The Royal Gardens were silent at three in the morning, save for the rhythmic, bioluminescent pulsing of the Lunar-Ferns. Most of the Master Alchemists had retired to their private quarters, leaving only a few brass-plated golems to patrol the gravel paths with glowing blue sensors. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and concentrated mana, a heavy, sweet perfume that made Kipp's head swim.
If we get caught, it's Alchemical Treason, right? Aria whispered, though her eyes were sparkling with more excitement than fear. She was currently wearing a dark, matte-black version of her robes that she'd dubbed her Crime Silk. She kept checking her mana-pool, making sure her Spark-Traps were primed just in case a golem turned its sensor their way. She looked like she was having the time of her life, a contrast to the newcomers who were practically walking on their tiptoes to avoid making a sound.
It's only treason if they can prove the soil didn't belong to us, Riley said, leading them toward the far back corner of the dome, past the exotic Cinder-Blooms. He moved with a practiced ease, counting his steps as he navigated the shadows. He stopped at a patch of dirt that looked remarkably unremarkable. It was a dull, bruised purple, tucked under the weeping willow made of literal silver. To any other player, it looked like a decorative texture. To Riley, it was a Resource Node Error he had memorized years ago.
Kipp, bring the sapling, Riley commanded.
Kipp stepped forward, holding the small, glowing violet sapling they'd liberated from the Hollow. His hands were shaking so hard the leaves were rattling, but Sofia was right behind him. She placed a gentle hand on his back, whispering encouragement that seemed to physically steady his pulse and keep him from bolting back to the dormitory. Her presence was like a warm lantern in the cold, clinical atmosphere of the Institute, giving Kipp just enough courage to kneel.
This spot, Riley pointed. In the original game code, the mana-drain from the Silver Willow and the mineral-runoff from the fountain overlap here. It creates a stacking growth multiplier. Anything planted here grows at 400% speed, but it also absorbs Royal traits. It is a perfect storm of environmental variables that shouldn't exist.
400 percent?! Kipp gasped. He knelt, his fingers digging into the cool, humming soil. As he planted the sapling, the violet dirt began to glow, crawling up the stem of the plant like liquid neon. The light reflected off his goggles, illuminating a look of pure, academic wonder that finally replaced his fear.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The Silver Willow's metallic leaves began to vibrate, creating a high-pitched ringing sound that threatened to alert every guard in the sector. The sound was like a thousand tuning forks struck at once, vibrating through their very bones.
Uh, Riley? Aria said, her hand going to her gauntlet as the silver tree started to glow. Is it supposed to do the I'm-about-to-scream thing? Because if it is, we are about three seconds away from being surrounded by every high-level guard in Oakhaven.
The tree is sensing the mana-theft, Riley said. Sofia, talk to it. Now.
Sofia stepped forward, her staff glowing with a soft, earthy green. She didn't use a spell; she simply pressed her forehead against the cool, silver bark. We aren't stealing, Sofia murmured, her voice vibrating with a strange, harmonic frequency. We're just sharing the light. Please. We need to protect our friend. He is so small, and he just wants to make something beautiful.
The ringing slowed. The silver leaves settled, drooping slightly as if the tree were sighing under her touch. Sofia's softness had turned a mechanical security trigger into a peaceful ally. While she held the tree's attention, the sapling in front of Kipp began to erupt. It didn't just grow; it unfolded like a time-lapse video. In seconds, it was a bush, then a small tree, dripping with Royal Ghost-Lilies—the rarest ingredient needed for the 100-bottle commission. Their petals were translucent, shimmering with a ghostly blue light that made the surrounding plants look dull by comparison.
Wait! Aria hissed, her hand going to her gauntlet. We've got company. Stay behind me, kids.
From the shadows of the stone pillars, Master Thorne emerged. He still had a few stray daisies in his hair from the previous incident, but his eyes were sharp. He looked older in the moonlight, the lines of stress on his face deeper than they appeared during the day.
I knew you were up to something, Grant, Thorne rasped, looking at the glowing violet tree. Finding a Primal Node in the middle of a Royal Garden... that's not luck. That's forbidden knowledge. Or a very dangerous memory.
Riley didn't reach for his bow. He just looked Thorne in the eye. It's efficiency, Thorne. You want those 100 bottles for the General, don't you? At your current rate, it would take a month. With this, we'll have them by the end of the week. We are solving your problem.
Thorne looked at the lilies, then at Sofia, who was still petting the silver tree. He saw the way she cared for the environment, even as they exploited a glitch. He let out a long, frustrated breath that billowed in the cold air. If the General asks, I found you working late and provided expert oversight, Thorne muttered, turning his back to them. But know this—once you leave these walls for the Marshes, my protection ends. Silas has already placed a Ghost-Bounty on your heads. They won't just kill you; they'll try to delete your progress.
We're used to bounties, Riley said, nodding to Kipp to finish the harvest. By the time the sun rose, they had enough rare petals to fund the first fifty bottles. But on the horizon, the dark green mist of the Whispering Marshes was waiting.