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

Carter stood back, taking a deep breath as he surveyed the flourishing garden. The once-empty patches of soil were now brimming with vibrant plants, blooming flowers, and healthy herbs. He let out a satisfied sigh, placing his hands on his hips as he admired the results of his hard work and magic.

"Wow," Carter said, smiling to himself. "Look at this place. It's like a little paradise now. I can't believe how fast everything grew. That combo skill really did the trick."

Ivy chirped happily, wagging her tail as she darted between the rows of plants. Carter chuckled. "You like it, huh, Ivy? Yeah, it's pretty incredible. This is going to make things so much easier for us."

He walked over to a row of vegetables, crouching down to inspect the vibrant green leaves. "Alright, let's see what we've got here," he said, activating his skill. "Skill: Appraisal."

One by one, glowing panels appeared in front of him, providing detailed information about the plants.

Name: Verdant Carrot

Description: A bright green carrot with enhanced nutrients. Known to boost stamina and energy when consumed.

Name: Goldenleaf Herb

Description: A medicinal herb with healing properties. Can be used in teas or potions to restore minor wounds and alleviate fatigue.

Name: Sunspire Blossom

Description: A golden flower known for its uplifting aroma. Can be brewed into potions that increase focus and energy.

Carter grinned as he read through the descriptions. "Verdant Carrots, Goldenleaf Herbs, and Sunspire Blossoms. Not bad at all," he said, reaching down to pluck a carrot from the soil. He held it up, inspecting its bright color. "These are going to be amazing for cooking and potions."

Ivy trotted over, sniffing at the carrot and letting out a cheerful chirp. Carter laughed, handing it to her. "Here, you can have the first taste. You've earned it, little buddy."

Ivy eagerly nibbled at the carrot, her tail wagging with delight. Carter stood and walked over to another section of the garden, his eyes scanning the rows of herbs and flowers. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "With these ingredients, we can make potions, teas, and even trade with others if we meet anyone nearby. This place is really coming together, Ivy."

Ivy chirped in agreement, running circles around him as he continued appraising the plants. Carter couldn't help but smile. "Alright, let's harvest a few of these and see what we can make. It's time to put this garden to good use."

Carter stepped inside the treehouse, carrying a basket brimming with the fresh produce and herbs he had just harvested from the garden. Ivy trotted in behind him, her glowing green fur shimmering in the soft light of the house. Carter set the basket down on the table, letting out a satisfied sigh as he began unpacking the bounty.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here," Carter said, pulling out a vibrant Verdant Carrot and inspecting it closely. "Man, these look so much better than anything I've ever seen back home. Full of nutrients, perfect for a hearty stew, or maybe even just raw as a snack. What do you think, Ivy?"

Ivy chirped in agreement, hopping up onto a nearby stool to get a better look at the haul. Carter laughed. "Yeah, I thought you'd like that. Don't worry, I'll save you a piece."

He moved on to the Goldenleaf Herbs, gently cradling a handful of the fragrant leaves. "These will be amazing for teas and potions," he said, inhaling their soothing aroma. "Imagine selling a potion that not only heals wounds but also tastes good. That could really set us apart if we ever start trading with others."

Ivy chirped again, wagging her tail. Carter glanced at her with a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm getting ahead of myself. But still, it's good to think about the future, right? I mean, this little treehouse could become a hub for all kinds of things. Gardening, cooking, potion-making… maybe even a place where travelers come to rest and stock up."

He picked up a Sunspire Blossom, its golden petals almost glowing in the light. "And these," Carter said, turning the flower in his hand, "imagine creating energy potions or perfumes. These could be worth a lot. Plus, they're just plain beautiful. They'll definitely brighten up the place."

Ivy hopped onto the table, sniffing the Sunspire Blossom and letting out a happy chirp. Carter laughed, gently stroking her fur. "You're as excited as I am, huh? You've been a big help, you know. None of this would've happened without you."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the basket of fresh goods. "There's so much potential here," Carter said thoughtfully. "I could start experimenting with recipes, see what kind of meals I can come up with. Or maybe focus on potion-making, try to create something really unique. The possibilities are endless."

Ivy chirped softly, curling up on the table beside the basket. Carter smiled, scratching behind her ears. "Yeah, one step at a time, right? For now, let's just enjoy what we've got. Maybe we'll start with something simple, like a carrot and herb stew. What do you think, Ivy? Sound good?"

Ivy wagged her tail enthusiastically, letting out a cheerful noise. Carter chuckled. "Alright then. Let's get cooking."

Carter moved to the small kitchen area, pulling out the remaining Forest Serpent meat from a covered bowl. "Alright, Ivy," he said, placing the meat on the counter. "Time to get creative. Let's see… I've got the Verdant Carrots, some Goldenleaf Herbs, and even a few Sunspire Blossoms. What should we make?"

Ivy chirped, tilting her head as if to say, "You decide." Carter grinned. "How about a hearty stew? Something warm and filling. That should be good for dinner tonight."

He set to work, chopping the Verdant Carrots into thin slices. "These are so vibrant," he muttered, admiring the bright green color. "I bet they'll add a lot of flavor." Ivy hopped onto a stool, watching him intently. Carter chuckled. "Don't worry, little buddy. I'll save you some scraps."

Next, he grabbed the Goldenleaf Herbs, carefully plucking the leaves. "These are going to add a nice, earthy aroma," he said, tossing a handful into a pot of boiling water. "I'll save the rest for tea later. Can't waste something this good."

As the pot began to fill with a savory aroma, Carter turned his attention to the Forest Serpent meat. He sliced it into thin strips, sprinkling a pinch of salt and some crushed Sunspire Blossom petals over the top. "This is going to be amazing," he said, placing the meat into the pot. "The Sunspire Blossoms should give it a little kick of energy."

Ivy chirped excitedly, wagging her tail. Carter laughed. "You're getting hungry already, huh? Don't worry, it'll be ready soon."

As the stew simmered, Carter stirred it gently, inhaling the rich, fragrant steam. "You know, Ivy," he said, glancing at her, "I never thought I'd be doing something like this. Cooking a magical stew in a treehouse with a glowing fox as my sous-chef. Life's funny that way."

Ivy let out a cheerful noise, hopping down to circle his legs. Carter smiled. "Yeah, I think we make a pretty good team. And this stew? It's going to be the best meal we've had yet."

When the stew was finally done, Carter ladled some into two bowls—a larger one for himself and a smaller one for Ivy. He set them on the table, sitting down with a satisfied grin. "Alright, dinner is served," he said, handing Ivy her bowl. "Bon appétit, little buddy."

Ivy chirped happily, digging into her bowl with enthusiasm. Carter took a bite of his own, his eyes widening. "Oh, wow," he said, savoring the flavor. "This is incredible. We've outdone ourselves, Ivy."

Ivy wagged her tail, clearly agreeing. Carter leaned back, a warm sense of accomplishment filling him. "Alright, I think we've earned a good night's rest after this. Tomorrow, we'll figure out what else we can do with this garden bounty."

After cleaning up from dinner, Carter grabbed his tea and stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night breeze brushing against his face. The stars were scattered across the sky, their light twinkling above the vast forest. Ivy followed him, hopping onto a small bench beside him, her fur glowing faintly in the dark.

Carter sipped his tea, letting the silence settle before speaking. "How many days has it been now, Ivy?" he said softly. "Since I got summoned to that church? Feels like it's been forever, but I think it's only been three days. Tomorrow will be day four."

He leaned on the railing, gazing out at the serene landscape. "A lot's happened in such a short time," he continued. "Meeting you, building this treehouse, starting the garden… it's been a wild ride. But honestly? I'm kind of glad it happened."

Ivy chirped softly, nudging his arm with her nose. Carter smiled, scratching behind her ears. "You've been my anchor through all this, you know. I don't think I'd have made it this far without you."

He took another sip of tea, his thoughts drifting. "I wonder what the future holds," he mused. "Will I meet other people? Will I figure out how to get back home, or… will I even want to by then? This world… it's starting to feel like home already."

The night wore on as Carter and Ivy sat together, the quiet of the forest wrapping around them like a warm blanket. For the first time in a long while, Carter felt truly at peace.