Chapter 5: The Seeds of Survival
The sun blazed mercilessly, hanging in the sky like a molten coin, casting its relentless heat over the cracked fields. Alden wiped the sweat from his brow as he knelt down, inspecting a stunted stalk of grain. Its leaves were brittle and pale yellow—yet this particular plant had survived longer than most. It had weathered the drought better than its neighbours. Alden's gaze sharpened as he made a decision. This plant would be the first.
He had been here for weeks, carefully observing the crops that had fared best under the harsh conditions. While some farmers had adopted the new techniques he'd introduced, it was evident that more drastic measures were needed. The drought showed no sign of easing, and even with improved water management, the current crops simply weren't resilient enough. They were fragile, relying too heavily on the rainfall that did not come. But Alden knew there was another way.
Selective breeding.
In his previous life as a geneticist, Alden had worked with crops at a molecular level, manipulating their DNA to enhance resistance to disease and increase their nutrient content. He didn't have the tools for that kind of precision here—no microscopes, no gene-editing technology—but the principles remained the same. Nature, if guided carefully, would provide the answers.
He ran his fingers along the stalk, feeling its texture, noting the slight difference in strength compared to the others. This plant had the potential to pass on its traits—its drought resilience—if carefully bred with other strong candidates. In time, he could cultivate an entire field of crops capable of thriving in these conditions.
He rose slowly, dusting the dirt from his knees, and carefully snipped the seed head from the stalk with a small knife. He placed the seeds into a cloth pouch at his waist, tying it shut with care. These seeds were precious. They represented the future, provided his plan succeeded.
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Over the next few days, Alden combed the fields, collecting seed heads from the hardiest plants he could find. It was a painstaking process, but one that filled him with a peculiar sense of purpose. For every ten plants that had withered under the oppressive heat, there was always one that stood a little taller, a little stronger. These survivors, as he had come to call them, were the key to his project.
In the evenings, he would retreat to the small chamber that served as both his quarters and his makeshift laboratory. By the flickering light of a single candle, he meticulously sorted the seeds. He laid them out on a worn wooden table, inspecting each one for signs of strength or weakness. The larger, more robust seeds were set aside, while the smaller, less promising ones were discarded. He felt a quiet satisfaction as he worked. This was something he understood, something that transcended both worlds. The methods of modern science could still be applied here, even without the tools he once had.
As the moon climbed higher in the night sky, Alden sketched diagrams on scraps of parchment, mapping out his plan. Selective breeding was a slow process—it could take seasons, perhaps years, to fully cultivate a new variety of crop. But Alden was patient. He knew that each generation of plants would carry the traits of its parents. If he was diligent, if he continued to select the strongest plants for reproduction, eventually the entire crop would be drought-resistant.
His mind raced through the possibilities. If he could create a strain of grain that thrived in dry conditions, it wouldn't just save the Harroway lands—it could reshape the entire kingdom's agriculture. If the drought persisted, other regions would fall into famine, while his family's lands could become a centre of food production. The political and economic power that would bring was immense. His family's influence would grow, and the Harroways would no longer be seen as weak, magicless nobles.
But that was still a long way off. For now, his focus was on the seeds.
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A few days later, Alden gathered a small group of farmers from the village. He stood before them with a sack of seeds at his feet, his voice calm but authoritative.
"I've been collecting these seeds from the hardiest crops in the fields," he explained. "These plants have survived the drought better than others. What I'm proposing is a method called selective breeding. By planting only the seeds from the strongest plants, over time we can cultivate crops that are naturally more resistant to these conditions."
The farmers exchanged uneasy glances. Alden could sense their scepticism—it was a radical idea for them. They were accustomed to planting whatever seeds were available, year after year, without considering the long-term implications. The notion of deliberately selecting seeds from only certain plants felt... unnatural to some of them.
Garret, the older farmer who had been one of Alden's staunchest critics, frowned. "So, you're saying we can just pick and choose which plants are worth keeping? How's that any different from what we've been doing all these years?"
"It's more focused," Alden replied. "You've always chosen which seeds to keep, but what I'm suggesting is being more deliberate. It's not just about saving seeds from any crop that produces. It's about looking for specific traits—like drought resistance—and ensuring those are passed on."
"And you think that'll work?" Garret asked, his tone more curious than combative this time.
Alden nodded. "I do. It's not a quick fix. It'll take time—seasons, even. But if we start now, we can see improvement by the next harvest. It's about playing the long game, investing in future yields."
The younger farmer, Roderick, who had been more receptive to Alden's suggestions, stepped forward. "I'm willing to give it a go. If we keep doing what we've always done, we'll keep getting what we've always got—nothing. At this point, anything's worth a shot."
Alden smiled at Roderick's words, grateful for the support. He bent down, opening the sack at his feet, and pulled out a handful of the carefully selected seeds. "These are the ones I've gathered. I'll show you how to plant them—rows spaced further apart to conserve water, with mulch around the base of each plant to retain moisture. And next season, when we harvest, we'll do the same—only keeping seeds from the strongest plants."
There were still murmurs of doubt among the farmers, but the tide was slowly turning. Alden could see it in their eyes—they wanted to believe him, to trust that there was a way out of the endless cycle of drought and failure. And for the first time in a long time, there was a glimmer of hope.
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The planting began the following morning. Alden worked alongside the farmers, his hands dirty with soil as they carefully placed the seeds into the ground. The air was still dry, and the sky showed no sign of rain, but Alden's mind was focused on the future. He could envision it now—a field of golden grain, resilient and strong, thriving even under the harshest conditions.
As the last seed was planted, Alden stood and surveyed the field. The process was slow, but with every generation, the crops would grow stronger. Nature, when guided by knowledge and intent, would yield results. This was the beginning of something new, something better.
And with that thought, Alden walked away from the fields, already planning the next step in his journey to reshape this world.
Chapter 6: The Dream of a New Era
The night was unusually cool, a welcome relief from the relentless heat that had plagued the region for months. Alden lay in his bed, exhausted from the day's work in the fields, his body aching but his mind alive with thoughts of the future. His eyes grew heavy, and he drifted into sleep, his thoughts dissolving into a deep, vivid dream.
In the dream, he found himself in a world unlike any he had ever known. Tall, gleaming towers of glass and steel stretched skyward, each one adorned with intricate symbols of life—double helixes, strands of DNA, the very building blocks of creation. The streets below were lined with lush, vibrant gardens, every plant meticulously cultivated, their shapes and colours reflecting the artistry of genetic design. People strolled among them, discussing the beauty of life's code with awe and reverence, their voices filled with admiration for the wonders of genetics.
Alden wandered through this dreamlike city, his heart swelling with a deep sense of belonging. Everywhere he looked, the intricate web of life's structure was celebrated. Artists sculpted statues inspired by the complexity of cellular division, and scholars discussed the elegance of genetic mutations with the same passion others reserved for poetry or music. It was a world where science and art were intertwined, where genetics wasn't just a tool for survival but an expression of beauty, creativity, and the essence of life itself.
He saw children studying plants in carefully tended greenhouses, their hands gently manipulating the genes of flowers to create new, vibrant species. Teachers spoke of Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin as pioneers, not merely of science, but of an entire philosophy of existence—a way of understanding the world as both puzzle and masterpiece. In the dream, Alden felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. This, this was the world he had always longed for. A world where genetics was not feared or misunderstood, but loved and respected for its beauty and potential.
The city was a testament to the power of knowledge, to the idea that by understanding the code of life, one could shape the future, not just for individuals but for entire species. Alden saw himself standing in the centre of a grand hall, surrounded by books, scrolls, and glass tubes filled with specimens. People gathered around him, listening as he spoke of the wonders of genetics, of selective breeding, of the untapped potential within every seed, every creature.
He was a guide, a leader in this dream, showing the world how to harness the power of biology to create something magnificent. It was a world where science could lead to prosperity, health, and beauty, where life itself was an art form to be perfected through understanding and care.
Suddenly, the dream shifted, and Alden found himself standing before a great tree. Its leaves shimmered with life, each one a unique expression of genetic diversity. He reached out to touch the bark, and as he did, a voice—soft and wise—whispered through the air.
"The world you seek can be built, but it requires more than knowledge. It requires vision, perseverance, and resources. To make your dream a reality, you must first lay the foundation."
Alden's eyes opened to the early morning light filtering through his window. The dream lingered in his mind, so vivid it felt as though he had truly visited that world. He could still hear the whisper, reminding him of the path ahead.
He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, his heart still pounding from the intensity of the vision. The dream wasn't just a product of his subconscious—it was a message. A reminder of why he had been brought here, to this world. The mysteries of genetics were as important here as they had been in his previous life, perhaps even more so. This world, with its crude understanding of magic and nature, was ripe for the discoveries he could make.
But he realised something else too: before he could bring the glory of genetics to this medieval world, he would need resources. Laboratories, equipment, books—he couldn't rely on the simple tools he had now. He needed a place where he could study, experiment, and share his findings with others. A place where the beauty of life's code could be fully explored. And for that, he needed money.
He sat up, his mind now racing with new plans. He had spent the last few weeks focused on the farmers, helping them weather the drought through selective breeding and practical techniques. But his ambitions went far beyond improving crop yields. He wanted to create a space where genetics could be studied and appreciated, where he could begin unravelling the mysteries of life in this world, as Mendel had done with peas and Darwin with his finches.
The question now was how to finance such an endeavour. Alden swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stared out the window at the early morning light. The Harroway family had land, but little political power or wealth. The drought had diminished their influence even further. He would have to look elsewhere for resources—perhaps in trade, or in some innovative venture that could quickly bring in enough gold to fund his vision.
Alden's thoughts turned to the surrounding cities and towns. There was opportunity out there—merchants, nobles, guildsmen. The wealth of this world wasn't so different from his old one: it flowed to those with influence, creativity, and something valuable to offer. If he could find a way to monetise his knowledge—whether through improved farming techniques, medicine, or even new magical applications—he could gather the funds he needed.
He smiled to himself, feeling a growing sense of determination. The path ahead wouldn't be easy, but that was true of any great endeavour. Mendel had been an obscure monk, his work largely ignored in his lifetime. Darwin had faced ridicule and rejection before his theories were accepted. But they had persisted because they believed in the beauty and truth of their discoveries.
Alden would do the same.
He rose from the bed and began to dress, his mind already forming plans for the day. First, he would continue working with the farmers, ensuring that his selective breeding project took root. Then, he would start thinking about ways to generate income. Perhaps he could sell some of the drought-resistant crops once they began to grow, or offer his services as a consultant to other estates. There were possibilities everywhere—he just had to seize them.
As he fastened the last button on his tunic, Alden paused for a moment, looking out at the sun rising over the fields. The dream still echoed in his mind, a reminder of the future he wanted to create.
A future where genetics was not just a tool for survival, but a path to understanding the very fabric of life.
With renewed purpose, Alden stepped out into the world, ready to take the first steps towards making that dream a reality.
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GOT IT