"This is difficult, as this is already the market price. Our family isn't particularly well-off. To maintain the dignity of the middle class—hiring maids, hosting tea parties, social engagements, and all sorts of entertainment and expenses—an annual income of at least 10 gold coins is needed to live a comfortable life," Mrs. Porter said, half-refusing and half-boasting.
After much persuasion, Mrs. Porter knocked off 1 silver coin for Lanen, reducing the rent to 23 silver coins per month.
The payment method was the familiar "one month's deposit and three months' rent in advance." For this, Lanen had to pay 92 silver coins upfront, followed by 69 silver coins every three, six, and nine months. Calculating it, Lanen would spend a whopping 2 gold coins and 76 silver coins on this house in a year. This didn't even include the gas and water bills Lanen would have to cover, nor the crystal consumption for the furniture inside.
"I know a lawyer. Shall we go together? I've brought enough money, so there's no need to withdraw any," Lanen said to Mrs. Porter—excluding copper coins, he still had 2 gold coins and 49 silver coins on him, more than enough to pay.
Mrs. Porter had no objections. Bringing along the maid Hetty, the three of them hailed a carriage directly.
"To Ox Tailbone Street, Edgar Law Firm."
"..."
At the Atlan Arcane School, in the study room.
"So, you're moving out, huh?"
Hal lifted his head from behind the book he was holding up on the desk, looking slightly surprised as he spoke to Lanen. Hearing this, Elina and Sophia also turned around, staring at Lanen.
"Yes, I plan to move over there gradually in the next few days."
"Where did you rent the place?" Elina asked with concern.
"On Black Bread Tree Street, rented from Mrs. Porter on Henry Street."
"Hmm, I haven't been there much, but it's quite far from the school, so," Elina asked, "can you still study with us?" Sophia nodded vigorously at Elina's question, showing she cared deeply about this point.
"The travel time isn't too bad. I've figured out a solution," Lanen reassured his friends. "I'll definitely keep coming to the study room—the atmosphere here is great, and the school library has the most extensive collection in the city. More importantly, you're all here. So, I'll definitely keep studying here. However, I might not be able to continue my part-time job at the library next semester."
"Does that mean you can't reserve novels for me anymore? Ah, I'll have to fight to borrow them myself," Sophia mused aloud.
"Uh, sorry about that. I'll find a way to make it up to you later."
"No, no," Sophia's face flushed red. "I don't read them often now anyway—they're all the same old套路."
"Need any help?" Hal asked.
"I don't have much stuff. I should be able to handle it alone, but... Hal, could you help me carry my things to the school gate? I'll need to hire a carriage to get there." Lanen considered for a moment before accepting his offer. Then he added, "By the way, I should have the place somewhat settled by the weekend. So, come over on the weekend to hang out—bring your study materials. It's quite spacious there. I'll cook for you all and let you taste my skills."
Seeing his friends happily agree, Lanen said, "Great, it's settled then. I'll wait for you there on the weekend. Oh, and I need to inform our grade supervisor, Mr. Leitman, about me moving out. You guys carry on; I'll head out now."
Lanen huffed and puffed as he dragged the box up the steps.
It was a bit heavier than he'd expected.
Pulling out the key, he unlocked the door to pitch-black darkness inside.
By the dim light of the streetlamp outside, Lanen found the switch and flipped it up. As the circuit closed, the magical current flowed through the enchanted wiring, lighting up the arcane lamp on the ceiling. In more upscale households, it was a popular setup: a single cheap standard magic crystal provided energy, which was then distributed via insulated conductive wiring, creating a safe and convenient home arcane system.
The room was instantly bathed in light.
Closing and locking the door behind him, Lanen dragged the box to the bedside before flopping onto the soft mattress. "I'll rest a bit before unpacking..." he thought.
And just like that, he drifted off to sleep.
When he opened his eyes, the arcane lamp was still on, and the sky outside the window was tinged with pale light.
A beautiful silver river stretched across the night sky—a common sight during spring and autumn on the continent.
Hopping out of bed, Lanen patted his wallet and stretched. After paying the rent, he still had 1 gold coin and 57 silver coins left. But he wasn't worried—he still had 4 gold coins saved in the bank, leaving him plenty of leeway.
Prying open the box lid, he pulled out his alarm clock and placed it on the nightstand, checking the time.
Dawn was approaching.
Estimating the travel time, Lanen knew it was impossible to fully unpack before leaving.
Still, he pulled out the books and textbooks he wouldn't need today from the box and arranged them on the empty shelves in the study. Then, he took out his parts box, pen holder, and two magic potion bottles, setting them up on the two large desks in the study before placing a stack of draft paper by the desk.
Rubbing his chin, Lanen suddenly felt a surge of chuunibyou spirit.
Leaning on the wide desk, he declared in a deep voice:
"—I hereby announce that the great Galaxy Laboratory is officially established today!"
But no one responded, as he was the only one in the room.
Unfazed, he cheerfully paced around the room, admiring the spaciousness of his new home, which filled him with genuine joy.
Back in the bedroom, he fished out his diary and the calming potion he used for meditation, tossing them onto the bedside table. He planned to organize these and the remaining items when he returned in the evening to set up the bed. Then, he pulled out the bundled clothes and the rolled-up bedsheets and blankets, dumping them haphazardly onto the bed. Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he kicked the empty box aside, rinsed his mouth at the sink, splashed his face, and headed out.
By the time the carriage reached the school gate, the sky was fully lit.
The streets were still shrouded in a faint mist, carrying a slight chill. Having just spent over a dozen copper coins on the fare, Lanen stopped at a breakfast stall, spending 6 coppers on a hot bread roll stuffed with meat and a fried egg. He wolfed it down with the free, low-quality tea provided before wiping his hands with a handkerchief and striding through the school gates.
Checking the time, it was just right.
He could stick to this wake-up schedule from now on.
......
Early in the morning, Lanen got up, and the first thing he did was head to the market to buy groceries, skipping breakfast entirely.
The morning market was bustling with people—hard-pressed housewives and maids from middle-class or wealthier households hurried back and forth, haggling fiercely, hoping to save even a single copper coin. Vendors stood their ground at first, then made limited concessions to secure hidden profits, while buyers pressed their advantage relentlessly. The noise was overwhelming, and the chilly air carried a hint of tension.
Housewives had to buy groceries for the whole day before heading to work, while maids aimed to pick the freshest produce in the morning to prepare better meals for their employers. Lanen was there for the same reason—he was shopping for food.
Examining the lettuce, radishes, and fresh peas on the vegetable stall, Lanen looked up and asked:
"How much for the peas?"