Kays Translations

Chapter 350: Expansion

When Fabienne arrived at the House Heine estate, she first rested in the salon while we discussed the day's schedule.

“Our tutor will teach us this morning. In the afternoon, let us compound potions together.”

“Understood. Is there a particular potion that needs to be prepared urgently?”

Fabienne noticed the problem immediately.

“The basic stamina-recovery potion is selling extremely well. I want to increase our stock.”

“It is an excellent potion. Father and Mother both liked it very much.”

“Demand is greater than I expected. We need to expand the herb garden quickly.”

Dividing the work would be sensible, but I wanted to spend the afternoon with her.

Perhaps magic could accelerate the work. The field needed to be ready soon because the herbs would still require time to grow before harvest.

Wait. Could a growth-promoting potion shorten that delay as well?

“Julius, are you planning something reckless again?” Mother asked.

“Not exactly…”

“Tell me what you are thinking.”

With Brother Cain, Sister-in-law Meeka, and Sister-in-law Daniela gone, Mother seemed determined not to allow the remaining family members to create more work for one another.

I explained the need to enlarge the herb garden and my idea of accelerating plant growth.

“You mean the potion that once turned a young sapling into a mature tree?”

“Yes.”

“Is that safe?”

“…Probably.”

“Rejected. I will not risk the entire House Heine garden being swallowed by medicinal plants.”

“That would not necessarily be bad… Very well. I shall weaken the plant nutrient so that it improves the harvest without causing uncontrolled growth.”

Mother's gaze left no room for argument. A chance to produce an enormous quantity of herbs had vanished, but her concern was reasonable.

I could teach Fabienne how to compound plant nutrients while we adjusted the formula together. Seen that way, the compromise was not unpleasant.

“Lady Fabienne, please keep a close watch on Julius,” Mother said. “I am relying on you.”

“Of course.”

Fabienne's expression stiffened slightly. It appeared that Mother remained the strongest person in the household.

The tutor was already scheduled to visit that morning, so the afternoon was the only part of our plan I could alter. Fabienne, Nero, and I attended our lessons, and before long it was time for lunch.

“Eating outside is pleasant with this breeze,” Fabienne said.

“We could never have done this in midwinter.”

The air remained cool, but warm clothing made it comfortable. The strengthening sunlight and gentler breeze filled me with anticipation for spring.

“I shall escort you back to House Ambert before dinner.”

“Thank you. Will you dine there as well?”

“I considered staying overnight, but imposing that much would be unreasonable.”

Fabienne stared at me for a moment, then realised I was teasing and puffed out her cheeks. I tapped one gently until she stopped pouting.

“I hope we can live together someday, but it still feels very far away.”

“We have not even entered the academy yet.”

Childhood was especially restrictive for nobles. Every action attracted public attention, and children were important to their families' political futures.

That afternoon, we began expanding the herb garden. If I prepared the ground, the gardeners could handle the continuing cultivation.

“Your herb garden is always beautifully maintained, Lord Julius.”

“Is it? I thought most herb gardens looked similar.”

“Not at all. The rows are orderly, and there is not a single weed.”

I had arranged the medicinal plants, but House Heine's territorial knights deserved credit for the lack of weeds. Their regular patrols had taught them to distinguish the useful herbs from unwanted plants with impressive accuracy.

Expanding the garden would increase their burden as well. I would need to provide additional basic stamina-recovery potions.

“We shall create the new plot here.”

“Here?” Nero asked. “The ground is full of weeds and stones.”

He expected the preparation to take a great deal of labour. I, however, had earth magic.

I placed my hand against the ground. In seconds, the weeds vanished, the stones were crushed and buried, and the soil became level, soft, and ready for planting. Fabienne and Nero stared at the completed field.

“Lord Julius… what did you just do?” Nero asked.

I kept my expression calm, as though the result were perfectly ordinary.

“I used earth magic to break down the stones, level the ground, and loosen the soil.”

“Magic can do something that convenient?” Fabienne asked faintly.

She clearly wanted to believe the explanation because the finished field stood before her, yet found it difficult to accept.

While they were still staring, I used my Transplant skill to lift healthy herbs from the neighbouring plot and my Dividing skill to separate and replant them across the new garden.

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