“Improving the field,” he said, nudging the pile with the hoe. “How’s your day?”
“Oh, it’s nice,” she said, her tone warm. “Just the usual, but I wanted to see how you’re holding up. Looks like hard work!”
They talked as he worked.
She told him about a book she’d read, a little story about her morning. By the time the stalks were ash, the call had stretched nearly an hour.
“Gotta wrap this up, Emily,” he said as the flames died. “Talk later?”
“Sure,” she said, smiling softly. “Take care out there, okay? Bye!”
She waved, and the screen went dark.
Isaac spread the ashes across the field. The Seed of Providence skill confirmed the soil’s quality ticking up with every pass.
The air smelled of smoke and earth, and he felt a quiet satisfaction settle in.
He was wiping sweat from his brow when a shadow loomed behind him.
Professor Catherine, strolled up with her usual grin, followed by a hulking robot carrying gym equipment on a flatbed.
“Sorry I’m late, farm boy,” she said, hands on her hips. “Had some work to wrap up.”
“What kind of work?”
“Oh, you know, making sure my makeup was perfect. I had to look my best for my dear Isaac.” She winked, leaning in just a bit.
He rolled his eyes, but something in her tone felt off.
‘Leora was tense this morning too.’ he thought. ‘Something’s up.’
Before he could press, the robot beeped, unloading its cargo, weights, a treadmill, a punching bag, onto the grass.
A few military personnel who’d tagged along started hauling it toward the house.
Professor Catherine clapped her hands.
“Alright, enough standing around. Go exercise and freshen up. Breakfast’s next, then classes. I brought special materials for one of your class advancement quests, so don’t slack off.”
Isaac glanced at the equipment, then back at her.
“Special materials?”
“You’ll see,” she said, shooing him toward the house. “Move it, hotshot.”
He didn’t argue, heading inside with the hoe over his shoulder.
The basement was a wide, empty space, perfect for the gym setup.
The staff worked fast, installing the gear while Isaac hit the treadmill for a quick run after wearing the Physical Stat restraining bracelets.
His muscles burned pleasantly. The Vitality Grain’s energy still lingered in his system.
After a shower, he felt refreshed.
Upstairs, the smell of food hit him.
Roasted pork of a mana monster, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots.
Leora had outdone herself. She then set the table with three plates.
Professor Catherine was already seated, holding at a carrot with a grin.
Isaac knowingly ignored her.
Leora brought the last dish over, then took her spot.
“Eat up,” she said simply. “You’ll need it for today.”
They ate in comfortable silence.
When they finished, Professor Catherine led the way to the second-floor study, a cozy room with bookshelves and a wide desk.
Leora followed, standing in the corner like a guard.
Professor Catherine dragged a large box to the center of the room. The robot had brought it alongside the gym gear.
“This is for you. Part of your next step.”
“What’s inside?”
“Before we open this, we need to figure out why those crops grew so fast. Overnight growth like that? It’s not normal, even for someone like you.”
Isaac nodded.
“Alright, go ahead. What’s your take?” Professor Catherine crossed her arms, tilting her head.
“First, my Seed of Providence skill. It’s got a passive effect that doubles crop growth speed and boosts crop quality. That’s a solid base.”
“That’s two times faster already. Next?”
“The Astral Lotus. It doubles growth speed too, and it’s been boosting the crop growth rate since it was planted yesterday.”
“So we’re at four times the normal speed now. Keep going.” Professor Catherine’s objective of the question was to help Isaac be aware of his skills, their effects and limitations.
“The land itself,” Isaac said. “When I picked this spot, Seed of Providence flagged it as high-nutrient place, better than anything around here. Plus, the stronghold’s soil is rich in mana naturally. That’s gives another boost to crops.”
“It does. High nutrient content and mana give a constant boost. It’s hard to measure exactly, but it’s significant. Anything else?”
Isaac stayed silent. He knew the real kicker: the Harvest Bane Hoe doubled land fertility, stacking with everything else.
But he kept that to himself for now.
When he remained silent, Professor Catherine tapped her chin, thinking it over.
“So, Seed of Providence doubles it, Astral Lotus doubles it again, and the land’s natural state—nutrients and mana—pushes it further. That could shrink months into days, maybe hours with the right conditions. You picked a goldmine of a plot, Isaac.”
“The synergy makes sense. Exceptional land amplified by exceptional skills.” Leora nodded from the side.
“Alright, enough crop talk. Time to open this up.”
Professor Catherine lifted the lid of the box, revealing dozens of small potted plants.
Their leaves were a mix of green and faint silver.
Isaac leaned forward, curious.
“What’s this for?”
“Your Second Talent Skill: Reaper’s Bounty.”
Professor Catherine pulled one pot out.
“The skill has no cooldown, so it’s the fastest to level. We’re training it today. I’ve also got special seeds for you, but those come after the lesson.”
“Wait, you’re my professor? I just realized that.”
Professor Catherine grinned, leaning on the desk.
“Took you long enough. Yep, I’m your one-woman faculty. First half of the day: theory and indoor skill training. Second half: physical combat and outdoor skills. Full schedule.”
“Why just you? No other professors?” Isaac narrowed his eyes.
She did not answer him. Her grin softened into a silent smile.
Isaac rolled his eyes.
He was not going to get an answer. He understood that much from her smile.
It did not matter to him, however. As long as she taught him properly, he was fine with her being his professor.
Professor Catherine held up the potted plant.
“This is a Silverbloom. It is used to create Mortal Grade mana potions. Low-quality potions give 5 mana per minute for ten minutes. Good ones do 10 mana per minute for twenty. Today you will use Reaper’s Bounty to extract its properties and make a potion.”
Isaac took the pot, feeling the skill stir in him.
“Alright, let’s see.”
He focused, mana flowing into his hands.
A faint green liquid shimmered up from the plant, trembling as the leaves paled slightly.
Before it could slip, Professor Catherine handed him a flask, and he guided the liquid inside, sealing it with a cork.
The plant shivered.
Professor Catherine inspected the flask. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, though she hid her surprise well.
“Not bad for a first try. Leora, test it.”
“Her? It’s my first try, the potion could be off.”
“Leora’s Champion rank,” Professor Catherine said, all smile. “A defective potion won’t faze her. Go on.”
Leora stepped forward, took the flask, and downed it in one smooth motion.
A minute passed. Her face shifted subtly.
“12 mana per minute,” she said. They waited, and after twenty minutes, she added, “Effect’s gone.”
Professor Catherine nodded, impressed.
“The skill is Level 1, and you’re pulling 12 mana per minute for twenty minutes. That’s better than most alchemists.
“From the observation, it seems Reaper’s Bounty extracts more properties than normal and condenses them, which results in higher quality potions being created instantly.”
They continued the training.
His 100 mana let him work nonstop, and when it dipped low, he drank one of his own potions. The 12 mana per minute kept him steady.
Four hours flew by, pot after pot, until a notification flickered in his vision.
[Reaper’s Bounty has reached Level 2.]
He tested it again on a fresh Silverbloom. This time, the green liquid was thicker, and Leora’s test came back:
“14 mana per minute, twenty-one minutes.”
Professor Catherine noted down the details and glanced at the clock.
“That’s it for the morning. Let’s have lunch.”
They headed downstairs, where Leora had already set out a simple meal of bread, leftover pork, and some fruit.
They ate at their own paces. When they finished, Professor Catherine stood, brushing crumbs off her hands.
“Alright, farm boy, outside. I’ll show you those special seeds before we start combat training.”