Chapter 4: Waking up

Flora sped up and moved through the woods while carrying the injured young man on her back. Even though he was considerably heavier than her, that didn't pose any problems for Flora as her enhanced body is a lot stronger than average. In fact, she could lift up to triple her weight without breaking a sweat. Such a monstrous strength was unusual even by the standards of this world.

The girl landed in front of her house, where she found her grandpa waiting. He probably sensed his granddaughter coming back. "You found Raspberries very qui-." He couldn't even end his words when he saw that Flora brought along a stranger with her. He looked at the unconscious young man resting on Flora's back deeply. Then he shifted his gaze to his granddaughter.

"Grandpa, I found this boy unconscious in the woods, and I brought him back before he gets shredded to pieces out there." She passed her grandfather and entered the house before throwing the boy on one the couch. The old man watched Flora with deep amazement. He knew more than anyone else how she treated people when they went to the villages nearby. She was always very cold to strangers, and she barely even talked. He could only look at her while scratching his beard.

"Sigh, What a troublesome child I have. Let me check his condition." He approached the unconscious young man and touched his chest before chanting a spell in his mind, 'Analyse' that gave him a clear understanding of his injuries. A magic circle appeared on the boy's chest, and a blue light covered his whole body. The difference between scan and analyse lies in the precision. In comparison, the scan is mainly used to scan the surroundings and generally any significant areas. As for analysing, it's better for checking bodies and small objects.

"He has a few broken ribs and multiple cuts around his body. Bleeding is stopped, no internal injuries. Condition is stable." The way he analysed his condition showed that this was not the first time he treated an injured person. Throughout his long years, he nursed countless people and saw all types of injuries that a human could get, treating Ray's injuries was a child's play for him.

Even Flora watched her grandfather with amazement and could only mutter "Amazing." under her breath.

Then after pointing out his condition, he used another spell, 'heal'. The spell engulfed the boy in a warm green light, and within a few seconds, his body started recovering at an alarming speed. His superficial injuries closed up in a few seconds, and the sound of bones cracking could be heard quite clearly. His broken bones healed and returned to their normal condition. An injury that would've taken weeks and maybe months to fully heal disappeared in a few minutes.

This time Flora exclaimed loudly, "Grandpa, that's amazing. Even though I tried mastering the healing techniques, I can't reach your level." Her eyes sparkled with respect and admiration for her grandfather. He was her inspiration and also her mentor, the one she always looked up to and thrived to reach where he reached one day.

"You're still too young, Flora. Everything comes with practice." He didn't spare any moment to guide his granddaughter. Then he added, "Now, I guess he will wake up any time soon." They both watched the unknown young man waiting for him.

To prove his words, the boy opened his eyes just a few seconds later. His beautiful Raven black eyes that could make anyone grasp with admiration focused on the ceiling before looking down to make an idea of his surroundings. A deep confusion could be seen in his dark irises but considering his situation, that was normal.

His confused eyes eventually ended up on the duo standing before him. He spoke with difficulty, "Who....are you? Where...am...I?" A dry cough followed his barely audible words.

The old man was the first to talk, "Relax, you just woke up. I'm Galdof, and this is my granddaughter, Flora. Who are you, boy?" Even though he healed him, that didn't mean he wasn't wary of this young boy as he could be dangerous. Secretly, Galsof was ready to 'deal' with him if needed to.

"Me?... My name is...Ray." Answered Ray as he looked at the people in front of him cautiously. He thought he was dead, but with some kind of miracle, he found himself alive with two strangers beside him. He was still confused, but he tried to organise his mind and calm down l as quickly as possible.

"Can you tell me where am I?" He asked carefully as this is the most essential information to know at this moment. "It's the northern part of The Endless woods." answered Flora this time and then added, "How did you end up in this place. I found you unconscious on a tree?"

'I can't tell them that I came from the holy kingdom.' Ray thought before answering, "I don't know... can't remember how I ended up there. My mind is in shambles." He acted as though he was in pain while touching his forehead.

Flora and Galdof squinted their eyes at him checking if he lied. Ray knew that staying like this would not be of any good, so he asked another question " Mmm...I know my question is weird but what's the name of the kingdom we are in?"

Silence. It was noiseless to the point where the sound of a needle dropping on the ground could be heard, and confusion appeared on Galdof and Flora's faces like they listened to the weirdest thing out there. 'Did I say something suspicious' Ray gulped a mouthful of saliva nervously. If they found that he was lying, then he would be screwed.

"Kingdom? nothing of that sort, these are called the lower realms."