After getting the system good and recovering from a series seemingly never ending laughter, Pierce finally check out his skills.
{Plant Identification} - With one look, the gardener could easily identify any kinds of plants of this world.
{Fertilize the Land} - The earth will be fertilized with your touch. Any kind of soil held by the gardener will become a grade better, turning it into something suitable for any types of plant. With this, expect your plants to be healthy and top quality.
{Gardener's Hands} - A strong and reliable pair of hands that can endure repetitive movements and long lasting labor.
When used, it temporarily gives;
Strength +2, Agility+2, Stamina+3.
Time Duration: 3 hours
'Indeed, this is only mainly for gardening but I'm still grateful. The first one is likely the most basic skill for every gardener. The second one is more advanced and wondrous. The third one is likely for the physical force needed for the hard labor in gardening. There are two passive skills and one active skill that is even suitable for self-defense. All in all, the skills work together for me to become an extraditionary gardener.'
'Is there still anything you wanted to tell me gramps?'
As the system already promised to spill everything, especially important details, Pierce only asked as his system also seemed very forgetful often times at that.
["Oh, there is. Before I could forget, I would tell you kid that new skills will be acquired if you raise your job rank. When you raise it to Master, a skill several times better than that will be in your hands."]
'But before that, how can I raise to another rank?'
The system coughed before answering. Just imagine an ancient old man touching his beard while answering the question. Pride was there on its tone as if a scholar who had wisdom coveted by many. Quite pretentious system he got here.
["It is through acquiring experience. The more time you spend on gardening, the faster it will upgrade."]
Pierce turned his hands into fists. In his eyes, he seemed to look to be very determined, as if finally finding his resolve. 'If that is so, then I will devote myself to gardening.'
Then he heard his tummy rumbling. A lot of things happened today that he was unable to notice the time.
'I guess we have to go?'
'You know old man, I am curious to what place I might move in.'
He gazed up into the night sky. 'All I want is to move into a peaceful neighborhood. I hope I will be lucky to be in one tomorrow.'
Then a thought flashed on his mind. 'Oh, I have to sleep early today. I have an appointment with the grandma tomorrow. But before that, I have to treat myself to a good bowl of warm soup. I'm happy yet I felt I lost so much energy today. I'm sooooo exhausted.
---
Forgotten to set an alarm for himself, Pierce never got the chance to take breakfast before going to his appointment. He just grabbed a piece of bread on a convenience store and a cup of vendo machine coffee before directly heading to the location.
There, he was asked by the auntie whom was also the owner of the building with a couple of questions. More of an informal interview. Although the rental rate might be on average, but the building looked decent and clean enough to live in. Way way better than his old apartment. Although an apartment here did not have a bedroom as the auntie described but it already had a built in kitchen, cabinet and toilet and bath. The space was also enough for Pierce to put a bed and a small table or couch if he wanted. To a basic man like him, it was already a thumbs up. He was already satisfied.
"Are you still studying young man?"
Pierce almost scratched his head, quite embarrassed. He then smiled before saying, "Ah, not anymore, Ma'am."
At that moment, in Pierce's mind. 'Before coming here, she might had thought that I am a college student supported by my family. Sadly, I'm not.'
Considering Pierce's age and as the building was near to the city's university, then it wasn't wrong for her to come up with that conclusion.
"Really? Then what do you actually do for a living?"
"I am a gardener."
The auntie got surprised for a bit, raising both her brows for a moment. "Oh, just how much do you earn from that?"
Well, indeed that was a necessary question. He couldn't blame her since she only wanted assurance that he could pay the rent.
But since Pierce didn't know how much a gardener could earn, he then asked the system for help. 'Gramps? How should I answer her? I didn't even earn a single penny from the job yet.'
["Just answer her vaguely. An enough amount to meet the monthly rent."]
He nodded inwardly. 'Okay then.'
"I earn a little above the minimum rate. Don't worry ma'am I could pay 3 months in advance." He also tried to assure her.
The auntie nodded and he seemed to have passed that hurdle. Pierce sighed in relief.
The woman then said, "Actually, the room that I told you about is sadly under repair. Since you wanted to move in immediately, I think it will not be perfect for you young man. It will take some time to be fully repaired."
She gave him a business-smile. An assuring and convincing one. "But don't worry, one of these apartment that I will show you now, might be perfect for you."
When they were walking to the said apartment, the size of the apartment got smaller and smaller.
Then they stopped unto the number 21 door and the next apartment's door was open.
The auntie then opened it for him to see. It was a seemingly decent place. The space might be a little compressed version than the promised one but it was still fine for Pierce. However, when he was about to enter the apartment, there loud noises, some where clamoring in the place.
"You! I saw you with a girl today."
"Who's that woman!"
"How many times should I tell you she is my colleague! And don't shout at me!"
"Colleague?! LIAR! You're even holding her hands tight! You bastard!"
Then plastic plates, spoons, clothes, and many other things were simultaneously flying on the air.
Pierce gulped while witnessing the scene.
The auntie looked apologetic. "Ah, that just rarely happen. Don't worry they will reconcile after."
"This will be your place young man. Come in, check it out."
It's okay for him since he was used to tiny rooms. Besides, this was almost double the size of his place. Just imagine how tiny his place was. It was only enough to erect a single bed a small cabinet and that was all it could offer. With this, it gave him a little breather.
However, it seemed like the neighborhood was not peaceful enough for him. The other neighbors came out of their rooms came out of their rooms only to watch the live show happening, as if only lacking popcorns to have a movie theater feel. After a moment another, quarrel began from another apartment.
In his mind, Pierce was already shaking his head and clicking his tongue. It wasn't a healthy environment for him. He might be a man who was easy to please but he also had certain standards.
After checking the whole room without much interest left, he politely said. "Auntie, I will call you again if ever I already decided."
"Oh? Okay. No problem young man. Take your time. I will expect for your call."
Pierce nodded politely and bid his farewell.
When he left the place, Pierce sighed. It was such a pity. He was already fine with the place's size yet... Thinking of it made him shake his head. It might not really be the right place for him.
After such a disappointing appointment, he was off to meeting with the grandma. He was wearing a white long sleeves shirt and denim pants together with a nice sneaker making him appear attractive despite the simplicity of his get up.
When he arrived at the restaurant, he was then guided by a waiter to a seemingly VIP room. With one look from the exterior to the interior of the place, it was screaming of luxury, purely high-end.
There, he saw the familiar beautiful old woman seated on a 10-seater wooden long table.
"Grandma." He greeted her with a warm smile, with his teeth shown.
"Make yourself comfortable my boy. Where had you actually been?"
Pierce then seated on chair opposite to hers. Though he was a bit embarrassed, but he still chose to disclose his whereabouts.
"I went to check on a place. I actually planned to move in to another place, grandma."
The old woman looked surprised. "Oh really? Then how was it? Are you decided to settle there?"
He lightly shook his head. "Ah, I think I need to consider another place."
The grandma slowly nodded but she seemed to be thinking about something. She then asked, "How old are you now?"
"I am 19 this year, grandma."
"Are you still studying my boy?"
Quite comfortable with grandma's presence, he found it easy sharing about his personal life. "Ah, I dropped out of school. It was about 3 years since then."
Her brows furrowed. "What about your parents, did they allow it?"
Pierce subconsciously looked down on the table. "I, I don't have parents. I am adopted but I already departed from that place."
The old woman seemed a bit shock by the information. Pierce could then see empathy from her pair of eyes. "I'm sorry for asking about that my boy."
Pierce raised his palm and shook it to assure the sorry old woman. "No, don't be. I am not sensitive on this matter grandma."
The grandma sighed. She then took a sip of water as if finding the timing to ask another question. After a moment of silence, she asked again. "How about now, what do you do for a living?"
"I am a gardener, grandma." Since he was already one then it was only natural to claim the job right? Besides, that was what he would do for a living sooner or later.
The grandma smiled widely. "Then it is perfect. Why not move in to our place then?"
"Huh?!"