After receiving enough seeds from the gardener-uncle, Mizuno's next task was to choose a plot in the public garden to serve as his experiment field.

After some calculations, he realized that to obtain reliable results, he would likely need to plant thousands, even hundreds of thousands of times, to gather sufficient experimental data. So the land had to be large.

And because of the nature of this experiment, it wasn't suitable to conduct in public view. The plot had to be secluded, at least not too conspicuous.

Mizuno observed the garden and found only two places that fit the requirements: a few empty corner plots, and the abandoned patch that once belonged to Air Groove.

After much thought, he finally said to the gardener:

"Gardener-san, actually I'm the junior of Air Groove's superior, so I'm sort of her acquaintance. Air Groove's been busy with some things, probably won't be coming for a long time. So... would it be possible to hand her plot over to me for caretaking?"

Mizuno reasoned: it was just sitting there unused. Better for him to take it over, and he'd even clean out the carnations that had been withering for who-knows-how-many days.

But—

"Mm... that won't do." The gardener shook his head after some thought, rejecting Mizuno's request.

"The academy's rules state that land use rights can only be transferred with the user's own consent. Even if you're her close friend, it's no use. Unless she comes in person, or you show me a video of her agreeing to transfer the rights, I can't hand the land to you."

"...I see." Mizuno scratched the back of his head in disappointment, then asked:

"Then what if the user has to go abroad for a long time and can't come to forfeit the land themselves? Would it just sit abandoned?"

The gardener explained: "If the applicant goes abroad, or passes away, school officials must certify it. Then the land use rights can be reclaimed and reassigned."

"I see..." Mizuno nodded.

Then the gardener suddenly asked:

"Wait, didn't you say you were her acquaintance? Do you know why she stopped coming?"

"Uh... she..." Mizuno scratched at his face awkwardly, at a loss.

He couldn't exactly tell him the truth: that his "overwhelming charm" had driven her into reclusion. Would the gardener even believe that...?

But his halting, hesitant expression—combined with his earlier question—looked to the gardener like he was hinting at something... inauspicious.

The gardener recalled his own words just now.

"If the applicant goes abroad, or passes away, the school officials must confirm..."

Trainers... wouldn't they count as school officials too?

"Ah? Don't tell me she's dead?!" The gardener paled, trembling.

His eyes went wide. The bag in his hands slipped, seeds scattering across the floor.

"Eh?" Mizuno blinked, then quickly waved his hands. "No, no! She's not dead! Air Groove's still alive! Just... ill."

"Oh? Phew, scared me. So it's just an illness..." The gardener exhaled in relief, then asked:

"Serious?"

"Uh... manageable. She can recover. But it depends on her condition. She needs a long rest, so she hasn't come to tend the garden."

"I see, that explains it. That explains it." The gardener crouched down, picking up the spilled seeds and putting them back in the bag.

"Let's hope she recovers soon," he said, handing the bag to Mizuno.

"Mm..." Mizuno took it, face turning away, too guilty to say more.

---

[Experiment Log]

Day One, Sunny.

Weather fine. Light abundant. Temperature suitable. To be safe, I spent the whole morning constructing a plastic greenhouse over the experimental field, to maintain temperature and shield against rain.

Then I spent hours setting up enough sprinklers, dividing the field into fifty groups, each with a different ratio of growth potion, water, organic, and inorganic nutrients. Used the sprinklers for continuous feeding, to find the most suitable formula.

By the time I finished, it was already six in the evening. Academy rules forbid staying here overnight, so I had to return to the dorm. Results to be checked tomorrow.

---

Day Two, Drizzle.

Not sure if it started raining in the night or morning. But thanks to the greenhouse, the sunflowers should've been unaffected.

Yet all the seeds planted yesterday died. Not a single survivor.

Checking them: most died from lack or excess of water and nutrients.

Encouraging sign: Group 7 sprouted. But then died from lack of sunlight.

This proves Group 7's nutrient ratio was the best. But after sprouting, plants needed to photosynthesize for energy. With no sun at night, they died.

Next direction: keep Group 7's formula, but vary sunlight.

So today I need to set up enough lamps, and apply to Luna for overnight stay permission. From now until results, I'll pitch a tent and live in the garden.

---

Day Three, Overcast.

Tested with lamps overnight. Results frustrating.

Seeds sprouted. But then all died again. No matter high-wattage or low-wattage lamps, the sunflowers wouldn't grow.

Upon inspection, some that grew slightly larger than others didn't die from light issues, but from lack of nutrients.

So I judge: different stages of growth demand different amounts of nutrition. The sprout stage needed more than the original formula gave. That's why they withered.

But tailoring nutrient formulas to each growth stage is extremely complex. Short-term, I may not solve it.

At least I got Luna's permission to stay. Slept alone in the greenhouse last night.

No Uma around. Finally felt freedom again!

Too comfortable!

---

Day Four, Overcast.

Got ganked by Tokai Teio...