Treebark: Forest of Life (A LitRPG novel)

Chapter 2

I keep gawking at the glowing screen floating in front of me for a few more minutes, not really understanding what's going on. Its sheer presence is confusing to me beyond contemplation. Everything I've seen so far could be explained to some extent, but this? Magic. Again with the random words. I reach out to its surface, but my hand just passes through without any resistance, sending waves from the point of contact like throwing a pebble into a body of water.

"Is something the matter?" Prinna looks at me with concern. "You absorbed the core correctly, I felt the energy flow into you."

Well, something certainly did happen... I point at the hovering screen and tilt my head to the side again, looking for an explanation from the helpful fairy. She looks at the place I'm pointing at, then back at me as if not understanding what I mean with my silent question. I point again, but her reaction doesn't change. She really can't see it? The rest of the fairies observe the exchange with interest, but they keep their distance still.

"I don't know what you're pointing at, sapling. Is something there?" Prinna asks, and I nod uncertainly. Speaking would come in handy right about now.

"Well, whatever it is, it's probably a part of the absorption process. Everyone sees it differently. Some hear voices, some find an open book in front of them, and some say they can even see Fala herself! Each and every creature perceives the god's gifts differently, but they all have something in common. The visions always explain every option they offer." She lectures as a teacher would, her wing fluttering with enthusiasm. Easily excitable, that one. I note and turn my attention back to the screen full of text. So... how do I choose? I'm pretty sure that I want... No, that I need a mouth. Otherwise, I might go crazy. <Visual speech> seems useless to me, I'm pretty sure that I don't know any sign language, and I think the fairies don't either. Also, it doesn't say that I can't learn a sign language without it. <Telepathic speech> has its perks, but then again, the fairies don't appear very telepathic to me, and I need to hold a conversation with them. Basic thoughts just won't cut it here. <Verbal speech> is obviously the practical option.

Somehow, the screen understands that I've made my decision and promptly disappears. I can feel the energy left behind by the ability core circulate through my body towards the place where a mouth should be. Then, I hear wood splitting, or at least a sound close to it, as an opening begins to form painlessly somewhere below my eyes. I suddenly realize I'm missing a nose as well. Don't I need to breathe? Clearly not. Let's just add it to the list of things weird about this body.

The sound finally stops, and I begin to feel my mouth like it was there all along. I'm never gonna get used to this... I try inhaling since it's impossible to talk without a breath. Apparently, I'm capable of breathing now, but there is no satisfaction in it since I have no need for air. A shame. I try holding my breath as long as I can, while the fairies observe me with amusement. Is it so weird that I want to try the limits of my new respiratory system? They clearly don't understand the relief it brings me.

"I can see you chose verbal speech," Prinna makes herself known again. "Most saplings decide on telepathic speech instead. We do have a telepath living in the Great Tree, but it makes speaking with everyone else a lot harder." She turns pensive for a second before quickly returning to her joyful demeanor. "So! Can you try speaking? Can you?" She exclaims as she claps her hands. I think about what to say, exhaling the held breath and noting that there doesn't seem to be any limit to how long I can hold it. I have a ton of questions, but there is something I should say first. A very important word. Jassin.

"Jassin..." I whisper quietly in my new, deep, slow voice. Only Prinna, who is the closest to me, appears to hear what I said.

"Eh? What do you m-"

"My name... Is Jassin."