Plans

Riyao left the boisterous guild behind and followed a familiar path to a cottage in the woods outside town.

This was Granny Porlyusica's home. The herbs drying all over the yard gave off a faintly bitter yet comforting fragrance.

He knocked gently, and an aged but clear voice called from inside, "Come in."

He opened the door to find Porlyusica sitting on a low stool, pounding medicine. The wooden pestle struck the stone mortar with a steady, measured rhythm.

"Go away, you brat! Get out of here! I hate humans more than anything."

Riyao walked over and stood obediently before her, then gave her a full account of the strange occurrence during his mission.

"Granny, while I was in the forest this time, I suddenly resonated with the life force of all the trees in the forest."

"My magic was almost depleted, and things were urgent, so I didn't take the time to filter it. I drew directly on that life force, but it was very impure. Luckily, there was enough of it to replenish my power in an instant."

As he spoke, a faint green glow curled around his fingertips.

"I just don't know whether forcing all that impure life force into myself might leave some hidden trouble."

Porlyusica set down the pestle and looked up at him, a sharp glint flashing through her cloudy eyes.

She reached out a withered finger and rested it lightly on Riyao's wrist. The ring on her hand glowed faintly as a gentle stream of probing magic slowly seeped into his body.

A moment later, Porlyusica withdrew her hand and picked up the pestle again. Her tone was calm but assured.

"The life energy in your body is indeed impure, and there are traces of the plants' wild nature mixed in. Fortunately, your own Hundred Battles markings contain pure combat magic, which can just about suppress those impurities. There won't be any serious trouble for the time being."

"The life force was probably impure because it had death energy from dead beasts and the like in the forest mixed into it."

"But if this continues for too long and too many impurities build up, they may affect the purity of your magic, or even cause you to lose control of your power in battle."

She paused, took a small earthenware jar from the medicine shelf behind her, and handed it to Riyao.

"These are purifying herbs. Take a small spoonful at a time, mixed with warm water. Drink it for seven days in a row, and it'll clear all the impurities from your body."

Riyao accepted the jar and hurriedly thanked her. "Thank you, Granny Porlyusica!"

"Being able to resonate with natural life force is a rare gift."

Porlyusica looked up at him, her tone growing more serious.

"But even a gift must be used with care. The next time you draw on an outside power, remember to filter it with your own magic first. Don't be so reckless again."

Riyao nodded firmly. "I'll remember!"

Holding the warm earthenware jar, he walked out of the cottage, where a breeze scented with herbs blew through the woods.

Thinking of Granny Porlyusica's warning and the dangers and rewards of this mission, Riyao clenched his fist. He would master this power and live up to his companions' trust, without wasting this rare gift.

"If you understand, then hurry up and get lost!"

As she spoke, Porlyusica grabbed the broom from the corner and swung it at Riyao, sending it whistling through the air.

Riyao had been prepared. Grinning, he ducked out of the way, clutching the jar of purifying herbs tightly as he dashed for the door.

"Thanks, Granny! I'll come visit you again!"

Behind him came the thud of the broom hitting the doorframe, accompanied by the old woman's grumbling, but Riyao laughed even more happily.

That was Granny Porlyusica's style: hard words, soft heart, a sharp tongue and a tender heart.

He followed the woodland path back toward the guild, sunlight filtering through the leaves and dappling his shoulders.

Riyao touched the warm jar tucked against his chest, his mind turning over the idea that had just occurred to him.

"Getting a piece of land for myself... that might actually work." He muttered to himself, slowing his steps as his eyes lit up.

If he could find a place with good soil and abundant spiritual energy and plant specially cultivated trees, flowers, and grasses, they could produce relatively pure life force. The next time he ran low on magic, he wouldn't have to risk drawing on the impure energy in the wild.

That would perfectly solve the problem of the Hundred Battles Spell Formula needing a long time to charge.

By the time of the final battle, Tsunade had stored up more than a decade's worth of life force, which was how she had been able to restore her body even after being cut in half.

And besides, he smacked his lips and began considering the more practical benefits.

"Fruit imbued with life force would definitely be good for the body and relieve fatigue. And tea leaves—the tea made from them might refresh the mind and even gently nourish magic. The people at the guild would definitely love it!"

Riyao stepped onto Magnolia's main street. Sunlight bathed the stone pavement, making the signs on the shops lining both sides gleam.

He headed straight for the real estate agency in the town center, the Magnolia Land House. It was the most famous real estate business in town, and even the guild often came here for advice when buying materials.

He pushed open the creaking wooden door, and the smell of ink and paper greeted him.

A middle-aged man wearing round glasses sat behind the counter, bent over an account book.

"Hello! I'd like to ask about land prices outside town, preferably somewhere not far from the Fairy Tail guild."

Riyao got straight to the point, his voice full of anticipation.

The man looked up and adjusted his glasses. When he saw Riyao, his eyes brightened. "A Fairy Tail wizard! We happen to have a few plots suitable for planting. What would you like to know?"

Riyao explained the situation in general terms. His goal was fairly simple.

Riyao had only stopped by to get a preliminary sense of the market, and a glance at the prices of the plots he liked told him what he needed to know.

One ordinary plot caught his eye. It was close to the guild and level, with unremarkable but manageable soil. There was nothing special about it; it was simply suitable for clearing and planting vegetables and trees, cultivating crops, and accumulating clean, pure life force for his Hundred Battles Spell Formula.

The well-located flat plot was priced on the high side, and his current savings fell some way short.

He had only come to have a casual look in the first place, so he thanked the agent and left.

The cheap wasteland the agent recommended was remote, had poor soil, and would be troublesome to manage, so he passed it over.

When he walked back to Fairy Tail and pushed open the doors, he was greeted by the same lively clamor and bustle as ever.

Makarov glanced at Riyao and asked with a smile, "Riyao, did something good happen?"

"I just went to look at an empty plot of land."

Riyao sounded relaxed.

"Good soil and water make it more useful, but the price is high. I was only looking today. I can take more jobs and save up enough over time."

Cana leaned over from beside him. "Want to save money? Team up with me, and we'll be twice as efficient."

"Next time, definitely. Next time."

For the moment, he put aside thoughts of buying land and saving money and joined in the merriment.

It was only an ordinary vacant plot, anyway. He could take jobs and save up over time; there was no need to rush.

Laughter, clinking glasses, and playful commotion filled the hall, where sunlight streamed in. The celebration of his return from his first long journey remained lively and warm.

He would buy that vacant plot later, build a little cottage, and grow some things. He chuckled to himself. This life was much more comfortable than his last one.