After we returned to Covern House, I sequestered myself in my office. I took out a notepad and pen. I started to create a training plan to teach Minor Healing. It would begin with the description of what the spell was to accomplish. Next, I decided the student should rewrite the description in their own words, not just parrot what I said, but prove they have an understanding of what needs to be accomplished. Then, they would need to review the schematics of the spell. Here I would give a detailed explanation of how I envisioned the magic flowed, and the purpose of each module. Again, I would have them write it all down in their own words. Finally, they would attempt to learn the spell from the spell tome. This should result in a successful effort. I finished up the training plan, just as Gabriel came in and announced that dinner was ready.

  Dinner had become a ritual at Covern House. First, I would be seated at the head of the table, then Gabriel would provide a napkin for me to put on my lap. Next, he would announce each item to be served that evening. Chef would bring each item for my review and I would say something about it looking amazing, which it always did. Finally, after all the food was described and reviewed, Chef would make a plate for me and then one of her assistants would place it in front of me. Finally, I would ask them to join me in dinner.

  God knows the huge table that came with the house could fit everyone who worked here and more. I could double the size of my household and still have room. It was that ridiculously large.

  After being invited to eat, the rest of the staff would join us and we sat down to eat together. The seating was always the same, Gabriel on the left next to me, Fabia on the right. Chef next to Gabriel. The house guards, Rodof and Medirre, sat next to Fabia. I am sure the staff used some method to determine where each sat, but I don’t know what it was.

  Conversation would ebb and flow, and lots of gossip went around the table. It was a lot like a large family dinner, and I loved every minute of it. By now, I knew each person by their name and what they were responsible for. Rafella was one of the younger maids, and she was going to get married next spring. Her fiancé was a soldier in the army and was currently posted near the border with the Empire. He had chosen to do his mandatory military service with the King’s army rather than the Earl’s guards, because as he put it ‘he wanted a bit of travel, fore settling down as a carpenter, like his Pa’. Ramram, the errand boy, was about 12 years old and wanted to learn how to juggle. It was his greatest passion of the moment. I think but maybe that was yesterday’s passion. He wasn’t one for complicated taskings, but he was cheerful and optimistic and always did his best. He brought joy to people just by being around. Covern House was better with his just being there.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  The meal, as always, was delightful. Today, I learned that Robon’s first cousin’s best friend, had a huge crush on Libona, but Libona had a crush on Robon’s first cousin. A nice little romantic triangle. Now, who Robon or Libona were, I hadn’t a clue, but it was great fun just to see how excited Rafella got when she talked about it.

  After the meal, I went off to my office. I have to admit, I didn’t mind not having to clean the dishes. I guess it was perk of being the boss. When I reached the office, I decided to review my plans. The ones I made before leaving the cave. I mentally reviewed my progress:

  Step 1: Start my trip through the forest. Check.

  Step 2: Find a city to live. Check.

  Step 3: Start a career that would sustain me through the next 2 years. Check.

  Step 4: Learn about magic. Check, but still more to learn.

  Step 5: Make friends to help pass the time. Check, but more to make.

  Step 6: Live a happy life. In progress.

  The first two steps are complete, check them off. The third, I have identified my career as a magic healer and it should sustain me through the next 2 years. Another check. Step four is off to a fine start, Check, but I want to find a magic trainer to learn even more. Maybe the Adventurer Guild would have suggestions. Steps 5 and 6 will never be complete, because they are a lifetime’s work. However, since I do have friends, Check. You can never have enough friends, and being happy should be a daily goal. Now to maintain a quiet life to ensure my soul’s complete recovery, that is my plan.

  I am off to a great start. This is the second life I want. Not a life of violence or even adventure, as so many novels and video games showed, but a good life. A quiet life with friends, good food, and a meaningful job. Adventure and excitement are great in a video games and books, but it wasn’t something I wanted to go looking for in this world. But, if it came, I would be ready. I am a Marine after all.

  After today, I finally felt that I could do this. Not just survive, but actually live. Live a good life filled with friends, family, and happiness in this strange new world.