A week had passed since the villagers of Rivaris had celebrated the arrival of summer, marking more than four months since Anthony Blatchford had found himself in this strange new world. The sun shone brightly over the fields, casting a warm, golden hue over the village. The days were long and filled with the ceaseless rhythm of work, but there was a sense of fulfillment in the labor that Anthony had come to appreciate.

Anthony had experienced more than his fair share of hardships and struggles during these months. The initial weeks had been particularly challenging as he grappled with the unfamiliar language and customs. He recalled the countless nights spent pouring over words and phrases, determined to master Thelevan. The villagers had been patient with him, their kindness and support easing his transition. He had endured physical exhaustion from the manual labor, the relentless pace of life in Rivaris pushing him to his limits.

Yet, not all of his experiences had been difficult. The Emeric and Thalia’s family had taken him in, treating him as one of their own. Emeric, Thalia, and the rest of the children had become his new family, their warmth and acceptance a balm to his homesickness. Anthony felt a deep sense of gratitude and affection for them, a bond that had grown stronger with each passing day. He made it a point to show his appreciation, contributing to their household in any way he could.

He started with the most basic of chores, helping Thalia and Talia with household tasks. Sweeping the floors, fetching water from the well, and chopping firewood became his daily routine. It was a far cry from the life he had known on Earth, but it brought a sense of purpose and belonging. As his proficiency in Thelevan improved, Emeric began to ask him to join him and Lorkan on their daily hunting and farming activities. It was spring when he arrived, just before the start of the planting season. Emeric was initially hesitant to involve him, likely viewing him as a foreigner who couldn't even speak the language and whose appearance suggested nobility or royalty from a distant land.

When Anthony first arrived, Emeric saw a man who looked lost and out of place. His strange clothing and pale hair made him stand out like a sore thumb. Emeric was reluctant to burden him with work, not knowing his capabilities or intentions. But as he picked up Thelevan, Emeric realized he was more than willing to pull his weight. Communication is crucial during hunts, and once Emeric was confident in his language skills, he decided Anthony could join them.

Although he had adapted to his simpler life in this world, Anthony couldn't help but look back on his life back on Earth. At the end of the day, he was still just a foreigner here in Rivaris and, by extension, to this entire world. He would reminisce about the simplicity of his life back home—his routine of work, prayer, and study.

He grew up with his grandfather after his parents passed away when he was very young. His grandfather raised him with a blend of love and discipline, instilling in him a curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. He taught Anthony multiple languages: German, French, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic. It wasn’t always easy or enjoyable, but Anthony was obedient. His grandfather always reminded him that "curiosity is the mother of learning and that whatever you learn will become knowledge that will help you survive wherever you are because you’ll never know when you will be placed in a situation where you need to survive."

Aside from languages, his grandfather taught him a broad spectrum of subjects—history, cooking, carpentry, basic architecture and engineering, horseback riding, swordsmanship, archery, and martial arts. This rigorous education made Anthony somewhat of an oddity among his peers. Social interactions were challenging, and he found solace in video games, which became his window to the world.

In this medieval world, those skills had proven invaluable. His ability to speak multiple languages had given him an edge in learning Thelevan. His knowledge of history provided context for the new society he was now a part of, and his practical skills had made him a valuable member of the Blatchford household.

One particular memory stood out to Anthony, a conversation with Emeric shortly after he had gained a good grasp of Thelevan. Anthony had just started feeling comfortable with the language when he asked Emeric why he hadn’t asked him about himself or his identity. Emeric made a soft, almost mocking laugh before replying, "When me and Lorkan first saw you in the woods, you were unconscious and a few minutes away from losing your life because a Cervar was just a few meters away and it already saw you. When we rescued you, Lorkan almost lost his life because he had to bait the Cervar away from you so I could make the perfect shot with my bow. Everything happened so suddenly, and we didn’t have a prepared trap. When we finally killed the Cervar, the first thing we did was check if you were alive. Your hair was the first thing we noticed—it was a very unique color, like something out of the fairy tales we were told as kids. From your looks and the way you were dressed, it was clear you were a foreigner, possibly even nobility or royalty. Your inability to speak Thelevan only confirmed what we already suspected.

"You are not the first foreigner or outsider to come to Rivaris, and it is not our way here to ask outsiders about their circumstances. As long as you do not have ill intentions, we will leave you be. Thalia told me that you will surely be confused and alone when you wake up, so she wanted to take you in. I was hesitant at first, but we waited for you to wake up and we waited for three days. When you finally did, we decided to take you in. Since you did not seem like you would harm us, we left you be, knowing that you would tell us about your circumstances when you are ready."

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The conversation had stayed with Anthony, a reminder of the trust and acceptance he had found in Rivaris. He had come to respect and admire Emeric, seeing him not only as a guardian but also as a friend.

As Anthony stood in the fields, his mind wandered back to the present. The sun was high in the sky, and the air was filled with the sounds of nature. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, he had found a place where he belonged. Rivaris was not just a village; it was his home.

The day continued with its usual rhythm. After a morning of tending to the crops, Anthony joined Emeric and Lorkan for a hunt. The forest was alive with activity, and the thrill of the hunt was a welcome distraction from his thoughts. They moved silently through the trees, their senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement.

Hunting required a combination of skill, patience, and teamwork. Anthony had learned to move quietly, to read the signs left by animals, and to anticipate their movements. Each hunt was a test of his abilities, a chance to prove himself. Today, they were tracking a herd of Cervars. Emeric led the way, his eyes scanning the ground for tracks. Lorkan and Anthony followed closely, their bows at the ready.

As they approached a clearing, Emeric signaled for them to stop. He pointed to a group of Cervars grazing in the distance. Anthony felt a surge of adrenaline as he knocked an arrow, his heartbeat steady and focused. On Emeric's signal, they released their arrows in unison. The Cervars scattered, but several fell, struck by the hunters’ arrows.

It was a successful hunt. The Cervars provided enough meat to feed several families. They moved quickly to process the animals, ensuring nothing went to waste. Anthony was a quick learner, and his contributions were invaluable.

Returning to the village, the hunters were greeted with cheers and smiles. The meat was distributed among the families, and the atmosphere was one of celebration and gratitude. Anthony felt a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that he had played a part in sustaining the community.

As the day drew to a close, Anthony found himself sitting by the fire, reflecting on his journey. He had come a long way since his arrival in Rivaris. The village had become his home, and its people had become his family. He knew that there were still many challenges ahead, but he felt ready to face them. With the support of his new family and the skills he had learned, he was confident that he could thrive in this world.

The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the ground. Anthony looked up at the night sky, the stars shining brightly overhead. He felt a sense of wonder and awe, reminded of the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities that lay ahead.

The next morning, Anthony woke up early as usual. The routine had become second nature to him now. He stretched, feeling the familiar ache of muscles well-used. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, and he smiled, knowing Thalia was already up and about, preparing breakfast.

Joining the family at the table, he greeted them with a cheerful "Good morning." Thalia responded with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Emeric and Lorkan were already discussing the plans for the day, their voices a low murmur.

After breakfast, Anthony set out with Emeric to check on the traps they had set the previous day. The forest was still and quiet, the morning light filtering through the trees. They moved with practiced ease, their steps light and sure.

As they worked, Emeric spoke about his own experiences. He shared stories of his youth, the lessons he had learned from his father, and the challenges he had faced. Anthony listened intently, appreciating the glimpse into Emeric's life.

They found several animals in the traps, a promising start to the day. As they made their way back to the village, Emeric turned to Anthony and said, "You've come a long way, Anthony. You're a part of this village now, and we're glad to have you with us."

Anthony felt a lump form in his throat. He had found a place where he belonged, a community that accepted him for who he was. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Back in the village, the day continued with its usual rhythm. Anthony joined Thalia and Talia in the fields, helping with the harvest. The work was hard, but it was also rewarding. The sense of accomplishment at the end of the day was a feeling he had come to cherish.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, Anthony found himself standing at the edge of the field, looking out at the horizon. He thought about the journey that had brought him here, the challenges he had faced, and the friendships he had formed.

He knew that there were still many uncertainties ahead, but he felt ready to face them. With the support of his new family and the skills he had learned, he was confident that he could thrive in this world.

The day passed quickly, filled with the usual tasks and activities. By evening, Anthony was tired but content. He had found a rhythm, a sense of purpose, and a place where he belonged.

That night, as he lay in bed, Anthony thought about the future. He knew that his journey was far from over. There were still many uncertainties and challenges ahead. But he felt ready to face them. With the support of his new family and the skills he had learned, he was confident that he could thrive in this world.

He closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the night lull him to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and he was ready to embrace it.

The days in Rivaris passed in a steady rhythm, each one bringing new experiences and lessons. Anthony continued to adapt to his new life, finding joy and fulfillment in the simple routines and tasks. He grew closer to his adopted family, their bond strengthening with each passing day.