CHAPTER 26: INTRODUCING SHADE TO INDEPENDENT SPACE

After the group of students from lower school left, Rowen counted the mana stones resting in the wooden drawer. Twenty-three low-grade mana stones. He tapped his fingers against the wood, thinking over what to do next.

Fern, sprawled across a chair and still half-asleep, let out a soft snore. Rowen walked over and nudged him gently. "Hey, wake up."

Fern groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Huh... what?"

Rowen tossed the mana stones toward him. "Take these. Six for recharging the land, seventeen for upgrades."

Fern’s eyes went wide as the stones clinked onto the counter. He opened his mouth and swallowed all of the low-grade mana stones in one gulp.

Shade’s black ears perked up immediately. She stared at the empty air where the mana stones had just vanished. Her yellow eyes narrowed in confusion. Unable to see Fern, she leapt from her perch onto the counter where the stones had been.

"Meow!" Shade demanded, her tail flicking sharply as she looked at Rowen. "What just happened? Where did the stones go?!"

Rowen’s eyes widened for a moment, and he chuckled softly to himself. He had completely forgotten—he never introduced Fern to Shade. That was why she couldn’t see him.

Rowen nodded subtly toward Fern.

In an instant, Fern appeared in front of Shade. The sudden presence made Shade freeze, her fur bristling as she stepped back. Her yellow eyes widened in panic.

"Meow?! What... who are you?!" She hissed, her tail puffing up.

Fern blinked at her, completely calm, while Rowen simply shrugged, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

Fern straightened slightly, his voice calm but firm. "Shade... I was born with Rowen. I am the Spirit of Growth."

Shade blinked rapidly, her tail flicking uncertainly, before letting out a soft, inquisitive meow. It was the name Rowen had given her—the one she had been using all this time.

"I know," Fern said gently, a small smile in his voice. "Now... it’s time we get to work."

Shade’s ears twitched, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t expected Fern to speak, let alone understand her.

Rowen, still leaning against the counter, frowned slightly. "Fern... how are you able to communicate with Shade like that?"

Fern tilted his head. "I don’t really know myself. But I think... I can talk with other creatures and understand them. Not just Shade, but other monsters too."

Shade let out a soft, almost reverent meow, her confusion slowly turning to curiosity. She blinked at Fern, as if saying, so you really can...

Rowen nodded quietly, watching the exchange.

Rowen carefully scooped Shade into his arms, feeling the soft weight of her against him. "Fern," he said, glancing toward the spirit, "I want to check the progress inside the portal. Let’s go."

Fern nodded, his expression serious but calm. "Understood. I’ll follow your lead."

Shade let out a small, curious meow, her bright eyes scanning the surroundings. She seems to understand the word "portal," but Rowen didn’t seem to notice the expression of shade.

She seemed to sense the importance of what was about to happen.

Rowen stepped toward the door at the back of the shop, Shade cradled securely, and Fern hovered slightly beside him. "Open it," Rowen instructed.

With a ripple of faint light, the portal shimmered to life. A subtle hum filled the air, and the outline of the independent space appeared beyond it.

Rowen’s eyes widened slightly. "Alright... Let’s see how the next batch is doing."

Rowen held Shade close as he turned toward the shimmering portal behind the shop. The faint glow pulsed gently, inviting them forward.

"Fern, let’s go see the progress inside," Rowen said.

Fern floated beside them, nodding. "Right behind you."

With a soft step, Rowen guided Shade through the portal first, feeling the familiar tingle of magical energy wrap around them. The air shimmered as they crossed the threshold, and in an instant, the cramped backyard of the shop vanished.

They emerged inside the independent space—a small, enclosed plot bathed in soft, otherworldly light. The next batch of magical tomatoes and potatoes was growing, almost ready to mature in a few minutes. Shade’s eyes widened as she took in the surroundings, and she let out a low, questioning meow.

For the first time, she fully understood where the magical vegetables had come from. The soil, the water, the energy flowing through this space—it was all connected, and it all explained the potent effects of the produce outside in the shop.

Fern hovered nearby, smiling gently. "This is the source of their magic. Everything you sensed from the vegetables comes from here."

Shade’s tail flicked thoughtfully as she meowed again, now clearly recognizing the connection. She pressed against Rowen, as if acknowledging the importance of the space and her role in guarding it.

Rowen nodded to Fern. "Now, let’s check on the progress and prepare for the next upgrade."

Rowen then calls out the blue screen where he can check the progress.

[Independent Space Status]

Space level: 1

Capacity: 1 PLOT

Soil quality: Poor

Water source: Basic well

Structures: None

Energy reserve: 50/50 mana stones

Upgrade requirement: 44/50 (total 50 mana stones before upgrade)

Rowen clicked his tongue. "Still need six more low-grade mana stones for the next upgrade."

Fern floated closer, scanning the plot. "This batch will mature in a few minutes. Once it does, we’ll have a consistent source of magical vegetables."

Rowen nodded. "Let’s keep everything stable. I want to make sure the growth rate and energy absorption stay optimal. These vegetables are the backbone of what we do in the shop."

Shade sat nearby, tail wrapped neatly around her paws, watching quietly.

After confirming everything was stable, Rowen turned to Fern. "That’s enough for now. Let’s head back before the next batch matures."

Fern nodded, guiding the magical energy to a gentle pause. Shade stretched and gave a soft, approving meow, as if satisfied with what she had seen.

Rowen stepped toward the portal, Fern following, and Shade padded behind silently. In a shimmer of light, the three of them vanished from the independent space, leaving the plot to quietly continue its growth cycle.

Back in the shop’s backyard, the portal closed softly behind them. Rowen exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Everything’s in place for now. The next batch will be ready soon."