Magic Pearl

Early in the morning, sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains and fell across the bed, forming a bright streak.

Russell stretched and woke from his dreams. When he opened his eyes, there was no fatigue or stinging pain—only a clear mind and abundant energy.

Perhaps it was the vitality of a young body, perhaps it was the benefits of deep sleep, or perhaps Battle Aura was constantly improving his constitution. In any case, he was quite satisfied with his current body.

Brimming with health!

He casually pulled the bell rope beside the bed. The other end led to the servants' resting room, where another bell marked "Master Bedroom" began to ring.

Servants could not possibly remain at their master's side every moment.

Therefore.

Bell ropes were indispensable.

"Ah, that was refreshing. Even though I had to struggle for a long time in the Dark Dreamscape every night, it not only didn't affect my sleep, it actually made me sleep more comfortably than before." Russell was delighted, but the next moment, his eyes flew open. "Clams!"

Last night in the Dark Dreamscape, he had discovered clams that seemed to be producing Magic Pearls, but he had been unable to leave the Dark Dreamscape.

Even when the Little Dream Dragon grew tired and the Dark Dreamscape faded away, he would fall into a deep sleep along with it, completely unable to wake up.

"Good thing I didn't forget about my clams... I wonder whether they ran off overnight."

Knock, knock, knock.

There came a knock at the door, accompanied by the Head Maid's voice. "Good morning, my lord."

"Good morning. Come in." Russell had already gotten out of bed.

The door was pushed open, and Head Maid Leona entered with three maids—Irene, Phoebe, and Olivia. Like the maids of Fluorite Castle, each attended to her own duties.

One made the bed, one tidied the table, and one prepared the washing supplies.

However, it was clear that these three young maids were somewhat less practiced than the maids at Fluorite Castle.

The maids themselves were also of slightly lower quality. Irene's face was covered in freckles, Phoebe had somewhat protruding teeth, and Olivia was short and plain. Only Head Maid Leona was tall and lovely; Russell still remembered that when she bent over, her buttocks were round and full.

Once Russell had finished washing up, Leona led the maids out one after another.

The manservant Ram knocked and entered. "My lord."

"Mm." Russell did not refuse the manservant's help in dressing. These aristocratic habits had already been engraved into the bones of this body.

"My lord, will you be training Battle Aura this morning? If so, you may wear this training outfit." It was Ram's first time serving Russell, and uncertain of Russell's habits, he asked somewhat nervously.

Russell gave a bland order. "The training outfit."

He did not display his approachable side. Familiarity bred disrespect, and closeness invited insolence; how to strike the balance was an art in itself.

After changing into his training outfit, he went downstairs for breakfast.

"My lord!" Eric, the knight instructor, was having breakfast with four Knight Retainers.

Russell took a seat at the dining table. "Good morning."

"My lord, your breakfast." Butler Morris personally brought it over. Compared with the self-serve breakfast at Fluorite Castle, the food here was rather plain: only fish roe risotto, bread, milk, and a small dish of jam.

Halfway through the meal, Charles finally came downstairs, yawning. "Good morning, Russell. It seems self-discipline has become your instinct."

Russell responded casually, "Good morning."

Breakfast ended.

Butler Morris came over to report. "My lord, Foreman Old Hans has brought five Tunic Chiefs to receive your instructions."

"I was just looking for him." Russell's heart stirred as he spoke.

Leaving the manor, they found the sunlight bright, driving away the lingering chill from the previous night.

Old Hans and the five Tunic Chiefs immediately greeted Russell, then followed closely behind him as he headed down the earthen slope toward the Glimmering River.

"Old Hans, are there clams or shells in the Glimmering River?"

"Yes, my lord. The Glimmering River has not only clams, but also large river snails. Sometimes the Baron sends people to collect a batch of river delicacies, and the serfs take the chance to gather a few clams and large river snails to enjoy as well."

Everything in the territory belonged to the lord. Thus, even the fish and shrimp in the river were the lord's private property.

Unless the lord permitted it, serfs could not enter the river and catch fish on their own.

"I see... Old Hans, I feel like having some river delicacies today. Can you help me gather some clams and large river snails?" Russell ordered with a smile.

If he gathered the clams himself, not only would it fail to suit noble conduct, but the act itself would be rather abrupt.

Old Hans immediately rolled up his trouser legs. "It is Old Hans's honor to serve you, my lord."

Naturally, the five Tunic Chiefs were unwilling to fall behind. They rolled up their trouser legs as well and followed Old Hans barefoot into the icy waters of the Glimmering River.

The thaw had come late, and the Glimmering River was still shallow at this time. The water by the bank only just covered their ankles.

Before long, they had gathered a large pile of clams and river snails—clearly skilled at it. Evidently, they had often secretly gathered fish and shrimp from the river in the past.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Charles had finished breakfast as well and came over curiously. "Are you gathering clams?"

Russell smiled. "I felt like having river delicacies tonight."

"Hehe, river delicacies! We're in for a treat. The Glimmering River's river delicacies are one of the local specialties." Charles enjoyed fine food just as much as fine wine. "They're usually supplied only to Fluorite Castle. They're rarely seen."

Up on the earthen slope, Eric and the four Knight Retainers were seriously training their Battle Aura and did not come over to join the excitement.

Suddenly.

Old Hans raised a black clam the size of a basketball and shouted excitedly, "My lord, praise the dragon! Heavens, look at this clam! I've never gathered such a large clam before."

As he spoke, Old Hans eagerly carried the clam over like a treasured offering.

Russell's eyes lit up. He strongly suspected that the magical glow he had seen last night had come from inside this clam. There had to be Magic Pearls within.

Before he could remind anyone, Charles began shouting, "Russell, quick, open it! Such a big clam might already have produced Magic Pearls! Legend says some large shells can produce Magic Pearls, just like Gem Dragons!"

Gem Dragons could nourish gemstone veins. They were miraculous creations born of the earth.

Magic Pearls clearly could not compare with gemstones, but they were likewise rare magical creations with wondrous effects.

"Can you pry it open, Old Hans?"

"I don't have a knife, my lord."

At that moment, a refined steel longsword was handed over. At some point, Eric had also come over and offered his own sword.

But after prying at it for quite a while, Old Hans still could not open the large clam.

"I'll do it!" Eric could not stand watching any longer. He crouched down, infused the refined steel longsword with Battle Aura, and thrust fiercely at the gap in the shell. The tightly closed shell could no longer withstand it, and the sword tip pierced inside.

Crack.

With a burst of force from Eric, the large clam split open slightly.

He discarded the refined steel longsword, grabbed the opening with his hands, and forcefully pulled the two halves apart, revealing clam flesh with a golden sheen inside.

He scraped aside the clam flesh, exposing a membrane. Beneath it were five irregularly round bulges. The largest was the size of an egg, while the smallest was only the size of a marble.

"Whoa, pearls! There really are pearls!" Charles said excitedly. "This time, we truly have to praise the dragon, Russell. There really are Magic Pearls inside!"

There were no ordinary pearls in this world. Any pearl possessed magic.

Just as all gemstone deposits nourished by dragons possessed wondrous magic, and gemstones would shatter once their magic was exhausted.

Pearls were the same.

"Well done!" Russell clapped lightly. Although he had guessed it last night, he was still thrilled to truly have gathered pearls.

After all, this was the first benefit he had obtained through his own cheat.

He immediately ordered, "Butler Morris, have the kitchen prepare a batch of milk tea to warm Old Hans and the others up."