[@Stabby][@Zeroth]
Femus smiled a little as his level 2 Magic Analysis skill delivered greater information than before, valuable information at that.  This tree was even more amazing than he had initially thought.  It also meant that there was a strong source of natural mana in its immediate vicinity... possibly beneath... or inside it.  The data on the Pixie species, by contrast, was not a surprise.

Gaining the first functional level of Suppress Presence was a boon that added to the wisp's smile.  That skill could easily save his life in a tough situation.  He would have to develop it further, in addition to Stealth Kill.  The combination of those two had obvious value.  But, contemplating his next level of growth had to wait, he was looking for Nira.

Then he found her.

There was so little time for thought or planning.  It all happened in an instant.  He saw the slime make a whip-like pseudopod and strike at Nira.  He also saw his sister's hair being grabbed by the officer of the Cult of the Eye.  He felt that helplessness from when he had to watch, on his knees, as his sister was taken away.  He fired.  His heart beat with a single pulse of desire.  He needed, absolutely needed, to cut off that arm... that pseudopod.

Two first level Mana Orbs flew from his concealed position, driven to reach the distance and sever the pseudopod from the slime's main body.  In the next breath, the past again receded from the present and he realized that he had exposed his position and had forgotten the most important thing.  He concentrated, focusing his will and attention on controlling the mana inside him to further extend the reach of his spell and its power.  Then, with this investment, he cast Shield 1 on Nira.  Knowing that he would probably be nearly out of mana, if
completely out, Femus then concentrated on meditating, tuning out all distractions and drawing in magic from all nearby sources.  Again, the image of a whirlpool of mana formed in his mind as he sought to become the low place where it would flow to.  He didn't even look at the outcome of the battle until his mana was full, though that wouldn't take long.

In his meditation, the thought occurred to him that he hoped his attack hadn't killed the slime.  Nira needed experience more than he did, especially since she was developing her first attack spell.  He was confident that at least one of his Mana Orbs would hit the slime, whether or not they managed to sever the pseudopod.  Weakened, the slime should easily fall prey to Nira's own skills.

Of course, this set of thoughts only took a moment and were not enough to disrupt his meditation in any noticeable way.

After his mana was full again, Femus opened his awareness again and checked on Nira.  So long as she was still in good shape, he would concentrate on the tree.  It had been shuddering before but the injury had been healing as well.  Femus was thinking of two skills at the same time.  Nira was a pixie, pixies had a healing spell.  Femus had tried to grow an artificial plant, he had started to train the Growth skill.  With both of these concepts in mind, he began to make himself into a conduit, funnel, filter and lens for the surrounding free mana.  He drew it in, made it match the traits that the tree seemed to need for rapid healing, growing replacement material, and soothing discomfort, then he channeled it into the tree and focused it on the injured spot and the immediate area.  This time he was prepared for the shuddering and simply remained patient.

Nira would return victorious, with food in hand or not.  Her dress was ready so it didn't matter so much.  The tree would heal.  And, whatever other presence he and Nira had felt... would hopefully not take offense and swat the two of them.  Still, nothing ventured... nothing gained.