13 Chapter 13 - Homebuying 101

"Ha...haunted!?", Elfman gulped as I told the siblings about the home, "Why would you want to buy a haunted house!? Aren't you afraid of being tormented by the ghost?!"

"Not really, I don't think it's a ghost.", I chuckled, "Even if there is one, if it's a problem I can purify the spirit."

"Still though, why would you risk it?", Lisanna asked.

When I told them how big it was and the purchase price, the three looked conflicted. They weren't fluent in economics, but even they understood it was a good deal if I could handle the ghost. Getting a large house with a pool, a large yard, and right on the edge of the Market District for that price was a steal of a deal.

"Are you going to handle the ghost before or after?", Mirajane questioned.

"After of course, if I fix the issue before buying it the price goes up.", I told her, "That is why I won't do anything till after I have the deed in hand."

Agreeing to come with me to view the house, the sisters dragged Elfman who was acting like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. Following the real estate agent and Makarov to the house in question, it was actually in a rather nice area. Situated on the edge of where most of the stores were, the place gave us easy access to buy goods easily. Not only that, the pool in the back looked amazing as did the pool deck. In the future I could hold really nice parties here and enjoy life.

The outside of the house was in relatively good condition with only a few areas that needed attention. Overall the outside was in great shape, and really made sense for the lifestyle I wanted to have in the future. Nodding my head in approval, I asked to see the inside of the house.

"Uh...you sure you really want to go in?", Lilian asked nervously.

"Yes, it might be completely trashed inside so I have to check.", I stated.

Handing me the keys she told me she'd wait outside. The Strauss siblings also said they would wait for my decision outside leaving Makarov and I to enter together. Unlocking the door, I walked inside and immediately felt very comfortable for some reason. It was almost like walking into my former home when my grandmother was baking cookies. Standing in the doorway I let out a sigh of relief before continuing in.

The front entryway was very ornate suggesting the original owner lived a lavish lifestyle. Greeting us just a few feet in was a hand craved double staircase that ran on both sides of a hall that ran into the living/dining room area. On the first floor was a massive living room where I could easily see myself bonding with the people I would spend my life with, and enjoy watching events with the boys. The dining room was more than enough to put a large harvest table in that could be used for sit down meals or work as a buffet table.

"Now this is a kitchen!!", I chuckled rubbing my hands together as I walked through the dining room towards it.

Seeing a premium eight burner stove with a lot of counterspace, I already saw myself making meals here. The kitchen had plenty of cabinets for pots and pans, and the pantry was the size of a small bedroom...something that would be very handy as anime people ate a lot of food...or at least Bella and Lily did. Going upstairs next, I got to look at the ten rooms and the Master Suite.

Each bedroom had it's own bathroom, but the Master Suite had a spa quality bathroom. The former owner went all out with this the place...heated flooring, quad sinks, a freaking massive tub, and a shower the size of my former bedroom.

"Do you know what he did for a living?", I asked Makarov.

"Hmm, I think he used to be in finances but I am not sure.", Makarov replied, "Overall this place is quite a steal for such a low price."

"Yeah it is, I am a little confused why he needed a big tub though.", I said feinting ignorance.

"Haha...you will understand when you are older.", Makarov laughed, 'I forgot the former owner liked women a bit too much.'

As we were heading back towards the entrance, that was when I saw the spirit everyone considered a problem. Sweeping the entryway with a broom, she looked over at us with a smile. Giving her a friendly wave she was shocked that I responded to her.

"You can see me!?", she gasped.

"I can see you.", I replied.

"And he can hear me!?", she shrieked, "What are you!? No one has done that before!! Are you a Demon!!"

"Coming from a Household Deity is pretty funny.", I chuckled.

"You talking to someone?", Makarov asked me.

"The house spirit is right there.", I pointed to her.

Evidentially he couldn't see her because he looked at the floating broom instead of her. He was about to attack her when I stopped him.

"She isn't a harmful spirit, please calm down.", I assured him, "Anyways miss, I am going to be the new owner of this home."

"Oh!!", she shouted with excitement, "No one has lived here in ages!! It will be so nice to have someone new here. Please tell me you aren't an abusive man, the former owner was a very cruel man. He would trick innocent women into the house, and do unspeakable things to them. I tried to stop him, but he never quit!!"

'Ah...now that makes sense why she would be branded a dangerous spirit.', I thought, 'She attacked him trying to protect the women.'

"You take care of the house right? Could I ask you to continue taking care of things here?", I questioned.

"Absolutely!", she said with salute.

Giving her a smile I walked out with Makarov, and told her I would take the house for 90,000 jewels as I would need to add a bathroom on the main floor. Accepting my offer on the spot, she didn't even bother calling the former owner which was odd. Telling the siblings that we would be moving in, I gave them a wink.

---Two Hours Later---

Finishing all the paperwork with Makarov's help, I paid the woman in cash which surprised her even more. Confirming that the total amount was there, she stamped the deed and handed it too me. Thanking her for her time, we left immediately.

"Do you know a good place to buy furniture and household items?", I asked Makarov, "The house is rather barren at the moment."

"Haha of course, there are several places here in Magnolia that I can recommend.", he said.

Over the course of another few hours, we bought necessary items like food, beds, towels, sheets, and other necessities. Seeing the totals ring up, the siblings looked very upset that I was spending so much on them. The truth of the matter was that these were all necessary items to live. It wasn't like I wasting money on luxury items, I was buying quality items that would last us for a few decades.

"I promise we will pay you back!", Mirajane said firmly.

"Don't worry about it, most of this is furniture I would have had to buy anyways.", I assured her, "No need to worry about the money right now."

Letting out a sigh, she relented against my stubbornness and just accepted it. Getting things arranged in the house, I plopped down on the couch and let out a sigh. It had been a while since I laid on a couch, and honestly I missed it.

'Beats the solid wood furniture Zeus had. The cushions were a pain in the ass.', I thought.

"Let me cook dinner tonight.", Mirajane stated, "I have to do something, I can't let you do all the work today."

"That's fine, what are you thinking of making?", I asked.

"I was thinking some stew and bread. Elfman, can you run down to the bakery to get some fresh bread?", Mirajane asked him.

"Yes Sis.", he said watching the spirit do it's duty.

Having granted them the ability to see the Household Deity, Lara, she was over the moon to have someone to talk to finally. She had told us about how lonely it was doing work without so much as a thank you. Lisanna and her hit it off really quickly, and both girls were currently exploring the house together.

'This is how life should be.', I thought with a peaceful sigh.

Tomorrow my plan was to take a Delivery Quest to Akane Beach, and use that as an excuse to go find Erza. My biggest concern was that the Mage Hunters or the Magic Council were in the area, but I could ask Makarov for information on that. Getting the Guild in trouble was something I didn't want to do so if it came down to it...I would ensure there were no witnesses to anything I did.

---Next Day---

"So you guys are taking a Dog Washing Quest?", I asked with interest.

"Yeah...Elfman thought it would be the easiest one. If it was easy though...they wouldn't have asked for our help.", Mirajane stated, "Not only that, it pays 20,000 jewels so there has to be a catch."

"Don't say that!!", Elfman gulped, "I wanted to take this quest because there aren't any monsters in the city."

Grabbing the Delivery Quest off the board, I walked over to Makarov to receive the package. Giving me a card with the name of the person and where I could find them, I put the package in my storage for safe keeping. Asking if there was any Mage Hunter/Magic Council locations I should avoid down there, he shook his head. The tourist business there brought the nation a lot of money so the Mage Hunters and Council left it alone as mages frequented the area to vacation.

"I am happy you asked that, most Mages don't think to ask those sorts of things.", Makarov chuckled.

"Just wanted to make sure I didn't needlessly provoke them.", I stated.

Sniffling, he placed his hand on my shoulder and asked me to teach the others to think that way because he was always putting out their fires. Remembering the various things Team Natsu destroyed, I felt bad for him that things would get shitty really quick in a few years. Taking my leave, I flew out of Magnolia on a Cruel Sun bound for Akane Beach.

---Akane Beach---

Dropping onto the sandy beach of the resort town, I immediately understood why this place was so popular. The ocean was crystal clear without any debris to be seen, the air was refreshing, and above all else...

'The food smells freaking amazing!!', I thought smelling high grade steak being cooked on a spit, 'I have to try some of it!!'

Grabbing a few pieces of steak, I sat on the beach while I ate. Observing all the couples running around on the beach playing tag or volleyball, I made a mental note to bring my future family here. It would be a lot of fun and I could see them in bikinis...a very attractive thought in my opinion. Thinking about several women in particular I was about to daydream when I saw Ichiya run down the beach in one of his speedos.

Hearing the beach goers scream, I wanted to erase that disgusting image from my mind. He may be younger, but that man still creeped the hell out of me. Moreover...having to see him in a speedo, no amount of hot women could make me unsee this. Finishing my meal in a hurry, I left the beach making sure to keep my presence as minimal as possible.

Dropping my delivery off at the main resort, I had the receiver sign for it before heading out to a secluded area. Confirming the area was clear, I used another Cruel Sun to travel out towards the Tower of Heaven.