“Wha…what happened?” I asked, feeling tired and wrung out. Like Squire Sabin’s training but it had gone on for days.
“Young man. Justin. You are lucky to be alive. I am First Healer Zarren Quail. I am in charge of your treatment. You spent two weeks here and we managed to fix you up,” he replied.
“My mother?” I asked.
“Waiting outside for now, while I speak with your first. Do you know what she did?” I asked.
“Gave me valuable items to get stronger,” I hesitantly replied. My head hurt.
“System save me. She gave you powerful treasures and Alchemical products without regard for their cross interactions. People think they can just add one plus one to get two, like the body and soul are some kind of math puzzle. That isn’t the case at all. The Mega Elixir left behind a massive level of Alchemical toxicity, an insane amount.”
“Healer Castelle said around 9,000 on the Rumbart Scale?” I hesitantly said.
“Yes. Anything over 100 is bad. I don’t think there has ever been a potion with such high Alchemical toxicity that didn’t kill a person. Unfortunately, with your fluid soul state from the previous soul fruit, your age, and level, the second soul fruit created more turbulence and attempted to push out the Alchemical toxicity,” he explained.
“That was the black stuff?” I asked.
“Yes. I am glad you understand this. Now there is good news and bad news. The good news is that you will live, without any more serious complications. The Alchemical toxicity has gone below 500 on the Rumbart Scale. No potions or other Alchemical products for at least 2 years and after that you will need a Healer to give the okay before you take anything,” he said.
“So, I could eventually take another Mega Elixir?” I asked.
“No. Potions are life saving measures even if I dislike Alchemy. Just no. Don’t even think about it. I am telling you right now, that if you were anywhere else but here you would have died horribly. Now the bad news. You have developed the skill Healing Resistance,” he said.
“What? How is that possible?” I asked in shock.
“It is very rare. But it occurs when someone is constantly healed by multiple people over and over. Since it is a tier 3 skill it can’t be safely removed by a System Priest. Technically it can be done, but with your soul as unstable as it is, the danger is far too high. While you have experienced a boost in skills and stats from this ordeal, do not repeat it,” First Healer Zarren Quail said with a glare at me. I nodded at this.
“Good. Now I will arrange for some proper food for you and your mother will speak to you. After that, you will be moved out of our treatment center to our long term observation for at least two months. You can do light activities and studying, while we make sure there are no lingering side effects,” he said.
“Um, is there anything you were able to do about my cursed skill?” I asked and he shook his head.
“It is a tier 6 skill. There is nothing we can do. Skills are the domain of System Priests. But there is no way to improve it now. Not after everything. Anything that risks your soul is absolutely forbidden. The next time you think of taking an Alchemical product or doing something, remember the pain and how close you came to dying,” he said.
“Thank you, Healer Quail,” I said quietly.
“Now before I go, if you feel your mother is overstepping or abusing you in any way, you can come speak to me. You don’t need to say anything now but know that there are people who will stand up to her,” he said, and I nodded at this. He gave me one last look before leaving my room.
My mother strode in after he left. “My son. It is good to see you better,” she said. I didn’t know what to say as she sat next to my bed and ran her hand over my hair.
“I almost died,” I said softly.
“Yes. But ultimately you made that choice,” she said.
“Like I did with Squire Jessica?” I asked petulantly.
“I was mad at her for letting your healing points bottom out and risking permanent injury. Not for the lesson. I approved of such a lesson,” my mother said. I frowned at this. I had almost died, and she seemed so uncaring.
“Perhaps it is my fault for being unclear. When I came home after you had unlocked your status, I asked you what you wanted to be. And you told me, ‘I want to become strong. A legend like you’. Have you changed your mind?” she asked me.
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“I…it hurt so much,” I said quietly.
“Yes. Yes, it does. But let me ask you again? Do you want to become the strongest? If you don’t, then that is fine.”
“Is this what it takes?” I hesitantly asked her and I slowly looked up at my mother while she stroked my hair while looking down at me.
“Indeed, my son. If becoming a Supreme Legend were easy, everyone would do it. If I listened to old men and people in power, you know what I would be?” she asked me.
“What?” I asked.
“A peasant girl on a farm. I ignored everyone and decided things on my own. That is why I have been asking you every step of the way. The people who just do their best and work hard are legends. They might get some help along the way, but they will go no further. But what separates me from them is that I ask myself to go further. To push barriers people consider impossible.” I listened intently as my mother explained things to me.
“When fights seemed hopeless, I dug deep and won. When my body was injured I dragged myself forward. When people told me it was all impossible and that I was a foolish woman, I ignored them and trusted in my judgement alone,” she said.
“I trusted you,” I replied, and my mother nodded.
“While these Healers like to think they are the most special and they can do no wrong, there were other options to treat you if necessary. You wouldn’t have died so easily. And in the end results are the only thing that matters. Especially if you want to be an adventurer and go into the dungeon,” she said.
“It was horrible…” I muttered.
“It was. But you endured. You lived. And you have become stronger. Just like you wanted. Again, I will ask you. Have you changed your mind about what you want?” my mother asked me.
She had asked me and was helping me fulfill my dream. She was right. I knew this in my head. But in my heart, I was enraged at the suffering I had gone through. “I am going to surpass you one day,” I looked up at her with a glare and she smiled at me.
“Good. I look forward to that day my son. You will remain in the care of these Healers for another two months, while I make arrangements,” she said.
“What arrangements?” I asked.
“Since Healer Castelle left, another Healer would be useful to have. While they are annoying, their knowledge is useful, if we are to keep pushing you. I will be power leveling up one in exchange for a period of service watching over you,” she explained.
“Really, you can do that?” I asked.
“I am Supreme Warlady Elena. If I can’t do something, I will find someone who can. While you might hate me for the suffering you underwent, the results are what matters. And don’t check your status until your three months is up,” my mother said.
“What? Why?” I asked.
“True strength is something you feel and know. Not numbers on your status. They are only guidelines. I have gone years without checking my full status it in the dungeon. Rest and recover. I will return in a few months,” my mother declared and stood up.
She left the room as food was brought in. It tasted quite bland, but my mind was focused elsewhere. I had almost died once again. But my mother ensured I had remained alive. And it was what I had asked for. While I didn’t recall my words over a year ago, it sounded like something I would have said.
My mother didn’t hold back in the slightest in pushing me forward. But there were other children out there given advantages, but they didn’t become supreme legends, reaching over level 150. One didn’t become the strongest by playing it safe or walking a route other people had gone down.
I knew this, but I didn’t realize how risky it would truly be.
The pain and suffering I had been in were still fresh in my mind. The two week journey to this place had been a blur. Once we got here, I didn’t remember anything clearly until waking up today.
But this was what I wanted. While it wasn’t a fight down in the dungeon, I was still putting my life on the line to get stronger. Only this time I had my mother and other people making sure I didn’t die. Even though I knew this, I was still incredibly angry at my mother for what had happened and the suffering I had to endure. She wasn’t even sorry.
I had told her that I would surpass her, but for the first time, I didn’t know if that were possible. How many more near death experiences would I have to endure?
There was a knock on my door and a young woman entered. “Hello there Justin. I am Nurse Mary. I am responsible for looking after you while you stay with us,” she said.
“Hello,” I replied.
“How was the food?” she asked me.
“A bit bland and I still feel exhausted,” I replied.
“I will see what I can do about the food, but they like to keep things simple around here. Do you feel any pain?” she asked.
“No. Just wrung out and tired,” I said, and she nodded at this.
“Good. If anything feels off, let me know right away. We are going to get you over to long term recovery, no just lay there. The bed rolls,” she said with a grin.
“Smart,” I replied.
“We try to be. Those Dwarven craftsman are quite skilled with coming up with devices to save time and effort. Now just lay back and relax while I wheel you over,” she said. The hallways were very white with bright lights.
“Why so much white?” I said while I buried my face in a pillow.
“It is standard, so we can more easily see any issues and avoid distractions. Don’t worry you will get used to it in time,” Nurse Mary explained. “You might be able to make some friends while in long term recovery. We have a couple of other young people like yourself.”
“What, really, what are they here for?” I asked.
“You will have to talk to them and find out,” she said. “People from all over come here to our Institute to try and get rare diseases and afflictions treated. Your case was quite worrying, but our Healers are the best. Kept you alive and it looks like you are on the path to recovery.”
“You treat anyone?” I asked curiously.
“We treat anyone, and young people are special exceptions. But more complex cases require funding. Keeping all of this running isn’t cheap unfortunately. Not to worry, your mother paid in full, so you won’t have to work off the expenses. Just focus on getting better,” she said with a smile as I looked at her after pulling the pillow away from my face.
“Our collection of medical knowledge is vast. If we can’t figure out a problem, no one else can,” she said.
“Even the College of Advancement?” I asked.
“They do good work with Alchemy, but healing skills are preferable most of the time since they avoid most side effects. Don’t forget that. Ah, we are almost there. Just have to take this elevator down. Don’t worry, it is like an enchanted carriage but it moves vertically,” she said.
“It is fine. I know what an elevator is,” I replied.
“Ah good, I have trouble explaining it myself,” she said.