Chapter 5 Choices

I stand up and greet Mother and Father. “ Good afternoon Duke and Duchess.” As I say those words, I convey with my eyes the need to discuss something. Father and Mother, who notices the look in my eyes, smiles gently at me. They sit themselves down at the table, and the servants begin serving us our meals. As the servants finish, father raises his hand, and the servants positioned themselves to either side of the wall, almost blending in and acting like statues. He looks at me and begins to speak.

“Lilith, what did you want to tell your mother and me?” I mentally prepare myself for the next thing I am about to say.

“Father, Mother, I would like to get permission to access the Hall of Illusions.”

I gulp down after saying those words. The Hall of Illusions is a human-made dungeon. It is a dungeon with multiple rooms. Each room consists of different monsters found in the world, with varying degrees of strength. Father’s eyebrows crease, while mother is showing a shocked face. I can understand their expression, but it is my only choice right now if I want to get experience battling beasts. Currently, the illusions only have a 5% chance of killing people.

The monster illusions have the capacity to injure and land a finishing attack. The last attack will not kill the person, but instead knock them unconscious, The injuries and pain done by the monster illusions will disappear after 24 hours. The usual cause of death in the Hall of Illusions is shock. The pain and injuries stay along for 24 hours, reminding people to take these monsters seriously. The injuries sustained will not include any decapitation or removal of one's limb. But any other injury, including blindness, will stay for 24 hours. The 24-hour waiting period can be expedited, by paying the healers of Baskara. Baskara, the God of the Sun, is one of the religions that the Human Kingdom accepts.

Mother loses her shocked expression and now shows a worried expression.

“Lilith honey, are you sure about this? Nobility only needs to enter that dungeon once they are 18. There is no need for you to go to it right away.”

I can hear Mother’s almost pleading tone asking me not to go. I became hesitant about my decision but remembering my talk with Professor Randol. I steel my resolve, look at Mother’s face, and with a serious expression, I say.

“I understand Mother, but I want to become stronger. I want to be able to protect the people I love, the people who will become my vassals. There is only so much Nia can teach me, and I also need more practical training.”

Mother’s eyes widen a bit, but her expression suddenly hardens as well.

“Lilith honey, I agree that there are limitations with just Nia teaching you. However, you still cannot win against Nia, nor have you tied against her. What makes you so certain that you would gain more benefits from training in the Hall of Illusions, than with just training with Nia.”

I knew that Mother would deny me access to the Hall. But I cannot back away now.

“I agree that I still lack the capability to fight evenly against Nia. That is why training in the Hall of Illusions will benefit me. Nia controls herself when we train, but the beasts within the Halls will not. I can hone my instincts by training in the Hall of Illusions. The pain and injuries that I will sustain are only temporary. But, the skills and training I receive from it are permanent.”

“Lilith honey, you know the pain and injuries sustained are no laughing matter. You will suffer excruciating pain as if the pain and injuries existed in the first place. The outward injuries and pain may disappear, but scars of your mind will stay. Are you prepared for that type of suffering? Would it not be better to just train with Nia, and hone your skills that way?”

Mothers words struck a chord within me. I know that I may be rushing into things because I feel powerless at the moment. But, even so, I resolutely look at Mother’s face and say.

“Mother, I understand that you are worried about me. And like you said, maybe training with Nia will yield the same results in a safer environment. However, similar to history books and stories, people died when they could not adapt. I want to be able to hone my skills in any situation, and fighting these beasts will help me considerably. I will also continue my training with Nia. Because, as you said, she still has a lot to teach me.”

As Mother tries to give another point to dissuade me, Father holds Mother’s hands to stop her. He then speaks to me, but the tone he uses is when addressing other Nobles.

“Lilith Blanc Dimir, I will grant you permission to enter the Halls of the Illusions with some restrictions. The first restriction is that you will only be able to have access to the Halls on Friday and Sundays. The second restriction is that you will always have to be accompanied by someone when you enter the Halls.“

He takes a brief pause and continues.

“The last restriction is for you to have no access to the Healers of Baskara. You will have to suffer all the injuries and pain that comes from being negligent. Like you said pain and suffering are the best teachers. Learning from this experience should help you in honing your skills.”

Mother and I became stunned by what Father has just uttered. The initial restrictions were something that I can agree to. The last restriction caught me off guard, and I was not able to reply right away, because of it. Father smirks and continues to say.

“If you are able to agree with these restrictions, I shall grant you access to Hall of Illusions.”

It seems that was Father’s trump card. He used my own words and thoughts against me. He believes I will back out now that he has put the last restriction. Before I made my decision I look at him and say.

“Father, if I accept your condition, can you guarantee the promise you have just made? Can you also add that I will not have to queue up to use the dungeon?”

Father raises an eyebrow to my question, but he nods and says.

“If you choose to comply with this agreement, I Loyd Astolfo Dimir shall grant you access to the Halls of Illusion and guarantee your use during the specified dates. After all, we Dimir own the Halls of Illusion.”

I smirk at Father’s remark. I guess there is just no other choice now.

“I, Lilith Blanc Dimir agree to the terms of this verbal contract.” Mother during this whole time has been showing a shocked expression of what has just transpired. Her eyes look at Father while he tries not to look at her face at all. I can already imagine the amount of scolding Father will receive for letting me use the Halls of Illusion. Mother sighs and just glares at Father while we continue to eat our meal. The steak flambe was especially delicious today. As the servants replace the dishes with the dessert course, I suddenly remembered I had something else to tell Mother and Father.

“Father, Mother, I know what I would like for my present.” Mother looks at me and smiles.

“And what would our Lilith like for her present.” I point at one of the paintings on the wall.

“I would like a sword that can be modified later, and I will not need a magic stone. I would like to be able to earn that myself.”

Father and Mother nod, but Father seems to be the one with a proud look on his face. And he starts to speak.

“I am guessing that Professor Randol explained to you the usage and the symbolism of said magic stones?” I nod.

“Yes Father, I would like to procure my own magic stone. And show the people that the up and coming lord of this land, have the right and skills to rule."

Mother's eyes soften as she looks at me, and she says.

“My Sweet Lilith. Someday you will become a leader that the people of our domain will willingly serve. For now, take your time and enjoy yourself, youth is a beautiful thing even in this time of war.”

I smile at Mother’s gentle reminder. I am grateful to have such loving parents. I cannot help but smile at her and say.

“I am already enjoying my time here Mother. I just want to be prepared for anything, because in these uncertain times, personal strength is the only thing we can rely on.”

I stand up from the table and leave, and just like clockwork Nia is standing by the other side of the door.

She smiles at me and gestures with her hands what I would like to do. I smile at her and say.

“Nia, I would like to go for some training against you. Also starting Friday’s and Sunday’s I have permission to access the Halls of Illusion now.”

Instead of shock, her expression shows interest.

“Well then Milady, it seems like you are growing faster than the other children your age.”

She now starts guiding me towards my room for me to change into my sparring clothes. I noticed that Nia starts muttering to herself, but I could only get a hint of what she was trying to say.

“hehe….she maybe…..”