Chapter 8

The day after I had overused magic and skills and collapsed, I found myself with Mea in the fields of our territory.

"Are you really feeling well enough?"

"I’m fine. I’ve had a good rest, and my magic power has recovered. There’s no lingering fatigue from using my skills."

"Still, I’d be worried if you collapsed again, so please take it easy today. Try to use as little magic and skills as possible."

"I understand."

Actually, I wanted to use magic and skills to create a barrier, but after collapsing yesterday, Mea wouldn’t allow it.

Given that I had caused her trouble, I had no choice but to follow her advice.

If I were to collapse again, it would only delay the work.

It’s important to rest when you need to.

However, the current state of our territory doesn’t allow for complete rest, so today’s task is to cultivate the land without using much magic or skills.

Mea seemed to want me to rest at the manor, and she was clearly unhappy that I was doing the cultivation.

But, it shows how much she cares about me. I’m glad to feel her kindness.

"Is something wrong?"

I couldn’t help but relax my cheeks, and Mea tilted her head, asking me.

"No, nothing. By the way, should I start digging the soil here?"

"Yes, I’ve already removed the weeds and stones around here, so please start digging."

"Got it."

I took the hoe from Mea and swung it down at the designated soil.

It made a *thud* sound as it dug into the ground, but it didn’t feel like it went very deep.

The soil is hard because this area hasn’t been used as a field. My job now is to soften it and make it suitable for growing crops.

I started digging the ground with the hoe, *thud* after *thud*.

At first, I thought this simple task would be a good distraction and a way to clear my mind, but as I continued, the hoe felt heavier, and the speed at which I could dig slowed down.

Is a hoe really this heavy?

I lifted the heavy hoe with my tired arms and swung it down again.

When I looked up to catch my breath, I saw Mea swinging her hoe far ahead of me.

Unlike me, Mea seemed to be used to field work. Despite her slender frame, she had a professional form, and the speed at which she dug was incomparable.

I had thought I had trained my body with sword practice, but the difference in experience was clear.

Even though Mea is more experienced, as the lord and a man, it would be embarrassing for me to collapse and not be able to do the work.

I considered shrinking the hoe to make it lighter... but that would reduce its weight, and I’d have to put in more effort.

"Then, how about I expand my muscle strength?"

I have a general idea of human muscles from my previous life’s school lessons.

I focused on my muscles, trying to expand the muscle fibers.

As a result, my muscles bulged slightly, and I felt a surge of strength.

When I picked up the hoe, it felt much lighter, and I could dig deep into the soil with a single swing.

"Amazing! It’s like the [Body Enhancement] skill!"

I was surprised by the power and started digging *thud* after *thud*.

The hard soil in front of me became soft, and it was very satisfying.

Moreover, since my muscles were expanded, I didn’t feel tired no matter how many times I swung the hoe. I felt like I could swing it infinitely.

With my expanded muscle strength, I continued digging the soil *thud* after *thud*.

◆

"…Lord Noct?"

"Yes?"

"I told you not to overdo it, didn’t I?"

"…Yes."

I had been using the muscle expansion skill to dig with the hoe.

I had successfully dug up the soil in the area Mea had asked me to, but when I canceled the skill, the effect of the expansion left my entire body feeling like it was in muscle pain, and I collapsed.

As a result, I was carried back to the manor, and Mea was pouting.

After collapsing yesterday and causing her worry, it’s only natural that she’s angry with me for collapsing again today.

If I were in her position, I’d be scolding me too.

Upon reflection, this outcome was inevitable.

By forcibly increasing my muscle strength with the expansion skill, I was essentially doping myself. When I returned to my normal state, my overused muscles screamed in pain.

I had acted out of a silly sense of pride and curiosity without considering the consequences.

"Why did you use the skill until you collapsed again? Didn’t my words reach you at all?"

Even the usually gentle Mea was visibly upset by this incident.

"No, that’s not it. I just used the muscle expansion to help a bit. I didn’t consider the backlash, but I didn’t overuse the skill."

"Even so, you should have been more cautious considering what happened yesterday!"

When I tried to make an excuse, Mea hit me with a logical argument.

"…You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry."

Her argument was so correct that I couldn’t argue and had to apologize sincerely.

Her stern expression softened into a smile.

"Thanks to you, the territory is recovering smoothly. Please don’t overdo it."

"Alright, I understand."

This level of muscle pain is manageable, but if I had used the skill more recklessly, I could have torn my muscles.

Muscle expansion is like doping, and I need to be more careful with it.

"Sorry, Mea. Can you get me some water?"

There’s a water pitcher on the table next to the bed, but with my current state of muscle pain, it’s hard to reach.

"Fine, I’ll do it."

When I asked, Mea filled a cup with water from the pitcher.

"Here, open your mouth."

"Eh? No, I can drink it myself."

At my age, it’s embarrassing to be fed by a girl my age.

"You’re in pain from muscle soreness, aren’t you? I can’t let you strain yourself."

Despite knowing how I felt, Mea was unusually assertive.

If I refused, she might not help me today, so I reluctantly opened my mouth, and Mea slowly helped me drink the water.

"Do you want more?"

"…No, I’m fine."

I turned my face away when asked at such close range.

I was so embarrassed that I didn’t care about my thirst anymore.

"Alright, I’ll prepare your meal. Don’t worry, I’ll feed you too."

Ah, she’s enjoying this because I can’t move properly.

Looking at Mea’s smiling face, I could tell she was enjoying it.

I won’t overuse muscle expansion again. I promise myself that strongly.

When Mea left, I was alone in the bedroom.

I’m not particularly sleepy, just unable to move due to muscle pain.

Since I can’t move, all I can do is think.

The [Expansion & Reduction] skill I was granted is more useful than I imagined.

It can not only make things larger or smaller but also affect people, skills, and muscle strength.

Thanks to this, the food situation in the territory is improving, and combining it with magic has increased safety.

It’s not a complete combat skill like my brother’s, but it can be used in combat with the right application. It’s a versatile skill that can also support like my father’s. It’s far from being a useless skill.

After a few days of testing, I’ve gained enough confidence to believe this.

"If I had realized this earlier, maybe the people who fled would have stayed."

I thought about this, but it’s too late to change the past.

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