The next morning.
Chen Mian finished sparring with Loviki and walked back to the apartment.
【Current Points: 3040】
He had enough points.
【Confirm upgrade apartment to Level 3? This upgrade will consume 3000 Points.】
【Condition Check: Number of tenants 2 (Met), 3000 Points (Met)】
【Confirm.】
【Current Points: 3040 → 40】
A pale golden light welled up from the apartment's foundation once more.
The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, much more noticeably than last time.
Flora's voice drifted out from the kitchen. “What was that sound?”
“An earthquake?” On the training field outside the apartment, Loviki rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, warily scanning her surroundings. She had just finished a set of sword forms, and sweat still beaded on her forehead.
The golden light quickly dissipated, and the ground stopped shaking.
Chen Mian leaned against the doorway, watching the new prompts pop up on the system panel one after another.
【Apartment level increased: Level 2 → Level 3.】
【Current Apartment Level: Level 3. Level 4 Unlock Requirements: 3 tenants + 5000 Points.】
【Initial Quest 2 completed! Rewards: Magic level increased by 10 + Magic Ranch unlocked + Magic Hot Spring unlocked + Mana Garden level up】
【Initial Quest 3 unlocked: Upgrade the apartment to Level 4, reach 3 tenants, and have all tenants' Sense of Belonging reach Level 3. Rewards: Magic level increased by 10 + Magic Fishery unlocked + Brewing Workshop unlocked + Prerequisite function levels increased】
(Magic Fishery: Capable of breeding any aquatic product (both saltwater and freshwater). Aquatic products have a chance to upgrade into rare-grade ingredients, which enhance mana when consumed. The growth cycle is significantly shortened.)
(Brewing Workshop: Various brewing facilities can be constructed using Points. The quality of brewed products is increased by 1 grade, and the fermentation and aging cycles are significantly shortened.)
【Current Magic Level: 140】
An even more powerful surge of mana welled up inside him. Chen Mian closed his eyes slightly, feeling the energy flow through his meridians, far stronger than it had been at level 130.
Going up twenty levels in just a few days... Even he felt it was a bit surreal.
Furthermore, he hadn't even fought since breaking past his limits, but he knew exactly how terrifying his destructive power would be if he went all out now.
Opening his eyes, he organized his thoughts and continued reading.
【Magic Hot Spring (Level 1) generating. Current Level: Level 1. Effects: Relieves fatigue, accelerates mana recovery, nourishes mana, weakens curses, and improves skin. Temperature can be adjusted using mana.】
【Mana Garden (Level 2): Crop growth cycle shortened to 3 days. Quality of harvested magical crops increased by 1 grade. Crops have a 5% chance of mutating to gain extra attributes. Cultivation area expanded to 2 acres.】
【Mana Orchard (Level 2): Fruit trees planted in this area will automatically transform into magical fruit trees. Fruit quality increased by 1 grade. Growth cycle shortened to 30 days. Cultivation area expanded to 2 acres.】
【Magic Ranch (Level 1): Mana grass will automatically grow daily within the Magic Ranch area. The ranch automatically purifies animal waste. The quality of raised livestock and poultry is enhanced. Area: 1 acre.】
【System Shop unlocked: Common Broiler Chicken, Mana Chicken, Silver-light Cow, Rainbow Duck, Automatic Feeder, Automatic Cleaning Rune, Mana Feed Recipe, Incubator, Soju, Bath Towel, Mana Imager, Water Hose (20m)...】
“Chen Mian! Our vegetable garden expanded on its own again! There are so many empty magical plots now!” Flora, who had run to the door after hearing the commotion, spoke with excitement.
“I know. Tomorrow, I'm going to plant some grapes in the orchard and buy some poultry.”
“What are grapes?” Flora poked her head out the door, her ears twitching slightly. “Are they tasty?”
“You'll know once we grow them and you try some.”
“And why raise poultry?” Flora asked, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. “Will their quality improve after raising them, just like the vegetables in the garden?”
“Yeah, they might even turn into the kind of magical fowl you only find in dungeons,” Chen Mian replied with a smile, looking at her expectant face.
“Really?!” Flora clasped her hands together and leaned forward, her bright eyes practically sparkling. “So we won't have to go into dungeons specifically to look for ingredients anymore?”
“Right. We can just catch them right in our backyard.”
“That's wonderful!” Her eyes curved, and she couldn't hide the wide grin on her face. “Then I need to start thinking of recipes for magical fowl in advance... Oh, by the way, Mr. Chen Mian, what do grapes taste like?”
“They're sweet and very juicy. They can be used to make wine, or dried into raisins.” Chen Mian leaned against the doorframe, watching her longing expression. “Once they grow, you can try making a few dishes with them.”
“It's a promise!” Flora nodded vigorously. She turned and took a couple of steps toward the kitchen, then looked back to add, “When are we buying the poultry? Should I make a list now?”
【Today's Interaction Quest: Take the tenants to soak in the hot spring together. Reward: 100 Points】
Chen Mian chuckled. “Tomorrow. We have other things to do today.”
“What things?”
“I'll tell you after we eat.”
“Okay!” Humming an unfamiliar little tune, she walked back to the stove with light steps.
From behind him came the sound of Loviki yawning as she walked downstairs. “What are you two talking about?”
“Food.”
“Oh. Remember to buy plenty then.” Loviki rubbed her eyes and plopped onto the sofa. “I'm going to take a quick nap first.”
The rabbit hopped down from the corner of the table and curled up on Loviki's lap.
Loviki casually stroked its ears, her eyes already closed.
Today's breakfast.
Flora made the magical cuisine Moonlight Grass and Magic Tomato Soup along with pumpkin scones. As for the Moonlight Mushrooms they had gathered yesterday, only a tiny bit was left, so she ultimately decided to set up some shade and plant them in the garden to see if they could survive.
The treasure-hunting rabbit left Loviki's side and was now squatting at the edge of the table, its front paws gripping the edge as its pink eyes stared unblinkingly at the scones on the plate.
“This is yours.” Flora placed a small piece of broken pumpkin scone in front of it.
Loviki sat to the side, eating her pumpkin scone and sipping the Moonlight Grass and Magic Tomato Soup, looking blissful. “Flora, marry me.”
Chen Mian, who was drinking his soup, nearly choked. “Just eat your scone.”
She took another bite of the pumpkin scone. “Being able to eat such delicious food every day is pure heaven!”
Flora sat down across from her, the corners of her lips curving upward. “I'm glad you like it.”
“It's not 'like,'” Loviki corrected. “It's love!”
“Do you love the pumpkin scones or Flora?”
“Both.”
“You're hopeless.”
After breakfast.
Loviki went back to her room to wash up.
Chen Mian looked at Flora, who was cleaning up in the kitchen. “Let's go buy some bathrobes and swimwear later.”
“Why?” Flora paused what she was doing and turned to look at him, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
“To soak in the hot spring.”
“Huh?” She put down her rag, turned around, and blinked. “What hot spring?”
“I conjured it up,” Chen Mian replied with a smile.
“C-Conjured it?” Flora was clearly skeptical.
“Yeah, just like how the extra garden plots appeared.”
Flora stared at him for a couple of seconds. The confusion in her bright eyes slowly gave way to amusement.
She remembered when she had asked Chen Mian what level he was before, and he had deadpanned “level 130.”
“...Honestly, Mr. Chen Mian.” She shook her head and turned back to wipe the stove, the tips of her ears flushing slightly. “Humoring me again.”
“I'm not teasing. There really is a hot spring, right behind the garden.”
Flora's hand paused. She draped the rag over the faucet and actually turned to walk toward the back door, not even taking off her apron.
After about half a minute, Chen Mian heard Flora's surprised voice drift in from behind the house. “There really is one?!”
Flora jogged back in through the back door, her face still flushed with lingering surprise, unable to hide her wide grin. “It's such a huge hot spring pool! And the water is steaming!”
She paused, suddenly remembering something, and her expression slowly shifted from excitement to a subtle sort of flustered panic.
Rate on N.U.
