Tiring First Day
As they reached Lucy's House, the House of the Paddington's, they walk past the rows of tulips filling the front side of the house.
There they find a small cobblestone pathway, leading them to the backside of the house. Separating the two sides is a one meter and half mossy cobblestone wall with a circular gate inside.
„Weirdly enough, it never even crossed my mind to explore this side of the house," Lucy though while following little Toms steps, who is more accustomed to this place than her.
„Whoaa, your garden always astonishes me whenever I see it," little Tom said, looking at the garden that streched before him.
The garden, or better said, the Paddington's Farm, is divided into two halves. On the left side are grain fields, comprising of wheat and barley. Each grain has 4 rows, each row 6 meters wide and 30 meters long. Between each row of grain is a one meter long cobblestone pathway, making it appear properly arranged. The total area of grain fields equals around 1,700 square meters, taking up most of the space in the farm.
On the right halve of the farm are different kind of crops divided into smaller sections.
There are leafy crops like lettuce, cabbage and broccoli, totaling 75 square meters.
There are also root vegetable beds like potatoes, carrots and onions, totaling 100 quart meters.
And lastly there are peas and radishes, each having their own sector of around 40 square meters each.
It's unnecessary to say that the Paddington's are one of the biggest businesses in Clearwater Village and it's surroundings.
„And here I thought I was born in a poor family and needed to be the one to make my family flourish," Lucy thought with a twitching smile.
When they finally stepped foot into the garden, and little Tom was distracted by the sheer size of the farm, Freya used this opportunity to flee out of her misery, freeing herself from his grasp.
When she was finally freed she gasped and hid behind Lucy, giving her a look „Help me this time, please?"
„So where are we going to start with, Lulu?" Little Tom asked when he came back to his senses.
„I guess we should start with radishes, right? They would be the fastest to mature right, and it's easier to harvest them. Maybe when your family is back then you all can start harvesting the others. The grain fields and root plants need some months to mature. Till then your family should be back, mommy said. But right now, you can fully depend on my, Lulu" Little Tom said after thinking about where to start.
„Alrighty, let's do how you said. Can you maybe show me again how to do it properly?" Lucy asked a bit embarrassed, she, the daughter of a big farmer can't even harvest their own crops.
It's to be estimated, as Amelia before was sickly and couldn't move since years. Farming wasn't one of her concerns then.
„Sure thing , Lulu. Look," he said while going to the section of radishes and kneeling beside the bed.
„Watch closely, I will show you how to do it. It's easy," he said, cheering her up. Lucy looked eagerly, trying to learn every single move.
„Quest. Quest… Quest!!" was all she had in mind.
With Toms guidance, Lucy loosened the soil around the base of the radish with her fingers, ensuring she didn't harm the delicate roots. The earth gave way, and with a pull the radish came free from the ground.
„Exactly like this," Tom said approvingly. „See how it comes out easily? Radishes are eager to be harvested when they are ready."
But Lucy didn't listen to him, as she only stared a the pop up notification of the system.
[First Quest: Harvest 100 Crops (1/100)]
[Reward: 10 XP]
„99 to go," she thought.
After a few more more minutes, Little Tom cheered, his laughter filling the garden. „We are getting the hang of it. They are going to be delicious! You're doing well, Lulu," he praised again.
[First Quest: Harvest 100 Crops (13/100)]
[Reward: 10 XP]
„Mhm, we do. But lets quicken up a bit, okay? It's getting late already. We will store it all over there in the stall. Lets harvest a total of 100 radishes today! Hehe," she cheered.
„The crops harvested by little Tom are being included by the system," she muttered while throwing a glance to her side where Freya tried to pull out another radish.
„I never knew that cats can harvest crops too," Tom said while also taking a glance.
„Hmph, Freya is different. She's smarter than even some humans," Lucy harrumphed loudly, her voice filled with a tinge of pride.
As time went by and the sun starting to set, the trio was close to finish their harvest.
And as they spent so time together, Lucy grew more fond of little Tom, as he chartered and chattered without stop, not caring about Lucy's lack of response.
Nevertheless, she laughed and sometimes added something to his bizarre stories and dreams.
She learned to know that Little Tom wants to become a Knight, a magic user that strengthens their bodies instead of using the mana for elemental spells.
„Hmph, mages are better in my opinion," she said after he told her that he wants to train while slaying different beasts and the adventures of famous knights rising to fame for slaying dragons and rescuing a lot of innocents.
„Tom," she continued. „Being a knight brings you to the most dangerous position of all. You would be the vanguard, and risking your life the most. Magicians in the back have it easier as they can cast long rage spells or escape easier. You should consider it again," she said while lecturing this young boy.
„Haha, yes, I guess you're right. It's dangerous, but someone needs to do this. You could stay behind while I forge a path ahead, hehe. You could rely on me, Lulu. I would risk my life for my friends and family," he said righteously.
„Heh, you can rescue some other damsels in distress and slay your dragons," she said teasingly. „But if you find some nice treasures, you bring them to me anytime. The shiniest of all," Lucy said while already thinking about how to leave this tiring place.
„This first day of mine in this new world was so tiring that I just want to sleep," Lucy thought.
„Meow (Yes)," Freya meowed, being more tired than ever. „I've never worked so hard in my entire life, just want to sleep now," she thought, imagining the comfortable bed upstairs.
„Purrrr? (When do we finish?)" she looked expectantly at her Mommy, closing her eyes. At least this Brat named Tom didn't make any more moves on her, she thought while throwing an annoyed look at this brat.
„A knight? It's suicide for you… if you chatter so loudly when hunting you will go straight to the afterlife," Freya thought.
„At least he's not a bad influence on Mommy. She will somehow handle this brat and make him come back to senses," she finished her thoughts.
„Alright. We're done right?" Tom asked, putting the last of the Radishes into a basket. They were neatly cut, only leaving some green leafs so they remain fresh. And they were washed correctly, leaving no dirt spots on them.
„Yes, let's bring them to the stall. Tomorrow, we can sell them. Will you help me again, Tom? I really enjoyed our time together," Lucy asked, then finishing in her mind. „This shit is too tiring, I'm gonna break if this continues."
„Of course, I will be here in the morning. How about I bring Alex and Melissa too? They would be happy to finally spend some time with you. It's been so hard to meet up with you when your parents were here," he said, annoyed when he mentioned Lucy's parents.
„Who's that again? Well who cares, the more the better, right?" Lucy thought.
„Sure, okay. Then let's meet again tomorrow. Be safe when going home, Tom," she bid him farewell.
„I will!@ he cheered. „And you sleep well, goodnighty!" he shouted while leaving through the stone gate.
„Uhhh… it's over," Lucy said as she slumped to the ground. „Just want to rest now."
Ding*
———
[First Quest Completed]
[Reward: 10 XP]
———
But then, unexpectedly, a new Quest popped up.
———
[Daily Quest 1: Sell 100 Crops]
[Reward: 10 XP]
[Daily Quest 2: Harvest 100 Crops]
[Reward: 10 XP]
———
„Now I have 2 Quests instead of one. My initial thought of leveling up to level 2 in ten days had been shortened to 5 days. Of course, if no other Quest appears. Nicely, I can have more Quest active than just one."
„Freya, you got the Quests too?"
Freya just nodded her head sleepily.
„Alright, let's go to sleep. Sleepy Baby…" Lucy mused as she walked inside the house and straight upstairs.
„You sleep first, I will take a bath first. I am all dirty and sweaty. I will relax a bit. Never expected it to be so tiring to use my body again." Lucy said while already walking towards the bathroom, separating from Freya who walked into the room on the far end of the corridor.
And like that, the first day in the new magical world came to an end. Tiring, but of course rewarding. Setting the beginning of Lucy's adventurous journey.
…
Level 1 (10/100) XP