A Tour of the New Facility

The effects of the Great Release were immediately apparent. When Leo visited the Sanctum the next morning, his garden was a scene of hyper-accelerated growth. With eight fairies now zipping about, each lending their unique energy to the soil, the place had transformed. His original carrot and tomato patches were already regenerating. The apple tree looked thicker, sturdier, its leaves shimmering with a more pronounced silvery sheen.

But Leo knew he couldn't rely on just the fairies' magic. He needed to scale up his infrastructure. With the "angel investor" card burning a hole in his pocket, he had spent the previous evening making a series of significant online orders.

On his next trip to the agricultural supply store, he didn't just buy one sapling. He bought five more apple trees, five pear trees, and five peach trees. He also bought seeds for a dozen new types of vegetables: bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and various herbs like basil and rosemary. Project Eden was entering its commercial farming phase.

Planting the new orchard and expanding the garden took the better part of a day, but he wasn't alone. As if sensing his intent, Elara appeared, this time with a small retinue of four other elves. They didn't need to be asked. They simply picked up the spare tools Leo had brought and began to work alongside him, their movements a symphony of efficiency and grace. Elara worked closest to him, their silent collaboration now a familiar and comforting routine. With their help, the massive task was completed in a matter of hours.

Later that week, it was time to inspect his new Earth-side headquarters. Evelyn had been true to her word. Her people had secured a medium-sized warehouse for him in a discreet industrial park on the edge of the city.

Frank drove him over in his pickup truck. "Get ready, son. It ain't the garage."

It certainly wasn't. The warehouse was a clean, modern, concrete-tilt-up building with two roll-up loading docks, a cavernous main floor, and a small, attached office space. It was professional. It was real.

Inside, Maria, his hyper-efficient second employee, was already directing the setup. The four new workers Evelyn had vetted—all quiet, professional, and unnervingly discreet—were assembling industrial-grade shelving and stainless-steel packing stations. Pallets of empty Clarity bottles and shipping boxes were neatly stacked against one wall. It was the fulfillment center he had dreamed of, brought to life with stunning speed.

"Good morning, Leo," Maria said, handing him a clipboard. "The inventory from your previous location has been transferred. The refrigeration unit for the produce will be installed this afternoon. We project being fully operational by tomorrow."

Leo was speechless. "This... this is amazing, Maria. Thank you."

"Efficiency is the goal," she replied with a curt nod.

Frank clapped him on the shoulder, a huge grin on his face. "Told you she was good. We're a proper company now, kid."

Leo walked through the space, taking it all in. This was his. He had built this. The scale of it was almost overwhelming. It was a long way from a dingy apartment and a single thrift-store bowl.

He went to check out the small office area. It had a desk, a couple of chairs, a filing cabinet, and its own small, private bathroom. A simple, industrial-style bathroom with grey tiles and a metal door.

Leo stared at the door.

A jolt of excitement, a familiar spark of adventurous opportunity, shot through him. A new door. In his new place of business. What wonders—or horrors—lay on the other side?

He had his door to the Sanctum at his house. He had his door to the Plaza of Wonders in his master bathroom. This new one was a complete wild card. It could lead anywhere.

He casually closed the office door, shutting out the noise of the warehouse setup. He needed to know. He reached out, his hand hesitating for just a moment over the cool metal doorknob. The possibilities were intoxicating. A new city? A different forest? A mountain peak? An underwater kingdom?

This was more than just a convenient new portal. This was a dedicated industrial gateway. Whatever was on the other side, he could potentially access it with the full logistical support of a warehouse. It was a corporate asset of unimaginable value.

With a deep breath and the heart of a true explorer, Leo turned the knob and opened the door.