Chapter 278 Impossible Dream

Done undressing, they stepped into the spacious changing room, the cool tiles beneath their bare feet sending a shiver of delight. With a gentle glint in their eyes, they exchanged playful looks as they sauntered toward the row of showers, the sound of rushing water beckoning them closer.

As Suzuka cast a casual glance at Silvia's slim figure, she couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of strain etched into her delicate frame, Silvia appeared even thinner than usual.

With a friendly smile, Suzuka offered her help in a gesture of genuine concern. Without hesitation, she reached out to Silvia, her touch gentle and reassuring as she placed her hands on her shoulders and guided her toward the nearest stool.

"You look like you could use a little extra help today. How about I wash your back for you? Consider it a friendly gesture from one friend to another."

"Th-thank you, I... I could use the help."

Silvia was not one to be ashamed of bathing in public baths; in fact, she was quite accustomed to it. As a commoner girl raised in the humble surroundings of a shabby orphanage, luxuries such as private baths were rare commodities. She had grown accustomed to the communal rituals of bathing, finding ease and comfort in the shared company of those around her.

Suzuka's gentle touch was like a soothing balm to Silvia's troubled soul as she washed her back, the warm water cascading over her skin like a gentle caress. Breaking the heavy silence that hung between them Suzuka began to open up to her friend.

"You know, I always wanted a little sister. But my parents, they just didn't make one. Always finding reasons and excuses. I was the lone child in our family and my father was a stern city guard. He raised me more like a boy when I was little, toughening me up for the world outside. But as I grew he softened up toward me, started to pamper me a bit too much."

A faint smile touched her lips, "Now that I think of it, I wish he had been a bit more stern, funny how things turn out, isn't it? Oh, I'm sorry, I must sound like I'm rambling about my problems. It's just... well, sometimes it helps to talk about these things, you know?"

"Oh, um... I don't mind, It's... it's not awkward or anything," Silvia murmured, her words tinged with a hint of melancholy. 

With a heavy sigh, she shared a bit of her past, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke of a childhood marked by abandonment and neglect.

"It's just... I was left at the door of the orphanage when I was just a baby. I... I would have loved to have caring parents. Or at least to be adopted by a family who would have treated me like I mattered. But... but the orphanage where I grew up was... was no place for dreams. The truth is, the orphanage... it wasn't a place for love or kindness."

Her voice faltered, tears welling in her eyes as she recounted the harsh reality of life in the rundown orphanage deep in the slums.

 "It was... it was no place for a child. Just... just a dumping ground for the unwanted and the forgotten. People saw us as nothing more than a free labor force. They would adopt us, exploit us, and then discard us like trash when we were no longer useful to them."

"I was... frail and weak," she confessed, "No one... no one wanted me. They said I was useless, a burden."

"The person in charge of the orphanage... they couldn't do anything to protect us," she added, her voice filled with resignation.

 "It was the rules, they said. But to be frank, no one would have cared even if we had spoken up. We were just... expendable."

Silvia's heart ached as she spoke of her lost siblings and friends, the faces of those she had grown up with fading into the mists of time, their fates unknown. 

"It was tough for all of us," she whispered, "and as the years went by, less and less of us remained. Their well-being... it's anyone's guess."

Suzuka knelt behind her trembling friend. With gentle hands, she wrapped her arms around Silvia's naked back, pulling her close in a warm embrace that seemed to banish the darkness that had settled over her like a suffocating shroud.

As Suzuka pressed her soft, comforting body against Silvia's back, a wave of warmth washed over her, melting away the icy grip of despair that had held her captive for so long. It was as if Suzuka's touch had ignited a spark within her, a flicker of hope.

Silvia's tears flowed freely now, her heartache spilling out in a torrent of emotion as she surrendered herself to Suzuka's embrace. With each sob that wracked her fragile frame, Suzuka whispered words of reassurance and comfort, her voice a soothing balm to Silvia's wounded soul.

"Shh, it's okay," Suzuka murmured as she held Silvia close.

 "You're safe now, Silvia. No one is going to hurt you anymore. You're strong, you're smart, you're brave, and you're not alone. I'm here for you, always."

As the tears continued to fall, Silvia's cries grew softer, her sobs gradually giving way to a quiet cry. In the sanctuary of the showers, embraced by Suzuka's support, she allowed herself to surrender to the healing power of her vulnerability, knowing that from this moment forward, she would never have to face her demons alone.

As they stepped into the inviting warmth of the hot spring bath, a sense of tranquility washed over them like a gentle tide, soothing their weary bodies and calming their restless minds. The water, heated to just the right temperature, enveloped them in its embrace, melting away the stresses of the day and leaving behind a profound sense of peace.

The hot water worked its magic, coaxing out every last trace of worry and doubt, leaving them feeling weightless and free.

The weather had taken a turn for the worse, the sky darkening with ominous clouds as a gentle rain began to fall. But rather than dampen their spirits, the rain only added to the ambiance, its soft patter mingling with the soothing sounds of bubbling water to create a symphony of serenity.

As the raindrops danced upon the surface of the hot water, steam rose in billowing clouds, shrouding them in a veil of mist that seemed to cocoon them from the outside world. It was as if they had been transported to another realm, a sanctuary of warmth and comfort where troubles ceased to exist.

Emerging from the rejuvenating embrace of the hot spring, Suzuka and Silvia were cocooned in fluffy towels, their skin tingling with the lingering warmth of the water. As they made their way back to the room, Suzuka wasted no time in slipping into her usual attire - a daring ensemble of lingerie that left little to the imagination. Beside her, Silvia draped herself in more modest attire, the soft fabric of her lingerie a stark contrast to Suzuka's bold choices.

Settling onto Suzuka's bed, the two friends engaged in a lively banter that stretched long into the night, their laughter ringing out like music in the otherwise quiet room. For Suzuka, this sudden shift in demeanor was a testament to the profound impact that Hermit had made on her life in such a short time.

In the year she had spent trapped in the forest with Bill, Suzuka had hardened her heart, becoming ruthless and callous to survive. In the subsequent year spent as an adventurer in the bustling town, she had honed her skills, mastering the art of manipulation and cunning, using every tool at her disposal to survive in a world that showed little mercy.

But Hermit had changed all that, his unwavering kindness and boundless goodwill serving as a beacon of light. In his presence, she had rediscovered a part of herself that she had thought lost forever, a part that yearned to connect, to empathize, to care.

"Now that you're looking much brighter, Silvia," Suzuka began, her voice brimming with eagerness, "I've got to ask - what do you think of my little proposition? Would you be willing to take on the role of teacher for my merry band of goblins? They're harmless, really, just a bit... well, goofy."

To Silvia, Suzuka's grandiose plans seemed like an impossible dream, a lofty aspiration far beyond her grasp. The weight of self-doubt pressed down upon her, suffocating her hopes and dreams. Who was she, after all, to embark on such a grand adventure? What did she have to offer in the face of such a challenge?

With a hesitant sigh, Silvia finally spoke, voicing her doubts and fears.

 "I-I don't know, Helen," she admitted, her words trembling with uncertainty.

 "It all just seems... too much. I wanted to start small and... well... with time go bigger, you know? I-I don't feel like I'm... good enough for something like this."

Her gaze fell to her hands, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap as she struggled to articulate. All she had ever wanted was a quiet, small place to call her own, a sanctuary where she could build her confidence and pursue her passions in peace. The idea of embarking on a grand adventure seemed like an impossible fantasy, a distant mirage shimmering on the horizon.

"I-I think... maybe I just need some time, I want to start small, you know? Maybe one day, I'll work my way up to becoming a professor, or even... the head of the university. That's my dream, Helen. To be the head of a university, to inspire others to reach for the stars."

"Hey, hey now, Silvia," Suzuka chimed in, her voice filled with reassurance and optimism. 

"It's not as big of a deal as you think. We're talking about starting from scratch here, building something from the ground up. And you know what? That's the best part! We get to shape it into whatever we want, without any of the baggage from the past weighing us down."

She leaned in closer as she painted a vivid picture of her vision for the future.

 "Sure, it might start small, just a handful of goblins in a humble little building. But mark my words, Silvia, this is just the beginning. We'll start with schools, proper ones, with real teachers and real textbooks. And who do you think will be leading the charge when it comes time for that university? You, Silvia, I promise you that. You'll be the one shaping young minds, inspiring future generations to greatness. You, Silvia. You will be the head of the university in my town."

"I-I don't know, Helen, It's... it's just too much. Too scary. It's too risky. I-I'm sorry, I know you mean well, but... but I need a bit more time to think. It's just too much for me to handle right now."