CHAPTER 433: DOUBTING HER POWER

Evaline:

The mountain air was crisp, the scent of pine mingling faintly with herbs as Elder Ren led me toward the handful of villagers who stood waiting - men and women dressed in simple clothes, their faces weathered but kind. Some were holding small baskets as offerings, others had children beside them.

"This young lady," Elder Ren said, his tone full of pride as he motioned toward me, "is my apprentice for the day."

Apprentice? My heart jumped in my chest.

He winked at me before turning to the crowd. "She’s a young healer, trying to learn the ways of healing, so I’ll ask for your patience. She’s got a kind heart, and that’s the most important thing for a healer."

The villagers murmured among themselves, curious eyes turning toward me. I forced a small smile, trying to ignore the heat crawling up my neck.

Apprentice for the day, I repeated silently, pretending that the title didn’t make my stomach twist with nerves.

Elder Ren beckoned to a small boy sitting on a stool nearby, his right leg stretched out before him. The boy looked no more than eight or nine. He had curly brown hair and big, tear-reddened eyes. A thin line of dried blood marked his shin where a shallow cut marred his skin.

"This is Yao," Elder Ren said softly. "He fell while playing by the river this morning. It’s a small wound, nothing dangerous, but perfect for your first try."

My palms grew clammy. I knelt beside the boy, my knees brushing the dirt, and gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "Hi, Yao."

He blinked at me, then nodded shyly. "Does it hurt much?" I asked gently.

"Not anymore," he whispered, though the way he flinched told another story.

"Good," I said softly, inhaling deeply. I could do this. It was just a cut. I had healed Rowan and Kieran before - both of their wounds had been much worse. This should be easy.

I placed my hands carefully over the small gash and closed my eyes.

I called upon my power - the quiet hum I had felt before, the warmth that usually stirred beneath my skin like sunlight ready to burst forth.

But this time... nothing.

The air remained still.

No warmth, no flicker of energy, nothing.

I tried again, pressing my palms a little closer to the boy’s leg. Please... please, heal him.

Still, my power didn’t respond. It was like shouting into an empty void.

A bead of sweat rolled down my temple. The boy shifted uneasily beneath my touch. The villagers, once quiet, began whispering to each other.

"Why isn’t it working?" someone murmured.

"Maybe she’s too new," another said.

"Poor thing," came a softer voice. "She looks frightened."

I clenched my jaw, trying to block them out. Focus, Eva. You can do this.

But the more I tried, the more desperate I became... and the more my power slipped away from me, distant and unyielding.

When I finally opened my eyes, the cut on the boy’s leg remained exactly the same.

Yao stared at it blankly, then looked up at me with confusion written all over his small face. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked, his voice trembling a little.

My chest squeezed painfully. "No, sweetheart, you didn’t. It’s me. I..."

Before I could say anything more, a gentle hand rested on my shoulder.

"Enough, child," Elder Ren said softly. "Step back."

Shame burned hot in my throat as I obeyed. He knelt down where I had been, his gnarled hands hovering above Yao’s wound. A faint, green glow enveloped his palms, and within seconds, the gash closed seamlessly, leaving behind only clean skin.

Gasps of relief and admiration spread among the villagers.

"Thank you, Elder Ren!" Yao’s mother said, bowing deeply as the boy smiled in awe.

Elder Ren nodded kindly before turning to me. His expression wasn’t disappointed, only thoughtful. "Do you know why you failed, child?"

I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. "Because I’m not strong enough?"

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, no. You failed because you doubted yourself."

I blinked, confused.

"You wished to heal the boy, yes," he continued, "but at the same time, you feared your power - feared it wouldn’t work, feared hurting him. Doubt is the poison that blocks a healer’s flow. Your heart wanted to heal, but your mind refused to trust your gift. That’s why your power didn’t answer you."

I looked down at my trembling hands, his words echoing painfully true. I had wanted to help, but deep down, I had been afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of being wrong again.

Elder Ren gave my shoulder a light pat. "Come," he said kindly. "Let’s go back for a moment."

He led me toward the tall tree near the back fence where Kieran stood. His back was pressed against the bark, arms crossed, watching everything quietly. His eyes - deep, steady, and unreadable - met mine the moment I looked up.

I expected him to look disappointed. But he didn’t. He looked... worried.

Before I could speak, he pushed away from the tree and walked toward me. Without hesitation, his hand found mine, fingers curling gently but firmly around it. The contact was grounding - warm, protective, anchoring me when everything inside felt unstable.

My breath hitched.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "You did fine."

I shook my head. "I couldn’t even heal a small cut."

"Doesn’t matter," he said. "You are here to learn."

His calm certainty made something ache deep inside me.

Elder Ren cleared his throat softly. "You said earlier," he began, glancing at Kieran, "that she healed you once before, yes?"

Kieran nodded. "She did. I... had a cut on my hand. She healed it completely in less than a minute."

"Hmm," Elder Ren hummed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Then I understand what needs to be done."

He motioned for the villagers to wait. "Just a moment, everyone. I’ll be right back."

Curious and uneasy, I followed as he guided us back into the clinic. The villagers outside began to talk quietly among themselves again, while inside, the air felt heavier, quieter.

Elder Ren moved toward the kitchen counter and picked something up - something I couldn’t quite see from where I stood. Still, a faint metallic glint caught the light.