Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Chapter Nineteen

So I forgot to write the details of [Plant Eater] so here it is.

1. Energy Absorption:@@@@

Allows the user to absorb energy directly from the earth, or plant like fauna, replenishing health, stamina, or mana.

Enhanced effects when consuming magical or rare plants.

2. Immunity to Poison and Toxins:

Grants resistance or full immunity to plant-based poisons, spores, and toxins.

Neutralizes effects of harmful substances from consumed plants.

3. Plant Communication:

Gain the ability to understand and influence plant life, such as asking vines to move or flowers to bloom.

Detect nearby plant-based monsters or resources like medicinal herbs.

---

Kaede held the tiny plant monster up to eye level, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “I think I’ll call you... Acer.”

The moment the name escaped her lips, a wave of energy exploded outward. It struck Kaede like a hammer, nearly driving her to her knees. Her vision blurred as her stamina drained rapidly, leaving her lightheaded and gasping for air. The sap clinging to her body shimmered, glowing faintly before disintegrating into the air.

“W-what the hell was that?!” Kirara yelled, stumbling back as the energy pulsed through the forest. Trees nearby trembled, their leaves fluttering as if caught in a storm. Even as unadept as she was, she could sense this.

Kaede gritted her teeth, steadying herself with the help of her shield. "I'm... Not sure.” She inhaled deeply, forcing herself upright despite the wave of exhaustion threatening to pull her down. “I just gave it a name.”

Acer, meanwhile, began to glow with an intense green light, its tiny form radiating a pulsing aura. The ground beneath it cracked, roots and vines writhing outward as if drawn to its transformation. Its body expanded rapidly, the once-small plant now resembling a sapling as vines stretched and twisted into new shapes.

“Oh no,” Kaede muttered, taking a wary step back. “Here we go.”

Kirara’s voice rose in alarm. “You’ve really done it this time! What’s it turning into?!”

Acer’s glow intensified, shifting from green to gold as its form grew taller, its once amorphous body solidifying. The vines coiled together, taking on the shape of limbs—a feminine humanoid frame slowly emerging from the chaotic tangle. Its leafy appendages merged and hardened, forming distinct features: arms, legs, and a torso covered in bark-like plating with faintly glowing veins running through it.

Finally, the light dimmed, revealing Acer’s new form. It stood roughly Kaede’s height, its body a blend of plant and human-like characteristics. Its “skin” was smooth and bark-like, with glowing emerald lines tracing intricate patterns across its surface. Its head retained a slight resemblance to a flower bud, with sharp, crystalline teeth peeking out when it opened its mouth. Two glowing, pupil-less green eyes gazed at Kaede with childlike curiosity.

Kirara gawked, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled for words. “You... you turned it into a walking plant person?!”

Kaede leaned on her shield, her exhaustion making it difficult to focus. “Hah... Looks like Acer leveled up.”

Acer tilted its head, mimicking Kaede’s stance as it crouched slightly to meet her eyes. It reached out a bark-like hand, its fingers extending into fine, vine-like tendrils that brushed against her arm. Its touch was light, almost inquisitive, and a low, melodic hum resonated from its chest.

“Artificia,” Kaede managed, her voice weak. “What... what just happened?”

Kaede’s eyebrows rose. “Sapient Awareness? Acer... can think?”

Acer straightened, its glowing eyes locking onto Kaede. It nodded once, the motion slow and deliberate.

Kirara backed up further, her face pale. “Nope. Nope, nope, nope. It’s looking at us like it understands everything. Kaede, what have you done?”

Kaede chuckled weakly, brushing her sweat-soaked hair out of her face. “The hell are you asking me for? You're watching the same thing I am.”

Acer stepped closer, its vines retracting as it held out its hand to Kaede. There was a sense of calm in its posture, almost protective, as if it was pledging its loyalty.

Kaede hesitated for a moment before gripping its bark-covered hand. A faint warmth pulsed through her fingers, and she felt a strange connection solidify between them—a bond deeper than words. “Welcome to the team, Acer.”

Kirara groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. “You just keep making things more complicated. What happens if it turns on us?”

Kaede glanced at Acer, who tilted its head again, emitting a soft hum that sounded almost... hurt.

“Don’t be mean,” Kaede chided, smirking. “Look at her. She’s harmless.”

Kirara pointed a trembling finger at the towering plant-humanoid. “That thing’s got claws and teeth that could shred us in seconds!”

“And it won’t use them on us,” Kaede replied confidently. She looked back at Acer. “Right, buddy?”

Kaede pinched the bridge of her nose. “Figures. Okay, option one. What about this forest? Jura has plenty of magicules, right?”

“Months?” Kaede grumbled. Her eyes flicked to Acer, who had shifted closer, its gaze steady and unwavering.

“What about option two?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at her newly evolved companion. “You said Acer bonded with me. Can I—”

Kaede frowned. “I’m not about to drain Acer just to keep myself alive. That’s a last resort.”

Kirara let out a soft groan and opened one eye. “What are you whispering about over there?” she mumbled, rubbing her face.

Kaede hesitated before responding. “Just... brainstorming ways to not die.”

Kirara blinked, her grogginess fading instantly. “What do you mean, not die? What’s going on?”

Kaede waved a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing big—just running low on magicules and apparently I’ll drop dead if I don’t find a way to recharge.”

“What?!” Kirara shot upright, her voice shrill. “You’re joking, right?”

Kaede sighed. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Kirara stared at her, then at Acer, who stood silently nearby, its protective stance not reassuring in the slightest. “I tried to warn you. Always pushing yourself, what are you going to do?”

“I’m working on it,” Kaede replied, her voice sharp. “But unless you know where I can find a pile of magicules just lying around, I’m open to suggestions.”

Kirara bit her lip, her gaze darting around the forest. “What about... I don’t know, one of those magic beasts Veeno mentioned? Don’t they have magicules? Can’t you, like, drain one of them?”

Kaede gave her a flat look. “You mean go hunting while I’m practically a walking corpse? Brilliant plan.”

Kirara huffed. “Hey, it’s better than just sitting here waiting for you to kick the bucket!”

Acer stepped forward, its glowing eyes meeting Kaede’s. The soft hum from its body grew louder, more resolute. Slowly, it extended its hand toward her, its vine-like tendrils unfurling.

Kaede frowned. “What are you doing?”

Artificia chimed in.

Kaede stared at the plant-like humanoid, her chest tightening. “Acer... you don’t have to do this.”

Acer tilted its head, its glowing eyes unwavering. It let out a melodic hum, a sound that felt oddly soothing.

Kirara crossed her arms. “It’s a plant. It doesn’t need to grow. If it can save you, let it help!”

Kaede clenched her fists, torn between accepting and refusing. She could feel the bond between herself and Acer, its loyalty unwavering. Finally, she exhaled, reaching out to place her hand on its outstretched tendrils.

“Alright,” she said quietly. “Just enough to keep me stable. No more than that.”

Acer’s vines coiled gently around her hand, and a warm, tingling sensation spread through her arm. Kaede’s exhaustion began to fade, replaced by a faint, buzzing energy that filled her body.

Artificia’s voice echoed in her mind.

Kaede let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to sit upright fully. “Thanks, Acer.” She said, pretending to feel better.

The humanoid plant hummed softly, retracting its vines and stepping back.

Kirara sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing. “Okay, crisis averted—for now. But we need a long-term plan.”

Kaede nodded, her mind already working. “We’ll head deeper into Jura. If Veldora’s magicules are as dense as Artificia says, we’ll find a place where I can recover without leeching off anyone.”

Kirara grimaced. “You mean closer to that giant dragon? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Kaede smirked faintly. “Do you have a better one?”

Kirara groaned. “No, but I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so’ if we get eaten.”

Kaede chuckled weakly, pushing herself to her feet. “Deal. Let’s move.”

"By the way, who's Artificia?"

"No one important."