Chapter Four

Vinicus woke up in a cavern looking room, lit by floating flames on the wall. Amazed  by this he  moved to touch it, but it didn't burn his hands so they were solely for light, Vincuis thought. The walls of the lair were made of stone but smooth and clean, they seemed polished in fact. 

He noticed the magical symbols on some stones, they were glowing softly just like when he touched the book. So it was still real…. He had been taken to the lair and this was his home. He wondered if the guide was still with him.

"So are you still there… voice in my head?" Vincuis spoke half expecting that there would be no answer.

"Welcome Vinicius, to the Sanctum of the Grand Master Healer." 

"Are you actually in my head or everyone can hear you?" 

"I'm a part of your subconscious so only you can hear me. I am the Guide of the Grand Master Healer, I became yours when you received the honor of that title with your blood…." 

"My blood? When did I...?"  Vinicus paused as he remembered how he had blood on his hands when he from broke free from those coarse ropes. He was injured badly and his blood had touched the book before it began to glow…. 

"You unlocked the Grand Master Healing System, My job is to help you on your path…." 

Vinicus blinked, his mind racing. The Grand Master Healing System? Sanctum? This sounded like something out of an old story, probably one of Old Chen's, not real life. But the evidence was all around him—the glowing symbols, the floating flames, his inexplicably healed body.

"I'm trying to understand here, but I'm not a healer, I could barely pass my medical exams and you healed me.. I didn't heal myself. So I can't become a healer just by touching a book." 

This was all becoming a bit overwhelming…. He had never even heard of a Grand Master Healer ever before. 

"Listen, I'm just a guy…. I have zero prospects and zero expertise in anything. I am useless, my family doesn't want me and nobody wants me…."

The guide interrupted "Perhaps that was true, once. But now, you are much more than that, Vinicus. You have unlocked the powers of the Grand Master Healer, a lineage that has existed for centuries."

"If it has existed for centuries then how come I've never heard about it? I've never seen one or heard of any in all my years"

"That's because the last Grand Master lived on this earth approximately….a century ago…"

"A century, that's a very long time …. it's probably why no one has heard about it." Vinicus's voice echoed in the vast chamber. 

As he looked around, no wonder the place looked so ancient, like something from a novel. The blue flames flared slightly, casting long shadows across the walls.

"But I don't have any special powers, or… or magical abilities. At least, I don't feel like I do… how do I heal someone?" Vinicus said, the thought of healing made him think about Old Chen. 

"That is what I'm here to help you with… you will learn"

Vinicus let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "So… what now? How do I learn?"

"Your journey is only just beginning. The Grand Master Healing System has saved your life, but it cannot bestow upon you the full powers of the Grand Master unless you prove yourself worthy" the guide explained. 

"You must learn the ancient symbols, the incantations, and the properties of the sacred herbs. Only then will you be able to harness the true healing powers that come with the title of Grand Master Healer."

Vinicus frowned, trying to grasp the enormity of what he was being told. "So, I'm supposed to learn all this… magical stuff? Symbols, spells, herbs… that's just like procedures, medicine and diagnosis. Didn't you hear me, I'm no good at learning stuff"

"If you believe you can't then you will remain what you are now—a mere apprentice with limited abilities. The guide, which is an extension of the System, can only heal you. It cannot heal others." The guide contined.

"To save lives, to wield the power that the title of Grand Master Healer demands, you must commit to learning. Only by increasing your knowledge, expanding your aura, and strengthening your chakra points can you fully realize your potential."

Vinicus took a deep breath, his mind spinning with the weight of this new reality. If he couldn't heal others then he would never be able to heal Old Chen "Okay,"he said slowly, "let's say I go along with this. What exactly do I need to do? How do I learn all of this… magic?"

The blue flames dimmed slightly, and the guide's voice took on a more serious tone. 

"First, you must understand that the Healing System is based on ancient knowledge, knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Grand Masters."  Vincuis listened with rapt attention as the guide spoke.

"The symbols you see on the walls are not just decorations. They are the foundation of all healing magic. Each symbol represents a different aspect of life and health. Some are simple, meant for basic healing, while others are complex, capable of curing even the most severe afflictions."

Vinicus nodded, glancing at the glowing symbols etched into the stone. "So, I need to learn what each symbol means, how to draw them, how to use them in healing?"

"Precisely," the guide affirmed. 

"You must memorize each symbol, learn how to activate them, and understand the energy they channel. But symbols alone are not enough. Healing magic also requires the use of incantations; words of power that focus your intent and direct the flow of magical energy."

"Words of power," Vinicus repeated, trying to wrap his head around the concept. "And these incantations… where do I learn them?"

"In the ancient texts stored here within the Sanctum," the guide replied. "The incantations are written in a language long forgotten by the modern world, a language that only those attuned to the healing system can truly comprehend. As you begin your studies, I will guide you, helping you to understand the words and their meanings."

Vinicus let out a slow breath, nodding. "Okay, symbols, incantations… and you mentioned herbs too?"

"Yes…Healing magic is most effective when combined with the natural properties of herbs." The guide informed.

"The Sanctum contains a garden where these herbs are grown, each plant chosen for its unique healing properties. You must learn how to cultivate them, how to prepare them, and how to use them in your spells."

Vinicus glanced around the room, realizing that this Sanctum, this strange and mystical place, was going to be his home for the foreseeable future. It was daunting, overwhelming, even, but there was a part of him that felt a flicker of excitement. 

This was an opportunity, a chance to do something extraordinary, to become someone great and to help people in a way that no ordinary doctor or healer could. 

"So," Vincuiy said, his voice steadier now, "Where do I start?"