Eina could hear the noise coming from the brothel in front, knowing that it was getting late, she bid farewell to Rose. Walking through the darkness while resuming her disguise.
She didn't stop until she finally reached her own bedroom, closing the door so as to block out any prying eyes.
The energy she had absorbed into her dantian had been transferred through her body while she was speaking with Rose. And although her body's improvement was refreshing, but probably because she had only begun, the process as well as dealing with everything had made her long for a decent night's sleep. She laid her head on the pillow, entering a shallow sleep, hoping for the day where she wouldn't have to be so vigilant. However a pitiful and sarcastic chuckle escaped her throat as she fell into a light slumber.
Early the next morning, before the sun had even risen, Eina opened her eyes, due to her original body clock. She could hear the servant girls outside the room dozing off, so she sneakily got up, and began to stretch her muscles.
With limited space, and the need to remain silent, Eina could only focus on the key exercises at the moment. Push ups, sit ups and squats. They took very little movement and weren't easy to understand what she was doing.
After getting down to training she found that her new body was much worse than her own. Of course she understood the reason why, but luckily there was a mysterious energy in this world that could help her improve.
She didn't train for long, just half an hour before getting back into the bed, and meditating.
When doing it after the first day, she found it easier to run it through her body, as if it was forming routes to follow without her need to intervene.
If Eina could see inside her body at the moment, she would see why. The energy that flowed through her veins had begun to crystallise ever so slightly, forming a minuscule but permanent layer of internal strength, that because of Eina's operation showed traces of expanding towards the rest of her body.
The energy absorption was much easier to complete then the exercise, but she knew she only needed to be patient. Given time she was certain that she would be able to go to other places in this backyard, as long as she avoided the madam's yard, and the perimeter.
Realising that it was almost time to get up, Eina got up and washed her face in the chilled water. She guessed this was the first test of the servant girls. Seeing how she would react to the situation and changing their attitudes to fit the result.
Eina didn't care very much, she used to bathe in water colder than this. Even with her child body, with the assistance from the internal strength, she felt no discomfort from it. But that didn't mean she wouldn't voice her grievances to her new partner.
When she finished dressing up, she came out and walked towards the other yard. Rose had already awoken, so naturally the two had breakfast together where she 'inadvertently' mentioned the shocking feeling when she touched the cold water.
Rose understood her undertones and the servant girls were berated by the girl Rose had chosen as her personal maid. An ashen faced girl that was a couple years older than them. Eina didn't know why Rose chose that girl to serve her personally, but that wasn't really her business, so Eina remained silent.
After the two had finished breakfast, the maid beside the madam, Lin showed up. She asked how they had rested, her eyes scanning the servant girls around the yard seemingly inadvertently. Seeing a few missing, a small smile appeared on her face.
Eina and Rose replied politely, one calm the other delicate. She didn't mention what she had found and only said "Please, young Miss's. I'll escort you to your new classes".
Rose chose to speak out her doubts, "Excuse me, but we were told we would be attending our original class. May I ask what you mean by new class?"
Lin wasn't impatient with Rose's question, she responded politely, "Madam originally intended for you to follow along with the other girls your age, but when she saw your practice books that you had written in class yesterday, she believed that it would be a waste for the two of you who happen to be literate, to stay in that class. Instead she asked me to send you directly to the classes with the other head candidates".
"I see. Thank you for explaining" Rose said lightly, not showing her true thoughts.
Lin was a little bit surprised by the calm attitude of this girl. So many of the girls she had met here would scream and cry, only knowing to throw tantrums until they understood the situation that they were in. But she had shown none of that, as if everything could not phase her.
She didn't bother to think any more about this, just saying "Follow me, please".
The two followed behind Lin, Eina's eyes continuing to map out this new and unknown area. Slowly in her mind, a diagram of the inner yards of the brothel was taking shape. She could see the meticulously built areas. Not like a pavilion, free and easy. But methodical, as if vying for efficiency.
Eina didn't know if the brothel now was at its prime, or if that was some other time. Perhaps these yards, including the abandoned one she woke up in, were all used at some point in time. It didn't matter if they were, she was just curious as to who chose to build such a uniform area. She had even noticed something she missed the day before. She thought that there were no men in the backyards, just a boy like the one that unlocked the door. But she was wrong, there are men walking around in groups. Obviously patrolling. However the men were obviously more pale and softer than the men she had seen. And they had an indescribable smell on their bodies that Eina didn't like. She had already guessed that they were eunuchs. What other type of man would the madam be comfortable 'protecting' her merchandise.
Akin to a prison, and each yard held a prisoner/prostitute. The thoughtfulness of the ancients once again astonished her. Truly if she could meet the person that built this place, she was certain she would... definitely kill them.
'How annoying' she thought, her lowered head hiding the killing intent in her eyes.