Rowen blinked at the fading panel until it vanished from view. He exhaled slowly, his body still buzzing with the faint hum of mana.
But then his stomach growled loudly.
He glanced up, realizing the light in the space had shifted. Though the portal realm didn't follow the outside sun exactly, it had been hours since he'd come in—outside, it would already be past 7:30 p.m.
"…I forgot about dinner," Rowen muttered, rubbing his stomach.
A small chirp sounded beside him. Fern floated in a lazy circle, arms folded over his round belly. "I was about to say it myself. I'm starving."
Rowen gave a tired laugh. "Fine. Let's call it a day."
Before leaving, he walked over to the rows of crops. The vegetables had already ripened under the accelerated growth of the upgraded space. He carefully picked the mature ones and stacked them inside the new shed, the wooden walls glowing faintly with stored mana. Only after making sure everything was in order did he step toward the exit.
