Kaelen sat cross-legged in the garden bed, scowling at the lone carrot sprout protruding from the dirt like it owed him money.
"Grow faster," he growled.
Garka stood over him with her arms crossed. "You can't yell a plant into growing."
"Not with that attitude."
He waved his hand theatrically over the earth.
[Earth Magic - Level 1 Activated]
A tiny cloud of dirt burst up and smacked him in the face.
Garka snorted. "Very impressive. Master of Dirt."
Kaelen wiped his face. "I'm improving. Yesterday it hit my eye."
A rustling noise emerged from the trees. The squirrel came back, hopping onto a log with its usual attitude.
"Oh no. It's Dirt Boy. Ready for round two of 'Failing at Life'?"
Kaelen pointed. "You again. Don't you have squirrel taxes to pay or something?"
The squirrel ignored him and watched the carrot sprout. "That your crop? Cute. Might nibble it later."
Garka sat beside Kaelen, whispering, "Why don't you try to control the ground under it? Maybe it helps."
He nodded. Straining hard, Kaelen focused on the soil beneath the carro and his hands glowed with a faint green.
The carrot wiggled.
"Yes!" he shouted.
Then it shot up like a rocket and smacked him right in the forehead before falling to the ground.
Garka fell over while laughing and the squirrel applauded slowly.
"Bravo. Nature is clearly terrified of your power."
[System Message: Earth Magic EXP +10. New Skill: Soil Stir]
[Soil Stir - Gently churns earth. Useful for farming, digging, and throwing dirt in enemy eyes.]
Kaelen scratching his head. "At least I'm leveling up."
He glanced over at Garka, still snickering.
"Hey. Think I should construct a scarecrow? Perhaps it'll keep that squirrel at bay."
The squirrel gasped. "You wouldn't dare."
Later in the afternoon, Kaelen proudly stood beside a wobbly scarecrow constructed out of sticks, a tunic, and what had possibly once been a shoe.
"It's perfect," he announced.
Garka cocked her head. "It looks like a tipsy wizard."
"Exactly. Scary."
The squirrel returned at sunset. It stared at the scarecrow.
Then climbed on top of it and peed.
Kaelen sighed. "I hate that squirrel."
[Quest Updated: Squirrel Attack] [Defend your crops from the squirrel. Reward: Unknown]
He turned to Garka. "This means war."
She handed him a wooden spoon. "I'm with you."
Together, under the fading light, Kaelen and Garka prepared for battle.
With a spoon, a carrot, and a whole lot of petty energy.
The following morning, Kaelen awoke early. He collected rocks, logs, and vines. Garka came over, assisting in piling them.
"What are you building?" she asked.
"A squirrel defense wall," he replied gravely.
It resembled more of a mound of miscellaneous junk.
Nevertheless, it made him feel as if he had a plan.
By afternoon, they sat in the shade, drinking from wooden cups. Kaelen cradled a rough sketch in his hands.
"A real house," he whispered. "With a roof. Perhaps a door that doesn't come off."
Garka peered over his shoulder. "You can make this?"
Kaelen nodded. "With magic. And perhaps a hammer. If I can locate one."
[System Message: Main Quest Unlocked - Build Your House]
[Main Quest: Build an actual home. Requirements: 20 Wood, 10 Stone, 1 Blueprint. Reward: Shelter Bonus, Storage, +1 Comfort Level]
He smiled. At last, something tangible to work towards.
The squirrel observed from the trees, tail twitching.
"You'd better build quick, Dirt Boy. The rain's arriving."
Kaelen glanced up at the sky. Already it was graying.
He rose to his feet. "Then let's go."
Garka stood up beside him. "I'll collect stone. You begin the frame."
As the first raindrops started falling, Kaelen drew in a breath.
It wasn't much. But it was his beginning.
And perhaps, possibly, it would be enough.