Wizard: Starting with Symbiosis with Algae

Lynn planted the tetrad algae next to the pile of rotting leaves by the hot spring.

He didn't have time to carefully nurture them bit by bit. So he decided to let them roam freely for a while first.

Just like some people on Earth raise yeast by putting it in a jar with some dough and then leaving it alone, that's also a form of cultivation.

It's so comfortable to be a hands-off boss like this. If growing vegetables in real life were as simple as in a farm game, that would be great.

..

Although they were free-range, he squatted there and looked around for a long time before choosing the spot.

At the vent of the hot spring, there's a spot where the sun shines just right. The advantages are abundant sunshine, a rich source of inorganic matter from decaying crops, and the hot spring itself spewing out small amounts of sulfides.

Other algae may not be able to adapt, but this place perfectly meets the growth requirements of Tetracystis.

He couldn't find a better place.

"We can't do everything ourselves, just like we do when cultivating giant blue-green algae."

He muttered something to himself.

Anticipating the potential crisis of writing it down and sending it.

Lynn decided to cultivate some humor.

After all, Hummus isn't always available.

Lynn felt a headache coming on just thinking about how carefully they cultivated the giant blue algae.

Let's stick to the most basic principles.

Only those who survive are qualified to be nurtured by Lynn's own nutrition.

"And potatoes."

Eating a little potato every day is a good way to regain your sanity. Don't forget potatoes!

He picked up the lamp, brought it close to the pile of withered potato vines, and lit them, leaving ashes scattered on the ground. This was to prevent fungal infection from direct contact.

Then elevate the potato seedlings with stones to prevent moisture and stabilize the temperature and dryness for sowing and germination.

As for production volume.

It's not too late to consider yield when it grows to the point where it can bear fruit.

The primary task now is to keep them alive, until the day he is qualified to talk about production.

After doing all that, Lynn walked back to the tall, red boulder.

The giant blue-light algae planted last time need to be cultivated again.

Although these blue-green algae are resistant to lodging, it's best to rely on them more in this harsh climate.

The absence of giant algae growing naturally on the plains may also be related to the lack of shelter.

Fortunately, he had a flight extension platform salvaged from the airship ruins. Although it was bent out of shape in some places, it was more than enough to stand up as a support.

He gestured to the flying rods. The flying rods immediately sprang into action, herding dozens of worms from one end of the boulder to the other, pulling them up and then around the top of the rock, using a pulley system to lift the flying platform.

Lynn held onto the plank, watching it slowly tilt towards the boulder.

He patted the soil off his hands and planted the fifty-six giant blue algae one by one on the edge of the slanted board and stone.

"Everything is ready here too."

……

Two days later, after finishing his work in the various caves, Lynn drove back to the experimental station.

It was noon, and the temperature dropped again. A layer of water droplets had formed on the doorstep.

Ruby was bringing out a large basket of worm metabolites.

The metabolites don't smell bad at low temperatures, but if the two of them leave them outside unattended, who knows what will grow there.

Ruby saw Lynn return, but didn't directly mention the worm metabolites.

Instead, he said with a slight hesitation

"We have news, news from the rescue team."

"They fell to the ground? And they're still alive?"

Lynn got out of the car, and the worms stopped as well.

These 25 worms were carefully selected by him; they were the ones with the best endurance, the fastest speed, and the strongest strength.

They've been the ones used to pull the cart these past few days.

Since the rescue boat crashed, there must be new supplies on the ground.

Anyway, nobody uses it.

What's wrong with letting his worm car lick the bag?

Lynn thought that if they could obtain the instruments prepared on their spaceship, or rescue the alchemy student named Joe, they might be able to send a message directly to their home planet.

Ruby snorted.

"Yes. They're alive, but don't just stand there. Help me clean up the waste first. There's another basin of it inside."

Lynn walked over and braced her knee against the bottom of the waste basket, taking half of the weight away from her.

The basket was heavier than expected. I wonder what these worms ate to excrete such a dense substance.

"Where do you plan to put these things?" he asked.

"Bury half of it, and I'll dry the other half with magic later, then put them all in the freezer." Ruby tilted her chin toward the cold storage.

Lynn followed her gaze and saw wisps of white steam seeping out of the freezer door, adding to the chill in the already cold room.

He saw several sealed food containers piled up by the door, with numbers crookedly written on them, one of which, marked "0.67," was placed on top.

"Lynn," Ruby suddenly spoke, her voice flat, but whenever she spoke in that tone, it meant there was more to come, "You're a genius, but you need to work a little harder."

"...What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about magic. You need to extend your chilling spells to the vines that entwine. What's the use of just blasting cold air at yourself? Only when the vines are coated with cold air do you have basic combat skills."

Lynn was silent for a moment, then nodded.

……

The two locked the door.

If you need to go to a distant place to rescue people, you absolutely must use the worm vehicle.

However, we must also consider the worms' limits; if they encounter low temperatures, worms can only be used as emergency food.

Once the temperature drops, the normally docile worms will become stiff, sluggish, or even enter a dormant state. At that point, they won't be able to pull a cart, let alone move at all.

Ruby prepared enough food for the two of them for five days.

We didn't bring many worms; they ate too much, so we had to replenish our supplies along the way.

Don't hand Lynn those small packets of powder; they don't look very appetizing.

Lynn secretly vowed that if he ever had the leisure, he would definitely use powder and worm heads to make a dish of stargazing.

He got into the car, pulled on the reins, and turned back to ask, "Everything's packed. So, what's the news from their side?"

"Actually, they did send a message, but the sound was very unclear; the equipment might have been broken." Ruby glanced down at the receiver on her wrist.

"But there is some good news: some of them are moving and should still be alive."

Lynn hesitated for a moment.

It's good to be alive, but not all of life is good.

To put it bluntly, he hoped the rescue team was unharmed and alive.

Either you have a useful disability.

Otherwise, they would have died.

Taking care of the injured will drain their energy. The weather is getting colder, which is not a good thing.

Lynn thought about many things, and when he looked at the small black box on Ruby again, he found that there was only a single point of light on it.

He immediately asked

"Why is there only one point of light?"

"I don't know. Maybe the three of them were together. Or maybe the other two died because they didn't have communication devices with them."

Lynn pursed her lips.

He decided not to ask any further questions, took a deep breath, wrapped the reins around his wrist, and pulled hard.

The worm kicked up a cloud of mud and, amidst the sea breeze and approaching thunder, sailed into the vast white wilderness.

"Set off!"