprout eyes now, then I can see the situation outside!'

Reaching this occlusion, ramie instantly casted… Next, information regarding the practical casting method of the spell rushed to his mind.

Following which, he willed.

Sprouting – Central-peripheral secondary eyes!

…