Owen stood cross-armed standing in front of Bimpnottin, who was currently showing him all the alterations he was making with different cacti.

“This one—” He said, running up to a cactus that was different from the rest, slapping its smooth appearance. “We’ve altered it a little! See how there’s no more spines? No more pricks. But of course, Bimpnottin doesn’t do half measures—” He took out a small pair of shears from a leather pouch on his belt, then snipped a small corner of the cacti off. Inside, it was not just incredibly dry, but dense too, as the corner thudded on the rock floor below.

“We have created a wood substitute! By whispering to the inner workings of the cactus, we have convinced it to listen! This was a stubborn one. Not easy, I tell you. Bimpnottin needs some rest after this one. No,” he said, shaking his head. ”We need to keep going.”

Owen noticed that. He was perspiring profusely and dark circles had etched themselves beneath his reddened eyes. Cheeks sunken, Owen frowned. Sighing, he placed his hand on Bimpnottin’s shoulder. “You need to rest, Bimpnottin. I need you. We all do. No good will come out of exhausting yourself to within an inch of your life.”

“Bah,” he spat. “We can rest when we’re dead.”

It was then that Coo moo’d and nudged Owen in the back with its battering ram-like head. Owen stepped to the side. Coo lumbered forward, bent its thick neck down, and chomped into the wood evolved cacti. Time froze. Owen tilted his head. Bimpnottin’s eyes widened. Time resumed and Owen latched onto Coo’s tail and yanked the mighty beast backwards. Coo moo’d in resistance, but Owen was far too strong.

Bimpnottin rushed forward in gnomish fury and slammed a fist on Coo’s head. It did nothing. “You blooming buffoon! You know how hard we worked on that, you great lumbering idiot! That’s it, we’re having meat for dinner!”

Coo frowned, still chomping on the hardened cacti. Owen took responsibility as he stepped in front of Coo and looked into her eyes. “That’s bad. I don’t know if you can understand me, but this isn’t food, okay? At least not yet. Do we have an agreement, Coo?”

The cow just continued to chew. Was she acting dumb? But when Owen stood up to his full height and changed his gaze, Coo gulped down whatever it had in its mouth as she nodded.

“Good,” Owen said, turning to meet Bimpnottin’s smouldering gaze. Owen smiled apologetically. “I’m really sorry Bimpnottin. I… I didn’t think she’d do that. Coo must be hungry, but that’s not an excuse to ruin your hard work.”

“Well–”

“What can I do to help?”

Bimpnottin glared at Coo, stomped his foot, then thrust his finger at the other cacti. “We needs another room created to continue the expansion of wood-cacti.” Bimpnottin crouched down to inspect where Coo had bitten off more than half of the bald cactus. “Not all is lost, at least. Still have the root that I can use.”

Owen readied himself, and said, “Alright, so this may be a moment too soon to say this, but I was thinking you can help us with feeding Coo.”

“It?” Bimpnottin snarled at the cow. As if trying to anger him further, Coo chomped on air. Bimpnottin was about to storm forwards when Owen added.

“She. But yes. Coo here is a dairy cow. We can get milk. We can even turn that milk into cheese and other things. As a 4-Star, she’ll be vital in providing an alternate source of protein and calcium. But as you’re well aware, we are in a desert and food isn’t easy to come by for a grazer.”

“Don’t she eat meat?”

“I don’t think so?”

“You’ve not tried?”

Owen paused and with a thought, took out a nice piece of Sand Hound meat, and offered it to Coo. She seemed offended as she whipped her head to the side.

“Well,” Owen said with a wry smile. “Seems we know now.”

“We don’t like this,” Bimpnottin said, grinding his teeth. “It won’t even be thankful.”

“Thank you, Bimpnottin,” Owen said, placing his hand on the gnome's shoulder. “If you can figure out something to make a large field of cacti fast, with a high yield rich in nutrients, it would help me out a whole lot.”

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“Ye want me to work miracles now?”

Owen smiled kindly in response, not backing down. After 20 seconds or so, Bimpnottin sighed. “Bah, alright, we’ll get it done. Then make that two rooms I need. Make the grazing field much bigger than ye think you’ll need. That one will eat through a field in a day no problem.” Bimpnottin stuck his finger at Owen. “And I want first hands on the cheese.”

Owen chuckled. “Thanks, Bimpnottin. I knew I could rely on you.” Owen stepped forward and hugged the gnome tight. Wriggling free, Bimpnottin turned up his nose in response to the physical affection.

“Bah, now let me be,” he said, his anger finally subsiding.

Crunch. They both turned to Coo as she chomped on air, staring directly at Bimpnottin. She chomped again, louder this time.

“Why you!” Bimpnottin dashed forwards, fists flurrying.

***

Owen had just finished another huge room with massive supports holding it all up thanks to Bron’s teachings from before.

Recalling the scenes at Bimpnottin’s farm, Owen shook his head. He had to sternly reprimand Coo—her actions had real consequences, and he knew how hard Bimpnottin had worked. Thankfully, after a few firm words, Coo understood. After all, the alternative was a proper punishment: no food for a full day. For the hungry ghost of a dairy cow, that was as severe as it got.

By the time Owen finished with the two rooms and returned to check on Bimpnottin, he found the gnome engrossed in his craft, whispering softly to the budding cacti. Bimpnottin moved methodically from one allotment to the next, his words coaxing life from the sand. He sprinkled ash, likely from burned cactus, onto the sand, then added a careful amount of water drawn from the water-storing cacti. With these simple, precise actions, the cycle of life flourished, all centred around the resilient cactus. As he worked, mana flowed vibrantly around him, a dance of energy and life. It was truly a sight to behold.

The moment he was around eighty percent of the way done preparing the cacti allotments, a welcome notification popped up in Owen’s vision. Bimpnottin welcomed the same message, his tired visage brightening back up to his usual self.

Farmer (Bimpnottin) is ready for Class evolution.

Three choices arrived, but by the time the second one came in, Bimpnottin had already decided. Owen was about to yell out in two parts surprise and anger, but he knew that it wasn’t his choice to make. He was the Lord, but did he really want to force people onto paths that they may not want for themselves? It was a thin line to walk across between squeezing out the potential of those close to him, and forcing them on a road not of their choosing.

Despite those worries; they were unfounded. Bimpnottin had picked the best one that suited him, and his land, the most.

Of course, Owen thought to himself with a smile. Who was he to decide? Bimpnottin was a professional; a gnome who had grown up farming from childhood to adulthood. He knew what was needed; understood what was the best choice for their current situation.

I trust all of you.

Class — Verdant Whisperer: is a mystical farmer who communes with the very essence of nature. Through gentle whispers and secretive chants, they can coax the growth of plants and crops, accelerating their development and enhancing their vitality. This evolution allows the farmer to deeply connect with the natural world, ensuring bountiful harvests and vibrant ecosystems.

Skills:

Nature's Embrace: Surround yourself with a soothing aura that enhances the growth rate of plants within a certain radius. The longer you remain in one area, the more potent the effect becomes, nurturing crops and accelerating their development.

Whispering Grove: Amplify your connection with plants, allowing you to guide their growth with unparalleled precision. Your whispers not only invigorate crops and maximise their yield but also fortify them against harsh conditions. With deep focus, you can alter their very DNA, transforming their properties to create entirely new and resilient plant species.

Verdant Cycle: Convert organic material into potent fertiliser instantly. The more diverse the material, the more effective the fertiliser, boosting crop growth and quality.

“Incredible.”

Both Bimpnottin and Owen declared at the same time. Bimpnottin wasted not a single second. Rekindled with vigour thanks to the added Stat points the evolved Class had brought with it, the gnome darted around the field, cacti blooming by the second. What took days, took minutes. But it appeared to take a toll on the little farmer.

Before, he ran around all day with no problems. Now, he lasted barely 30 minutes before he was sitting down, back rested against the cool of the mountain. And finally, the hard working gnome fell into a deep slumber, his steady breathing filling the cactus allotment, his body providing a sweet aura that practically sang to the nearby cactus as they appeared to pull closer to the gnome.

Owen smiled and took out a pelt from his storage. He placed it behind Bimpnottin’s head in place of a pillow.

The next day, Owen ventured into the Miners’ domain, where the rhythmic plinking of metal against stone echoed through the cavern, accompanied by the heavy, laboured breaths of a powerful figure: Bron. Owen’s primary goal for the day was to assist Bron in acquiring enough metal to complete the System's quest and summon the Blacksmith. With that metal, they could forge armour, weapons, and even establish a minecart system. It was a crucial step in building his kingdom, one that couldn’t be delayed.

As Owen approached, he noticed steam rising from Bron’s impressive physique, fresh wounds splitting open from the battle with the orcs. From the side, Owen could see the fire burning in the lead Miner’s eyes, a fury that was all-consuming.

Bron was submerged in anger. If left unchecked, he'd drown in it.