『Skill Unlocked: Observe - Level. 5』

I gazed at the floating information box, bird-eyebrows scrunched in confusion. It appeared right after I acquired information from the Ancient Dryad.

It made sense that the ability to summon information of other living beings is also a skill, considering mother’s higher-level Observe, but to have it unlocked at level 5?

Initially, I thought it made sense that unless you clear a specific prerequisite, skills would be locked from you. That way you'll be forced to experiment and explore. That system would reward the courageous and brave while punishing the meek and cowardly. It’s the perfect system to ensure that only the strongest would survive.

But if a skill could be leveled before it’s unlocked implies that you can just use it without unlocking it. What’s the purpose of a System, then? I’ve been using Observe just fine before, even before I tried using it with mana-

My eyes widened as the connection was revealed to me. Mana.

It is the catalyst for the skill to start. It was only after I used it that Observe became registered by the System.

Wait, that made no sense. If it uses mana, shouldn’t it be spells? What about those unlucky people that can’t use mana or only have a small amount available?

I scratched my bulging stomach with my claw. The one that made the System really ought to think these things through. Or at least prepare a guide to make it comprehensive. Or maybe this is just a matter of semantics, and mana-less skills are available? Although that does bring the question on how they work…

Ah, whatever. Thinking has never been my strong suit.

I stood from my resting place on top of the nest. My eyes scanned my surroundings for Mother, but it seemed like she’s not present. She must’ve left to get more Jade Worm while I was busy experimenting with my skills.

My legs kicked the ground at the same time my wings unfurled. I made one strong flap, before gliding the rest of the way to the edge of our nest.

Taking my proper place once more, I looked out towards the waiting world. The sun was climbing up the sky, washing the forest underneath with its presence. There were clusters of different fights occurring everywhere, but they did not fit my purpose this time.

I looked instead at the sky-scraping trees. The fully black one stood like a sore thumb, the forest creating a natural clearing around it as if afraid to be any closer. Unlike the vine-strewn one, there was an obvious magical quality to the black tree.

Maybe it’s an instinct from being an animal. Or maybe it’s the dark clouds undulating and swirling around the tree. Either way, I don’t think it would be wise to experiment with something infinitely more likely to be magical.

I switched my attention, inspecting the other giant tree. I craned my neck up, trying to see the top of the sky-scraping tree, but my vision was clouded by the multitude of white -coloured condensed water vapor floating around it. All I could figure out was that each of those vines that roped down from the clouds above were gigantic, considering the size of the figures flying around it.

Focusing on the feeling to Observe, I summoned the intent to understand and uncover in my mind. My eyes stared steadily at the giant tree, wishing for the information box to appear.

I stayed in that state for a full minute.

Then another.

By the third, I decided I gave it a fair try already. Just like before, there seems to be an arbitrary limit to what I can Observe without the usage of the mana or the skill.

So I focused my attention inward, towards my mana core. I mimicked the feeling yesterday, when the organ pumped mana out. I imagined the stream of power, the connection into my eyes. The pooling of power.

I felt my core twitch; an itch visited my eyes.

Observe.

My core thrummed to life as it released a wave of mana. The channels in my body hummed as they facilitated the transfer towards my eyes. Mana rushed in, and the tree in my vision was drowned in a paint of gold. The flow of mana from my core was cut, but the sensation differed greatly from that time I ran out of mana. It felt purposeful this time. Natural.

The question, then, became different. Did the Skill know the required mana and requested only that set amount, or was it my body that knew how much mana the Skill would require? The former implied the System having control over my body. Frightening, but very probable.

The gold in my vision was drained away, bringing me back to focusing on the giant tree. The questions can wait. For now, new information boxes have appeared.

『Eternal Banyan - Lvl. ???』

『Skill Lvl Up! Observe Lvl. 5 -> Observe Lvl. 6』

???

Disregarding the level of the Banyan aside, it seems like mana was the key factor after all. Without mana, you’re either useless or forced on harder paths. Is that the kind of unbalanced rule this world lives by?

Yet despite that, it doesn’t explain how I leveled up the first four levels before I discovered mana.

The Skill description for Observe should provide something useful, right?

『Observe - Level 6』

A basic universal skill present in any species with the capability of rational cognitive function.

Requires a clear and unobstructed view of the target.

Mana Usage: Instant

Restriction: N/A

… Why do I still keep my expectations up that the damned System would give something more than just the bare minimum?

Closing the Skill description, I mulled over the information provided. It made sense now that Observe kept on leveling up, because there were no mana requirement. It’s been leveling up everytime I use it, up until the System quantified it for ease of observation.

I craned my neck, looking up at the sun above.

How many other ‘skills’ do I have? Abilities that I’ve cultivated and ignored, abilities that I could make more effective. Do they become part of the System and grow stronger because of the System’s influence, or are they strong enough already before the System ‘acknowledges’ them?

There’s a lot of questions there. A good thing, then, that I have all that is required to find the answer.

I spent the next few hours trying to forge mana pathways throughout every part of my body imaginable. Beak, nose, vocal cords, wings, claws, you name it, I’ve tried it.

Nothing. Not a single one reacted. Not even a hint of a notification. All it did was leave me empty and exhausted, my mana core spent.

I waddled over to my spot on the nest. My eyes briefly glanced over at my siblings, but the slothful lot are simply fast asleep.

How easy it must be, to live a life of ignorance. Just eating and sleeping. None of them have even decided to move out from their eggshell!

Shaking my head, I stopped on my spot at the edge of the nest.

I do understand where they’re coming from. It’s really nice to just sit still all day. Especially because this bird body’s sleeping pose is the same as its standing position. All it takes is to close their eyes and crane your neck a bit to be comfortable.

Still, to be level 20 and not have the desire to move anything beside your mouth? That’s a bit much, I think.

Well, that means I’m going to have less competition I guess.

Summoning my own information, I looked at the recent change courtesy of the Observe on the Ancient Dryad yesterday.

『Class: Species requirement not met』

This new line had replaced the previous one, leaving only two level locked features remaining. This one teased at an amazing possibility. To be able to use skills restricted to my bird species in addition to class-specific ones? Anyone with even a small amount of RPG knowledge would know that opens up a ton of powerful combinations.

Probably why it was locked for my species, really. But in that case, why even put it there at all?! This System, honestly.

Grumbling to myself, I almost missed the beats of powerful wings carrying an even more powerful presence. I looked up to see Mother already standing in front of me.

It’s terrifying how she can be so large yet move with such a silent grace. Was it also a skill, or something born out of habit?

I opened my right wing and lifted it up and down in a wave. She returned it with a scrunched eyebrow and a tilted head.

My wing waved faster. Why are you glaring at me like that, Mother? I’m just doing a simple greeting.

Mother shook her head, before returning an uncertain wave with her wing.

I smiled. Or at least, I felt like I smiled, but I don’t know how that translated into this bird body, considering I couldn't control my face besides my beak and eyes.

Considering Mother's expression, it was definitely not a good translation.

It was then that my eyes noticed something green and diamond-looking between Mother's beak. Noticing my stare, she leaned down before dropping it in front of me.

At least half my size, it was pulsing and beating, its surface a flashing riot of white and green and black. It was encasing something in the middle, a dark long shadow that laid unmoving.

I looked up, where Mother was giving me one of her expectant looks. This one’s easy-peasy, there is only one correct answer to this action.

Beak opened wide, I leaned down, ready to gobble up the crystal in one go.

The wind itself gripped my head, forming a skin tight shackle that stopped me from moving my head at all.

I glanced up with my eyes to find her giving me a blank stare.

Alright, I get it. Can't take a joke, can you, Mother?

The pressure from her magic disappeared.

Pulling my head back, I gave the pulsing emerald crystal my full focus as I once again concentrated on my mana core.

Observe.

It didn’t take long before new information popped in front of my eyes. Information that widened my eyes in delight.

『Level 50. Horned Jade Worm』

『Evolving』

My eyes widened in surprise. It was not an emerald; it was a cocoon.

I gave Mother a look, which she returned with a satisfied nod, her eyes a shimmering gold. That was all the confirmation I needed.

I reached down, my beak already open to gobble the EXP rich meal before a thought introduced itself.

Stopping myself, I gave Mother a questioning look. Going by memory, the『Level 1 Horned Jade Worm』earlier had nearly twice as much EXP compared to the『Level 29 Jade Worm』

Why aren’t we waiting for this one to finish evolving before eating it for even more experience points?

I pulled back again. Extending my right wing, I pointed at the pulsing cocoon with my wingtips, and then made a huge circle indent on the hay nest beside it.

I pointed at the cocoon, then the circle, then at my mouth, before patting my tummy.

As in, “Why don’t we wait until it’s evolved before I eat it?”

Her stare didn’t change into anything positive. Whether it’s because it was a dumb idea or she didn’t get it, I have no clue.

She pointed at the cocoon with her talons, then poked my tummy. Her stare sharpened.

Mother, if you never explained your actions and instead force your children, they’ll grow up to be resentful you know?

Pointing at the cocoon once again, I pointed towards the empty air beside the cocoon.

While staying in place, talons gripping the nest beneath, I positioned my wings so they are horizontal. Flapping them forward and back, I gave my best rendition of a butterfly’s movement.

Please tell me the worms in this world evolve into butterflies and not something ridiculous.

Please tell me she gets what I mean, and not throw me out for being a useless chick that can’t even use their wings properly.

What she did, in the end, was to give me the same unamused stare as before. It wasn’t the best case scenario, and once again underlined how annoying it is to not be able to communicate, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

Sighing internally, I picked up the cocoon with my beak. Angling my head up in just the right position, I was able to snap it in two as it slid down my mouth, giving my tongue a nice Jade Worm juice bath.

Which, sadly, was not as bad or good as the other Jade Worms. Doesn’t make them not delicious, but I was expecting something more from something so high-leveled.

The cocoon’s taste hadn't even fully left my tongue before boxes of information cascaded down to fill my vision.

『Level 50. Horned Jade Worm devoured』

『Bonus EXP for devouring a species mid-evolution』

『EXP + 15000』

『Level Up! Lvl. 29 Infant Roc -> Lvl. 30 Infant Roc』

Okay, it made sense now why Mother was so insistent, but holy, what is that number?! Is that even-

『Evolution Unlocked: Level requirement reached』

My beak fell open.

It took me a while to process that last bit of information. But after reality seemed intent on staying as it was, I could feel laughter bubbling from within.

It came out as a shrill, continuous screech that seemed more eerie than anything. Damnit, body, can’t we agree on something?

I focused on the notification window, which brought a new information window to my vision. One that I expect, much like my status breakdown, would be more insightful.

I didn’t get to see what the writing was before I felt a sharp pain on the top of my head.

It didn’t cut through any of my feathers, or break through my skin, but it forced a pained screech out of me.

I moved my gaze up to see Mother’s wings fully extended to her side, casting a shadow over my body. All the feathers on her were puffed out and stood on edge. Her jade claws and talons were gleaming and flashing with such an intensity it stung to stare too long at them. Her golden eyes were glaring daggers at me.

Literal daggers.

Her mana had formed half a dozen of sharp, dagger-shaped jade winds that floated around her head. All of them were pointing at me.

One of said curved dagger was the source of my pain, blunted just enough for its tip to drive in the message without drawing blood.

The new information window floated into the center of my vision. It was simple. Very simple.

『Evolution Available. Continue?』

『Yes』/『No』

I may be stubborn, but I’m not stupid. It’s very clear she did not want me to evolve, and for very specific pointy reasons, I agree with her.

Dragging my beak towards the information box, I gave her one last look.

I regretted it; I’ve never seen her face warped in such intense anger before. Her daggers floated towards me, inching closer until they were buzzing at the edge of my vision, centimeters away from my head.

Relax, Mother. I got your point.

I curved my beak down and to the right, nudging the『No』option.

The mana daggers around me immediately disappeared.

My ears picked up the exhale of a long held breath. My eyes saw Mother’s eyes, brown once more, holding a softer gaze. Her wings folded onto her sides, her jade claws dull once again.

Her head leaned down, a mountain of white feathers covering my vision.

She rubbed my head with her own, her beak gently brushing that particular part where she poked me.

The anger within me ebbed away.

Mother’s wings wrapped around my body, pulling me into a soft embrace.

It melted away any lingering grievances I had.

No matter how much I wanted to be angry at her for making my own decisions for me. Or how much I wanted to evolve so I could be powerful. At the end of the day, she’s doing this for my own good. She’s on the top of the food chain for a reason, after all.

I sighed, burrowing myself deeper into the softest material anyone could ever imagine.

This must be what it feels like to lay down on clouds.