Evolution

The sun was rising and my top leaves began basking in the gentle sunlight.

With a decisive snap, I let all my apples drop to the ground. All the magic I had been storing over the past eleven plus years was unleashed in one mighty burst.

I could feel every part of me being nourished by this great force. My body was slowly increasing in density. My magic core kept expanding at a crazy rate increasing my control over magic and my overall mental capabilities.

All this happened under the careful and precise instructions of my system.

The unstoppable burst of magic was slowly subdued, refined and used to complete my physical evolution.

Next, it was time for the most crucial part of evolving. The step from producing fruit like a natural tree to producing ore like a very unnatural tree mainly emphasized deduction.

Or to say it in another way, an enormous mental capacity would be needed to apply plant growth features to ores.

This process, albeit done by magic needed to follow a formula. This formula is ever-changing like life itself and would have to be adjusted continuously, thus the requirement of mental capacity.

With the now vastly improved magic core I possessed I could run the necessary calculations.

\u003cCongratulations to host for successful enhancement of host's magic core. Beginning ore growth formula deduction.

...

...

...

Deduction complete. Application to tin ore beginning. Application successful.

Congratulations to host for officially evolving into entity [magical ore tree]\u003e

'I think that's the longest I've ever heard you talk at one time.'

\u003c...\u003e

After I had evolved the changes could clearly be seen. All the places where there had once been apples were now filled by dazzling lumps of pure tin.

This silvery-white treasure, albeit not the most precious nor most durable of metals it holds many practical values. Tin was used for many useful alloys because of its strong properties for bonding other metals due to its low melting point.

The main reason I decided on using tin as my first metal to be displayed was its silvery-white color.

Tonight, there would be a full moon. And wouldn't the shine just be wonderful and sparkly in the moonlight?

I had to see this. At least as much as I could see.

\u003cHost's obsession with his own appearance is deemed as an obstruction to growing. Recommending host to halt such actions immediately!\u003e

'Come on...

No! Stop that! No summoning circles needed here...

We can talk about this right... right?'

\u003cBeginning termination due to lack in growth moral\u003e

'Wait! You misunderstood I'm doing this to get more faith!'

\u003c...\u003e

\u003cCanceling termination\u003e

'Pfew, glad I could come up with this on the spot.'

\u003cWhat did you say... HOST?\u003e

'Nothing!'

\u003c...\u003e

So anyway, I was now a certified magical ore tree that looked damn good.

Giddily waiting the whole day, evening finally arrived. And with it came the daily evening prayer from the humans.

Led by Nerida, they all congregated around the outermost tree circle. They had stayed away from me the whole day. Seemed that the burst of magic during my evolution had scared them a little.

Thus my completely changed look came as an even bigger surprise to them. Sparkling silver lights in the pale blue light of the moon.

Their facial expressions were in awe and I felt like the faith I received had grown just a little stronger.

The next day, Nerida came to find me in the morning. Not that there was any searching needed, I still couldn't move after all.

„So... what's with the new look?"

'A change of heart my dear my soul is now pure like silver.'

„I liked the soul of apples more."

'...'

'Well I've evolved so for the time being there won't be any apples. But I have ores now, this is tin, a very useful metal.'

„So it's not silver, what a disappointment. Anyway, I'm here to get the spell you promised me for not learning the one from my clan."

I was slightly sad that my great new powers weren't appreciated but the thing she mentioned was indeed more pressing.

After all, I'd have multiple years to convince her of the greatness of tin.

As for the spell promise, that was quite a complicated matter.