Chapter 52 - Small Lie

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— Hey Círdan, what's up? — Rei comments with a small smile on his face.

With that said, the student enters the room without delay and looks around, noticing from afar the state Terqueo is in, lying on the bed being bandaged and treated by one of Círdan's assistants.

At that moment, the elves begin to whisper among themselves, confused by the boy's and the beastman's behavior.

— Rei, what are you doing here? — Círdan asks, his tone deliberately low and his expression filled with displeasure.

— I was with my friend when we saw what happened to that guy right there — he points to the unconscious man on the bed.

— Damn, you should've seen the commotion... Everyone was talking about it, saying that this guy wouldn't survive due to his severe injuries.

Noticing that everyone in the room is staring at him with expressions of sadness and anger, the student sighs and begins to explain.

— Don't take it the wrong way, I'm not here to joke around or make fun of the situation. I just thought I could lend a hand and help you guys, considering you're always helping others without getting anything in return.

Despite recurring anger at how lightly the student speaks about the matter, Círdan places his hands on his head and then asks without much expectation.

— Do you... have any way of helping him?

— Well, of course... hehe. I have an ability that can remove the miasma from him and possibly restore part of the skin he lost — he responds confidently, boasting about it.

Watching with interest, Círdan and his assistants widen their eyes in surprise.

— Is this really possible? A healing or holy ability? My God... Seriously? — an elf comments , incredulous.

— I can't believe it... — says a nearby elf, putting her hands to her face, unable to hide her astonishment.

Hearing the elves' comments and noticing their extreme excitement, Rei decides to clarify that his abilities are neither holy nor healing, choosing to lie to avoid unnecessary attention.

— N-No guys, it's not exactly a holy ability, nor a healing one... it's just... an ability I have.

As soon as they hear the boy's explanation, the elves' expressions turn to disappointment as they realise that they have put their hopes in the wrong place.

— How will you treat him then? — Círdan asks, not expecting much.

— This ability, well... look, it's related to the energy of the universe and the cosmos, you see? I can use it to create a layer that cleanses the body of impurities. That's why I said it's far from being considered a healing or holy ability.

"Damn... I hope they buy that. That was the only thing I could come up with right now. I can't say I have healing magic, I still don't know what could happen."

"Sorry, fortune teller, I couldn't think of anything else but the nonsense you used to say. I hope you don't mind."

At the moment he thinks this, far away in her home, the fortune teller starts sneezing.

Achoo!

— Someone must be talking about me... — she comments, rubbing her nose.

Moments after his declaration, the student notices some hesitation in Círdan and his assistants. Suddenly, while the elf ponders, the student steps closer and pats him on the back.

— I don't know much about my ability, but it's the best option you've got right now...

— Or would you rather let him die without doing anything? — Rei asks, his gaze locked onto Círdan.

Círdan and the other elves remain silent for a brief moment. Then he walks over to where the patient lies and begins to think about Rei's words, wondering if there are other options.

— If only we had the sacred branch... — a nearby elf whispers, unheard by the others.

After discussing the matter with the other assistants, Círdan ends up accepting Rei's offer due to the pressure, despite his hesitation.

— We'll trust you this time, Rei... — he responds, turning to the boy.

— Damn... I didn't want to admit it, but there's nothing else we can do anyway — he adds, clenching his hands tightly, powerless in the face of the situation.

When he gets the answer, a smile appears on Rei's face and he confidently replies: — Leave it to me, boss, it won't take long to heal him.

— If you could all leave the room now... I need to prepare my ability.

— We need to leave the room? — Círdan asks, his voice unable to hide his indignation and surprise.

— Well, you see... when I use my ability, the surrounding area gets overloaded. So I need you all to stand back to avoid any accidents or anything like that.

"I'm really bad at lying, but saying that should be enough to get them out of the room so they don't see my ability."

"Damn..."

He thinks to himself, trying to hide his embarrassment with a confident expression on his face.

- ...

— Alright, it seems we have no choice. We'll leave him in your hands. If you need anything, we'll be right outside — Círdan confirms, walking out with the other elves.

After everyone has left, Rei also asks Kazuki to wait outside.

— Man, that was hard... Finally, I'm alone.

Approaching the man on the bed, the student examines his bruises and wounds, soaked in a black, sticky liquid similar to oil - Looking up close, this guy is really messed up, but he's not bad at all.

— Anyway, let's get this over with.

Unbothered by the miasma, the student places his hands on the man's chest, over the surface of his wounds, and then pronounces his ability.

— Super Heal.

As soon as the ability is spoken, the student concentrates on a small warm sensation within his heart. Moments after taking control of it, a white energy begins to cover the area where his hands rest.

The miasma-coated wounds that once covered the man's body slowly begin to disappear, while his skin is restored to its previous state.