The First Steps

Chapter 19: The First Steps

Alden stood at the entrance of his newly built laboratory, a modest wooden structure with a sloped roof, nestled on the far side of the estate. Inside, the workbenches were already lined with tools, containers, and early prototypes of equipment that he had commissioned. It wasn't much compared to what he'd had access to in his past life, but it was his. And here, in this quiet corner of the estate, he would begin the journey toward unlocking the secrets of genetics in this world.

He stepped inside, running his hand along one of the workbenches, which still smelled faintly of fresh wood. Glass flasks and beakers sat neatly arranged on shelves, their surfaces gleaming in the soft sunlight streaming through the windows. He had even managed to acquire a few crude magnifying lenses, which were now placed carefully near the centre of the room.

It was a humble start, but for Alden, it was filled with potential. This was the beginning of something much larger than just a lab. It was the foundation of a scientific revolution—one that would transform this world, just as genetics had revolutionised the understanding of life back on Earth.

But he knew that for this revolution to take shape, he needed more than just tools and knowledge. He needed resources, results, and, most of all, patience.

The first days were filled with preparatory work. Alden began with the basics: cataloguing the local plant species and identifying the most promising candidates for selective breeding. He scoured the estate and nearby farms, collecting seeds from the sturdiest plants he could find—those that had survived the drought with minimal water or grown well despite the poor soil conditions. He made careful notes, drawing diagrams of the plants and recording their attributes, from the shape of their leaves to the resilience of their stems.

One of the crops that intrigued him most was a local variety of wheat. It was a staple in the region, but in times of drought, the yields had been notoriously low. He examined the wheat plants closely, looking for any sign of natural drought resistance. His plan was simple yet ambitious: through selective breeding, he aimed to create a strain of wheat that could thrive even in the harshest conditions.

He began by carefully choosing the healthiest seeds from the strongest plants. These he planted in small plots near the lab, ensuring that each plant received the same amount of water and sunlight. The process was slow, tedious even, as he had to wait for the plants to mature before he could harvest the next generation of seeds. But he was patient. He knew that true scientific progress took time.

In the evenings, Alden often found himself reflecting on the larger picture. He would sit outside the lab, looking out over the farmlands as the sun dipped below the horizon. The nights in this world were different from those he remembered on Earth. The stars here shone brighter, their constellations unfamiliar, but they reminded him of home. He couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the natural world around him, a sense that his work was part of something far greater than himself.

As he looked up at the stars one night, he thought back to the dream that had filled him with a vision of the future—a future where genetics was revered and respected for its beauty. It had been more than a dream. It had been a calling, a promise to himself that he would bring the same sense of wonder to this world that figures like Mendel and Darwin had brought to Earth.

The path ahead was daunting, but Alden knew he had the tools and knowledge to succeed. What he needed now was time—and, of course, money.

The first harvest came months later. Alden carefully gathered the seeds from the plants he had grown, noting the differences in their size, colour, and strength. Some had grown taller and stronger than others, while a few had developed deeper roots that allowed them to access water more efficiently. These, he decided, would be the foundation of his drought-resistant crop.

He selected the best seeds from this generation and planted them again, repeating the process. Each new cycle brought small improvements, but Alden knew that it would take years of careful breeding before he saw the full potential of his work. Still, even these early results were promising. He could already see the glimmers of success.

Word began to spread among the farmers. They had watched Alden's experiments with scepticism at first, but as his crops began to grow taller and stronger than their own, their doubts began to fade. Some even approached him, asking for advice on how to improve their own yields.

Alden welcomed the attention, though he was careful not to reveal too much about his methods. He wasn't ready to share the full extent of his knowledge just yet. For now, he was content to let them observe his progress from a distance, knowing that soon enough, his results would speak for themselves.

The seasons turned, and Alden's laboratory became a small but bustling hub of activity. He had hired a few local workers to help him with the manual labour, training them in the basics of plant care and selective breeding. Though they didn't fully understand his vision, they followed his instructions diligently, impressed by the growing success of his crops.

With each passing season, the wheat grew stronger and more resilient. Alden had started experimenting with other crops as well—barley, beans, and even medicinal herbs. He carefully documented every change, every improvement, refining his methods as he went.

But he knew that his work would soon reach a point where simple breeding experiments weren't enough. He needed more sophisticated tools, better equipment, and a deeper understanding of this world's biology. That was where the real challenge lay: blending his knowledge of genetics with the magical properties that seemed to infuse this world's plants and creatures.

It was time to expand his lab, to gather more resources, and to push the boundaries of what was possible.

One evening, as Alden sat in his lab, reviewing the latest set of data, a knock sounded at the door. He looked up, surprised. Few people came by this late.

Opening the door, he found a messenger from the capital—a young man dressed in the simple livery of the royal court.

"Lord Harroway," the messenger said with a slight bow, "I bring news from the capital. There has been interest in your recent… agricultural advancements. The court wishes to extend an invitation to discuss potential collaboration."

Alden's eyes widened. He had known his work was starting to attract attention, but an invitation from the capital was unexpected.

"What kind of collaboration?" Alden asked, trying to gauge the true intent behind the message.

"The court is eager to learn more about your methods, and there may be opportunities for funding and resources," the messenger replied, handing him a sealed letter. "I was instructed to deliver this and await your response."

Alden took the letter, his mind racing. This could be the opportunity he needed to fully realise his vision—a chance to gain the backing of the most powerful people in the land. But it also carried risks. The capital's interest could mean political entanglements, or worse, the theft of his hard-earned discoveries.

Still, he knew he couldn't afford to ignore the invitation. It was time to step beyond the confines of his estate and see how far his knowledge could take him in this world.

With a deep breath, Alden broke the seal on the letter, preparing for the next phase of his journey.