Third Day of June, In the Year of the Empire 6777

Awaking from sleeping on a stone floor, even a warm one, was still not comfortable. Today I would have to get some furniture. But first I needed two more walls for a bedroom and a washroom. The first wall would just close off the far third of the main room. A second wall would split off a third of that space for a washroom. Add openings for three doorways, one to each room from the main room and one between the bedroom and washroom.

From the previous rituals and notes, it only took minutes to set up the new ritual for the walls. Then by sitting there and slowly pushing my mana in for a long time, I was able to supply all the needed mana.

With a substantial mana drain headache, it was time to get food and return to the library. I need to figure out how to do the ceiling and provide light somehow rather than this dim lamp. Then I'll need to figure out how to create the washroom fixtures. A bath, sink, toilet, and maybe a shower? Control the water temperature too.

Could I figure out how to do more? Create a roof? Build wooden furniture? If I could create all the rituals needed to create an entire house, how useful would that be? Where could I even attempt it?

By the time I finished breakfast, I had a thousand ideas. The problem was that if I did it how I fixed the basement, it would take far longer to 'grow' a house than just having one built. There must be a way in which to do this faster.

I returned to the library later that morning, and the board had a few new requests for help understanding specific topics. A student had already completed one. The head librarian told me this saying that the system seemed to be working much better than he expected. I asked him to let me know of any problems if they occurred. I even asked him to suggest any improvements if he had any ideas.

As I sat at the desk thinking about the rituals, it became clear that mana was going to be the real issue. Was mana the reason runes and rituals never improved and used? With that thought, I posted my second ongoing request for books with information on collecting and storing mana. I tossed another couple of dozen coppers into the jar just to ensure the funding was available for everyone.

For the next several weeks, I continued to help the students and do my research nearly all day long, every day. My home had a door now, but I still had done nothing about the furniture, lighting, or washroom. I was busy. I even missed going to see my parents, though being gone for three weeks away from my research was not in my plans, to be honest. In another week, the new school year would start.

Eighth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777

Today is my thirteenth birthday! I have graduated, became an instructor, and now work to become a high mage. My plans seemed to be going perfectly. To celebrate, I write to my mother and father a letter about the last month, like I do every month.

Twenty-Fourth Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777

With a week left, it was time to test my new ritual. That need is what drove me out of the library finally.

First, I went back to Mr. Green for advice on how to buy some property to test my house building ritual. He sent me directly to a friend of his that would be able to help. That is how I found myself sitting in a richly appointed office, waiting.

"Sir, Mr. Hox will see you now," the receptionist said.

"Thank you."

Mr. Hox's office is even more richly decorated than the Dean's.

"Mage Perrin?" A portly man with graying hair asked while standing and offering his hand over his desk.

"Yes sir, though I prefer my first name, Hartson, if you don't mind."

"Certainly, Mage Hartson. I understand you want to buy some property that is private and out of the way? Excuse me for asking, but you’re a bit young to be doing this kind of thing, are you not?"

"In a way, yes. However, I just graduated as a full mage and became an instructor at the mage school. I am also working to become a high mage as quickly as possible. Given my early graduation, I am considered a full adult in the kingdom. It’s a rather rare event, but students can do it." I smiled and asked, "Will that be a problem, sir?"

Mr. Hox just smiled brighter. "No sir, that will make things quite easy to process actually as Mages in the Kingdom do have some privileges in this regard. So, tell me more about what you're looking for."

"First, my reason for needing land is a private matter. Will that be okay?"

Mr. Hox nodded quickly, "That will not be a problem. We can even set up a confidential contract if you wish."

"Yes, that sounds best. How is that done?"

Mr. Hox removed some papers from his desk and handed them to me. "This is a standard confidential, magically enforced contract. If it is acceptable, we just need to both sign it."

Reading through the contact, I found it was just what I wanted. I signed it and handed it back to Mr. Hox. He signed it as well and gave me back the original, keeping a copy for himself.

"Thank you. As to why I want the property, it is to test a method of building a house with magic. So being out of sight and not being bothered by anyone is of importance to me. Maybe lots of space to try different things as well. Would that be possible?"

Mr. Hox seemed caught off guard by my need but nodded quickly. "Yes, I can find such property for you outside of the city easily enough."

"Great, though I would want it to be within a day's travel. I do not relish spending too much time traveling. Also, if there is a way to have someone take care of and watch over the property for me, that would be helpful as well."

Mr. Hox nodded quickly at that request. "I'll line up some properties for you to look at in the next few days if that will work?"

I frowned at that. "Unfortunately, I was looking for something a bit faster. I must begin teaching classes next week, making it harder for me to get away from school then. Would I be able to leave this in your hands and have everything set up as quickly as possible? Including some guards to escort me to the location and back? I know this is asking a lot, but I will pay fairly for it."

Mr. Hox sat there, thinking about it a bit before responding. "I can do that for a thousand gold if you are willing."

"Good. I'll make it eleven-hundred for your extra trouble and another hundred if it is ready in two days."

Mr. Hox blinked, then nodded. "Certainly, sir, and thank you."

I signed the transfer slip before leaving and told him to leave any message for me at the Emporium. Otherwise, I would be back early in the morning, two days from now.

With that settled, I returned to the library for the rest of the day and the next.