Success had been expected.
The Woodstar Curving Vine King's appearance kept making Kroya forget that they were actually a Magical Beast. Beneath that emerald-green skin, which looked like jade,
there were blood vessels and flesh.
According to their description, the eye crystals had merged into their blood vessels, flowing with their blood like liquid. Whenever they needed them, however, they would form solid structures made of mana on the surface of their skin.
Being able to appear anywhere meant that wherever they reached, they could provide full, three-hundred-and-sixty-degree surveillance.
"I feel wonderful now, Master... I can finally see this world instead of sensing it through mana."
The Woodstar Curving Vine King sounded delighted.
They even praised Kroya's looks on the spot, choosing such fawning words that he practically broke out in goosebumps.
What was embarrassingly overblown praise?
This was.
To stop them from continuing to flatter him, Kroya simply pointed outside. "You can change the size of your body freely, so shrink down and take a look outside."
"All right!"
Their body immediately shrank from the thickness of an arm into a slender vine thinner than a little finger, then slipped through a crack in the wall like a nimble snake.
After watching them leave, Kroya walked to one side and gently brushed his fingers over a magic array made using the powdered remains of an eye crystal.
Ding!
Red mana flashed.
An incredibly clear image immediately appeared inside the magic array, even clearer than what human eyes could see-the little vine was crawling outward along the wall, and everything along the way was displayed before Kroya in perfect detail.
Even though night had fallen and only a scattering of lamps lit the castle, the image remained exceptionally clear.
"To the left, to the right..."
"Look up!"
They could also follow Kroya's instructions and commands to bring previously unseen areas into view. That was the advantage of a smart "camera."
In the end, however, they could only reach about halfway through the castle. They lacked the mana to stretch any farther.
But as they continued growing, they would be able to cover the entire castle, and even extend onto the island outside it.
After testing them out, Kroya was even more satisfied.
The Wood Luminary Curved Vine concealed themself nicely along the castle's walls and ceilings, looking just like decorative green vines.
He stroked the roots the Woodstar Curving Vine King had left in the laboratory and decided to create a small Magic Field here for them to grow in.
No matter how he looked at them, they ought to have been a Magic Plant, yet they were a Magical Beast.
After being modified by that Legendary Mage, they had retained the plantlike trait of needing water, soil, and mana to grow.
Even photosynthesis had been preserved.
He had to admit that the Legendary Mage's modifications were truly miraculous. He was intensely curious about such methods and longed to acquire them.
If he could obtain them, they would be tremendously helpful when he modified Magic Plants or Magical Beasts in the future.
But that was only wishful thinking.
He immediately shook the unused bell beside him-it connected directly to the servants' quarters. Day or night, whenever he needed anything, they had to come serve him at once.
"Let's see how these servants Rob picked turn out."
After ringing it, he watched the situation outside through the magic array. Before long, three boys who looked no older than their teens came hurrying over.
They wore white cotton robes and looked very clean, completely unlike most of the grubby children he had seen on the island.
Needless to say, these were his magic apprentices and servants.
Apparently, Rob had finally finished training them a few days ago, after which they had moved into the castle. They lived on the lowest floor and were strictly forbidden from entering the second floor or above without orders.
When they approached the laboratory door, Kroya's lips curved upward, and he whispered a few words to the Woodstar Curving Vine King.
And so,
the boys outside heard a beautiful female voice in the dim castle.
"The master has instructed you to fetch some soil, then bring a bucket of magic spring water from the underground magic spring."
They immediately looked around in surprise, seemingly trying to locate the source of the voice. But Rob's training had clearly worked-when dealing with a mage, nothing should come as a surprise.
"As you command!"
After replying in unison, they immediately turned away, fetching buckets and digging up soil as needed.
About five or six minutes later, they placed everything outside the laboratory door.
"Lord Mage, we've brought everything!"
Then they bowed together to the closed door and stood respectfully nearby, apparently waiting to see whether Kroya had any further instructions.
Quite pleased with their efficiency and speed, Kroya gave the Woodstar Curving Vine King a light pat.
They immediately understood and spoke. "There is nothing else. Please go back."
"Yes!"
Only after bowing again did they quickly leave.
"Not bad. They've been trained quite well."
But the price of putting on that impressive act was having to carry the three buckets inside himself. To prevent this from happening again, he decided to start learning the very promising spell Mage's Hand.
This spell could combine mana and mental power into a large, invisible hand that helped mages pick up or move objects.
It was practically the ultimate spell for showing off and being a homebody. Once he learned it, he could lie in bed and grab whatever he wanted.
After carrying the two buckets of soil inside, he examined them carefully. The soil was very clean, with no debris such as dead twigs, fallen leaves, or small stones.
Perhaps it had been carefully sorted.
He immediately became even more pleased with these young servants.
Very good. When I go check on the coconut trees and water wheat tomorrow, I'll take those three along. They're quite conscientious.
With that thought, he got to work.
Only after he had built a small planting bed with stones and let the Woodstar Curving Vine King take root inside did he begin to feel a little tired.
"Just do your best to grow. Keep watch over every corner of the castle. From now on, you'll be my eyes!"
After giving those instructions, he yawned and returned to his room. The thirsty sea glow algae had already spread themselves neatly over his bed.
Nights by the sea were still a little chilly.
The thirsty sea glow algae were warm, like a soft blanket of jelly spread over the bed. Lying on them felt wonderfully comfortable.
"Time to sleep!"
Kroya placed the Crescent Moon Fruit on the cabinet beside him and soon drifted off, completely unaware that it was releasing a strange, silvery mist.
Wisps of it seeped out of the Crescent Moon Fruit.
They spread beneath the moonlight and slowly settled, soon filling the entire room.
The sound of surging ocean waves rose alongside a beautiful, barely audible song, echoing softly through the room like the finest lullaby.
As Kroya slept, his expression grew increasingly relaxed, and his slumber deepened.
Thank you to No Reply, Still Worth a Look, Southern City's Slight Chill_Graceful Glances, Heavenly Demon Grinding Heaven, Xu Yuelin, and What's Going On with This Name for your monthly votes, and to everyone for your recommendation votes.
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