Chapter 27: The Magical Fruit, Peach

"Mage, is there really no way that I can help you?" Naby asked as she looked at the mage innocently. 

"Naby, that's not something you should be considering. Have you finished conducting the magical experiments that I gave you yesterday?" Upon hearing those words, Naby's face grew sullen immediately. Zhou Kun presumed that she had probably yet to finish it. Hence, she hurriedly left and scurried back to complete the experiments.

Zhou Kun and Hughie watched as Naby ran away like a flustered rabbit. Hughie continued, "Actually, I stayed here because I had been wandering for half my life. I wanted to find a successor for myself. My old friends have introduced a few talented children to me, but this manor made me change my mind."

"The kids here are so mature that it's distressing. When I first came, Nabi and the others were just as reckless as they are today. They tried to sell me the wild mushrooms they picked in the woods, and I suddenly decided to give it a try."

Hughie didn't tell Zhou Kun what he wanted to try, but Zhou Kun felt that Mage Hughie was definitely a kindhearted person. 

Naby, who had left in a hurry, suddenly turned around halfway, and carefully took out the peach that Zhou Kun had given her previously.

"Mage Hughie, this is the magical fruit that this gentleman gave me just now. I'm giving it to you. I hope it will help you."

Initially, Hughie didn't take it seriously. However, after he heard that Zhou Kun had casually given Naby a magical fruit, he was obviously surprised by Zhou Kun's identity. 

Each magical fruit is worth at least tens of gold coins. Yet, he casually gave it away to a stranger. What is the background of Mr. Cohen?

Although Hughie was surprised, Zhou Kun had no idea what the other thought about because he didn't know what a magical fruit was at all. 

In general, there were two types of fruit in the other world. One was the type that grew on magical plants. However, they were no different from ordinary fruits, so they were of little value.

Besides, the other world was tumultuous, and hence, the people of the other world preferred to maintain a stable life with a roof over their heads, clothes to wear, and a steady supply of food. Fruits and other things that couldn't fill their stomachs were not attractive to them.

There was also another type of fruit, which was the so-called magical fruit which contained powerful natural elements. For example, the dragon fruit that Zhou Kun brought to other world was rich in powerful elements of life. 

The magical fruits were rich in various elements. The magical fruits that contained the elements of wind, water, fire, and thunder were more common while those that contained botanical elements were the rarest. Before Zhou Kun brought the dragon fruit to the other world, magical fruit containing elements of life had almost never appeared. Even if there were any, they were definitely not as easy to reproduce, unlike the seeds of dragon fruit. That was the reason the dragon fruit caused such a huge uproar in Aomu Continent.

"Since it's a precious magical fruit, you'd better save it for yourself, Naby. After all, eating magical fruit will give you wonderful communication elements. It would be a waste to give it to an old fogy like me." 

"Teacher, since you don't want it, I won't eat it either," Naby said with pursed lips, making herself look angry. 

"I'll take a bite and have a taste of it. Naby, you'll have the rest," Old Hughie suggested. 

Zhou Kun looked at the two of them who were pushing the peach to each other, wondering to himself whether it was necessary. 

When I go back, I can bring a crate for each of you.

In the end, Hughie had obviously convinced Naby as the two of them decided to cut the peach open and split it between themselves. 

However, when Hughie's knife sliced through the thin skin of the peach, a familiar wave of botanical elements spurted out, and the peach juice flowed into the Old Hughie's hand together with the botanical elements. 

As a Botanical Mage, Hughie had sharp senses, and he could sense the botanical elements that were continuously flowing in his hand. 

What's going on?

Haven't all the botanical elements in my body been depleted?

Could it be that this magical fruit is providing botanical elements?

Hughie found that answer to be incredible. How much botanical elements must there be in the magical fruit in order for his magical power to be restored again? Is this possible?

"Mage, what happened to your hand?" Naby exclaimed when she saw a dark green pattern growing on Hughie's hand.

Botanical elements were continuously flowing in his hands. Hughie wondered what kind of magical fruit it was, and he also wondered if it was a fruit from the Tree of Nature. He immediately looked at Zhou Kun with surprise. 

Zhou Kun noticed all the changes in Hughie's hand. He initially didn't think much of it when he took out the peach to cajole Naby, but he now knew that he had made a huge mistake. 

After all, Two Thousand almost hanged itself from a tree for the sake of stealing a peach. He felt that he should have guessed the value of the peach earlier.

It seemed that the peach was highly effective for Old Hughie's recovery.

"Stop looking, almost all of the juice of the peach has flown away. Peaches are meant to be eaten when they're juicy. Don't save it for Naby, I will bring some for her next time."

At this juncture, even Naby could tell that the peach must have been a magical fruit of extraordinary value. It was very useful for her Teacher Hughie's recovery. 

At last, Hughie ate the peach while Naby watched expectantly. 

At the instant that the peach entered his mouth, Hughie felt that the long-lost botanical elements had unfolded in his body. That feeling was akin to that of taking a bite of ice cream on a sweltering day in summer.

The dark green six-pointed star on the back of his hand flickered again, and Hughie discovered that the botanical elements in his body that had previously been depleted, had more or less been restored.

 In the entire Aomu Continent, Botanical Mages were in the most awkward positions. 

The growth of all of the magical crops would require catalysis by Botanical Mages, especially for magical fruits. However, that was also the issue. 

In addition to advancing through meditation, mages of other elements such as wind, fire, water, thunder, and more could also strengthen their communication with the elements by consuming magical fruit. 

However, it was much more difficult for Botanical Mages who catalyzed the growth of magical fruit. Botanical magical fruits were scarce, and Botanical Mages could only improve their strength through agonizing meditation.

Besides, in terms of battle, Botanical Mages had weak foundations. During battles with other mages of other specializations, they also had to watch in pain as the other mages popped the magical fruit that the Botanical Mages had catalyzed, to induce magical power into their bodies. 

As such, Botanical Mages were gradually marginalized, and some even called the Botanical Mages 'senior farmers'. 

Hughie placed the core of the peach in his hand and stared at it with an intense gaze. 

The peach might likely change the awkward predicament that Botanical Mages were in. 

Due to such, after Hughie's magical power was restored, he did not meditate and condition himself immediately. Instead, he eagerly exhibited his magical power in a bid to catalyze the growth of the peach core in his hand.

Zhou Kun watched the movements of his hand and knew that things were going to go awry. He knew that he had once again brought something that would change the situation and dynamics of the other world.