Chapter 50
My First Real Patient
Before I knew it four days had passed. Four days of constant healing, using my newly created spell, and fulfilling my daily repeatable tasks. Each day I made sure to read to the blind for three hours, inform new information to Lenny, and most importantly cure everyone of the Blight.
From a personal goal perspective, I was doing quite well. Four days of constant consumption of Strange Elixir of Bloodline Cleansing vials meant that not only was I able to move about freely as myself, without fear of being seen as either an elven princess, or as a cursed one of the Dark Gods. In fact, looking at my overarching quest, I felt relatively pleased with myself.
Quest Updated: Curse of the Shade Touched Bloodline: You had within you the blood of the Gods of Darkness. Due to your inability or reluctance to take the gift that has been bestowed upon you, your blessing is now a curse. For failing to take the power of the Dark Gods’ power, you will be cursed until you can remove the markings of your tainted bloodline from your body. You have entrusted your secret with Lenny ‘Lucky’ Bigsly and in exchange for working for him, have been promised to not alter your awakened bloodline so it is no longer a curse. Now he has offered you a solution in the form of a Strange Elixir of Bloodline Cleansing. Requirements: consume 100 vials (10/100) of the Strange Elixir of Bloodline Cleansing within 50 days (5/50). Reward: Experience, New Skills, removal of socially detriment flaws. (Optional: Consume more vials at a faster rate to fully awaken beneficial bloodline).
Not only was I keeping pace with what was outlined in the quest, but I also had a surplus of Strange Elixir of Bloodline Cleansing waiting to be consumed in the future. I now had a 16 vial, or eight-day buffer. This of course also meant that I leveled to 22, ding and all that. I was still three levels away from my current goal of being level 25, where I would be offered a plethora of options, everything from the ability to gain a possible second class, to getting a new class perk, skill, or spell, or maybe even a new Trait if I played my cards right. Of course, the Trait would be available to everyone who took the class, but I wouldn’t be expected to be called out as an official trainer of my class until level 50, meaning I would have 25 more levels to go before being hunted down for my apparently unique class that could survive the spirit realm.
Also, I was finally able to spend some of my accumulated Free Points, spending eight on Strength, Endurance, and Perception. Which after my new level still leaves me with eight more Free Points to spend.
Physical
Base
Bonus
Social
Base
Bonus
Mental
Base
Bonus
Strength
46
10
Personality
55
Perception
96
10
Dexterity
75
24
Sociability
52
Intelligence
97
13
Endurance
71
10
Attractiveness
41
22
Willpower
81
46
Free Points 8
I have to say, all in all I am fairly happy with my success so far. I am curious about my skill growth, but I have this weird compulsion that looking at the skills and their progression rate, or lack thereof, will jinx it. I attribute this to staring at a pot of water and waiting for it to boil, it never happens when you look at it, only when you turn away and get distracted by something will it boil and generally then it is too late. This might also be why cooking is not one of my skills that I have learned so far, mainly because learning to eat has never been an issue before. And with my current set of spells, it isn’t a problem for the foreseeable future, no more burnt pots for me.
I also got a new repeatable quest from my working with clearing out the Blight from the lands.
Hidden Quest Found (Repeatable): Curing The Blighted: You have found a way to remove the blight from individuals infected with the curse of corruption. Cleanse everyone you can of the Blight and be rewarded: Rewards: Experience (100), variable.
That experience is nice as I can get that from my daily hours at the Mage Guild, meaning I can now get experience for working throughout the day. I did notice that there was a huge discrepancy between the first time I cleansed someone, and when everyone thought it should be part of my daily routine. Going from 500 experience to just 100 experience each was a bit, but at least it was steady. Also, this showed that the community was getting better.
I also noted that there was an increase in people who were cleared of the Blight being extra frisky. What I mean by this is that people who are healed, seem to have far less inhibitions than normal. Maybe it is having survived a near death experience and trying to move past it, or maybe it is something that is a residue of the Blight, but people that are cured often cheat.
The most alarming case of this was Jalinka, my first patient. Not that I was spying, but as a medical professional I felt it was in my best interest to watch her and make sure she was recovering well. She apparently was doing really well in that, while her partner Mr. Darren Polimus was at work, yeah his last name was Polimus, totally confused me too. Still, while Darren was at work with broken bones and what not, his partner, the person he suffered such injuries for, was out being amorous with the neighbors and the other guards from the morning shift. That was one of my first pieces of information that I shared with Lenny.
That was when I found out that Lenny was not someone to mess with. Apparently, Lenny took this as a direct attack against him.
***
“You’re sure of this?” He asked.
“Yes, she is there right now with one of the day shift guards as we speak.” I said.
At that Lenny just stared at me for a moment. I realized I might have said too much, but rather than question me on it, he took action. “Glenn gather the boys, we need to pay a house call.”
“As you wish, sir.” Glenn said, again adding a whole level of sophistication to this scene that I still had a hard time not envying. I mean Lenny got to talk to him all day, and that trembling baritone, whoo, just gives me chills. I mean looks may come and go, but that voice, it does something for me. I am of course far too young, in game, to think about anything like that as being official, but I am slowly but surely getting to the point where I might have to entertain such ideas eventually. I know, my childhood is over, and now I am adulting for a second time. Still, it doesn’t have to all be bad. With that, I do wonder if I can get Glenn to play the parts of Rahul, or at the very least listen to him enough that I can pull of his deep timbre and confidence that he exudes. In fact, thinking of him as Rahul has given me ideas. I might want to retell the stories to my group with Glenn in mind, when I play the part of Rahul.
“Just wait here, we will be back, but this is personal.” Lenny says.
“Why is this personal? I have told you dozens of accounts of adultery before, why is this one so special?” I ask, not quite understanding the immediate need to act on this one with apparent force.
“Simple, it is a matter of principle. My employee risked his life, career, and health to nurture that woman back to health. Then while still dealing with the injuries he has sustained, she goes out and does this behind his back, with more of my men. I will not stand for this. Also, you have my permission to finally heal Darren Polimus.” Lenny states, then turns to Glenn. “Glenn, bring Darren back here to be healed, let him know that he has suffered long enough.”
“Very good sir. Anything else?”
“No, I need to take care of this, before I say anything that might come across as mean or indifferent.” Lenny states, as he goes over to his coat rack, pulls off his glowing magical jacket and puts it on. He even grabs a glowing magical walking stick as well. Seeing the stick, I wonder if Lenny is more of a mage than an assassin? Maybe that is his second class, some form of magician, as that staff is really just an intricately crafted wand. Odd, I always thought that staff was just for show, but now I can tell it is clearly to be used for magic.
Also, with the revelation that Lenny is either an Assassin-Mage hybrid class, or a dual classer, I realize he might be exceptionally high in levels. As his overall level would only be based on his highest level, meaning his secondary class that was also providing attributes would help augment his personal capabilities. Seeing that, I pause and wonder if a secondary class would be right for me as well.
I did want to take my time and slow down with my primary class, at least for the interim, as I didn’t want to be given a Title that would automatically label me as a class teacher. Not that I was close to becoming level 50, but I definitely did not want to be there any time soon. Also, a second class would help me even my growth out from an Attribute perspective, especially considering I was severely lacking in Social and most physical Attributes.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Thinking about it, a second class wouldn’t be so bad. I could always change how much experience I put towards that class, and I would still get my racial bonuses for leveling, meaning one point in Attractiveness and what effectively boiled down to one point of Willpower every level, or as it was, two points every even level. Those levels would drastically help out my magic ability, not that I needed much more assistance, but at higher levels having a high Willpower pool would be invaluable. Also, this would keep my level lower, which would mean I would be welcome in lower level areas for longer periods of time.
“Follow me.” Glenn said, after Lenny left his office. From there I was escorted to the infirmary room, or what was really just a room with a bed, and a few cabinets filled with bandages, gauze, and a few minor potions for healing. The budget for healing supplies had been cut down drastically for the time being, as there was a Mage’s Guild next door with a healer who came over daily. “If you would please be so kind as to wait here for my return.”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but blush a little. “My dear Rah…Glenn, I would gladly wait for you.” I catch myself.
If Glenn noticed my slip, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just gave a sharp nod and left.
As he left, I did a quick scan of the area, made sure no one was watching then shaking my head, I gave myself a soft slap on the checks. “Get your head in the game girl, you don’t have time for all of that.”
I was still in a 13 year old body, this was not right, I chose the flaw and now I had to stick with it. A few moments later I saw Rahul, I mean Glenn, coming down the hallway with Darren. Even walking he seemed to have a faint limp in his right leg, and leaned a little to his right as well. He was clearly in pain, but moving about as quickly as Glenn was. Seeing the man and the pain he was suffering from; I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.
Seeing him, I also did a quick mental check for Lenny. Lenny of course had a group of no less than twenty people all surrounding the Polimus estate.
Whoom.
I couldn’t quite tell if there was a knock first, but the door was kicked in and Lenny was inside instantly. Jalinka and the man that she was currently occupied with, heard the sounds and had just enough time to turn to the door, to see Lenny roll in.
“Ms. Spiritlight, here is your patient.” Glenn said, his voice sending shivers down my spine as I feel like he caught me watching something completely inappropriate.
“Right.” I say, gesturing for Darren to get onto the bed.
“Thank you for this, you are a godsend. First, you fix my beloved Jalinka, and now this. I…I can’t express how much I appreciate all of this.” Darren says, as he gingerly gets up onto the cot.
Hearing him, I can’t help but wince inwardly as I realize this entire guy’s suffering is all my fault. Everything, the reason he was caught and beaten. The reason why his partner is now awake and amorous enough to demand satisfaction from other guards, the fact that I could have very well ruined this man’s life, all from my abilities, it all weighs heavily on me.
“No, don’t worry. No thanks are necessary. In fact, it is I who should be thanking you for allowing me to work on improving myself and my skills.” I say. Then awkwardly begin healing the man.
It takes a while, as I find that many of the bones have already begun to reset incorrectly. First, I force the body to reject those connections. I do this by finding Darren’s personal resonance and doing sharp precise anti-motions to the incorrectly healed areas. Then once effectively rebroken, I take the wounds and begin moving the bones into proper alignment with my Telekinesis, then begin telling the body to heal. I know this isn’t exactly how Healing magic is supposed to go, but I do find that sometimes skipping a few steps is a lot easier on me and the patient.
Before I know it, I have used my magic to once again heal someone, and only after I am done do I feel immensely satisfied with myself.
“How does it feel?” I ask.
“Pretty good.” Darren states. My mind is solely focused on my patient, which is why I jump in a start when the door slams open.
Wham!
There in the doorway is tiny Lenny, dragging behind him a fully grown, if distinctly beaten dark elf guard. A quick mental scan shows that the body being dragged on the floor is the same guard that was caught in the middle of coitus with Darren’s now healed partner, Jalinka.
And this is where things get awkward, I mentally think to myself as I realize Lenny is likely here to get me to heal this man.
“If you would be so kind as to heal this man, I believe I still have more questions for him.” Lenny said, his voice brokering no room for interpretation.
“Carlton? What happened?” Darren asks, clearly recognizing the guard.
“This man was caught going somewhere he shouldn’t, taking things that were not rightly his to take.” Lenny says, then turning to look at the body, he lifts up the man by his collar and shakes him, “isn’t that right?”
Mumble.
“What? I cannot hear you. Isn’t that right?” Lenny says shaking the clearly injured man violently by his collar.
“Rrr, right bozz.” The man stammers out.
At that Lenny nods, satisfied with himself. “Darren, you have done well. Why don’t you take the night off.”
“You? You mean it?” Darren asked, somewhat hesitantly. From his perspective this was likely a dream come true, not only was he now healed, but he got to spend the evening with his partner.
“Yeah, let it be known that I value loyalty above all else.” Lenny states.
“Yes, I know, and I will do everything in my power to make amends to you and more.” Darren said, a warmth of joy filling his voice.
“Go on, get out of here, you’re gonna’ make me blush.” Lenny said, as he gestured for Lenny to leave.
Not having to be told a third time Darren made his way out, as he left, he made sure to avoid the apparent blood trails in the hallway. Then he paused slightly as he exited the building, looking at the street and then apparently following the blood and dragged body trail that led straight to his house.
All I could see was the image of him bursting into his house, to see the blood trails lead to the bedroom, where his partner was desperately cleaning up the blood stains in the bedroom.
As soon as he entered, it was clear that Darren had understood the situation, as he began immediately yelling. Well the volume was tough to catch, but by his wild gestures, it was clear he was in an agitated state. Only now did I realize the true depths of Lenny’s plan.
“You wanted him to know?” I ask.
“Yes, a man has the right to know two things. First, if their partner is not being faithful, and second, that I will always have my employees backs when it comes to infidelity. Now please heal this scum, so I can begin again.” Lenny demands.
Wham.
With a quick jerk of his small arm, the full sized body of the dark elf flies forward and crashes onto the cot.
Groannn!
The dark elf lets out a long groan of pain at the way he is being manhandled.
Seeing him and hearing his moans, I can’t help but shudder in revulsion. “Look I will heal him, but please do not make me do this multiple times. I don’t want to be involved in torture or constant dismemberment. If I heal him, I want your word that you will stop all violence against him.”
I meant it, I just couldn’t. This was an ethical line I did not want to cross.
Lenny just stares at me for a long moment, then states, “he is level 258. You know that by participating in this, you would be entitled to roughly 25,800 experience, or roughly one tenth of the overall kill?”
I balk at that amount, as I realize that would be more than double my current pool of experience. It would also be more than enough experience to push me all the way to level 32, a total of ten levels. Still, that was too much, I would feel revulsion with myself if I let such an act happen.
Shaking my head, I respond with my conscience. “No, I cannot facilitate this. Either let me heal him and let him go, or I will leave. I will not be a willing participant in this.” I state.
“I knew you were too weak for this line of work.” Lenny states, shaking his own head in disapproval.
“If you think standing up for your morals and values is weak, especially when standing up to people that are hundreds of levels higher than you, then you clearly miss the true value of strength.” I say, then taking a deep breath, “in fact, if this is how you truly feel then I think we are done here.”
“Done?”
“Done.” I repeat.
“Do you think you can just walk out of here?” Lenny asks, the underlying threat is clearly evident in his words. If I try to leave he will stop me.
“I don’t need to walk, for you are forgetting one thing.”
“Oh, and what is that?” Lenny asks, a slightly amused look crossing his features.
“I am The Ghost.” I reply.
Poof.
Just like that Lenny, Glenn, and a badly abused level 258 guard all stare at the area I just disappeared from. I of course am watching all of this from my secure location in the Mage’s Guild, my personal sanctum.
Shaking.
I am literally trembling with fear and adrenaline, that had been too close. I could all but feel the malicious intent radiating from Lenny going from the guard to me.
At that, I saw the true monster that was the guild leader, an assassin who clearly earned his levels in pools and pools of blood. Almost worse than a murder hobo, it was a shame, I lost a lot of respect for the man in that situation.
“Oh, good, you are back.” Zero says as he energetically finds me in my room. “Wait, is something wrong?”
I apparently am still trembling, looking down and realizing my current state, I pause and shake myself. “What, no, I am fine.” I say, using my Acting skill to fake being calm and poised.
Zero pauses as he looks at me for a second, then eventually just shakes himself. “Well that is good, as we have a patient here ready for you.”
“Right.” I say to myself, as I realize I will never get a break here.
Hearing my acceptance, Zero leads me out to our table, where I see my first after hour patient in a while. “Tell me, why wasn’t she sent home and told to come back during regular hours?” I ask.
“She is an outsider, she just came to be treated for her unique symptoms.” Zero states, making sure to emphasize unique, as that had been our code for talking around people having the Blight.
“Okay.” I state, as I grab a clipboard and head into the patient room. Since I haven’t had to deal with the flaws from my bloodline curse recently, we have taken down the curtains and allowed others to see me directly. Thinking about it, I might have to put those back up here shortly, gods why does life have to be so complicated. Still, that is an issue for another time.
Entering the room, I see that the patient does in fact have a large calcified manifestation of the Blight within her.
“You have come here to be treated for the Blight?” I ask, once it is clear that it is just me and my patient in the room.
“Yes, I heard you had come up with a solution, so I came here directly.” The woman states somewhat excitedly.
“You came from outside the Tower?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“How did you hear about me? I only came up with a cure five days ago.” I am still curious how someone from outside the tower could have already heard about me. Given the way mail works, it would be days if not longer before this information made it out of the Tower to the other Mage Guilds, then from there to the citizens of the world.
“Honestly, it was a family member who told me.”
“Your family?” I ask.
“Yes, fortunately my granddaughter is a huge fan, especially of your book club. That was why she was tuned in when she first saw you heal that NPCs Blight.”
“My book club?” I ask, suddenly feeling like the rug was being ripped out from under my feet.
“Yes, she is a huge fan. In fact, apparently you have one of the most requested afternoon time spots, congratulations. Though I do have to ask, what is it exactly that you are reading? I couldn’t get my granddaughter to tell me.”
“Uh, um…nothing, just a series I found here.” I say, gesturing with my hand to the Mage’s Guild, in particular back towards the library section.
“Well, you are apparently very good at reading as well.” She states, “as a fellow regressor, I ask that you heal me.”
“Oh, right.” I say, then I realize she is also alive, which means she is suffering from the continual spirit damage. “Oh, you are suffering from being exposed to the spirit realm?” I ask.
“No, I have a potion I took, I will be good for the day. I am just glad I found you so quickly.” She states.
“Yeah, me too.” I state as I go over to her. “I take it by you being here, I have consent to heal?”
“Yes.”
Hearing that, I nod and immediately begin focusing on healing the blight within this person. To put in comparison to the others, this one patient had more Blight than all fourteen other patients I have treated had combined. Honestly, I didn’t know how she had survived this long with the symptoms. There were masses in her arms, legs, neck, all throughout her torso. Just everywhere was a new section of rot to clean out. Finally after an hour, I had removed the minor stones throughout her body, and had the major stone in her torso mostly broken down into multiple solid but manageable masses.
Phew.
“All right, I hate to say it, but I will need a rest.” I admit, as I all but collapse into a nearby chair.
“Wow, I feel like I did a year ago.” She states.
“How long have you been dealing with this?” I ask, waving my hand to indicate her general state.
“Oh, for the last three years. I got it fighting a blighted invasion back.” She said, shaking her head. “Stupid thing, started as a simple scratch. I tried to take care of it right away, but apparently once its in, its in. Then well, I had regeneration, resistances, even went around searching for cures, but nothing. I didn’t want to die and have to restart from level 1, so I kept going. I even made contingencies on the off chance that I did pass away, you know money and items being transferred to me. But nothing is quite like your first life.” She states.
She sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place my finger on it. Given that she is this powerful and was able to hold off the worst cases of the Blight for three years means she had to have been powerful. Still this was a lot to take in. I know I should press on her identity, but all I can feel is a slight nervous tension from what she had said about her own granddaughters, for if her granddaughters had heard the words coming out of her mouth, then her own granddaughter might have as well.
Still, I am a professional and end up working on her over the course of the night. Finally, after staying up all night and working on her constantly, I am met with the message I had been waiting for.
Hidden Quest Found (Repeatable): Curing The Blighted: You have found a way to remove the blight from individuals infected with the curse of corruption. Cleanse everyone you can of the Blight and be rewarded: Rewards: Experience (100), variable. Experience Gained: 100
With that, I felt a huge wave of relief wash over me.
Phew.
Seeing that, I nearly collapse back into my chair that had served as my resting spot for most of the night.
“Oh wow, I…I didn’t think this was actually possible.” Mallory states, that was her name apparently.
I nod my head.
“Look, I know I am not able to give you items, as I was informed you have the Broke flaw and all. But I do know that I can leave things in certain areas.” Mallory states.
“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to have the Mage’s Guild get invaded.” I state.
“Oh I know, I am just really forgetful is all.” Mallory says as she pulls out a box from her inventory and places it on the floor next to her. “I hope I don’t forget that, it is very important.”
Seeing her antics I can’t help but chuckle slightly.
“Again though, I can’t thank you enough. I will unfortunately need to leave, I only managed to get a number of the Spirit Realm Protection vials.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t the first to have gotten word of your ability, but I appear to have been the fist one to find their way through the tunnels of the first floor to here.” Mallory states.
“Oh, so there will be more of you?” I ask.
“You can guarantee it, honestly thank you so much. If there is anything I can do for you, just ask.” She states.
Hearing that, I pause, but then feel the need to ask a question that has been plaguing me since we first met. “Actually there is one thing.”
“Yes?”
“You said your granddaughter listens to me. I take it that means she likes it as well?”