Wizard: Starting with Symbiosis with Algae

He pulled the rope back in.

"Worms, come here."

The worm at the other end of the rope raised its head, but did not immediately obey the command.

Ruby's departure means the departure of the biggest threat, and some worms are already stirring.

Because they have no sight, the worms can only smell, and they know Lynn's scent very well.

It has a refreshing taste with a hint of sourness, just like the algae on the riverbank.

It's still the freshest and sweetest blue algae.

Isn't this just food delivered to your door?

The one at the front moved a few centimeters toward Lynn, compressing its body and gathering its strength.

Lynn wasn't afraid, but there was some inexplicable relationship between this seaweed-smelling guy and the woman from before.

In human terms: A boss's orders are absolute. But a boss's partners seem quite delicious.

Its wisdom is insufficient to contemplate these things.

Therefore, it was caught in a dilemma and crashed.

"Food or boss. It's a tough choice."

Therefore, the attack was delayed.

But it wasn't long before these worms learned what real fear was.

In the social dynamics of worms, probing is the first step. They touch the other's body segments with their bristles, gently pinch the skin with their mouthparts, observe the other's reaction, and then decide whether to show goodwill or aggression. Even the most direct provocation begins with circling around the other, raising their bristles, and giving the other a few seconds to consider.

That's exactly what Ruby did.

The man didn't even use his body to test the waters.

They didn't even say hello.

Even provocation and fighting are directly omitted.

Lynn used the most efficient method.

Spell!

Lynn silently recited a phrase in his mind.

"Entwined by vines."

The vines entangled the head and body segments of the worm that was making the loudest noise.

Tie it up like a rice dumpling.

"Come here."

All the worms froze.

This man's methods are too direct.

There was no testing process at all.

It's too unpredictable.

..

Lynn had no intention of explaining to these inferior beings.

He walked up to the entangled worm, squatted down, and placed his palm on the widest segment of its body, about 30 percent of its length, below its head.

[Observed characteristics. Bio-electricity (magic can be used as an energy source): converting bio-energy generated from eating into electrical current. The current intensity is positively correlated with the amount of food consumed.]

[Observed characteristics. Rake-like mouthparts: The mouthparts consist of horny toothed plates, capable of rapidly scraping away fungal mats and organic debris.]

[Please note: Symbiosis requires the host to consume nutrients.]

[Current Status: Stamina 0.85, Mana 0.7]

[Is symbiosis confirmed?]

Lynn pressed his finger against the worm's body.

After thinking for a moment, I decided to observe for the time being.

The worms eat too much.

A dozen or so worms, each as thick as a hand, could devour several hundred square meters of algae. Supporting the worms' life activities would be a huge burden for Lynn, whose stamina was only 0.85.

Lynn gave the worm's characteristics a low score.

"Moreover, Electric Worm, how come you've evolved both of your traits to be so selfish?"

One is an offensive talent, the other is a feeding talent.

Isn't there a property that can benefit others like magic fixation?

Lynn stood up and tugged at the leash.

Helplessly

"I'm gone."

[Current Status: Endurance 0.84]

……

He led the worms along the edge of the fungal carpet to feed.

The rope was loosely held in his hand, and the worms followed behind, eating wherever they went.

He walked to a patch of fungal carpet, stopped, and the worms bent down to scrape the surface of the mud. He walked south, and the worms followed, dragging a rope along them.

He picked up the one that had just been attacked by the vines.

Pry open the mouthpiece, point it at the mud, and squeeze hard. The worm's shell didn't deform, but it still flashed a sliver of electricity in the mud, much like a human being.

I made a hole the size of a fingernail with electricity, and then nothing happened.

Lynn was stunned for a moment; the intensity of the clicks was too low.

With that little output, it wouldn't even stun a small poultry.

He tried again.

The result was the same this time.

"It seems that the non-symbiotic worm was the right decision. It's too weak and can't help me."

"Therefore, the most suitable targets for symbiosis at present are microorganisms."

"Ideally, it could synthesize nutrients to make up for my body's deficiencies."

[Current Status: Endurance 0.83]

He withdrew his hand and did not continue trying.

After arriving at a water-filled cave formed by the gushing of groundwater.

He heard several sounds.

Gudong.

Gudong.

Something is moving underwater.

The sound was intermittent, once, a few seconds later, then once more.

It might be a hot spring.

Or perhaps some new life is at work.

Lynn caught a glimpse of smoke rising from inside the cave.

He took the oxygen cylinder from his waist; the pressure gauge on the cylinder was already at the one-third mark. There was a red graduation line on the dial, and the needle was less than two millimeters away from that line.

"It seems this exploration has come to an end."

If he didn't want to experience that churning sensation on the ground again, he needed to return before his oxygen ran out. He stood up and took one last look at the movement beneath the water in front of the cave. New environments inevitably bring new creatures, so Lynn decided to come back another time.

Two hours later.

Lynn led the worms through a fungal carpet for about two kilometers.

Upon returning, he first tied the tow rope to the bulkhead at the entrance of the cave, then pushed open the door and went inside.

……

Inside the experimental station

Ruby squatted inside the hole, with a metal basin in front of her.

The basin was filled with more than half a basin of water.

They were putting a worm into the basin.

A few seconds later, the worm's mouthparts opened slightly, and it spat out a few grains of black mud.

The silt settled to the bottom of the basin, and a few grains were spat out.

Ruby wiped her hands on her robe and called out to Lynn.

"Lynn, take this mud and sand, which is the metabolites of the worms, and dry it. We need it as a culture medium for potatoes."

"They are highly fertile and will burn plants if used directly. Further treatment is needed."

Although there are already animals used for grazing.

But when you're crash-landed on a deserted planet, the more food the better.

Specially cultivated potatoes can bear fruit in as little as 14 days, making them an excellent emergency staple food.

Lynn estimated that they would be able to eat at least once.

"Okay Ruby, what are you doing?"

Ruby waved to Lynn.

"The people on our home planet have initiated communication, and I need to explain the situation immediately."

"OK."

After rummaging through drawers and cabinets for a while, she picked up the communicator, adjusted the knob, and spoke into the microphone.

"Yes, we live on a low-oxygen planet."

"Life exists. Lower magical creatures have been discovered. There are at least three types of species: algae, fungal carpets, and worms."

"Both of our wizarding apprentices have survived. Their physical condition is okay, and they have about a week's worth of food reserves. They need oxygen replenishment."

"That's right, the death of all the new students is my responsibility."

The person on the other end of the receiver said

"Give us your coordinates, and we'll send someone to transport supplies for you right away."

My coordinates are... Dune Planet 08-23, 23°N East.

Ruby hugged the communicator with great joy, waving her arms and legs.

Ruby's fuss is Ruby's business.

Lynn, who had just returned from herding, felt something was amiss.

Why send people to deliver supplies? Why not just have someone pick them up directly?

Lynn took a breath, but his stamina was dropping again.

[Current Status: Endurance 0.82]

"I must go see that hot spring tomorrow."

"I must find a way to obtain large amounts of energy and nutrients."