Sabrina ran her hand through Aron's hair, thoughtful.
"You know the city of Blue Margin is close to the Shadow Forest, right?"
"Yes."
"For most people, the only information released was that a treasure appeared there and in a few other specific places around the world."
"But the full truth is known only by a small group."
Aron stayed silent for a few moments, shifting his gaze between the three of them, clearly trying to piece everything together.
"Mom… do you know the truth?"
Sabrina looked at her son, then at Matilda, who was still holding him.
Matilda gave a slight nod before continuing:
"There's a possibility that the world's consciousness is creating a physical body in one of those locations."
Aron frowned, deep in thought.
"Why would it do that?"
"We're not sure. The world only creates a physical body when it's being threatened or when it reaches its last resort to keep existing."
"But right now, it's relatively stable, with only minor conflicts that don't affect the bigger picture."
"Even so, all the kingdoms have sent—or will send—representatives to different locations, trying to find this possible manifestation."
Aron's eyes widened slightly.
"It's that important?"
Arthur looked at his son and slowly shook his head.
"A world without consciousness is like an abandoned field: fertile, but overrun with weeds, where very little truly thrives."
"That's the current state… almost stagnant after the death of the world's consciousness."
"When there is an active consciousness, the world begins to guide its own evolution—either improving what already exists or creating new possibilities."
"When a physical body is created… everything changes."
"It becomes the central point of those changes."
"And those changes always favor the world… but not always those who live in it."
Aron remained silent, absorbing every word. After a few seconds, he hesitated.
"What happens if it's found?"
Arthur exchanged a glance with Sabrina, who responded with a slight nod.
He looked back at Aron.
"It depends on who finds it… but in general, it's unlikely to be anything good."
A chill ran down Aron's spine.
"Will it be in danger of dying?"
Arthur shook his head again.
"No. The world's manifestation is far too valuable to be destroyed."
'If I already suspected that the treasure in the Shadow Forest was somehow connected to that presence…'
'now I'm almost certain that what I felt was the world creating a physical body.'
As he got lost in his thoughts, Sabrina broke the mood, bringing her hand behind her back.
"But changing the subject… we have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
Aron blinked a few times, caught off guard by the sudden shift.
"Yes. I noticed you spent quite a bit of time taking care of the flax last year."
"So, while we were in the city, I visited some specialty shops and found two seeds that don't need a mana-rich environment to grow—and can even increase it slightly."
She brought her hand forward.
In it were several seeds of different colors.
Aron's eyes lit up immediately, but confusion soon followed.
"Why are there five different seeds?"
Sabrina smiled, pleased with his reaction.
"The two brown ones are wheat and sorghum. They're not rare, but their trade is somewhat restricted, so they're not that easy to find."
"The other three we got inside the dungeon. Those are much rarer, since they appear infrequently and are hard to reproduce."
"The white one is from a flower called White Lisio, widely used by alchemists to produce detoxifying remedies."
"The blue one is from a plant called Dracia. Its leaves have healing properties, and its flowers are used to make cold-resistance potions."
She paused briefly before continuing, giving slight emphasis to what came next:
"The last one is the most special of all."
"It's a fruit called Levito. It needs more mana to grow, but once it matures… its ability to attract mana surpasses all the others combined."
Aron looked at the seeds in his small hands, visibly impressed.
"It attracts that much mana?"
Sabrina nodded.
"Plants have a rarity grade and a rank, which are defined based on their function and their ability to attract mana."
"The two we bought are common grade, rank 0.1."
"The first two from the dungeon are uncommon grade, also rank 0.1."
"As for the last one… it's considered rare, with a rank of 0.5."
"For a plant to truly have a significant impact on an environment, it needs to surpass rank 1."
'This is new… so basically, rank indicates how much mana the plant can add to the environment.'
'then what would flax's rank be?'
"And why is this one considered rare?"
"Because the fruits it produces, when consumed continuously over a long period, can increase a person's physical capabilities and maximum limits by up to double."
Aron was completely stunned.
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
"We were incredibly lucky to find this seed."
"It can be very useful for you and your friends."
"You'll learn more about this kind of thing when you enter the academy."
Sabrina then shifted the topic again, softening the mood.
"Now tell me… how was spending all that time at Geovana's house?"
Aron still had many questions, but he already knew he wouldn't get answers right now.
As they talked, they eventually arrived home.
Matilda stopped in front of the door.
"We're here," she said, setting Aron down.
"I still have a few things to take care of, so I'll be heading out."
Sabrina nodded.
"Alright."
"Come have dinner later."
"Okay."
"See you later, Aron."
"See you later, big sis Mada."
After saying goodbye, Arthur opened the door and the windows.
Light flooded into the house, revealing a thin layer of dust spread across the floor and furniture.
Nothing a good cleaning couldn't fix.
"Well…" he crossed his arms. "We've got work to do."
Sabrina let out a light sigh.
"That was to be expected."
Aron looked around and let out a small smile.
"Finally home."
Arthur raised an eyebrow and let out a strange laugh.
"Rererere."
"Looks like being used as a pillow wasn't a very pleasant experience."
"Get used to it, kid."
"This won't be the last time."
Aron's smile immediately faded.
Sabrina grabbed a damp cloth and tossed it at Arthur.
"Here."
"Less talking, more action. Start cleaning the furniture."
Arthur made a dramatic expression, as if he were heading to his execution, but soon got to work.
Aron watched his father for a moment… and quickly regained his good mood.
'Serves you right. No one told you to ruin the mood.'
A small smile slipped onto his face.
Sabrina noticed.
"And what are you laughing about?"
"Hm?" Aron let out a soft sound of surprise.
She handed him another damp cloth.
"Here."
"Go help your father."
Arthur couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Come on, kid! Come help your dad!"
Aron walked over to him, holding the cloth.
'What could be more comforting than not being alone in this situation?'
As they cleaned, they ended up laughing and joking together.
The house, once cold and silent, soon came to life.
Minutes later, Matilda returned and joined them.
Not long after, everything was clean and organized.
Arthur was the last to take a bath.
In the kitchen, Sabrina and Matilda prepared dinner.
In the living room, Aron remained seated, lost in thought.
'I'm almost certain that the presence I feel… is the world's consciousness.'
'But the real question is… why?'
'Well, I don't think I can tell my parents about this, because it might involve the fact that I'm reincarnated.'
'But what if I don't tell them everything and keep just that part hidden?'
'No one would know I was reborn except me.'
'That's a secret I'll take to the grave.'
'But… what if I try to communicate with it?'
Aron thought for a few seconds, then decided to try.
He closed his eyes and focused on the faint presence that had always been there.
As the seconds passed, the sensation became clearer.
Closer.
More alive.
Until, suddenly, Aron felt something unexpected.
Surprise.
Joy.
But they weren't his emotions.
They were hers.
From the presence that had been by his side ever since it appeared.
Aron was surprised… and then decided to try something new.
[Hello?]