You have nearly recovered, Lord Silver, and are free to use both your skills and aura once more.

"Though, I would advise you to take it slow for a few days," said Great Mage Domaris, looking at the scan above me.

Once more, I am back in the Mars Tower—this time for the check-up.

"Thank you, Great Mage. I wouldn't have recovered so fast without your help," I thanked.

I am truly grateful.

I am determined to make a full recovery before leaving the city. With my luck, who knows what dangers might await me on the road? I will need to be prepared for anything.

It is the eighth day. Only two more days remained before the synod ended, and I was to leave for home.

"I would have claimed full credit, Lord Silver, but most of the work was done by you," the man replied. At that, I smiled.

A few minutes later, I walked out of his office.

"Anything?" I asked Davis. "There are a few messages, but not from the one you are looking for, my lord," he replied.

Hearing that, I sighed internally.

I am waiting for the message from the Grand Mage Anis. It had been only a day since I gave her the proposal.

So, I shouldn't expect them to approve it immediately, but I need them to, as I only have a day.

The results of the new council elections will be announced tomorrow, and I need my proposal approved before then.

I had met all the council members yesterday. Ophelia and others. Two had even explicitly promised me support, which was better than I had expected.

Still, there is much opposition to it. That is why I had put all my hopes on Grand Mage.

A few minutes later. I walked out of the examination hall and stepped into the elevator.

Soon, the elevator stopped, and we got out. It's not the lobby, but another floor; there are two people I have to see before leaving.

We reached the room, and I entered inside with Margaux.

Eudo was standing with various things in front of him, including the children's toy, and an orc woman instructed him in his therapy.

"Lord Silver," he greeted, seeing me.

"How are you feeling, Eudo?" I asked him. Looking at his hands.

He had regained his hands.

A Grand Mage had cast a regeneration spell. Restoring his hands.

It happened yesterday morning, right after the spell. Eudo quickly became unconscious and only woke up late last night.

The spell takes a toll on the body.

"Good. Ecstatic; I didn't think I would ever see this day," he said with tears streaming down his face as he glanced at his hands.

This treatment wasn't cheap—it was extremely expensive—and the most expensive thing I did here in Archmage City, but it was worth it after seeing his joy.

He is an integral and foundational member of the Velvet Garden—it might never have existed without him. Therefore, doing this for him is beyond question.

"What did the healer say?" I asked. "They said the regeneration has been successful."

"As long as I followed the regiment. In a few months, I would gain similar control over these hands as I had with my old hands," the man replied, his joy never leaving his face.

It made me relieved because regeneration is only a first step. One can't just gain the lost body part and hope it will work fine in a day.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

It wasn't that easy, seeing the years he had been without them and learning to do things differently.

He is going to need a lot of therapy before he gains complete control of his hands.

Which I have no doubt he will.

I talked with him for a few minutes before walking out. Before leaving the tower, I had to meet one more person.

…

Aya Bandstone

"Miss Bandstone, how are you feeling?" asked the woman with in a mage robe as I lay on the bed.

She is a Great Mage, the healer who has been tending to me

Great Mage Vola is a human with a trace of orc blood. She appears entirely human—except for her pale green tint and slightly elongated canines, which only become noticeable when she opens her mouth.

He had kept his promise. He had admitted me to Mars Tower the day we came here.

"Great. I can't remember the last time I felt this way," I replied with a smile.

There has always been a weakness since I was affected by bone breaking, and it got worse as the disease progressed.

"I had learned to live with it and even gained skills like Reinforced Bones, which made things a little easier.

Though nothing had truly helped with the weakness until now.

'The medicine is working, and as long as you continue taking it every day, it will suppress the effects and progression of the bone-breaking disease,' she said."

"Is there no cure for it, Great Mage?" asked Ulo and the woman's expression turned serious.

"I won't say there is no cure," she said. "I'll only say we don't have it. There are a few things that could help, but they are beyond even Lord Silver's means."

"The only option is the one I mentioned before—level up high enough that your skills neutralize the effects of the disease," replied the Great Mage.

That is easier than done. My skills could barely help, and my progress decreased every day.

Now, there's a promise of hope.

This medicine suppresses its effects, stopping it from worsening and providing valuable time for me to level up.

However, I must reach the level to make my skills suppress it. It is very high; extremely few people in the world achieve that level.

The Great Mage cast a few more spells, did some tests, and left.

Tonight will be my last night here in Mars Tower. They are keeping me here to look at a few things. Tomorrow, they will discharge me.

"We can't afford the medicine, even a cheaper version," said Ulo. I could see her mind searching for the way, but there was none.

"We already have a year from Silver. My armor and sword should give me another year."

"Two years is enough for me to earn enough to continue with my treatment," I replied with more optimism than I was feeling.

She could tell I was lying but didn't say anything.

The medicine is really expensive, but also good. It had suppressed the effect.

If they hadn't told me not to get up from bed and kept scanning me, I would have jumped out of bed already and tested the strength I felt inside.

Slip!

A few hours passed, and I napped some when the door opened.

Silver walked in, and with him was a beautiful, blond-haired woman.

"Miss Bandstone, Miss Gul," he said as he stepped beside the bed. "Lord Silver," we greeted.

I still can't believe he was the same man who had fought like a demon a week ago. I remember how he came out of the forest, scorched almost to the bone.

His appearance in battle was so unlike the man we had guided. That man was powerful, not the demon who emerged from the forest.

He came out and started to reap lives like a death god. Even the strongest didn't last for more than a few seconds in front of him.

What is shocking is that he is only twenty years old. Younger than me, but so strong and even has an aura.

"How are you feeling, Miss Bandstone?" he asked. "Never better, my lord," I replied truthfully.

"I am glad," he replied.

There was a silence for a moment before I opened my mouth. There is something I need to say to him.

"Thank you, Lord Silver, for helping me," I said.

There are many ways he could have backed out. A lord like him has different ways, but he has followed the contract in spirit and the word.

"You do not have to thank me, Miss Bandstone. I did what I had agreed to in exchange for your help," he replied with a smile.

"For that, we are very grateful, Lord Silver," said Ulo.

For a moment, there was silence before he turned to me, with his face serious.

"There is another reason I have come here other than to check on you," he stated.

"What is it?" I asked. Feeling worried. Hoping he wouldn't cut a year of treatment.

"An offer. I want you to work for me. The Greltheaven army," he said.

Surprising me.

I once worked for an army but didn't have a pleasant experience. I believe his army would be better, but I can't accept it.

I need money for my treatment. The salary of the army would be far from enough for it.

So, I opened my mouth to reject, despite wanting to accept his offer.

"Will you fund her treatment while she works for you?" asked Ulo before I could utter a word to reject his offer.

"She will get free medical, as every person in my army does. So, yes, the dominion will fund her treatment, as it does of every person," he replied and turned to me.

I am ecstatic but also surprised.

He should know the cost of the treatment. It is massive. If I calculate it, it will be worth the salary of over a dozen people every month.

I am talking about the salary of a Captain, who is not a common soldier, but he is still willing to do that.

"It will be my greatest pleasure to work for you, Lord Silver," I replied.

There must be some intentions behind the offer. No matter how generous he is, Lords wouldn't have offered me the job without it.

I would have considered the reason if I hadn't been sick, but my current condition prevented me.

I know very well that it will be hard to support myself after two years. I was barely able to afford the medicine I used to have.

I would not be able to afford this new medicine even if I reached level 30.

Accepting the offer is a wise choice, no matter the strings attached to it.