Up until now, the garden had flourished under the combined efforts of Lumispora and those players with a knack for botany, all under the loose supervision of the academy staff. The cycle was self-sustaining — harvested plants were carefully processed into new seeds, ensuring a steady supply without requiring additional purchases from Victor. On top of that, players seemed to have a talent for sourcing rare magical plant seeds from who knows where, steadily enriching the garden’s diversity far beyond what he had originally planned.
Still, with the coming upgrade, Victor suspected he would need far more seeds. Moreover, the System promised the option of purchasing higher-grade seeds, even exotic ones, and he might even be able to design entirely new magical plant species, though that was yet to be proven true.
As they approached, the garden’s interior came into full view: neat rows of thriving herbs, vine-like stalks that glistened faintly with mana, and blossoms that scattered colorful spores drifting lazily through the air. Around ten players were busy at work inside, clipping leaves, turning soil, and scribbling observations like meticulous researchers.
Just then…
“Master, you’ve come!” chirped a small creature no taller than Victor’s knee, its head crowned with a miniature mushroom cap. It bounced eagerly in place, voice brimming with excitement. “What can I assist you with today?”
Victor’s expression softened into a smile. “Hello, Lumispora. This place has grown livelier than I imagined.”
The little spirit bobbed its head so quickly it nearly toppled over. “Naturally! With so many people tending the plants, the garden is flourishing more than ever. The Starlight Absorbing Tree has also been producing an increasing number of mana crystals. At this rate, it won’t be long before it can yield intermediate-grade ones!”
It pointed proudly toward the centerpiece of the garden — a towering silver-barked tree whose sprawling branches sagged under the weight of radiant mana crystals. Their glow pulsed like captured starlight, and compared to Victor’s last visit, the tree itself seemed to have grown taller and broader, exuding an even stronger presence.
If Victor upgraded the Magic Botanical Garden to level three, it was all but guaranteed that it would begin producing intermediate-grade mana crystals — and in far greater quantities at that. Even though the mana crystals in the citadel were enormous in quantity, it wasn’t infinite. The mana crystal mines, too, would eventually run dry if no new veins were discovered, and these mines would take a long time to recover.
Victor gave a small nod and said, “Actually, I’m here to upgrade the Magic Botanical Garden further.”
“Really, Master? To level three?!” Lumispora’s eyes widened before it broke into a delighted hop. “This is wonderful! Let’s do it, let’s do it! With the upgrade, exotic magical plants will become available for purchase, growth rates will soar, and… Oh! There will even be more space to plant them!”
“All right. Liz, please tell the players to step outside first,” Victor instructed.
“Aye!” Lizbeth replied with a mischievous grin, clearly eager for the chance to shoo the players out.
The players reluctantly left the building, muttering and grumbling among themselves, confused as to why they were being dismissed. All the while, Victor concealed his presence so as not to draw attention. Once the last of them was gone, he summoned the holographic interface of the Magic Botanical Garden through his Shadowlink Mark.
Magic Botanical Garden Level 3
- Further spatial expansion (8,000 square meters).
- Introduction of specialized microclimates, which enable the cultivation of rare and exotic magical plants.
- Moderate growth acceleration, reducing plant maturation time by 20%.
Cost: 10,000 AP
Without the slightest hesitation, Victor confirmed the upgrade.
[Magic Botanical Garden has leveled up to level 3.]
[Rare and exotic magical seeds are now available for purchase.]
Subsequently, a soft hum resonated through the air, and the entire greenhouse glowed with a gentle, emerald radiance. The walls shivered faintly before stretching outward, while the interior — already much larger than the exterior — expanded further still, as though the very fabric of space was being tugged and rewoven to accommodate the upgrade.
Rows of magical plants swayed as if caught in an unseen breeze, their leaves glittering faintly with threads of mana. The air thickened, saturated with an invigorating elemental energy that prickled against the skin. New sections unfolded seamlessly from the greenhouse floor: wide terraces of fresh soil, glittering irrigation channels of liquid, and stone pathways that branched outward into what now felt like a grand, sprawling conservatory rather than a simple garden.
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Victor lifted his gaze. Above, the once-uniform ceiling of enchanted glass now shimmered like a living dome of starlight, its light bending to create distinct microclimates across different sections of the garden. On one end, mist coalesced into a perpetual fog, condensing into dew that nourished beds of glowing fungi. Another area rippled with dry, heated air where jagged rocks jutted from the ground, perfectly suited for desert-born magical flora. At the far corner, a withering aura spread, bathing a cluster of Umbra-aligned plants whose dark leaves pulsed faintly with an eerie, violet sheen.
Lumispora hopped in circles. “Amazing, Master! The garden has grown into a true sanctuary! I can feel the space breathing with life!”
The most eye-catching change of all was the Starlight Absorbing Tree, now shining as though it had drunk deep from the new mana-rich environment. Its trunk had thickened, its crown stretching higher, and the mana crystals dangling from its branches now radiated with the brilliance of intermediate-grade quality. One more upgrade, and Victor was certain the tree would start producing advanced-grade mana crystals.
Even so, the exotic seeds now available meant he could nurture marvels within these walls — wonders most Magi across the world could only dream of.
Which raised the question: What awaited at level four and beyond? Without delay, Victor pulled up the interface to examine the next upgrades for the Magic Botanical Garden.
Magic Botanical Garden Level 4
- Further spatial expansion (20,000 square meters).
- Refinement of microclimates, allowing the cultivation of advanced-grade magical plants and hybrids.
- High growth acceleration, reducing plant maturation time by 50%.
Cost: 50,000 AP
Magic Botanical Garden Level 5
- Further spatial expansion (100,000 square meters).
- Creation of autonomous ecosystems, sustaining legendary and mythical magical plants that require unique environmental conditions.
- Extreme growth acceleration, reducing plant maturation time by 75%.
Cost: 200,000 AP
Fuck! Fifty thousand AP for the next upgrade? And what’s with level five costing 200,000 AP? Victor scowled in disbelief. How in the world am I supposed to amass that many academy points?
Judging by the interface, level five marked the peak of the Magic Botanical Garden. Chances were, the System capped most buildings at that same level. Still, Victor hadn’t inspected every building yet; there could be exceptions, with some having more or fewer levels, though he doubted there were many level differences.
Anyway, Victor turned his attention back toward the catalog of new, exotic magical seeds now available for purchase.
“Let’s see…” Victor muttered, scanning through the list.
Solaris Lotus Seeds
Solaris Lotus bloom beneath intense sunlight, each petal storing condensed Pyro essence. At full growth, the flower can release bursts of concentrated light strong enough to blind or repel creatures of darkness. The petals are coveted ingredients for crafting high-grade elixirs that help with the meditation progress of mages specializing in the Pyro element.
Cost: 180 AP
Obsidian Vine Seeds
A rare creeping vine born in volcanic chasms, its jet-black tendrils are razor-sharp and imbued with natural Geo-Pyro affinity. Once rooted, the vines form shifting labyrinths capable of ensnaring even Rank 1 magical beasts or extraordinary lifeforms. When harvested, their hardened fibers serve as a superior material for magic armor.
Cost: 200 AP
Aetherwillow Seeds
These seeds grow into towering willows with leaves filled with pure mana. The trees act as natural conduits, steadily refining ambient mana into purer streams as well as condensing elemental particles around. Magi who meditate beneath their canopy experience accelerated comprehension of spells. Its branches, when harvested, can be crafted into high-grade magic staves.
Cost: 250 AP
…
There were far more seeds beyond these three, but most were tailored for more practical uses — ingredients for potent potions or rare elixirs, materials to forge magic tools and even magic artifacts. Some could even help with defense, meditation enhancement, or direct bodily augmentation when consumed.
Nevertheless, these seeds were absurdly expensive. Victor, after weighing their long-term value, only purchased a select few he considered truly worthwhile. By the time he finished, the total expenditure had reached 16,800 AP, including the building upgrade.
Victor closed the catalog with a sigh, rubbing his temples. At this rate, he might be left with nothing once his upgrading spree finished.
“Lumispora, take care of the new seeds,” Victor commanded.
“Yes, yes! Master!” Lumispora devotedly nodded its head before darting off to tend the freshly purchased seeds with boundless enthusiasm.
Victor nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Lizbeth, who had been quietly watching his spending spree with thinly veiled amusement. “What?”
“You look like you’ve just gambled away half your fortune,” she teased, her wings fluttering.
Victor’s lips curved into a wry smile. “Not far from the truth. Let’s just hope the return on investment justifies the sting.”
With that, Victor straightened his Magus robe and strode out of the Magic Botanical Garden, Lizbeth perched lightly on his shoulder. The players, no longer barred from entry, surged past him in excitement.
“Whoa! What the heck happened in here?”
“Since when is the interior this massive? This place could hold a whole football field!”
“It’s at least four times bigger than before… Is this magic?”
“Damn, this has to be a new update!”
Their awestruck chatter echoed through the halls, but Victor paid it no mind. He walked with steady purpose, already setting his sights on his next destination: the Alchemical Hall.
Walking toward the industrial zone, they arrived at their destination — a broad, two-story structure with a central tower that stretched toward the sky, its small dome gleaming under the sunlight. Tall, slender pillars flanked the entrance, supporting a grand archway that lent the building an air of solemn majesty.
To Victor’s surprise, a figure stood waiting at the threshold, as if anticipating their arrival. It was Elara, the assistant professor and overseer of the Alchemical Hall. Once, she had been Victor’s trusted friend — until her betrayal. Now, her gaze carried a startling clarity, suggesting that Victor’s {Mind Programming} spell had almost worn off.
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