Hmm....

　I wiped the sweat off my back as I carried the blue sky behind me.
　It's a pretty good sweat.
　My muscles were also moderately fatigued.
　I had been releasing my magic power like a long, slow exhale, but I was almost out of energy.

　It looks like I had another good training session today.

　Once he put down the hoe and looked around.
　There was a large area of ploughed fields.

　This is not my arable land.
　It belongs to the other fiefdoms.

''Lacelle Bocchan.''

　I was approached.
　I turned around and saw an old woman with her head down.
　She owns this field.

'Thank you, Lacelle Bocchan.

'It's okay, Grandma. Don't worry about it. I know you had a hard time losing your grandfather last year.　Just let me handle it.

I'm sorry. You're welcome to eat this stuff.

　He held out a flour pastry in his hand and a cup of tea from the estate.

　I accept it gratefully. I took a bite of the confectionery as soon as I could.
　It was delicious. It's simple, but it has just the right amount of sweetness.
　It goes well with the astringency of the tea.

　Snacking after training is very special.
　Three hundred years ago, I wouldn't have thought of it.
　We fought and fought and fought.

　...this is no good. Don't.

　Don't get too carried away by the atmosphere.
　I'm not trying to get to the top of the profession as a villager.
　I want to be the strongest in the profession of being a villager.

　The reason why I contracted the old lady's farm was because I wanted to train her.

　.........hmmm. But these sweets are good.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


　The arable work was over, and just as I was about to carry the hoe back to the compound, I was about to return to the house.

　In other fields, the harvesting of potatoes had begun.
　In front of that field, a peddler and a lord are struggling with each other.
　They were arguing over the unit price of potatoes.

The unit price is decreasing every year!　I can't live like this.
I don't blame you. It's getting smaller every year. We have to lower our prices. I mean, just be grateful that they're buying it!
'What?　Not much to say, you rogue merchant!
Shut up!　The incompetent [villagers]--!

　It's a flash in the pan.
　The other lords are holding back the two men who are about to strike at any moment.

　Are the potatoes getting smaller in size?
　I walked into the field beside the fight.
　I look at the potatoes I dug up.

　I see. They are indeed small.
　Compared to 300 years ago, it's about half the size.

　I activated my 【Scholar(Professor)】 magic.
　I [appraise] the potatoes.


　Name: Potato (small)
　Nutritional value D
　Magical Capacity E
　Water content D


　Hmm. I see. Your magical energy is low.
　Back when I was there, vegetables contained at least a C-grade magic power in them.
　Come to think of it, I feel like the amount of magic power contained in food is low overall.
　Thanks to this, I even have to make my own magic restorative medicine to supplement it.

　The reason for this is probably because the amount of magic power contained in the soil is decreasing.

　I'm going to [appraise] the soil.


　Name: Soil
　Nutritional value C
　Amount of magic D
　Water content C
　Air volume B


　It's a good soil, but the amount of magic is still too low.
　It's fine if it's not much, but it's not enough at all to make a large amount of it.

　According to the territorial residents, this field was left fallow until last season.
　If it was left fallow, the amount of magic power in the soil should be restored.
　But the reason why it's so low is probably due to other reasons.
　Anyway, it's important to restore the amount of magical energy in the soil.

''The amount of magic?''

　When the territorial residents heard what happened, they were surprised.

''If the amount of magic power in the soil goes up, I'm sure the potatoes will return to their original size.

Han!　It can't be that easy.

　The peddler laughed.
　I crowded the peddler.

When the potatoes are big enough, you'll get a good price for them, won't you, peddler?

'Of course. Well, that is if you can do it.

　The peddler smiles nastily.

'Well, come back tomorrow, then.'

Oh, tomorrow?

I'll make sure the potatoes are big enough by tomorrow.

'Hahahahaha........' --Oh. Sorry. That's hard to do, kid. Growing a potato in one night.

You don't know until you try.

　I smile like an angel.
　The peddler tried to put on a sales smile, but the edges of his mouth were twitching.
　Eventually he left, saying he would be back tomorrow.

Boy, are you all right?　They said if they couldn't do it, they'd call off the deal.

It'll be fine. Just go to the mountain and get me some magic plants.

The magic plant?

Demon grasses contain a lot of magical power. If you mix them into the soil, the soil's magic power will be restored.

Yeah, I see. A big potato?

Just do it.

　I've made a promise to the peddlers.
　Besides, the lords have their own agenda.
　I'm sure they will accept it.

Good!　I'm going to work hard to make sure that Lacelle boy doesn't have to be shamed!
The boy helped me plant seeds the other day.
We had a lot of help with the harvest.

　Hmm?　I don't know, it's not the reaction I was expecting....

　I just wanted to work out.

　.........well. Well......


　◆◆◆◆◆.


　Night--.
　When the territory had gone to bed.
　My figure was in the potato field as an example.

　Check the condition of the soil.
　The lords took the demon grasses as they were told and mixed them into the soil.
　Activate the [Appraisal] magic.


　[Name] Soil
　Nutritional value C
　Magical amount B
　Water content C
　Air volume B


　It was a great improvement.
　This wouldn't be a problem.

　But as expected, it's hard to make it big by tomorrow.
　That's why I came over here like this.

　I swallowed a magic restoring potion I made myself.
　I restored the magic power I lost during the day.
　Quickly, I activate the 【Cleric】 magic.

　[Physical Activity]!

　A type of accelerated magic.
　From promoting recovery to strengthening magic and other effects.
　In essence, it's a spell that optimizes the flow of magic in the body.

　I unleash it towards the field.
　I added 【Body Activity】 to the potatoes in the ground.
　With this, the potatoes should be able to smoothly absorb the magical power in the soil.

　I'm looking forward to tomorrow.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


　The peddlers have returned.
　He stopped his wagon in front of the field.
　He got out of the cart and opened his mouth as soon as he could.

'Now, shall I have a look?'

　He grins at me as he waits.
　The potatoes will grow overnight.
　They don't seem to believe in such a fairy tale, not even a little bit.

　The villagers watch with bated breath.
　I went into the field and dug up the potatoes.
　I pull the stems as hard as I can and pull them out.

　Goro.........

　The result is a potato the size of my face.

What the hell!　That crop is aaaaahhhh!

　The peddlers turned over.
　Even the lords were amazed at the monstrous potatoes.

　I said as I brushed the dirt from the crop.

''It's a potato, what is it?''

There's no such thing as a big potato...

It's definitely a potato. You saw them in this field yesterday.

'In one day like that........ No, it's more than that, it's that big of a potato--. I don't know if they're for sale.

Why?　I told you yesterday, peddler.


　As the potatoes get bigger, they'll pay more for them, right, peddler?

　Of course. Well, if they can, that is.


You won't say you won't buy them now, will you?

　Nipah! (Big smile.)

You little... You set me up, didn't you?

　A blue streak appeared at the peddler's temples.
　He rolled up his arms and was about to step into the field.
　But one step before he does, he is tapped on the shoulder.

"You set me up, didn't you?

　The owner of the field, who was struggling with the peddlers yesterday, said.

'What do you mean...?

I heard that the potatoes in the other territories are getting smaller too?

How did you know about...

I was curious, so I asked the other merchants. He said the price will remain the same even if the population is smaller, because there is still a demand for them.

I don't think that's--

You tricked me!
"I'm a [villager] and you're licking my arse!
Turn him in to the MPs!

No, no!　I was properly--

So pay up your ears, Uncle.

　Mufufu.........

　I tried my best to smile like an angel.
　The peddler gulped down his words.
　In this kind of situation, being a child is very convenient.

　But unfortunately, the peddler's partner is not me.

　In the blink of an eye, I'm surrounded by lords and ladies.
　I was met with a concentrated barrage of eyes.

''Wow, okay!　I'm buying!　Forgive me for buying it!

Of course, you're just asking price.

"d*mn it!　Take it, slacker!

　Which one of you is the thief?

　Totally......
　There are always little villains in every era.

　I check the potatoes I lifted.
　It's even bigger than I thought it would be.
　This was the first time I used them on a vegetable instead of a human, but it seems to have worked.
　Since I used the magic that was intended for humans on vegetables, the promoting effect must have been significant.

　I don't know if I'll live to see it in the future, but I'll keep it in the back of my mind.
　This might also be something to help us become stronger.

　Then one of the lords stepped forward.

''Thank you, Lacelle boy. But, that's amazing, little boy. Even though you're a [villager], you know a lot of things. We have to learn from you.

　Thank you!
　Thank you, little Lacelle.
　You're the best!
　That's what I'm talking about, boy!

　The lords, who had been shouting abuse at the peddlers, were full of praise for me.
　Then, I was hauled up.
　I don't know what I thought, but I began to raise my body.

　Whoa!　Here!　That's pretty scary!

　I mean, I........
　Don't I feel like I'm getting too familiar with [villagers]?