Chapter 24
24
Chapter 6. More Like a Rehearsal (3)
But it seemed like a truly serious situation.
In the two years after I healed Mother, I had grown quite a bit and become quite adept at handling the power I conveniently called Clay. I could control the density, and although I only had the power to heal someone, I could also sense things to some extent. This is what you call development, effort, and growth! Haha.
Anyway, the amount of Clay I could manipulate with a small amount of Mana had become incomparably larger, but Raven's mother absorbed the light for almost 10 minutes.
Like a wanderer in the desert receiving nectar.
'Is this what it feels like to pour water into a bottomless pit…'
The sight of high-density Clay being sucked in with a glug-glug sound was actually a bit gruesome, though it was hidden by the light.
The Mana I used was about the size of my right arm. Considering that I could gather Clay that could fill my room with just a fingernail-sized amount of Mana, I was pouring in a tremendous amount.
But far from being difficult, it was rather boring.
I wanted to wave to my parents, who were looking at me with anxious faces, but they probably couldn't see me. The light was too strong. Looking to the side, I saw Raven staring intently at his mother.
'Doesn't his eyes hurt? Scary guy.'
I was fine since I was the one performing the procedure, but Raven's eyeballs seemed to be unaffected by the pouring light.
Anyway, he's extraordinary. Even knowing that he had an escort, he walked alone across the snowfield at the age of 5 to chase away wolves, and he was so smart that I couldn't believe he was 8 years old, as if he was living his life for the second time. And even though his mother was sick and bedridden, he said, "Think of it as a rehearsal."
'It's not like he doesn't love her…'
He probably said that because he was worried I would feel pressured if I failed. He really has an unchildlike thoughtfulness.
Judging from Duke Wentworth's attitude towards Raven, the place called the Imperial Palace and the status of being the Emperor's son did not allow him to grow up like a child.
I could understand why Raven was so expressionless and boring. Environment, education, status, everything made him that way.
He seemed to have an inexplicable attachment to me because he was the one who picked me up, and he was quite kind to me, but when I talked to him, Raven was basically cynical. He expected success but also assumed failure.
But! I won't fail! Because I've grown and developed!
Actually, the moment I entered the room, I adjusted the density of the Clay surrounding my body and spread it out widely. Even though I couldn't see the face of the person lying on the bed, I could feel the Clay touching her body and pulling as if it was seeping in.
The fact that the Clay was reacting meant that healing was possible. It doesn't react when it touches objects or healthy people.
'How much longer do I have to do this?'
What if I have to do this for days? The healing itself isn't difficult, but holding hands with Raven all the time was burdensome. I think my hand is going to sweat….
But fortunately, just when I was starting to worry, the amount of Clay being sucked into her body began to decrease.
It must be over.
The last of the Clay disappeared as if a faint cloak of light was enveloping the slender woman's body. Only then did I release the hand I had been holding for so long.
"...Raven?"
You have to let go too. I called him, pulling on my hand that he was holding, and he blinked at me. Don't tell me he was dozing off with a perfectly fine face.
"...Is it over?"
"Yeah! It's all over. Now she'll be fine…."
"Shana! Shana, are you okay?"
"My daughter! It wasn't too much for you, was it? Shana!"
Before I could finish speaking, my parents rushed over and lifted me up. They had been patient for a long time. Even though my body was suddenly lifted up, I didn't get angry and said kindly.
"I'm okay! It wasn't hard at all!"
"Shana……. You've worked hard. My good daughter."
The two of them, who must have been anxious, kissed my cheeks and forehead in turn. Mother stroked my back and poured Mana into me as she spoke, and because I was so sensitive, I could feel the hot energy sweeping through my whole body.
'I should show them.'
If they see for themselves how fine I am, they can be relieved. Mother looked at me with tearful eyes after a moment.
"How is it, Anais?"
"There's no problem. I'm glad…."
"See! I told you so!"
"I believed Shana. Even though I believed… I couldn't help but worry."
Dad explained as if he was worried that I might be upset.
"We'll inevitably worry about you for the rest of our lives. Because you're our beloved daughter."
"……Yeah."
The inside of my chest warmed up. I hugged Dad's neck and said.
"I love you too. Mom too, Dad too."
"Shana…."
Mother hugged me even tighter, oof. It hurts? Dad hugged Mother and me even tighter, oof.
"Shana, how can you be so pretty and cute!"
"Shana, Mom loves you more!"
"Dad won't lose either!"
Wait, a minute. Oof.
"You two, I know how you feel, but Shana is suffering."
"Ah!"
"Shana! Are you okay? I was just so happy."
I almost died. I almost suffocated in my parents' arms.
My parents quickly put me down, and I was finally able to escape the crisis. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I said to Raven.
"Thank you, Raven."
"That's what I should be saying."
"I, excuse me."
Duke Wentworth, who had been unable to approach because of my parents' enthusiasm, approached cautiously. Raven explained quietly, "He's a Healing Magician. Ah, a Magician who can use Healing magic." I know what a Healing Magician is, okay?
"I, this can't be…."
"How is she?"
"How can this be! Her breathing, pulse, and complexion are all normal! The disease that was eating away at her heart is all gone!"
I'm really omnipotent. Aren't I a walking hospital at this point? I'm amazed at myself. Following several walking castles, now I'm a walking hospital. Wonderful. Burdensome.
'If I develop further, I'll even be able to revive the dead!'
Just kidding. Even so, that's scary. Judging from the fact that it doesn't react to healthy people or objects, I had a near-certain feeling that Clay wouldn't react to the dead either.
"Oh my god, how, oh my god…."
Duke Wentworth looked back and forth between Raven's mother, who was breathing with a comfortable complexion, and me.
"Your Highness Raven, you didn't mention this…. To me, you only said that you wanted to get close to Lady Wentworth, inform Empress and receive comfort…."
"That's right."
"So I, understanding Your Highness's difficult feelings, hastily arranged that a meeting alone would be possible…."
"That's right."
"But this, this…."
Duke Wentworth's eyes turned to me. Mother frowned, displeased, and I was calm.
People naturally show a negative reaction to unfamiliar things. It's something I did with good intentions, but they might be surprised and reject it…….
"To bring such a great person here!"
"Huh?"
"If you had told me in advance, I would have treated you with more courtesy!"
"Huh?"
"Please forgive me if I have been rude. Lady is a benefactor of the Imperial Family and a benefactor of our Wentworth family."
Raven whispered in my ear again, "He's also my mother's younger brother."
'That means he's your uncle, you rude brat…'
I seriously doubted that Raven hadn't learned etiquette because he was a prince. Did they not teach him because he would become Emperor anyway? Is he going to become twisted like the blonde Emperor in the Game of Thrones?
"How can I repay this favor…."
"Shana won't like it if you kneel, Uncle."
"Oh, ouch."
"Instead of doing that, shouldn't you inform everyone of Mother's recovery?"
"Th, that's right, you're right…."
Duke Wentworth seemed to have lost his strength, as he bowed to me, almost fell over, and barely managed to stand up straight and walk. Dad said.
"He's not usually like that, Shana. He's a more rational and cold-hearted person…."
"Do you think Shana will believe you even if you say that now?"
I don't believe it.
How can I believe it when I see someone who looks like they're about to cry right away? For now, judging by the rumors alone, even the father in front of me is caught up in considerable nonsense. I now completely dismiss Maria's words as nonsense.
"Thank you for accompanying us, Duke Wentworth. And Madam."
"You're welcome, Your Highness. Your Highness is a benefactor of the Wentworth family, so it is an honor that you trusted us and revealed the secret."
"Even if you say that, you didn't exactly support me. You even refused visits."
"At that time, I was so focused on protecting Shana. I couldn't help it. I'll say it again, I couldn't see anything but my daughter."
"That's not something to be proud of."
"It is something to be proud of."
It seemed like a conversation I didn't know about was starting, so I should take care of my first patient. I took advantage of the rare opportunity when my parents' attention was away from me and stacked blocks under the bed.
'If I can control the density, can't I also solidify it?'
I can touch Clay, so I'm trying it out with the assumption that it's possible. I gathered Clay, made it hard, and carefully put my foot on it. And, I get on!
'Wow, it works!'
My head went up. Wow, one more step!
I made another step, supported myself with my hand, and carefully stood up. Wow, am I really a genius? After successfully climbing onto the bed, I shuddered at my own competence for a moment.
'Hmm. ……That was a bit obnoxious.'
Let's reflect……. It's unsightly to be overly proud of a talent you were lucky enough to be born with…….
Certainly, Raven's mother's complexion had become very clear, and her complexion had returned, making her look healthy. Since she was the first person I treated after deciding to build a hospital, she was my first patient.
'What, I really feel like a doctor.'
Dad, Mina. I think I've made it. That's how I feel.
'It's also a bit like playing doctor.'
If you think about it, you lose. If you admit it, you lose.
"How is she? Shana."
"Yeah, I don't have to heal her anymore. She looks healthy!"
"Amazing."
Raven praised me. No one dislikes being praised.
I proudly raised my chin, crossed my arms, and nodded, and Raven burst out laughing. My parents also found it funny and laughed at me.
"Tell me more."
"Even the secretly invited high priests and the Healing Magicians who had reached the realm couldn't heal her. She was even cursed, but you healed her in an instant. I knew you were born with healing powers, but I never thought it would be to this extent. And you don't seem to be having a hard time either."
That's good to hear. Tell me more!
"Instead of postponing it as a future dream, you could open a hospital right away?"
Ah, that's a bit much. I want to enjoy my childhood properly.
"Mother will help you too."
"Of course, she will."
Huh.
I heard a voice for the first time behind my back. Surprised, I turned around and saw a beautiful angel who looked exactly like Raven smiling at me like snow melting. Heok. Huk. Crazy.
"Hello, angel. Thank you for saving me."
So pretty.
Ah, I mean she's admirable pretty.
