Caught in a Hero Summoning: The Calm Life of a Plant Mage

Carter started walking down the cobblestone streets of the unknown world, his bag of coins jingling faintly with each step. The initial quiet of the town gave him time to process his situation, though his mind remained a whirlpool of thoughts. 

"So, this is it," Carter muttered to himself, looking around. "Stuck in another world. What am I supposed to do now? Find a job? Join an adventuring guild?" He chuckled dryly. "I can't even swing a sword."

As he turned a corner, the atmosphere changed abruptly. The street ahead was bustling with life. Vendors stood behind wooden carts, shouting to advertise their goods. "Fresh bread! Straight from the oven!" called one vendor. Another waved a cloth-covered basket. "Spiced fruit! Exotic and sweet! Try it now!"

Children dashed through the street, laughing and playing tag, their footsteps echoing between the stone buildings. Groups of people stood chatting animatedly, their voices creating a lively hum. Carter paused, taking it all in with wide eyes.

"Wow," he breathed. "This place is alive."

But it wasn't the noise or the energy of the scene that truly shocked him. As his gaze swept over the crowd, he began to notice the people weren't all… people. Standing by a cart, an orc—massive and muscular—was haggling over a stack of metal tools. Nearby, a pair of elves with long, pointed ears and elegant features examined a display of jewelry. At another stand, a cat-like humanoid, with fur-covered ears and a swishing tail, was buying dried meats. 

Carter's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me? Orcs? Elves? Beastfolk? This… this is insane! It's like something straight out of a fantasy novel!"

He shook his head and muttered to himself. "Wait, no, it's exactly like a fantasy novel. I read about these kinds of species all the time. But… they're real now? They're actually walking around, buying stuff, living their lives?" He laughed nervously, his voice rising. "This can't be real! Am I dreaming?"

He looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists. "Nope, definitely not dreaming. This is as real as it gets."

As he continued walking, a dwarven woman with a thick braid over one shoulder shouted from behind her stall. "You there! Newcomer! Try some of my roasted nuts—best in the kingdom!"

Carter hesitated, startled by her directness. "Oh, uh, I…" he stammered. 

"Don't be shy, lad! First sample's free!" she said with a hearty laugh.

Carter smiled awkwardly. "Thanks, but maybe later," he replied, quickly shuffling away. 

He muttered to himself as he walked. "What is happening? Dwarves, orcs, cat-people… Is there going to be a dragon next?" He glanced up at the sky, half-expecting to see something massive with wings. 

The scene overwhelmed him, yet he couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity and excitement. For all the strangeness, there was a part of him—the same part that had devoured fantasy stories as a kid—that wanted to see more. To explore.

"Alright, Carter," he said, taking a deep breath. "Time to figure out what's next in this crazy adventure."

Carter stood at the edge of the bustling street, watching the activity unfold before him. People of all species hurried past, their laughter and conversations blending with the calls of street vendors and the clatter of carts. For a moment, he felt like a spectator in someone else's story.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What am I supposed to do now?" he muttered to himself. "I mean, sure, this is exciting and all, but… what's next? Do I try to become some kind of adventurer? I don't even know how to fight."

His thoughts drifted to his love for plants and flowers, the one constant in his life. "Man, I just wanted a quiet life back home. Tending to my plants, maybe opening a bigger shop someday. Is that even possible here?" He chuckled dryly. "Probably not with all these magical species running around."

As he pondered his future, something caught his eye. Rising above the city wall in the distance was a massive tree, its thick branches spreading out like a natural umbrella. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow that seemed almost magical.

Carter's breath caught. "Whoa… that tree is huge. It's like something out of a fairy tale."

He stared at it, an idea forming in his mind. "Could I… could I live there? Away from all the noise and craziness? Just me, the plants, and… peace."

He opened his status screen and scrolled to his unique skill: Verdant Architect. The description glowed faintly:

Verdant Architect: Allows the user to create homes, buildings, and other structures using earth and plant materials. These structures are durable, eco-friendly, and customizable.

Carter's eyes widened as he reread the text. "Wait a second… I can build a house? Out of plants and earth?" He grinned, the spark of excitement breaking through his earlier uncertainty. "This… this could work. I could build something by that tree. Live off the land, grow my own food, have a garden… maybe even open a little flower shop there."

He glanced back at the bustling street, the noise and chaos contrasting sharply with the serene image of the tree in his mind. "A quiet life," he said softly, his tone wistful. "That's what I've always wanted. Maybe this world is giving me a chance to start over. My way."

Carter took a deep breath, the decision settling in his heart. He smiled, a sense of purpose beginning to form. "Alright, big tree. Looks like you're gonna be my new neighbor. Let's see what this Verdant Architect skill can really do."

With that, he set off toward the city gate, the towering tree beckoning him toward a future he was ready to create.

Carter made it out of the city gates, the noise and bustle of the town fading behind him. He paused to take in the vast fields stretching out before him, the horizon dominated by the massive tree he had seen earlier. Its towering form beckoned to him, and he felt a strange pull, as if it was calling him.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Big tree, here I come."

As he started walking, Carter's thoughts drifted. "So, what am I going to do in this world? I've got magic, apparently. And my status screen..." He opened it again, scrolling through his skills. "Crafting potions, herbal medicine, gardening… These could actually help me live day-to-day. Maybe I don't have to be an adventurer. Maybe I can just... exist here. Peacefully."

He glanced up at the sky, the vibrant blue dotted with fluffy clouds. The fresh breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of wildflowers and grass. "This world is... beautiful," he said softly. "Back home, everything felt so cramped. But here… it feels like I can actually breathe."

After about thirty minutes of walking, Carter finally reached the big tree in the woods. He stopped at the edge of the clearing, staring up at its massive trunk and sprawling branches. The quiet was absolute, broken only by the chirping of birds and the rustle of small creatures darting through the underbrush. He took a deep breath, letting the serene atmosphere wash over him.

"No people," he said to himself. "No noise. Just calm. This... this is perfect."

Carter approached the tree, placing a hand on its rough bark. "You're incredible," he murmured. "I don't know how long you've been here, but... I think we're going to be good neighbors."

As he stood there, he began to imagine what kind of home he wanted. "A treehouse," he said, the idea forming in his mind. "A sanctuary. Somewhere I can sleep, cook, and... grow things. I'd have a little workshop for potions, maybe a balcony to sit and watch the forest. Inside, it'd be cozy. Wood everywhere, but soft too. A bed surrounded by leaves. Light streaming in through gaps in the branches. It'd feel alive, part of the tree."

He smiled to himself, a sense of excitement bubbling up. "Yeah. That's it. That's what I'll make."

Carter stepped back and opened his status screen, scrolling to his unique skill. "Alright, Verdant Architect. Let's see what you can do." He activated the skill, and a glowing green light spread from his hands, wrapping around the base of the tree.

"Whoa," Carter said, watching in awe as the magic took shape. Vines and branches began to move, twisting and weaving together. "It's... it's actually happening."

The base of the tree seemed to grow wider, roots curling upward to form a staircase. "Okay, stairs. Good start," he said, stepping back to give the magic room to work. The vines climbed higher, forming platforms and walls, their movements guided by his thoughts.

"Let's add a balcony here," Carter muttered, and the branches responded, weaving into a circular platform with a natural railing. "Windows here, for light." Openings appeared in the walls, framed by flowering vines.

The inside began to take shape. A central room with a wooden floor grew from the heart of the tree, furnished with natural chairs and tables grown directly from the wood. A small alcove formed to one side, perfect for a bed. "Something soft, please," Carter murmured, and moss spread over the surface, creating a plush, natural mattress.

The workshop was next. Shelves grew from the walls, and a table sprouted in the center, its surface smooth and sturdy. "Perfect for potions," Carter said, grinning.

Finally, he added finishing touches. Hanging lanterns made from glowing flowers lit the space, and a spiral staircase wound up to the canopy, leading to an observation deck. "This is amazing," Carter said, stepping back to admire the work. 

As the magic faded, leaving the structure complete, Carter placed a hand on the tree again. "Thank you," he said softly. "This... this feels like home."

He sat down on the newly-formed balcony, gazing out over the forest. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden light over the trees. Carter smiled, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time.

Carter sat down on the newly formed balcony, the smooth wooden surface still warm from the afternoon sun. He leaned back, resting his arms on the natural railing of intertwined vines, and gazed out over the sprawling forest. The sky above was a canvas of soft oranges and purples, the setting sun painting everything in a golden glow. A gentle breeze brushed against his face, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers and pine.

"This is… incredible," Carter said to himself, his voice filled with awe. "I've never felt this free before. No noise, no crowds, no deadlines. Just… peace." He smiled, his chest swelling with a sense of happiness he hadn't felt in years.

He glanced at his hands, then back at the forest. "Alright, Carter. What's next? I can't just sit around all day enjoying the view… well, not every day," he chuckled. "I need to figure out what I'm going to do here. A job, maybe? Something that uses my skills."

He opened his status screen again, scrolling through his skills. "Crafting potions… that could be useful. Maybe I could make healing potions and sell them to adventurers. Or herbal medicine. People always need remedies for something, right?"

He paused, tapping his chin. "Gardening, too. I could grow all kinds of plants. Food, flowers, rare herbs… even magical ones. I bet a garden shop would do well in this world."

Carter laughed softly, the sound light and carefree. "Or I could just live out here and be a recluse. Grow my own food, make my own potions, and keep to myself. Honestly, that doesn't sound too bad either."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands as he stared out at the horizon. "But maybe… maybe I could combine it all. Build a little business. A flower shop, or a potion shop. Something that lets me meet people when I want to but still keeps things quiet most of the time."

The sky darkened slightly, stars beginning to twinkle above. Carter's smile widened as he took it all in. "I've got options. More than I ever thought I'd have. And for the first time, it feels like I can actually choose the life I want."

He sat in silence for a few moments, letting the peaceful atmosphere settle over him. "Alright," he said finally, standing up and stretching. "Tomorrow, I'll start planning. Figure out what I need to do to make this work. But for now… I think I'll just enjoy this moment."

Carter smiled as he leaned against the railing again, watching the stars fill the sky. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly at home.