Chapter 102 (1/2)

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The Birth of the Healing Hand

Hikaru arrived at Borderzard, the closest town to Un el Portan that day. The moment he pa.s.sed by the town hall where the wounded were being treated, he had a terrible sense of foreboding. His Instinct tingled.

He stepped inside, and the smell of the stagnant air almost overwhelmed him. Then he heard a familiar voice.

Paula…

Three girls who left their village. They formed a party with young men from the neighboring village which broke up after they encountered a horde of Goblins. After saving the girls, Hikaru ended up having dinner with them. Paula, in particular, seemed to have taken a liking to him.

It did sound like they needed money, Hikaru thought. They probably joined the monster hunt for the reward.

But he couldn't blame them. If it was like every other year, even beginner adventurers like them could help by carrying monsters slain by high-ranked adventurers, or taking down the small fries.

It was simply ill luck. Nothing more, nothing less. Perhaps that was what spurred him to approach Paula, to meet her again. He learned that her two friends — Pia and Priscilla — were at death's door.

【Soul Board】Paula Nohra

Age: 17  Rank: 8

13

【Magical Power】

..【Mana】2

【Willpower】

..【Faith】

….【Holy】4

……【Healing Magic】2

……【Support Magic】1

If I modify her Soul Board, she can heal them.

But once points had been spent, they couldn't be taken back. If he increased the power of her healing magic, what would she do afterwards? What if she turned into an enemy? What if she told people about Hikaru's ability?

This is a simple problem. Do I trust her? Or do I let them die? I guess it must be fate that always brings us together.

「Do you want to save them?」he asked.

Hikaru steeled himself and decided to trust her. If he deemed her to be not trustworthy, he would kill her with his own hands.

Paula didn't hesitate for a second. He felt her resolve, her determination to save her friends even if it meant giving up her own life.

「Close your eyes. The moment you open them again, your life will change.」

Hikaru opened her Soul Board while her eyes were shut.

【Soul Board】Paula Nohra

Age: 17 Rank: 8

4

【Magical Power】

..【Mana】5

【Willpower】

..【Faith】

….【Holy】4

……【Healing Magic】8

……【Support Magic】1

「Open your eyes.」

She looked at him, eyes wet from tears.

「Do you feel different?」

「It's like… my mana has increased.」

「Use all the mana you got to heal them.」

「Okay.」

Hikaru placed one hand on Paula's shoulder and the other on Pia's forehead, then activated Group Obfuscation.

「O G.o.d who art in heaven, in thy name I ask for a miracle. In thy right hand thou offerest the gift of life, in thy left the blessing of death. Give us grace so we can survive. I offer thee my mana…」

Paula chanted with both hands on Pia's abdomen, her voice rich and full. Warm, golden mana overflowed from Paula's body. She had her eyes closed, though, so she couldn't see it herself.

Golden light flowed through her hands and into Pia's body. The flesh on her friend's belly twitched as it gradually healed. It felt like watching a computer-generated image.

Looks like eight points on Healing Magic is enough, Hikaru thought.

He didn't put ten points on it for a few reasons. First, he wasn't sure how powerful her magic would turn out to be. It would pose a problem if her mana capacity wasn't enough. He could've put five or six points, but he imagined there would be a few of those people in this world. Yet he hadn't heard of a healing magic that could restore flesh, aside from legends and myths. As such, he estimated eight points would be enough. He didn't have time to verify it, however.

Paula staggered on her feet as she let out a low groan. Fortunately, Hikaru managed to hold her up.

「Did you use your mana all at once?」

「Y-Yes… You told me to use all my mana. How's Pia?」

「You take a look.」

Paula's eyes widened as she looked at her friend.

「H-H-Her abdomen's healed!」

「Isn't that great?」

Paula turned her attention to Hikaru.

「Figaru-zabaaaaa!」

Hikaru's spine made a strange sound as she embraced him tight.

「Y-You idiot! Let go of me!」

「But… But…」

「There's still your other friend!」

「Ah.」

She quickly let go of him.

Phew… Good thing I had Group Obfuscation on.

Not one person noticed what was going on.

「What happened to Priscilla?」Hikaru asked.

「She got poisoned, and my magic doesn't work.」