Old home
Veda boasted that she possessed all the necessary elements for Lilith's survival. It was hard for Lilith to disagree with her, as Veda's words rang true. Veda promised to take care of Lilith, to guide her through the intricacies of womanhood. Lilith initially declined, but Veda was determined to help her navigate this new world. Veda offered to impart her knowledge and assist Lilith in becoming a lady of high standing.
Despite feeling like Veda's managerial services were unnecessary, Lilith had faith in her own abilities to handle the task at hand. As a rose in full bloom, she stood tall and proud, confident in her skills. In the end, she politely refused Veda's offer, as she thought it would be a cakewalk.
Five days had passed since Lilith's disagreement with Veda, and the waters were calm. Lilith cherished the company of her mother, spending her days and nights by her side. Though at times it was dull, Lilith savored every moment, knowing it was a precious opportunity to be with her beloved parent.
After Lisa's recovery, she called John for a ride back home.
With Lilith cradled tenderly in her arms, Lisa stepped out of the hospital into the warm embrace of the sun. Besides his truck, John waited eagerly. His arm was outstretched in a joyous wave of greeting.
"Your pretty late, John."
"Really? It says I'm 20 minutes early, though. Does this count as late?"
"No, it doesn't."
Like two sparring birds in the midst of a heated dispute, they bickered incessantly. But finally, as they loaded themselves into the truck and set their sights on Lilith's home, the vehicle rumbled down the road.
As Lilith gazed out the window, the world outside seemed to have frozen in time. The houses stood shoulder to shoulder, leaving little space between neighbors. The peeling paint and decaying wooden structures spoke of a place long forgotten like a once-beautiful garden now overrun with weeds. This neighborhood was a veritable dump.
Lilith's gaze drifted to the east, where she beheld the colossal wall rising up into the sky. Its sheer size and height dwarfed everything around it, a stark reminder of the great divide between the haves and the have-nots. It was a barrier that separated the wealthy and the impoverished.
Despite their dilapidated homes, the people of this community were kind and welcoming. Though they lived in squalor, they bore their burden with a smile, never raising a complaint to the affluent few who lived behind the towering wall. But Lilith couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, as if they were brainwashed. It seemed that the residents of this neighborhood had been indoctrinated, their minds and hearts convinced that living in such conditions was not only acceptable but desirable.
Even in her past life, Lilith was unable to see beyond the towering wall that loomed before her.
As they pulled up to Lilith's new abode, she couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu wash over her. The house was like a time capsule, frozen in time like a memory from her childhood. Despite its flaws, the house held a certain charm, like an old friend whose company was always welcome. It was exactly as Lilith had remembered.
As Lisa stepped out of the truck, Lilith gazed upon her childhood home. Her heart was filled with a strange mix of emotions. The house stood before her with two windows peered out from the facade while a small porch beckoned her forward like an outstretched hand.
A single bathroom stood separate from the main living space. The bedroom was cozy and intimate, with just enough room for a bed and a dresser. The bedroom was cozy and intimate, with just enough room for a bed and a dresser. The kitchen was a marvel of efficiency, with every utensil and appliance carefully arranged to maximize its functionality. All of this was contained within a 20 by 20 square room.
"Looks like you actually cleaned..."
"Duh."
Lisa rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Look, I'll be taking care of Lilith, so you can go back to the restaurant," Lisa said.
John looked reluctant to go, but after Lisa let John carry on Lilith for a while, John got into his truck and went towards the family restaurant.
Lisa then cared for Lilith for the rest of the day. There wasn't really anything a baby did either than sleep, eat, and poop, so Lisa didn't really have anything to do. Lilith took some time to familiarize herself with the new house she was staying in. Even though she had lived here in the past, it had been a long time.
As the moonlight filtered in through the window, Lilith lay still in her bed, feigning slumber. She listened intently to the faint rustling sounds of Lisa getting ready for bed, waiting patiently for her mother to drift off into dreamland. Only after Lisa's soft breathing signaled that she was sound asleep did Lilith use [World Travel] skill, whisking herself away to the other world.
The moment Lilith used the skill, she found herself standing once more in the midst of the dense forest, surrounded by towering trees that loomed over.
In an instant, she shed her childish form and returned to her adult self, her body stretching and expanding. But in her haste, she neglected to consider the garments she had draped over her tiny frame. With a sudden rip, the material gave way, exposing Lilith's supple skin to the world once more.
'There wouldn't be anyone in the middle of the forest, right? Heck... I don't know if they're even people in this world.' Lilith thought as she felt that clothes were irreverent right now. 'I'll think of something when I meet a human.'
Today, she was going to survey the entire forest for anything interesting. There wasn't anything she could do, so this was the only time-killing idea Lilith could think of. It wasn't going to take any time because of her ridiculous speed.
With a determined glint in her eye, Lilith launched herself up the grassy slope of the hill. As she crested the top of the rise, she paused for a moment. Lilith marked the hill as her starting point. Then used her mana sense, letting the world around her take on a new, ethereal quality. The trees and rocks and even the very air itself shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. Despite the sheer vastness of the forest, Lilith's sharp eyes quickly caught sight of a distant mountain range, its snow-capped peaks rising majestically against the bright blue sky.
Lilith made up my mind as Lilith's gaze lingered upon the majestic mountain range in the distance. She knew that there was no need to waste time exploring the forest first, not when the towering mountains beckoned her with such irresistible allure. Lilith knew that in the future, she would have to explore every inch of this place. But for now, she wanted to explore the mountain first.
With a burst of raw power, Lilith sprang forward, her lithe form hurtling through the air like a bolt of lightning. The wind whipped past her with a frenzied intensity, sending her hair streaming out behind her.
In the blink of an eye, the mountain loomed up before her, its sheer size and grandeur taking her breath away. It was a monolith of stone and ice rising up to the sky.
'I wonder if I can climb this...' As Lilith gazed upon the towering mountain, she drove her bare foot into the rocky surface, her toes sinking deep into the earth. 'How simple...'