PLTSVA 42

Chapter 42

I sipped the tea Zen had prepared and nibbled on cake as I looked around the greenhouse.

[Who’s that lady?]

Realizing that speaking was outdated, Zen’s summoned beast had transformed into a small cat.

“She’s the lady I serve.”

More like “watch over” than serve, I thought, narrowing my eyes at Zen. He just smiled with his usual good-natured face.

[Ah, so this is the lady from the rumors.]

My name had even reached the Mage Tower. So much for my modest wish to live quietly and unnoticed—it had already gone up in smoke.

“I brought you here to teach you how to control your magic,” Zen said.

Then he added, “Especially since you need to control your power more than anyone else.”

“In the Princess’s case, your healing magic was the only solution. But in normal situations, a doctor or a water mage can treat patients.”

Zen gently plucked a blooming flower next to the table.

“If situations like that happen repeatedly, and you keep using your powers unknowingly, it becomes abuse.”

The inevitable result of that would be like the flower wilting in his hand.

“In Princess New’s Treatise, it says that knowing the conditions that trigger magic is the most important part. I need to figure that out.”

Zen responded, “The conditions for using magic differ from mage to mage. So you have to find the pattern through repeated attempts.”

I downed the tea in one gulp and declared firmly, “Let’s do it.”

Zen nodded and moved to another spot, and his summoned beast trailed behind with a wagging tail.

We arrived at one of the most secluded rooms on the 79th floor.

Even before he opened the door, I could hear whimpering sounds from inside.

Inside was a massive wolf with black patches all over its body, writhing in pain.

“……!”

“At the Mage Tower, we treat animals that have escaped from the Forest of Darkness. The dark energy from the forest is so intense it leaves deep wounds like these.”

[Usually water mages treat them, but dark magic-inflicted wounds don’t heal in a single session.]

I approached the wolf.

It was wary at first, but then twisted in agony, unable to withstand the pain.

I met the wolf’s tearful gaze and gently stroked its fur.

Though I had healed someone before, facing another’s suffering up close always felt new and terrifying.

I still couldn’t forget the coldness of the asphalt that night I stood on death’s doorstep.

“Place your hand with the mark of the sun and remember how you saved the princess.”

I placed my right hand on the wolf’s body, closed my eyes, and recalled that memory.

As I listened to the wolf’s painful whimpers, the sensations of that moment returned vividly.

You can’t die. I don’t want you to suffer.

The wounds were only superficial on the outside. Inside, its body was wrecked by dark energy.

I gently patted its fur and said,

“Don’t worry, everything will be alright.”

As if it understood, the wolf stopped writhing and looked into my eyes.

A faint warmth spread through my hand.

Then, light bloomed like a flower and formed a magic circle.

Under my hand, the black stains on the wolf’s body gradually faded.

Soon, it was fully healed. The wolf stood up, looking confused, then realizing it truly wasn’t in pain anymore, leapt into my arms.

“Awoo! Awoo!”

It was so big that it practically crushed me when it jumped.

“Lia, remember the moment when the magic circle formed in your hand.”

“It’s hard to describe, but… it felt really warm.”

“That’s enough. Warmth. Simple, but that feeling is the key to triggering your magic.”

“So now, if I see someone injured and recall that feeling…”

“You must not use magic so easily. I only helped you become aware of it so you wouldn’t use your power unknowingly.”

“Knew it…”

I couldn’t just shorten my own life to help others.

Even so, Zen didn’t seem convinced and shouted,

“Repeat after me. Call a doctor!”

“Call a doctor!”

“Where’s the water mage?”

“Where’s the water—Hey! I’m not a kid, okay?! I know my life is precious too.”

“Glad to hear it. If anything happened to you, the Tower Master would roast me alive. So think of this as saving my life, too. You have to stay safe.”

Zen’s summoned beast snorted.

[Yeah right, Master.]

At that moment, the wolf nudged its head into my palm.

Its bluish-gray fur was softer than before, and it howled energetically as I stroked its chin.

That was when a strange mark appeared on the wolf’s forehead.

[Huh? What’s that?!]

“So it wasn’t an ordinary wolf. It’s a summoned beast—just like mine.”

“This guy’s a summoned beast…? Is this how you usually meet them?”

“Normally, they appear through a mage’s summoning. They usually live hidden away. Until a contract is made, they’re no different from regular animals.”

[Looks like it wants to form a contract with you. It even revealed the summoning mark it usually hides.]

“You saved its life, so its loyalty will be high. For a mage like you, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to form a contract.”

“It won’t endanger me or anything, right? It won’t make my power stronger or unstable?”

“Your mana and your summon’s are separate. Think of it as a partnership.”

“Hmm, in that case…”

I squatted in front of the wolf and looked into its eyes.

Its bright yellow eyes were full of trust.

“I like you too.”

I’d felt it during the healing—that this creature had placed all its trust in me.

That’s why the healing had worked.

I brushed my fingers over the mark on its forehead.

“Will you form a contract with me?”