Kael stood at the edge of his orchard in the early dawn light. The Common Fruits were full and ripe, their colorful surfaces shining with the morning dew. Twenty fruits, all grown from seeds he'd planted days earlier, stood as his first real step into becoming an Orchard Keeper.
He crouched next to the nearest plant and ran his hand over its smooth surface. A system notification flickered in his mind.
[Harvest Available: Common Fruit]
Health: ExcellentGrowth Cycle: CompleteYield: 100%
Kael began carefully harvesting the fruits, placing each one into his storage ring with precision. Each fruit carried potential—not only for future sales but for experience toward his Orchard Keeper rank. The rewards for hard work felt within reach.
But something unusual caught his eye. One plant near the Emberstone Core stood taller than the others, its leaves tinged with red, as though kissed by fire. Its fruit glowed faintly in the shadows, veins of fiery orange running beneath its surface.
Kael frowned. He leaned closer and felt a subtle heat radiating from the fruit. It wasn't just different—it had mutated.
[Hybrid Mutation Detected: Ember-Infused Common Fruit]
Attributes: Enhanced vitality and minor fire alignment.Potential Effects: Unknown. Further research required.Recommendation: Handle with care.
Kael carefully harvested the mutated fruit, cradling it in his hand as he examined its glowing veins. It was beautiful and dangerous, unlike anything he had grown before. A sign of things to come.
"Looks like the orchard has a few secrets of its own," he murmured, tucking the fruit into his storage ring. His next step would be learning how mutations like this could be replicated—or controlled.
Satisfied, Kael finished collecting the remaining fruits, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the fiery mutation. His Orchard Keeper rank was closer than ever to evolving, but before that, he had another task ahead—checking on the Blazing Fang Fruit's progress.
He turned toward the path leading back to the village, his mind already planning the next steps.
The tension in the air was palpable as Kael approached his grandfather's house. Vaun Calder stood near the market square, his sharp eyes watching the villagers with unsettling calm. His mercenaries loitered nearby, their hands resting lightly on their weapons.
Kael paused just long enough to take in the scene. Vaun wasn't just asking questions anymore—he was taking control.
Inside the house, Kael found Aeris pacing, her expression dark. She paused when she saw him, relief flickering across her face.
"Kael," she said, moving toward him. "Vaun's pushing harder. He's been speaking with the village leaders, trying to turn them against us."
Kael clenched his fists. "Let him try."
Aeris hesitated. "He's asked to meet with me—alone. He said it's about an old agreement, something tied to my family."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What kind of agreement?"
"I'm not sure," she said softly. "But I need to find out."
Aeris stepped into the meeting room at the village's central hall, her footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. Vaun stood at the far end, leaning against the wall with an easy smile.
"Aeris," he greeted, his voice smooth and warm. "It's been far too long."
She folded her arms. "Cut the pleasantries, Vaun. What do you want?"
Vaun chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Straight to business. I always admired that about you."
He moved closer, his expression shifting from charming to serious. "What I want is simple. Return with me to the Levi family. It's time to honor the contract your family made long ago."
Aeris's heart skipped a beat. "Contract?"
Vaun nodded slowly. "The marriage contract. You were promised to Levi before your house fell. My employers have decided it's time to honor that agreement."
Her blood turned to ice. "That's impossible. That contract died with my family's downfall."
Vaun tilted his head. "Did it? Funny how contracts have a way of surviving. Convenient, isn't it?" He leaned in closer, his voice a whisper. "Come willingly, and we'll make this transition painless. Resist… and you might find your friends here far less fortunate."
Aeris forced herself to remain calm. "I'll think about it."
Vaun smiled. "Good. But don't take too long. The Levi family doesn't enjoy waiting."
Aeris returned to the house, her face pale but determined. Kael looked up from his place by the window, his eyes sharp with concern.
"What did he say?"
Aeris hesitated, the weight of Vaun's words pressing down on her. "We need to talk," she said finally. "But not here."
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. Danger was coming, and they had little time to prepare.