After that, I continued training for three hours straight. It was nine thirty AM by the time I was done. I didn't want to stop yet, but.
"Haah... haah... young master, I can't go on anymore..."
What a hassle.
Sitting limp on the ground was a wholly exhausted lily clasping at her chest. I sighed when I saw her. She was good with healing but lacked stamina and mana. She would be better off learning to refine her mana so that it would be possible to use her skills with lesser of it. I dusted my body and put on my black tunic before walking over to her. My muscles had made great progress, and Lily barely looked any older than me.
With her still gasping for air, I stood in front of her.
"You ok?"
"Haah... yes, young master. I'll be fine. Haah... you have to prepare for different classes, I'll prepare your breakfast so—"
I ignored her words and swooped her up in my arms.
A few strands of her hair landed on my arms as I held her coolly in a princess carry. Lily's face flushed red as she went 'awawa' while spacing out. I tried to focus a bit, and saw. Her eyes and hair.
"A very pretty shade of brown."
"Y-yes?" Lily asked, flustered.
"Your eyes and hair, they are pretty."
"Aaawawa! Young master, what are you saying—"
She was exhausted and needed rest.
"Where's your room?" I asked. "I'll take you there."
"I-I can manage! You can't hold a maid like me..."
"Man, it's fine. Just tell me the way."
I ignored her babblings and walked away from the pond back to the estate. The more relaxed she was, the more I could use her healing magic. That and if she has any favorability toward me, she would just be that easier to use. I was not going to let go of this chance to earn some brownie points.
Lily's skin was soft and her weight light. She was barely two heads taller than me in the first place. I kept her close, feeling her upper body resting against my chest as I walked through the mansion under her guidance. Her curvy hair landed on my hands and I could make out her eyes opened wide, but the expression she held was tough to capture for me.
I couldn't tell what she looked like from an objective standpoint. But the warmth that spread as she shyly clasped the cloth on my chest and loosened her body from her exhaustion, that warmth made me think she must be a beautiful person.
We eventually came to a stop in the passageway of the lowest floor.
"Around here?" I asked Lily.
"Uh, yes... My room is the—"
I dropped Lily down before she could tell me which room in the passage was hers.
"You can go on your own," I said. She lowered her gaze and nodded. "Rest for now. Don't come out."
"But your classes and breakfast—"
"—Shh."
How dare you talk back to the one who will be the strongest in the world? Land a punch and then speak. Well, I wasn't going to say that, so I casually reached up and brushed off Lily's hair from touching her eyes.
"I'll handle it," I said. Honestly, looking at her from below like this felt uncool to me, but Lily instead blushed and nodded. "That said, why didn't I see anyone else here?"
"Oh well, that's because it's just the four of us here, young master. You, Keith the knight, and us two maids. This is the first time you've asked about the personnel."
I closed my eyes and crossed my arms. Just four? I should remember the reason for something like this.
I dug deep into my memories, speeding through the blurry faces and the unsettling voices. Deeper behind the memories of Yujin, the very very distant thoughts of my past entered my mind.
Right, it was because I was kicked out of the main estate for some reason and sent in the dwindling mansion away in the territory.
"Got it." I answered to Lily and turned back. "Rest well."
Lily said something from behind, but I didn't pay it any attention. I was slowly able to recall the grounds of the mansion as I walked around. I had to remember it for the next matter of utmost importance.
The constant healing and breaking had tired me out.
I needed to get some food in my system.
Off to the kitchen.
***
-Clack clack clack
-sizzle~~
In no time at all, I was now in front of the kitchen. I made sure to wash up before hand to get rid all the dirt and grime. When I reached in front of the kitchen, there was already someone there.
Another woman in maid clothes, standing upright in front of the counter with her sleeves slightly rolled up. She seemed to be having a hard time managing many things at once.
I took a loud step ahead.
The maid heard the sound of my feet and turned to face me. She paused for a few seconds before speaking up.
"Young master Eugene... what might you be doing here?"
My, what a sharp voice. It was filled to the brim with animosity. Just what had I done to her? I didn't remember it at all.
"You," I said, continuing ahead. "What are you doing?"
"You don't have to be concerned with these matters, young master. I'll tell Lily to attend to you—"
She continued blabbering so I ignored her and climbed up on a small stool to check up on the counter. Sure enough, she was cooking. But...
"Who is this food for?" I asked.
"It's for you... young master."
"Ok, you get out."
... Awful. What kind of trash were they making here so wastefully? She didn't understand the importance of temperature and spices! The food she was making was completely focused on taste and portions.
How was I supposed to get the optimal amount of proteins from this hastily cooked chicken?
How was I supposed to get my abs back without protein?
"Um... young master? What do you mean?" the maid asked again. Her voice even more hostile than before.
"I said get out. I'll cook."
As the to-be strongest in the world, cooking was a cinch.