As the spell [Yashi no Seiiki] activated, a warm light radiated from the [Verdant Staff], spreading in a circular wave. Wherever the light passed, vibrant flowers and fresh grass sprouted from the cracks in the stone ground, weaving life back into the barren surface. The injured, touched by the gentle glow, felt their wounds close, their strength returning. Those with grievous injuries found their pain easing—their wounds partially mended, reduced to minor afflictions. Even the weary healers felt their exhaustion lift, as if a soothing breeze had washed over them.
Just as the spell neared its end, a light rain began to fall. Yet, instead of dampening anything, it carried a peculiar warmth. Those struck by the raindrops watched in awe as their wounds were cleansed, the grime washed from their clothes, and a sense of renewal settled over them. As the last remnants of [Yashi no Seiiki] faded, its final act was a gentle purification of the land it had touched. At the center of the restored ground, I grasped the [Verdant Staff], pulling it free. In its place, a tree began to sprout, its roots digging into the stone as it rapidly grew—stretching toward the sky like a testament to the magic that had just been cast.
But at that moment, I felt it. A sudden, crushing weight bore down on me. My mana had been completely drained. "Ugh… Kaff! Kaff!" A violent cough tore from my throat as I collapsed to my knees, clutching my chest. A searing pain flared inside me, burning like a furnace had been ignited within my ribs. My lungs felt as if they were swelling, pressing against my ribs, ready to burst. "Kaff… Kaff—!" The coughing only worsened. My breath came in ragged gasps, my vision blurring. A warm, wet sensation filled my palm as I covered my mouth. When I pulled my hand away, crimson stained my fingers. Blood.
The world around me spun, my strength vanishing. And then—darkness. The last thing I had heard where the voices of Mirelle, Clara and Elaria.
~ Clara's POV ~
Big Sister Celeste collapsed right in front of me. I was scared. Daddy had already left me. And now, the person who had been protecting me all day, who had been so kind to me, had fallen. Big Sister Celeste had used such powerful magic—I thought she was stronger than Daddy. But the moment she coughed up blood and collapsed, my mind went blank, and before I knew it, I screamed her name. I didn't want to see anyone die anymore.
I used to think that overwhelming strength was what I needed. But seeing someone I believed to be invincible fall to their knees… strength suddenly felt so fragile. What I truly needed wasn't strength—if I had the ability to heal like Big Sister Celeste, I could've saved Daddy. I could've helped her heal all those injured people. If I had been strong in the right way… maybe I could've stopped her before she pushed herself too far.
The moment Big Sister Celeste collapsed; Big Sister Mirelle was there. She caught her in her arms, and I saw her panic. She screamed when she caught her—her voice filled with fear. Since then, she hasn't left Big Sister Celeste's side. She hasn't even eaten, yet she still reminds me to eat first.
Another Big Sister has been visiting the tent often. Her name is Elaria. Big Sister Mirelle said she was a friend. Whenever we talk, she pats my head gently, just like Big Sister Celeste and Daddy used to. When Big Sister Mirelle is taking care of Big Sister Celeste, Big Sister Elaria is the one taking care of me.
It has been two days since Big Sister Celeste collapsed. Even though her master hasn't woken up, Tsukihana is still by my side. She hasn't left me alone once. Then— "Clara! Lady Celeste is awake now!" Big Sister Mirelle's voice was full of relief. The moment I heard those words, my heart jumped, and I ran straight to the tent.
Inside, Big Sister Celeste was sitting up in bed. Tsukihana was faster than me—she darted forward and curled up on her lap as soon as she saw her. Big Sister Mirelle was hugging her tightly, clinging to her as if she would disappear if she let go. "Clara, what are you doing over there?" Big Sister Celeste's voice was gentle as she waved me over. I stepped forward hesitantly. Then, she reached out and patted my head, just like she always did. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm alright now." Her voice was warm, but my chest tightened.
I had been so scared. Death terrified me. Knowing that it could happen to anyone terrified me. And seeing Big Sister Celeste awake again—seeing her safe—lifted the weight off my heart. At that moment, I finally understood what I wanted. I don't want to be protected anymore. I don't want to just watch as the people I love put themselves in danger for me.
I want to learn [Healing Magic].
~ Celeste POV ~
As I opened my eyes, I heard Mirelle shout something. Still groggy from having my mana completely drained, I sat up. Looking around the room, I realized I was inside a tent. Just as I was wondering what had gone wrong with the spell and what had happened after I lost consciousness, the slits of the tent swung open, revealing a little girl who froze upon seeing me. The black cat immediately jumped from her arms and ran up to me, curling up on my lap.
Clara, what are you doing over there?" I asked the little girl who had just entered, waving for her to come closer. When she approached, I reached out and gently caressed her head. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm alright now," I said, reassuring her that everything was fine.
Clara and I talked for a while—she told me about her life and how she now knew what she truly wanted. We continued our conversation for a bit longer before I ultimately sent her out to eat. Clara was clearly hesitating, she obviously wanted to be here, but she's been here for too long now, she needed to eat but, in the end, she hesitantly went out.
Mirelle and I were the only people left in the tent, aside from tsukihana who had stayed behind. I turned to look at Mirelle who had sat beside my bed, and I finally spoke. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Mirelle" I apologized to Mirelle for making her worry too much, and thanked her for being there for me. "Mirelle, how long was I unconscious?" I asked Mirelle, before I added "What happened after I fell unconscious?"
Mirelle closed her eyes, as she tilted her head a bit. She looked like she was trying to remember, and as silence filled the room for a few minutes. Mirelle open her eyes and started to answer my questions. "Lady Celeste, you've been unconscious for two days." Mirelle's word shocked me, to be unconscious for two days, simply because my mana ran out. I started to realize the importance of mana awareness.
She continued to answer my question, "After Lady Celeste casted her wonderful magic and fell unconscious, the tree that grew from the spell has gotten bigger, and the monster wave is still ongoing, but thanks to Lady Celeste's spell, there was enough people to hold back the monsters for the time being." and she continued to explained in details of the current state of the monster wave. "Is there any news from the Subjugation Team?" I asked Mirelle, and she thought for a moment but she only shook her head in response.
It meant that the Subjugation of the Orc camp must've have been harder that we initial thought, and this meant that the monster wave won't end until the monsters all end up dead, or the subjugation team defeats the High Orc King in the Orc camp, but from the looks of things, we were still far from it. Mirelle and I continued to talk for a while, before I finally got out of the bed and out of the tent, I was okay now, there was no need to stay in bed any longer.
As I came out of the tent with Mirelle and Tsukihana in my arms, I noticed some people were staring at us. It wasn't the bad or unpleasant kind of stare. However, it felt different it was something I wasn't really aware off. Just as I was having that thought, someone approached us. Confused, I bowed as I greeted the person who had approached us. "Hello, is there something wrong?" the person who stood before us was a man in full metal armor.
"For saving my friend, you have my deepest gratitude." the man in metal armor, bowed in return as he placed his sword to his chest as he stood straight back up. I was confused, I don't remember saving this person's friend and as if noticing my confusion, the man continued to speak. "The spell you had casted, had prevented my wife's wound to turn fatal." The man in metal armor turned to look towards a certain direction.
Looking towards the direction where the man had turned to look, a woman in robe sitting up on a bed in the open as another person stood there, talking with her. "It was nothing, I simply did what I had to do." I said to the man in metal armor, now realizing my spell had prevented this man and their child from losing a loved one, but getting complimented felt weird. I didn't know how to react, nor did I know what to say.
The man simply nodded his head, as he returns to his family's side but before he did, the man in metal armor turned to look at me and spoke. "If you ever need any help, please do not hesitate to rely on us." he then turns to looked towards a certain direction. Looking towards that direction, I saw many adventurers standing and staring in my direction. "You did not only save my wife, but you have also saved these people's friends, lover, child, brother, and their party member." the man in metal armor added, as he finally left for his family.
I was now fully aware, what kind of stares I was receiving from my surrounding. It was a stare that had gratitude in them, and the reason they might not have gotten closer to give their thanks was out of consideration for me. Not knowing what to do, I pulled my witch hat down to cover my face, as I moved closer to Mirelle, almost hiding. "Hehe" Mirelle giggled, "Are you embarrassed Lady Celeste?" Mirelle ask happily.
"I'm not." I responded to Mirelle's question, pulling more of the hat down to cover my face. "ehehe, Lady Celeste is adorable." Mirelle said, bending to get a better look on my face, and Tsukihana nuzzled its face to mine.