Lilia's Tale

Chapter 59: Housing

The next three days were filled with training. Every morning was spent training the connection between my summon and I, while every afternoon was spent training my elemental magic. The adventurers in the arena were surprised at my diligence in training, expressing their worry that I was working too much and playing too little for my age. I had to explain multiple times that I preferred it that way.

The first day focused on my fire magic. Contrary to my wind magic, I had great control over the intensity, but lacking control over quantity. It didn't take long for me to learn to control either, although it took the entire afternoon for me to learn to control both.

The second and third days were spent on earth magic. Putting aside my matter manipulation magic, my control over pure earth magic was quite lacking.

The morning of the next day, while eating breakfast, Father suddenly asked if we could do other things than train for that day.

"Is there anything urgent to do?"

"It's not exactly urgent, but getting to it as soon as possible is definitely best."

"What is there to do?"

"I want to go back to the town hall to check for available houses, and go back to the academy to ask for your dormitory room."

"Oh. Yeah, those are definitely best done soon. Actually, just thinking about it now, what will you do if you find a house AND they allow me to stay in the academy?"

"I'll leave that choice to you."

"That makes sense. Thank you, then. Oh, and to answer your original question, I don't mind if we take a day's break."

Father simply nodded, and we headed out to the town hall after finishing our breakfast. As usual, I stayed next to the fountain, basking in the water, while Father went in to check for houses. It didn't take long for him to come back out, a smile on his face. I went towards him and asked:

"You found a house?"

"I did. It's relatively close to the border of the city, so I'll be able to have a laboratory built just outside, in the forest downhill."

"You sure like being in forests, don't you?"

"I mostly like not being interrupted while doing my research. And now that I have this idea of summons and souls, I will absolutely need silence."

"This is getting me worried..."

"Why so?"

"I'm just worried whether you'll eat properly or not. I noticed you only ever cook soup."

"Ah. Yeah, I can't blame you on that. I can at least tell you that I'll be fine, having lived alone for a few years before you arrived."

"That's true. Well, that doesn't necessarily mean it's good, just that it can work. So I'm still worried."

"That's understandable. I should be fine, don't worry."

As Father said so, he started petting my head. It didn't help my worries, but it at least made me feel more at ease at this moment.

"Let's hope you will be."

"Now, for your decision. Do you want to stay at the academy rather than in the new house? It will take a few days for everything to be ready for me to move in."

I wasn't expecting having to take the decision this quickly. I tried thinking through the two possibilities in a timely manner, but realized it wasn't enough time.

"I don't think I can take that decision this quickly. It's kind of like having to decide between my current wishes and what's best for the future."