Three days passed in peaceful rhythm.
Ikenna rose with the sun, worked until his arms ached, and collapsed by the fire each night beside Professor, who had somehow declared the unfinished straw hut as his personal residence. The Spirit Rice had crossed 60% growth, and the entire field radiated with a soft, emerald glow, like something divine stirred just beneath the roots.
Crop Health: Excellent
Magical Infusion: Low
Recommendation: Apply Lumina Nut to increase nutrient aura.
He did so just after sunrise.
The moment the nut dissolved into the soil, the entire plot shimmered with golden flecks. The rice rustled, though there was no breeze, and an alert chimed:
You have unlocked "Nourished Yield."
Your next harvest will produce 1.5x the normal quantity.
Additional Trait: Spirit Rice will contain minor restorative properties.
"Restorative rice," Ikenna muttered, watching the light fade. "Better than anything I had back at campus."
He wiped the sweat from his brow and was just about to check on the Spirit Hares' burrow when he heard voices.
Not one. Several.
Coming from the path.
He stood quickly, brushing straw off his tunic. The system chimed a brief warning:
Multiple Village Entities Approaching. Status: Neutral.
Group Composition:
– 1 Elder (Spiritual Affinity: Weak)
– 2 Guards (Armed, Non-hostile)
– 1 Civilian (Young Female)
"Amara," he murmured.
Sure enough, the girl came into view first, walking barefoot and chewing on a stalk of dried sugar root. Behind her trudged two village guards wearing leather armor stitched with symbols of earth and rain. Between them walked an elderly man with a weathered face and sharp eyes. His walking stick struck the dirt with precision, like every step was calculated.
"See?" Amara called, grinning. "Told you he's weird but not dangerous."
The elder stopped just short of the field, eyes narrowing as he studied the transformed land. He took in the rice, the water channels, the pulsing magic, and finally Ikenna himself—mud-splattered, barefoot, hair wild from working nonstop under the sun.
"You," the old man said slowly, "are no ordinary farmer."
Ikenna offered a cautious smile. "I've been called worse."
One of the guards looked ready to scowl, but the elder raised a hand. "Where did you learn to till dead soil?"
"It was less 'learning' and more… system-assisted guesswork."
The elder blinked. "System?"
Ikenna sighed. "Long story."
The man stepped forward. "I am Elder Yomi of Orin Village. We have left this land untouched for five years. It was cursed during the Dry Blight. Nothing lived here. Not birds, not worms—not even the wind."
"And now it lives," Ikenna said, gesturing to the field.
"It thrives," Elder Yomi corrected, tone sharper now. "That means someone is responsible. And responsible things—blessings or curses—carry a cost."
Ikenna raised both hands. "I didn't ask for this land. I woke up here. The scroll chose me. That's all I know."
The elder eyed the floating scroll, which hovered lazily behind Ikenna like a watchful spirit. Its runes shimmered faintly.
"It is a relic," Yomi muttered. "One of the old ones. From before the Blight."
Then, to Ikenna's surprise, he bowed.
Not deeply, but enough to jolt the breath from his lungs.
"The village does not kneel easily to strangers," the elder said. "But one who brings back our soil may one day save more than fields."
Amara looked smug. "Told you."
The guards looked less convinced.
"We will monitor this plot," the elder continued. "You are welcome to stay. But know this: gifts from the land must return to the land. If you draw too much, too fast—"
"I won't," Ikenna interrupted gently. "This isn't power to hoard. It's just life. And I plan to feed it, not drain it."
That seemed to please the old man. He nodded once. "In three days, bring a sample of your rice to the Offering Table at the village square. If it passes, you will earn a cultivator's mark. That will grant you protection, and trade rights."
"And if it fails?" Ikenna asked.
The guards tensed.
"You may still farm," Yomi said slowly, "but no one will trust what grows here. Not truly."
With that, the group turned to leave.
Amara lingered. "You'll be fine," she said, kicking a rock. "Just don't give them poison rice."
"I'll do my best," he smirked. "Thanks for bringing them."
"You can thank me with stew. Tomorrow."
She waved and ran off after the others.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ikenna sat near the edge of his plot, watching the breeze ripple through the crops like a living wave.
The system blinked softly.
Main Quest Unlocked: "The First Harvest"
Objective: Deliver Spirit Rice to Orin Village
Timer: 3 Days
Reward: Cultivator Mark (Tier F)
Unlocks: Village Trade, Local Influence, Crop Upgrades
Side Objective: Impress Elder Yomi
Bonus Reward: Elder's Seed Chest (Mystery Quality)
"Well," Ikenna murmured, "guess it's time to get serious."
Beside him, Professor let out a long, deliberate fart.
"…Not the motivation I needed, buddy."