Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

When the morning sunlight streamed into the room the next day, Leon opened his eyes.

After washing up, he headed out to water the crops, feed the chickens, and harvest mushrooms from the cave. The whole routine took no more than half an hour.

With his daily chores done, it was time to get busy in the kitchen.

Since it was breakfast, and Linus was getting on in years, Leon decided to prepare some soft food. Sure, the old man could probably crush him with one hand, but Leon still wanted to take care of his digestion.

He chose to make hand-pulled noodles, served with a boiled egg and half a green onion. He filled a large bowl and placed it in his System Backpack.

The rest of the noodles and broth—and the other egg—went into Leon’s own stomach.

Once everything was ready, Leon left the farm and made his way along the edge of the forest toward the northern foothills.

On the way, he spotted another batch of wild plants ready for foraging. After digging them up, he continued on.

When he arrived at Linus’s tent, he saw the old man sitting by the firepit, quietly watching in the direction Leon had come from.

“Were you waiting for me, old man?” Leon smiled as he sat down across from Linus and pulled out the steaming noodles, offering them over.

“Try it—freshly made hand-pulled noodles, still hot.”

“You’ve got a good heart. I suppose I didn’t wait for you in vain.” Linus was a little surprised Leon had brought him breakfast, but he didn’t turn it down. Taking the bowl, he pulled out a clean pair of chopsticks from who-knows-where and began slurping the noodles, sipping the broth, and occasionally biting into the soft-boiled egg.

“You can use chopsticks?” Leon blinked, surprised.

“There are no forks or spoons out in the wild. Utensils like this are the most practical. Why, is that strange?” Linus asked with mild confusion.

“Not strange—just unexpected.” Leon shook his head. Once Linus finished eating, Leon took the empty bowl back and asked, “So you already know why I came to find you?”

“Of course. The surge of transformation in your Forest Magic last night was far too obvious. I also possess Forest Magic, so naturally I could feel the joy the plants conveyed.”

“But I don’t feel any different from before,” Leon said with some puzzlement. “No reborn body, no special new abilities.”

“Forest Magic is called ‘magic,’ but it’s very different from ordinary magic,” Linus began slowly.

“It’s a blessing from nature. Those favored by nature fall into two kinds—beasts, and humans. Favored beasts, with nature’s aid, become intelligent and gain special powers, becoming Children of the Wilds. For humans, once recognized by nature, they awaken the gift of Forest Magic.

“Ordinary mages use spells by forming contracts with elements to command them.

“Forest Magic is different. The bond between its wielder and nature is equal and reciprocal.

“For example—you own your own farm now, so you can grow crops and raise animals. These plants and animals provide you with material returns and replenish your life force. That’s nature’s way of rewarding your goodwill. In return, you give nature the vitality released by their growth.

“It’s a win–win partnership. And as nature’s partner, you will be cherished. As long as it’s a natural creature, it won’t go out of its way to harm you. Some will even approach you, trying to please you.”

At that, Linus raised his arm. A butterfly fluttered over from the distance, landing gently on his finger like a well-trained pet.

“You can try it too,” Linus said, holding the butterfly out toward Leon.

Leon slowly extended his hand. Sure enough, the butterfly took off, landed on his palm, and at that moment, Leon felt the emotions it conveyed.

It was attachment. Trust. The ease of a child nestled in a parent’s arms.

“You can feel its emotions, right?”

Seeing Leon’s astonishment, Linus smiled. “That’s natural affinity. All creatures of nature will feel goodwill and trust toward you. As long as you don’t harm them, they’ll even help you.

“If you get lost in the wild, you can ask local animals to lead the way. If you’re hungry, they might bring you food—within their means.

“You could have powerful beasts protect you. You could have free-flying birds act as your sentinels. As long as it doesn’t disrupt their own lives, these children of nature will do their best to aid you.

“But you can’t, for example, ask a mother with young to abandon them to help you, or demand food from a squirrel that can barely feed itself.”

“Sounds a lot like a druid,” Leon remarked.

“Yes. Forest Magic is the prerequisite for becoming a druid. But with human technology advancing and industrialization transforming the world, very few can become Children of the Forest anymore. Without fresh blood, that tradition has already faded away,” Linus sighed.

“So I didn’t have this before because my Forest Magic hadn’t fully transformed yet?” Leon asked.

Linus nodded. “That’s right. Now, you’re truly a Child of the Forest. Before, you were only… noticed.”

“Can I make my Forest Magic even stronger?”

“Of course. But you’ll have to find the way yourself—everyone’s understanding of nature is different. My experience might mislead you. And don’t try to force a second transformation. Let it develop naturally.”

“Sounds a bit like Daoist philosophy,” Leon thought, recalling the old sayings: follow the seasons, man follows earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Linus added. “Humans, though they built civilization with Yoba’s help, were born of nature. You should be aware of your current influence.”

“Eh?” Leon blinked, then realized. “You mean I can attract humans now too?”

“Yes. But unlike animals, humans have their own values. They won’t unconditionally accept you. Still, they’ll naturally feel goodwill toward you.”

“Interesting.” Leon’s lips curled into a grin. Wasn’t this basically a succubus aura? That was a powerful bonus for his future plans.