Chapter 49: Magic Field Grape Vine
Taking stock of his harvest took Croyer quite some time.
After all, these weren’t just ordinary magical plants; they came with a thick stack of instructions—essentially a planting guide.
To ensure he fully understood their properties, he had to read carefully and not skim through the details.
Among them, Tranquil Bell Lily and Firm Earth Tuber had relatively shorter descriptions.
However, the Magic Field Grape Vine was a surprising find for Croyer.
It was an exceptionally rare elemental magical plant, very similar to the Sunflower that had formed by coincidence, taking a physical form purely through elemental construction.
Typically, the growth cycle of an elemental magical plant could be either extremely long or incredibly short, depending on whether there was enough magic supply to fuel its rapid growth.
In the world of mages, only Grand Mages could afford to cultivate elemental magical plants. Regular mages were too busy with their own training to have extra magic to spare for magical plant cultivation.
Fortunately, Croyer was in a decent position. He planned to divert some of the Sunflower’s magic to irrigate the Magic Field Grape Vine, allowing it to grow at a slightly faster rate.
Since he had already decided not to sell too many of them, and since there was no immediate way to acquire purer magic power, he might as well use what he had.
If that didn't work, he could simply order the vine to grow toward the sea—there was certainly more than enough magic in the ocean.
Its effects were remarkable—the vine’s roots could replace Magic Crystals, stretching over a vast area; the grapes it bore would continuously drip elemental magic liquid. The combination of its roots and fruit worked together to transform the land.
According to the description, the vine would grow a main branch, which would then split into six sub-branches, each capable of channeling a different type of elemental magic, allowing for land transformation.
This meant that Water Magic Fields, Fire Magic Fields, Ice Magic Fields... and more could all be created as long as there was a sufficient magic supply.
After finishing his reading, Croyer couldn't help but marvel:
"What an incredible magical plant… its properties are practically designed for land transformation."
He carefully read through the instructions, then picked up the box containing the young grape vine. With a gentle infusion of magic, he broke the swirling Holy Spring Chamber of Commerce seal on top. The box gave a crisp click as it automatically unlocked.
Inside was a deep blue, semi-transparent young grape vine, rooted in a strange vibrant green soil, looking full of life.
"This soil… why does it have a fluctuation similar to the Earth Mother Goddess’s power, but without the same strange divine presence?"
He scratched his head, finding it odd.
The description merely stated that this was a special type of magic soil, capable of ensuring the Magic Field Grape Vine’s initial growth.
As for its coverage—about an acre of land.
Beyond that, nothing else was mentioned.
Seeing no way to figure it out, Croyer decided to stop overthinking and tried using his Star Spirit ability.
It didn’t work either.
"Even Star Spirit Observation Spell can’t reveal anything?"
He felt slightly disappointed—but only just a little. Shrugging it off, he put the vine aside and opened another box.
"Let’s see what this jellyfish is all about."
The box was made of blue-green stone, containing a handful of crystal-clear water, which was both strikingly transparent and exceptionally pure.
"Pure water from the Water Elemental Plane?"
Croyer squinted, inspecting it closely, but sensed no presence of anything living. He could only follow the Holy Spring Chamber of Commerce’s instructions and slowly infused it with his magic.
The moment he did, a small translucent, umbrella-shaped jellyfish appeared in the water.
It floated gently in the pure water and sent a faint mental signal toward Croyer—a simple and direct consciousness.
Croyer translated it roughly as:
"?"
Yes, just a question mark.
Elemental beings had extremely fragile physical forms in the material world—almost non-existent. However, their souls were relatively powerful.
Even though this was merely a Rank 2 Elemental Creature, it had the intelligence of a seven or eight-year-old child and could understand some of Croyer’s simple instructions.
"I should put you into the Magic Spring then... If Master Seagull said he could still sense a trace of the ocean’s aura, that means there are still impurities."
"It’s better to leave the purified Magic Spring inside the castle."
Croyer had already decided on its placement. Holding the box, he stood up and headed toward the chamber where the Magic Spring flowed.
As he entered, an apprentice carrying a bucket of Magic Spring Water from the room was startled at the sight of him and quickly bowed respectfully.
"Master, good evening!"
Croyer glanced at him casually.
He vaguely remembered his name—Jamie, one of the three apprentices who had brought him supplies that night. Now, Jamie had officially caught his attention.
The steward had been drilling them on basic knowledge—reading, writing, and simple arithmetic—ensuring they learned foundational skills.
Apparently, they were so eager to improve that they even studied under the moonlight on the beach every night.
It was already late, yet Jamie was still carrying water for irrigation. Clearly, he had taken Croyer’s words to heart.
Croyer appreciated hardworking people. If given an opportunity, they would struggle to climb higher.
As long as he maintained absolute control, their efforts would only strengthen his domain—so the more, the better.
As he walked into the room, he casually asked,
"How are the coconut trees doing? What about the barley?"
Jamie quickly followed him, holding the bucket, and replied,
"They’re thriving. The barley yield has tripled, and the castle’s bread is now entirely made from it."
"Not bad. Tomorrow, take a basket of bread to reward Elena’s family."
"Understood! I will take care of it immediately!"
Croyer nodded and approached the Magic Spring, dipping his fingers into the water to retrieve the Magic Spring Pearl, then dropped the jellyfish inside.
The jellyfish immediately dove into the depths of the spring. The water flow noticeably slowed, but it also became visibly clearer.
Scooping up a handful, Croyer took a sip and noted the difference—
"The salty oceanic taste is gone, replaced with a refreshing coolness."
"Master Seagull was right. Only water this pure would be free from magical impurities."
Glancing at the Magic Spring Pearl in his hand, he hesitated slightly before beckoning Jamie over.
"Find a suitable spring outside the castle and place this there. Have Robert construct a new house by it. From now on, fetch water from there."
"Also, tell Art to take people to clean up the area where the Air Coral was found. I’m going to plant magical crops there."
Jamie trembled with excitement as he received the Magic Spring Pearl, then immediately knelt,
"Master! Even if it costs my life, I will complete your order!"
"Go do it."
Croyer cared only for results, not empty words of flattery.
...
After settling the jellyfish, Croyer returned to his laboratory and organized the Tranquil Bell Lily and Firm Earth Tuber—both of which had already sprouted. According to the chamber of commerce, they only needed to be planted in a Magic Field.
And the chosen location?
The area where he had discovered the Air Coral.
The green magic soil would ensure they could take root and sprout, but beyond that...
"Once they sprout, it’ll be up to my magic supply to sustain them."
Closing his eyes, he set aside all distractions and returned to his room.
On the cabinet, the Crescent Fruit had begun releasing a faint silver mist, accompanied by the sound of ocean tides.
Lying in bed, he soon entered a meditative state—even without the power of sunlight during the day, meditation still yielded results.
Although life was peaceful for now, he couldn’t afford to stop training. Perhaps soon, he would reach Rank 3 Mage.
And so, dawn arrived.
After breakfast, he waited for Knight Art and his men, who carried crates of Tranquil Bell Lily and Firm Earth Tuber.
As for Croyer himself, he carried the Magic Field Grape Vine.
Time to farm.