Chapter 5

"Mea, can you tell me which fields need to be harvested soon, or the crops will become inedible?"

"Understood. Harvesting, right?"

"Yeah, that's part of it, but there's something I want to try."

When I said that, Mea, though puzzled, still guided me to the fields.

"These fruits here are at the limit of harvest. If they grow any further, they will bloom and the fruits will become too hard to eat."

The fruits, called 'Ore no Mi,' have a blue skin and contain orange, grain-like flesh inside.

If left too long, the fruits will bloom and the flesh inside will harden, making them inedible.

"What are you going to do?"

"If they become inedible when they grow further, maybe I can use a skill to shrink them and keep them fresh."

If the fruits become inedible when they grow, I can shrink them to stop their growth.

When the fruits are shrunk, they might be mistaken for still being in the growth stage and won't bloom. That's what I'm hoping for.

"Ah, I see! If that works, we won't have to rush to eat them and they won't spoil!"

"Still, there's a chance they might become inedible even when shrunk."

"Even so, I think it's worth trying! Let's test it on a few fields!"

"Sure."

I don't think this is a low-probability idea. However, testing it on all the crops is too risky, so we'll also harvest them normally.

But with only two of us in the domain, most of the crops will go to waste.

Still, Mea and I went through the fields one by one, harvesting the crops that were just about ready.

And we left a few unharvested, applying the shrink skill to them.

"Phew, we've harvested most of the crops."

"Yes, that's right."

"I hope the ones we shrunk will work as planned."

As I said this, I noticed Mea's face was somewhat gloomy.

Given the situation, my skill should have given us hope. So why does she look so down?

"...Mea, is something wrong?"

"N-no, nothing's wrong."

When I asked, Mea shook her head with a bitter smile, but it was clear she didn't believe it herself.

"Mea, if you have something to say or any complaints, please speak up. I won't be angry even if you want to leave for another domain."

"I'm not thinking of leaving! ...It's just that you are using your skills to improve the situation, and I feel useless because I can't contribute at all."

Mea revealed her feelings, looking dejected.

I thought she looked gloomy because of this.

"You're not useless. You're doing a great job managing the domain."

More than anything, I was grateful that she was the only one who stayed when all the other residents fled. Her words that she wanted to serve me, not my father or brother, gave me hope.

There's no way Mea isn't contributing.

"But you're doing more. If I had a skill like yours, I could contribute more..."

Despite my encouragement, Mea's expression didn't brighten.

Mea's skill is [Cell Activation]. According to her, it can promote the healing of minor injuries.

Thanks to this skill, we often had Mea use it on scrapes and cuts at the manor. However, compared to combat skills like [Swordsmanship] or [Body Strengthening], its scope of application is limited.

I understand her feeling of inferiority due to the difference in skills.

I felt the same way when I received my skill in the capital.

Compared to my father and brother's impressive skills, mine seemed too mundane and hard to understand.

I was plagued by the same inferiority complex as Mea in the carriage.

I want to somehow brighten Mea's mood.

Of course, time will heal and bring closure, but as long as she's with me, she might continue to feel this way.

If I could find a new use for her skill, like I did with mine, that would be great.

Cell activation, promoting healing...

"Hey! How about using your skill to grow crops and vegetables?"

"Crops and vegetables?"

"Mea, you can activate human cells to promote healing. Why not try activating plant cells to promote growth?"

Mea's face brightened at my suggestion, but it quickly dimmed again.

"It might be possible, but my skill is very limited. At the manor, I could only promote the healing of scrapes and cuts."

Mea has a point.

Her skill might not be strong enough to promote growth in the fields.

Hmm? Not strong enough? If her skill is weak, maybe I can amplify it?

No, that might be too much? The temple knight said my skill affects objects, but he also said it was a skill he had never seen before.

So, it might not fit into his existing knowledge.

If it can affect things other than objects, we should try it.

"Mea, try using your skill on the turnip sprout over there! I want to try something."

"Y-yes."

Mea, taken aback by my sudden suggestion, quickly took action.

She crouched down and placed her hand over the sprout that had just emerged.

A faint light emitted from Mea's hand, enveloping the sprout.

At that moment, I applied the amplification skill to Mea's [Cell Activation].

I imagined the sprout growing vigorously as Mea's skill grew stronger.

The light in Mea's hand grew brighter.

"Th-this is...?"

Mea's [Cell Activation] skill was amplified, and a strong light enveloped the sprout.

The turnip sprout quickly grew leaves and exposed white roots from the ground.

"From a sprout to a turnip in no time...!"

I didn't expect such a result.

Mea, who activated the skill, was also surprised.

"Lord Noct, what is this?"

"I amplified your skill."

"Amplified my skill...?"

"Yes, even if your skill doesn't have a strong effect, I thought I could amplify it to achieve a strong effect. The result exceeded my expectations. Your skill is amazing, Mea."

"It's only possible because of Lord Noct's power."

"Still, without your [Cell Activation] skill, we couldn't have done this. With this, we can produce many crops instantly. This is a significant contribution from you, Mea."

"My skill can make a significant contribution..."

Mea repeated my words.

She seemed to be struggling to understand the phenomenon caused by her skill.

But as time passed, she gradually calmed down and understood, and her expression brightened.

"Even my skill can be useful. Lord Noct, thank you."

"You're welcome."

I'm glad Mea is smiling.

Seeing her happy, I couldn't help but smile too.

I'll do my best to write the next story.