Cold water splashed over his face, and Lucas rubbed his cheeks with both hands. He gargled, then stared at his reflection in the wooden basin.
"Damn, my face still looks like a corpse."
Behind him, Silvara stood upright, leaning slightly against the wall. Her gaze was blank yet vigilant.
Lucas was about to leave the bathroom when something hit him. "Shit… money."
He stopped and slapped his forehead. Could be useful later.
"Uh, wait here." Lucas spun around and ran back to his room.
Silvara frowned, her look turning even more scornful. Don't tell me… he's going to grab that cursed toy again?
A flash from last night crossed her mind: Lucas crouching in the field, his back trembling strangely. She clicked her tongue. Hhh… obvious. Premature ejaculation. Disgusting.
Lucas hurried into his room, snatched the pouch of coins that had fallen the night before, stuffed it inside his clothes, then came back out trying to look casual.
"Let's go."
They walked to the back storage. The smell of damp wood mixed with dry earth. Lucas pulled the door open—dusty racks, tools lined up haphazardly. In the corner, he found what he was looking for: a long wooden handle with a wide iron blade.
"A hoe…" Lucas grabbed it, weighing it briefly in his hands. "Not bad."
Silvara glared. "What for?"
Lucas was silent for a moment, then simply said, "I'm going to work."
Silvara was stunned. "…Work?" Her voice brimmed with disbelief, then turned into a scoff. "Don't tell me… you've got another disgusting scheme."
Lucas stared at her for a long moment, then sighed deeply. "Believe whatever you want."
He walked out, resting the hoe on his shoulder. His steps were steady as he crossed the yard, heading for the main gate. The guards only bowed deeply, pretending not to see.
Creeaakk—
The iron gates opened. Lucas strode out, carrying the hoe like a village farmer.
On the second floor, the Baroness stood behind a window. Her thin gown swayed gently in the morning breeze.
Her eyes followed the figure of her son as he walked farther away.
"…Lucian?" her voice was faint, barely audible. "What are you doing… carrying a hoe?"
Morning light pierced through the trees, spilling across the open land behind the manor. The cool wind brushed Lucas's face, clearing his head a little though his eyes still felt heavy. Silvara walked behind him, her cold expression unchanged, clearly watching his every move.
----
The field he had seen yesterday stretched before him. The soil was moist with dew, grass swaying softly. Lucas crouched down, ran his fingers across the dirt, and clicked his tongue.
Tch… I only know a little from Grandpa. And that was just eavesdropping. Fertilizer, spacing, crop cycles… I'm totally blank.
[DING!]
A cheerful panel popped up in front of him.[Relax, Host! These are elite seeds. Low maintenance, high yield. Just stick 'em in, sprinkle a little water, and they'll grow like champions.]
Lucas pouted. "Elite seeds? What the hell, some premium cheat pack?"
The panel blinked, flashing a smug emoticon.
[Yup. Think of it as a starter pack for newbies.]
Lucas let out a long sigh. He lifted the hoe Silvara had brought from the storage. Its wooden handle was rough, the weight heavy enough to make his shoulder ache. He slung it casually over his shoulder.
Right then, a passing villager stopped dead, eyes bulging.
"…The Young Master… is carrying a hoe?"
Another villager carrying a bucket nearly dropped it. "What?! Young Master Lucian?! Working?!"
Whispers began to stir. From down the street, behind fences, even from windows.
"No way, is he farming?"
"Impossible. Must be just for show."
"But… he's really holding a hoe…"
Lucas could feel dozens of eyes drilling into him. A vein twitched on his forehead.
"…What the hell are you staring at? It's just a hoe, damn it."
But the gossip had already spread like wildfire. He had barely struck the soil once before the chatter grew louder.
"Hey, hey, they say the Young Master's carrying a hoe! For real!"
"Maybe the Baroness punished him?"
"Or maybe… he's marrying a farmer's daughter?"
Lucas slammed the hoe into the dirt harder than necessary, his teeth grinding.
"Tch. Great. Now the whole damn village thinks I'm crazy."
[DING!]
The panel sparkled with delight.
[ (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ Congratulations, Host! Many commoners now believe you're being punished, and it actually makes them feel a little happier.]
Lucas lowered his head, hissing. "…This system just enjoys watching me get humiliated."