I woke up the next morning with the usual pain running through my body, every muscle complaining as I tried to get up. The sun was already filling the room, shining far too brightly to have just risen, it must have been past nine.
— Man… it's been a while since I slept this much… — I muttered, stretching and hearing my bones crack. The exhaustion from the night before had completely knocked me out, but at least I had a good night's rest. — Time to wash up.
I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, just to rinse off the sweat. The shower didn't have heating, but the water that flowed from the magic stones was surprisingly fresh and clean. I even thought about stealing one for myself, but… better not mess with magic of unknown origin.
— I need new clothes… — I grumbled, looking at my worn-out, torn garments.
After so much hardship, they were in tatters. Anyone who saw me now would probably take me for a beggar. And, to be honest, they wouldn't be wrong.
As I dried myself off, I began thinking about what to do. Training every day is an option, but I need to find a way to heal my arm faster.
— And there's someone who might have healing magic… I need to see her today and try to find out more."
Considering my situation, maybe it's better to strengthen some standard skill, something that could be useful later.
— What skills did I have again? …Open panel.
[Name]: Rafael
[Race]: Human
[Level]: 4
[Magic Power]: 52
[Skills]
[Armorer]: 3
[Weaponsmith]: 3
[Hunter]: 6
[Gatherer]: 9
[Builder]: 2
[Cook]: 3
[Determination]: 7
[Stabber]: 13
[Scythesman]: 8
[Immunity]: 8
[Spearman]: 3
[Fisherman]: 1
[Survivor]: 9
[Tolerance]: 7
[Magic]
[Connection]: 18
[Protective Membrane]: 17
[Remembrance]: 17
— My skills are way below normal… They're easier to level than spells, but still are weaker.
Looking at the list, I began to wonder which would be best to improve.
— Wouldn't it be better to learn something new? …Nah, too much work.
With so many options, learning a new one seemed unnecessary. So I went back to focusing on the ones I already had.
— The first two could help me become a blacksmith, but I don't have the equipment to train them…
As I thought it over, I ended up grouping the following:
— [Gatherer], [Cook], and [Stabber]… let's drop [Tolerance], since I don't want to feel pain.
These were the possible choices in my current state and conditions. Looking at them, it was easy to see that I could train the three together.
— Gather materials, cut them, then cook them…
The only thing I need is a way to find the materials, but a walk around the area should be enough to spot some fruit trees. Another method would be fishing, but I don't have the equipment right now, so walking around it is.
I decided to take a walk since I was in an isolated area, but I found nothing.
— Maybe I need better skills…
Seeing that I wouldn't find anything, I went back and decided to get my lunch. On the way, I cut some simple things with my shrimp knife, the only weapon I had left.
— It's already at its limit… I need a new one.
Almost all the insect gear and tools I had on the island were left behind. The only thing I brought was this knife, the one I used the most. It was already in terrible shape, chipped and cracked. It's a miracle I can still use it to cut.
— Anyway, let's grab lunch and go see that girl.
With that in mind, I went to the orphanage. Recognizing me, the same lady from before went to fetch my meal before I even greeted her. It seemed that someone my age (or at least looking my age) who didn't attend school was looked down upon in this town.
— I'm a bit surprised… they give such importance to education. Too bad the teaching is so focused on magic and skills that science is still way behind compared to my world…
Looking around, I tried to find the girl, but she wasn't there. Only a few children were at the entrance. After a few minutes, the lady returned with my bread, and I decided to ask.
— Could you tell me who that girl from yesterday was?
— Hm? Who are you referring to? she asked.
— The one who came to talk to me… I think you called her… Stars?
— You mean Estela?
— That's it.
— That child… She's been in this orphanage for a few years now, but always alone in some corner.
— Really? She didn't seem like a bad person, even asking if she could help me with my arm.
— Help you with your arm? How would she do that?
— Hm?
I looked at the woman in front of me and began to doubt.
— Either this woman doesn't know about the girl's healing ability, or the girl was lying, or… — a certain possibility crossed my mind, but I needed more information. — I thought she might be a novice of the church.
— A novice? One can only become a novice if chosen by a priestess, and none of the children who come to the orphanage are chosen, since they'd live at the church if they were.
— I see… Thank you, have a good day.
With that, I decided to leave, but before going far, I circled the orphanage. If that girl liked to be alone, there were plenty of perfect spots.
And indeed, I found her on a half-broken stone bench under a tree that gave a pleasant shade, a perfect spot to isolate oneself. The girl seemed distracted, gazing at the horizon while humming a song I didn't know.
— Yo, what are you doing?
Hearing my voice, the girl gave a small startled jump and then turned to me. Her pink eyes were without a doubt something I didn't see often.
— …You… — she murmured, noticing my arm.
— Yeah, me. Can I ask you some questions?
She looked at me for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
— Did the priestess see your skills and magics? — I asked while sitting beside her, keeping a respectful distance.
The girl shifted away a bit and, after thinking for a moment without understanding why I asked, looked at me uncertainly.
— I don't know… She just… looked at me…
— I see… Can you tell me your magics?
I got an even more suspicious look from her. She didn't seem afraid, but she was judging me, as if weighing my character.
— …No — she replied naturally.
— Then, can you tell me how you plan to heal me? — I asked, getting to the main point.
Her spells were just curiosity to me, the most important thing now was fixing my arm.
— …One of my spells… can help… — she said slowly.
Honestly, it seemed suspicious that someone outside the church would claim to have healing magic. But considering she had said it right in front of the orphanage, she must have some confidence. And besides, I had no other options.
Hm… Alright, go ahead — I said, unwrapping the bandages on my arm.
As I feel the pain in my arm, holding it carefully, I saw the girl watching me, probably wondering why I accepted her offer so easily. But in the end, she said nothing and simply placed her hand a little above my arm. After a few moments, a pink flower petal, the same color as her eyes, fell on my arm and dissipated.
— I don't feel much of a difference… can this really heal me? — I thought as I watched her continue.
After three petals, the girl stopped, exhausted. She had probably never trained her magics properly, running out of strength quickly. I tried moving my arm, but the pain struck immediately. I could see some small cuts had closed, but it was far from healed.
— Looks like you haven't practiced that magic much. — I told her as she breathed deeply.
— I discovered… the effect… recently… — she said softly, leaning back against the tree.
— And you don't practice other magics?
— I don't know… their effects…
Hearing that, I looked at her for a moment before leaning against the tree as well. I considered going home, but I could train magic here and wait for her to recover before continuing the treatment.
The girl just glanced at me but said nothing, probably understanding that I wanted to keep the healing going after she rested.
— My spells [Connection], [Protective Membrane], and [Recollection] are simple to train and don't draw attention… Though I wish I had one for attacking. — I thought, activating them in order for practice, this time being careful not to drain all my magic power, since I didn't want to show exhaustion.
While practicing, I decided to try talking with the girl. She seemed to like being alone, but I wanted to know more about her magic.
— So, how did you discover your magic? — I asked casually.
— … — she stayed silent.
— If you tell me, I'll show you a different magic.
Hearing that, she gave me a curious look, then after a moment's thought, decided to answer.
— One day… a flower had… a torn petal… so I used this magic.
— You only used it because it looked like a petal?
The girl nodded, confirming.
— Then… it recovered… a little.
— And with that, you decided to test it on me?
She shook her head.
— I made a cut… on my finger… and then used it.
— I see… But you should be careful, since only people from the church have healing magic.
— Yes…
— …I can't understand why you'd want to use your magic on me.
This girl could've just ignored me, keeping her healing magic a secret. Instead, she came to help. Honestly, it didn't make sense.
— I just… wanted to help…
— I see…
If it were normal help, I wouldn't think much of it. But for her to reveal such magic, knowing it was something only the church had, made it far more suspicious. Still, I had promised her something.
So I decided to show one of my magics.
— I don't have many, but this one should be interesting… Touch my finger.
I pointed my finger at her, and she slowly reached out, gently touching it with her own.
— Time to test my theory. — I thought, activating [Connection], which until now I had no partner to understand with.
I felt the magic activate, but as I expected, nothing happened to me. When I looked at her, she was watching me uncertainly.
— What is it? — I asked, trying to figure it out.
— No… hm… strange… — she murmured, clearly not understanding either.
— She can't hear my thoughts? Then what is she receiving through [Connection]? — I wondered, watching her closely but gaining nothing.
— What magic… is that?
— Secret, but here's a little surprise for you — I said before casting [Recollection].
With the magic, I captured the scene of her touching my finger, like a photograph, then sent it to her.
— Maybe it only works for sharing magic through [Connection] — I thought, as I saw her look a little surprised.
— This… is me? — she asked, pulling back her finger and touching her face.
— You don't know your own face?
— That's not it… But… in my mind…
— That'll last a while, but it'll fade soon.
— …Weird magic.
After that, I stayed with the girl until it was nearly dinner. My arm hadn't improved much, but with practice, her magic should heal it in a few days.
The girl stayed mostly silent, but with the calm place, it was a comfortable silence.
After getting dinner, I went back home. After a bit of training, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
— Yesterday I shouted, but I think it's better to just talk like I'm murmuring, since I don't know if anyone's receiving the message…
Thinking that, I began considering which word to send, since it consumed a lot of magic every time I used it.
— It's so good to be able to fall asleep the exact moment I want… — I thought, knowing that as soon as I used my abilities, I'd fall asleep. — Well… let's go with… Buuuuuu… [Recollection][Connection].
And with that, I fell asleep.
[To be continued…]
[???]:
— And that's how he traumatized the Saint.