“Heavens... When am I gonna finish weeding this damn field?” Ethan Harrison chewed on a stalk of wild grass, staring at the massive herb patch stretching out a hundred feet ahead. His tone was full of frustration.

After a whole hour of back-breaking work, he’d only cleared a quarter of it. Sweat soaked through his clothes, and his back screamed in protest.

Grrr...

His stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. Since morning, he’d only had a fist-sized bun. Now he was so hungry it felt like his ribs were hugging his spine.

“Huh? What’s this?” Ethan’s gaze landed on a small red fruit nestled among the herbs—about the size of an egg, oval-shaped and bright crimson. He picked it up, sniffed it. A faint sweet scent.

He glanced around. No one. Licked his dry lips, wiped the fruit on his sleeve, and tossed it into his mouth. Coolness spread through his whole body. He let out a breath—comfortable. Even his mind seemed clearer.

After resting a bit, he got back to work. He had to finish half the field before lunch if he wanted any chance of completing the job by day’s end.

Just as he yanked up a weed, his hand slipped and pulled a five-leaf herb along with it. Damn it. If Lucas Lawrence caught wind of this, he'd dock more than half his pay this month.

While Ethan cursed under his breath, a voice suddenly echoed through his mind.

“Six-leaf Fragrant Herb. Grade Two. Spicy taste, cold nature…”

“What the—? Who said that?” Ethan jumped, eyes darting across the empty field. Nothing. Just him.

He stared at the herb in his hand, confused. Didn’t he just grab a five-leaf? Why’d his head say six-leaf? And with such clear info, too? That was weird. Six-leaf was worth way more than five-leaf.

He smacked his own forehead. Maybe he was just too hungry and hallucinating. But he wasn't convinced. So he pulled another five-leaf herb.

“Five-leaf Fragrant Herb. Grade One. Bitter taste, neutral nature…”

Again, the voice rang inside his skull.

Ethan froze, then whooped with joy. He jumped like a madman, grinning from ear to ear. “Hahaha! I’m rich! This is it!”

Somehow, he’d gained the ability to identify herbs just by touching them.

As he buzzed with excitement, loud footsteps approached.

“Elena, just tell me what herbs you want. Why bother coming to this filthy place yourself?” a disdainful male voice floated over.

“Brother Matthew, just call me junior sister.”

Hearing someone nearby, Ethan stopped dead and turned around. His limbs stiffened. The herb in his hand slipped to the ground.

It was her—Elena Lawrence. The fairy in his dreams.

She wore a flowing pale dress today, hair cascading down her back. Her features were soft, refined, a touch of makeup adding to her ethereal charm. Like a lotus in the rain—pure and untouchable.

She drew closer with each step, until she stood right in front of him.

“I need ten five-leaf Fragrant Herbs. Here’s Elder Locke’s token. He said I could pick them from the field directly.” Her voice was light, like wind through leaves.

Ethan nodded stiffly. He never imagined the goddess of his daydreams would one day speak to him like this."Hey! I'm talking to you! Quit standing there like an idiot—hurry up and pick some herbs for us!" The man beside Elena Lawrence snapped, clearly irritated by Ethan Harrison’s dazed expression.

"Huh? Herbs?" Ethan blinked, not even hearing what was said. All he could focus on was the fairy-like girl he’d admired for so long. His mouth was dry, heart pounding wildly.

"Forget it. Step aside!" the man said, dismissively shoving Ethan to the side. "Can’t believe the sect keeps bringing in useless people like you. Can’t even do basic chores. Elena, let me help you find the Five-Leaf Fragrance Herb. I know this one well."

That man was Matthew Carter, a core disciple of the Apothecary Sect. He'd been chasing after Elena for quite a while now, and this outing was obviously another chance to get close to her.

He threw Ethan a scornful glance before striding forward. Elena hesitated a moment, then followed.

When they were a few steps ahead, Ethan snapped out of it and quickly caught up. This might be the only chance he had to talk to the person he liked.

Matthew was already picking herbs in the field. In no time, Elena had gathered ten stalks. But in her rush, one slipped from her hand and landed right in front of Ethan.

Ethan bent down, picked it up, and handed it back to her. She gave him a small smile in thanks.

Matthew shot Ethan a look of disgust, then turned to Elena with a flattering tone. "Elena, we’ve got enough Five-Leaf Fragrance Herbs. Let’s head back—any delay weakens the effects."

Ethan frowned. When he picked up the herb, a voice in his head had clearly identified it as a Six-Leaf Fragrance Herb.

"Uh, Sister Elena... one of those isn’t a Five-Leaf Fragrance Herb," he said hesitantly.

"What did you say? You’re just a laborer! If you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut up! What else could it be?" Matthew snapped, glaring. If he’d picked the wrong herb, and this lowly errand boy called him out in front of Elena, his face would be thoroughly slapped. He couldn’t afford that.

"I’m not making it up!" Ethan stood his ground. "The top one—it’s a Six-Leaf Fragrance Herb."

Elena frowned slightly and took a closer look. It sure looked like the Five-Leaf. But Ethan didn’t seem like he was lying… Had she made a mistake?

"Even though it’s just one more leaf, there’s a big difference in medicinal effect between the two," Ethan said, his voice calm but firm.

Matthew stepped between the two, face darkening. "Who do you think you are? Stay in your place and pull your damn weeds! One more word and I’ll make you regret it!"

Ethan’s chin lifted, voice hard. "So what if I’m just a laborer? That doesn't mean I don’t know herbs. From where I stand, you’re the one who doesn’t know anything."

"You think I don’t?" Matthew laughed coldly. "I’m a core disciple. A Level-One Alchemist! And you—a nobody—dare talk back?"

He raised his hand, ready to strike Ethan across the face.