Chapter 141: New Space

This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:

• Adventurer The orc warrior 261

• Adventurer GrimV

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3:32 p.m.

Temple of Priests Office Building, Temple of Priests Private Compound, Luxen City.

Vivian stepped inside the Mission Room and went over to the counter where Ezekiel was at. And before coming here, she left the items she bought from the Blacksmith Shop back at the dormitory.

"Brother Ezekiel, hello," she said and smiled when she reached him.

"Sister Vivian, you seem to be very busy today. What can I do for you this time?" he said and smiled back.

Vivian let out an awkward smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Ezekiel shook his head with a smile.

“No, no, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m actually happy to help in any way I can.”

Vivian nodded and smiled.

“I see, I’m glad to hear that. Anyhow, the reason why I came here is because since I'm now White Cloak and only Brown Cloaks are allowed to participate in the Feeding and Teaching Holy Mission conducted within the city, what's going to happen to me?"

"Oh, that one. You can ask to be transferred to another group starting tomorrow or you can finish this week's Holy Mission and then be transferred the following week."

Vivian nodded once again.

"I see, I see. I have one more question: Is it possible to rent my own room at the Female Dormitory? And if yes, how?"

She remembered that Marie had her own room. And given that she had many things already, it would be nice to have her own room, not to mention the many secrets she also had.

"About that, you can just ask the head of the Female Dormitory, Sister Lorei."

"Sister Lorei? Where can I find her?"

"Her office is on the first floor of the Female Dormitory."

"I see. And do you know how much is it to rent a room? Is it per day, week or month?”

"It’s per month. But for the price, it depends on what type of room and the location. If it's here in the compound, a single-person room costs 30 gold coins a month. But if it's outside, it's 20 gold coins. Meanwhile, a two-person room here in the compound costs 40 gold coins a month while outside costs 30 gold coins."

"Which one has the best security in regards to peace and order, especially the silence?" Vivian said and then let out an apologetic smile. “I really can’t stand loud and noisy neighbors.”

As a working adult in her previous world, one of the luxuries that Vivian would never compromise no matter what is having a peaceful environment to go home to.

Sure, one can rent a cheap apartment in a poor neighborhood in order to "save money". However, if a person works 10-15 hours a day but lives in a noisy neighborhood, then it would be pointless because…

If one has noisy neighbors, how can one sleep?

If one can't get enough sleep, how can one recover?

If one can't recover, what will happen to their health?

If one isn't healthy, how can can work properly?

And if one can’t work properly, what’s going to happen to their job?

The rent may be “budget-friendly” but the cost of other things completely negates it.

Also, what many people fail to consider when living in a rich neighborhood is that not only do you get to network with high-profile people but you also get to mingle with women from rich families.

But of course, just because you live there, that doesn’t mean those high-profile people and women from rich families would just come knocking at your door begging to know and spend time with you. You need to present yourself nicely or at least dress and act like the people you want to attract, attend social events within the neighborhood, and have good social skills.

However, if one doesn't have the extra income to afford living in a rich neighborhood, it's best to live in a neighborhood filled with old people. Most old people are quiet. And if they're a Karen, much better. Just make sure to never get on their bad side.

"It's more or less the same," Ezekiel said.

"But let's say I have a noisy neighbor, which one will be dealt with quicker? I also want privacy," Vivian said.

"Then I would say it would be here in the compound. But if you really want privacy, I suggest you rent a house. However, it’s located outside and the rent is 6 months or annual."

"A house? How much is it?"

“The cheapest prices are 1,800 gold coins for 6 months and 3,000 gold coins for 12 months. The house is a three-bedroom house that comes with an in-house chef, maid and messenger, furniture, the light and water are already covered, a food budget for 2 meals and 1 snack time a day, and other miscellaneous fees such as insurance, repairs, etc.”

Vivian’s jaw almost dropped but she managed to catch it.

What the hell…?!

1,800 gold coins for 6 months…?!

So 300 gold coins a month…?!

3,000 silver or 30,000 copper coins a month…?!

What the fuck am I exactly paying for that kind of price…?!

To be specific, this was the monthly breakdown:

• Food bill was 90 gold coins

• Water bill was 3 gold coins

• Light bill was 3 gold coins

• Chef salary was 30 gold coins

• Maid salary was 20 gold coins

• Messenger salary was 10 gold coins

• Insurance, Repairs, Tax, Security, etc. was 144 gold coins

“If you don’t want the in-house staff because you already have a personal chef, maid and messenger, the prices remain the same. And lastly, the currency is based on the Holy currency, not the Twin or the Luxen currency,” Ezekiel added.

Vivian’s brows knitted together.

Holy currency…?

Twin currency…?

Luxen currency…?

“Can I ask what’s the exchange rates between those 3 currencies?”

A surprised expression flashed across Ezekiel’s face.

“Last time I checked, 1 Holy copper coin is 1 Twin copper coin. Meanwhile, 1 Holy copper coin is 1 and 1/2 Luxen copper coins.”

What…?!

There’s something like that in this world…?!

“So 1.5 between the Holy and the Luxen copper coin?”

Ezekiel nodded with a surprised expression.

“1.68 to be exact. And yes.”

“Hold on, brother, the coins I earn from the Holy Missions, what is the currency?”

“Holy currency.”

Vivian placed her hand on her chest and she let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank God!”

Ezekiel raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, thank the God of Light,” Vivian corrected herself.

“You understand currencies, sister?”

Vivian looked at him with a confused expression.

“Huh? Why wouldn’t I?”

Ezekiel raised his hands.

“My apologies, sister. I didn’t mean to insult you or anything. It’s just that, I wasn’t aware that you’ve taken Elite Arithmetic Education. May I ask who was your Instructor?”

“Huh?”

This time around, a confused expression appeared on Ezekiel’s face as well.

“I’m sorry?”

Both Vivian and Ezekiel were looking at each other with confused expressions. But after what felt like an eternity of awkward silence, Ezekiel broke the silence first.

“Most people only know basic reading, writing and counting. So if a person wants to study higher or complex numbers, they must seek out a Scholar and study under that Scholar. In fact, everyone here in this Mission Room was born with a talent in arithmetic and we had to study and pass an Elite Arithmetic Education in order to get a position here. My Instructor or the Scholar I studied under was Brother Kaiden who is already retired.”

Scholar…

Vivian recalled the shop signs she had seen in this world and her talk with Felize about Instructors and Scholars the other day.

Right…

There was that…

"Ah, I see,” she said and then shook her head. “The only formal education I got was from Sister Marie from the Reading and Writing Holy Mission.”

Ezekiel’s eyes widened.

He was familiar with Marie because she was one of the famous Priestesses due to her beauty and her 3 Magic Art Affinities.

“Sister Marie? My, I wasn’t aware that she also has a talent in teaching complex arithmetic.”

Should I correct him…?

Well…

She’s a nosy bitch…

“Yes, she’s a great Instructor. Anyhow, thank you for the information, brother," she said and smiled.

"No problem, sister. I'm always happy to help," Ezekiel said and smiled.

"May the God of Light continue to watch over you."

"May the God of Light continue to watch over you as well."

Vivian turned around and then left.

***

Female Dormitory.

Vivian stood in front of an open door.

Knock, knock.

She knocked twice before entering the room.

“Excuse me.”

As she entered the room, the first thing she noticed was that it was very clean and tidy and there was a pleasant scent in the air.

Not bad…

The room was a bit spacious with a couple of windows and there were potted plants of different sizes decorated around the room. There was a small lounging area by the entrance, an office desk facing the lounging area, and a separate bathroom and toilet at the corner next to a small storage room followed by a small kitchen area.

And sitting behind a desk was a Gold Cloak bespectacled woman with short black hair in her early 40s. She was reading a book and there was a cup of tea on top of the desk.

The Priestess raised her gaze and turned to Vivian.

“Yes, sister? How may I help you?”

This woman…

Back when Vivian first arrived here with Joshua, it was already late. So the person who introduced her to the free and shared bedroom space was a White Cloak Priestess in her mid-30s.

“I’m sorry for asking this, but is this the office of Sister Lorei, the head of the Female Dormitory?”

The Priestess closed her book and placed it on top of the desk.

"Yes, that’s me,” she said and then gestured towards the two empty chairs in front of her desk. “Please take a seat, sister.”

“Thank you,” Vivian said as made her way over to her and then sat at one of the empty chairs.

“What can I do for you, sister?”

“I’m Sister Vivian and I’m interested in renting a single-person room here.”

Lorie nodded.

“Are you aware of the cost of a single-person room?”

“Brother Ezekiel told me that it’s 30 gold coins a month. But I’m not sure what’s the price if it’s paid through a loan.”

“It’s still 30 gold coins, regardless if it’s paid in coins or through a loan. However, there is an initial deposit of 20 gold coins.

“For the room itself, it comes with a bed frame, a cabinet, a desk mirror with a chair, and an armor stand. It doesn't come with a personal toilet and bathroom, you still have to use the communal toilet and bathroom.

“So the total is 50 gold coins.

“And if you want the Temple to provide your room with a bed, bedsheets, pillows, pillowcases, curtains and carpets, the basic price is 10 gold coins.

“That would make it 60 gold coins.”

Vivian nodded.

“That price is not bad. But there’s one thing I’m concerned about.”

“And that is?”

“Please forgive me if I’m going to sound very rude but I'm a very private, quiet and clean person. Would there be any issues about privacy, noises -- especially noisy neighbors -- and cleanliness? And if there will be such issues, how would they be dealt with?”

A very warm and kind smile appeared on the face of Lorei.

“There is nothing to worry about privacy and noises. I can assure you that they will be dealt with RIGHT AWAY,” she said and there was a glint in her eyes as she said the last two words.

Vivian’s lips curled up into a smile.

“Oh, really? That’s very good to hear.”

“As for the cleanliness, of course, all public facilities will be kept clean by the management. However, that doesn’t mean the tenants are free to litter the public spaces just because the management will clean them. They will be met with severe punishment -- a fine and possibly even an eviction.

“But for the bedrooms, first off, the management has no right to enter the occupied bedrooms unless they have a special waiver. Since that’s the case, when it comes to cleaning the bedrooms, that responsibility lies with the tenant or tenants of the room. However, make no mistake, if the tenant or tenants fail to keep their bedroom clean to the point unpleasant smells are coming out of their room and affecting the other tenants, they will be asked to do something about it immediately or they will be evicted.”

Vivian let out a chuckle.

"Forgive me for saying this, but did I mention that I love and adore people like you, Sister Lorei? I mean, I really don't understand how is it possible that people can be so selfish and lack so much self-awareness that they can't give mind their own business, be silent and be clean. Like seriously, in my head I'm just like: Why? How? What's wrong with you? It completely baffles me how such people can even function in society. If you ask me, there should be a separate place where only the private, quiet, thoughtful and clean people are allowed to live in, while the rest of the lowlifes can live together in whatever shithole they call as home."

Lorei stared at Vivian without blinking, her eyes glanced at Vivian’s gloved hands and then returned to Vivian’s face before finally letting out a chuckle as well.

"I know, right? It completely baffles me too. It's not like they're the only ones living in this world. Oh sister, I’m so thankful to the God of Light to meet a kindred soul like you."

Vivian shook her head.

"Sister Lorei, you have no idea how thankful and happy I am right now to the God of Light that not only did I meet someone who shares the same sentiments that I do but is also in charge of the place that I’m going to live in," she said with a bright smile on her face.

“Please, just call me sister. Sister Lorei is too formal.”

Vivian nodded.

“Okay, sister. So when I can rent a room? If it’s possible, I want it now. I’ll pay for the 60-gold-coin price through a loan.”

Lorei opened a drawer from her desk and took out a key.

"This is the key to Room 3-08. I highly recommend it because it's located at the corner so it has four windows instead of only two and the view from the south is quite beautiful," she said and handed over the key.

A surprised expression flashed across Vivian's face.

"Four windows and a view? Wow, thank you."

Lorei nodded.

“I’m sure you’ll love it,” she said with a smile.

“I guarentee I will,” Vivian said with a smile.

“By the way, sister, since you chose the 60-gold-coin price, I’m assuming that you don’t have any personal furniture?”

Vivian nodded.

“Yes, I always prefer to travel light.”

Lorei opened another drawer, took out a Memory Crystal and then placed it on top of the desk.

“Sister, since we’re kindred spirits, please allow me to give you the premium service -- a better bed, better bedsheets, better pillows and all that. The price would be almost 100 gold coins, but I’ll only charge you with 60.”

“You don’t have to, sister."

Lorei held out her hand.

"Please, I insist. It's only 40 gold coins anyway. Consider this as a welcome gift from me."

Vivian nodded.

"Okay, sister, thank you,” she said and smiled.

“Any particular color you want for the bedsheets, pillowcases, curtains and carpets?”

Vivian thought about it for a moment.

“I prefer to have dark and thick curtains that prevent any sunlight from slipping in. I usually prefer working at night because it’s quiet and peaceful which allows me to concentrate or think better. So there are times I would be asleep during the day.”

Lorei nodded.

“Okay,” she said and then let out a gasp. “Oh my, I’m very sorry, I didn’t mean to forget about it. I honestly got carried away after meeting a kindred spirit like you that I forgot to show you the room first.”

Vivian waved her hand.

“There’s no need, sister. Anyone who shares the same sentiment that I have when it comes to privacy, silence and cleanliness, I would never doubt their tastes.”

Lorei let out a small chuckle.

“You do have a point there, sister,” she said and nodded. “Once the paperwork is completed, your room will be ready after 2 hours. But you can still check it if you want to.”

“Noted, sister.”

Lorei began preparing the paperwork.

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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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Chapter end