Dream Life Chapter 1 Part7

"That's right. We know about the training you tried to carry out behind our backs. Dan and Mel also informed us about the stories you told them. Or, rather than stories, I should call them allegories. Allegories filled to the brim with hidden meanings, each of them teaching a significant lesson in life."

While playing with Mel and the others, I had come up with a training plan.

In the beginning, I showed them the type of exercises elementary students would perform on school gym mats. After that, I managed to pester Walt into tying a rope around a tree branch and dangling it down to the ground. We climbed up and down the rope and also used the tree branch as a makeshift pull-up bar. (TL: please look and here) I also introduced them to something this world had yet to see: "jump rope workouts".

Well, alright, I suppose that from this world's perspective those exercises do seem a bit strange . . . it seems like they were way more suspicious of me than I thought.

After mocking myself for a moment, I separated myself from my mother and fixed my gaze back on the three of them. "What are you intending to do after this?", my grandfather asked.

I began telling them the plans I had for strengthening myself.

"I'm confident that I have magical talent and also some talent in swordsmanship. Because of that, I think it would be best if I further developed these two skills. For swordsmanship, I would like to receive instruction from Ojii-sama. However, I can't think of anyone who would be able to teach me magic."

"I'm fine with training you in swordsmanship. As for learning magic . . . hm. Don’t you visit the healers quite frequently? Are they not an option?"

I visited Old Dorothy, the village healer, whenever I injured my body. I often requested her to demonstrate healing magic for me and had also listened to her explain the magical procedure in great detail. In the end however, I wasn't able to succeed in learning healing magic.

"Although I've asked Old Dorothy to teach me healing magic, unfortunately . . ."

"You told me that you're absolutely certain you have magical talent. If that really is true, then I will have to hire a private tutor for you."

I widened my eyes. That type of privilege was usually reserved for the children of n.o.ble families. It's highly unlikely any tutor would be keen on coming to such a remote village. Even if we a.s.sume that there was someone who agreed to do so, having to pay them exorbitant amount of money will be inevitable.

"Yes, there's no doubt I have magical talent. However, the money . . ."

"Relax. I have some connections I can use. Well, money's still a problem though . . ."

When my parents heard my grandfather's words, both of them seemed to have come up with something.

"We could call Lydianne?"

My mother nodded in agreement.

"That's right. If it's Lydia, she'll definitely agree to come."

When I was about to ask my grandfather who Lydianne was,

"Back in my youth, during the war, Lydia, no, I mean, Lydianne, used to be my old comrade in arms. She's a elven mage who can manipulate up to four elements. An absolute genius. She's good with the bow and not only that, she also knows quite a bit about the forest . . ."

My grandfather rambled on and on about this Lydianne. Considering how reserved he usually is, he was acting unusually talkative. Here's the short version of my grandfather's story: When he was in his twenties, in order to be stronger, he had decided to become an adventurer and then later, a mercenary. He and Lydianne seemed to have been companions during this period of time. She was the user of four elements: Light, Wind, Timber, and Water. Furthermore, by combining these elements, Lydianne was also able to extensively conjure everything, from healing magic to offensive magic. The so-called, "a jack of all trades", if you will.

Lydianne also had a vast amount of experience with maneuvering within forests. My grandfather nostalgically told us stories of the numerous times she had saved him by setting up snares and tracking down traces of monsters.

Since Lydianne is obviously a woman, could she have been grandfather's lover a long time ago? Wait, no, my father was born at around the same time my grandfather was traveling with Lydianne. I wonder what happened?

However, I tactfully restrained my curiosity and didn't try to pry into my grandfather's history. I absolutely wanted this Lydianne as my instructor. So with a serious expression, I earnestly lowered my head and requested for her. In reply, my grandfather said,

"Lydia's most likely in Saltooth at this time. A great number of elves live in that northern forest kingdom. Even if I try to send her a message through the guild, it'll take at least three months to reach her. If we're unfortunate enough, it might be impossible to get in contact with her even after a year. Is that fine with you?"

Although I thought that one year was too much, there wasn't any other choice. Trying to hire someone else would undoubtedly take too much money. So, agreeing to wait one year, I silently nodded my head.

After that, I continued to tell them about my life in j.a.pan. Although it seemed like they couldn't wrap their minds around most of it, their expressions turned serious when I told them I wanted utilize my knowledge for the sake of Rushmore.

"Using your knowledge is all well and good. However, if you act too ambitious in the beginning, the village will change too abruptly and extremely. People's suspicions will eventually lead to your secret becoming exposed. Be sure to keep that in mind alright?"

Both of my parents nodded. At that moment, my heart felt unbelievably warm. These three people continued to view me as an important member of their family. They placed me before the development of their own territory.

"I understand. In order to not arouse suspicions, I'll make sure the development of Rushmore progresses at a gradual pace. Of course, I'll also be sure to consult with Ojii-sama and Father-sama before anything begins."

We continued to discuss various matters for another 20 minutes or so. However at that point, we were all beginning to feel that talking for so long was beginning to put a strain on us, and decided to end the talk there for today. After we parted ways, I breathed out a sigh of relief.

I feel like a fool for worrying so much. Since they were already aware of my secret to a certain extent, I also didn't expect them to accept everything so easily. Well, I still probably shouldn't a.s.sume that everyone would be able accept my secret like them.