Chapter 12 - C:12

As I stepped out into the morning light, I immediately noticed something unusual. The air felt different—richer, more alive. I walked toward the farm, drawn by the sound of excited voices. As I got closer, I saw the full family gathered around the field, all staring at something with wide eyes. Elara was standing a bit apart from the others, arms crossed with a satisfied smile, while Aurora bounced with excitement near the front, unable to contain her energy.

"What's all this commotion about?" I asked as I approached, intrigued.

Rosalia, Hestia, and Eldara shared a knowing glance, a look that told me they had already pieced together what I was about to discover. Without saying a word, Rosalia motioned toward the field.

When I followed her gesture, my jaw nearly dropped. There, in neat rows, were potatoes—except these weren't just any potatoes. They were enormous, each one as big as a barrel, their golden-brown skins gleaming under the morning sun. Aurora danced around the edge of the field, her high-pitched giggles filling the air.

"They're huge!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. "How did they grow this big overnight?!"

I couldn't help but smirk, knowing exactly how this had happened. Reaching into my tunic, I pulled out the pair of crystal-lensed glasses from my inventory—my trusted tool for revealing the hidden properties of any object. Slipping them on, I let the lenses work their magic. The world sharpened into perfect clarity, but my attention was fixed on the potatoes.

Immediately, a detailed status panel popped into view, outlining the full nature of these miraculous crops:

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**[Status: Glimmerpotatoes]**

- **Size**: 10x Standard Size

- **Nutritional Value**: 200% above average

- **Magical Energy**: Infused with vitality from an unknown source

- **Growth Rate**: Accelerated (12 hours from seed to full harvest)

- **Yield**: 5x the standard crop per plant

- **Effects**:

- **Boosts vitality and stamina** when consumed

- **Accelerates healing**

- Provides long-term **nourishment** for up to three days after a single meal

- Enhances soil quality post-harvest, ensuring improved yields for future crops

---

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as I looked at the detailed readout. My artifact had worked perfectly, amplifying the growth and magical properties of the crops to a level that was nothing short of miraculous. The boost to vitality and stamina alone would be enough to keep the family energized for days, and the fact that the soil would be enhanced afterward made this even better. This was more than just a bumper crop—this was the kind of bounty that could sustain us for seasons.

Aurora's excitement only added to my satisfaction. She was jumping around, trying to wrap her arms around one of the giant tubers but barely managing to reach halfway around it. "We're going to have the best feast ever!" she declared, her voice full of innocent joy.

I glanced over at Rosalia, Hestia, and Eldara, who were watching me closely. They knew. The knowing glances they exchanged told me they had sensed something from the moment they saw the potatoes. And now, seeing me use the glasses to examine the crops, they were even more certain. But to my relief, none of them said anything—no teasing or questions, just silent acknowledgment.

I nodded at them, giving a subtle smile. They smiled back, a quiet understanding passing between us. This was my first gift to the family, and they would keep the secret with me.

Elara walked up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You've got to see this," she said, pointing at the crops. "We've never had anything like this before."

I nodded, pushing my glasses up onto my forehead. "It's…impressive," I said with a grin, though I knew just how miraculous the transformation was. I had to hand it to myself—the artifact had done wonders. The sheer size and power packed into these potatoes were extraordinary.

Aurora, still dancing around the crops, spun toward me with a bright smile. "Can we eat them tonight, big brother? Please?"

I chuckled, looking around at the awe-struck faces of my family. "We'll have a feast tonight, no doubt about it."

As the family gathered around, marveling at the harvest, I stood back for a moment, relishing in the success of my creation.

As I stood there, watching the family gather around the massive potatoes, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. This place—the warmth, the laughter, the way everything felt so alive—it was a stark contrast to the life I had once lived. And now, I had contributed to that life, in a way no one else could.

Rosalia was the first to move, her pink hair catching the morning light as she knelt beside one of the enormous tubers. She ran her hands over its smooth surface, her fingers tracing the contours with a look of astonishment. "I've never seen anything like this," she murmured, her voice filled with awe.

"They grew overnight," Elara added, her voice tinged with excitement. "Last night, they were barely sprouting."

"I've never seen growth this fast," Hestia chimed in, stepping closer with Eldara at her side. Her green eyes glimmered with curiosity as she studied the potatoes. "And the energy... these aren't just ordinary crops."

Eldara nodded in agreement. "They're infused with something more—something powerful."

I stood back, quietly observing as they examined the harvest, knowing exactly what they were talking about. The artifact I had merged last night had done its job perfectly. The energy they were sensing came from the orb I had hidden beneath the tree. It had accelerated the growth of the crops, infusing them with vitality and magical properties, all without me having to lift a finger.

Aurora's voice broke through the quiet murmur of conversation. "Can we pick them now? I want to help!" She bounced on her toes, her pink eyes sparkling with excitement.

Rosalia chuckled softly, standing up and brushing her hands off on her apron. "Of course, darling. But we'll need some help lifting them."

Aurora grinned and ran over to me, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the nearest potato. "Come on, big brother! You're the strongest. You can help!"

I smiled down at her, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Alright, alright. Let's see what we can do." I crouched down beside the potato, taking a moment to admire its size. It was easily three times bigger than anything I had ever seen in my previous life. With a grunt, I slipped my hands underneath it, feeling the weight shift as I lifted it off the ground.

It was heavy—far heavier than I expected—but not impossible. With a bit of effort, I managed to hoist it into the air, balancing it on my shoulder as Aurora clapped her hands in delight. "Wow! You're so strong!"

I chuckled and said "you know Grandma Hestia and Eldara are much stronger than me right Aurora!

"No to me brother Rosé is the strongest"Aurora said jumping in excitement.

"I see thank you!"I said while carrying the potato over to the storage area near the house. As I set it down, I glanced back at the family. They were all working together, harvesting the rest of the potatoes, their laughter and conversation filling the air. For a moment, I just stood there, watching them—my family—enjoying the simple act of gathering crops.

This was what I had been missing. All those years of war and chaos, I had never experienced anything like this. The peace, the unity, the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself. And now, I was determined to protect it. To cherish it.

As I returned to help with the rest of the harvest, I noticed the glances Rosalia, Hestia, and Eldara kept exchanging.

We worked through the morning, gathering the massive potatoes and storing them in the house. By the time we finished, the sun was high in the sky, and the air was warm with the promise of a bountiful day ahead.

Once the last potato was placed in the storage, Rosalia wiped her brow, smiling as she looked over the field. "This will keep us fed for months," she said, her voice filled with pride. "We've never had a harvest this big."

"It's amazing," Elara added, brushing a strand of silver hair out of her face. "We should celebrate tonight."

"I agree," Hestia said, her green eyes glinting with excitement. "A feast is in order. We should invite the whole village."

Aurora, who had been bouncing with excitement all morning, suddenly stopped and gasped. "Oh! We need to make dessert, too! Maybe we can bake something with the potatoes?"

Rosalia laughed, her eyes twinkling as she looked at her youngest daughter. "I'm sure we can come up with something."

As the family discussed the plans for the evening, I stepped back for a moment, slipping the glasses back onto my face to check the status of the remaining crops. The artifact had done more than just grow the potatoes—it had also improved the soil. The status panel showed that the land itself was now imbued with a residual magical energy that would continue to enhance future crops.

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**[Farm Status: Enhanced by Celestial Orb]**

- **Soil Quality**: Enriched with magical nutrients

- **Future Growth**: Accelerated by 20%

- **Yield**: 2x normal yield for all future crops

- **Effects**:

- Increases vitality and stamina for those who work the land

- Crops grown on this land will have enhanced magical properties

- Soil retains fertility for up to ten years without needing rest

---

I grinned as I saw the details. This was more than I had hoped for. Not only had the potatoes grown to an incredible size, but the land itself had been permanently altered. This farm would now produce crops that were not only larger but also infused with magic—something that could sustain the family for years to come.

Rosalia's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "You've been quiet," she said softly, coming to stand beside me. "Is everything alright?"

I smiled at her, slipping the glasses back into my pocket. "Everything's perfect."

She studied me for a moment, her pink eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and affection. "You've changed," she said quietly. "You're...different than you were before."

I met her gaze, feeling a pang of guilt. The old me—the version of myself that had been cold and distant—was still fresh in her mind. But I was trying to change. Trying to be better.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice low. "For how I've been. For everything."

Rosalia's expression softened, and she reached out to gently touch my arm. "You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you're here with us now."

I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "I'm here," I said softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."

We stood there for a moment, just the two of us, watching the family as they continued to chatter and laugh. This was what I had been missing. This was the life I wanted to protect.

As the conversation continued to flow, I caught the knowing glances Rosalia, Hestia, and Eldara exchanged once again. They were watching me closely, their eyes filled with warmth and understanding.

"Do they know?"I thought.

"Well if they know and they are still keeping quite,it means they are content with letting me keep my secret,I'm glad!"I though as a warm smile etched itself on my face.

As the sun continued to rise in the sky, casting a warm glow over the farm, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

This was home. And I was finally ready to embrace it.