By the time they reached the Wolf Pack Resting Place, it was just dawn. Simon brought Jonas into the Pure Land to prepare breakfast and feed the Wolf Pack.
These Icefield Wolves were now plump and well-fed, spending their days eating and sleeping. To Simon's surprise, a mother wolf had given birth to three pups overnight, and the Wolf Pack surrounded the three pups, looking very curious.
Unfortunately, these wolves were not dogs after all and couldn't eat vegetables. Simon spent a lot of time and effort preparing meat for them every day, so much so that sometimes when he felt lazy, he wouldn't prepare fresh ingredients. Almost all of the ready-made corpses of the seven Sheep Undead were fed to the wolves, with only a small portion remaining for alchemy materials, leaving no bones behind.
Additionally, when Simon dried salt, he would often collect some fish. These fish, once dead and frozen, lost much of their flavor, so they often served as fodder for the Wolf Pack. On a daily basis, Simon himself also ate these dead fish.
As for the sheep, Simon was reluctant to let the wolves prey on them. Today, to celebrate Jonas's rare return home for a meal, Simon went to the fishing pit by the sea and caught some fresh fish, planning to make a simplified version of Song Sao Fish Soup. He also slaughtered a lamb, intending to make roast whole lamb.
The Icefield Wolves also got to enjoy a feast. Simon processed the fish and sheep offal, making a stew for the Wolf Pack to share.
After eating, Jonas went off to play. As per custom, Simon wasn't practicing martial arts today. He was also afraid that his fierce training methods would scare the boy. Since many things couldn't be done, he continued building the house.
The main framework was nearing completion, with the door and window frames already in place. All that was missing were items like door hinges and glass. Additionally, he needed to consider making furniture. The entire villa occupied a considerable area, and while the rooms were quite spacious, the large living room was still extremely vast and needed some large items to make it less desolate.
There had to be lights in the house. Oil lamps were certainly an option, but Simon still planned to build magic lamps. The lighting in the College of Winterhold was mostly provided by magic orbs. The spell itself was simple and common, but maintaining it continuously was quite difficult. The College used magic wells to support the consumption of the orbs. Simon didn't understand the related technology; he only knew how to enchant and then have the Undead attach to the lamps to light up the magic orbs.
This way, the number of Sheep Undead would not be enough.
So, for now, he could only use oil lamps or make some candles.
Candles could be reused, had a relatively long lifespan, and consumed less. But then another problem arose: although Simon still remembered how to make candles, he didn't have the necessary raw materials.
When Jonas saw Simon looking troubled, he asked what was bothering him.
Simon shook his head, saying he could solve it himself.
The boy seemed to want to ask more, but in the end, he said nothing further.
Simon asked him in return how he had dealt with his bad mood last time. Jonas also shook his head, saying he had already done it, but wouldn't say specifically how he did it.
The same stubbornness.
Simon smiled, no longer pressing the issue. He only added, "Be careful."
Lighting wasn't very important, so it was set aside for now. As for candles, he would have beeswax available once he started keeping bees.
However, there was still a very crucial point in building a house—altars.
The Nine Divines, various Daedric Princes, and even some primitive nature worship and ancestor veneration—the influence of religion has never been lacking on Nirn, and the role of altars is excellent. A sincere prayer can receive divine protection. For example, worshiping the Divines can cure all diseases and grant unique beneficial effects.
Generally speaking, people all believe in the Divines. Whether it's the Eight Divines or the Nine Divines, they can all be seen as benevolent gods. Praying to them has obvious effects and does not involve being secretly ambushed.
However, there are always peculiar beliefs that exist or have disappeared, and the outcome of such prayers is another matter entirely.
Simon's plan was to establish altars for the Nine Divines.
Altars needed to be obtained from temples, which meant a long journey. To collect all nine altars at once, the most convenient option was to go to the Temple of the Divines in Solitude; it was the most luxurious and comprehensive temple in all of Skyrim.
Unfortunately, Winterhold was hundreds of thousands of miles from Solitude, one in the northeast of Skyrim and the other in the northwest, with two holds separating them.
Speaking of Solitude, it was the current capital of Skyrim, and there were many places worth visiting. If given the chance, he would certainly go see it.
The two cities that left the deepest impression on Simon in the game were Whiterun, known as the heart of Skyrim, and then the capital, Solitude. Eagles always flew over Solitude, gurgling water sounds came from the manholes in the streets, children ran around playing hide-and-seek like a bunch of fools, and furthermore, the Solitude theme in the game's original soundtrack was very beautiful, comforting Simon through many difficult, sleepless nights.
If he had to choose one favorite city out of all the cities in Skyrim, it would undoubtedly be Solitude, because its unique cool-toned architectural style greatly pleased him. This city was like an ascetic beauty, making people stop and unwilling to leave.
The day passed quickly. Simon was very satisfied with Jonas's Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang), as he was genuinely putting in the effort. However, the only regret was that the Breton Boy's talent was not outstanding, his comprehension of martial arts was hard to call good, and he lacked the cultivation of martial arts philosophy, which undoubtedly limited his achievements.
Simon asked him, "Why are you learning swordsmanship from me?"
"I like the feeling."
"What feeling?"
"Warriors are cool."
"Aren't mages cool?"
"Mages are certainly cool too, but warriors are different. I like iron and blood."
"Who taught you that?" Simon asked with a serious expression.
"...A classmate of mine."
"You should associate less with that classmate in the future."
"...Oh, okay."
"Wait, this classmate you're talking about, is it actually yourself?"
"...Of course not."
Simon sighed, "Boy, let me show you what a truly cool mage looks like!"
After speaking, he threw open his robe, revealing tattoos all over his body. The next moment, intense magic light flickered, the Troll's towering muscles twinkling erratically like the Nine Heavens had possessed him.
Jonas: !!!
The Troll, fearing his appearance wasn't shocking enough, performed a chest-crushing-boulder act on the spot. The stones used for building the house were crushed into powder by his thick chest muscles and fell to the ground.
"How about that! Impressive, right!"
"So—heroic!!!"
Simon, clad only in his shorts, burst into laughter at these words, "Look! This is a mage! Not only is his magic superb, but he also possesses awe-inspiring muscles and bones! Don't go down the Evil Path path in the future. Learning swordsmanship is for becoming a mage, not some warrior. Listen to me, and you can be this cool too!"
"Yes! Yes!" Jonas watched, dazzled, dumbfounded, unblinking, his eyes wide, filled with little stars of adoration.
On this day, the Breton Boy once again saw a brand new world rising before his eyes.
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