They opened the shop and the sales began.
Grains flew off the shelves.
With the crowd growing fast, Alice joined him at the counter to ease the burden on him.
Much to Isaac’s surprise the crowd soon doubled.
Students had messaged their friends, and told them the shop was open, and within minutes, everyone came running.
“Sniff! Sniff! Finally, something tasty to eat.”
“Mr. Shopkeeper, please, never close this shop.”
“Fuck the cafeteria! I’m never going there back again.”
“Food. Sniff. Good, tasty food.”
Students tasted the grain and teared up in happiness.
The grains’ effects refreshed them, allowing them to be in their top condition before they entered the ruin.
One girl walked up shyly. Her cheeks were red, and she held a small basket.
“How many grains do you need?” Isaac asked.
The girl held out the basket instead.
Inside was a flower and some neatly wrapped sandwiches.
“I made these for you this morning,” she said, almost whispering.
Isaac blinked, confused. Still, he kept a smile on his face. “Thank you.”
“I think… you’re really handsome,” she stammered. “Could I have your number?”
Before Isaac could respond, Alice’s voice rang out, sharp and loud. “Please order quickly. The line is long.”
The girl jumped, startled, and quickly ordered five Tier 0 grains before rushing off.
The line didn’t slow down. In two hours, every crate was empty.
Isaac looked at his account.
[Money Credited (Today): 280,200,000 Obols]
“Yesterday, I earned 277,000,000 Obols and that was from the entire day’s harvest.
“Today, I earned 280,200,000 from just one harvest. I can still harvest the grains three more times today.”
Isaac was still behind the daily goal of 1.4 billion per day.
But now, the goal was no longer a impossible dream.
He could earn it.
A smile appeared on his face. Tension he had been carrying while hiding it from everyone finally disappeared.
He leaned back and rubbed his stomach.
“I’m starving.” He muttered with a faint smile.
That’s when he remembered the sandwiches the girl had given him. He reached for the basket.
But before he could grab it, Alice snatched it away and sat down with it.
“I’m hungry too,” she said.
“Then let’s share it”
“Nope,” she replied while unwrapping a sandwich. “I’m eating all of them. Besides, aren’t you ashamed accepting food from another girl when you already have a girlfriend?”
Isaac gave a bitter smile. “I’m just hungry…”
Alice ignored him and took a big bite.
“It’s bad.”
“Then can I—”
“No.”
After Alice finished the sandwiches, they prepared to leave.
Just as they were closing the shop, a young man jogged up to Isaac with visible excitement on his face.
“Good morning, big bro!” he said, offering a salute with a wide grin. “I’m Paul, owner of the Walker Smithy branch here in Akaza Ruin Stronghold!”
Isaac blinked. He hadn’t even opened his mouth before the guy launched into his next sentence.
“We bought land here thanks to you! Our family finally has the chance to grow big, all because of what you’ve done! Really, thank you!”
Paul handed Isaac a bottle of nicely labeled booze, then stepped back.
“Anyway, I gotta go. Still have to get the forge running before the crowd starts pouring in. See ya!”
And just like that, Paul vanished into the street.
Isaac stared at the bottle in his hands, still confused. “What just happened?”
“He is one of the people who brought land here after seeing the post on social media from your ’Family’.” Leora folded her arms. “He probably doesn’t know you punched Selene Calloway though. That’s why he was so cheerful, and openly friendly to you.”
Isaac let out a small sigh and nodded. “Yeah. Once that news spreads, people like him will steer clear.”
They packed up and returned home.
“Welcome back, Isaac, Alice, and Leora!” Emily greeted them from the kitchen.
She was in her apron, floating between counters and cutting boards.
“Wait just a few minutes,” she said with a bright smile. “It’s almost done!”
“Take your time,” Isaac replied, storing the bottle in one of the cupboards.
In the living room, Professor Catherine was already lounging like she owned the place.
She sat cross-legged on the couch, sipping tea and watching them all with amused eyes.
“Good morning, Professor,” Isaac greeted as he walked past.
“Is it me or you look happy to see me?” Her eyebrows rose slightly. “Is Isaac finally falling for my charms?”
Isaac gave her a flat look.
“Thanks for guarding Emily while we were away,” he said, dodging the comment entirely.
Breakfast arrived not long after.
Emily served everyone, setting plates down with a light hum. Isaac, meanwhile, stayed seated and called out to her.
“Emily, let me feed you.”
She froze. The flush on her cheeks was instant. She glanced around the room.
“There’s so many people here…”
“It’s fine,” Isaac said with a gentle smile.
Above her head, Isaac saw the familiar glow.
+0.3 AP
+0.2 AP
Despite her embarrassment, the AP told him she definitely wanted it.
He held up a spoon. Emily leaned forward, cheeks still pink, and took the bite quietly.
The moment the spoon left her lips—
+0.5 AP
+0.5 AP
+0.5 AP
+0.5 AP
It was small, but consistent.
Every bite added up. Isaac kept feeding her, pretending he didn’t notice the glances coming his way.
Professor Catherine had a coy smirk, clearly entertained.
Leora, on the other hand, stayed focused on her food.
Alice was stabbing her food with a fork like it owed her money. Her cold glare could probably cut through steel.
’Alice, I’m doing this for you. So that you can awaken. So stop looking at me like you are going to kill me!’
Isaac kept a normal expression despite his chaotic inner thoughts.
Emily took another bite, then shyly picked up a spoon. “Then… I’ll feed you too.”
Isaac leaned forward. She gave him a small portion, and after chewing, he smiled.
“This is amazing. As expected of my Emily.”
She glowed with happiness.
+0.6 AP
Seeing the points rain, Isaac decided to make feeding Emily by hand his permanent duty.
After breakfast, Alice quietly excused herself and went to rest.
Emily stayed back to help Leora with the dishes, and while they worked in the kitchen, Professor Catherine leaned back on the couch and called out.
“Isaac, come here for a second.”
“Yeah?”
She pointed her thumb over her shoulder.
“The materials for Tyr’s evolution came this morning while you were out. I had them moved to the back. Let’s take care of it now.”
Isaac nodded. “Got it.”
They headed outside, where two long metal boxes were resting beside the wall.
Professor Catherine helped him lift the smaller one while Isaac carried the larger. Once they set them down near the field, Isaac looked up toward the farm.
“Tyr!” he called.
The response was immediate.
Tyr came with swift steps. The moment he saw Isaac, his arms waved in that usual excited way.
“Come here. We are going to help you evolve,” Isaac said.
Tyr tilted his head, as if asking what evolution was.
“It’s something that will make you stronger, faster, and more durable.”
Tyr pointed at the box with evolution materials, then at himself, then at Isaac.
Isaac smiled. “Yes, if you evolve, I will be happy too.”
Tyr nodded.
He became excited for the evolution.
Before they started, Isaac raised a hand.
“Hey, Tyr, before we begin can you show me your stats and skills?”
Tyr tilted his head again, then one of his arms shifted into a long, pointed stick. Without a word, he began scratching on the dirt.
Strength: 40
Agility: 29
Constitution: 49
Spirit Power: 32
Mana: 33
Isaac stared at the numbers. He knew Tyr was strong, but this confirmed it.
The Constitution stat alone was nearing fifty, slightly more and it would reach the territory of elite-rank awakened.
“Damn,” Isaac muttered. “You’re an absolute monster already.”
Tyr’s body shifted slightly, like he was trying to puff out his chest.
Then he began to write again, listing his abilities one by one.
Skills:
Adaptive Form (S Rank) – Alters body shape at will, enabling offense, defense, or utility-based morphs.
Verdant Forge (S Rank) – Grows, shapes, and controls wood from your own body to create objects or weapons.
Echo Root (S Rank) – Extends roots underground to sense movement, vibrations, and magical energy.
Pulse Bark (SS Rank) – Hardens outer skin and releases shockwaves on impact, dealing area-of-effect damage and knocking back enemies.
“Those are some good skills. They are better than 99.8% of awakeners.”
Tyr became visibly happy from the praise.
Isaac smiled. “Alright then. Let’s help you evolve and grow stronger.”
Tyr stood upright, waiting.
Isaac opened the larger box. Inside were four rare and glowing items:
A bundle of Ash Bark from a Centenarian Flame Tree, its veins still glowing faintly with residual heat.
A pulsing Bloodfruit Core, wrapped in containment cloth to suppress its aura.
A sealed pouch of Spirit-Fused Mycelium, faintly glowing with soft white threads of light.
And a silver vial containing one liter of Pure Lakewater from a Mana Convergence Spring, its surface rippling despite no movement.
The moment he opened the box, a soft hum of energy filled the air. Isaac’s Mana Resonance told him each material was packed with pure Mana.
Isaac took out the materials carefully, and placed them before Tyr.
“You can eat those,” Professor Catherine told Tyr. “The energies will flow into your body. If you can absorb majority of the energies, your evolution will be successful.”
Tyr looked at Isaac.
When Isaac gave a nod, Tyr picked the Ash Bark and took a bite from it.