The air in the orchard hummed with quiet anticipation. Kael stood at the far edge of his expanding orchard, his boots sinking slightly into the freshly tilled soil. His gaze swept over the familiar rows of Common Fruits, their leaves swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. Twenty fruits, their harvest just a day away, stood as a testament to his growing connection with the land.
But today was about something far more significant—something far more dangerous. He tightened his grip on the Emberstone Core, its surface warm and thrumming with power. The crystalline heart of the Emberroot Ravager glowed faintly in his hand, a relic from the battle that had nearly claimed his life.
Kael turned toward a prepared plot of land near the edge of the orchard. This would be the place where he would plant the Blazing Fang Fruit Seed, a fruit with explosive potential—if he could grow it properly. The task ahead of him was daunting, but the rewards were worth every risk.
System Notification
[System Task: Cultivate the Blazing Fang Fruit]
Objective: Successfully plant and grow the Blazing Fang Fruit using the Emberstone Core.Growth Deadline: 5 Days.Failure Consequences: Severe experience loss and temporary debuff to cultivation abilities for 3 days.Rewards: Cultivator Rank-Up, Fire Affinity Enhancement, and access to new fire-aligned abilities.
Kael exhaled, steadying himself. "Five days… no mistakes," he muttered, crouching down to begin the process. He carefully placed the Emberstone Core into a shallow depression in the soil.
The core glowed brighter as it settled into place, its energy spreading outward in soft pulses. The surrounding soil darkened and cracked lightly, releasing faint wisps of steam. A warm breeze swept over Kael, carrying the scent of earth and heat.
Satisfied, he retrieved the Blazing Fang Fruit Seed from his storage ring. The seed's surface was dark with veins of glowing red, like threads of molten fire running beneath its shell. He knelt and gently pressed the seed into the enriched soil just above the Emberstone Core.
The ground shuddered lightly. For a moment, there was silence. Then, a sprout emerged, its leaves softly glowing red. The plant leaned toward the warmth of the core, drinking in its energy.
[Blazing Fang Fruit Growth Active – 5 Days Remaining]
Current Status: Sprout StageHealth: ExcellentEnergy Level: Stable (Powered by Emberstone Core)Reminder: Monitor Daily for Health and Growth Updates.
Kael stood slowly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's started," he said quietly. The plant was healthy for now, but he knew how fickle fire-aligned crops could be. Any shift in the balance of energy could cause the plant to wither—or worse, explode.
He took one last look at the Blazing Fang sprout before turning back toward the rows of Common Fruits. Tomorrow, they would be ready for harvest, but for now, he needed rest—and to prepare for whatever trouble Vaun Calder might bring.
The sky was painted with shades of amber and crimson as Kael walked back into the village. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the dirt paths. Most of the villagers were finishing their day's work, their voices mingling with the soft clinking of tools and the distant call of birds.
Kael made his way to his grandfather's house, his mind racing with thoughts about the tasks ahead. He found Alden Drayven waiting for him on the front porch, his eyes scanning the horizon with a thoughtful expression.
"How did it go?" Alden asked, his voice calm but curious.
Kael nodded. "The seed's planted. The Emberstone Core is doing its job. It looks good for now—if I don't mess anything up."
Alden chuckled, leaning on the railing. "No pressure, then." His smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "But that's not the only thing we need to worry about."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Vaun?"
Alden nodded grimly. "He's been talking to some of the villagers—subtle questions at first, but always circling back to Aeris. He's looking for something, or someone, and he's patient enough to wait until he finds it."
Kael clenched his fists. Vaun Calder wasn't just some traveling merchant. He had ties to the Levi family, known for betrayal and ambition. If Vaun was here, it wasn't for pleasant conversation or idle trade.
"He's probing for weakness," Kael said, his voice tight.
Alden nodded. "Men like Vaun never reveal their full hand until they're sure they can win. He's up to something."
Kael leaned against the railing, his eyes on the setting sun. "Then we won't give him that chance."