Lena was feeling very fortunate, more so than she had ever thought possible. Crouched in the fertile earth of Harmony's Refuge, she carefully pulled up one of the last Crimsonroots, her hands gently coaxing it from the ground. Around her, the halflings Finley and Tillo were equally engrossed in their work. Finley, with his meticulous attention to detail, was inspecting each root before carefully placing it in his basket. Tillo, meanwhile, who was the quicker of the two, darted from plant to plant and delivered them to Finley, his laughter ringing out across the fields as he joked with his close friend.

It had been about a week since the peculiar elves had visited Harmony's Refuge, an event that would have caused quite the stir in her old town, but here, it was just another in a series of extraordinary happenings. The recent harvest had been bountiful. The Sylphbeans had been collected, dried and assorted into sacks, while the Golden Grain had undergone its thorough process of collection, winnowing and threshing. Now, they were wrapping up with the Crimsonroots. Just in time too, as Serin, the local halfling merchant, was expected tomorrow with the wagons ready to collect the majority of their harvest. Lena couldn't help but feel that this yield was exceptionally good, even better than their first, perhaps a benefit of the territory's recent upgrade.

Pausing to wipe her brow, Lena reflected on her past. The time of her arrest now felt like a distant memory, a point where her life had seemed destined for an inevitable downward spiral into misery. Even before imprisonment, her life had become a comfy routine, a stolid drudgery toiling daily in the same kitchen. She remembered the initial excitement and hope she felt when she first attained the position as head cook in a noble’s kitchen. Having Peaked only a few weeks before, an initial burst of hope was kindled by attaining the role as it offered the rare chance to Ascend beyond her Common class - surely her new position would be worth of that! But alas, her hopes had slowly dimmed as year after year passed without the upgrade she had longed for. Eventually, she had resigned herself to a life of repetitive tasks, accepting her lot as just another Common Head Cook. Then came the fateful day when the noble’s son fell ill and her life took a dramatic turn, collapsing like a house of cards.

Reflecting on the upheaval in her life, Lena realized how a single event could unravel everything. Being framed for a crime she didn't commit was that pivotal moment. As Lena continued her hard graft in the soil, her thoughts meandering through her arrest and imprisonment they drifted to Joren and Bran, her companions during the escape. She wondered where they were now, what paths their lives had taken since that fateful day. Despite everything, she bore them no ill will. Their shared experience was a part of her past, a chapter closed but not forgotten.

Those dark days stood in stark contrast to the vibrant and purposeful life she now led. Admittedly, sometimes she missed the security of her former life as a head cook, despite its monotony, it had been a safe and comfortable life. But now she had been given a second chance, and whilst she personally had no room for growth now, that wouldn’t stop her putting all her efforts in helping the community thrive. This moment of reflection deepened her resolve. Grateful for the trust, Deo had extended towards her, even if she didn’t quite understand why, Lena knew she had to grip this second chance with both hands, to make the most of every opportunity in Harmony's Refuge. The past had taught her the importance of determination and the value of a community where she truly belonged. She was determined to build a life here that was not just about survival, but about thriving and contributing to the world around her. Besides, building a new life from scratch and embracing the settlers' spirit in the wilderness, was both refreshing and invigorating for Lena.

Shaking off her reverie, Lena brought her thoughts back to the present. There was much to do, and little time to linger in memories. She needed to ensure everything was ready for Serin's arrival with the wagons tomorrow. The successful harvest of Sylphbeans and Golden Grain, now safely stored in the barn, marked a milestone, but it was just the beginning. With the last of the Crimsonroots harvested, all the crops were ready for transport. However, they had to quickly reseed the fields to secure one final harvest before winter's arrival.

Lena approached Finley and Tillo, still inwardly plotting the activities for the next few weeks. "You two will need to oversee the seeding over the next week or so. Deo and I are planning a trip to the human settlement," she said.

Tillo replied with a touch of sarcasm, "Well gee, thanks for the thanks!"

Lena, cheeks reddened slightly as she realized her oversight in not expressing her gratitude first. "Ah. Sorry, I got ahead of myself there. You both have been fantastic since arriving. We wouldn’t have been able to get all these crops harvested in record time without you."

"Don't be silly, Tillo," Finley interjected with a chuckle. "She's clearly just entered Lena planning mode. Thank you Lena, we appreciate the comments and we can’t wait to get started on the next round of crops. Are you sure the earth can handle it?"

Lena nodded confidently. "Yes, the fields will be fine. After winter, we'll move to different fields to give these ones time to recuperate. But for now, take the rest of the day off. See you at the Hellhound tonight for the celebration!"

Lena pushed a wheelbarrow filled with the last of the Crimsonroots towards the barn. The sun was at its zenith, casting a warm glow over the now empty fields of Harmony's Refuge. As she unloaded the roots into the barn, she took a moment to survey the stacks of Sylphbeans and Golden Grain. The barn, once empty, now brimmed with the fruits of their labour, a tangible result of their communal efforts and the fertile land. She pondered the sheer volume of the harvest. With a thoughtful expression, she realized they might need a wagon for transportation if they were going to take some of the extra produce to the human settlement. Accessing the System, Lena quickly composed a message to Serin, asking if it would be possible to bring a spare wagon.

After ensuring everything was in order in the barn, Lena made her way back to her cabin. The plan for the evening was clear in her mind; Deo had requested that everyone convene at the Hellhound to celebrate the successful completion of the harvest. He had also indicated that he would be bringing a small token for them all, with emphasis on the small. Knowing that Thalen couldn't wait to unveil a swathe of new concoctions for the occasion, Lena felt a buzz of excitement. But now it was time for her to prepare a surprise on her own.

As she walked back towards her cabin, her mind already turning to the evening's festivities, Lena noticed Caelum lounging outside the house he shared with Thalen, engrossed in a book.

“Hey Caelum, I’m baking a little surprise for tonight. Want to help? You don't have to if you're busy,” Lena called out, nodding towards his book.

Caelum's face brightened with enthusiasm. “Sure, Auntie Lena,” he replied, bookmarking his page and springing up to follow her inside.

In her cabin, Lena started gathering the essentials for the baking projects. She pulled flour, butter, and sugar from the shelves, setting them on the counter with practiced ease. Caelum watched eagerly, ready to assist in creating the baked surprise for the evening's celebration at the Hellhound. Next, Lena placed two large mixing bowls on the counter, weighed out the required proportions and began to explain the process to Caelum.

"We'll make something simple but special for tonight," she explained to Caelum, who listened intently. Demonstrating the process, she added, “First, put the flour, butter, and sugar in the bowl and mix them with your hands until it resembles little crumbs of bread.” Her hands skilfully combined the ingredients in her bowl with swift, precise movements.

Caelum tried to mimic her, but his mixture was less cooperative, sticking to his fingers in clumps. Seeing his struggle, Lena offered, “Do you mind if I use a skill, Caelum? We’re a bit pressed for time.”

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“Sure?”, Caelum said in a questioning tone, as if wondering how a skill could help.

Standing next to him, Lena activated her Follow My Lead skill. Suddenly, Caelum's hands began moving of their own accord, his movements instantly becoming smoother and more effective, mirroring Lena’s.

"What was that?" Caelum asked, amazed at his sudden proficiency.

“That’s a trick from my Head Cook days. It helps me guide my Sous-Chef,” Lena replied with a chuckle, playfully ruffling his hair.

“Hey, watch the flour! I just washed my hair in the lake,” Caelum protested, trying to shake perceived flour out of it.

Lena waggled her pristine fingers in front of Caelum and winked. “Another one of my skills,” she teased, getting back to their task with a smile.

Soon enough, the two of them had transformed their mixtures into perfect dough, ready for the next step. Sprinkling flour over the counter, Lena guided Caelum through the next steps. “Now, we roll out the dough,” she instructed, showing him how to flatten it to the perfect thickness. They worked in tandem, rolling the dough smoothly across the floured surface.

Next came the fun part. “Time to carve some shapes,” Lena said, picking up a pair of small, sharp knives and handing one to Caelum. They both carefully carved out shapes from the dough, Lena guiding Caelum's hand to help him make cleaner cuts. Soon they had a try full of hand-carved shapes, with Lena cutting intricate Hellhounds and elegant feline figures, while Caelum professed pride in his detailed tree, pickaxes and a bulky forge.

With a tray full of their hand-carved creations, Lena carefully placed it her clay oven. “Now we wait for them to bake,” she said, her kitchen soon filled with the warm, comforting aroma of baking dough. She spent a few more minutes chatting with Caelum before he left to resume his reading.

Before long a mouthwatering set of biscuits were sitting on the counter. Suddenly Lena’s door creaked open, and as she peered over nobody strode into view. As a slight amount of alarm began to build, she heard a low huffing noise emanating from the entrance. Within seconds, the fiery form of Pyro creeped into view, his face hovering just above the ground, avidly sniffing the enticing smells originating in her kitchen. Shaking her head slightly at her brief, unfounded alarm, Lena headed over to Pyro affectionally stroked his head. "And how can I help you, sir?" she asked with a smile.

Pyro responded with an eager, far louder, sniff, his amber eyes now fixated on the counter where the fresh biscuits lay. Lena playfully admonished him, "These are a surprise for later. You can't tell anyone!"

Pyro turned his head towards Lena, his eyes wide, conveying a mix of hope, anticipation and a touch of mischief. Lena met his gaze, and the earnest look in his eyes melted any resistance she had. "Alright fine, one for you, but it's our secret, okay?" she relented, a smile tugging at her lips. Pyro bowed his head in assent and his tail began to wag furiously. Lena plucked a biscuit off the counter and tossed it into the air. Pyro, with his impressive agility, caught it mid leap. With his plunder secured, he made a swift exit, leaving Lena chuckling at his antics.

Arriving at the Hellhound later that evening, Lena was greeted by a lively scene. The entirety of Harmony’s Refuge, barring Deo and Pyro, were already in attendance, engaged in various activities. Thalen was behind the bar, unusually animated as he conversed with Freya, sporadically gesturing towards a drink clasped in her hand. Beside them, Caelum was, once again, absorbed in a book. Meanwhile, the remaining Embercore dwarves and the two hafling farmhands, Finley and Tillo had commandeered the largest table and were deep into a boisterous game of cards.

However, the activities swiftly paused as Lena entered into the tavern carrying a wicker basket. The enticing aroma from the basket quickly drew everyone’s attention and Lena, or more specifically, the basket of biscuits, was soon the centre of attention. Freya, with her usual gusto, was the first to approach. "Ah, Lena’s famed baked goods," she exclaimed, making her way towards Lena with purpose.

Lena, acknowledged Freya's enthusiasm and corrected, "Not just mine - Caelum helped me out today." At the mention of his contribution, Caelum's cheeks tinged with a blush as the attention of those gathered switched to him.

The biscuits were quickly laid out on a nearby table and were met even quicker with eager hands. Freya playfully claimed the largest biscuit, nudging aside Braldin, "I'll take the forge. I know you're the blacksmith, but it’s the biggest one, so you’ll just have to live with it." Meanwhile, Caelum, set aside a few biscuits, reserving them for Deo and Pyro.

Thalen, wiping his brow from the heat of the busy tavern, guided Lena to the bar. "You have to try my latest brew, Lena!" he insisted, handing her a tankard filled with a sweet-smelling liquid. "I've named it Harvest’s End," he said with pride, sharing his creation with her. Thalen eagerly revealed the details of his latest brew with Lena as he described the careful selection of ingredients and the meticulous brewing process that had been required. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Lena found herself genuinely intrigued by the complexity of brewing.

As Lena mingled with the tavern's patrons, she stopped to chat with Freya and Hilda about their mining endeavours.

Hilda, with a tone of satisfaction, detailed their recent achievements. "We've been steadily stockpiling copper and tin, which Braldin and Kiera are already putting to good use," she explained. "But the real game-changer will be the arrival of the heavier equipment from Embercore."

Freya chimed in, "Yeah, we've detected some promising iron deposits. Once we have the right gear, we can start extracting it. It's a big step for us."

Braldin, who had been listening, leaned in. "Iron is a game-changer," he said eagerly. "I've got plans for tools and equipment that'll not only aid the mining but also help with building and crafting around the Refuge."

Hilda nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and anticipation. "If everything goes as planned, we should be extracting iron by next month. It's going to open up so many possibilities for all of us."

As Lena continued to discuss details of mining with the dwarves, the door swung open, and Deo entered with Pyro by his side. The room’s chatter quieted as Deo raised his staff, sending a brief burst of flame into the air, instantly drawing all eyes to him.

"Sorry for the dramatic entrance," Deo began, his voice resonating warmly through the tavern. "I wanted to gather everyone's attention and, if I may, trouble you with a brief speech."

The crowd listened attentively as Deo expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you all for joining us at our inaugural Harvest's Feast. Each one of you has played a vital role in building Harmony's Refuge." He then went through the group and named each individual member and their contributions to the territory.

“While I can't shower you with riches now, as we grow, I hope to reward your efforts more generously," he continued. Then, with a flourish, he produced a sack from behind his back, reaching inside to reveal a handful of plums. "But for now, what's better than riches? Fresh plums!" he exclaimed, tossing them into the crowd. The tavern erupted into laughter and thanks as the residents caught and savoured the sweet fruit.

In a corner, Lena watched as Braldin bit into a plum, then set it down in favour of another biscuit, while Kiera rolled her eyes at his choice, amused. The revelry at the Hellhound continued late into the night, with Thalen and the dwarves gradually becoming more inebriated. Tillo and Finley had successfully drawn Caelum into a spirited game of darts, a pastime they had brought from Willowdale. The tavern echoed with joy, clinking glasses, and Thalen's innovative drinks. The moon's ascent bathed the tavern in a serene light, yet the ambiance inside remained warm and energetic.

Late into the night, Lena found herself deep in conversation with Deo about their upcoming trip to the human settlement. However, as midnight struck, Lena was interrupted by a system notification. Deo, noticing her abrupt pause, asked with concern, "Everything okay, Lena?"

"It's fine, Deo. I just forgot that it’s my Ascension Day tomorrow. Well, today. Now. I won't let it ruin tonight. I'm just so happy to see our community thriving together," Lena replied, trying to maintain her cheerful manner despite her surprise, while Deo frowned slightly at her words. As she went to dismiss the notification, she froze, captivated by the words hovering before her and she felt all the blood drain from her face.

[Congratulations! You have qualified for a Class Ascension! You have 1 Uncommon Class available to ascend to. Would you like to view your option now?] [Y/N]

“"I've actually done it, I've made it above common," Lena whispered to herself, a mix of disbelief and excitement in her voice. She eagerly continued on.

Uncommon:

1. Land’s Steward: This class represents the essence of nurturing and safeguarding a territory and it’s land. As a Land's Steward, you gain a profound connection with nature, allowing you to effectively cultivate and protect your surroundings and efficiently organize a busy territory. Unlocked due to your title Faithful Retainer, and the trust bestowed on you by a Legendary Class holder.

[Do you wish to ascend to the Land’s Steward class?] [Y/N]

Lena immediately responded, "Of course. Of course, I want to ascend," she muttered as she accepted her new class. Upon acceptance, a brilliant light enveloped her, cascading down in a mesmerizing display. She felt a surge of energy and a deepened connection to the land around her, as the light intensified, signifying her ascension to the Land's Steward class.

When the light receded, the group in the tavern looked on in awe. But as the onlookers began to make their way towards her, realisation began to dawn on her. “Wait – Legendary class holder?” as she turned to Deo, her emotions roiling.