Rylan handed Lyra a small basket.
"Pick only the ripe vegetables," he said calmly. "Leave the rest."
Lyra nodded seriously.
"Understood. Only the ripe ones. I am now a professional farmer."
Five seconds later—
"RYLAN."
"Yes?"
"How do I tell if this carrot is ripe or just confident?"
Rylan walked over, glanced once, and replied, "That's a rock."
"Oh."
She gently put it back.
---
Lesson One: Harvesting
Rylan demonstrated carefully.
"See the color? The firmness? The feel of the soil around it."
He pulled out a perfect carrot in one smooth motion.
Lyra clapped. "Amazing! Teach me your magic!"
She grabbed the next carrot and yanked.
Nothing happened.
She pulled harder.
Still nothing.
She leaned back, face red.
"WHY WON'T YOU COME OUT—"
The carrot popped free.
Lyra fell backward and landed on the grass.
The carrot landed perfectly in her hands.
She stared at it.
"…I win?"
Rylan nodded. "Technically."
The carrot sparkled faintly.
Lyra didn't notice.
---
Lesson Two: Weeding (Disaster)
Rylan pointed at the weeds.
"These need to go."
Lyra cracked her knuckles. "Leave it to me."
Five minutes later, Rylan turned around and froze.
Lyra had cleared the entire section.
Including the weeds.
Including half the crops.
Including something that definitely wasn't a weed.
"…Lyra."
She smiled proudly. "Yes?"
"…That was a medicinal herb."
Her smile vanished.
"…Oh."
The plant suddenly re-grew from the soil, leaves fresh and perfect.
Rylan blinked.
"…Huh. That's new."
Lyra stared at the plant.
"…Did it just forgive me?"
The field shimmered faintly.
It had.
---
Lesson Three: Watering
Rylan handed her the watering can.
"Slow and even."
She nodded and immediately dumped the entire can in one spot.
"LOVE."
The water spread out evenly across the field anyway.
Lyra gasped. "WAIT. I DID THAT RIGHT?!"
Rylan tilted his head. "I guess?"
The soil glowed happily.
Even the universe was confused.
---
Snack Break
They sat under the shade of a tree, sharing bread and fruit.
Lyra bit into a tomato and froze.
"…Why is this so good?"
Rylan shrugged. "I grew it."
She stared at him.
"…No, I mean… this tastes like effort. And care. And peace."
He looked away slightly.
"…Grandpa taught me."
She smiled softly.
"…He did a good job."
The wind passed gently.
---
One Last Accident
Lyra stood up, stretching.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this!"
She immediately tripped over a rake.
The rake flew into the air.
Rylan blinked.
Then—
LUCK ACTIVATED.
The rake landed perfectly back on the tool rack.
Lyra stared.
"…Did you see that?"
Rylan nodded. "Yeah. That happens sometimes."
"…I'm staying here."
"…Okay."
The crops rustled in agreement.
Far above, the God of Everything laughed.
"He's teaching her farming, but the world is teaching her fear."
---
By sunset, the field was somehow in better condition than before.
Lyra wiped sweat from her forehead.
"Farming is hard."
Rylan nodded seriously. "Yes."
She smiled.
"…But I like it."
The farm glowed faintly as night approached.
Peaceful.
Chaotic.
Alive.