《GOOD MORNING》 《TODAY'S WEATHER: CLEAR AND WARM》
《NOW FOR SOME NEWS: The town's festival is drawing nearer. Rumor has it the mayor will hold a friendly produce contest. The prize might include rare seeds.》
《LAST CHAPTER: Anya harvested turnips, learned the Turnip Stew recipe, sold some produce for coin, improved her relationships, and started planning for the festival.》
《MARKET BRIEF: EGGS - 45, POTATOES - 12, TOMATOES - 16, ONIONS - 10, RADISHES - 8, TURNIPS - 8》
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Anya woke to a warm morning sun pouring through the old farmhouse window. She stretched, feeling well-rested.
The festival was approaching in just under a week, and she wanted to make the most of every day.
She stepped outside and checked her fields. The onions showed more robust green shoots. The radishes had sprouted tiny leaves.
Potatoes, though slower, would come in time.
She took her watering can and, despite yesterday's clear skies, found the soil still decently moist from the previous rainfall.
Watering lightly, she focused on the onions. 《STAMINA: 100/100 → 95/100》 Simple chores, but the day was young.
She glanced at the main road. Traffic seemed more lively. A cart rolled by, the driver calling out greetings.
Perhaps more merchants were arriving for the festival. At the edge of her farm, a small bird pecked at the ground.
She smiled at the little sign of life—nature thriving alongside her crops.
Today, she wanted to secure more seeds and maybe explore the forest's edge. With the Turnip Stew recipe, she could restore stamina if needed.
She grabbed one of her remaining turnips and a pinch of Greenleaf Herb. After lighting the stove, she prepared another bowl of stew.
《COOKING SUCCESS: Turnip Stew x1》
She didn't eat it right away, preferring to keep it in a covered bowl for later use.
This dish would let her push further without returning home.
With her inventory sorted, Anya set off toward Westshire. 《INVENTORY: Turnip Stew x1, Coin: 61, Tools: Spade, Scythe, Watering Can》
At the town's entrance, she spotted Flora, the general store owner's younger sister, arranging a display of potted seedlings outside the shop.
Flora was quiet and kind, different from Colette's businesslike manner. They shared a resemblance—perhaps sisters or cousins.
Flora offered a shy smile. "We have new seeds today," she said softly. "Flower seeds and seasonal herbs. Might help decorate your farm for the festival."
Flower seeds? They could beautify the farm and maybe impress visitors. Anya asked about prices.
"Basic flower seeds: 10 coin per packet," Flora said. "Herbs are slightly more, around 15 coin, but they can add subtle flavors to your dishes."
Anya considered. She had 61 coin. Spending too much might limit her upgrades, but flowers at the festival might draw attention.
She decided to buy one packet of flower seeds. 《COIN: 61 → 51》 《SEEDS: Flower(10)》
These could add charm and maybe be used in cooking experiments later.
Before entering the store, she noticed Godric by a corner, speaking with Alice, the traveling scholar. She hadn't talked to Alice since the first day.
Curious, Anya approached.
Alice greeted her with a nod. "I've been chatting with Godric about rare ingredients. He says this region might produce plants that respond to magical auras."
"If you ever find strange variants—like a turnip glowing faintly under moonlight—let us know. We'll pay well."
Anya laughed softly. "I'll keep an eye out. For now, just normal crops."
Godric smiled thinly. "Normal for now. As your skill grows, perhaps your fields will yield surprises. Farming Level 2, I recall?"
"More levels might influence your harvest quality."
This hint intrigued her. Farming skill could affect crop quality. With enough work, maybe she'd get premium produce.
That could mean better prices or even unique recipes.
After parting ways with Godric and Alice, Anya entered Colette's store. She browsed through seeds and tools again.
She still had a decent set of tools, though the iron spade might be upgraded later. For now, she was content to save coin until after another harvest.
Exiting the store, she spotted Ademar leaning against a post. "If you're feeling adventurous, I've got a simple forest quest for you," he said.
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"The guild posted it. They want three Forest Mushrooms from the edge of the woods. The pay is 20 coin, and it's a low-risk task."
"Mushrooms grow under old logs near the forest entrance."
20 coin for mushrooms sounded fair. She had stew to restore stamina, and her sharpened scythe might help clear any brush.
"I'll do it," she said.
Ademar handed her a small note. "Bring them to me, and I'll pay you. Be careful, though. Sometimes small critters guard those logs. Nothing dangerous, just a nuisance."
Anya left Westshire and headed toward the forest path. On her way, she passed Linus, who gave her a nod.
"Going mushroom hunting? Keep your eyes low to the ground. Watch out for root tangles."
The forest entrance was quieter than she expected. Sunlight filtered through leaves, painting spots of light and shadow on the ground.
She advanced slowly, scanning for a fallen log. Near a mossy stump, she found one.
She knelt and lifted the edge, seeing three small brown mushrooms clustered underneath. Perfect. She reached in.
A rustling sound. A tiny creature hopped out—a sprite, smaller than her fist, glaring at her with beady eyes. It chirped angrily, probably upset at losing a snack.
She swung her scythe gently, not to harm, but to shoo it away. 《STAMINA UPDATED: 95/100 → 90/100 due to careful effort and stress》
After a brief standoff, the sprite fled, leaving her free to gather the mushrooms. 《INVENTORY UPDATED: Forest Mushrooms x3》
That was easier than expected. She returned to the path, feeling a hint of pride. She didn't need the stew yet.
On her way back to town, she considered future guild quests. If they remained this simple, it could be a steady income.
But as her rank rose, tasks might get harder.
Back in Westshire, she handed the mushrooms to Ademar. He counted them, satisfied. "Good job," he said, giving her a small coin pouch.
《COIN: 51 + 20 = 71》 "This also earns you a tiny bit of guild favor. Keep it up, and one day you might handle bigger tasks."
With extra coin in her pocket, Anya returned home. She planted the flower seeds along the farmhouse fence.
《STAMINA UPDATED: 90/100 → 85/100》 Gentle work, but still effort. She watered them, picturing bright blooms by festival time.
Maybe it would impress the judge or attract merchants curious about a pretty farm.
The radishes looked closer to harvest, their leaves vibrant. Another day or two and she could pull them up.
Onions would take a bit longer. Still, she was making progress. Farming Level 2 might speed growth, so maybe they'd be ready in time for the festival contest.
The fence repair she started yesterday was incomplete. She decided to finish it now.
Using the wood pieces and rope left in her inventory, she secured the loose boards.
《STAMINA UPDATED: 85/100 → 75/100》
The fence now stood straighter, giving her farm a more orderly appearance.
She took a moment to rest on the porch, sipping water and listening to distant sounds of the village.
With 71 coin, she had a small cushion. She could afford another tool repair or maybe buy more seeds.
But she wanted to wait and see what the festival brought. If she impressed people then, maybe better deals or special items would become available.
As the afternoon light shifted, she decided to visit Beatrice. The old villager had guided her at the start.
Maybe Beatrice knew secrets about improving soil or about the upcoming festival.
Anya found Beatrice sitting on a bench near the town well, humming quietly. She approached and greeted her.
"Good day, Beatrice. I'm getting ready for the festival. Any advice?"
Beatrice smiled, tapping her cane lightly. "The festival's produce contest values not just quantity, but quality and presentation."
"A single perfect onion or a flawless radish can outshine a heap of mediocre goods. Also, talk to Flora or Odile."
"Some herbal teas can boost a plant's vigor if sprinkled on the soil. Might cost you coin, though."
Herbal teas for crops? Interesting. That might yield higher quality produce.
She thanked Beatrice and considered Odile's shop again. She had 71 coin.
If she invested in something to improve crop quality, the festival prize might pay off. But she didn't know what the prize was yet—maybe rare seeds.
Rare seeds could mean rare dishes and higher profits.
She found Odile outside her hut, drying leaves. "Beatrice mentioned herbal teas for crops?" Anya asked.
Odile nodded. "I have Growth Tea. A sprinkle helps crops mature healthier. 15 coin per pouch. One pouch treats a small patch of about five plants."
Her radishes would be ready soon, but maybe she could improve the onions or potatoes. She decided to buy one pouch.
《COIN: 71 → 56》
《INVENTORY: Growth Tea x1》
Back at her farm, she sprinkled the Growth Tea on the onion patch. 《STAMINA UPDATED: 75/100 → 70/100 for the effort》
A mild herbal scent rose from the soil. She hoped this would result in plump, flavorful onions worthy of festival attention.
Evening settled softly over the fields. Emeric's distant lute music drifted from town, giving a gentle atmosphere to the day's end.
Anya took stock of her achievements:
Completed a guild quest for mushrooms, earning 20 coin.
Bought flower seeds to beautify the farm.
Acquired Growth Tea for the onions, aiming for higher quality.
Strengthened relationships through small tasks and conversations.
Expanded her cooking options with Turnip Stew still available in inventory.
Managed to save a decent amount of coin (56) going into tomorrow.
She decided to eat the Turnip Stew now to top up her stamina before bed, just to make tomorrow's start easier.
《STAMINA UPDATED: 70/100 → 90/100 after a nice meal》 She'd be well-prepared for morning chores.
Before sleeping, she flipped open the cookbook. New words formed:
"You nurture your land with care and thought. Experiment with dishes that combine multiple crops. As your skill grows, so does your culinary range."
"Soon, you may find recipes that boost not only stamina, but also farming skill or crop yield. Keep gathering ingredients."
This promise excited her. Combining different crops to create more potent dishes sounded like a key advantage.
She pictured a hearty vegetable stew or a fruit pie that energized her for hours. To achieve that, she needed more variety, maybe tomatoes or peppers in summer.
The year was still young, and many seasons lay ahead.
She placed her tools on their rack, coiled the rope neatly, and arranged the leftover wood. The farmhouse looked tidier now, reflecting her growing confidence and organization.
Outside, moonlight touched the newly planted flowers and the onion patch treated with Growth Tea.
She climbed into bed, thinking of tomorrow. Perhaps another job or a second forest excursion. Maybe chatting with Crispin about future tool upgrades.
Or visiting Mayor Lambert to learn more about the festival prize. Each choice carried its own potential.
For now, rest. She closed her eyes, listening to a distant lute chord fade into silence. The farm slept under starlight, seeds of potential planted both in the soil and in Anya's heart.
She drifted off with a calm certainty: she was building something real here, day by day.
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《STAMINA: ~90/100 (will reset closer to 100 by morning)》
《COIN: 00056》
《HARVEST: Turnips harvested previously, Radishes close, Onions improved with Growth Tea, Potatoes still growing》
《SEEDS: Flowers planted, adding charm to the farm》
《TOOLS: Old Watering Can (10/10) Iron Spade (5/10) Old Scythe (Sharpened, 8/10)》
《INVENTORY: Turnip Stew (used), Growth Tea (used), Wood pieces, Rope》
《SKILLS: Farming Level 2, Cooking Level 1》
《RELATIONSHIPS: Small improvements with villagers, guild favor earned》