I woke up to the sweet chirping of birds, the sunlight flooding through the window. Letting out a groan, I sat up on the bed, the wooden frame creaking beneath me.

  I didn’t have any blankets to cover me, so I’d ended up sleeping in just my clothes. The chill of the night still lingered in my bones, but it wasn’t unbearable. I rubbed my arms for warmth and glanced around the room.

  The small house was sparse but functional. A table sat in one corner, its surface littered with the remnants of yesterday’s bread and a clay cup I’d found. A single chair, slightly uneven, stood by it. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.

  Standing up, I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my back from the rough mattress. “First order of business,” I muttered to myself, “figure out how to make this place feel more like home.”

  Outside, the garden awaited—my tiny patch of hope in this new world.

  This is all mine now. I’ll have to make sure I live a peaceful life in this world, I thought to myself as I slid out of bed to prepare for the day.

  Out of habit, my hand reached for my phone—but of course, it wasn’t there. A small, hollow laugh escaped my lips. It was strange how something so simple, so routine, could still linger even after waking up in an entirely different world. No more calls from coworkers, no more emails from superiors demanding answers or updates.

  For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t have to worry about schedules, deadlines, or pleasing anyone else. Just me, this house, and the endless possibilities beyond.

  I decided to heat some water for the morning, preparing tea for my breakfast. Stretching out my hand toward the fireplace, I thought about starting a small flame. Before I could even think of a chant, a fireball shot from my palm, striking the wood with a loud crackle.

  It all happened so fast, I barely had time to process it. The fire roared to life, dancing across the dry logs in the hearth.

  I stared at my hand, flexing my fingers. “So, I really can use magic,” I muttered, a mix of amazement and apprehension in my voice. “Good to know... but I’ll need to figure out how to control it.”

  I drank only tea today before starting my day working on my field. I tested my magic again, this time focusing on the earth element, and it worked.

  Using earth magic, I carefully turned the soil and planted new seeds in the ground. It was easy, to be honest—all I had to do was think about where I wanted to shape the ground or how I wanted it to look for planting.

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  The sun beat down relentlessly, its warmth soaking into my skin as I wiped my forehead, looking up from the ground. "This is so easy, I can do this without stopping!"

  My old life was nothing like this. All I did was wake up, drink coffee, work, repeat. It was draining—constantly pushing through the same monotonous routine, with no time to focus on my passions or hobbies.

  As I worked the field, the sun beating down on me, I couldn’t help but feel a stark contrast to my previous existence. Life here, though physically demanding, felt more alive. Each moment had a purpose, a connection to the land, and a sense of freedom I never experienced before.

  Ah, I never received a status board or any MMO skills upon entering this world... that’s strange. Or maybe I’m in a more grounded, realistic isekai than I thought?

  I worked for what felt like an eternity, before I stopped. It's been a while since I worked on my own terms. I should probably explore the surrounding area to get use to the area.

  "I'm only planning to explore the area close to my house," I murmured, giving myself the motivation to proceed with my plan.

  I left the garden, picking a direction to walk in. The forest surrounded me, its tall trees casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls.

  As I ventured deeper, the path became less clear, and the forest thickened around me. The scent of damp earth and fresh greenery enveloped me. I moved slowly, taking care to watch my footing, when suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees.

  I spun around, my breath catching as I spotted the creature—a large, twisted wolf-like beast with fur matted in dark brambles and eyes glowing with a sinister light. Its claws scraped against the earth as it inched closer.

  Instinct took over. I drew upon my magic, focusing on the earth beneath my feet. A sharp rock burst from the ground, catching the monster’s attention. With a quick thought, I sent a sharp spike flying at the beast, causing it to yelp in pain and retreat momentarily.

  Taking a deep breath, I stood my ground, my gaze locked onto the creature. The forest fell silent again, save for the sound of our breathing. Slowly, the monster backed away deeper into the woods, leaving me standing there, heart pounding.

  Taking a deep breath, I stood my ground, my gaze locked onto the creature. The forest fell silent again, save for the sound of our breathing. Slowly, the monster backed away deeper into the woods, leaving me standing there, heart pounding.

  After a moment, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The tension eased, and I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "That could’ve been worse," I murmured, glancing at the fresh claw marks on the tree beside me.

  I continued on my journey, my heart pounding heavily in my chest, picking strange plants and mushrooms. I didn’t know if they were safe to eat, but after testing them,I'm going to trade with the village.

  After what felt like hours of wandering deeper into the forest, I came across a small hill, its slopes lined with wildflowers and the scent of earth. Climbing to the top, I paused and took in the view.

  Before me lay the village I had come to know, nestled at the base of a valley. My house stood not far from its outskirts, the fields I had worked stretching out beyond the village. The roofs of the houses glimmered in the afternoon sun, smoke rising from chimneys, and the occasional sound of voices carried through the breeze.

  I stood there for a moment, letting the peaceful scene wash over me. The village felt both familiar and welcoming—a place where I could truly call home, where I could grow and thrive.

  I know that things are going to get better from here on out. But I'll make sure I live a peaceful life!