Chapter 20: Day 1

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Day 1

Rowan stepped out of the cellar and walked back onto the open expanse of dark loam surrounding the Great Tree. The cleared crop beds were still rich and damp from the recent harvest, but before replanting another round of standard crops, he unslung his shoulder bag to retrieve the wild specimens he had gathered along the forest border.

He carefully unpacked his haul, laying the plants out on a wooden bench near the tree:

The damp, velvety cushion of Dew-Drop Moss

The cluster of metallic-threaded Silver-Vein Clover seed pods

The stubborn, slate-barked Iron-Bark Root Sapling

Taking up his trowel, Rowan set to work integrating the wild flora into his domain’s ecosystem.

[ INTEGRATING THE WILD SPECIMENS ]

1. Dew-Drop Moss — Irrigation Border

Rowan cut the velvety moss into neat, rectangular strips. He carefully lined the edges and pathways of the main vegetable plots with the moss, pressing the roots firmly into the perimeter soil.

The moment the moss settled into the domain’s high-purity earth, its tiny blue-green fronds perked up. Tiny, crystalline beads of water began condensing along its surface, immediately locking in the soil’s surface moisture to create an automated, self-regulating irrigation barrier.

2. Silver-Vein Clover — Soil Companion Planting

Next, Rowan opened the seed pods of the Silver-Vein Clover and scatter-sowed them directly between the rows where the tomatoes, squash, and wheat had just grown. He raked a fine layer of soil over the seeds and tapped the ground lightly with his palm.

As a hyper-efficient nitrogen-fixing legume, the clover would sprout along the crop floor, continuously restoring the soil’s elemental vitality and preventing depletion without needing external nutrients.

3. Iron-Bark Root Sapling — Border Sentinel

Finally, Rowan walked to the outer edge of the cultivated glade, near the boundary where the soft twilight gave way to the domain’s outer mist. He dug a deep, clean pit into the soil, carefully setting the Iron-Bark Sapling inside while keeping its root ball completely intact.

He filled the pit with rich loam and pressed it down firmly before channeling a soft pulse of [Nourish] from his palms directly into the roots.

[DOMAIN ECOSYSTEM SYSTEM UPDATE]

New Flora Integrated: Dew-Drop Moss, Silver-Vein Clover, Iron-Bark Sapling

Skill Applied: [Breath of Eden - Lv. 2]

[SPECIAL SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Target: Iron-Bark Sapling ℴ

Status: Ancestral Lineage Triggered!

Mutation: Under the influence of Primordial Mana, the sapling’s dormant traits have awakened, evolving it into [Iron-Wood Sentinel Sapling (Grade D)].

Passive Trait Activated: [Soil Fortification] — Increases structural density of surrounding soil and acts as a natural barrier against domain mana leakage.

Rowan watched in satisfaction as the tiny five-inch iron-bark shoot shuddered, its dark bark turning as deep and lustrous as polished steel while its leaves took on a faint metallic sheen.

With auto-irrigation in place, natural soil restoration active, and an ancestral iron-wood tree taking root on his boundary, his personal sanctuary had taken another massive step forward.

***

Rowan dusted the dark earth from his trousers, satisfied with the newly planted perimeter and the steady pulse of life radiating through the glade. He took one last glance at the iron-wood shoot before focusing his mind on the exit threshold.

The quiet twilight sky and warm breeze of the Primordial Garden dissolved, replaced instantly by the dim, silent comfort of his dormitory quarters.

The room remained exactly as he had left it. The light-blocking blinds kept the outside courtyard pitch-black, and the soft amber glow from the wall-mounted runic console cast a gentle light over the polished desk and plush bed.

Rowan walked over to the environmental panel, tapping the smooth brass buttons to dial the room temperature down to a crisp, cool level and adjusting the humidity for optimal rest. He kicked off his boots, unbuttoned his coat, and hung it over the back of the desk chair beside his shoulder bag.

Walking into the private bathroom, he washed his face and hands with warm water from the integrated vanity, wiping away the remaining soil and sweat from his evening work. He looked at himself in the mirror—his eyes were clear, bright, and completely devoid of fatigue thanks to the Edenic spring water. Still, tomorrow would bring a full schedule of orientation lectures, greenhouse assignments, and interactions with the faculty, and he needed his mind at peak sharpness.

Rowan climbed onto the bed, pulling the silky white duvet over himself. The state-of-the-art mattress contoured effortlessly to his body, far softer than anything he had slept on back at his family’s suburban home.

He closed his eyes, listening to the faint, rhythmically soothing hum of the dorm’s protective runic array. In the basement of his domain lay a fortune in high-purity produce for his family’s weekend market; outside his door lay an academy full of peers who saw him as nothing more than a baseline gardener.

A faint smile touched Rowan’s lips as he drifted off to sleep.

***

The soft, melodious chime of the dormitory’s integrated runic alarm echoed softly through the room at exactly 5:30 AM. Rowan opened his eyes instantly, completely refreshed.

Outside, the first light of dawn was barely breaking over the horizon, casting a pale indigo twilight over the academy grounds. After a quick wash in the private bathroom, Rowan pulled on his crisp non-combat student uniform, grabbed his shoulder bag, and slipped his bound Student Pass into his pocket.

Stepping out into the quiet corridors, he walked down to the academy’s grand dining facility. At this early hour, the massive hall was almost entirely deserted, save for a few diligent kitchen staff finishing up the morning prep and a handful of early-rising students scattered across the dozens of empty tables.

Rowan picked up a tray and made his way down the breakfast serving line, which was laid out with an impressive spread of steaming dishes:

1) Hot Porridge & Sides: A deep bowl of fragrant shredded chicken porridge, topped with a sprinkle of scallions and paired with two golden, freshly fried dough sticks (youtiao) for dipping, alongside a basket of warm, pillowy steamed buns.

2) Proteins: A plate with thick slices of seared turkey ham, two sunny-side-up fried eggs with runny yolks, and a pair of hard-boiled eggs.

3) Sweet Finish: A stack of light, fluffy pancakes drizzled generously with warm maple syrup from the syrup selection bar.

Carrying his well-balanced, nutrient-dense tray to a quiet table by a window overlooking the misty eastern gardens, Rowan dug in. The hot porridge was rich and comforting, perfect for soaking up the crispy fried dough sticks, while the protein load gave him plenty of energy for the day ahead.

Sitting quietly in the peaceful dining hall as the sun slowly illuminated the glass spires of the academy, Rowan felt fully prepared to take on his first day of classes.