novelraw Chapter 19: Blending Into the Forest
Chapter 19: Blending Into the Forest
Guided by the wizard, Leon saw the center of the magic circle. There, an apple-shaped little creature with slender limbs appeared—it was the same kind he had seen in the Community Center.
Unlike the one in the Community Center, this little fellow made a clear, high-pitched sound upon being summoned. The distinct syllables carried a strange rhythm, yet bore no resemblance to any known language.
“Is that the same one you saw in the old Community Center?” The wizard turned to Leon.
“Yes.” Leon nodded. He already knew what this thing was, but he had to play along with the storyline—because sticking to the script had its advantages.
“They call themselves Junimos, a type of spirit. But for some reason, they refuse to speak to me.” The wizard glanced down at the little apple—or rather, the Junimo—then looked up at Leon with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
“So I have no idea why they moved into the old Community Center. But I can tell you this—they’re harmless. You don’t need to be afraid of them.”
“I’m not afraid. Just curious,” Leon replied.
“Hmm… it seems you’ve already accepted the existence of supernatural forces, just like when you saw me casting spells. You are quite a special child.” The wizard studied Leon closely.
“If I didn’t know you lacked the desire to seek out magical secrets, I might think you’d make a fine successor. But I’m sorry—you’re not suited for this path. And your grandfather would never let you choose it.”
“You know him too?” Leon’s expression twitched. In the game, his grandfather had only left a few belongings and returned three years later for a ghostly evaluation of the farm. In real life, however, the old man’s presence loomed much larger.“Yes.” The wizard only nodded, offering no further details.
Seeing this, Leon changed the topic. “So, Wizard Rasmodius, did you call me here just to tell me not to be afraid of these little guys?”
“No, no, no. That’s only part of it. The main reason is that you’ve seen them.” The wizard gestured dismissively. “These Junimos in the old Community Center have been around for decades. Many people have been inside, but until now, you’re the first person to actually see them.”
“So?”
“Leaving a group of Junimos wandering openly in the human world could cause trouble,” the wizard said. “That’s why I called you here. Do you know why they revealed themselves to you?”
“Not exactly, but I think it has something to do with this.”
Leon took out the scroll he’d found in the old Community Center yesterday and handed it over.
“Interesting… a complex language. But I can decipher it.”
The wizard studied the scroll briefly, then read aloud: “We, the Junimos, are happy to help you. In return, we wish for the gifts of Stardew Valley. If you are someone who can blend into the forest, you will see the scroll’s true form.”
Looking back at Leon, the wizard said, “It seems these Junimos really are here for you.”
“So what should I do?” Leon asked.
“Wait here.”
The wizard stepped aside, rummaging through his things until he brought out a huge cauldron. With a wave of his hand, countless green ingredients dropped from the void into the pot. Clear water soon welled up, making the leaves and stems float.
When the cauldron was full, flames rose beneath it. The mixture began to boil.
“Hmm… almost ready.”
When the water had turned a deep green, the wizard leaned in to sniff it. His expression turned awkward. “The smell isn’t great, but the effect should be fine.”
“What do you mean?” Leon already guessed his intention, but pretended ignorance. His eyes, however, stayed locked on the bubbling, greenish liquid.
“Blending into the forest is a rare gift,” the wizard explained. “You have the potential to awaken it—otherwise, the Junimos wouldn’t have sought you out or given you the scroll. In this pot, I’ve boiled fern leaves, moss larvae, caramel-capped poisonous mushrooms… all ingredients steeped in the essence of the forest. Drink it, and you’ll awaken your gift.”
He handed Leon a wooden bowl.
Leon swallowed hard. Even though he’d prepared himself mentally, hearing the list of ingredients—and smelling the strange odor—still made him hesitate.
“Don’t worry. This won’t just awaken your gift—it will also strengthen your body. As a farmer, you’re far too physically weak.” Seeing Leon’s reluctance, the wizard quickly filled the bowl and pushed it into his hands.
“Drink it, child. It will give you a new kind of strength.”
Staring at the green brew, then at the wizard, Leon couldn’t help feeling like Grom Hellscream being handed a drink by Gul’dan. The scene fit a little too well.
But in the end, he didn’t ask what the price was. Holding the bowl in one hand and pinching his nose with the other, he gulped it down.
At once, the foul, bitter taste shot straight to his brain. The nausea made him want to spit it out, but the wizard was ready. With a flick of his hand, he sealed Leon’s mouth, forcing him to swallow just to breathe.
The moment the potion reached his stomach, Leon felt himself floating. The world blurred, replaced by countless green plants. The earth, bushes, vines, grass—plants of all kinds—shifted and swirled before his eyes.
It was a long time before he came back to himself. The visions faded, and reality returned.
Along with clarity came a change: in his mind was an indescribable energy urging him to leave this enclosed space and go outside.
So Leon followed the pull, stepping out of the wizard’s tower. The wizard, seeing this, didn’t stop him—he simply watched with interest. Only when Leon walked into the rain, lay down flat on the muddy ground, and soaked himself to the bone did the wizard approach.
“How do you feel?”
“Good. Better than I expected. I feel like I’ve become a plant. I hear the earth’s comfort, feel the rain’s caress, sense the sun’s warmth hidden behind the clouds… and the wind’s congratulations.”
Soaked through, mud clinging to his back, Leon lay there smiling, unconcerned by his bedraggled appearance.
“That is the charm of nature. Congratulations. You are now a child of nature. This will bring many interesting changes to your life. I hope you adapt well. Now… you should go home.”