The Genius’ War

Xavier walked through the streets of London and looked at the screen of his phone. He had found a few adverts for student houses and flats to rent in Cambridge. He had previously contacted some landlords by text, and now he had arranged to meet them in person. But it didn't make much sense to spend time in London, because he had to get to Cambridge as soon as possible.

He met his first host in a café. He was a middle-aged man with a moustache and looked slightly doubtful. The photos of the house looked quite nice, but he would have to talk the landlord down on the price. When Xavier sat down opposite the man, he got straight to the point.

"I really like the house, but the price is a bit high. I'm a student, so can you be a bit flexible with the price?"

The man nodded and took a sip of his tea. "Listen, young man, Cambridge is not cheap. Especially if you want a flat all to yourself. It's in a good location too. There's a lot of demand."

Xavier had expected this. Cambridge is a small and popular city, so it's not easy to find a house. He thought for a moment, then added calmly but decisively:

"I know, but this price is a bit out of my budget. I'm sure you have other offers, but if you can reduce the rent a little, I guarantee that I will pay it regularly and on time."

The man smiled, but his eyes showed he didn't agree. 'Unfortunately, someone else can offer that price. We can talk again in a few days if you like, but by then the house may have gone to someone else.'

Xavier sighed. It was a classic tactic. He wanted to make the house seem attractive and tempt her. But he wasn't going to fall for it. 'I see,' he said, smiling. 'Then I'll have to look elsewhere.'

The meeting was inconclusive. Xavier took a deep breath as he left the café. This was harder than he had expected. Rental prices were higher than he thought and it would take time to find a place he was happy with.

It was time to check out the other options. He checked Cambridge University's student halls of residence on his phone. If he couldn't find a private house, he could at least consider the university's accommodation.

Xavier could stay in student housing, but he couldn't bring Elliot with him if he couldn't find a suitable house to rent.

Xavier made his way through the streets of Cambridge, heading for the café where he had the second house interview. The air felt cool, but the mood here was lighter and more cheerful than in London. The city seemed to have an academic feel to it. There were old buildings, shops that smelt of old books and students on bicycles. This place was not only an escape for him, but also a new beginning.

He pushed the glass door of the café and went inside. It was warm inside, and the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread filled the air. Xavier sent a message to the person he was meeting and asked where he was. The host, a man in his forties with a slightly hunched posture, was sitting at a table in the corner. Papers and a cup of coffee on the table showed that he was here to do business.

"Xavier Candlelight?" the man asked, with a slight British accent.

Xavier nodded and held out his hand. "Yes, thank you for letting me speak to you."

After the man shook his hand, he pointed to the chair opposite him. "Please sit down. Let's talk about the house."

Xavier sat down and saw the documents on the man's desk. There was a lease agreement and a few photographs of the house. The house looked a little smaller than when he first saw it, but at least the price was more reasonable.

The man was direct. "My house is in a quiet area, not too close to the centre. The rent is fixed and I need a deposit. It's perfect for a student like you, but I need to make sure you'll be able to pay the rent. Can you be trusted to pay?"

Xavier looked the man in the eye. "I have a scholarship. I can guarantee I'll pay the rent on time."

The man nodded slightly, looking at the papers thoughtfully. "Are you going to live alone?"

Xavier paused for a moment. He wanted Elliot to be there, but he couldn't bring him yet. He knew he had to live alone for now. "Yes, I'm on my own for now."

The man gestured at the papers. "Do you want to see the house?"

Xavier nodded. "OK."

Xavier followed the man out of the café and they started walking down a quiet street. As they walked, the man explained the advantages of the house, saying that it was in a particularly quiet neighbourhood. But Xavier knew not to expect too much. He had seen houses in adverts that weren't as good as they looked.

After about ten minutes, the man opened a large iron gate and went to the entrance of the apartment block. The building, made of old, faded bricks, looked a little neglected. As he climbed the stairs, he noticed that the walls had eroded over time and there were cracks in some places. The hallway smelt damp and the floor looked dirty.

The man put the key in the lock and opened the door, inviting Xavier to come in. When Xavier stepped inside, he looked disappointed.

It was very different from the photos he had seen online. The rooms that looked big and bright were actually quite small. The kitchen was old and had rust stains on the edge of the sink. The walls were damp and there were even traces of mould in a few places. The man must have noticed, because he immediately felt the need to explain:

"I know it looks a bit different from the photos, but with a little cleaning it would be very nice. The students usually do the decorating themselves."

Xavier stood in the centre of the room, looked around for a while and sighed. He couldn't imagine having Elliot stay over. He felt self-conscious living alone. He looked out of the window at the dark backyard. He could see that he was becoming more and more restless.

"Thank you," he said at last, in a gentle but firm voice. "I'll have to think about it some more."

The man nodded, trying not to look disappointed. "Of course you will. But don't wait too long, this place goes fast."

Xavier tried to smile, but he left the house without lingering. Outside, he took a deep breath, as if to get rid of the smell of dampness. Now he had to look for other options.

He checked the information about Cambridge University's student residences. If he could get a place there, he would at least be able to stay in an organised and safe environment. But there was a problem: he couldn't take Elliot with his He felt sad. He didn't want to leave him, but he had no choice.

He went to the university's housing office to ask for a dormitory. As he walked, he felt the weight of leaving his family behind with every step. This city could be a new start for him, but how could He feel at home here without Elliot?