CHAPTER 34: BUYING APPLE’S SEEDS

Rowen gave her a small nod and a polite, "Good morning," before stepping past the counter. He didn’t linger on her expression, nor did he ask questions.

Instead, he reached for the neatly placed menu card on the side table—a simple list of seeds and produce the Wood family shop kept in stock. Running his fingers down the menu card, he began scanning the section labeled Fruit Seeds.

There were options like apple, pear, peach, grape, and even a few exotic ones such as citrus and berry varieties. Prices varied depending on how difficult they were to cultivate, with the rarer fruits costing nearly double the price of ordinary ones.

Rowen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he weighed his choices.

His gaze stopped at the familiar fruit—apple. The card noted:

Apple Seed Packet – 2 Low Grade Mana Stones.

Rowen raised his brows slightly. The price wasn’t outrageous, especially compared to the rarer fruits listed below, some of which cost 5 or even 8 stones per packet. Still, he quietly measured it against his current earnings.

Apples were popular, easy to recognize, and always in demand, whether eaten fresh or sold for juice. What really stirred his curiosity, though, was how the apples grown in his space would differ from ordinary apples sold in the town.

Rowen reached into his pouch and took out two low-grade mana stones, placing them on the counter. "Please give me one packet of these apple seeds," he said to the receptionist.

The young woman glanced at the stones, then at him, and quickly packed the seeds with a polite nod.

The receptionist handed over the small packet of apple seeds. Rowen carefully tucked it into his bag before turning to leave the shop. After paying for it, he was now left with a total of 39 low-grade mana stones.

After buying the apple seed, Rowen didn’t rush to his shop, but he had a different goal this time.

Rowen now had quite the money. This part of town was the nearest area to the upper district, where most wealthy families and talented students lived. After some thought, he decided to visit and see what it looked like. More than curiosity, he wanted to find out which additional path he could take now that he could absorb mana. Mage, Knight, or Tamer—he didn’t know yet which would suit him, but seeing the difference with his own eyes might help him decide.

There was a building in the upper district called Cornerstone. Every city had one, built and funded directly by the federal government. Everset City’s Cornerstone was no different.

The Cornerstone wasn’t just a symbol of order—it was built to administer and protect the city. The staff there handled records, disputes, and trade permissions, but most importantly, they kept the federal government’s presence visible even this far from the capital. For the awakened, the building also served another purpose. It was where one could request guidance, report monster sightings, and even receive basic information about paths like mage, knight, or tamer.

Anyone could step inside. Whether commoner or noble, awakened or not, the Cornerstone was meant to be a neutral place. The soldiers stationed there ensured discipline, while clerks and record keepers answered questions.

Rowen had never been inside before. From a distance, he had only seen the white stone walls and the small federal flag fluttering at the top.

To reach the Cornerstone, Rowen first needed to pass through the inner gate that separated the lower town from the upper district. Everset City had always been built with two layers of defense—an outer wall that protected the common people from sudden monster attacks and an inner wall that shielded the wealthier quarter and the federal offices.

The inner gate wasn’t as large as the outer one, but it was stricter. Guards in polished armor stood on each side; they are equipped with military guns and modern man-made weapons. Each passerby was stopped and checked before being allowed through. The flow of people was slower here—merchants with permits, students from the elite academy, and officials with badges clipped to their coats.

Rowen tightened his grip on the pouch of mana stones at his belt. He had never passed this gate before, and a hint of unease stirred in his chest. Unlike the outer walls, where farmers and hunters came and went freely, the inner gate gave off a sense of authority and order that didn’t leave much room for mistakes.

When his turn came, one of the guards raised a hand. "Purpose of entry?" the man asked, his tone flat but sharp.

Rowen swallowed lightly before answering. "I’m here to visit the Cornerstone. I... I want to ask about the awakened paths."

The guard studied him for a moment, eyes flicking from Rowen’s plain clothes to the small pouch at his waist. Then he nodded and stepped aside. "You may pass. Don’t cause trouble."

Rowen let out a quiet breath of relief as he stepped through the gate, entering the upper district for the first time in his life.

The difference was immediate.

The lower town always felt cramped—rickety stalls, patched rooftops, and the constant noise of people going around. But once Rowen stepped through the gate, the atmosphere changed completely.

The streets here were paved smooth, with working streetlights lining the sidewalks. Most of the buildings were reinforced concrete, painted clean, with glass windows that weren’t cracked or covered in wooden boards. Federal banners hung on lampposts, and surveillance orbs floated quietly at certain corners, their faint blue glow reminding everyone that the district was under direct watch.

People walked with a different air. Students in neat uniforms carried books or training gear, likely from the city’s Westlight Academie. Hunters and awakened in proper gear passed through, their equipment polished instead of patched. No one shouted prices on the street; the shops here had proper signs, digital displays, and even mana-powered doors that opened with a soft hiss when someone walked in.

Rowen adjusted his plain shirt and tried not to look too out of place. A few glances came his way, but most people ignored him—they were used to the lower town’s people passing through for errands.

What caught his attention most was the Cornerstone ahead. Unlike the chaotic sprawl behind him, the building stood in clean, federal white stone, its sharp edges and glass panels reflecting the sunlight. A holographic federal emblem hovered above the entrance, shifting every few seconds between the crest of the government and scrolling announcements. Security drones floated above the front yard, while two soldiers in uniform stood watch by the doors.

It wasn’t luxurious, but it had presence—solid, untouchable, like a reminder that the government’s reach extended even here at the border.

Rowen tightened his grip on his pouch of mana stones.