The morning was brisk and clear, Highland air nipping at my cheeks. I stood just outside the citadel crystal, watching its translucent glow throw shards of soft light onto the ground.

  Before me sat the table I’d dragged outside, piled with the produce Hamish had brought back—fruits, vegetables, and herbs in a rainbow of colors. Each one begged to be infused with Albion’s magic.

  Behind me, the settlement core pulsed with a faint hum. It always urged me to optimize, improve, and build. But at least for now, it allowed me the peace to focus on these plants.

  Villagers started gathering. They formed small groups, murmuring among themselves with equal parts awe and worry. They stayed far enough away to give me space, but curiosity pulled them closer.

  A burly man, a salt-and-pepper beard framing a weathered face, stepped forward. “So, you really can do all that with magic, then?” he asked. His tone held the edge of skepticism, but I heard a spark of hope.

  I glanced up from the small pile of carrots I was imbibing. “Yeah,” I said, smiling slightly. “I like to think I’ve got a decent handle on it. But it’s not just magic. It’s Albion’s essence, helping us out.”

  A matronly woman, flour dusting her apron, moved closer. “Those apples you grew before… They were something else. Think you can do the same with our crops? Make ’em grow proper in this rocky soil?”

  I lifted an enchanted carrot, its orange hue glowing in the morning light. “That’s the plan,” I told her. “With Albion’s vitality woven in, these plants get a second chance. They can be more than they ever were.”

  Appreciative murmurs rose from the crowd. A few people chuckled when I fumbled with a particularly stubborn leek, nearly dropping it.

  “Not so graceful, are you?” The bearded man teased, earning laughs from others.

  I rolled my eyes, grinning in spite of myself. “Magic doesn’t come with an instruction manual, you know.”

  The matronly woman gave my arm a comforting pat. “S’alright, lad. Even mages have their struggles.”

  Warm laughter flowed through the onlookers, and for a heartbeat, I felt… normal. Not the oddity who spoke with a crystal and drew on ancient energies.

  With one last flick of magic, I infused the leek, watching it gleam softly. Then I wiped my hands on my trousers and turned to address the settlement crystal.

  “Alright,” I said, pitching my voice so the villagers could hear. “Let’s see what our overachieving friend has to say about this.”

  The crystal brightened, chiming eagerly. “Input recognized. Seeds and enchanted produce registered. Optimizing resources for immediate application to legendary production site.”

  “Not so fast,” I muttered, folding my arms. “Did you soak up the crystals Hamish brought back from that dungeon mining area?”

  The crystal pulsed. “Affirmative. Acquired crystals have been successfully integrated into the resource pool. Power levels are sufficient to commence large-scale agricultural development.”

  “Good,” I said. “Then we’re ready. Let’s pick out a spot for the food production area.”

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  Its glow intensified. “Activating construction protocol for Legendary Food Production Area. Confirm initiation?”

  “Yes, initiate,” I replied, cringing at the crystal’s clinical tone.

  The villagers edged closer, eyes shining with excitement. The crystal emitted gentle, melodic chimes, sending glowing tendrils of energy into the ground.

  Rich, dark soil churned as if stirred by invisible hands. Rows of tilled earth unfurled, and a sweet scent teased the air—something between wild honey and blossoming flowers.

  “Construction nearing completion,” the crystal droned. “Additional resources identified for enhancement of irrigation systems. Allocate mana reserves?”

  I let out a long sigh. “Of course you need more,” I muttered.

  The matronly woman smirked. “Always does, doesn’t it?” She commented on this not knowing at all what was happening, which made me chuckle in amusement at her words. She took this to mean she was right.

  I rolled up my sleeves. “Alright, folks,” I called, feeling my magical reserves pulse in my chest. “Stand back a bit.”

  Gathering water magic in my hands, I let a shimmering stream flow toward the crystal, feeding its voracious appetite. Its light flared, a satisfied hum vibrating through the air.

  “Mana contribution accepted,” the crystal chimed. “Enhancements underway. Further input will optimize results.”

  “Of course it will,” I muttered under my breath, gritting my teeth as I poured more mana into the crystalline core.

  A handful of villagers watched with hushed awe. One young boy, no older than ten, craned his neck and whispered to his mother, “Look, it’s glowing brighter!”

  Finally, I felt my strength waver, legs trembling just a bit. The crystal pulsed again. “Irrigation systems enhanced. Construction is proceeding at maximum efficiency. Estimated completion: twenty-five minutes.”

  I slumped against the table, chest heaving. The bearded man stepped up. “Are you alright there, lad?”

  “Yeah,” I managed, waving him off. “Just… need a moment.”

  The flour-dusted woman placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You’re doing us all a great service, Robert. We appreciate it.”

  Her kindness steadied me. “Thank you,” I said softly, squaring my shoulders again.

  “Now,” I announced, turning back to the crystal, “let’s see what this legendary grove looks like once it’s finished.”

  It took mere moments. The villagers gasped as the ground shifted one last time, revealing a breathtaking orchard along the eastern edge of the dig site.

  Soil shimmered like liquid gold under the morning sun. Towering trees, their trunks smooth and pale, rose in perfect rows. Their leaves gleamed emerald green, edged with silver that glistened whenever a breeze drifted by.

  A sweet fragrance pervaded the air. Branches bowed under the weight of apples, pears, and plums—each fruit glowing with a richness no ordinary orchard could claim.

  Strawberry and berry bushes flourished between the trees, their oversized fruits shimmering with dew. Strawberries the size of fists, blueberries, and raspberries shining like polished gemstones.

  At the grove’s heart, a winding path of white stone led to a single majestic tree, taller and grander than all the rest. Its trunk coiled in spirals, branches adorned with Albion apples and mysterious golden fruits that appeared lit from within.

  Each leaf and bud seemed alive with magic. Even the villagers, so hardened by Highland life, stood slack-jawed at the sight.

  It felt like stepping into Albion’s own dream—a monument to nature’s power, amplified by the crystal’s otherworldly energy.

  I could practically taste the sweetness in the air. A few villagers ventured closer, touching the bark of the nearest tree with trembling reverence.

  “This…” the bearded man whispered, voice thick with emotion. “This changes everything.”

  Even in my fatigue, a flicker of pride warmed me. I turned to see how everyone was reacting—and noticed one figure standing apart, arms folded tight.

  It was Langston. Of course he was here, bringing his negativity and frustrating demeanor to bear. I briefly entertained the thought of caving in his face with a heavy shard of rock… But decided against it in our happy creation of a life-giving food source.

  “Unnatural monstrosity,” he muttered under his breath, his face darkening. “False hopes. This fruit could poison a planet if it got loose…” I decided to ignore him, not wanting to make a scene in front of the visiting villagers.

  For now, I turned my attention back to the villagers who actually wanted a brighter future. We had a marvel here—something that could feed people and lift spirits.

  A sense of possibility painted their faces… Well, they’d have to wait and see how Albion’s blessing truly worked.

  And so, among the murmurs of astonishment and a lone voice of grim dissent, I stood at the threshold of Albion’s splendor, wondering just what kind of future we were crafting here…