(Third-person perspective)
Aermir's information network began to prove its effectiveness as it uncovered spies sent by other lords. However, instead of immediately exposing these spies, Aermir opted for a more strategic approach, providing them with false information and effectively misleading them.
For some time, he had been struggling with the challenge of integrating weirwood trees into a vast root system. To his surprise, the solution was remarkably simple, and he couldn't understand why he hadn't thought of it sooner. He simply needed to light a beacon, rather than trying to actually connect the tree to the root system.
To achieve this goal, the Druid traveled throughout the North, persuading lords to send those they wished to execute to the temple. These executions were carried out in the name of the Old Gods.
He believed that rather than letting these people die by the executioner's blade, it would be better for them to pass away through a more meaningful Sacrifice, ensuring that their life force was not wasted but used for a greater purpose.
Aermir's efforts bore fruit; he successfully persuaded most of the North lords to send about ten murderers each month to participate in the Sacrifice ritual. Although the number might have been greater, some criminals chose the harsh conditions of the Wall rather than face the executioner's blade. Aermir held a grand ceremony, using the life force of these criminals to feed the sacred weirwood tree. The tree shimmered with an ethereal light, like a beacon in complete darkness.
The weirwood tree in Aermir is like a radiant lighthouse; once ignited, its influence ripples through its root network and the mysterious lightning lines beneath the North earth. It extends like tendrils, weaving and connecting with other weirwood trees throughout the region. Then, the weirwood's root system gradually extends, connecting with the intricate underground root network.
Having established this connection, Aermir used magic to carve a face into the weirwood, transforming it into a sacred weirwood. This sacred tree in the temple allowed him to observe events within a 10-kilometer radius of any weirwood tree to the North. It was a powerful tool that could help him monitor the entire region and gather vital information through his spy network.
As Aermir ascended to the fifth level of Druid, his mastery of the weirwood trees deepened, allowing him greater control and access to their intricate networks. This newly discovered level of control was accompanied by a multitude of spells and rituals, some of which he created himself through rigorous experimentation.
Aermir gradually came to understand the importance of his Training Space. It was not only where he practiced martial arts, but also a sanctuary where he designed and tested new spells and pushed the limits of his arcane abilities. Throughout his journey, he endured countless trials of death and suffering, including explosions, burns, and devastating misfortunes. However, what was truly invaluable was that this space provided him with the freedom to train without fear, allowing him to train without hesitation.
Besides his pursuit of magic, Aermir also studied herbalism and conducted extensive experiments on various poisons. His efforts paid off, developing resistance to mild poisons into complete immunity to animal venoms and plant toxins. Previously, he might have fallen ill from being bitten or ingesting poisons, but now he feels unaffected.
Furthermore, Aermir honed his control over animal biology, mastering a spell called " Animal Growth " (Dȳñes Gumen), which could stimulate the growth and reproduction of animals within a 10-meter radius. Building on this, he began experimenting with broader rituals, capable of influencing creatures within a 1-kilometer radius. His pursuit of knowledge and power was endless, continuously evolving him into a powerful Druid.
Aermir's relentless pursuit of knowledge and power led him to a deeper understanding of the intricate world of animal biology. Using his ability to control growth and reproduction, he began experimenting with sensing diseases within living organisms. After a year of effort, he accomplished this extraordinary feat. He could now discern any disease or abnormality within an animal simply by touch.
He then turned his insatiable curiosity inward, conducting countless experiments on himself within the Training Space. He didn't even remember how many times he died or became a deformed monster, but due to the characteristics of the Training Space, he returned to normal as soon as he left.
Aermir constantly honed his physical abilities and challenged the limits of his capabilities. In a daring experiment, he combined all the toxic substances he had ingested with the venom in his body to create a potent poison sac.
The process was extremely painful and lengthy, demonstrating his unwavering determination. He manipulated his own body with magic, inducing mutations and transformations to create this unique poison sac. However, he realized that attempting such a procedure on others would have disastrous consequences, causing internal bleeding and death in the unfortunate.
To harness the potential of his venom, Aermir invented a spell called "Narys Jelevre," also known as " Poison Gas." This complex magic combines the venom stored within him with the element of wind, allowing him to unleash a deadly venom in a 10-meter cone. The venom he produces is incredibly potent, affecting victims through contact or inhalation.
As Aermir continues to expand his repertoire of spells, some of his existing spells have evolved to level 5, making them more powerful and versatile. Spells such as Obterovedȳñes ( Summon Behemoth ), Modocalcinum ( Summon Medium Elemental ), and Figumorfus ( Shapeshifting ) have all received significant enhancements.
For example, " Summon Large Animal " can now summon a three-headed bear or a six-headed wolf, while " Transformation " grants the selected animal all its abilities, though special abilities like underwater breathing or poison remain elusive. When he transforms into a snake, he cannot create snake venom, but he can use his own.
The enhancement to the Summon Elemental spell has also been significant. Aermir is now able to summon elementals that are 2 to 3 meters tall. His Wildfire Spirit have grown to the size of ordinary wolves and have gained new abilities.
It can glide briefly in the air and unleash two spells: Fireball Spell and a faint aura attack with power similar to the Burning Hands, which is unique among elemental spirits.
Normally, other medium-sized elements can only use one spell: fire elementals use Burning Hands, earth elementals use Earth Shards, water elementals create Water Burst by pressurizing water, wind elementals manipulate gusts of wind, and lightning elementals wield powerful lightning.
In the same year, Aermir acquired two more spells: one a protective spell and the other a powerful healing spell. Mass Stoneskin enhances the defenses of those within a 10-meter radius of him.
At the same time, " Regeneration " is his most powerful healing spell, capable of Regeneration bones and muscles; although it cannot Regeneration organs, it can only repair them. Reconstructing lost limbs is a painful and arduous process, and if the patient lacks the necessary strength, it can lead to a heart attack or death.
Aermir also expanded his experiments to include plants. During his travels, he discovered a plant that resembled a potato, but it was green and poisonous.
Using a small plot of land in the Temple Forest, Aermir studied selective breeding techniques, using spells to force the plants to mutate. Although most attempts ended in failure, just like his experiments on animals, Aermir persevered despite his limited power.
Potatoes typically require 80 to 120 days to grow, a period that varies depending on factors such as soil quality and climate. In the North, the growing period can extend to 120 days. However, Aermir, using spells and magic, successfully shortened the growing period to 20-30 days.
Nevertheless, this method cannot be widely used in agriculture because it depletes the soil. While it is less harmful when used for selective propagation in small areas of 5 or 10 square meters, it is not feasible for general cultivation.
His focus was on cultivating potatoes with a more brownish color. After two years of tireless effort, Aermir successfully developed edible potatoes, although they tasted slightly sour. This innovation greatly improved farm productivity, allowing for two harvests per year without causing serious damage to the soil. Aermir extended this method to crops such as wheat, barley, and corn, enhancing their cold resistance.
He selectively distributed improved seeds, cultivating the Plant Growth only in areas inhabited by fanatical believers. Aermir aimed to prove that following the Old Gods could lead to a better life.
Although the House Manderly and other families lived adjacent to these fertile fields, they did not receive special treatment. Aermir observed these commoners and selectively promoted the growth of the land according to their religious beliefs. The lords benefited from the increased production, but the commoners began to gossip.
As the Old Gods ' fields yielded two to three times more than the Seven ' fields, discontent with the Seven continued to spread, despite their fields being adjacent to those of the Seven ' followers.
During the famine, the monks' insistence on taking a share of the meager harvests from the struggling farmers created a stark contrast. This demand became the final straw for many, exacerbating the growing discontent among the common people. For these reasons, many began to abandon the Seven and start worshipping the Old Gods.