99 She Believes Her (2/2)

”This idiot tried to look cool by going solo against a huge goblin force in the middle of atreant-infested forest to rescue a group of children!” Jasmine complained.

”She overused her mana source by pulling off outrageous amounts of spells back to back, including raising a pillar with an ancient tree in the middle, and dousing a forest fire while she was at it!”

”Oh my! That's the Hero for you! So impressive!” Chelsea clapped her hands together in delight, and nodded. ”Mhmm! I can see why Jasmine wants to brag about you.”

”I'm not bragging!” Jasmine corrected.

”But, don't you think there's an easier solution to this problem?” Chelsea asked. ”Why not use healing magic?”

”Because this idiot used a healing potion in the middle of damaging her source. Now she can only recover the old fashioned way.” Jasmine grumbled.

”If it was normal healing mana, then yes. But I think you have quickly forgotten about my specialty.” Chelsea prompted. ”Water healing magic is actually better at healing such injuries.”

”Is that true!?” Jasmine asked. While she had known about water healing, she had been more interested in alchemy at the time. Thus, for her not to know all the specifics about the obscure rare branch of magic could only be expected.

Chelsea nodded.

”It's true. While instantly closing wounds, and knitting back together muscle and bone is easier for light magic users, when it comes to healing internal injuries that are sensitive, or resistant to light healing magic, water healing is more suitable. Although it is not as swift a remedy as light healing, we can also expel toxins from within the body, if it hasn't settled into the bones.”

”But this particular case is unique.” Jasmine groaned in consideration.

”Why not let her try?” Robin asked. ”At the very least, she can't make it much worse, can she?”

”No, it's a problem of the location of your mana source.” Jasmine shook her head. ”Since it's situated inside your heart, there is a limited space for Chelsea to use her water healing.”

”An internal mana source?” Chelsea asked.

”Yeah. It's inside my heart.” Robin confirmed.

”What!? Then if Robin had actually shattered his source, then Robin would be...” Christian was shocked. A shattered mana source was a bad thing, but if it was external, then there was a chance of recovery. But, an internal mana source, if shattered, could even possibly kill the person outright.

Christian grew very silent as he retreated into his thoughts.

”...Actually, in this case, Perhaps it being an internal source is better.” Chelsea said as she pondered. ”The heart is one of the few open cavities within the body that accepts liquids inside it, unlike the lungs. It's better also than having to circumvent muscles, and navigate blood vessels. Thus, it is much easier to work on, especially with an already pre-existing flow established.”

”Eh? Then this might actually work?” Robin asked.

Jasmine paused in consideration. ”If it doesn't work...”

”Then you will simply have to wait until the regular healing period is up.” Chelsea replied.

”Water healing, though internal, is the least harshest method, since the body is already over fifty percent water. Given an area where I am not disturbed, after a few treatments, the issue should be resolved. Of course, I would still need to examine the area to determine how many treatments are necessary. Unless, of course, you don't trust my skill?”

”I am okay with it.” Robin was the first to say something.

”Robin, we are talking about the heart! It is a very delicate instrument!” Jasmine objected.

”I think you'll find that the human body is tougher than you think.” Robin replied. ”The main question that you want to ask is: do I trust Chelsea enough to allow her to give me medical treatment?”

The cabin grew quiet as Robin had hit upon the unspoken question hanging in the air.

”Companionship is not merely travelling together, but a matter of trust.” Robin replied. ”If I cannot trust a person, then I woukd never allow them to accompany me.”

”But what if it is all just a ruse?” Christian asked. ”It is easy enough to fake friendships.”

”Do you think I cannot tell false friends from true ones?” Robin asked. ”On the contrary, discovering the false ones are my specialty. But Chelsea is not one of them.”

”How do you know?”he asked.

Robin smiled. ”Call it a gut feeling, but...” She thumped the area over her heart with her fist.

”I believe her.”