[Wake up already, it's melted, you can break out of this flower now!]

I was startled awake when I heard Little Helper pleading with me to get up. The liquid has evaporated, but the flower continues to surround me. But I feel different as if I've changed. I'm in a state of shock as I look down at my body. I must have rapidly developed as a result of the growth ceremony because I look like I'm smoking! My arms, pecs, and waist are currently crushing it in the game. Do you know that chart of male body types? I'd say I'm a 4 on it.

With a satisfied nod, I poke a hole through the flower. My horns are enormous! This had to be bothersome in some way, but it only got worse as I felt more of my face. It was the ears' fault. My ears are far too long for my face. My father has long ears, but these are excessive. Maybe getting some piercings will make me look more badass.

[Omg, stop drooling over your beauty and go out! Your parents are outside, and they still have things to give you to commemorate the occasion!]

With those words, I ripped the petal to shreds with my newly discovered muscle and razor-sharp claws. When I take a step forward, my legs collapsed and I fall to the ground. Damn, my legs must have dozed off. "Look at our son, for the love of the old gods!" Looking up, I see my mother and father approaching me. My father picks me up by my arms and scans me while my mother pokes me from every angle. "Look at our son, honey, isn't he wonderful? Look at those horns; my brothers and sisters would be envious if they were here." My father describes it as gleaming. "Ignore his horns and focus on his face. My son has the attractive face of a dryad. The animals would be at his feet if we were back in the Dryad Forest!" She explains. I shake myself free of their clutches and give them a tight hug. "Thank you; the growth ceremony was a fantastic experience. Right now, my body is brimming with power!" I say excitedly.

"Please don't think that was the gift; the gifts received are far from over. Now it's my turn to bestow my growing ceremony gift on you, so come here son." My mother pulls out a bag. "This is a classic Dryads bag. We dryads can summon plants or strengthen existing plants, but this requires mana and the plant you seek is not always available. This bag can hold an infinite number of seeds that can be used at any time. It was a difficult decision, but your father and I decided not to fill the bag beforehand. When the war is over, I want you to go out and collect these seeds like any other dryad. I want this bag to be a symbol of hope that you will one day be able to leave this place. But here's a one-seeded gift." My mother digs into the bag and pulls out a seed. I expected her to hand it to me, but instead, she placed it on the ground.

"I'd like you to put your mana into the seed. Don't just dump it; instead, let it flow." I kneel in front of the plant, listening to her command, and begin to release my mana into it. My mana appears to be much richer and more prevalent, another gift from the ceremony of growth. As more mana enters the plants, the ground around them begins to burst open. "Keep pouring, I'll assist!" This is not a small plant, but a massive tree! My mother places her hands on my back and pours her mana into me to keep me from becoming fatigued. Finally, the tree stops growing. My mother and I collapsed to the ground.

[You have now learned the skill Plant Manipulation Lvl 1]

I smile at the skill, but I push it away as I stare in awe at the tree. It resembled a pine tree that grew on Earth. I turn to face my mother and hug her tightly. "You see, with this gift, you can create a forest and bring new life to the world. I hope you can bring life to the world in the same way that you bring life to me and your father's lives. Now you must go to your father's. He is eager to present you with his gift." She shoves me away, and I flee to my father.

My father was scanning the tree, almost as if he was inspecting it. "You've created a feisty-looking tree here, boy. We could use this as punching practice to strengthen those new fists." He says this while nudging me on the shoulder. "Could you please tell me that training isn't my gift?" I begged. "Please training is a blessing, but my gift is way different and not to brag way bigger than your mother," my father laughs. I vine approaches from behind and wacks him. "I'm sorry, honey!" He yells quickly before grabbing my hand and fleeing.

As we get further away from the tree, my father ruffles my hair and places it in front of him. "You're about to experience excruciating anguish..." What?! My father pushes his hands into his chest before I can even say anything. "What are you doing, Dad?" I shout. I grabbed his arm in an attempt to stop him, but all he did was chuckle and bring out a ball of light from his chest. He laughs as he shoves me off of him. I was on the verge of crying, but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

Pain drilled throughout my body as I could feel my bodily change. My father lied to me and my mother. He said he was just kidding about breaking my bones. Now he decided to break them all at once. Still, in pain, I look down at where it hurts the most to see my backside growing and lengthening. Don’t tell me my father blessed me with a bbl. Before I could cry out anymore I feel anxious again. For christ's sake, this is the second time I have fainted today.