Tecnomagic Engineer

The day after constructing the lamps, I began the next phase of my plan: achieving greater food security. To maintain peak physical performance, I knew I would need a diverse diet. Relying solely on fish meat, as nutritious as it was, wouldn't suffice. My body required a wide range of vitamins and nutrients that couldn't be obtained exclusively from fish.

Thus, I decided to search for new food sources that could be cultivated near the cave. The chosen site needed to be close enough for me to monitor the cave entrance and ensure safety against potential threats. Since I had reinforced the cave entrance with a solid barrier and set up several traps around it, I could leave the area for short periods without major concerns.

The traps I devised were simple but clever, inspired by historical wartime tactics used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. One example was the spike trap: sharp pieces of Thalbûren embedded in the ground, camouflaged with vegetation. Near each trap, I left a distinct symbol only I could understand to mark its location and avoid accidental injuries. Another trap was the spiked branch: a branch covered in Thalbûren thorns, suspended high in a tree and rigged with an activation line made of Thalvarýn. If someone tripped the line, the branch would fall, potentially neutralizing or even eliminating the threat.

With these protective measures in place, I prepared to explore the surroundings in search of new food sources.

The Discovery of Nhalvyris

That morning, I set out toward the nearby lake, where I had previously noticed plants resembling Nhalvyris — or, as they were known in the knowledge I had acquired, rice. This cereal, commonly cultivated in wet regions, would be an excellent addition to my diet, rich in nutrients that would complement my existing food sources.

…Sound of wind rustling through the trees…

- "Alright, let's lock this gate.... So, my first stop will be the lake. If I'm right, I saw some plants there that look like Nhalvyris... If they are, this will be amazing," I said, closing the makeshift gate I had crafted to secure the cave entrance.

After walking for a few minutes, I spotted the plants.

- "Here it is! And it really is Nhalvyris! Look at all these stalks... This is great. I can create a planting field right here by the lake."

The surrounding terrain was flat and perfect for a small flooded field. I spent some time planning how to create channels to irrigate the area and promote cultivation. However, I would have to wait until the Nhalvyris grains matured before starting the planting process.

Satisfied with my discovery, I headed toward a denser part of the forest while keeping the cave entrance within sight. I knew that in dense forests, I might find plants like Tháliar — or, in my acquired knowledge, potatoes. Unlike many plants, their value lay in their edible roots, which also had magical properties for neutralizing toxins.

…The sound of wind…

- "Will I find any Tháliar here?... Hmm, they usually grow in many places. It's said in the books that you can find a Tháliar hidden in any green area because they reproduce and spread quickly. I remember, as a child, seeing proof of this when I ventured into the forest near my home. After just a few steps, I found some Tháliar plants there. But still, all I've found so far is poison..." I muttered, scanning my surroundings.

- "If I can't find anything else, I'll head back to the cave — it's starting to get dark," I said, growing tired of the search.

- "Sigh… Seems like today wasn't my day for finding vegetables, huh?" I said, casting one last glance around.

- "Wait a minute… I see you!" I exclaimed, excited to spot a plant resembling Tháliar.

- "Ha! It's a Tháliar," I confirmed, thrilled to have found one.

- "YES! The day's search was worth it. Now I can head back to the cave satisfied... What luck! WHAT LUCK!" I cheered, carefully digging up the Tháliar and storing it in my Thalvarýn backpack for the journey back.

Preparations for Planting and food storage

Back at the cave, I organized my findings. I placed the fruit tree seeds in water to soften their shells and facilitate germination. The Tháliars, on the other hand, were stored in a ceramic pot at an appropriate temperature to promote sprouting.

The next morning, I placed the Tháliars under the light of Estalyrion, as exposure to light would accelerate sprout development, increasing planting efficiency. The fruit tree seeds, however, still needed more time in the water to soften their shells before germination could occur.

While waiting, my stomach growled — it had been empty since the previous night. At that moment, I realized I had another problem to solve: food preservation.

- "If I keep fishing just enough for each meal, I'll waste a lot of time every day. I need an efficient way to store food and avoid waste," I said, placing a hand on my stomach.

As time worked its magic on the tree seeds and the Tháliar sprouts, I reflected on preservation techniques that could be applied to my current situation. It was clear I needed a practical, quick solution that used the resources available to me at the time.

- "Alright, while I wait for the seeds and sprouts to develop, I'll dedicate some time to planning how to preserve food. That way, I can store food for longer periods without relying on daily fishing or foraging."

…A few minutes passed…

- "I'VE GOT IT!" I exclaimed.

- "There's a technique known as the pot-in-pot cooler, or Zeer fridge, which uses the continuous evaporation of water to cool an inner container."

While explaining out loud, I used a stick to draw the concept on the ground and visualize the physical and chemical processes involved.

The pot-in-pot, or Zeer fridge, was originally developed in a place called Egypt. It's a simple yet ingenious method for storing and preserving food. It consists of two ceramic pots, one smaller nested inside the larger, with a layer of sand between them. This sand is saturated with water, and a cloth — made of Thalvarýn in my case — covers the inner pot. The continuous evaporation of water cools the central container, prolonging the shelf life of the stored food.

With the plan clear in my mind, I set out eagerly to build the fridge that would make my routine much easier.

I started with the basics: shaping the pots. Using clay and the Vothrial crystal, I crafted two containers — one larger and one smaller — ensuring enough space between them to accommodate a layer of sand. After shaping them, I placed them in the kiln near the cave entrance to fire them into durable ceramic.

While the pots were in the kiln, I went to find the sand I needed. After some time exploring the lake's edges, I found a good amount, but it was full of impurities. I decided to filter it with a sieve I had previously crafted, which I'd used for carrying clay during what I called "the cremation saga." First, I carefully washed the sieve, then passed the sand through it, removing larger stones and debris. I collected the clean sand into a bucket and, with some effort due to my size and age, carried it back to the cave.

Upon returning, the pots were ready but still hot from the kiln. I left them to cool while checking on the tree seeds and Tháliars.

First, I inspected the seeds soaking in water and noticed their shells had softened enough for planting. I removed them from the water, went to the designated planting site, and sowed them, keeping a good distance between each to ensure adequate space for growth. I then marked the planting area for easier monitoring later.

As for the Tháliars, I removed them from the light of Estalyrion to prevent the heat from harming the emerging sprouts, and stored them in a ceramic container for preservation until they were ready for planting.

With these tasks complete, I returned to the cave to rest.

- "Huff... Huff... It's already midday, and I've done so much… Huff… Huff... And I haven't even had lunch yet," I said, panting as I sat in the shade of the cave entrance.

- "This pot-in-pot fridge I'm about to finish will help me so much…"

After a few minutes of rest, I got up, eager to complete the project and finally secure a practical solution for preserving food.