The Apprentice of Ouroboros [Monster Evo LitRPG Adventure]

Neska took the pine cone in hand and, with her short claws, extracted one of the pine nuts in the center. The nut itself was no larger than a kernel of corn. As she sat there and thought about it, she wondered if it was even possible for her hex to work from such a small object.

She looked at Brienne, trying to gauge a reaction. Instead, Brienne hummed, wearing a contented smile. “So you're going to start from the very beginning of life? But do you know how?”

“I just need to deconstruct how the whole hex works, and more importantly, when it doesn't.” She tried casting her [Rooting Hex], but nothing happened.

Well, not entirely nothing; she felt the faintest cooling sensation ripple across her fingers. Something had happened, but the ability hadn't fully activated. She tried casting it again, but again to the same result, with no visible change to the seed.

She frowned. This should be the same concept; there shouldn't be any difference between germinating roots from the soil or from plant matter that already existed. Why should this be any different? Maybe she had the power to do this, but lacked the prerequisite knowledge.

This required a deeper understanding of her hex.

Brienne reached out to hold Neska's hand from underneath and then placed her other hand on top of Neska's palm. “Nothing is happening, correct?”

“Yes. But I don't understand why. I felt the ability activate, and a tiny trickle of mana fed into it. But it does not grow.” Neska noted the nymph gazing at her, pouting her lip. “I’m missing something, aren't I?”

“Think about it for a minute. Life is a cycle, is it not?” Brienne suggested, as if leading Neska to a certain train of thought.

“Well, yes. But how does this relate to growing a seed?” She puzzled over it for a second. “Okay, let me try to break this down to the basic ingredients of life. You need the right temperature, right soil composition, right moisture content, at least, for a seed. But what will help it grow? Don't I just add mana?”

“Or something else.”

Neska gasped. Of course, the answer was so obvious! She withdrew her hand, scooped up a clump of soft, rich earth, then placed the seed within it.

Brienne clasped her hands together, looking elated. “Now you're getting it! You were always using your ability in part.”

“I only…”

She frowned, tapping one claw to her snout. Her recent discovery of her venoms and how she could swap them was one indication. She had learned that she could spit any venom, and not just [blinding venom], which stood out as a highlight. Maybe her [Rooting Hex] had other individual components that made the whole thing work. What if it were two powers working at once? Could each be individually attuned?

Now you’re getting it, Neska. See? I didn’t even need to say anything.

I do recall you saying the best discoveries are the ones we make for ourselves. But you can’t predict what we might find, either, can you?

Not entirely. I see the connections and hints of the greater Interface. But not every clue about growth and potential are obvious.

Neska took a calm breath. If she could continue studying her powers, which she likened to a combination of separate magical elements, then maybe she could infer more about the deconstructed parent power. She really wanted to hit the library and examine the class books, but time wasn't a luxury she had to spare.

Simple steps would be sufficient. For now.

“Okay, I think I’ve got it.” She focused her gaze on the dirt in her palm and tried casting [Rooting Hex] again.

The seed jiggled within the dirt, and yet, nothing grew. Yet, she knew she felt a dispersal of her own internal power, because the slight tingling and cooling sensation was apparent on her fingertips.

There was a puzzle to solve here; what she thought was a single continuous power might be more than one. It might be two or even three separate powers working in tandem, or modified from a baseline ability, to suit her particular needs for the [Rooting Hex].

Then it hit her. “Hey, Syra, I need a–”

A stream of water spun towards her out of the corner of her eye, soaking her and the clump of dirt in her hand. She let out a frustrated hiss as Syra grinned, laughing delightfully.

Neska wiped her free hand dry on her uniform. This cheeky elementa, soaking her while she was learning something important. “Was that really necessary?! I was asking for a cup of water, not a geyser! I'm performing arcanist science!”

“Oh. I got carried away." Neska tried to wipe off as much of the water as she could, but her uniform was wet. Once again, Syra had to siphon some of it away back to her body.

“Does your water multiply, or does it disperse and condense in the air?” Neska cast a discourteous look her way.

“Better not question the magic. But my point is, you needed all the ingredients! You need more than one thing for life to grow! Brienne taught me that! Well, she taught me more, but still!”

Neska let out a strangled rumble and gave up. She’d demand extra snugs from the elementa. She focused her attention on the sopping wet clump of dirt in her hand and the seed within. “Okay, one more try. “

She felt the ability trigger and the sensation of mana leaving her fingertips with an electric buzz, weaving its way through the dirt and damp soil. The seed jiggled within the pile of soil again, and this time, she saw a tiny tendril of green shoot out from the top, taking several seconds to expand to a few inches high. The small shoot slowly opened up into a series of small branches, and then a few pine needles began to emerge from little sprouts along the stems.

Neska wore a wicked grin, displaying the growth like it was a prize from a festival. “Okay, I guess that was worth the soaking. But what exactly have I accomplished here that nature can't already accomplish? Other than, of course, making it faster. Which I suppose is huge by itself."

Neska, something happened. I think your ability…split.

Before Vivi could explain in detail, Neska felt a tingle through her arm, then a surge of energy pulsing through her fingers, all the way down her body, then along her tail. She shook her head vigorously, her vision awash with starbursts.

Ability Proficiency Increased

Woven Root Hex 14 > Woven Root Hex 15

New Ability Variant Discovered: Verdant Weave. Continue experimenting to unlock this variant fully.

Vivi? Why does it feel like we just discovered something exceedingly useful?

Because controlling life and causing it to thrive sounds about as absurdly powerful as it sounds?

Brienne patted her shoulder gently. “I think that was a good lesson for today. But it sounds to me like you have other things that you're trying to focus on. Normally, I stay in the cabin with the other students, but it gets a little crowded there. Do you mind if we sit here in the garden?”

“Well, we can't stay all day, but yes, I'd love to sit down,” Neska answered. Syra sat down across from her, legs folded, while Neska settled into a coil, winding her body tight. It always felt satisfying to wind her body up in a wrap like this and stretch muscles that needed it with a flex.

She withdrew a sketched-out topographical map that she'd copied the previous night. “I narrowed down our search to areas that I could ascertain were viable candidates for where we can find Elderwood. But I haven't been to these places, so it's guesswork. Do you have any insight?”

Brienne shook her head. “I don't know all of them, but I do know there's one nearby. It's hardly private, though. Do you want to check it out?”

"Not quite yet. I'd also like to know the area a little bit better. I haven't had much of a chance to leave campus. Are there any other areas nearby that might have the right soil, light, and moisture conditions?”

Brienne frowned, then waved her hand to the map. “From what I know, there's an estate on the west end of the valley, near one of the groves. It's over by some rich Lord. I don't remember his name, but apparently, he has some influence in Rivilat. I think two of his kids attend the school here." She circled the spot on the map on the other side of the valley, and while Neska was tempted to investigate that one, that would have to wait for another day.

She was starting to wonder if that familiar ability she had enough points for was the optimal play, now. She certainly needed an extra pair of eyes and someone she could trust.

“Any other areas you can think of?”

“There's another druid grove due north, closer to the mountains. It’s composed mostly of elves and humans, but I believe there's also one or two fey thrown in the mix. They're a little unusual. They're technically monsters, like nymphs, but at the same time, they're not hostile. Not all monsters are. Just like not all Varadur are hostile immediately. Some are at equilibrium with nature.”

Neska scrunched her brow. “Equilibrium?”

“They are stable within their role in the environment. Each creature has a niche, a particular role in this fragile web. The Varadur often disrupts that. They disrupt a lot."

She clenched her fingers gently. "I know that in the closest frontlines, the goblins tear down trees and desecrate all sorts of natural sites, as if it's a game for them. Such wanton destruction, and for no reason whatsoever. No, they do it because destroying things makes them happy.”

Her leaf-like pair of ears trembled as Brienne quivered at this awful fact. “It's strange. Before I became Awakened, I didn't have these thoughts about keeping the balance with nature. The balance between the needs of the natural world and the needs of the populace. I want to believe that the Varadur are not all destructive or desire our demise. But it's hard to look past the evidence of twenty years."

Neska listened as Brienne traced out another small point on the map. "There is an outpost here as well, with another grove that I know of. At the periphery of the valley, a few days' ride from here. I have been there on rotation, helping to establish plants that keep an eye on their surroundings for intruders such as the Varadur. They are typically noisy and destructive. The plants out there warn me when something comes within their proximity."

Syra looked intrigued, eyes brightening. "You can do that?"

"Indeed, I can. Is it much of a surprise? Your lamia has powers that parallel the witch. Just as mine parallels that of a druid or shaman. Many people do not realize that there are many parallels between the monsters and the classes."

"Surely people have studied it. If there are parallels to classes, strengths and vulnerabilities could be ascertained," Neska pointed out.

"They have, but it's an ongoing study. It's a subject of fascination with one of the more advanced study groups. People believe they can gain insight into the monsters and their behavior by determining their class equivalent. Many creatures fulfill a specific role within the natural world."

“So, how do they do classes out here, by the way?" Neska asked.

Brienne waved her hand to the commotion of animals and students talking in the distance. “These classes are more specialized for those closer to nature, and for more advanced students. Rangers, druids, shamans, and more. Hunters are also very common, along with farmers and other laborers; many dislike the commotion and noise of the city. We also work with the animals here to form scouting parties.

Brienne continued, pointing to a young man and what appeared to be a large bobcat walking along the clearing. The bobcat had sharply pointed ears and was half the boy's size, rubbing against his side as they walked. "We all learn each other's roles. Mine is cultivating the plants and increasing yields. I also help to create seedlings for particular plants and trees.

She tapped her finger along her lips and let out a small contented sound. " Cassia, I have a favor to ask. It sounds like you will be travelling. If you could, I want you to take some seeds I've cultivated and prepared for planting. Normally, they take days or even weeks to germinate. But you could do it in seconds or even minutes. I've had a druid spread some to the northern border of the valley, but if you can see these elsewhere, or in areas we might want to keep an eye on, I can expand my area of observation."

Syra's mouth gaped for a split second. "You'd do that for us? I don't want to ask you to do anything you don't want to do."

"Syra, you treat my plants with kindness. That makes you a friend, and we have shared goals, just like your lamia. It is no additional effort for me, as expanding my plants and keeping areas monitored helps many and is just one of my supportive powers. Nymphs are few and far between, owing to the difficulty of..."

She trailed off, chin dipped down. Neska finished the last part that she couldn't say. "You mean, capturing the Varadur young. But do they...do they have to be Varadur? We know they are-"

She waved her hand dismissively. "Only the Varadur are candidates. I dare not think whether those in power would hesitate to utilize untouched monsters for the efforts of the Awakened." Neska found that a slightly surprising factoid. Had anybody even tried? Or had it always been assumed that it had to be a monster with an Interface?

She sighed internally. Risha would have known the answer to this one in a heartbeat, and why it would or would not work. She'd have to ask the professors about the thought process on this. And yet it raised another interesting question. Why did it only work on creatures with an Interface?

Asking a hard-hitting question there, Neska.

Worth checking out later. Though experimenting with this one might be exceedingly unethical if we have to explore it ourselves. "Brienne, you have insight on this. Why do they want to convert nymphs or other creatures that are considered docile?"

The nymph shook her head after a moment. “Sorry, I wish I knew. If I were to speculate, it is because they need to maintain their balance with nature as well, given the tendency of destruction of some of their members. Perhaps they do not wish to destroy the entire world, only the parts they don't like.”

She had to admit, even without all the facts, it was a plausible answer. With it, Neska tried to internalize something else that she was piecing together. What were the Varadur after? What was the endgame? Once humanity was gone, what would be left for them? A new world order, free for them to populate? Or would they disappear just as suddenly as they appear, the world scrubbed of civilization and allowed to go to root again?

There would be no easy answer to this one, she realized. “Brienne, thank you so much. I'd like to meet up with you later, and learn more about seedlings and your powers. Maybe there are more things we can teach each other."

"Just teaching?"

"Okay, throw in a teapot over a small fire and some tea, and conversing over things that don't involve fighting for the survival of humanity," Neska answered. She let out a sound of surprise. "Wait. I've never drunk tea."

Brienne laughed. "A previous experience, maybe? It sounded quite reflexive."

Syra eyeballed the lamia as well. "I've never seen you drink tea. Can you?"

"I suppose with difficulty," she admitted, tapping her snout. "Yeah. Tea, and teaching each other weird nature magic."

The nymph shot a flashy smile with bright white teeth. "I'd like that, thank you. Syra, where did you find her, exactly?”

“Chasing my favorite mouse," Syra said with a sly tone. “It's a long story; we have a lot of classes this week. Why don't we meet up this coming weekend?”

"I would enjoy that, thank you." Neska uncoiled and gave her a gentle hug; she also felt Brienne's roots wrapping around her body, as if they, too, didn't want to be left out.

She apparently did not have the monopoly on snugs, as it were. Before leaving, they tapped their lapels so that Neska could call her. Syra reminded her they were fairly short-range and worked within the limits of town, maybe a few miles.

Sometime later, on their way back to town, Syra chuckled softly.

“What's so funny?”

“You. Well, I mean, it's funny that people are so quick to trust you. You're not putting a spell on everybody to like you, are you?"

She let out a soft laugh. "That would defeat the purpose of the journey of friendship, Syra. I like meeting new people, but friendship is not always easy, and friends can have differing opinions. I get this feeling that this was something I needed, but never had from the girl that came before."

“You sound so detached from it.”

“I don't want to be. Just like I learned how to use a bow and arrow as if it were a hidden instinct, this too comes naturally. Maybe my past isn't filled with dark things. Maybe it's filled with good things, as well. Glass half full kind of thing, yeah?"

Syra wagged her hand from side to side. "I think I can agree with that. Hey, look, a squadron of Griffins up above us," she commented, pointing toward the sky.

Neska looked upward to see a pack of four white, feathered griffins with four bird-like legs and massive outstretched wings. The wings and head were distinctly eagle-like,, but built with the body of a large feathery mammal, like a feline. With her enhanced perception, she could make out the riders, currently gazing around.

She froze. Red armor. and red-painted helmets. Her eyes widened, and she nudged Syra. “Take a guess who is riding those griffins?"

“No, Cassia, my eyesight is not quite as good as yours. It's actually a little bad, my vision always looks like I'm underwater unless I focus my eyes,” she added with an eye roll.

Neska grew only more irritated when one of the riders pointed at the two of them. They tapped on the side of their mount, then the griffin banked around and began to descend toward their position, talons raking forward.

Neska let out a hiss of agitation as the mounted seekers descended toward their position, pointing at them. "I think they want us to stop."

Syra let out a series of curses that sounded like cascading water. "Brienne's lesson of the day: nature might be in balance, but so are our lives. Meet new friends, and meet new adversaries. Think we should run?"

"Outrun a griffin? Even on my best day, that's a stretch. I hate birds," Neska muttered as the riders descended and landed in a scrape of talons across the gravel path, blocking their way.

She wondered if they were on a witch hunt right now. The bad news for her was that they had a perfectly suitable witch right in front of them.