Chapter 39: A Companion Born from Disaster Pt.2

Tsukihana and I continued to jump to the nearest [Time Bubble] with [Fleeting Step], and each time we'd arrive we would defeat monster after monster, still continuing to the southern gate. At each jump, there would be various numbers of monsters, and various types of them, some were even my first encounters with them. The little girl on the other hand continued to be with me, held in my arms. 

She was no longer crying. However, she had become completely silent at some point. She would often let out a small hiccup, as if holding herself down with all her might. Not letting even an ounce of tears come out anymore. She would often look at me and Tsukihana transfer from one location to another, defeating monsters after monsters. 

The little girl also saw scenes she shouldn't have, people we could've saved but were too late. [Time Bubble] is capable of stopping time inside the bubble, however it would not last much longer compared to slowing down time in the [Time Bubble]. She was most likely asking herself, why we didn't come sooner, or why we didn't save her father better, but to my surprise, the little girl remained silent all this time. 

And Tsukihana and I continued to jump to the nearest location with both my mana and Tsukikana's [Time Bubble], but to my surprise, the little girl had suddenly asked me a question, something unrelated to what I had just been worrying over. "Big sister, how can i become as strong as you?" The little girl asked, I knew why she was asking this question, but I wasn't sure how to answer it. My situation allowed me to have these powers, it wasn't entirely made out of my effort. 

Still, I couldn't just give the little girl no answer, but I couldn't also give vague advices as it could potentially destroy her future. Thinking for a moment, I simply answered with the truth. "I don't know how to answer your question." I said patting the little girl's head as we moved closer to the southern gate, before adding. "People have different qualities, and most of the time the ways one can become strong won't work for others." 

As we teleported to another location near a [Time Bubble], I continued to speak while walking heading towards the [Time Bubble]. "Sometimes, becoming strong is impossible in it of itself, but falling into that mindset is already a weakness." I said, as we arrived in the [Time Bubble] surrounded by numerous red wolves which was called [Wrath Wolves], according to [Appraisal]. 

Defeating the numerous wrath wolves, I continued to speak to the little girl again. "Sometimes, standing up even when your weak is already incomparable strength." I said, as I continued moving to another location. "If you truly wish to become strong, find what works for you, and use it as your strength." I said, defeating another set of monsters before heading to the last of the [Time Bubble], and the nearest to the southern gate. 

"Little girl, becoming strong is different for everyone, some had to lose something to gain power, some had to train for years to be unbeatable, some gained enlightenment, and some seek knowledge, train their body. I seek as much knowledge as I can, train my magic to achieve its level of proficiency, and understanding that I am weak, before I am strong." I said defeating the last of the monsters in the last [Time Bubble]. 

The southern gate was finally within our sights, and within our sights were adventurers, the town's guards, eisenwald's knights and Mirelle fighting the monsters trying to push their way into the city. I placed the little girl on the ground, as I patted her head, as I spoke to Tsukihana. "Hana, please protect this little girl while I help." 

Saying that, I gently caressed the head of Tsukihana on my shoulders as she jumped down unto the little girl's arms, and turning to look at and spoke "Nya~" with an air of confidence, as if saying "I got this.", with my companion with her, I turned around lifting the staff in my hand, strongly smashing the end of my staff on to the bound, as many bright golden yellow javelins and spears appeared before me, giving off a tremendous heat. "<<< Kagutsuchi's Fang>>>!" I chanted with as much vigor as I could. 

Everyone turned to look towards the source of the heat and noise, and as they turned to look at me. They all had a surprised expression. "Lady Celeste!" Mirelle who also turned wasn't surprise like the others, and was simply happy at my arrival as she continued to fight the monsters, "Celeste?!" Elaria said at the same time as Mirelle, surprised to see with that many spells surrounding me. 

Temporarily ignoring everyone surprised looks on their face, and shocked expression, I shouted. "Retreat!", and understand my intention, most did as I told and Mirelle followed without missing a single beat. Seeing no one else retreat, despite the power I was showcasing them, I let the bright golden javelins and spears fly towards each monster, one by one. 

As the javelins and spears made contact with the monsters, it would engulf the monster in its entirety. If they had dodge, and it made contact with the ground, it exploded creating a small crator on the ground as the ground melted and turned into lava. Seeing the power of the skill, the rest retreated in fear of getting caught up in the skills path and destruction. 

With most of my mana gone, the last of the monsters who were near the gate was defeated, I fell to my knees as I continued holding [Verdant Staff] for support. "Knights, don't let the girl's effort be in vain!" one person shouted within the crowd, as his hand signaled for the knights and town's guard to move, and they did. They moved to secure the southern gate, reclaiming it and stopping the Monster Wave's momentum. 

Seeing this, the adventurers didn't want to be outshined by a child and other people and followed the knights and town's guard in defeating the monsters, protecting the freshly secured gates. Mirelle who was now supporting me, said in admiration. "Lady Celeste, that was amazing!" I simply replied "Thank you Mirelle.". The little girl who had been behind me, asked. 

"Big sister, are you okay?" she asked, concerned about my wellbeing. I nodded my head in respond to her question. "I'm okay, I'm just low on Mana, I'll be okay." I added, assuring the little girl everything was fine. I turned to look around the southern gate, seeing many of the town's guards, knights, and even the adventurers injured. 

The damage done to us were too big, that the healers were having a difficult time healing others, resulting in some of the minor injuries turning into serious ones, and turning the serious ones in either fetal injuries, or grave ones. It wasn't the time to be sitting on the ground, I held my staff in my hand, as I tried to get up, but with most of my mana gone, leaving me with about 13% of my mana left, it was difficult, especially more so when the lost of mana was in big chunks and sudden. 

Which resulted in my body not being able to adjust accordingly, causing the mana in my body to become unstable. While it isn't dangerous, it made the person feel like they had woken up from a severe hang over, or having a severe body ache. Knowing this, I gave up standing for a moment, and instead opted for meditation. 

I needed to restabilize my mana as quickly as I could, and recover as fast as I could. I sat down carefully and position myself in a lotus position, and I immediately immersed myself in the mana around me, sensing the flow of the mana going rampant inside of me, molding the mana back into a stable state, while taking in the mana from the environment. 

After just a few moments passed by, the southern gate was now fully secured, and the monster were being keep at bay by the adventurers, the town's guard, and a few young knights. Having record some of my mana and stabilizing the conflicted mana inside me, I stood up using [Verdant Staff] as a support. While my mana was now stable, it didn't mean my body was fully okay, it just meant it wouldn't wreck my body anymore. 

Mirelle and the little girl helped me get up. Getting up, I walked towards the area holding the injured. As I approached the area, I stopped for a moment, turning to look at the little girl and Tsukihana, I realized I had not introduced them yet to one another. "Mirelle, this is Tsukihana my familiar and..." introducing Tsukihina and Mirelle to one another, however it seems I have not yet gotten the little girl's name yet, despite being with me. 

"I'm Clara." The little girl introduced herself to Mirelle, bowing slightly. "Hi Tsukihana, Clara. I'm Mirelle~!" Mirelle introduced herself energetically to the two, as she naturally gently patted Clara's head. Clara lowered her head, she must've gotten shy with Mirelle's warmth and genuine kindness. "I'm Celeste, you have a very adorable name, Clara." introducing myself as well finally reaching the treatment area. 

Reaching the treatment area, I stood up by myself as I, along with Mirelle, Clara and Tsukihana went into the treatment area. Entering the area, we were greeted by a very busy sight. "We need healers here!" one healer shouted, as he held a squirming man. "Can someone treat the person on bed number 109?", "There's another critically injured person here!", "Move Bed 76, 35, 68, and 92 out!" and many more shouts sounded out in the treatment area. 

With my currently limited mana, I couldn't really heal a lot of people before my mana eventually runs out. With this in mind, I moved to the middle of the treatment area with Mirelle and Clara. Standing in the middle of treatment area, I placed [Verdant Staff] out in front of me, as I concentrated, following the flow of mana inside my body, connecting the mana in my body with my head and [Verdant Staff]. 

Both my hands on the staff in front of me, I started to chant. "<<< Threads of life, woven through flesh and spirit— Rise and mend, steady and strong. Let weariness dissolve like morning mist, Let pain wane as the tides retreat. By pulse and breath, by the cycle unbroken— Restore, renew, and endure once more >>> [Healing Magic]— Yashi no Seiiki!"