As the incantation took effect, a warm magic carrying a healing aura slowly flowed from the tip of the wand and merged into the wound on Duane's arm.
Casting the spell this time was much more taxing than usual. He had to concentrate fully, staring intently at the wound; it felt as though even a slight lapse in focus would cause the spell to fail.
Moreover, the sense of power draining from his body was very distinct, much like sprinting at full speed. After only a few seconds, a surge of exhaustion began to well up.
This was completely different from when he had treated himself or small animals before; the difficulty had increased by several levels!
He frowned, focusing his attention on Duane's wound.
The wound, which had initially appeared somewhat red and swollen, was indeed slowly healing under the influence of magic, but the effect was far from being as instantaneous as it had been on himself.
"Does the effect diminish when casting spells on others?"
Louis analyzed silently in his heart.
He didn't heal the wound completely, only accelerated the healing process.
After all, he didn't want to stage some kind of medical miracle here; that would be too easy to arouse suspicion.
The current degree was just right; at most, it would be attributed to Duane's strong natural recovery ability or the antibiotics working wonders, which was entirely within an acceptable range.
Not until he felt a swelling sensation between his brows and his mind grew weary did Louis decisively stop casting.
He put away his wand and leaned in to observe.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but Duane's face, which had been flushed red from the high fever, seemed to have eased considerably.
"What exactly is the reason for such a large gap in consumption and effect?" Louis rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
This effect hadn't occurred when he used the Levitation Charm during practice before.
Could it be because the Healing Charm itself is more complex?
Or perhaps spells that directly act on the interior of another person's body are affected by some unknown resistance?
There were too many possible reasons, and with his current meager knowledge of magic, he had no way to verify them.
He could only keep this doubt in his heart, planning to figure it all out when he had the chance in the future.
Taking a short breather, he felt that although his mind was a bit tired, it hadn't reached its limit yet, so Louis didn't waste any time.
He took out the book "Standard Spells, Grade 1" again and began to frantically practice other spells on various small objects in the room.
He only stopped when he felt physically drained and waves of dizziness hit him.
Although he couldn't continue casting spells, he didn't stay idle; he took out the notebook Catherine had given him and began to review the various outdoor survival tips recorded in it by the lamplight.
In his previous life, he was just an ordinary college student. Now, even though he had magic, he still had to constantly improve himself to live well in this world of Walkers!
Early the next morning, as Louis was napping on the table, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan woke up.
Seeing Louis still guarding the hospital bed, they were even more deeply moved.
Not long after, Dr. Gale also came for her rounds.
"His fever has gone down a bit; that's a good sign." Dr. Gale finished checking Duane's condition and breathed a sigh of relief.
During their low-voiced conversation, Dr. Gale also told Mr. and Mrs. Morgan about some of Louis's deeds.
Of course, she didn't know about Louis leading the horde away to save Shane; she only mentioned how the child had been abandoned by his relatives, and how he had summoned his courage at a critical moment to save Paul and Karina with a single sentence, averting a tragedy.
When Mr. and Mrs. Morgan heard that this child of only eleven had experienced so much yet remained so kind and brave, they couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
"That child has really had it hard..." Jenny looked at Louis sleeping on the table, her eyes full of pity and affection.
In today's world, one could imagine how dangerous it was for an orphan to live alone. Not only had Louis survived tenaciously after being abandoned by his family, but more importantly, he still maintained a heart of gold.
Morgan also nodded heavily. He looked at his wife, a complex emotion showing in his eyes.
That night, after Louis had gone to sleep, Morgan and Jenny had a long talk in their temporary room.
"Jenny," Morgan held his wife's hand and said softly, "I was thinking, that boy Louis, it's really too hard for him on his own."
"Yes," Jenny's eyes were a bit red, "he's only eleven and he's lost everything. If we hadn't met him, I really don't know how he would survive alone."
"So I think..."
Morgan took a deep breath. "If we can get through this crisis and Duane gets better... do you think we could adopt him? Take care of him as our own child."
Hearing this, Jenny was first stunned, then nodded heavily. "I was thinking the same thing. It's just... I don't know if the boy is willing."
"When Duane is better, we'll find an opportunity to ask him what he thinks." Morgan said... Another day passed.
Under the dual influence of the antibiotics and the "magic Buff" Louis had quietly applied, Duane's condition recovered quickly.
At noon that day, he finally woke up completely from his coma.
"Cough, cough... Mom?"
On the hospital bed, Duane's eyelids fluttered a few times, and he slowly opened his eyes.
"Duane! You're awake!"
"My son!"
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were surprised and overjoyed, and Dr. Gale also hurried forward to check on him.
"Excellent, the fever has completely broken!" A heartfelt smile appeared on Dr. Gale's face. "As long as the wound doesn't get infected again, he'll be fine."
"Dad? Mom?" Duane had just woken up and was still a bit dazed. He looked at his parents and the doctor gathered around the bed, his eyes a bit bewildered. "I... I was just dreaming."
"What did you dream about?" Jenny gently stroked his head.
"I dreamed... I dreamed I saw God."
"What nonsense are you talking!" Morgan quickly interrupted him, saying between laughter and tears, "You're not going to see God, you're perfectly fine!"
"No, Dad, let me finish!"
Duane was stubborn. He struggled to prop himself up, his face carrying a strange excitement. "God said... he said I was the chosen one! He's going to send a hero of the mortal world to save this world with me!"
Looking at their son's serious expression, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan both laughed.
"Silly child, it was Dr. Gale and your big brother Louis who saved you, not some God," Jenny said softly.
"No! Everything I'm saying is true!" Duane argued urgently. His gaze swept around the room and finally fixed on the doorway.
There, Louis, who had just heard the commotion and come to visit him, was leaning against the doorframe with a slight smile on his face.
Duane's eyes instantly lit up!
He suddenly raised his hand, pointing at Louis in the doorway, and shouted loudly in a tone that was almost like a pilgrimage, filled with immense excitement:
"That's right! It's him! He's the savior God spoke of!"
The noisy hospital room instantly fell silent.
Morgan, Jenny, and Dr. Gale, all three of their gazes focused simultaneously on the doorway.
And Louis, being stared at by everyone, was now completely dumbfounded.
The smile on his face froze, and it was as if three large question marks had popped up over his head.
Huh?
The savior?
Me?