Chapter 22
Ordinary days
After getting scolded by Lord Sauros yesterday, today I began my first duty as a maid! And by that, I mean waking up at 5 a.m. and getting dressed up by the head maid and the others until 7 a.m. Yes...7 a.m. ... 2 hours of me just sitting while others do everything in their power to make me look good.
And from how they talk they plan to do this every day...after getting dressed up I eat a light meal and then start the preparation for breakfast. I prepare the plate, clean the table, and adjust the chair.
With a guide of course. And then around 8:30, I think? The boreas household starts to wake up and come for breakfast.
Rudy and Ghislaine didn't eat with them as they were servants. After they finish eating I clean the table. Then started doing ordinary household work until it was time for sword training. By the way, I learned that almost all beastman here are slaves. But they are grateful that the boreas is the one that bought them. As they are not getting treated unfairly and even getting paid.
I also found out that all of them are doing it with Lord Sauros. Willingly of course! I even saw them doing it behind the kitchen...Nevertheless, I know to not speak of those and just quietly sneak back to my work.
Maybe the reason they put so much effort into making me cute is to groom me… Nope, bad thoughts go away!
That was how my first day of my maid work went.
Well, Today's training is for me to fight against both Eris and Rudy. I mean in 2 vs. 1. Rudy is the support, using his magic and Eris is the frontline fighting with me head-on. Eris is…strong for her age. Well, she is only one year apart from me. But She has potential. Her adaptability is very good.
However, I heard Rudy muttering that she was not this excited when learning math or writing with him. Well, that's his problem, not mine.
Next is Rudy. He is strong but too…Coward? Unwilling? He did not put his all into training. Too afraid to hit me. He did not even open his eyes when I was going to hit him, making me stop my arm for a moment and that moment of distraction is what made me hesitate and get slashed in the back. All in all, He is weak-willed.
After around an hour of training, we take a break. Ghislaine is talking with Eris and Rudy about something. I just sit down and rest. Well, training alone is not that draining but with others it makes me use a lot more energy than I expect.
The two of them make up for each other's weaknesses. Rudy is like a marksman with his accurate shot with the water ball and others. Eris is like a mad dog charging in without a thought. And I, who need to adapt and overcome their teamwork.
I was pushed to my limit, using my head to think of a spell to counter Rudy's while relying on my instinct to parry Eris's aggressive attack.
This is what Ghislaine made for me. A perfect way to push myself in both mind and body. Plus this also serves as training for the two of them.
Since this is the first day of training not only are they out of sync but Eris is too aggressive for Rudy. Although it still didn't do much to my surprise with his accuracy.
Although I didn't get any damage while training it drained me mentally and physically.
I had a feeling that both of them were going to get stronger and stronger.
Ahhh! On time like this I want someone to talk with! Maybe grandma's voice? But how?
Hmm…now that I think about it The voice seems to be gone. She appeared like a ghost and went out like one. What's more, she just came up with a very good name! Frozen bridge! Yup, that was a very nice name If I do say so myself.
"What are you grinning for?" Ghislaine appeared in front of me. It seemed what I was thinking made her curious.
"Nothing. I just got a very good name for my new spell!" I said. My voice contains excitement I never knew I had.
"Hm? The one that covers the floor thing?" I nod at her. "Well, that's good and all but you will have to train more now."
Eh...more?
Seeing my heartbroken expression she just chuckled to herself. "We still need to work on your half-ass Touki. At least to a degree that it is usable."
She said as she picked up my frozen body with one hand. That afternoon, I got back to my room with more bruises and was mentally exhausted than I wanted to.
…
Around 4 months have already passed. What am I doing right now? Meditating. Why? To control my mana. During these past 4 months. I have been training with both Eris and Rudy, Sparring with Ghislaine, Meditating, and practicing my magic.
I learned something new. It is that my body is in sync with each other more than before. Now I can move in all directions without even having to look. My sense seems to have been enhanced further. I can keep the focus on Ghislaine while dodging and parrying her attack.
And my Touki is slowly progressing. Now I can cover my body with a thin layer. But it is so thin that it does not even enhance my strength. Ghislaine said that as I continue to train my Touki will strengthen according to it.
And because I awakened my Touki in an unnatural way she didn't know how to teach me either. But I pulled it through and finally covered my entire body.
As for why I was meditating. It has something to do with Ghislaine's words. Mana is in everything. Yes, even books, dirt, or grass. It is in everything. Then if it is in everything does that mean we can control those objects?
But to control those objects we need to control mana itself. Not the transform one but the pure mana. I've been trying to do it but it is not going anywhere. So I use my brain for a bit and then come up with one possible alternative.
If Touki is a mana that covers our form then what if you cover the object with your mana? But how do I do that? The North god technique, Touki manipulation. Ghislaine herself can do this and has been teaching me. However, it is not helping that she does it by instinct.
So I can only do it by slowly manipulating my mana, just like when I first used Touki. Slowly wrap it around my hand and others. Until I can confidently manipulate it without much thinking, I will move to the next step.
I've been doing this since the shift break. It was around 10 min after my meditation that something happened. A Loud bang came from the door then with it was the Fiery red hair of Eris. She seems to be excited about something as she suddenly drags me away in my maid uniform.
Speaking of Eris. I say we get along pretty well. She has been making me her goal to surpass and has been trying very hard. In each of our training, She will be improving. I've been teaching her some stuff too. Like how to angle yourself so you do not fall or other.
I have to say, I feel kind of proud when she uses the thing I taught her to fight against me. Like a mom seeing their children take the first step. Shit...Maybe I really am the weird one. No, my family is weird, it just rubs on me, that's all.
I heard her yelling about taking a break and going outside the town. Oh now that I think about it...Rudy didn't have a break from his tutor job, right?
Oh, she is stopping now? "Ne! You! Dress Lucy up in something that will make her pretty!" Eris yells out. All the maids in the vicinity of around 20 meters suddenly turned around. Eyes gleam with dangerous thoughts. Danger for me, not them.
Yup, after getting dragged without putting on some resistance I once again got dressed up by the maids for no reason. Even the head maid came too…
After what feels like an Hour. (Actually, it was just 10 min) they finished. I am still in my maid uniform but my face is full of makeup. But somehow it looks neutral. My pale skin seems to have life on it, my lip is bright red like blood. What surprises me is that my eyes seem to shine a brighter shade of gold than it already is. Maybe it's the makeup-playing tricks on me?
"Umu! She looks good!" Eris who is not in completely different clothing in just 10 min is standing by the door crossing her arm.
She looks very cute. Though the frilly dress does not really suit her. But well, keeping my mouth shut is a way to avoid trouble too.
Oh yeah, I've got some money from the head maid too. She said to use it to buy what Eris wanted. In it the bag is around ... .30 gold coins? Eh? Why did she give me this much? She wants me to buy real estate or something!?
With this many gold coins, it could cover the cost of tuition for Rudy and Sylphie! No, Lucy! Bad thought again! Slap it out!
I gulp my non-existent saliva, gulping it hard. It's probably a test! Yup! That's it! So I just need to give this to keep this safe while not using it myself!
I walk behind Eris as we go toward the Front gate. There we saw Rudy and Ghislaine already waiting for us. Together we all walk toward the market.
It took us just around 5 minutes with how excited Eris was. She practically skipped around. Looking around the bustling streets. People shouting to sell their items or food. But there is one particular thing that bothers me. The stare I'm getting. Most of them are curiosity. But a lot of them are hostile too.
I clench my hand on my maid's skirt. This is uncomfortable. Unlike Buena Village where If I did something for them they would welcome me. This place is different. I was the odd one.
God those stares really get on my nerves. Let's see…Rudy and Eris are busy talking about bartering. While Ghislaine just watches them. Everything is normal. No one will dare to mess with Ghislaine.
Although the glare I get is unpleasant I will shut my mouth, and keep watching them.
But after a little while. I realize why I'm not good with children. Just...staying with them and listening to their talk and talk is kind of killing me inside.
And fortunately or unfortunately my patient ran out. I walked toward Ghislaine and handed her the money bag I received from the head maid. She tilts her head as if to ask what was wrong.
"Nothing. Just want to look around by myself." I said. She nods at me and continues to talk with Rudy and Eris. I began to walk by myself. The glare intensified. hm…This time it is much clearer.
Ha…again with this racist shit. Well, let's just act like I don't care! Oh! That shop has some nice-looking weapons! Let's go and look. entering the shop, It was clean and neat. Everything is in the place it belongs. They got all kinds of weapons.
From hunting knives to even the greatsword. This shop doesn't have one of those weapons that have a lot of unnecessary gems and stones like the noble use. instead, it is practical.
But one thing in particular drew me in. A longsword. Its length is around 180 centimeters. It is taller than me. The blade is made of some kind of metal. The temper line shines light blue. The handle is leather-like a tiger line. The guard is just typical for The Longsword. It curves up slightly ready to receive a strike.
"You fancy that sword dear?" A sweet voice appears from behind me. I startle out of my dreaming session. Standing before me is a beautiful Big sister. Her blown bob cut really suits her. "What's wrong dear?"
"I-i.. Just looking around." I stumble on my word. God! That was embarrassing! The lady looks amused. She reaches her hand on my head and pats it. Her hand is soft.
"Dad! We got a customer!" She shouted for her dad not caring about my panicky state. Her hand is firmly grasped onto mine. Her eyes said that I wouldn't be getting home without buying anything. Did…did I walk into a trap?!
Not only a moment later a large man came up. he…large alright but short…A dwarf? Eh? "What? Never seen a short man before, Lassy?" He said. OH! He is not a dwarf, he is just short!
"Ah! I'm sorry! I just thought you were a Dwarf!" I bow down to him to apologize but he just laughs out loud. After laughing with his daughter for a while he stops.
"Well, That was a good laugh. Now then lassy are you looking for a sword?" He asked me. Eyes looking at me as if inspecting me. I gulped hard, Feeling nervous all of a sudden.
"Don't scare customers like that, Dad! You are the one making our life difficult!" The beautiful girl smacks her father on the head. Causing him to almost fall down to the floor. Strong…She is strong.
"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself, right? My name is Lyne. And my father here is Arsen. As you can see he is the blacksmith of this shop and also the owner." Lyne said, her hand still red from hitting her father. I swear I could see smoke coming out of it. It must be my eyes playing tricks on me.
"O-ow…As I was saying…Are you looking for a sword?" He gets up rubbing his head.
"A-Uhm…I was just looking around." My voice is getting lower with each word. But my eyes were still glued to that Longsword on display.
"Hm? Ah, that one? It's going to cost you 15 gold coins." EH!? 15!? That- That was expensive!
"Well, it's natural for it to be that expensive. I forge it with the hard-earned Black Drake magic stone! It became The first Magic tool in my shop! Although, no one wants to buy it…" The last part was so quiet that I almost didn't hear it.
"But It's been sitting on that shelf for almost 5 years! Just sell it already!" Lyne shouts out.
"NO! This is my pride! I won't hand it to just anyone! And If I going to sell it then it gotta be worth the Gold and time I spent on it!" Arsen and Lyne began to argue. Seeing it like that I just quietly make my way outside. Yup…Going to save up some money! Ah…But got to say goodbye to all those spices I can buy…
After leaving the shop I go back to look for Rudy and Eris, but they are already gone from the Market. I look for them but to no avail. Maybe they go back already?
West gate, 3rd street.
What…Who voice is it this time? It is not Grandmother's voice. Then the only possible one is Mother? Hey! You guys live rent-free in my head right! Answer me Right now!
…
No answer? Why? Tch! This is getting kind of annoying! They can just pop into my head, say stuff then leave! It makes me feel vulnerable! And honestly, it ticks me off!
And I can't do anything against them either. Tch. Let's just go. let see…West gate…There! The 3rd Street. Aha, There they are! Man, she can see the Future or something? Maybe she got some kind of clairvoyance?
Approaching them I saw Rudy being stunned by something. I look up only to see a giant floating castle. Ah, That Chaos breaker? I saw that a long time ago. Well, Rudy's reaction is like mine. Stunned and in shock.
But why is it flying near here? Shouldn't it be flying near the demon continent? Or at least near the great forest right?
Something doesn't feel right. The last time I saw it, it was hovering over the sea near the Millis continent. And that from afar too. At that time we should be at Shirone Kingdom Beach.
But I can't do anything but give some thought.
After Rudy finishes being flabbergasted, we all walk back to the mansion. Parting ways with them I start to walk back to my room. Yup, I got a private room. Courtesy to being the Daughter of the lord's friend.
Let's see how much I have…3 Asura gold coins, and 22 Asura Silver coins. And around 23 Asura Bronze coins. 27 small Bronze coins.
Hmm...20 Silver equals 2 gold coins. 20 Bronze equals 2 silver coins. So I have around 5 gold coins right now. I get 3 silver every month. If I were to stay here for 4 years and 8 months then 3x56 equals 168.
160 is 16 gold coins. Hmm….I don't want to wait that long.
I get a day off every week on Saturday, what can I do to earn money? Hmm...Adventurer? No Roa is not known for its adventurer career. And besides a rookie could only get around 1 or 2 silver a day and that if they were in a party.
I need some gigs that are both flexible and can earn me money. Food stand? But I need ingredients and need to make them affordable for the commoner.
The Spice price is a real bitch. What's more, I can't get oil from Shirone. Lard is an option but the price is a bit high.
Ghislaine's income is 3 Gold coins every month. Which is a very good income. Considering just 1 gold coin can have the commoner live for a month if you use it sparingly.
Mostly because the price of goods here is cheaper. Hm…What do I do? If I make a sweet to sell it is going to cost me a lot, and I may not even make a profit.
There are a lot of herbs I can pick up from outside or buy, but most of them are for fragrance or use to cure illness.
Should I...do my doctor gig here? I can heal...That's right! How can I forget how much they value healers in this world!
Just basic healing alone would cost at least 1 silver! But if I charge too much it will backfire on me...I need to consider the option of a commoner in this town and the average adventurer.
Yup, on the next day off I'm going to the adventure guild!