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66.66% The Magic Arrangement / Chapter 18: Laying the Foundations

Chapter 18: Laying the Foundations

Chapter 18: Laying the Foundations

Alden stood in the wide clearing near the edge of the estate, his mind buzzing with anticipation. This spot, nestled just beyond the farmlands but close enough to the estate for supplies, would be the perfect place to build his laboratory. It wasn't much now—just a flat patch of earth bordered by trees—but in his mind's eye, it was already teeming with activity.

Though the mysterious object was gone, its absence had not broken his resolve. If anything, it had sharpened his focus. He would move forward, build his own research space, and lay the foundations for a new science in this world.

But first, he needed a plan.

Returning to his room that evening, Alden sat at his desk, grabbed a piece of parchment, and began writing a list. He drew on his knowledge of genetics and biology from his previous life but tempered it with the constraints of the medieval technology surrounding him. No microscopes, no automated equipment—at least, not yet. He would have to get creative.

List for Laboratory Construction:1. Tools and Equipment

Basic Cutting and Measuring Instruments: Scalpels, scissors, small blades, tweezers, rulers. These could be commissioned from the local blacksmith. The quality might not match modern standards, but with precise instruction, they could produce tools fine enough for his needs.

Magnifying Glasses: While microscopes were far beyond the technology of this world, magnifying glasses were within reach. He had already seen merchants selling lenses for reading; he could obtain or commission higher-grade lenses for detailed work. He'd need them to study plants and, eventually, cells.

Flasks and Beakers: Glassware would be essential. Fortunately, the local glassblowers had a decent skill level. They could produce simple flasks and beakers to hold various solutions, plant specimens, and other organic materials. He would need to be mindful of the fragility of the glass and ensure he had plenty of spares.

Clay and Metal Containers: Some experiments, particularly those involving heating or chemical reactions, would require heat-resistant materials. Clay pots and metal containers could serve as makeshift equipment for more rudimentary tasks, like fermenting solutions or mixing plant extracts.

2. Storage and Workspace

Shelves and Cabinets: His research would require a clean, organized space for storing plants, seeds, and tools. Local carpenters could construct sturdy wooden shelves and cabinets to store samples, equipment, and notes.

Workbenches: Flat, stable surfaces were essential. He needed plenty of room to work—whether dissecting plants, recording observations, or simply organizing seeds.

Drying Racks: Since much of his early experimentation would be with plants, drying and preserving specimens would be important. He could have the carpenters build racks for drying leaves, stems, and seeds.

3. Environmental Control

Temperature-Controlled Chambers: Here, Alden's modern understanding would meet the challenges of this world's limitations. He needed a way to regulate temperature for certain experiments—particularly for seed germination and cultivation. With careful instruction, he could fashion insulated wooden crates or chambers lined with clay to maintain a more stable environment.

Natural Light vs. Controlled Light: The greenhouse concept came to mind, but full-scale glasshouses were out of the question. Instead, he'd experiment with constructing a small space with adjustable panels to control light exposure. He could manipulate light with cloth coverings or thin wooden shutters to mimic natural cycles for plants.

4. Seeds and Specimens

Drought-Resistant Crops: This was one of his major goals. He needed to start with local grains, legumes, and vegetables—collecting seeds from the hardiest crops and using selective breeding to develop strains better suited to this world's harsher climate.

Herbs and Medicinal Plants: He would gather various medicinal herbs. Many of the local plants had magical properties, but Alden was more interested in their biological effects. With selective breeding and careful study, he might uncover new applications.

Soil Samples: His experiments with the mysterious object had shown that soil could be transformed in strange ways. Though that particular soil was now out of his reach, he could still begin experimenting with different soil types from around the estate to optimize growth.

5. Alchemy Tools and Techniques

Herbal Extracts and Potions: Though Alden's approach to genetics was grounded in science, he understood that alchemy was a prominent field in this world. He could adopt some of their techniques—like distillation and extraction—to create potions, balms, or even plant-based elixirs to assist his work. This wouldn't require much—only a distillation apparatus, which he could have fashioned by a skilled craftsman.

Incubation Chambers: Alchemists often used heat in their experiments, and Alden could adapt this for more scientific purposes. He'd start by using controlled heating sources, like enclosed hearths, to create incubation spaces for seeds or biological specimens.

6. Scientific Notes and Record Keeping

Parchment and Ink: Detailed records would be vital. Alden planned to document every step, every failure, and every success meticulously. He would need large amounts of parchment and ink for detailed observations, diagrams, and eventually, publications.

A Code System: To keep his work from prying eyes, Alden considered devising a personal code. He would encode his notes with symbols or languages from his previous life. This would ensure his most sensitive discoveries remained hidden until he was ready to share them.

7. Animal Specimens/Small Animals for Study: While his focus was primarily on plants, Alden was also curious about the fauna of this world. Selective breeding of livestock, or even smaller animals like rabbits or chickens, could lead to breakthroughs in their biology. He would need enclosures for these animals—nothing too elaborate, but secure enough to prevent escapes.

8. Laboratory Assistants/Local Helpers: Alden couldn't do everything alone. He would need trustworthy assistants to help him in the lab, whether it was recording data, preparing specimens, or simply helping with physical tasks like cleaning and organizing. Training them in the basics would take time, but it would pay off in the long run.

With the list in front of him, Alden allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. This wasn't going to be easy, and he knew that much of it would require time and effort, not to mention clever improvisation. But this was his start—his first step toward bringing a scientific revolution to this world.

He folded the parchment and tucked it into his satchel. The next step was putting it all into motion. He had the gold, the drive, and now a plan.

The following days were spent traveling to local towns and villages, commissioning the tools and equipment he needed. The blacksmiths were perplexed by his requests for such fine instruments, and the glassblowers shook their heads at the idea of making beakers and flasks to such specific dimensions. But with enough money and persistence, they began working on Alden's orders.

The carpenters were more straightforward—wooden benches, shelves, and drying racks were easily understood and quickly made. Still, Alden spent hours overseeing their work, ensuring that everything was precise and up to his standards.

The estate's farmers, now used to Alden's strange requests and methods, watched with mild amusement as he experimented with various soils, adjusting irrigation techniques, and testing how plants responded to the smallest of changes. Though many still regarded his ideas with skepticism, there was a quiet respect growing for his relentless drive.

Weeks passed, and slowly but surely, the lab began to take shape. It wasn't grand—not yet—but it was a start.


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Chapter 19: 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.


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