Chapter 19: Dormitory

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Dormitory

Leaving the greenhouse complex, Professor Vane led the non-combat students through a arched stone arcade toward the residential sector. Nestled near the peaceful eastern woods stood the auxiliary track’s dormitories—a set of sleek, modern stone buildings woven seamlessly into the surrounding greenery.

Professor Vane stopped in the grand foyer, holding up a small, polished silver disc that gleamed under the magical lamps.

"Before you head up, take your Academy Student Pass," Vane announced, gesturing for the student assistants to distribute the silver tokens. "This token is your life line on campus. It grants access to your assigned dormitory, the libraries, research vaults, and the dining halls."

He watched as each student accepted a disc before adding, "Notice the runic circle on the rim. Every pass uses Individual Mana Binding. Channel a single wisp of your own mana into it right now. The moment the internal core registers your unique signature, the token permanently locks to your identity. If you lose it or drop it in the mud, no one else can spoof your signature or access your quarters."

Rowan accepted his pass, holding the cool silver disc between his fingers. With a quiet flick of his intent, he drew a microscopic thread of mana from his core and channeled it into the token.

The silver disc flared with a soft, brilliant azure glow. Runic script rippled across its surface before sinking deep beneath the metal, binding seamlessly to his soul’s frequency.

Checking the room number etched onto the back—Room 304—Rowan climbed the wide marble staircase to the third floor. He stopped in front of a heavy, dark-wood door equipped with an inset brass plate.

He brought the silver pass close to the plate.

Beep-click.

A subtle hum reverberated through the frame, and the door slid open smoothly into the wall, revealing his new living quarters.

Rowan stepped inside, taking in the space with wide eyes. It was a pristine, spotless room bathed in warm, soft lighting. Against the far wall sat a spacious bed made up with crisp, silky white sheets that looked impossibly soft. To the side stood an polished study desk, an integrated wardrobe, and an adjoining private bathroom with shimmering tile work.

Set into the wall near the entrance was a small runic console displaying the room’s environmental metrics. With a light touch, Rowan realized he could adjust both the room temperature and humidity level to his exact preference—a luxury feature designed to help non-combat researchers store sensitive botanical samples right in their rooms.

Coming from a modest suburban home, this state-of-the-art facility felt completely surreal.

Rowan set his shoulder bag onto the desk, sat down on the edge of the plush bed, and let out a long, satisfied breath. He ran his hand over the smooth, silky duvet, a faint smile touching his lips.

Not bad for a ’common’ Gardener, Rowan thought, leaning back into the soft pillows as he prepared to settle in for his first official night at Sol-Aethel.

***

Rowan stood up, walked over to the tall glass window, and pulled the thick, light-blocking blinds shut. Turning back to the door, he brought his silver Student Pass to the internal sensor panel, locking the room securely from the inside with a firm metallic click.

With his privacy assured in the state-of-the-art dormitory room, he closed his eyes and activated his ability.

[Domain: The Virgin Soil]

The quiet, gentle twilight of the Primordial Garden folded around him as his boots touched the soft loam.

Stepping up to the field near the Great Tree, Rowan was greeted by a breathtaking sight. Thanks to the 10:1 time dilation and the ambient [Breath of Eden - Lv. 2] aura, the field was overflowing with vibrant life:

The 24 Verdant Crown Tomato vines were heavy with glowing, ruby-red clusters.

The 12 Amethyst Solar Squash vines were sprawling with massive, deep-violet fruits shimmering with golden veins.

The 20 Ignis-Bloom Sweet Pepper bushes were laden with fiery-orange peppers that radiated a gentle, soothing warmth.

The 40 Edenic Amber Wheat stalks swayed softly in the breeze, their heavy heads glowing like molten gold.

Pulling a pair of clean leather work gloves from his pouch, Rowan got to work. He moved methodically down the rows, carefully snapping the ripe produce off the stems and harvesting the rich stalks of wheat. Every single crop yielded was at Peak Grade-E purity—pristine, unblemished, and brimming with life mana.

Carrying the massive haul over to the Great Tree, he descended into the cool subterranean basement cellar beneath the roots. He neatly stacked the fresh vegetables and bound sheaves of golden wheat within the swirling green stasis mist, where they would remain at peak freshness indefinitely until his parents were ready to sell them at the weekend farmer’s market.

Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, Rowan walked over to the small, crystalline basin near the base of the tree where the Edenic Spring bubbled up from the earth.

During his initial awakening and domain creation, the spring’s mana-rich waters had been depleted, but now the basin was brimful once more, its clear, shimmering liquid reflecting the twilight sky. Rowan knelt down, took off his gloves, and cupped a small handful of the spring water in his palms. He brought it up to his face, taking in its crisp, clean scent, and drank it down.

The liquid washed down his throat like liquid light, instantly refreshing his soul and washing away every trace of physical tiredness from his morning walk and evaluation.

A series of golden system runes materialized in his vision:

[DOMAIN HARVEST & VITALITY UPDATE]

Harvest Completed: 24x Verdant Crown Tomatoes, 12x Amethyst Solar Squash, 20x Ignis-Bloom Sweet Peppers, 40x Sheaves of Edenic Amber Wheat (All Peak Grade-E)

Source Consumed: Pure Edenic Spring Water

System Notification: Domain harmony increased! Soil nourishment milestone reached.

[REWARD]

Unassigned Free Attribute Points Gained: +3

Current Available Stat Points: 3

Rowan smiled as he looked at the floating notification. With his domain flourishing, a subterranean cellar brimming with high-tier market inventory, and 3 fresh attribute points ready to be allocated, he was making rapid progress—all while the rest of Sol-Aethel Academy assumed he was just a regular, harmless Gardener.