The soft glow of morning sunlight filters through the cracks in the old castle walls, casting long shadows across floors. The faint sound of wind is the only sound that breaks the eerie silence of Juras Castle.
Vincent stretches as he sits up from his bed—a large, ancient thing that had seen better days. The mattress is rough, and the frame creaks with the slightest movement, but sleep had never felt better after the exhausting trip to Earth.
The weight of his successfully acquired supplies still lingers in his mind: food, water, seeds, tools—everything he needed to start rebuilding.
Now, it was time for the next step.
He swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands, stretching out the stiffness in his body. Today was going to be a long day.
== Line Break ==
Vincent looks to the side and sees Alfred, his steward and the only servant who volunteers to come with him. He doesn't know if the older man is coming with him because of the order from his father to spy on him, but he will give the older man the benefit of the doubt for volunteering to come with him.
"You called for me, my lord?"
"Yes. Come here."
He walks toward his table and stands near the large wooden table, a map of Juras Barony spread across its surface. The old man's face remains impassive, but his sharp eyes show a glint of curiosity at the sight in front of him.
"We need to decide where to start our first farm."
Alfred raises a brow, glancing at the map.
"A farm, my lord?"
His gaze shifts back to Vincent, skeptical.
"Forgive my bluntness, but… this land is cursed for agriculture. Nothing has grown here for decades. Even the most skilled farmers wouldn't waste their efforts."
"That would be true—if I am a normal farmer."
Alfred's eyes narrow slightly. He doesn't press further but waits for Vincent to explain.
Vincent leans closer to the map and points to a flat stretch of land near the base of a dried-up riverbed.
"This spot. We'll begin here."
"A reasonable choice, my lord. If there had been water in that river, it would have been prime farmland. But as it stands, it is as barren as the rest of Juras Barony."
"I have a way to change that."
"How, my lord?"
"I know a spell that can restore the land,"
"A spell?"
"Yes. One that will revitalize the soil and make it suitable for farming again."
"I see… You have always been full of surprises, my lord."
"Oh?"
"I also have access to seeds, food, and water. Enough to sustain our efforts here."
"That is… quite the claim. Where exactly are these supplies coming from?"
Alfred knows that his blessing does not grant him all the things he says he has, at least not to his knowledge about merchant-related blessings.
Vincent meets Alfred's gaze directly. He doesn't lie but doesn't tell the full truth either. At least not now.
"I have a way to acquire them. Call it a unique power."
Alfred studies him for a moment longer before inclining his head.
"I assume you do not wish to explain further?"
"Not yet. No."
Alfred nods his head in understanding and says.
"Very well, my lord. If you truly have the means to acquire these resources, then I will not question it."
Vincent knew Alfred was a sharp man. He likely understood that his lord had access to something far beyond normal means, but he was also wise enough not to pry further.
And that was exactly why Vincent trusted him.
"Then we will proceed with preparing the land you have chosen. When will you begin this 'spell' of yours?"
"As soon as possible. The sooner we plant the first crops, the sooner we can start restoring this place."
"Then I shall oversee the preparations."
== Line Break ==
Vincent and Alfred walk side by side through the dry, lifeless stretch of land that is soon to become their first farm. The sun hangs high in the sky, its warmth beating down on the barren earth, a cruel reminder of how dead this land has been for years.
Vincent stops in the center of the clearing, surveying the area. The land is flat, with enough space to grow several crops at once if properly managed.
This is a good starting point.
Taking a deep breath, he kneels on the ground, placing his palm against the dirt.
He closes his eyes and focuses inward, calling upon the spell that had been burning in his mind ever since he acquired it—[Earth Mending].
A soft hum of mana begins to radiate from his body, sinking into the soil.
At first, nothing happens.
Then—the earth stirs.
Alfred watches in silent astonishment as the cracked ground darkens, shifting from dry dust to rich, fertile soil. The lifeless dirt seems to breathe again, revitalized by the powerful magic flowing through it.
Slowly, the transformation spreads outward, the land drinking in Vincent's mana like a long-lost blessing.
The lifeless ground is no more. In its place is a stretch of dark, fertile earth, ready to support life once again.
Vincent exhales sharply, sweat trickling down his brow. He can feel the strain on his body—his mana reserves have dropped dangerously low, and he spends 3/4 of his mana for this.
Even so, he smirks.
Still watching the transformed land, Alfred finally speaks, his voice carrying a rare hint of awe.
"…I did not know, my lord, that you could use magic."
Vincent wipes the sweat from his brow, his smirk never fading.
"I learned from books."
He says smoothly. Alfred gives him a long, knowing look. There is more to his young lord's power than he is letting on; that much is obvious. And yet, Alfred simply nods and does not ask further. Instead, he looks back at the newly restored land and says.
"Then this is only the beginning."
Vincent chuckles, pushing himself to his feet.
"Yes, it is."
Juras Barony's rebirth has begun.