Chapter 126 — Compound X Crop Success
S.C. 1511 — Early February
Foosha Village — Underground Lab (Botanical Chamber)
The botanical chamber was warm today.
Lanterns flickered softly.
Moist soil scented the air.
A gentle drip from the water–timer jar marked the passing seconds with rhythmic patience.
Ren stood beside the wooden table, notebook in hand.
Zemo sat proudly on a cushion (which he stole from Ren's bed), staring at the pots with a deep, wise expression…
…as if he was the senior scientist here.
On the table were six pots of edible crops:
Tomato — Pot 1A / Pot 1B
Lettuce — Pot 2A / Pot 2B
Beans — Pot 3A / Pot 3B
The "A" pots were normal soil.
The "B" pots had the stabilized, ultra-diluted extract.
Today was Day 30 of the trial.
Time to see whether food crops truly benefited.
Ren leaned in.
"Let's start."
---
Step 1 — The Tomatoes
Ren held Pot 1A first.
Normal soil tomato sprout. Small stem. Two leaves. Healthy, but slow.
He set it down and lifted Pot 1B.
His eyes widened—again.
Pot 1B tomato:
stem thicker
leaves brighter
root system denser
growth ~30% faster than control
But still natural-looking.
No strange shapes.
No rapid shaking.
No abnormal leaf spreading.
Perfectly normal… just better.
Zemo sniffed and let out a single approving bark.
Ren scribbled:
Tomato Result: Slightly faster growth, healthier stem.
No mutation. Safe for consumption.
A small grin tugged at his lips.
---
Step 2 — The Lettuce
Ren picked up Pot 2A.
It had four small lettuce leaves—expected size, pale green, soft texture.
Then he lifted Pot 2B.
The leaves were greener.
Thicker.
Slightly wider.
Edges smoother.
Not oversized.
Just healthy—robust.
Zemo padded closer and licked the air near the leaf.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"…No tasting."
Zemo looked personally offended.
Ren wrote:
Lettuce Result: Stronger leaf formation, slightly larger surface area.
Still normal. No anomalies.
The extract worked exactly how Ren hoped.
Not magic.
Not extreme.
Just improvement.
---
Step 3 — The Beans
The bean pots were the most interesting.
Pot 3A had a thin stem and a pair of small leaves.
Pot 3B—
Ren stared.
The sprout had grown tall, sturdy, and its roots filled half the pot already.
He gently removed the soil around the edges.
The roots spiraled down beautifully—zero deformities.
Natural growth.
Stronger structure.
Better nutrient absorption.
The extract and soil combination was perfect.
Zemo nudged the pot lightly, tail wagging.
Ren whispered:
"This alone could feed workers year-round…"
He wrote:
Bean Result: Best improvement.
No negative reactions.
High stability confirmed.
---
Step 4 — Taste Test (Human Only)
Ren needed to confirm safety for real consumption.
He cut two tiny lettuce leaves—one from Pot 2A and one from Pot 2B.
Zemo leaned forward, eyes shining with betrayal as Ren lifted the 2B leaf.
"No." Ren said flatly.
"This is for science."
Zemo collapsed dramatically on the cushion.
Ren ignored him.
He tasted both leaves:
Pot 2A → mild bitterness, typical wild lettuce taste.
Pot 2B → slightly sweeter, softer, fresher.
Ren blinked.
"…It tastes better."
Not sugary. Not weird. Not chemically altered.
Just healthier.
He wrote:
Taste: improved flavor.
No aftertaste.
No symptoms after 10 minutes.
---
Step 5 — One-Hour Observation
Ren sat on a stool, shoulders relaxed, watching the seedlings under lantern glow.
No reaction in his body.
No warmth.
No dizziness.
No abnormal heartbeat.
Just a satisfied stomach and a curious fox grooming his tail.
Ren stood slowly.
"…It's safe."
Zemo jumped up as if he knew the verdict.
Ren whispered:
"We can grow food on the island now.
Real food.
For real people."
The significance settled slowly in his chest.
He wasn't just preparing for himself anymore.
He was preparing for Arlen.
For future workers.
For the small community he planned to build.
Food was survival.
Food was independence.
Food was the foundation of stability.
And now they had the means to grow it secretly, reliably.
---
Step 6 — Planning Ahead
Ren opened a new page.
Island Crop Plan — Draft 1
1. Plant small field near Chamber Two
2. Use stabilized extract on 30% of crops only
3. Mix island and forest soil for optimal yield
4. Rotate plant types to avoid suspicion and soil imbalance
5. Begin building simple irrigation ditch using slope runoff
He underlined the last line twice.
"We need sustainable food before bringing more people."
Zemo barked softly as if agreeing.
---
Ending the Day
Ren extinguished one lantern, dimming the chamber.
He picked up Pot 3B (the bean plant) and placed it on the special shelf.
"Today… you are the champion," he whispered to the sprout.
Zemo barked happily.
Ren sat down beside him, resting his head against the wall.
"We did it, Zemo…
We can grow food.
Real food."
Zemo curled up on his lap, tail flicking softly.
Ren closed his eyes.
The underground chamber felt warm—warmer than ever.
Because the seeds he planted were no longer just experiments…
They were the first crops of a hidden future village.
---
End of Chapter 126