CHAPTER 80: WHISPERS BENEATH THE BANDAGES

"As you can see, over the past three years, your body has been in a state of constant deterioration. And because you lack a divine frame, it’s been extremely difficult for us to make a proper assessment of your condition. But one thing is certain- it’s as if there’s a bottomless well inside your body. Your mana levels keep dropping, and that’s why we’ve had to sustain you with a vial of mana potion every three days..."

Berthud continued his relentless monologue, detailing every grim corner of Auren’s health with the tone of a man who had long stopped caring about bedside manners.

The old healer looked exactly like someone who spent more time hunched over patients than sleeping—his thick gold beard was unkempt, his large belly strained against his robes, and his eyes sagged with the weight of chronic exhaustion.

But despite his disheveled appearance and perpetually annoyed demeanor, Berthud was widely regarded as the most skilled healer in all of Runewood. If anyone could keep someone like Auren alive, it was him.

Auren, for his part, sat like a half-wrapped mummy propped up in bed, arms limp at his sides and legs barely able to twitch. The bandages wrapped around his body were tight and stained faintly with dried blood and potion residue, making him look more like a relic than a recovering warrior.

Beside him, Jaira stood attentively, arms lightly folded, her sharp eyes fixed on Berthud as if mentally recording every word.

For the past three years, she had been Auren’s guardian and nurse, never once wavering from her post. Assigned directly by the Elven Queen herself, Jaira had handled everything from Auren’s potion regimens to monitoring his fluctuating vital signs- even when his body had seemed ready to give up.

Above Berthud’s head, softly pulsing in the air like a ghostly nameplate, hovered his Divine Frame:

*

Name: BerthudLevel: 43Title: Pragmatic Elven HealerClass:

Verdant Arbiter

*

The gentle shimmer of it reminded Auren just how different this world was. Titles. Levels. Classes. Power etched into the soul. And yet, despite the magic all around him, even the best healer in the forest couldn’t quite explain what was going wrong inside his body.

’Three years, huh...’ Auren’s thoughts reeled. The weight of that time nearly knocked the breath out of him.

’If this were the human kingdom, and I didn’t have access to this special care... I’d be dead by now. I owe my life to the elves this time.’

"And to be honest," Berthud added with his usual gruff bluntness,

"If it weren’t for the Queen Mother’s personal request and the support of the tribal leaders, I wouldn’t have touched you, much less helped you recover."

"I understand... but still, thank you, Mr. Berthud," Auren said, offering a tired but genuine smile.

The old healer didn’t return the smile. Instead, he gave Auren a flat, unimpressed look, as if gratitude was a foreign concept he didn’t have time for.

"Look. Once you can stand without toppling over like a twig, go see the Queen and thank her properly. She’s the reason you’re still breathing, after all. But for now- here."

He reached into his pouch and placed three mana vials on the bedside table. They glowed with a faint teal light, warmth radiating from their glass surfaces like bottled fireflies.

"Drink these. Unless you want to end up a roasted corpse, you’ll need every drop. I don’t know what kind of madness is going on inside your body, but something in there is chewing through your mana like a starving leech. You’re on a clock, boy. A slow one, maybe, but it’s ticking."

Auren stared at the vials, his chest tightening.

"Thank you... I mean it. I’ll make sure to visit the Queen Mother as soon as I’m able."

He meant it from the bottom of his heart.

Jaira had already told him everything- especially about the Elven Queen’s sacrifice. In order to protect Runewood and aid Vulkris in the battle against the Nightral, Elarya had invoked a forbidden spell. One that transformed her into a towering, sacred tree.

Auren learned that this spell was not without a cost. It had sealed her into that form for the next twelve years, rendering her unable to return to her original body until the time was fulfilled.

No wonder she hadn’t visited him since his awakening.

She couldn’t.

As for his parents... the story was equally grim. According to Jaira, Auren was currently the only human within Runewood’s borders. And in his weakened condition, stepping outside to search for his family was nothing short of a death sentence.

’I need to be smart. First, I have to fix this mana drain. That comes first since I can’t keep depending on the elves for the supply. Not to mention the bad quality of their mana potions.’

His mind already shifted into planning mode, scanning possibilities and half-baked ideas.

’I’ll have to start crafting my own potions once I can move. No way I can stay dependent forever.’

Almost as if sensing his thoughts, Berthud grumbled again.

"If you ever run out, just come to me. I’ll give you more. But don’t count on me solving your mystery for you. Whatever’s inside that body of yours- it’s your job to figure it out."

With a final huff, Berthud turned away, his heavy boots thumping toward the door.

Auren watched him go, lips twitching slightly.

’Thank you, Doctor Snob.’ he thought, though a part of him understood. Berthud had done more than he let on. Maybe more than anyone else could have.

And Auren already had a solid guess on what was draining his mana.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought of that familiar golden egg pulsing deep in the corner of his consciousness.

’I swear, when that overfed bird hatches out of that egg... I would give him a good beating.’

The door creaked open. After tossing a few more warnings over his shoulder- most of which sounded more like complaints- Berthud exited the room, finally leaving them in peace.

Now, with the quiet pressing in and no more lectures looming, Auren turned to Jaira. The silence between them wasn’t awkward- it was gentle. Comfortable.

He looked at her and smiled, this time with warmth blooming behind his eyes.

"By the way... thank you. For taking care of me all these years. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you."

Jaira raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"Good. At least you know how to be grateful you cheeky kid. Do you even realize how hard it is to monitor someone without a divine frame? If you really want to repay me- just make me one of those fancy high-grade potions. Then we’ll call it even."

"You got it," Auren said with a grin.

"Let me guess. You will sell it to them?" He added.

"No. I will keep it for mom...."

Quickly, Auren noticed the sadness behind her tone.

"Something happened to master?"