Chapter 61: Greenhouse Completed
“This term has never been associated with me,” Alyss remarked calmly, yet Hua Mi realized she might have inadvertently hit a nerve.
Her distinct non-elven features might appear harmless or even uniquely beautiful to outsiders. However, within the elven community, they could prompt disdain.
In Hua Mi’s mind, he began to draft a tale titled ‘The Misunderstood Life of Alyss,’ feeling a twinge of guilt.
“Well, compared to you humans, my talents are indeed exceptional.”
Just as I had contemplated offering comfort, I seemed to have lost my chance. Elves, undoubtedly, are a race that easily provokes frustration.
...
Back to the task at hand.
Alyss, an architect of the highest caliber, possessed a clear plan and grasp of her work process. When she declared a three-day completion, it was done—no surprises, no delays.
In the evening, when she came to notify Hua Mi that the greenhouse was finished and asked him to come for inspection, he was collecting Thunder Blossom seeds.
The news of the greenhouse’s completion instantly filled his mind with the joy of dreams fulfilled. He abandoned the seeds and accompanied Alyss to the greenhouse.
From the outside, the footprint of the greenhouse resembled his small wooden house but was larger overall and about twice as tall. However, the walls were not crafted from wood; they were made from a glass-like material.
Unlike ordinary glass, it wasn’t transparent but a matte black, rendering it impossible to see inside, even upon close inspection.
He recalled that during his earlier observations, transparent glass had been used.
He had expected it to look like most greenhouses from the outside, transparent and revealing the interior. However, now, sunlight couldn’t penetrate it at all.
“It’s merely an illusion,” Alyss explained. “Space-expanding magic is unique—it prevents observation. Once seen from the outside, the magic fails, and the internal space collapses.”
A Schr?dinger's greenhouse?
Hua Mi touched the outer wall; it was smooth, indeed with a glassy texture. After reaching about five meters in height, the walls inclined inward, forming a pointed roof structure. Simple yet beautiful.
The main door, made of the same material, had a small door added per his request for the seven pseudo-flower spirits to enter and exit.
Upon opening the door, a pitch-black mist enveloped everything, as if it had swallowed all light, concealing the view of the greenhouse interior.
Alyss assured him it was a transitional zone set up by a magic array, preventing external observation. He could walk through it safely.
Hua Mi walked in, and after covering just a meter, the surroundings suddenly brightened.
Honestly, this greenhouse embodied his initial vision: an ordinary house from the outside, but stepping inside revealed a vast expanse.
As a flower cultivator, he was sensitive to land area. Looking around, the space inside was approximately the size of a standard soccer field, equivalent to about ten acres.
For now, it was more than enough.
Alyss mentioned it could be expanded by adding materials, potentially reaching the limit of the entire Black Forest! Of course, that was a theoretical limit; he wouldn’t need such a large space.
Although the interior couldn’t be seen from outside, the walls and ceiling emitted light, matching the brightness outside, as if the building material absorbed external light and released it inside.
The ground had the typical soil of the Black Forest, relatively even with scattered wild grass and stones, easy to clear.
Next to the main door was a wooden control panel—a simple structure with a wooden post and a slanted wooden board on top. Blue patterns resembling circuits adorned its surface, extending to the ground steps and disappearing beneath the soil.
The board projected a holographic image of the greenhouse’s exterior, like a 3D projection, showcasing a blend of technology and magical aesthetics.
Beside the control panel, on the stone floor, was a large circular hole with a lid that could be opened. Inside, a dark mist similar to the transitional zone, almost like a black hole, prevented any light from escaping.
Alyss explained that it was the material input point for expansion. Enough material poured in, and the expansion could begin.
“But be careful not to fall in,” she added.
By infusing mental energy into the adjacent control panel, adjustments to the expansion space's orientation, shape, and additional equipment could be made. However, only limited modifications were possible.
For example, the spatial layout could only replicate and extend the current pattern. Additional internal devices could only be chosen from preset models.
But Hua Mi was already satisfied with this.
The ease of operation surprised him, indicating the advanced and mature magical construction concepts in this world.
Moreover, Alyss selected the most common materials for his convenience: glass, wood, stone, metal—all easily collectible or purchasable.
Like the most delicious food often requiring the simplest ingredients.
Hua Mi believed that constructing a practical and beautiful building with the simplest materials showcased a high level of skill.
After witnessing this masterpiece by the elite architect, he couldn’t help but acknowledge her reputation.
Alyss then explained other functions and precautions of the greenhouse, and Hua Mi listened attentively, memorizing each detail.
In the end, the client was very satisfied with the greenhouse!
Everything was well-executed, leaving nothing for him to do.
All preparations were made; only the flower seeds were missing.
“We already have over twenty thousand Thunder Blossom seeds; we can start planting now.”
Thunder Blossoms bloom during the Ice Age, so no additional equipment was needed in the greenhouse; it was like moving into a "blank canvas."
This was his initial plan.
Exiting the greenhouse, Hua Mi handed
over the remaining 100g of Unicorn Powder.
Unicorn horns were quite dense, and this half horn weighed about a kilogram.
The payment to the architect was less than one-sixth, trading for a perfect greenhouse. It seemed like a good deal.
Although curious about why she needed unicorn powder, Hua Mi refrained from asking, feeling it was too intrusive.
But it must be important to her.
Because she mentioned that if Hua Mi couldn’t obtain Unicorn Powder, she intended to get it herself.
“I’ll stay in the Black Forest temporarily, not leaving for a short period. If there are any issues with the greenhouse, you can find me.”
Look, there’s even after-sales service.
Professional indeed.
Hua Mi agreed and asked where she would stay.
She pointed in a direction, saying that she could be found by heading that way.
It was the same direction she came from the first time.
Before leaving, she laid twelve gold coins on the table, purchasing a bottle each of Sleepy Lily Honey and Feather Blossom Honey.
Well, she might say it’s boring, but her actions proved otherwise.
“The new honey will be on the shelves soon; feel free to buy some at a discount.”
Hua Mi watched as she sat on the stone golem’s shoulder and quickly disappeared into the thick tree shadows.
“She won’t leave the Black Forest in the short term, obviously not just for after-sales service. There must be something she needs to do… and Unicorn Powder probably plays a significant role in it.”
Hua Mi speculated.
It seemed like the Black Forest had become livelier recently.
Pseudo-flower spirits, unicorns, vampires, the trio, Sindra, War Hammer, Alyss…
He remembered the initial feeling of solitude when he arrived.
As he continued to expand and explore, he would inevitably encounter more people and events. The true face of this world would gradually unfold before him.
Honestly, he looked forward to the experiences ahead.
But long-term plans needed to coexist with present responsibilities.
“The greenhouse is built; tomorrow we start planting!”
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This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢