54 COURSE OF ACTION: PART I

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… Where should I start? Oh yeah, we have a new addition to our household. Surprisingly, they are quite talented people whom I've never expected would be a great help and blessing to us. The girl doing all the housework is Esme, she is a very powerful mage just like her sister Jocey (Jocelyn). They both can master two elements, and for Jocey, who is but still a child is far more talented than me. As per Lirius, her mana is twice as greater than mine. At the same time, she's a very fast learner, Lirius has gotten to like her and is very attached, as he treats her like a student from time to time (since he acts indifferent once Serfred is around). Even thought he doesn't admit it, we all can see how much he likes her. To have someone interested with his studies, has brought a great change to him.

Ah, I almost forgot about Greyford and his son Lance. Surprisingly, they both master the same element and are magic swordsmen as per Serfred's explanation to me. Day passes, and Greyford have slowly opened up about his past to me, since he quite spent his time with me, helping me manage all the necessary paper works.

Greyford was a fallen noble. His family, before his son was born, was one of the noblest of the Northern Region. But was cheated by another noble causing his family to ruin, at the same time, the death of his family. Since then, he has lived a normal life with his wife. But, the war took his wife away, and thus leaving him and his son alone.

However, that's what I'm not curious about… What intrigues me was the fact that, as long as nobility is in the blood, it seems the next generation has a great chance to manifest mana and aura. Just like the crown prince, his mother may be of lowly birth, but since he is the son of the emperor, he's quite talented for having such an inferior blood running in his veins. I mean, his aura can easily kill a person. That is why it's been a bother to me. It made me wonder if genetics have a great impact on once's power. Since, I who was born from a prestigious family didn't manifest any power at all. As per Lirius, he has not heard of such a thing that a pure blood not possessing any power, but he knows that the stronger the blood flowing in you, the likely chance you'll possess such ability as well.

So, how does one explain Athena's situation?

"My Lady, I brought you some snacks and tea?" Greyford knocked on the door as he entered the room with a tray of snacks for the girl.

Athena closed her journal as she welcomed Greyfrod, "Thank you."

... Ah, I also forgot about this part. Greyford managed the household very well. Not only that, since he was brought up as a noble son, his knowledge in business and managing things is better than mine. He is teaching me daily what are the necessary actions I need to take.

However, despite the numbers being so easy for me to understand, I just find it hard to find the manpower to do everything at this moment. I have so many things to prepare before the year ends, but sadly, as the season has changed and it's quite cold here in the Northern Region, the people are having a hard time at work.

"Is something wrong my Lady?"

"I think we won't be able to raise enough money for the elemental stone. I think we have no choice, but to borrow money from Lirius again." Athena sighs as she really didn't want to rely on Lirius' generosity all the time.

"Hmm, we do owe Master Lirius quite a lot already." Greyford replied as he placed the food down the table. He then grabs the document the girl was working on and realizes they were indeed too far from reaching their goal.

"Greyford, what should I do? The villagers aren't just enough, even though Serfred and the others are helping out. We are still lacking in man power." She cried as she munched on the delicious snacks Lance had prepared, 'Ah, this is heaven. Thank heavens Lance is a good cook. But, we need to find a cook too, Lance can't stay in the kitchen all the time, he needs to train as well and become a knight.'

Greyford smiled, seeing how full of life she was whilst eating his son's cooking pleased him. It was thanks to his wife, their son is so talented at cooking. However, that was not the only reason for his smile.

… Such a young lady like you should be troubled about what dress to wear, what jews to pair your dress with. Instead, here you are worrying about the financial stability and labor of a land which you don't even need to worry about. To think, the empire has done something so terrible to you.

"My Lady, if I may be bold, I think I may have a solution to your concern, a solution which will not get noticed at all."

"Oh, what may that be?" Athena took a sip of her tea as one of her eyebrows raised interest in what the old man had to say.

"As you know, a lot of the areas here in the Northern Region has people living in the streets. Some of them are soldiers from the war, whilst others are victims because of the war."

"Yes, but, how are we supposed to gather them without being noticed?"

"The church can do that for us."

"The church?"

"We can say that the church has some space for them to settle, but the truth, we will provide them home and work."

"That's right, the church here does receive a lot of help." Athena continues to bite on her cookies as she listened eagerly to what he has to say next.

"As you know, some towns and villages don't actually have churches to help them. We can go to those places and gather those living in the streets. With this, the empire won't even notice our plan, nor will people find it suspicious at all."

"I know, we can ask the church to go do missionary works at those places. As time passes by, we can ask people if they wish to move here. Which would make things even not suspicious. We can say, the church needs help repair, but the truth, we are trying to rebuild the village."

"That's right."

"Oh, Greyford, you're a genius, I'll prepare the necessary proposal plans so I can go talk to Father Roland later."

Greyford bid the girl with a smile on his face. He was proud he was able to be a great help to her.

The old man returned to the kitchen with the tray, his son noticed the smile on his face.

"Seems like you helped the young lady again."

"Ha-ha, is it that obvious." Greyford place the tray down as the smile on his face was reaching to his ears.

His son was munching on the cookie as he asked, "Hmm, so, what is she planning now?"

"She'll be reaching her wings to others a well."

"Oh, do you mean to invite others here?"

"Hmm, it seems she has a heart of gold."

"She does, I sometimes still wonder why those people in the empire want to harm here. I mean, look what she has done now. Plus, father, are they crazy! To kill an Elementalist?"

Greyford didn't say a word, for he understood what his son meant.

In the Empire or anywhere else in the world, killing an Elementalist is a big crime. A crime, which is punishable by death. As to why, Elementalists are very rare, without them, lands can't be blessed and be fertile again. At the same time, for life to grow, spirits need to live in the land and only Elementalist has the ability to speak to the spirit. Even if your a Divine Healer, a power Arch Mage, no matter how much you'll try and master the art of being an Elementalist. Once can never easily be one.

"Who knows what the empire is thinking."

As Greyford was preparing the next tray of snacks, he noticed his son was still not moving.

"Don't you have training today?"

"Ah, I almost forgot."

Lance quickly removed the apron and ran out of the kitchen with his sword. He hurriedly left as he was afraid how much punishment he'll be receiving from Serfred again.

"Silly boy."

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