[B1] Chapter 21: A Seed of Hope in a Bowl of Breakfast
With a hurried pace and raised eyebrows, Theo approached her. When he reached her side, he tentatively stretched out his hand in the direction she had pointed to. And just as she had described, his hand came to an abrupt stop in mid-air, as if an unseen wall stood in their way, even though the path ahead looked clear.
Finishing his test, he followed the fence with his eyes. Just beyond it, a scene of tranquil beauty unfurled, beckoning him closer. Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward slightly, wanting to absorb every detail of the scene.
His gaze met the crystal-clear water, allowing him to see smooth pebbles lining its base. Small fish darted about, their scales shimmering in the bright moonlight. Gentle ripples on the water's surface caught the moon's rays, casting glimmering reflections onto the surrounding grass.
The island in the middle was covered with lush greenery, and the flowers that grew there were of various hues - reds, yellows, and purples. Their scent was carried by a soft breeze, adding to the serenity of the place. Butterflies of different sizes and colors danced around, some occasionally resting on the flowers.
It was a calm and peaceful spot amidst the farm's otherwise dark setting. The transition from the eerie surroundings of the farm to this haven was striking, almost as if nature itself had carved out a sanctuary amidst the darkness.
He quickly figured out why Lilith had stopped here; she, like him, was drawn to that enchanting yet peaceful area.
Caught up in the moment, Theo whispered, "How do I get over there?" His eyes roved over the serene pond, hoping to get some information to find a possible entrance or path. Just as his gaze focused on it, a notification popped up in his view.
<<<<
[ Area Locked ]
[ Level Insufficient - Restricted Access ]
>>>>
"Well, it seems we've reached the boundary. I guess even a place like this has its limits," Theo mused, glancing over to Lilith with a wry smile. "Would've been too good to be true if it was endless."
Lilith spun on her heels, her hands gently clasping behind her back as her eyes scanned the farm’s land. Her gaze, usually playful, now seemed intense, as if every word Theo spoke was crucial. "What is this place, anyway?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"This is, well, part of my class skill," Theo replied calmly, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "After our pact, I awakened to this class." He sneaked a glance at Lilith, wondering if she might be the 'lucky charm' that graced him with such an... unusual class.
"And that class would be...?" Lilith prompted, tilting her head slightly, her gaze unwavering and slightly disturbing as it bore into his.
"It's... Novice Shadow Farmer class. I believe I can cultivate some unique crops here," he admitted, trying to keep his tone neutral to hide the embarrassment creeping up on him.
Lilith's eyes grew wide in surprise, and for a moment, she seemed to be lost for words. Her stare intensified, as if she was grasping the importance of his confession. Her face took on a deep shade of crimson. She bit her lip, trying her hardest to suppress the emotions bubbling up within her.
Theo could tell she was doing her best to suppress a fit of laughter.
Trying, and failing, to hold it back, she suddenly burst out laughing, falling to the ground and holding her stomach, "Really, Of all things, a farmer? The formidable Theo tending to crops. That's just... hilarious!"
With every chuckle and giggle she let out, Theo felt a slight sting to his pride. His cheeks flushed a pink with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
Lilith, still in her fits of laughter, reached out and grabbed the hem of his clothes, as if preventing him from leaving her side. Without uttering another word, he clicked the [Demonic Farm] option. A similar menu appeared like last time: [Exit the Demonic Farm ].
He pressed the option to exit the farm. After six seconds, a shadowy portal appeared. Glancing at the mischievous demoness, he decided to get away from her teasing laughing.
Stepping into his bedroom, Theo immediately noticed that the door, which he usually kept closed, was now ajar. A familiar fragrance entered his nostril, triggering his suspicion. "Elena was here looking for me, wasn't she?" he whispered to himself.
He quickened his pace, leaving the room urgently. The last thing he wanted was for Elena to uncover his concealed farm world before he was ready to share it.
As he made his way through the hallway of the second floor, the faint sounds of footsteps reached his ears. They seemed to be coming from below, near the grand ballroom.
Picking up his pace, Theo descended the stairs. As he neared the base of the staircase, he caught a short glimpse of Elena's familiar silhouette, her dress swaying as she disappeared into the ballroom.
Thinking fast, Theo sped toward the mansion's exit. Positioning himself just outside the main door, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, which was a result of running at fast pace with his large, mountain-like physique.
Just as Elena emerged from the ballroom, he pretended as though he was just returning from outside and stepped in.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said, slightly out of breath.
"Oh, Master! I didn't know you were out exercising this early in morning," Elena remarked with her signature soft smile.
"Just thought I'd take a quick morning walk," Theo replied, managing a light smile.
"That sounds lovely. I've prepared breakfast for you. Please, let's head to the dining room, Master" Elena suggested, her voice gentle, with a bow.
Theo nodded, and together with Elena, they began ascending the grand staircase.
Upon reaching the second floor's grand hall, Theo took a seat at the dining table. Soon after, Elena returned from the kitchen, carefully balancing a tray filled with bowls of steaming food.
As she began to arrange them in front of Theo, the inviting aroma of the dishes spread through the room. Among them was a bowl of freshly-cooked potatoes and a plate of ripe, red tomatoes. With a hint of hesitation, she also set a place for herself, then served them both.
As they began to eat, Theo's thoughts naturally returned to his secret farm, pondering the next steps in that hidden realm. ‘I need seeds to experiment with, but where would I find any?’ he mused.
Elena's eating caught his attention, and he wondered if she might have some seeds or know where to find them. “Elena," he began, "do we have any seeds in the mansion or maybe in the nearby village?"
Theo watched as Elena paused, her fork frozen mid-air. "Master, our barony is quite barren. It's not suitable for crops. The villagers have tried, but over time, they've given up. Hence, finding seeds might be challenging." She looked slightly puzzled, probably wondering why her master would suddenly inquire about such matters.
Theo chewed on his food, pondering her words. "Why do they still stay here with such disadvantages? If the conditions are so tough, they should move to a better place."
Elena gently placed her fork on her plate, her eyes glistening with sadness. "You see, Master, this land, despite its challenges, offers us a blessing. We aren't burdened with taxes here, which is truly a big comfort for all the villagers. But, our land just isn't very giving when it comes to farming. And the nearest city? It's quite far. We don't have those fancy magical vehicles or the beast-pulled carts like other places. It makes everything a bit more difficult."
Theo digested her explanation, understanding the give and take situation the villagers were in. "So, they endure the harshness of this land to avoid paying taxes. Makes sense in a way."
Elena nodded, adding, "Yes, Master. It's a trade-off. Plus, many of the villagers have deep-rooted connections to this land, their ancestors having lived on this land for generations. This place, with all its imperfections, is still home. And leaving home, especially when resources are scant, is not an easy choice" She ended with a soft sigh, her innocent gaze meeting Theo's.
Listening to her, he realized he couldn't rely on his barony or its people to find seeds since his land was barren. After some thought, he mused inwardly, ‘I might have to wait for Mister Leonard to bring seeds from the nearest city.’
However, as he picked up a cooked potato piece, inspecting it, and then glanced at the tomato dish by his side, a realization struck him.
'These potatoes and tomatoes... they can be used as seeds, can't they?'
Perhaps he didn't need to wait after all. The seeds he needed might just be right in front of him.
A soft smile spread across his face. With a hopeful glint in his eyes, he realized he might not need to wait until Mister Leonard returned.
[B1] Chapter 21: A Seed of Hope in a Bowl of Breakfast
With a hurried pace and raised eyebrows, Theo approached her. When he reached her side, he tentatively stretched out his hand in the direction she had pointed to. And just as she had described, his hand came to an abrupt stop in mid-air, as if an unseen wall stood in their way, even though the path ahead looked clear.
Finishing his test, he followed the fence with his eyes. Just beyond it, a scene of tranquil beauty unfurled, beckoning him closer. Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward slightly, wanting to absorb every detail of the scene.
His gaze met the crystal-clear water, allowing him to see smooth pebbles lining its base. Small fish darted about, their scales shimmering in the bright moonlight. Gentle ripples on the water's surface caught the moon's rays, casting glimmering reflections onto the surrounding grass.
The island in the middle was covered with lush greenery, and the flowers that grew there were of various hues - reds, yellows, and purples. Their scent was carried by a soft breeze, adding to the serenity of the place. Butterflies of different sizes and colors danced around, some occasionally resting on the flowers.
It was a calm and peaceful spot amidst the farm's otherwise dark setting. The transition from the eerie surroundings of the farm to this haven was striking, almost as if nature itself had carved out a sanctuary amidst the darkness.
He quickly figured out why Lilith had stopped here; she, like him, was drawn to that enchanting yet peaceful area.
Caught up in the moment, Theo whispered, "How do I get over there?" His eyes roved over the serene pond, hoping to get some information to find a possible entrance or path. Just as his gaze focused on it, a notification popped up in his view.
<<<<
[ Area Locked ]
[ Level Insufficient - Restricted Access ]
>>>>
"Well, it seems we've reached the boundary. I guess even a place like this has its limits," Theo mused, glancing over to Lilith with a wry smile. "Would've been too good to be true if it was endless."
Lilith spun on her heels, her hands gently clasping behind her back as her eyes scanned the farm’s land. Her gaze, usually playful, now seemed intense, as if every word Theo spoke was crucial. "What is this place, anyway?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"This is, well, part of my class skill," Theo replied calmly, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "After our pact, I awakened to this class." He sneaked a glance at Lilith, wondering if she might be the 'lucky charm' that graced him with such an... unusual class.
"And that class would be...?" Lilith prompted, tilting her head slightly, her gaze unwavering and slightly disturbing as it bore into his.
"It's... Novice Shadow Farmer class. I believe I can cultivate some unique crops here," he admitted, trying to keep his tone neutral to hide the embarrassment creeping up on him.
Lilith's eyes grew wide in surprise, and for a moment, she seemed to be lost for words. Her stare intensified, as if she was grasping the importance of his confession. Her face took on a deep shade of crimson. She bit her lip, trying her hardest to suppress the emotions bubbling up within her.
Theo could tell she was doing her best to suppress a fit of laughter.
Trying, and failing, to hold it back, she suddenly burst out laughing, falling to the ground and holding her stomach, "Really, Of all things, a farmer? The formidable Theo tending to crops. That's just... hilarious!"
With every chuckle and giggle she let out, Theo felt a slight sting to his pride. His cheeks flushed a pink with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
Lilith, still in her fits of laughter, reached out and grabbed the hem of his clothes, as if preventing him from leaving her side. Without uttering another word, he clicked the [Demonic Farm] option. A similar menu appeared like last time: [Exit the Demonic Farm ].
He pressed the option to exit the farm. After six seconds, a shadowy portal appeared. Glancing at the mischievous demoness, he decided to get away from her teasing laughing.
Stepping into his bedroom, Theo immediately noticed that the door, which he usually kept closed, was now ajar. A familiar fragrance entered his nostril, triggering his suspicion. "Elena was here looking for me, wasn't she?" he whispered to himself.
He quickened his pace, leaving the room urgently. The last thing he wanted was for Elena to uncover his concealed farm world before he was ready to share it.
As he made his way through the hallway of the second floor, the faint sounds of footsteps reached his ears. They seemed to be coming from below, near the grand ballroom.
Picking up his pace, Theo descended the stairs. As he neared the base of the staircase, he caught a short glimpse of Elena's familiar silhouette, her dress swaying as she disappeared into the ballroom.
Thinking fast, Theo sped toward the mansion's exit. Positioning himself just outside the main door, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, which was a result of running at fast pace with his large, mountain-like physique.
Just as Elena emerged from the ballroom, he pretended as though he was just returning from outside and stepped in.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said, slightly out of breath.
"Oh, Master! I didn't know you were out exercising this early in morning," Elena remarked with her signature soft smile.
"Just thought I'd take a quick morning walk," Theo replied, managing a light smile.
"That sounds lovely. I've prepared breakfast for you. Please, let's head to the dining room, Master" Elena suggested, her voice gentle, with a bow.
Theo nodded, and together with Elena, they began ascending the grand staircase.
Upon reaching the second floor's grand hall, Theo took a seat at the dining table. Soon after, Elena returned from the kitchen, carefully balancing a tray filled with bowls of steaming food.
As she began to arrange them in front of Theo, the inviting aroma of the dishes spread through the room. Among them was a bowl of freshly-cooked potatoes and a plate of ripe, red tomatoes. With a hint of hesitation, she also set a place for herself, then served them both.
As they began to eat, Theo's thoughts naturally returned to his secret farm, pondering the next steps in that hidden realm. ‘I need seeds to experiment with, but where would I find any?’ he mused.
Elena's eating caught his attention, and he wondered if she might have some seeds or know where to find them. “Elena," he began, "do we have any seeds in the mansion or maybe in the nearby village?"
Theo watched as Elena paused, her fork frozen mid-air. "Master, our barony is quite barren. It's not suitable for crops. The villagers have tried, but over time, they've given up. Hence, finding seeds might be challenging." She looked slightly puzzled, probably wondering why her master would suddenly inquire about such matters.
Theo chewed on his food, pondering her words. "Why do they still stay here with such disadvantages? If the conditions are so tough, they should move to a better place."
Elena gently placed her fork on her plate, her eyes glistening with sadness. "You see, Master, this land, despite its challenges, offers us a blessing. We aren't burdened with taxes here, which is truly a big comfort for all the villagers. But, our land just isn't very giving when it comes to farming. And the nearest city? It's quite far. We don't have those fancy magical vehicles or the beast-pulled carts like other places. It makes everything a bit more difficult."
Theo digested her explanation, understanding the give and take situation the villagers were in. "So, they endure the harshness of this land to avoid paying taxes. Makes sense in a way."
Elena nodded, adding, "Yes, Master. It's a trade-off. Plus, many of the villagers have deep-rooted connections to this land, their ancestors having lived on this land for generations. This place, with all its imperfections, is still home. And leaving home, especially when resources are scant, is not an easy choice" She ended with a soft sigh, her innocent gaze meeting Theo's.
Listening to her, he realized he couldn't rely on his barony or its people to find seeds since his land was barren. After some thought, he mused inwardly, ‘I might have to wait for Mister Leonard to bring seeds from the nearest city.’
However, as he picked up a cooked potato piece, inspecting it, and then glanced at the tomato dish by his side, a realization struck him.
'These potatoes and tomatoes... they can be used as seeds, can't they?'
Perhaps he didn't need to wait after all. The seeds he needed might just be right in front of him.
A soft smile spread across his face. With a hopeful glint in his eyes, he realized he might not need to wait until Mister Leonard returned.
