Seed of the Living System (???): A seed holding the genetic material and a piece of consciousness of the Living System.

  Additional information locked.

  Warning: This seed is of an entity much more powerful than you. Caution is highly advised.

  Living System (???): 1%

  Synexus stared at the notification as he walked out of the front door of the library. The Living System sounded important. Did it have any relation to the System? He had a mass of information flood his brain at once through his sensors and only got 1% of the genome added to his Genome Library. Every other plant he held would get to 100% within minutes now, but this was different. It was like there was too much information and his skills were being blocked.

  He was so caught up in his notifications that he didn’t realize Xila had followed him out. She caught up and was a little out of breath, but it didn’t stop her from speaking, “What was that?!”

  “That was the language of nature. I spoke to the tree, and it spoke back. It left me with a gift, but I have a feeling that I shouldn’t share too much about it.”

  Her face became red like she was embarrassed. “I apologize, I’m not supposed to questions to guests of the library about anything. I was just caught up in that amazing display. We have been trying to study that tree for centuries and this is the first bit of progress.”

  “No apologies needed, Xila. I would share if I could, but honestly, I don’t know much yet. If I find something out that can help satisfy your desire for knowledge, I’ll stop by again. Thank you again for your help.”

  She nodded and went back inside. Synexus sat there contemplating the seed a little more. The description said it held a piece of consciousness. Could it communicate with him?

  As he walked down the street, he attempted to speak to the seed in the language of nature like he did with the tree.

  “Is this really the same entity that I just spoke with in the library? What is the Living System?”

  A few seconds passed and Synexus thought he was going crazy trying to talk to a seed, but then the air vibrated once more. “This is different for me and requires some additional focus for now. I know you have questions; however, I only have a short time. The seed cannot hold my direct consciousness for long.” The vibrations stopped.

  Well, that was weird, but alright. He now had the seed of a sentient tree hitching a ride with him. This was big though. The System said this entity was much more powerful than him. He decided to go find a bench to sit on and collect his thoughts.

  On his way to a bench that he saw on the way to the library, he heard a group of women who sounded excited about something. They were speaking loudly and showing off their wrists to each other. Synexus looked over and saw bright pink bracelets on a couple of them, so he decided to listen in.

  “It’s so pretty! I got mine from Accessorize over in the clothing market. It’s right by the food market though.”

  Another one said, “That’s where I got my necklace too!”

  Synexus looked at the necklace which looked like the night sky. All of these were made of bamboo. His bamboo.

  After thirty minutes of sitting there and noticing a few other bamboo accessories among his people watching, the air started to vibrate again.

  “Apologies, it is much more difficult than I thought. If you grow the seed, it’ll be easier, but I ask that you don’t. I instead ask you for a favor.”

  “I’m not sure what I could do for you that you can’t do yourself. I’m a guy that likes to help where he can though. What can I do for you, Living System?

  There was a deep laugh before the voice started again. “For longer than I’d like to disclose, I have been unable to experience the world for myself. I’ve seen it through other’s memories and senses, but never through my own eyes.”

  Synexus interrupted, “I didn’t see any eyes.”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Ah, see you’ve already stumbled across the problem. I know your class and what it can do. I understand you cannot perform my favor just yet; however, you are close. I will awaken enough of my genome in the seed for you to transfer me, my consciousness, and my traits to an animal of your choosing. Let me travel with you to finally experience the world properly. “

  He didn’t even know what to say. Could he really do all that? His abilities hadn’t even been tested on animals yet, and he would have to get Gene Editing up to level 10 before he could. “I would be happy to have you along, but it might be a few days of grinding before I can get you into a body. Any specific animal?”

  “You may choose my vessel; however, you must know a few things. I will be there to strictly observe. I cannot interfere with your struggles. I cannot disclose any information you are not ready for. I will provide advice if asked and conversation if wanted.”

  “I like to solve my own problems, so you’re all good there. Some advice from a sage tree? Living System? It would be beneficial, I’m sure. I will get working on leveling up and finding an animal.”

  “Thank you again. I have waited many centuries. A few days will be nothing.”

  With that the vibrations were gone and Synexus was excited for a new task. He immediately decided that he would spend the rest of the day Gene Editing to level up. Luckily the day before he had gotten quite a few new genes to play around with.

  ***

  Gene Editing successful!

  Floating Oak (unique): The wood of this oak will be more buoyant due to the combination of Float Herb.

  Gene Editing has leveled up!

  After all the bamboo yesterday, it only took one new gene edit to level him up once. When he didn’t also gain a class level, he realized it was no longer his lowest skill. He would need to focus on Body Transmutation as well to level up. With that he continued projects while also taking on a new gene in his arm whenever the timer ran out.

  Reborn Thorn (unique): This plant utilizes the cleansing secretions of the Reborn Root to provide an anti-paralysis sting with its thorns. Can also cleanse some common poisons.

  Mana Maple (unique): The sap and leaves of this tree can restore a small amount of mana if consumed. It can cause sickness if consuming in quick succession.

  Hedge of Shadows (unique): A popular hedge plant with the properties of shadows. The shadows the hedge produces are potent. Standing in them will allow someone to be completely unseen if standing still.

  Healing Lily: A common lily now with the healing properties of an herb. Consuming will restore a small amount of health.

  Wow, after four new projects there wasn’t a new level. It was taking more and more effort the higher he went. The mental exhaustion started to set in. With the bamboo yesterday they were simple edits and didn’t cause much strain, but actually changing the fundamental properties of plants took much more effort. He decided to walk back to the inn since the sun was starting to set.

  On his way back he saw several groups of children continuing to play around outside. They had lanterns made of the firelight bamboo. It seemed like his variants were actually catching on. He didn’t think it would be this fast.

  Synexus stared out to the ocean on his balcony for awhile before starting on some more projects. He wasn’t even going with anything helpful anymore. A lot of the edits were random since he was just trying to grind for levels. He made a binding rose that would cut its host with its thorns, a type of grass that took on the properties of a tree that was known for its enhanced magical weight, a moss that could completely block out light, and many more. It was fun to delve into his class and discover more of his limitations.

  From the corner of his eye, he noticed a tavern down the street setting out new tables on their patio. They were bamboo tables that looked like molten lava was spilt over them. It had a faint glow and would be perfect to keep you warm on a cold night outside. He was excited to see what Ecclo says tomorrow when he goes to see him.

  His arm went back to normal as he finished the thought, so he chose a new gene to copy with Body Transmutation and that finally got him the level he was trying for most of the day.

  Body Transmutation has leveled up!

  You have leveled up!

  35 stat points available

  That felt like the quickest level that he’s had yet except for the first one. Having time to solely focus on skills and the materials to do so has helped quite a bit. He looked at his status to allocate his stat points and decided to make most of them even again. Strength had been a little lower, so the extra points got split between that and intelligence. That would help his mana for tomorrow when he went to grow more bamboo. The random stat point for the day went to perception, so that was a little higher than the rest except for intelligence.

  This has been a progress filled day. He met a new companion that could provide some much-needed advice, he leveled up two skills, and his class. The stop in Gale was turning out to be lucrative for him. On top of the progress, he had gained a little more knowledge on the topics he wanted to research and might possibly have found a way to make some extra guins. Tomorrow will be filled with growing more bamboo, and possibly going hunting with Kumo, so he can keep up with the experience point requirements to continue levelling up.

  Just then a large owl landed right by him on the railing of his balcony. It stared at him, and he stared back. The owl didn’t seem frightened, so synexus reached out to touch it with his sensors.

  Grand Umbra Owl (rare): 100%