Chapter 3 — Seeds in the Soil, Fish in the Bowl
The marketplace was alive with chaos — merchants shouting, animals bleating, fish tanks bubbling, and children weaving between stalls. Yaswanth walked with purpose, his eyes scanning for plants of value. If he wanted to use the farm wisely, he needed something with both demand and rarity.
Eventually, he found a small, dusty plant shop tucked away between spice vendors and animal pens. The owner, a lean old man with sharp eyes, stepped out as the bell above the door jingled.
"What do you need, boy?" the man asked.
"I'm looking for seeds," Yaswanth replied. "Medicinal plants that take time to grow… and maybe some rare flowers too."
The old man gave him a long look. "At your age? Do you even know how to cultivate them?"
Yaswanth smiled faintly. "I'll manage."
The man chuckled, shaking his head. After a few rounds of back-and-forth, the seeds were finally his, costing him 150 rupees. Tucking them away carefully, Yaswanth felt a small thrill. These will be perfect for the farm.
With 600 rupees still in his pocket, he wandered further until a shimmer of silver scales caught his eye. A shop lined with glowing tanks displayed exotic fish, and among them swam two majestic Arowanas, their long bodies slicing gracefully through the water.
"I want that pair," Yaswanth said.
The shopkeeper raised a brow. "Do you even know if they're male and female? If you buy two males, you'll regret it."
Inside his mind, the system's calm voice chimed in:
[HOST QUERY DETECTED.]
ANALYSIS COMPLETE: TWO FISH IN THIS TANK = ONE MALE, ONE FEMALE. PURCHASE APPROVED.
Yaswanth smirked. "I'll take them."
After paying, he carefully carried the bag of shimmering life through the streets, heart light with anticipation.
By the time he reached home, the clock showed 7:00 p.m. The house was quiet—his parents wouldn't return until later. Perfect.
Closing his door, he summoned the farm. In an instant, the black soil stretched before him, endless and fertile. The air smelled of new rain, rich with promise.
He crouched down and pressed the medicinal and flower seeds into the earth. The soil pulsed faintly as the system's magic accepted them. Rows of invisible energy grids shimmered for a second before vanishing, marking the beginning of their accelerated growth.
"These… will grow into fortune one day," he whispered, his chest swelling with pride.
For the fishes, however, he chose differently. With a thought, he carried them back out of the farm into the real world. Taking a large bowl, he filled it with fresh water, carefully released the Arowanas, and watched them glide with grace.
The sight mesmerized him. The two fish glowed under the room's dim light, their scales flashing like liquid silver.
Just then, the front door creaked open downstairs.
"Yaswanth! Are you home?" his mother's voice rang out, tired yet warm.
He jolted, eyes flicking to the clock. 8:00 p.m.
"Yes, I'm here!" he called back, glancing at the fish bowl. The Arowanas darted lazily, unaware of the storm of excitement building in their new owner's chest.
Seeds were already sprouting in his secret farm.
The fish swam in the real world.
And Yaswanth knew—this was only the beginning.