Chapter 54 — Unforgettable Trauma

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After the question, the elf gestures with his hands as if pointing ahead, just before walking forward and waiting for the student to follow him.

— Círdan? But I was just there, does he still need anything else?

— Yes, he asked me to take you to his room. He also said that the matter is related to the recent event — he replies in a voice a few tones lower than usual, with a certain politeness and clarity.

Then he adds, without being unable to hide the excited expression on his face: — The man you healed regained consciousness a few moments ago and wants to see you.

— He has regained consciousness? Seriously? It's only been a few minutes since I left his room...

— Right, right... Then take me there.

With the confirmation, Rei doesn't hesitate to say goodbye to Kazuki and leaves the hallway to walk beside the elf until they arrive at Círdan's room.

...

As soon as they enter the room, the first thing that catches the boy's attention is the man he had healed lying on the bed.

Compared to before, the man's posture and gaze are now focused on Rei, who is also being watched by the other elves and Círdan, who is standing at the head of the bed.

— Oh, so it's him? You are the one, young man, who healed me? — the man asks, his voice sounding very hoarse and weakened.

— Your name is Reiji, right? My name is Terqueo, Círdan said you saved my life, and if you hadn't helped me, I wouldn't be here anymore...

— Anyway, thank you. Thank you for saving me. I don't know how to thank you properly for this, I never thought I could die because of a simple mistake on my part.

After the man finishes speaking, Rei replies briefly, not knowing what to say in the face of such gratitude.

— It's nothing, man, anyone would have done the same as me... No need to thank me so much.

— Don't be so modest, Rei. Thank you for saving him. I'm sorry if you experienced any side effects from using your ability. — comments Círdan, who can not help but smile a little.

"Side effects from using my ability? Well, my head hurt a bit after I used it, but nothing serious. What I really want to know is how this guy got hurt like that."

— What happened that he ended up in this condition? — Rei asks, trying to change the subject and satisfy his curiosity at the same time.

When Círdan hears this, he begins to explain Terqueo's situation and everything that happened before he arrived in Svishtar.

— All right, where do I start... Let's start from the beginning.

— It all happened because I had sent him out with the refuge's patrol team to scour the east side and the rest of the region to look for any survivors who might have gotten lost.

— I hadn't expected things to end up like this. He was the only one who survived from the expedition team, dead if you hadn't saved him...

— The crew was completely destroyed by the demons. What an unprecedented tragedy. If I had not sent them to this place... — Círdan says hesitantly and with tears in his eyes.

— You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened... Just like me, everyone else volunteered for this mission, Círdan.

— You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened... Just like me, everyone else volunteered for this mission. — Terqueo interrupts, noticing that his friend seems to be blaming himself for everything that has happened.

— We knew we could lose our lives.

As he finishes speaking, there is a brief silence in the room and no one can say anything because of the tense atmosphere.

At this moment, Terqueo approaches an elf standing nearby and whispers something in his ear. The elf then quickly leaves the room.

— No matter how it turned out, we had already accepted our fate — the man says, comforting Círdan at his side.

— Look, to be honest, I didn't even expect to be alive. I thought it was impossible.

— I can't get that image out of my mind. The creature that attacked me. It mocked and laughed at me and my companions as it killed each one of them. I still remember not being able to do anything, just watching them die in front of me.

— I'm sure it only left me alive so I could die slowly... That thing was aware and thought like a human. I can't get its terrifying laughs out of my head, he says, his voice slightly louder than normal.

— If it wasn't for you and the others who came by this place and rescued me, I probably wouldn't be alive now...

As soon as he finishes speaking, the elf who had left the room enters, hurrying over to Terqueo, holding a heavy leather bag in his hands.

— I really don't know how to properly thank you for saving my life, but I hope you like these gifts.

At this moment, he bends down and takes the leather pouch from the elf. It doesn't take long for him to open it and pull out two different items.

— I hope you accept this.

When he looks at the two items in front of him, Rei's expression changes and he is a little surprised by what he sees.