Author's note: Sorry, I'm currently sick, but I will give you chapters

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"So, old man, are all women like those two?"

"No, most women aren't like those two, at least about children. Shela acts like that because she really loves cute things, but the feeling isn't mutual. I think she scares them with her enthusiasm. Linsley... There's really no excuse for her. I'm not sure if it's any better, but she doesn't just do this to children. There are many middle aged men and women who feel harassed by her in the making of their clothing. She's actually just excited by the ideas she's getting for clothing, but it's still very uncomfortable. The reason she doesn't treat me like that is because, apparently, I don't inspire her."

"That makes sense."

"I'm not sure if you meant the explanation or if you're agreeing with Linsley."

". . ."

We've stopped in front of one of the open, wooden stands. This one is cooking chicken on sticks. The smell of the meat tickles my nose. I look up at the old man with a hopeful face.

"Yes, we're to eat. It's about lunch time so I thought we'd grab something quick. Excuse me sir, could we get ten satays?"

"That would be two silvers."

The old man hands the man two circles of silver and we wait a few minutes for the chicken to finish cooking. The old man hands me eight of the chicken sticks. I look at him with sparkling eyes.

"I figured you could eat quite a bit. You should feed Shiva and Asura though, they can share a stick."

I nod enthusiastic and we dig into the food. It's not as good as the meat from magic beasts, but it's still delicious.

.....

After our meal we continue shopping. We buy the brush we needed from a random stall we walked by. They were selling beauty care objects, is what the old man told me. He tried to explain why such things were needed, but, besides brushes, I couldn't understand why any of it would be necessary. He mentioned that such things are mainly used by girls and pricks like it was an excuse. A prick is a rude, arrogant, pompous, jerk, and most of them don't have any real redeeming qualities, is how the old man explains it. We wander awhile, looking at things people were selling, and the old man would explain what they are for. My head hurts. Apparently we will do this at least once a month. The old man thinks it's a good way to teach me more about the world and "common sense". I hate it, but I have to agree. It does seem like a good idea. Three hours had past since we started the lesson and now we're finally moving on. We walk into a quiet store filled with books. An older man, not as old as the old man, is sitting behind the counter, reading quietly. He looks up when we stand in front of him.

"Pardon me for interrupting your reading, but we would like some help finding what we want to buy. We need a sheaf of paper, a ballpoint pen, and some children's books if you have them."

The older man puts down his book and pulls the paper and pen out from under the counter. Then he walks around the store, picking up three books before heading back to his seat behind the counter. He puts the books on the counter.

"Five silvers, please."

"Yes, of course."

The old man...Niel...puts the coins on the counter and picks up the stuff. The older man sits back down in his chair and begins to read again. We walk out the door and head back to the old man's house.

"After all the eccentrics, Jacobs was like a breath of fresh air. Don't you agree, Chaise? Oh and by breath of fresh air I meant it was refreshing."

"Yes, I liked the quiet in that store. Everywhere else we went was so noisy, but his place was very peaceful. I like him."

"Yes, as long as you're not disturbing his peace too much he's very easy to get along with."

We are back at the house now. The old man fiddles with the door a bit before opening it. I go upstairs and put the puppies on my bed. They fell asleep during the walk back to the house. Then I go downstairs and wait as the old man cooks dinner. After dinner, and dessert, I follow the old man and sit on the couch next to the old man. *Yawn* My stomach is full and it's giving me a warm feeling.

"Chaise, I've more or less figured out your schedule for the month. Would you like to hear it?"

I nod. I'm feeling a bit sleepy right now. Being surrounded by noisy people is tiring. A day and night of hunting is less tiring than today was.

"Okay. Before we start the lessons for the day, we'll eat breakfast and go for a run.The first lesson of the day we'll start on teaching you a bit more about the six races and the history of our world as we know it. Then we'll work on your reading and writing. After that we'll have lunch. Maybe I can teach you a little bit of cooking. I know you can eat raw meat with no problems, but it might be fun."

The old man is speaking in a soft, soothing voice. It's making me even sleepier.

"Next we'll work on magic theory. You might even be able to teach me something during those lessons. The next two hours of your day will be free time for the first week, so during that time you can do whatever you want. After the first week. We'll take two hours for your physical and weapon training. Then you'll work on your control and use of magic for an hour or two. Afterwards we'll have dinner."

My head has begun to nod as I resist sleep. The old man uses this as an opportunity to pet my head and ears. Everyone we meet tried to pet my ears. I'm too sleepy to even glare at him. It's taking all of my concentration to listen to his words.

"After dinner, and dessert, is the free time you'll always have. It will be up to you when you'll go to sleep. That's what a full day of lessons will be like. At least twice a week I'll let you skip the morning lessons to go out and play. That's what kids your age should generally be doing, but you've set a goal to live among people you don't understand so that you can become stronger and find your mother. For the first few months you'll volunteer at the orphanage on the last day of the week. Once I think you're ready, I'll have you sign up at the adventurers' guild and then you'll take jobs on the last day of the week and go to the orphanage on the fourth day. I will not be teaching you actual magic though. You'll have to wait until you enter the academy for that. Even though I'll be teaching you a lot, the academy will still be good for you Chaise. You'll meet people there who'll inspire you to be better... Hmm, you better head to bed now. It looks like if you don't go you'll fall asleep on your way to it."

I nod and trudge up the stairs to the bed. When I lay down the puppies wake up a little, just enough for them to cuddle up next to me, and we all fall asleep...