Alex felt a sharp ping going off in his mind, waking up to a new pop up on the system screen.
[Good morning: Today's date is 1st Autumn 6, the time is now 0630. Weather forecast for the day will be sunny with a small chance of cloud coverage.]
[New Notifications]
“Well that’s not fair” Alex grumbled, hoping to sleep in a little bit for once. Waving off the screen, Alex got out of bed, stretching as he walked towards the window. The warm fall sun warmed him after the cool evening before had left a slight chill. Taking a look out at the new surroundings of his home, he was reminded just how work he was in for. The abundance of vines, weeds and fallen limbs cluttered the far expanse of field before him. He would get started with that momentarily, for now he decided that he would take care of some business that's been needing addressed for a while now, Breakfast. Walking out towards the hallway, he headed straight for the Kitchen.
Making his way downstairs, past the worn out hallway he found the small kitchen in the back of the house. Just as worn out as the rest of the house he found an old style wood burning stove, sink, and old model fridge to one side of the room. Continuing his survey he turned and found the pantry filled with a few staples: A container of flour, some seasonings like salt, dried garlic, sugar, and some dried beans.
“Not a lot of choices for breakfast,” Alex mused to himself. Not hearing the light footsteps approaching from behind.
“You're telling me,’ Eve sighed in response, causing Alex to jump a little. “Easy there, killer. I'm not going to hurt you.” she could only laugh as she found Alex in some kind of fighting pose after walking up behind him.
“Sorry, I forgot I wasn't alone in this house for a minute there.” Alex breathed embarrassed as he readjusted himself again. “Haven't had a roommate in a long time really.”
Watching her shake her head in bemusement, Alex continued as Eve walked towards the fridge and checked inside. “Not much in here either except some sweet rolls, guess we can eat that and I’ll go check the forest for anything edible while you work on the field?” She suggested to him, as she then grabbed the plate, and sat down at the kitchen table.
Alex, now smiling, joined her at the table. “Sounds like a good plan. "He answered in return. It really was a good plan, Alex knew next to nothing about how similar this world's flora was in similarity to his own. Where he may have used a great deal of forage able ingredients in his old life, There was one factor to consider that could throw a wrench into any ideas Alex may have, Magic. Magic was a very powerful force governing this world, and Eve volunteering for this role really put him at ease. He also considered that she didn't want to be out all day in the field trying to clear out everything with her new three foot stature to deal with.
Realizing a few things from earlier as well Alex felt it was best to ask about how days worked in his world, He didn't want to seem ignorant, but you can never tell sometimes.
“Eve, out of curiosity. How are days listed in this world?” Alex questioned, taking a bite of the Roll. He found it was remnant from the treat he enjoyed yesterday with Ned the tortlekin, the subtle flavor now more subdued due to being in the fridge for a while now. It was still quite good, but it was still a pale comparison to its former glory.
Nearly Choking on her roll, Eve was thrown off by the question, and was thrown into a small coughing fit. “Excuse me?’ She asked between coughs. Alex explained that in his old world the calendar he used consisted of seven day weeks that fell within a span of twelve months in the year. Laughing a little bit to the explanation Evelyn started to explain how the days fell in their new world.
Apparently the 12 months remained the same, but the number of days per year was significantly shorter, each month consisted of four, six day weeks, and each month fell between the four seasons, with each season having three months. It was a little confusing, but it made sense.
“So today is the 6th day of the Seventh month this year.” He asked. Smiling, Eve simply nodded, and continued eating her roll.
After breakfast Alex went back up to his room so he could check a few things. Not only was he not properly dressed for the long day in the fields. The system was getting annoying with its notifications thrumming in his mind again. He wasn't sure why the system felt it needed to constantly communicate with him specifically. He was reminded of his old life, where he'd have his cell phone constantly buzzing trying to get his attention for one reason or another. Finally reaching his room he willed the system screen to once again pull up its display, and once again he was hit with a torrent of notifications.
[New Notifications]
[Class Change Available]
[New Actions Available]
[Farmhouse is now at Level 1]
[Warning: Staff of beginnings for 1 damage critical - please change to a different form]
“Woah that's not good!” Alex nearly jumped at this message. Trying to remember what he set for the staffs third form he started naming various interactions of the command. “Um, Change to form 3… Shift form 3… Change form Gaia’s Will.”
[Command Accepted: Form change]
Alex’s staff radiated a soft blue color changing from the long wooden staff to a much smaller form. It resembled the handle of an ax and was engraved with various runes and symbols, Lines of copper entwining the eight inch frame.
[Change complete: Class Change available]
“Um, Show available class? This is dumb, I wish this had voice response available. Would it kill the system to have something as simple as that.” Alex grumbled
[System Preference Changed: Voice Command Enabled]
“Wait a moment, you’ve been listening to me this whole time? You did that on purpose didn’t you?” Alex interjected, now a little more annoyed with the system. Has it been messing with him this entire time? After everything he's been going through. The system could have simply responded to his voice alone?
[System Message: You never asked you jerk]
Alex felt embarrassed at this revelation. He has been taking out a good deal of his frustration for everything happening on it. It wasn't the systems fault that Rodrick attacked, and he was fairly sure that the system helped save his life. Taking a moment to calm down he went back to reading the display.
[New class available: Farmer (Gaia’s Devoted) - Switch classes?]
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[Y/N]
“Well since I'm on a farm might as well… Yes,” He answered, A soft light enveloped Alex causing his clothes to change appearance His slacks and Tunic now being replaced by overalls, boots, and a short sleeved flannel shirt. The outfit was soft yet sturdy, clearly made for hard work. He found his staff giving off a soft glow as well.
[Class Change: Storyteller Lv 6 -> Farmer Lv 1 Complete]
[New options available: Gaia’s Will]
* Ax - Lv 1 Copper
* Hoe - Lv 1 Copper
* Watering Can - Lv 1 Copper
* Sickle - Lv 1 Copper
* Pickaxe - Lv 1 Copper
* Hammer - Lv 1 Copper
[New class system available]
[Mana System Disable -> Farming Action System integrated]
[Farming Actions Available: Lv 1 (60)]
[Home Inventory: Now Available]
“Ok, that's quite a bit of information there. Can I ask how I'm supposed to use the tools listed?”
[System Message: Yes, thank you for actually asking.]
[Gaia’s Will options can be accessed by vocal command at level 1, upon reaching Farmer level 5 mental commands may be issued for form change.]
[Option choices each contain their own usage experience, Upgrading levels to higher forms will require the proper ores, as well as access to a metalsmith.]
“Thank You,” Alex smiled, closing the display. It was time to get to work. Walking back down the stairs and out the front door. He took a deep breath. The Sun was rising past its early stages of dawn and the fresh crisp air of Fall felt good in his lungs. It was the start of a new day. The start of a new life. First things first, he needed to clear this field.
“Equip Ax”
Alex, working in the field for most of the day felt nearly exhausted, his muscles now feeling tight, ached terribly. He knew farming was hard work, but he’s barely made any progress on the field. Sure he’s cleared maybe a 10 meter square, but looking at it all. It seemed overwhelming. Unable to do much else he continued on. He would show these weeds who’s boss.
[Actions remaining: 6]
The Sun was nearly in the apex of the day, the cool air now replaced with the somber heat of the sun's rays. Alex’s skin was now glistening with the sweat of the long day.
[Actions remaining 5]
Alex kept going… a feeling of fatigue settling on him. He pushed through, this was nothing compared to the life he lived before. He would prove it to himself and everyone.
[Actions remaining 4]
“I’ve got this, Easy…” Alex reassured himself, he body screaming at him. His muscles ached fiercely, but he wasn't going to let this stop him.
[Actions remaining 3]
Alex started feeling tired… His body started feeling weaker, the autumn sun beating down on him. He felt the growing weight of his equipment, but this was nothing. He had this, he'd beat this. He had to, if he was going to bring back the village.
[Actions remaining 2]
“Just a little more…” He grunted, only half aware of what he was saying. Alex kept going, ignoring the system’s thrumming. He needed to finish this task. It was really such a simple thing, and if he couldn't do this… What good was he?
[Actions Remaining 1]
Alex lifted the sickle to cut the last bunch of weeds in the area, before exhaustion overtook him. His body simply stopped following orders. The next thing he realized was a mouth full of dirt and someone yelling for him in the distance…
“Just a little more…”
It was nearly dusk when Alex came too, looking around he found himself on the porch of the farmhouse. His body stiff and sore, he forced himself to sit up. Finding a small plate with a sandwich and a glass of water next to him. He picked up the small meal and took a bite. The bread was slightly stale, he guessed from sitting out for a while, the meat was slightly warm from being outside. Grabbing the glass he found the water was warm as well. Quietly eating his meal heard footsteps approaching, quickly, followed by a sharp slap to the back of his head.
“You are an absolute idiot.” Eve started yelling at Alex. “Do you realize just how heavy you are? I had to drag you all the way up here, BY MYSELF. What did you do to make you just fall down on your face like that?
Alex could see Eve’s eyes were still red, as she made it up the stairs slapping the back of his head once more.
“Ow, that hurt.” Alex gasped, reaching back towards where she struck. Rubbing it as she continued yelling at him.
“Good! I was worried something serious happened, you jerk. You were out cold for hours.” Eve continued scolding him, the whole time the constant thrumming of the system was trying to get his attention. Alex brought up a cautioning hand towards Eve.
“One moment, Status open.” Alex directed
[New notifications]
[Warning all farm actions utilized]
[System Warning no actions available - recovery mode engaged]
[Emergency recovery successful: Available Actions remaining - 3]
[System Message: Further overuse of Actions will result in longer recovery time needed, please use actions accordingly]
As Alex read the display, he realized where he messed up. Much like how a mage only has a certain amount of mana available, He could only perform so many farming actions before the system starts acting up. This world was very weird, it was as if the system was punishing him for simply overworking himself. It made a lot of sense in many ways. He couldnt stop but think about how his old bosses would have taken to the system. The Thought of his old manager yelling at an imaginary screen about needing his employees to work more alone made him laugh, as he was sure it would be a losing fight.
Before confusing Eve any more to have her start yelling at him again. Alex started explaining what happened to him with changing classes, the action commands and his new staff. She ended up sitting next to him on the porch listening to him. Nodding about the class change, and the class actions, and everything else.
“I apparently just overworked myself, and the system punished me for it.” Alex finally stated.
Taking a few moments to calm down, after hearing everything Alex explained everything. She let out a deep breath. “I stand by what I said. You are still a complete idiot. What in the world gave you the thought that this was resting on you Alone?”
“I am here with you, for better or worse it seems that WE are a team here. The both of us, and we don’t need to get everything done in just one day. We have plenty of time to work on this together.” Eve continued scolding Alex, getting a little more intense with every word.
I don't know what you did in your old world, but if it's because you think that you need to put everything on your shoulder then I don't want to. You're going to hurt yourself again, or even worse if you keep up this attitude, and honestly I don't want to see that.” As Evelyn continued scolding Alex about the days events the sun set on the horizon revealing a bright nightscape of stars.
When was the last time he simply looked up and enjoyed the stars, or simply enjoyed life. What was he doing nearly killing himself, again, and this time for a notion he dictated. He created an image of his former life and tried to impose it on his current one. Eve was right! The Village would still be here, as long as he did his best, he would have help. He had Evelyn and Ned there with him if he ever needed it.
“You’re right, Eve. I was an Idiot and a jerk. I'm sorry for worrying you, I guess I still have some bad habits I need to work through. Forgive me? Alex asked his new friend, embarrassed by the day's events.
“Of course you big jerk!” Eve answered, lightly punching him in the arm. “Come on, lets figure out what we can find for Dinner.”
That sounded like an excellent plan.