Logan woke to sunlight streaming through the loft window and the sound of birds singing outside. For a moment, he forgot where he was, expecting to see his old apartment's stained ceiling.
Instead, he saw wooden beams and the patchwork quilt draped over him. The memory of yesterday came flooding back, and he smiled.
He got up and washed his face in the basin, then headed downstairs. The bread and cheese Mira had given him made for a simple but satisfying breakfast. As he ate, Terra materialized on the table, looking more energetic than usual.
"Big day today," she said. "Meeting the village properly means you'll probably unlock several more character profiles. Try not to look too surprised when the windows start popping up."
"I'll do my best," Logan said, finishing the last of his bread. "Any advice on dealing with the village chief?"
"Chief Aldwin is a good man from what I understand about this world," Terra said. "Honest, fair, and protective of his people."
"Just be yourself and don't oversell your abilities. Let your work speak for itself."
Logan was just putting on his boots when he heard footsteps outside. A knock followed, and he opened the door to find Clara waiting for him.
She wore a simple blue dress and had her blonde hair tied back with a ribbon. She looked fresh and ready for the day, carrying a small basket over one arm.
"Good morning," she said brightly. "I brought some apples for the walk. Mother insisted."
"Good morning to you too," Logan replied, accepting an apple gratefully. "I'm ready whenever you are."
...
...
They set off down the road toward the village, with Terra making herself visible only to Logan and staying a discreet distance behind. The morning air was crisp and pleasant, carrying the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass. Logan took a bite of his apple and found it perfectly sweet and juicy.
"The village isn't very large," Clara explained as they walked. "Maybe three hundred people in total, most of them farmers or craftspeople who support the farming community."
"We have a general store, a blacksmith, a tavern that doubles as an inn, and the chief's house which serves as the village hall."
"It sounds cozy," Logan said.
"It is," Clara agreed. "Everyone knows everyone, which can be both good and bad."
"News travels fast here, so by now the whole village has probably heard about what you did to the Thornwood farm."
Logan felt a flutter of nervousness. "Should I be worried about that?"
"Not at all," Clara assured him. "People are excited."
"That farm has been a sore spot for months. Seeing it restored so quickly will give people hope."
The village came into view as they rounded a bend in the road. It was indeed small, with houses and buildings clustered around a central square.
A well stood at the square's center, and Logan could see people going about their morning routines. Children played near the well while adults chatted and conducted business.
As soon as they entered the square, heads turned in their direction. Logan felt suddenly self-conscious, but Clara's confident stride helped him maintain his composure. She led him toward a building that was slightly larger than the others, with a sign identifying it as the village hall.
"Chief Aldwin will want to meet you first," Clara said. "It's traditional for new residents to introduce themselves."
...
...
Inside the village hall, Logan found a comfortable space that felt more like someone's home than an official building. A large desk dominated one corner, and shelves lined the walls with books and rolled documents.
Behind the desk sat a man who looked to be in his sixties, with gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He had the weathered look of someone who had spent most of his life outdoors.
"Ah, you must be Logan Hart," the man said, standing and extending his hand. "I'm Aldwin, chief of Meadowbrook Village. Welcome to our village."
As they shook hands, the familiar profile window appeared.
[Character Profile Unlocked]
[Name: Aldwin Meadowbrook]
[Age: 63]
[Occupation: Village Chief]
[Affinity Level: 0/10 - Stranger]
[Relationship Status: Widowed]
[Likes: Order, progress, young people with ambition, good harvest seasons]
[Dislikes: Dishonesty, laziness, people who shirk responsibility]
"Thank you for having me, Chief Aldwin," Logan said, dismissing the window. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to settle here."
"I hear you've already made quite an impression," Aldwin said with a slight smile. "The Thornwood farm hasn't looked that good in years. How did you manage it?"
Logan had prepared for this question. "A lot of hard work and some luck," he said, keeping his answer vague as Terra had advised. "The bones of the place were still good. It just needed someone to care for it properly."
Aldwin studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Well, whatever your methods, the village is better for it."
"That farm is valuable land, and it's been a waste to see it sitting empty. Do you have plans for what you'll grow?"
"Starting with basics," Logan explained. "Wheat, carrots, turnips. Once I get a feel for the land and the seasons, I'll expand from there."
"Smart approach," Aldwin approved. "If you need anything, advice or resources, don't hesitate to ask. We take care of our own here in Meadowbrook."
After leaving the village hall, Clara took Logan on a tour of the square. She introduced him to the general store owner, an older woman named Martha who immediately insisted on giving him a discount on any supplies he needed. Then there was the tavern keeper, a jovial man named Bernard who told Logan his first drink would be on the house whenever he decided to visit.
Each introduction brought a new profile window, and Logan did his best to keep track of everyone. The village was genuinely welcoming, and he found himself relaxing more with each conversation.
"There's one more person you should meet," Clara said as the morning wore on. "Amelia Bramble. She's our blacksmith and an old friend of my mother's. She can make or repair any tool you might need."
...
...
They walked to the edge of the village where a forge sat, its chimney puffing smoke into the clear sky. The sound of hammer striking metal rang out rhythmically.
Inside the forge, Logan found a woman who looked to be in her late thirties, with muscular arms and her short brown hair. She wore a leather apron and was working on what looked like a horseshoe.
"Amelia," Clara called out. "I brought someone for you to meet."
Amelia looked up and set down her hammer. Her face broke into a welcoming grin as she wiped her hands on a rag. "So you're the mysterious farmer everyone's talking about. Logan, right?"
"That's me," Logan confirmed as another profile appeared.
[Character Profile Unlocked]
[Name: Amelia Bramble]
[Age: 36]
[Occupation: Blacksmith]
[Affinity Level: 0/10 - Stranger]
[Relationship Status: Single]
[Likes: Honest work, strong coffee, people who appreciate craftsmanship, practical solutions]
[Dislikes: Shoddy work, people who don't maintain their tools, excuses]
"Mira sent word that you might need some proper equipment," Amelia said. "A farmer with ambition should have more than just a hoe and a watering can."
She walked to a rack on the wall and pulled down a sword in a leather sheath. "This might seem odd for a farmer, but trust me, it's practical."
"There's a cave system about an hour's walk north of here. Useful for gathering ore and crystals if you know what you're looking for, but it's also home to some aggressive creatures."
Logan took the sword, surprised by how well balanced it felt in his hand. "You're giving this to me?"
"Consider it a loan," Amelia said. "If it gets damaged, bring it back and I'll repair it."
"If you find any interesting ore in the caves, I'd appreciate first pick of it. Deal?"
"Deal," Logan agreed, genuinely grateful.
"The caves are safe enough if you stay near the entrance," Clara added. "But it's good to be prepared. Some of the resources you can gather there sell well at market, and they're useful for various crafts."
As they left the forge, Logan stored the sword in his inventory, watching it disappear with a thought. The village tour had been more successful than he'd hoped. He'd met important people, established connections, and even gained a weapon for future exploration.
"Thank you for today," he said to Clara as they began walking back toward the farms. "I wouldn't have known where to start without you."
Clara smiled, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm glad I could help. You're part of the community now, Logan. That means we all look out for each other."
As they walked, Logan noticed a notification appear in the corner of his vision.
[Affinity Increase: Clara Cloverfield]
[Level 1 to Level 2]
[Status: Acquaintance to Friend]
He smiled to himself, feeling that his second chance at life was not just about farming. It was about building real connections with real people, something he had failed to do in his previous existence. Tomorrow he would check on his crops and begin planning his next steps, but today had been about something equally important: becoming part of a community that actually cared.