Chapter 22: Detox Magic's Other Use? Point System Theory

The night was deep.

Amid faint creaking sounds, Allen opened his eyes.

Moonlight slipped in through the window, dyeing the floor white.

He found himself lying on the bedroom floor.

Touching the back of his neck, Allen sat up. Thankfully, Paul and Zenith had thoughtfully laid a mattress for him.

He sniffed his clothes.

"...Smells strongly of blood. I guess because I killed the wild boar today, I got blood on me. Probably they didn't want to dirty the bed. How considerate... But did Paul really have to hit me that hard? You should be thanking me. Without me, there'd be no clinic roleplay for you."

Creak creak—

Allen paused. There weren't just his own mutterings in the air, but another strange sound.

Muffled voices from the master bedroom next door.

"Darling, I can't take it anymore..."

"Oh? It's just getting started."

"No... stop... ah..."

Allen slapped his own face.

"Unlucky! I shouldn't have woken up now!"

He lay back down, but the noises next door became more intense, making his back feel prickly.

Trying to focus, he shifted attention to the dragon ki core in his abdomen. Near the small tree-shaped healing rune, a brown shimmering, water-like rune had been etched in the detox slot.

In the original story, detox magic wasn't mentioned much—no, it was, but mostly in odd uses like food poisoning or hangovers. But higher levels supposedly cured negative status effects. Mercury cleanse?

"Let's not try it now. My mana recovers too slowly—it's not worth it."

"Darling..."

Must distract himself... Sylphy's hair, right—it hasn't been cut yet at this point. So lucky. Her doll-like face...

"Ah... really can't anymore."

Hm? That's Zenith's voice.

"Use Healing Magic and Detox Magic."

That's Paul's voice—wait WHAT?! They're using detox and healing magic like that?!

Allen's eyes snapped open. He flipped up like a fish.

"Old married couple using detox for that? Paul is... what, 24? Zenith... 22? So she gave birth at 17? Pregnant at 16?! Paul, you're a monster... but I guess they're still energetic..."

Sleep was impossible. He'd go bathe instead. The bathroom was far enough away, and honestly, if they heard him, they'd probably just get more excited.

Shaking his head, Allen crept to the door and peeked outside.

And froze.

In the dim corridor, Lilia was slumped outside Paul and Zenith's bedroom door. Light from inside painted a line across her face. She wore only a shirt, hand beneath her...

Allen silently withdrew and covered his face in despair.

"Is this a family habit?! Does everyone eavesdrop on the master bedroom? Are they really that attractive?! Even I'm curious now!!"

Sighing, he looked at the wild boar hide nearby, still glistening in the moonlight.

"Can't sleep anyway. Might as well finish that promise from yesterday... maybe get some rewards."

Allen nodded, opened the window, and the moonlight flowed over his hand like water.

Outside, Buena Village lay still in the night. Wind moved the grass like waves.

He leapt from the window silently and disappeared into the shadows.

Morning came. Birdsong woke Rudeus. He blinked blearily, then froze.

A small, exquisite shrine sat before his bed.

It was face-sized, with smooth cuts and natural grain. It smelled faintly of moist wood—like a forest after rain.

He blinked and turned his head.

On a nearby chair, Allen was resting his chin in his hand, watching him with squinted eyes.

"Morning, Rudy."

Rudeus blinked again, realizing he'd passed out after the poisoning yesterday. The resentment he'd felt vanished upon seeing the shrine.

"Morning, Allen."

"I promised this yesterday. We were supposed to make it together, but... things happened. My bad. I underestimated how much flower seed powder your bodies could handle."

Allen rubbed his tired eyes and pulled out a black leather pouch made from the wild boar hide.

Rudeus noticed it resembled a girl's bucket purse, complete with a seed-made button.

Allen casually fit the shrine into the pouch.

"There. Easy to carry and hide. Put it under the bed—no one would randomly open it, right?"

Rudeus thought otherwise.

"This might actually make people more curious..."

Still, he solemnly accepted the gift.

Allen stood.

"The lord and lady are... well, tired. Not up yet. Lilia too. So you can laze in bed more."

Morning sunlight gently bathed Allen's face as he yawned.

"I'm off for a bath. Still smell like blood."

To Rudeus, Allen—usually intimidating—looked rather friendly today.

"Thanks, Allen."

Allen was about to leave when he spotted Rudeus's desk.

"Hey, can I have this? A model of Roxy made with earth magic, right? Looks good."

Rudeus, focused on the shrine, waved it off.

"Sure. I made lots. Take it."

Allen smiled and left, carrying the Roxy figure.

Mutual giving was a great way to build closeness.

[Further increased Rudeus's favorability. Childhood phase participation increased.]

[Current Phase: Childhood. Cumulative Participation Score: 52]

[Evaluation: 2 points is still points.]

Allen rolled his neck, watching the system panel fade.

So far, the simplest and most effective way to raise participation during this phase was direct interaction with key characters, earning their affection.

Gaining points seemed tied to building 'connections' with main characters. Still, more samples were needed to fully understand the system.

Only 2 points this time. Less than expected, but better than nothing.

Yawning again, Allen headed toward the bath.

(End of Chapter)

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