" W-Wha! "
The woman jumped up, her body jolting as she sat up in the infirmary bed. The medical capabilities of the Human Territory were nothing to scoff at, however, considering all that had happened to her physical body had been a few bruises and minor fractures—she didn't receive much treatment. What had truly been wrong with Elise had been internal.
" Calm down, it's alright. "
I shifted in my seat, placed right next to Elise's bed, and leaned forward toward her. Back where I had come from, apples were given to sick people. Here—there weren't any traditions like that. However, I liked to do it anyway. Moments before she had woken up, I peeled and cut an apple neatly, placing it on her bedside table. My hand lifted, gesturing toward it.
" Eat up! Your body is probably tired, considering your sudden awakening. "
" Awakening? "
" Yeah, awakening to Aura. "
" Y-you're joking...No way I've got Aura. "
Seeing is believing, Theatera would tell me.
Lifting both my hands for Elise to see, I began to pour out my own Aura. The fact that Elise's eyes had widened at the sight of my golden Aura was proof enough for her. Elise too lifted her hand and as if it were second nature for the woman she drew upon her Aura. It was colorless, though, which was to be expected. Still—she's talented.
" See? You've got Aura. Of course, it's infantile, however, we'll work on it—together. "
" And why would you help me? "
She clenched the bed covering she had over herself, her hunched-over body pointed forward while her head was slightly turned to me. She had the eyes of a wounded animal that she couldn't trust. Maybe something in her past caused her to feel as if she couldn't easily give out her trust in someone who promised her assistance. However, that would be a useless sentiment to me.
" Because your strength is gonna be needed. "
Approaching it honestly, I leaned forward a bit, folding my hands together and tensing up.
"Soon, there's going to be a big battle. That's why I, the Hero, was summoned. And as the Hero, I must help trustworthy people become stronger for what's to come. "
" You talk like you know what's coming... "
" Call it Hero's intuition if you want, but it doesn't change the fact tragedy will be here soon and the only way to beat it is by getting as strong as you possibly can. So—I'll help you. "
Elise's face tightened for a moment at the end of my sentence, her body tensing before she released her grip and relaxed.
" Haaahh...Fine. I'll trust your help—for now, that is. "
" Good! You need to get a lot stronger so I'll help as much as I can! "
" Listen here, you don't have to say it like I'm weak—I would've beat you if I knew how to use Aura! "
" Haha, no way! You barely even remember the fight! "
" W-Well I remember some parts! And I had you on the back foot! "
Elise seemed to have regained her energy and spunk, sparking up and engaging in a debate as to whether she had me back in a corner or not. Of course, she didn't. Though, I was glad to see she perked up. I stood up from the chair, placing one hand on my hip as I looked down at her, smiling a bit less.
" Well, you'll recover in just a few hours if you take it easy. Find me when you're ready to learn. I've got six months to teach you how to become stronger with Aura. "find me when you're ready to learn. I've got six months to teach you how to become stronger with Aura. "
I raised my hand to wave to her before turning and walking toward the door, reaching to grab the handle. However, I stopped when I heard her stammering.
" H-Hey! "
For such a resolute girl, she sure does that often. It was sort of cute— in a way.
" What's wrong? "
" I just wanted to say! ...Thank you! "
I paused fully. The rosy blushing staining her pale white cheeks that were framed by her crimson red hair had made her look impossibly attractive. She had even lifted a finger to push her hair from in front of her face and back around her ear. For that singular moment, I was more stunned than I had been in a long while. I knew of Elise in my original go of things, however, I had never had a full conversation with her and I certainly never saw a side like this to her.
That feminine and resolute expression was a heartstopper.
" Don't mention it! "
I slightly saluted her, wanting to relax her nerves and wanted to make sure all was settled. Swiftly, I turned away, opening the door. It was sort of like I had been retreating, losing my composure, and making rushed movements, nearly fumbling with the door, however, saving the attempt at the last second. I must've looked rather silly.
In my first run, I had never had any sort of truly friendly relationship with a woman. The only women that had tried associating with me at some point had been women attempting to use me to boost their status since I had been the "Legendary Hero". This was the first time I had met a woman not only skeptical of me but still willing to trust me to help her get stronger.
And even earnestly thanking me.
" Haruo would say I'm as popular with girls as always if he were here. "
In my old world, I had a disposition that made women flock to me. I didn't have to do much for girls to fawn over me, however, it was based on my looks and the side of me I showed everyone. So even back home, no woman saw me for who I was and dug into me.
It feels good to have someone be skeptical of you, rather than having to be skeptical of everyone else.
Looking to the window of the corridor I had stepped into once I had come out of the infirmary, I could see soldiers and knights still training out in the fields. And past them were gardens managed by Demi-Humans, people with animalistic features while retaining humanoid appearances.
The day was still early and it had been quite beautiful so I decided to take a walk. Leaving the front entrance that had doubled as the only main exit, I walked straight along the beaten path before turning sharply right and dipping into the surrounding trees to see more of the flora while the sun came down on me. Eventually, there was more greenery and flowers surrounding where I had been walking, needing to avoid stepping on things with my boots, a task easier said than done considering they were big combat-type boots.
" Hm? "
Something sparked my interest. Suddenly a wave of energy came over my body. It felt like I had entered a mana zone—energy and mana wrapping around my body.
" Mana? "
Someone had to have been using Magic for some reason. Mana was the arcane energy of the realm and the basis of all Magic. Such thick and rich Mana could only be present if the Mage who had been practicing was still nearby, exuding the pressure.
" Hello? Is anyone out here? "
Walking by a few drooping morning glories, I came to a clearing, an open path illuminated by a radiant glow. Down the path was a sitting area surrounded by flora and even a bit of small fauna. Sitting in the center of that path, under what seemed to be a gazebo was a woman clad in azul blue. It was as if she was in her aquatic wonderland where I could even see the patterns of waves floating over the ground.
" Ah, a visitor? "
She lifted her hat, which had been something of a warden's hat and shifted on the top of her head. Her hair was back length, two long strands split down the middle and the ends raised, relaxing in that upward position. Her outfit was sort of tight, bending and flexing around herself with a bit of curve and accentuation on her...features.
Her eyes were red, a complete contrast to the blue she wore and adorned.
" Sorry for intruding—I felt the Mana- "
" Mana you say?! You could feel my Mana while being but a human? "
The woman perked up and from there I could see, her ears were pointed, bouncing up and down as she lifted in her white chair, her face full of wonder and curiosity. It made sense that she had felt this way—Humans weren't adept at using Mana and Magic all that well. And even if we did, we'd have to for the most part work with catalysts to execute magic.
" Yes, I can. I can use Magic myself, it's something that I've practiced extensively. "
She looked at me for a moment before standing up, and approaching me slowly. She was a bit shorter than me naturally, however, her heels allowed her to come close enough to be up to my chin. Looking into my eyes, the Elven Mage started to make a bit of a "hmm" sound, putting her hands on her hips.
" I-Is something the matter? "
" I'm just curious...Curious as to how you learned magic, Hero. "
From her words, it was clear to tell she knew what my title had been and I had only just recently transported to this world. For me to know Magic now, would be concerning in its own right. Maybe because it could be considered me having come into contact with a Celestial. If that were the case, I'd be able to use Arcane Magic, a kind of Magic that's extremely unchecked in its capabilities.
" I can use Nature Magic! You see, from my old world, I was able to wield it. It seems coming over to this one lets me still use my powers! "
" Is that so? "
She stepped back, leaning slightly to her left side before turning and sitting back down, crossing one leg over the other. She settled her hat down, smiling softer.
" Well, it's good to know you can use it. You'll be quite the useful Hero then. And since you can feel my Mana, maybe you could someday become my equal. "
I nervously laughed a bit, feeling the sudden pressure slowly dissipate as she sat down. As it happened, I knew a lot of other ways that could've gone. Celestials may be regarded as divine beings to the people of the Human Territory, however, Mages treated them a bit differently. While I'm not in contact with a Celestial, if this woman had thought I was, I could kiss a private life goodbye.
As it stands, until I get stronger and have more resources at my disposal, I can't reveal too much of my true abilities. Aura will be what I have to work with the most when it comes to others. And for this woman...Maybe I could use her.
" Speaking of equals—would you be interested in showing me your Magic? "
I asked considerably boldly.
" Hoho? You want to see my Magic, boy? "
" That's exactly right! I'd like to see just how much my Magic holds up in this world. "
" Fine then. I can show you what I can do~ "
Her tone drifted and her body stood, stepping a bit back. Mana began to warp around the area once more, swirling around the both of us before it came to her hand, starting to form a staff of sorts. The staff radiated with Mana, clearly an object that allowed for Grand casting of Magic. I, on the other hand, had no staff or other such Catalyst to cast Magic. Instead, I relied on my muscles and understanding of internal Mana.
My hair started to flow in the wind of Mana just as hers did, the few golden locks swaying in front of my face while my Mana pushed forward. The last time I used Magic, it had been against Raksha—using the simplest of spells due to a lack of Mana. Mana slowly wrapped around my fingertips, my body itching to use Magic.
" Ready when you are. "
I hadn't even learned this woman's name yet. However, this was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Introductions can wait.
CHAPTER 23 END