The stronghold had over two thousand combatants and four hundred non-combatants.
They had created wooden buildings to serve as their camps and they were slowly turning the area into their base.
“Master of Sanctum’s Stronghold is roughly 10,000 hectares. You can choose any place to serve as your base. Since your skills are low level, you will have to do with a farm of 0.5 Hectare.”
Isaac nodded.
0.5 Hectare is roughly five thousand square meters or fifty-four thousand square feet. The farm size was big enough for him.
Anything larger, and he wouldn’t have enough Mana for the whole field.
“Which place do you like?” Professor Catherine asked after the tour.
“How about that one?”
Isaac led them to the far west-side area of the Stronghold.
His Seed of Providence skill told him this area was the best in the Stronghold to grow crops. It was rich in nutrients, and the land was easy to tilt.
“Can’t you choose something else?” Leora questioned with a frown.
“Why?”
“This place is near the border of our Stronghold. A farm here will leave you prone to attacks from outside.”
Isaac had a pondering expression before he shook his head.
“This place is rich in nutrients and it is good for crops. Other places aren’t half as good as this place.”
“You don’t need to worry about the soil at other places having low nutrient content. The land in the Fortified Cities is rich in mana, and the mana can compensate for the lack of nutrients,” Leora explained.
“Then that’s all the more reason to choose this place. With high mana content, and naturally rich soil, the crops will be healthier at this location.”
Leora’s brows furrowed. She was deep in thought.
“Okay, then we will choose this place,” Professor Catherine spoke up with a smile.
She left to bring back construction workers, and left behind Professor Catherine and Isaac.
“I will start tilling the farm,” Isaac said.
A light flashed through his pendant, and flew over his hand, transforming into the Harvest Bane Hoe. Leora was surprised.
“Where did you get that?”
“I was able to summon this when I reached Level 10.”
“Is it a skill?”
“No.”
“Where did it come from?”
“I don’t know,” Isaac put on his most genuine expression. “It was suddenly with me. I am confused myself.”
Leora stared at his sincere eyes, and believed he was saying the truth.
She took out a notepad.
“What are you doing?”
“Noting down your abilities. SSS+ rank is a first in the history. We need all information we can get to create a proper curriculum for you.”
Isaac tilled the soil. The hard soil became soft under the hoe’s effect. He did not feel any substantial drain on his mana pool as he worked.
The process made him wonder if the mana consumption was linear, or parabolic.
He became absorbed in the process and only stopped when he had tilled the entire land.
“Haah, somehow this feels refreshing.”
He wiped the sweat and placed the hoe over his shoulder.
“Leora, can I get some seeds….”
His mouth clamped shut when he saw the three-story house next to the field. It was not there when he started farming.
Professor Catherine sneaked behind him after noticing his work was done, and whispered into his ear.
“Surprised?”
“Yeah, somewhat.”
He moved away from her.
Professor Catherine pouted when he did not show much reaction to her whispering in his ear. If it was when he had moved into the apartment, he would’ve been flustered.
“Here. Got something for you.”
She tossed the sack his way, and Isaac caught it, feeling the weight of seeds shift inside.
“They are Ration crop seeds. Each plant grows ten fruits, and each fruit’s enough to keep you going for a day. They taste like mud, fair warning, but they are the best for cost performance ratio for Ruin Explorers.”
Isaac opened the sack and peeked at the dull gray seeds.
“By the way, I’m clocking out for today. I’ll be back tomorrow, and I’ll bring some gym equipment for you.”
She gave him a quick wink, then waved a hand.
“Leora’s staying here to keep an eye on things. Don’t run her ragged, okay?”
Isaac nodded.
He watched her go, then turned back to the field, adjusting the hoe on his shoulder.
Before he could get started, Leora’s voice broke through the quiet.
“Isaac, you should meet her.”
A woman came up to him along with Leora. Her tan skin was dusted with sawdust, and her worker’s overalls were practical and worn. Her curly hair was barely held back by a bandana, and she had a confident look in her eyes.
“Isaac, she is the one who built your house.”
“Name’s Mara, chief constructor ’round these parts. Built this beauty in record time—three hours, twenty-two minutes, and a half a sandwich break. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Thanks for the house. It’s impressive despite being built in such short time.” Isaac shook her hand.
“Impressive? Pfft!”
Mara slapped her knee like he’d just told the funniest joke.
“This ain’t just impressive, kiddo—this is a goddamn masterpiece! Triple-layered oak, mana-infused beams for extra oomph, and a little somethin’-somethin’ I threw in for fun. Second floor’s got a trapdoor to the roof—y’know, for stargazin’ or hurlin’ rocks at invaders. Your call.”
She winked, then pulled a wrench from her pocket and twirled it like a baton.
“Anywho, she’s all yours. Don’t break her too fast, yeah? I’ve got a rep to maintain.”
Mara gave an exaggerated salute, spun on her heel, and marched off, whistling a tune that sounded suspiciously like a drinking song.
Leora finally put down her notepad and approached him.
“You’ve been at it for hours, Isaac. The field’s done, and the house is up. You should rest now.”
“I’m fine,” Isaac said, kneeling down to plant the first ration seed. “I’ve got energy left, and I want to get these in the ground before I sleep.”
He pressed the seed into the soil with a steady hand, starting a neat row.
Leora frowned slightly but more than anything she looked impressed by his diligence.
“Alright, if you’re sure. I’ll stay close. I need to note your progress anyway.”
She flipped open her notepad and started writing as Isaac kept planting, moving through the rows.
He was slightly awkward in the beginning, this being his first time doing farmwork, but with time, he moved like a professional who has been working on farms for years.
When he reached the center of the field, he stopped and pulled out a different seed.
The Astral Lotus Seed.
It shimmered faintly in his palm, glowing with a soft, otherworldly light.
He dug a small hole, placed it carefully, and closed his eyes.
With a push of his Seed of Providence skill, mana flowed out of him, and the ground trembled.
A miraculous scene unfolded before their eyes.