Chapter 28: Peaceful Time

After we reached the mansion, I was immediately apprehended by a woman with a beautiful face and temperament. I was not allowed any freedom for two days before she was satisfied and granted me some independence. That was my mother.

Once she heard about everything that had transpired in the cavern during my Awakening, she never allowed me to be apart from her, not even for a moment. I wasn't even allowed to sleep in my room. She would lay me in her lap and sing lullabies, eventually falling asleep with me in her arms. I was happy, enjoying these moments that I could never experience in my previous life during my early days.

Time flew by like this. It has been two months since my Awakening, and these two months have been spent with my parents. Currently, I am in the garden that my mother usually takes care of. About fifteen days ago, I expressed my interest in the varieties of plants in the garden. My mother immediately started explaining all the plants and flowers to me after she heard my interest.

It seems that no one else in the mansion shares her interests, not even my father. So, my newfound interest in the same field made her quite happy. However, what I did not expect was the depth of her knowledge about the biology of this world. While her knowledge cannot be described as extensive, it is much deeper compared to mine.

When I learned that plants absorb Energy from the atmosphere as nourishment, I was instantly hooked. With each explanation of a type of plant or flower, my interest soared. The physical structure of this world can be said to be similar to Earth’s, but its internal structure has been modified for the absorption and circulation of Energy, a different process from photosynthesis on Earth.

However, this world does not seem to have knowledge of various vitamins and minerals needed for bodily nourishment. When I asked about proteins or carbohydrates in the plants, she gave me a confused look and even asked what those were. I pondered for a moment and tried to explain the various minerals and vitamins, but it appears that no records of such things exist, not even in the available ancient records.

I eventually gave up, as the discussion seemed to go nowhere. I simply shifted my perspective to hers and tried to compare the medicinal or Energy values of these plants to the functionalities of vitamins and minerals.

“Look, Azalon. This plant is called the ‘Five Phantom Plant’. It’s quite common and seen abundantly in the wild. It is used as a basic medicine for simple cuts and wounds. But the most important part of this plant is its flower, the ‘Five Petal Phantom Flower’. Only one in ten thousand plants will produce this flower, making it more valuable.”

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“This plant is called ‘Essence Root’. As the name suggests, its most important part is its root, which is used as a medicine for some basic allergies and flu. However, too much of this root can be toxic as it clogs the Spirit Veins. That is why this plant is only used by Alchemists in pill concoction.”

“This flower is called the ‘Nine Apparitions Flower’. It produces a type of miasma once a month during a full moon. This miasma has the power to confuse those who inhale it by showing hallucinations. Some people collect this miasma and sell it to Alchemists to produce a pill called the ‘Nine Apparitions Pill’, which is generally used as a painkiller.”

Each day, she would explain around 20-30 different plants or flowers, detailing their uses and prices. It’s a shame that Lily is not around to record these explanations. It seems that during my Awakening, some changes occurred in her as well; she became an integral part of my Soul and consciousness. So, I had no choice but to rely on myself to memorize them. Thankfully, my cognitive abilities did not diminish after my rebirth; in fact, they seemed to have strengthened after my Awakening.

That day I returned from the cavern, a mechanical voice notification sounded in my mind:

[“Changes in basic constitution detected. Adjusting functions and sensors according to the detected changes. Restart of the system required. Estimated time for reactivation: 76 days.”]

At night, I would spend some time studying the Void Ring my father gave me to understand its workings. However, until today, there has been no progress. I can only speculate on some theories, but they cannot be verified with my current strength. I am impatiently waiting for the day I can restart cultivation, which would provide me with an Energy Source for experimenting with this ring.

Recently, I have taken up two simple projects based on my current capabilities, as I still have not found a replacement for electricity in this world.

I asked my father to introduce me to a blacksmith, which he did after some obscure explanations on my part. I took some designs to the blacksmith in the mansion and asked him to produce gears and springs based on my measurements and the pictures I drew on paper.

My idea is to create a simple wristwatch and an automatic door lock. The measurement of time in this world is quite primitive. They measure time based on the position of the Sun, and the calendar is based on seasons. The year here comprises 12 months, each with 30 days, and each day is further divided into 25 hours.

It took only a couple of days to adjust the measurements of the gears and handles of watches I knew from Earth to fit the timekeeping system of this world. I had a good laugh at the blacksmith's expression as I explained the use of these gears. They will be delivered to me this evening, as the gears, springs, and handles need to be fine-tuned to the millimeter for better accuracy. It took him four days to manufacture them, as blacksmiths are generally accustomed to working on swords or spears, not on fine-tuning miniature components.

I am looking forward to the proud expressions on my father’s and mother’s faces when I show them these two items. It has been a long time since I behaved like this. I thought of my time with Mother Lily but shook off those depressing feelings, as I now have a family that loves me deeply.

After leaving the garden, I walked to the smithy to meet the blacksmith. I encountered him outside the smithy as he was coming to meet me.

“Ah, Young Master. I was coming to see you right now. You needn’t have come searching for me; you could have just waited in the mansion.”

“It’s not a problem, Mr. Feran. I had some free time. By the way, I have another request for you. I came here to discuss it as well,” I responded with a smile.

“A request? Then come in, Young Master. Let us talk in my home.”

He turned and led me to a small cottage behind the smithy. The interior of the cottage was simple, with a bed, two chairs, a small table, and a single cupboard filled with different metals and forging tools. To my left was a small kitchen area with a stove and various utensils. Overall, the cottage reflected the nature of this simple-minded and enthusiastic blacksmith.

He waited for me to sit before taking his own seat. He did not waste time on pleasantries and directly addressed the main topic.

“So, Young Master, what is this request you mentioned? Is it another set of materials like before? I must admit, I am still skeptical about that… thing you spoke of. But it’s not my place to question it. You asked for it, and I made it. So please, tell me—what is this request?”

“Let me ask you directly, Mr. Feran. I want to learn the art of blacksmithing. Will you accept me as your apprentice and teach me?”

His eyes widened in shock as I spoke these words. His shock quickly turned into disappointment, and his gaze became dull, which surprised me. I didn’t understand this sudden change in attitude, so I waited silently for his response.

“Young Master, please don’t joke with me. You want to learn blacksmithing? From me? Let me tell you, Young Master, I am not a Spirit Blacksmith. I am just a simple blacksmith who works directly with metals without manipulating Spirit Energy. If you want, Lord Mayor can arrange for a Spirit Blacksmith to take you as an apprentice, even though your affinity is unknown. Please don’t make fun of me by talking like this.”

Ah, so that’s how it is.

“*sigh* No, Mr. Feran. I know you are not a Spirit Blacksmith. Even though my father can hire a Spirit Blacksmith to teach me, I want to gain a basic understanding of traditional metal forging before testing my qualifications for Spirit Blacksmithing. So please don’t take offense.”

“Please reconsider, Young Master. Traditional blacksmithing is not as easy as you might think. It’s not something that can be mastered quickly. The challenges involved are significant. I’ve seen noble children attempt to learn this art before quitting when faced with its difficulties. So please, Young Master, I request you to reconsider your decision.”

He thinks I’m a pampered child who wants to learn something as a pastime. It seems he has encountered such types before, who quit as soon as things become difficult. I smile at him and reply in the most decisive voice I can muster in this body.

“I understand, Mr. Feran. I guarantee that I will never quit once I commit to something. If you don’t mind, you can consult with my father about my request and then decide based on his reply. Is that alright, Mr. Feran?”

“Hmmm… Alright, Young Master. I will consult with Lord Mayor and then respond to your request. Is there anything else, Young Master?”

“Yes, Mr. Feran. I hope

you will consider my request and respond as soon as possible.” I bid farewell and walked out of his cottage to my room to assemble my watch and door lock.