The morning began with a light drizzle, soft and earthy. The air was saturated with the scent of damp soil and fresh foliage. It was the kind of morning that signaled something about to take root—not just in the land, but in the soul.
Riven stood on the front steps of his modest wooden cabin, wearing a light poncho and watching small trails of water bead off the leaves of the berry saplings. Riolu was training under a wide-leaf tree nearby, striking his fists into a wooden post, each impact laced with flickers of blue aura.
"System," Riven whispered. "Show me today's quest."
Daily Quest – [Tending the Roots]• Water and check the health of at least 3 different berry types• Perform manual tilling on one patch of land• Observe one Pokémon's behavior for 15 minutes
Reward: +5 SP | +4 FPBonus: +1% Ring Sync if completed before noon
He nodded to himself. These tasks were more than chores—they were stepping stones. Each action deepened his connection to the land and to the Sanctum Ring.
He picked up his farming tools, slinging a hoe and small satchel over his shoulder. Zorua trotted along beside him, tongue hanging out, eyes curious.
The soil in the northern patch had started to show signs of fatigue. Even with the [Soil Enrichment Rune] now faintly pulsing under the surface, natural cycles still played a role. Riven knelt down, running his fingers through the dirt.
"It's not clumping, but it's losing its richness," he murmured. "Maybe time to try the Glowroot Bulb infusion."
He tapped open the System Menu.
Item: Glowroot Bulb (Unidentified)A mysterious root that emits soft bioluminescence. Seems to pulse with Aura.[Analyze Now]?
He selected [Yes].
The ring on his finger shimmered softly, and then a projection appeared, like a small digital scroll.
[Item Identified – Glowroot Bulb]
Type: Magical Crop InfusionEffect: When crushed and mixed into nutrient soil, provides a permanent 10% increase to Aura-conductivity in that field.Special Effect (Ring Sync Required): At 15% Ring Sync, field will produce crops with minor aura traits.Warning: One bulb per 4x4m patch. Overuse may cause soil instability.
"Holy crap," Riven muttered. "Aura-charged crops? That could boost Pokémon training…"
He glanced back at the cabin where Riolu still trained, sweat beading along his fur. If aura fruits could be produced here, Riolu's growth would skyrocket.
With careful precision, Riven crushed the Glowroot Bulb into fine powder, mixed it with water and ash from last night's campfire, and stirred it into a thick, clay-colored paste. The soil welcomed it like a sponge.
Ding!Special Infusion Applied.Aura Field I Initialized.Sync Progress: +1.2%
Later that afternoon, Riven sat by a wooden fence, taking notes in his journal. He had spent the last twenty minutes watching Stufful's behavior. Despite its cuddly appearance, the little bear was fiercely territorial about its favorite resting spot—a stump by the pond.
Riven watched as Zorua mischievously approached and tried to nudge Stufful off the stump. Instead of the expected playful growl, Stufful let out a surprisingly powerful cry and headbutted Zorua back into the pond with a splash.
"Okay, note to self: don't underestimate Stufful's temper," Riven chuckled.
Daily Quest Completed.+5 SP | +4 FPBonus Achieved: +1% Ring Sync
[Progress: 1/3 Daily Quests Complete (Weekly Objective)][Glowroot Analysis: Complete (Weekly Objective)]
With evening fast approaching, Riven walked toward the small construction zone where the Water Distribution Node and Soil Enrichment Rune had been planted. The system's passive constructs had made noticeable progress—two metal spouts with glowing runic plates were now in place, waiting for activation.
Mini Construction Event – Assist with Activation?• Objective: Connect the core pipe from water source to distribution node• Estimated Time: 1 hour• Reward: +10 SP | Sync Boost +0.5%
He agreed immediately.
The next hour was a quiet labor of love. Guided by glowing lines that mapped the underground system, he dug carefully through soil, fitting rune-etched tubing together, each connection glowing briefly when locked in place. By the time he was finished, the nodes hissed to life. Misty jets sprayed in arcs over the berry patches, evenly and gently.
System Notice:Auto-Irrigation Functional.Crop Growth Speed +100% (Passive)Daily Watering Task Replaced with Supervision Task.
Riven wiped his forehead and looked up at the sky. The drizzle had long stopped, replaced by streaks of gold and orange as the sun descended into the forested horizon.
Dinner that evening was simple: grilled Oran slices, warm honey-bread, and a mild soup made from harvested herbs. He shared it with his team in a circle near the cabin. Laughter bubbled up when Zorua mimicked Riven's chewing face, exaggerating it until even Riolu cracked a smirk.
There was comfort in routine—but Riven knew change was inevitable.
He lay in bed that night staring at the wooden ceiling, ring glowing faintly by his side.
"Sanctum Ring," he whispered. "Who were those people? The ones in the memory?"
System Response:Memory Fragments represent echoes from the Sanctum Order—an ancient lineage of stewards who balanced growth, aura, and harmony.As you grow, the echoes will guide you. But the full truth must be earned.Warning: Not all sanctums remain dormant forever.
Riven's heart beat faster. So there were others. Other sanctums, perhaps other wielders. Some may not be as peaceful.
Still, he was ready. With every crop, every sunrise, and every step, he was building a future worth defending.