[36.2] Welcome to FarmVille IRL

My mother nudged me awake, "Reika. Weren't you supposed to meet your little Prince this morning?"

I let out a groan, "At dawn…"

She glanced outside, "I think it's past dawn."

I sat up in a panic and looked outside.

"Crap!"

I shouted and jumped out of bed. I ran to my closet and pulled out the most comfortable outfit I had and threw it on.

My mother laughed, "I will make you something that you can take with you to eat."

I threw on my long socks and stuffed my wand inside. I rushed to the vanity mirror and brushed my hair quickly.

I slapped my cheeks, gave myself a once over, then ran out of my room, leaving behind a sleeping Zephyr.

I slid down the stairs and ran past the kitchen.

My mother shouted, "Grab your food first!"

I paused at the front door, turned around, and ran back to the kitchen.

I grabbed the sandwich and bit down on it to hold it in my mouth while I ran out of the house.

I'm sure he won't be upset that I'm late!

…Right?

He'd better not be!

I will have to use my womanly charms to make him happy.

I snickered to myself.

I should just use my womanly charms regardless.

I arrived at the Academy gate and found Cyrus already waiting for me.

I waved my arms as I ran over to him, "Mmfmmf mff!"

He pulled the sandwich out of my mouth, "What did you say?"

I wiped at my mouth and took the sandwich back, "Where's Caldwell?"

Cyrus calmly looked away, "It's just going to be us today."

"Do I need to summon my ice chunk?"

"There's no need." A carriage pulled up and he motioned to it, "It's going to be a bit far so I prepared a carriage."

I looked at him suspiciously, "Are you going to kidnap me?"

"How did you know?" He smiled charmingly and opened the door, "After you."

I gave him one more glance before stepping into the carriage with his help. He took the seat across from me and propped himself up to look out of the carriage's window.

Why does it seem like he's avoiding eye contact?

I continued to stare at him as I munched on my sandwich. Once I finished, I looked out of the window and watched as we moved through the town and eventually left it.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a secret."

"Hmm…"

I felt someone staring and turned back to look at Cyrus. My breath caught in my throat as his sapphire-like eyes stared at me, brimming with affection. I was at a loss for words as his lips curled into a seductive smile.

*ba-thump*

Wait… Ba-thump?!

Was that my heart beating just now!?

Shyly, I averted my gaze to look back out of the window. I watched as we eventually arrived at a vast farmland and stopped. I looked out in confusion, "Why are we at a farm?"

He got out and held out his hand with a faint smile, "To farm."

My face paled as I took his hand and stepped out.

As soon as we were out, an elderly man walked up to us, "Prince Cyrus! So nice to have you here to help us today!"

Cyrus smiled and shook his hand, "I've brought someone special with me. I hope that's okay."

Eh? Special?

…Well I am pretty special. I'm a master magician!

I snickered to myself and patted my own back.

The elderly man looked at me with a bright smile, "The more, the merrier! Come this way, I will show you the fields to harvest."

My smile fell.

Harvest!?

HARVEST?!

I looked at Cyrus for an explanation but he only smiled as he ignored me.

He's enjoying this, isn't he!?

The elderly man looked me up and down, "Your friend doesn't seem like she has farming experience… Are you sure she is up for this task?"

I glared at Cyrus.

Of course I'm not!

I'm lazy!!!

He laughed, "She may look weak, but she's a master magician."

My glare turned soft and I nodded happily.

The elderly man grinned, "Are you an earth attribute?"

My smile faltered, "Uh… Not really?"

He furrowed his brow, "Then what?"

Cyrus intervened, "She's an ice attribute."

The elder's smile fell, "Oh please don't use any ice! That will ruin the crops!"

"Don't worry. We can help by hand." Cyrus patted my back, "Isn't that right, Reika?"

My face twitched, "S-Sure."

I followed Cyrus and the elder out to the field and noticed that the majority of the villagers were elderly. However, they were still all bent over picking up crops.

I felt a bit nostalgic as I looked over the field.

It's exactly like the town where my mother, Patrick, and I once lived.

The Elder handed me a basket, "Here, Miss."

I grabbed it and started picking the berries in my section. At first, it was pleasant. No one minded if I put a few berries in my mouth.

However, my back began to ache as time went by.

Ughh! I'm not made for physical labor!!

There's got to be a way out of this!

I tapped my chin as I thought.

Okay, so I can't use ice magic since it will ruin the crops…

I can't use fire because I don't want to start a fire…

I don't understand how to use earth magic to harvest crops…

So what can I do?

My eyes brightened, "I got it!!"

Cyrus picked up his head as if he knew something was wrong. He looked at me in a panic, "Reika! Remember! These crops are their livelihood!"

I ignored him and twirled my wand. A burst of ice magic exploded from the tip of my wand and took the shape of farming equipment from my other world. The ice steamed and melted as it moved throughout the aisles of crops.

It collected the crops quickly and perfectly without ever setting anything on fire, or freezing anything.

After it collected the rest of the crops and put them all into their respective bins, it completely melted, leaving behind damp soil. I nodded with pride and put my wand away. I winked at Cyrus, "I collected the crops AND watered the seeds. You're welcome!"

The villagers hobbled toward me in excitement, "How did you do that?!"

I felt a bit uncomfortable from the attention, "Umm, well I just heated the ice so it wasn't too cold or too hot."

As the villagers crowded around me asking too many questions I looked over the crowd and noticed Cyrus smiling at me affectionately.

I blushed and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

I guess I did a good thing… But…

I really can't handle this many people!

I looked at Cyrus with pleading eyes and he chuckled before walking over to my side. He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. He smiled at the villagers, "I told you all that she was a master magician. That's exactly why I recruited her to be my Royal Magician."

They turned their attention to him allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.

One spoke, "I really hope you become King, Prince Cyrus!"

Another added, "That's right! Never have we had such support from Royalty. It would be perfect to have someone as compassionate as you!"

Cyrus listened to their chatter and responded genuinely to each person. I stared up at him impressed that he even had such excellent people skills.

I could never talk with people as smoothly as he does.

In fact, I can barely refrain from running away.