Chapter XLII - Solution (part 1)

The first bell just rang, marking another day that has begun.

I haven't been sleeping the whole night, trying to find a way to solve my issue. And now that I did, I felt relieved. 

It just hits me that I did not sleep well the past two days. Last night, I didn't sleep. The night before, I also didn't sleep.

I'm slowly turning into an insomniac... But, if it means I'm getting out of this situation, I'd do it again on a whim.

After writing all the necessary stuff on a single paper, I dropped my body on the bed and closed my eyes. Even though other people are starting their day right now, I am far too tired to be moving around.

I will rest first. The solution isn't going anywhere.

After resting for about six hours, I opened my eyes and got up quickly. The second bell rang, and I already bathed.

I looked at my room after exiting the bathroom, and it looked just like the nights before. Papers and books are lying all over the place. Even though they are quite sorted and tidy, my room still looked like a mad scientist's room. 

Damn... I spent a lot of time writing and noting things. However, it was all worth it, because now I have figured out a way that will get my magic back to normal again.

And for that to happen... I will be asking for help.

After cleaning the room up, I picked up one piece of paper that had everything I needed written down. Then, I headed out, straight to Hod's diner.

The bell rang as I opened the door to his restaurant, alerting the people inside eating lunch. My eyes looked around to find him, and the person I'm looking for is at the ordering desk.

"Hod!"

I called him from the door, which surprised him because he wasn't expecting me to appear. There weren't that many people eating here at the moment, so I think it's fine to act casually.

I immediately walked over to him and dropped the paper note at the desk. He looked at it with confusion.

"The heck is this...?"

"A mission for you."

Hod became quite surprised hearing that, and he quickly picked up the note. He opened it and began reading the contents, and I can see his eyes slowly get bigger and bigger the more he reads.

"These... materials... They aren't easy to get."

He said after reading, but I only leaned closer to him. And with a serious face, I plead.

"Which is why I'm asking you. Please, Hod. I have faith that this will work--"

"I never said I'm rejecting."

He said with a grin as he put the note into his pocket, and he turned around to leave me. Hod went to the back as he started preparing, and I realized that I was left alone by the front desk.

"Ma! I'm going out for a mission!"

"You said you are going on a day break!"

"Something came up!"

I can hear them shouting at each other in the kitchen. I think Hod went upstairs to his room, while his mother was cooking in the restaurant's kitchen.

I wonder what the inside of his house looks like. Does he live here with just his mother?

I waited for a bit at the table closest to the front desk. There were quite a few customers coming here and waiting by the front desk, but Hod's mother returned from the kitchen to deal with their orders.

And after a while, Hod came back after a few minutes with his adventurer gear on.

"Let's call the others."

"Call? How do you..."

"Using these. Remember?"

He lifted a cube shaped yellow crystal and grinning as if that's a very expensive item.

I recalled what that was. That is the communication crystal. Valey and Cony bought some for me during the girls' night. But, I still don't know how to activate them.

Hod lifted the crystal to his mouth and imbued it with magic energy. The crystal glowed bright yellow.

"Testing, testing. Anyone home?"

He waited for a reply. Then all of the sudden, voices came out from the crystal.

"Yes! Valey is here."

"Cony, here."

"Barett here, what's up?."

It's like a group call!

"Everyone, meet up at the diner. We have a mission to do."

"What?? I thought we were having a day off!!"

"Hehhhh..."

Cony complaints, and the others let out a grumble.

"The mission is issued by our one and only Rize."

"Hello, everyone."

I called from in front of the desk, and was heard by everyone. They all gasped and quickly said they will go as soon as they can. After that, a few sound effects can be heard. Maybe they disconnected or something?

Hod puts the crystal back to his pocket and turns to me. He took the note out, showing me that we had a lot to talk about.

"Now. Shall we talk about this?"

About half an hour later, the others arrive one by one.

Cony is the first to come, which was surprising. She quickly ran to our table and sat right next to me, asking what's going on. Hod passed the note to her, and she read it with wide eyes.

"These items..."

"Are difficult to obtain, I know. But they could prove useful, thanks to my research."

I answered as if reading her mind. The items listed are actually difficult to get. But for a Blue ranked team, it should be possible.

"Right... and your research is about your sickness?"

"Precisely."

She looked at the list again, and she began to have suspicion.

"How are you certain that these items will help you cure the sickness? Have you consulted with a doctor?"

"Cony... Have you heard of 'The Saint Healer' from the church?"

I've decided to use this card to convince her, and both Hod and her turned surprised hearing such a title.

"Yes! I have heard of her! People said that she had cured the queen's disease that not a single person in the continent can cure. She also cured so many incurable diseases!"

She talks proudly. Wow, I'm getting shy here.

"There are also rumours how she cured all incurable sickness that the people had. Thanks to her, every weekend there are hundreds of people lining up in front of the church."

Hod added to Cony's remarks, and Cony nodded firmly.

"She is amazing. I wish I was sick so I can get to see her. But, why did you mention her? Did you ask her for help, Rize?"

Cony turned to me quite confused, and Hod as well. I only cleared my throat to not make this awkward.

"I am... her."

My answer brought forth silence, and the two only stared at me blankly. Cony then turned a confused expression, and she began laughing.

"That's funny! I didn't know you could joke like that, Rize!"

Cony said while laughing, but Hod's surprise was quite the precious one.

"I... know that you weren't the type to joke around, Rize."

Hod said to my words, and Cony turned her shocked gaze to Hod instead.

"T-Then--"

"Because it wasn't a joke."

I said quickly as I summoned all the books that the queen gave me. Hod and Cony stared at the books I've summoned, and for sure these are all high class books.

"After I healed the queen, she wanted to return the favor for healing her incurable disease. And... with somewhat perfect timing, I also had an incurable disease. 

I asked her to look for methods that can cure my sickness, the Alfeid magic condition. And considering her position and connections, asking her should help me out greatly.

And... she sent me these books."

Hod and Cony looked at the books even more surprised. These are definitely not just expensive, but also highly important knowledge books regarding specific conditions and objects. They're definitely not something that can be lent to just anyone.

"However, even with her influence, this is the only thing she can do. She asked around and gathered the books that were related to my sickness, and hoped that I can solve it myself. She trusted my abilities, and now here we are."

I returned the books into the ring and put the ring back in my pocket. Hod and Cony are still surprised, and I realized they were still far too speechless.

"Tell me this is a joke."

Cony said so angrily, and I just chuckled while taking out a mask. It is the mask of the masked man.

"I'm also the masked man, Cony. Surprised?"

"How you are not a White ranked adventurer simply baffles me."

I laughed a little at Cony's reaction, and that laugh refreshes my soul a lot. 

I turned to Hod, and the guy still had his hands on his face, trying to process everything.

"So, that's... how you are able to use healing magic..."

"And very proficient at it..."

Cony continued, and I realized the two seemed to be sharing the same connection.

"Even healed the queen's unhealable disease..."

"And hundreds of other unhealable sicknesses... An actual Saint Healer..."

The two looked even more confused and shocked as they echoed each other's words. I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?

A few minutes later, Valey and Barett arrived and quickly seated. They asked what's going on, and I quickly explained to them that this list will help me in my research regarding my sickness.

Hod and Cony didn't say anything about me being the Saint Healer to them, so it's fine. They probably would share the story during the trip. Because right now, we needed to focus.

"I am aware that the items in this list were not so easy to obtain, especially the bottom one. But if you are able to obtain these items, I will do my best to make sure they work to their fullest, and hopefully be able to heal my sickness."

I said in regards to the difficulty of this mission, and they all nodded firmly to me. After all, no matter how difficult the mission was, if it means helping me then they will simply do it.

Of course, if this works, then I can heal other people who also got Alfeid. This solution isn't just for me.

Magical sickness and physical sickness are very different. If it's physical sickness like cancer or tumour, it can still be healed with practical ways. But for a magical sickness or curses... it won't be that easy to heal.

After eating lunch, the group then headed outside and went straight to do the mission. It's like accepting an external mission that wasn't issued by the Office, and I'm not sure if they are expecting any prize money. I think I could at least treat them to dinner, but paying them as if I'm one of those nobles issuing the missions isn't within my capabilities.

My money is running dry because I haven't done any missions in two weeks... and I don't really have any other jobs yet.

This solution works better work. If it doesn't, then I'm just fully broke.

After the others left, I went straight to my room to do a bit more research that I might miss. Of course, I hoped for the best for them.

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