Spirits
Morning came, and the sun rose.
'Warm...' Nice.
Since Nutrient Absorption was already running, maybe it was time to try Photosynthesis. I spread my leaves wide.
And as I basked in the sunlight...
'Oh!'
It worked! It totally worked! Sunlight seeped into my entire body, tickling me gently. The light soaking into my leaves warmed me all over. Doing photosynthesis felt amazing. Sleepy. Happy. Tingling with dopamine...
'Haa... this is the best.'
Photosynthesis (Lv. 1)
Absorbs sunlight more efficiently.
'Oh!' A new skill!
I was already in the middle of photosynthesizing, and boom—skill acquired. What a steal!
Having the skill definitely made a difference. Even just sitting here, I could savor nutrients and sunlight even more deliciously.
'Haa... feels so good.' In my stuffed, happy fullness, I rustled my leaves.
'Come to think of it, have I grown a bit?'
It hadn't even been a full day since I became a sprout, but I'd already grown some. My roots looked about 1cm longer.
'Height too?'
My eye level had shifted subtly. My leaves felt a little plumper too. Feeling that sense of growth made me proud.
Nutrient Absorption (Lv. 2)
Absorbs trace amounts of mana as well.
Another window popped up right after. Level 2? And it absorbs mana now?
Reading the description, I couldn't hide my excitement.
'This is awesome!'
Mana let me do all sorts of things—like sensing my surroundings or probing around by wiggling mana out. But those ate up mana fast, so I'd have to rest after a bit.
Absorbing mana meant I could use it longer, right? See even farther too.
'Let's test it.' I pushed hard with my roots.
Sloooorp—!
A sweet, sticky taste rose from the root tips. But it wasn't just taste.
'Whoa?'
A fullness spread through my whole body. Tiny, but unmistakable. This was mana.
'Jackpot! It really works!'
Thrilled, I rustled my leaves. Level 2 was already this good—what would higher levels be like? The future looked promising.
That's when I heard voices.
"We're pretty deep in now."
"But nothing worth noting yet."
"Too early to give up. We haven't even seen a tenth of the forest."
Unfamiliar words, but I understood them instantly. Did that mean... humans?
I hurriedly spent mana to secure my vision. In the distance, armored humans approached.
'Real humans!'
A closer look revealed several knight-types. Among them, one stood out with striking looks.
Golden hair like melted sun. Ruby-red eyes sparkling. Pale, soft-looking skin. An absolute beauty. Her exotic features—nothing like on Earth—really drove it home.
This was a webnovel world.
I thought fast. 'Western looks like this? Not wuxia.'
So romance fantasy or straight fantasy... If I played it right, I might recall which novel.
'That standout appearance has to be a main or supporting character.'
But with just this, hard to pinpoint. Blonde with red eyes popped up everywhere—protagonist, villainess, side character.
'Focus on their talk.'
The woman spoke up.
"Let's rest here a bit."
"Understood! Your Highness!"
...Your Highness? Recent novel I read, blonde, red eyes, imperial princess...
'...Huh?'
One romance fantasy clicked: Kiss at the Saintess's Feet.
The villainess there was blonde with red eyes. Name was... 'Ashelia Valtheon.' First princess of the Valtheon Empire.
Chills ran through me. No way. Really that novel?
It ended in total destruction, after all.
'Nah... haha.'
Not confirmed yet—don't jump to conclusions.
That's when she said, "Let's move."
The princess started walking my way. Her figure grew larger.
'She's seriously pretty.'
Like a rose—blooming more vibrantly than any other, but thorns sharp on the stem.
'That screams Ashelia, but...'
'Wait, she's getting too close.'
She was heading straight for me.
Ah... no way...
Hold on...
Thud.
Thuuud.
Thud.
Each step shook the ground. She loomed like a giant now. Panicking, I trembled my leaves.
Wait! Stop!
'Am I gonna get stepped on?'
Hey! Someone's here! Well, not a person, but I used to be one!
Flapping my leaves did nothing. Her steps didn't stop.
Thud!
Thuuuud!
Thud!
Now less than a meter away. I flapped desperately.
Please! Stop! I'm not even a day old! Don't know where I am—just squash me flat?
'Can't let that happen!'
As I flailed...
She shifted her foot.
Swoosh—shadow over me.
'Aaaah!'
I curled up instinctively.
'I'm done for!'
If you're gonna step, make it quick and clean!
"Hm?"
Ashelia paused mid-step. Something faint, but definite...
'Something nearby?'
She scanned around. Nothing but small grass and pebbles.
She chuckled softly. "False alarm, I guess."
A magic swordsman like me messing up? She gripped her sword tighter, resolving herself.
'Getting sloppy lately. Time for more training.'
Meanwhile, me the sprout.
'Haa... haa...'
Trembling, I peeked up. Right beside me—a wall less than 1cm away. Brown leather. Like her boot from earlier.
'S... survived.'
I checked both leaves frantically.
Flutter flutter.
Perfectly fine. Lucky she missed. A slight turn and I'd be paste.
Then the wall moved.
Thuuuud.
Thud.
Thump.
She walked away. Exhausted, my leaves drooped.
'Nearly died for real...'
Squished flat, gone without a squeak.
'She seemed to be searching for something...'
What? No clue as a sprout.
'Whatever. Nothing to do with me.'
Grateful to be alive! I perked up my leaves.
The next day. I proudly checked my status window.
Level 3 already. Thanks to Nutrient Absorption hitting Lv. 2, mana was steadily building. Photosynthesis only worked daytime, so no level-up yet... but for a two-day-old sprout, impressive growth. Totally satisfied.
But...
[Status: Proud, Thirsty]
Yeah, thirst. Super thirsty.
'Why no rain here?'
Food was tasty. Photosynthesis topped off dopamine. But...
'No water!'
Moisture fading from my body. Drying out, leaves crisping from the tips.
'Big trouble.'
Had to find water. Other trees grew fine, so water existed somewhere...
'Underground stream maybe?'
But useless if roots couldn't reach.
'What now.'
Could last another day or two... but no rain? Might dry up for real.
'Even if I survive this, future's the issue.'
Plants can't live without water.
As I fretted—
-Kkirrr~
-Come on! Hurry!
A clear, laughing voice. Not human from yesterday. Simpler, bouncy sound. More like nature itself.
Yet I understood it naturally.
'What? Other races?'
Curious, I looked around. Transparent somethings in the air.
Tiny fairy-like shapes. Semitransparent, oddly. They floated in groups.
Bluish ones. Bright red. Pale green. Deep brown. Various colors, but those four dominated.
'Those are...!'
My leaves shook in shock. Instinct told me their identity.
Spirits.
Spirits straight out of webnovels.