MaeveMcCarthy
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Chapter XIX
🕑 Added 2023-11-01 08:40:06 +0000 UTC[Minor Healing – Level 99]
The gentle warmth of dawn's first rays brushed against Lily's face, a quiet herald of the coming day, an hour before the scheduled commencement of her rigorous training. She sat in thoughtful contemplation, pondering the nature of her most potent skill and considering the path ahead.
She had stayed up all night to finish studying the research she had found in the [Librarian]’s room. It was written in an undecipherable runic language that would have been impossible to parse for anyone else.
Within it lay a technique that was described as a Lost Skill.
Anticipation and a tingling sense of trepidation ran through her as she aligned her palms, middle fingers touching to form the apex of a mystical triangle. Drawing in a measured breath, she began to gather the essence of Light Magic through her fingertips. Lily didn’t attempt to channel it through any predetermined skill; rather, she let it flow freely, guided solely by the ancient instructions encoded in the fragile parchment.
Gradually, she eased her hands apart, a single filament of Mana adhering to her middle fingers, its luminescence casting a soft glow on her determined smile.
Now comes the hard part, she thought, the real challenge looming ahead.
Bringing her hands together again, she connected all her fingers, then separated them to reveal five threads of Mana, one for each pair of fingers.
The task required her undivided concentration; she delved deep into her knowledge of the [Minor Healing] skill, intertwining it with her extensive understanding of medicine. Concepts of pharmacology, physiology, anatomical precision, and chemical properties swirled in her mind as she sought to infuse the spell with a depth of medicinal wisdom. With deliberate movements, Lily rotated her hands from her sides, shifting them from a horizontal to a vertical position. The first ripple of turbulence in her Mana emerged, threatening to overwhelm her, but her proficiency in [Mana Shaping] steeled her resolve, enabling her to maintain control.
Eyes closed in concentration, she moved her hands, tracing the simplest design she had unearthed from the ancient papers. Almost instantly, the Mana rebelled, slipping from her grasp, interrupting the casting, and jolting her back into reality. “Gee,” she exhaled with a mix of frustration and determination before bracing herself for another attempt.
Why is it so hard? The research said that the easiest patterns would have been very easy. It’s like... the Mana is resisting me? Specifically, is it something about Light Magic interfering?
Yes, it felt like her own Affinity was strangely working against her for some reason—the new skill she was trying to learn seemingly rejected the essence of her Light Magic.
She had lost the conception of time when she finally opened her eyes, now bathed in the full, golden embrace of the morning sun – a small Mandala had materialized before her. Comprised of four tear-shaped drops, each overlaid by another set shifted by 45 degrees, it bore a resemblance to a delicate lotus flower. Exhaustion weighed on Lily, her Mana nearly depleted, but her eyes shone with triumph.
With reverent slowness, she brought the Mandala closer to her chest, feeling its subtle energy as it merged seamlessly, finding its resting place right over her heart.
[*Ding!*Skill – Divine Geometry acquired]
[*Ding!*Skill – Divine Geometry level 1!]
[*Ding!*Skill – Minor Healing has been influenced by Lesser Mandala of Medicine!]
[*Ding!*Adjunct Skill – Lesser Mandala of Medicine acquired!]
[*Ding!*Adjunct Skill – Lesser Mandala of Medicine level 1!]
[*Ding!*Skill – Minor Healing level 100!]
[*Ding!*Skill – Minor Healing Beginner Stage → Master Stage!]
[*Ding!*Skill – {Master} Minor Healing has one Perk available!]
...
“Hello, little girl, I have a little surprise for you,” the [Executioner] from the dungeon was straight out of a B-movie with his bloody apron made of black leather, where the stains of countless corpses rested. His sick, yellowish smile greeted Lily once more. And, as always, Lumius followed suit. “Today, we will practice something a little bit different—we will prioritize controlling our emotions and speed.”
Strangely, the men’s bodies were covered, even though they clearly tried to struggle below the heavy sheets they had put over them. As the [Executioner] approached the steel tables and started unveiling the surprise, Lily’s eyes widened.
“MMM!” Under the first cover, there was the librarian who had given Lily the key to the [Librarian]’s room. The [Executioner] started uncovering the others, and Lily’s heart plunged even deeper.
Several of the younger assistants that Lily had met in the Papal Library cried while gagged as the sick smile of the yellow-teethed man got wider and wider.
“The [Cardinal] wasn’t happy about the librarian’s mouth. So, he proposed we use these as practice for you. You have been spending a lot of time in the library, right? Then, today we shall test—”
“Call the [Cardinal],” Lily said, feeling her anger bubble so deep within her that her very Mana started growing restless.
“Child, I don’t take orders from—”
“By His Gleam, I will have my Father know every single word you spoke to me out of place and your station. You work for His Holiness, but are you willing to bet his favor against the rage of the Patriarch of Gens Claudia?”
The [Executioner] looked like someone had just smacked him with a rock right in his face as he recoiled and frowned, “The [Cardinal] won’t save these heretics, child. Neither can your father do anything for you.”
“I am not married yet,” Lily’s voice came much harsher than she had ever spoken. “I am still part of the Gens Claudia. Call the [Cardinal], NOW!”
...
“Aurora,” [Cardinal] Atticus looked at the girl curiously, unable to hide his irritated frown.
“These men and women are innocent,” Lily spoke.
“You are in no position to beg for their forgiveness, child,” [Cardinal] Atticus gave her a warm smile.
Lily wanted nothing more than to lash out at this old bastard, but she knew better if she wanted to save any lives today. Lumius had explained to her that Lucianus Claudius was a threat to the [Pope], one so big that even the strongest man in the Church had to watch his step around him. She had never even thought of using his name like this—not knowing whether her father would actually back her up, but today, she had no other option.
“I have a proposal,” Lily spoke her next words carefully, “These men and women are innocent, but I understand they might have incurred your wrath. However, I stake my family’s name on their behalf. I request a Trial by Skill.”
“What are you doing?!” Lumius finally lost his composure from behind her and grabbed her shoulder. In response, Lily slapped his arm away.
“Let her speak,” the [Cardinal] looked interested in what she had just said.
“If I can heal any wound that is not instantly fatal and not caused through a skill on their bodies before my Mana runs out, you let them go, and they will enter into the service of my family. But if even one of them dies, you can kill the rest.”
“Fascinating proposal, Aurora Claudia. But you forgot something – the librarian broke the rules because of you. I don’t see you paying a fair price in case you lost.”
“What do you propose?”
“I would like a [Vow],” the [Cardinal] smiled. “A [Vow] that if you were not to marry Lumius, your Classes would be forfeit. How does that sound?”
Lily stared at the man and narrowed her eyes, “I accept.”
Comments
Erebus
Thanks for the chapter.
