Seeing my sad expression, Valessia showed regret and tried to comfort me.
— Don't be sad, little one. It's still considered a good gift among transformed humans. With training, it can easily become useful in battles, — she said, closing the matter without much else to add.
I sighed, unsure of what to say or do.
— At least you're going to teach me how to control nature, right? — I tried to cheer myself up.
— Yes, exactly. There's no use being sad. Let's train! — Valessia replied, pulling me along cheerfully, wanting to focus on something new: the control of nature.
Almost dragged along, we reached the southern part of the island, where we stood facing each other. Valessia began to explain, almost like a mother teaching her child to leave home for the first time.
— Let's go, Bruno. The power of nature is almost like your element of fire: it requires personal understanding, but it isn't limited to a single element.
— And it doesn't differ from one to another either. The power of nature, based on plants, trees, flowers, and vines, can only be controlled through yourself. Even so, the final result will resemble my own, — she continued, pointing her hand and creating thorny vines that coiled like constrictor snakes, threatening to crush everything in their path.
She then lifted a tree from the ground. She looked calm and serene, but its roots began to attack violently, drawing water from the river at high speed. Under Valessia's control, the tree condensed together with the vines, forming a huge wooden giant, similar to a treant, but without consciousness.
Valessia advanced and entered inside it. A field of roses bloomed beneath my feet, and I remained still — not because of their beauty, but because of the terrifying feeling of death they emanated.
To end the demonstration, a small sunflower appeared, looking ordinary, until it grew larger than the wooden giant. It shone intensely, and a ray of sunlight tore the sky, illuminating the place.
Valessia leapt out of the giant and snapped her fingers, making everything vanish, leaving me deeply impressed.
I had already been somewhat interested in this power, since it could allow me to create a Christmas Plant with countless benefits. But now I also saw a new way of attacking, and a method to enhance my beloved flames.
— Amazing… what a fascinating power! — I said, truly interested.
Valessia smiled lightly and joyfully.
— I'm glad you liked it. The power of nature is very sought after and widely used because of the Christmas Plant, but few delve deeply into such an interesting power, — she commented, clearly passionate about the ability.
Bruno admired Valessia more and more. She was a fascinating woman, doing what she wanted, even if despised by others.
— So? What would you like to learn about this power? — she asked, excited.
— Honestly, I'd like to learn how to create and control trees, roots, and thorny vines, as well as cultivate a Christmas Plant, — I answered.
She understood my interest: any power that increased my overall strength, without conflicting with my other gifts, was welcome. Valessia was happy to teach me. After all, even her daughter and the other children had only learned one or two tricks with flowers.
— Sit down, Bruno, — she said, sitting across from me. — Try to feel the nature around you. Connecting to it is essential.
I followed her instructions, closed my eyes, and tried to connect with nature. Hours passed, and little by little we began to attune ourselves. Though it seemed simple, this connection required focus and patience.
When I opened my eyes, it was already late afternoon. Valessia was no longer nearby, but I kept thinking about that connection. I began channeling my vitae and tried to create and mold nature. Without much difficulty, I managed to manipulate a thorny vine I had created. Though my control was still weak, it was enough for an apprentice vampire or a beast newly advanced to level 1.
I experimented with creating a tree and using its roots to attack; I failed, but it was a valuable experience. Next, I managed to form a barrier of shrubs in the shape of a sphere, still weak but promising.
While I was training, Valessia reappeared, this time carrying a small basket full of food.
— You must be hungry, right? — she said, spreading a cloth on the ground.
As a vampire, I didn't feel hunger, but I couldn't resist the spiritual food Valessia had prepared. We sat together, and she cheerfully pulled out countless treats.
While eating, my ordinary gifts were temporarily forgotten.
— Does it taste good? — Valessia asked.
— Delicious! — I replied, biting into a piece of cloud cake with a wonderful flavor. — I'm even thinking of marrying you! — I added, without thinking of the consequences, simply savoring the moment.
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