[Analysis] activated, revealing Bessy’s complete physical condition—from vulnerabilities to inherent strengths. At 70 years old and clearly undernourished for her age, her weaknesses outnumbered her strengths. Still, Jonn observed remarkable pain tolerance and surprisingly strong hand strength.
Her ailments included a respiratory infection, pulmonary fluid accumulation in one lung, mild malnutrition, and typical age-related issues such as deteriorating joints and bone density.
As [Essence of Life] took the place of [Analysis], it began connecting Jonn’s raw observations with his accumulated knowledge from both studies and practical experience in the village.
Treatment options illuminated his mind like beacons in the darkness. Thanks to [Projection], he didn’t need to test his hypotheses—the optimal treatment path became immediately clear.
While she needed proper nutrition and exercise to restore her physical condition, her respiratory distress demanded immediate attention.
“I see…” he murmured, breaking nearly three minutes of concentrated silence. “Yes, she can be treated. We have a medicinal potion that will clear the infection within a day or two. However, we must first address the fluid accumulation in her left lung.”
Though Alis had suspected the lung condition, she marveled at Jonn’s ability to diagnose using only a small magnifying glass. While still harboring some doubts about his treatment capabilities, she concluded that any intervention he proposed was worth attempting.
At Jonn’s instruction, Elia darted across the street to retrieve the specified potion from the village store. Before her return, Jonn drew a knife from his belt and exposed part of Bessy’s torso.
“What are you planning to do?” one of her grandsons asked, his voice trembling with concern.
“I need to drain the fluid from her lung,” Jonn said, meeting the man’s anxious gaze. “She’ll recover afterward, but I’m afraid we must use an aggressive method now.”
Bessy’s grandchildren looked at Alis for reassurance. She nodded gravely in agreement. Though she lacked the anatomical expertise and confidence to perform such a delicate procedure herself, she recognized its necessity.
Jonn moved with swift precision, pausing briefly to locate the exact spot before driving the blade between the bones of the old woman’s left ribcage. The newcomers drew sharp breaths as they watched him act as if he were cutting through an ordinary piece of meat, their hearts pounding in anticipation.
As he withdrew the short-bladed knife from Bessy’s left side, fluid spurted forth, startling her ignorant grandchildren.
The stream of liquid draining from her lung gradually weakened to a steady trickle, running down the sides of the incision.
Amid the drainage, Bessy stirred, emerging from her near-senseless state. Her eyes fluttered open as she moved, grimacing at the sharp pain.
With practiced efficiency, Jonn applied a healing ointment imbued with anesthetic properties. Once the fluid drainage ceased, he retrieved a needle and thread from his supplies, swiftly closing the incision he had made.
Elia returned to the Council building just as Jonn was finishing the last suture on the minor wound on the left side of Bessy’s chest.
“We’re just wrapping up here,” he said, a reassuring smile on his face as he gestured for Elia to approach. Carefully, he elevated Bessy’s upper body.
Jonn gently administered the red liquid from the bottle Elia had retrieved from the warehouse, ensuring Bessy didn’t reject one of the two precious infection-fighting potions currently available in the village.
With the procedure complete and the newcomers watching anxiously, he spoke to allay their concerns, “It’s done. Let Bessy rest for a few hours, then have her consume the meal I’ll send over. By tomorrow, she should feel well enough to resume her normal activities.”
“Is that all?” Alis asked, suddenly aware of the vast difference between Jonn’s capabilities and her own.
“That’s all,” he confirmed with a nod, seeing the young woman’s astonishment at the potency of potions crafted by a level 3 mage.
Jonn added, “Starting tomorrow, encourage her to exercise. Her body is currently weakened not just from the infection, but you can address that with the village diet and some gentle activity. The immediate danger has passed.”
He then left them alone in the room, allowing them time to tend to Bessy and move her to more comfortable quarters.
Elia stood beside Jonn, awaiting the newcomers’ exit and her opportunity to discuss village rules and the upcoming talks they would all have between today and tomorrow.
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Alis was the first to emerge from the Council room, approaching Jonn with an earnest expression. “Village Elder, please teach me your healing arts. I’ll dedicate myself wholly to learning under your guidance.”
Elia and Jonn exchanged a meaningful glance, both thinking the same thing.
“We need an infirmary," Elia mused. “Perhaps she could oversee it in your absence.”
“Hmm, that could be good," Jonn agreed with a nod. “Very well, I’ll instruct you, but… understand that replicating my techniques will depend on your innate aptitude. But with practice, you can improve in areas like the lung drainage procedure I just performed.”
“I’ll strive not to disappoint you, Village Elder,” Alis said, her face alight with enthusiasm.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the formal address, Jonn said, “You can call me Jonn.”
Alis nodded, making a point of using his name before departing.
Elia narrowed her eyes at Jonn and asked, “You don’t extend that courtesy to other villagers when they call you Elder. So why did you say that to her?”
“Don’t I?” Jonn asked, genuinely surprised. “Those who call me Elder are either younger or significantly older. They merely want to show their respect for me. But it feels strange being called that by someone my age who doesn’t have a history with me or Grandpa Hewet.”
“I see…” Elia shook her head, thinking to herself, ‘Men…’
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Several days passed swiftly following Alis’ group’s arrival at the Eternal Village.
This period provided ample time for the newcomers to undergo Elia’s interviews, receive assigned roles, and allow their weakest or most ill members to recover. Bessy, initially the most critical case, along with her elderly companions, had all received treatment and regained a vitality they hadn’t experienced in years.
The village’s nourishing diet proved invigorating, enabling them to resume activities with renewed vigor.
Naturally, the village tailored responsibilities for these elder members, avoiding strenuous or hazardous tasks. Bessy, in particular, was offered a role as a sub-councilor within the Council. She and other former community leaders leveraged their experience to ease the integration of their fellow villagers, working with the Councilors to optimize each newcomer’s contributions.
This direct involvement of former leaders sped up the integration process, enabling newcomers to adapt to village rules and understand their purpose within days.
Alis had been diligently shadowing Jonn, using his free moments to inquire about the village’s potions and ointments. He provided her with medical texts, encouraging her to study and approach him with questions.
Initially, Jonn hadn’t paid close attention to her progress. However, on the sixth day following Alis’ arrival, something remarkable caught his eye.
Mana!
Alis wasn’t unique in this development. Among the over 100 new arrivals to the village in the past two months, five individuals had exhibited primary control over mana.
While Alis was the latest to manifest this ability. But considering her brief time in the village, she could be regarded as the most promising on Jonn’s talent scale.
He had come to this realization the previous day, noticing the varying effects of talent on individuals with different qualitative grades. Despite following the same diet as other future mages of the village, Alis was clearly progressing faster toward becoming an Apprentice.
As soon as he woke up today, Jonn’s thoughts turned to Alis, contemplating when to approach her about this development.
She’s advancing at an impressive rate. Already at 25 [Mana] in just a few days, Jonn mused as he finished dressing for another day’s work.
While Eliot and Elia had just reached level 2, Jonn speculated that Alis, with her remarkable talent, might be the next to achieve level 3 mage status after him!
I’ll keep a close eye on her, he reflected. It might be reasonable to delay our discussion about mana for now. Better to let her acclimate to the village further before broaching this subject.
The concept of being a mage remained shocking and even taboo for many people. It wasn’t a topic to be addressed lightly, even with mounting evidence.
With these thoughts in mind, Jonn opened his door to begin his daily routine, unsurprised to find Alis waiting for him. Knowing his limited time for instruction, she often seized the chance to talk during his walks between tasks.
“Good morning, Jonn,” she greeted cheerfully.
Every morning when she met him, she was in a good mood, always having learned something new the night before, always eager to talk about this knowledge.
Jonn returned her smile. “Morning, Alis.”
Her quick learning impressed him, and he foresaw soon exhausting their study materials. Still, her presence pleased him. Having Alis by his side was something that could soon relieve his duties.
Amidst their pleasant morning exchange, with Alis inquiring and Jonn’s [Essence of Life] elevating his teachings, an eagle’s cry pierced the air, alerting the entire village.
As soon as that distinctive cry resounded from the west, the sound of a guard watching the village perimeter emerged from one of the observation towers to reassure the village members.
Friends were approaching from the west!
Jonn’s mind instantly leaped to the sole possibility from that direction, confirmed moments later by a guard’s shout, “It’s Eliot! He’s accompanied by other animals besides the previous eagle!”
Without hesitation, Jonn sprinted toward the village’s walled exit, leaving Alis behind in his haste to greet Eliot’s imminent arrival.
Stopping near the animal area, Jonn ignored the creatures begging for mana crystals. They were mostly newcomers to the village who had just acquired their mana cores. His gaze focused intently on the horizon, piercing through the slightly cloudy, windier-than-usual day. In the distance, he spotted Eliot astride Windy, with Veris, the eagle soaring above. Two unfamiliar animals accompanied them: a brown bear and an armadillo perched on its back.
What do those animals want by sending new representatives?
Jonn wondered, concern creeping into his thoughts.
Could this signal trouble? Has something occurred? Perhaps they’re finally seeking our help?
Questions multiplied in Jonn’s mind as he watched Eliot’s approaching group with growing apprehension. Alis finally caught up, joining him at the animal enclosure to the village’s west.
A crowd of about twenty quickly gathered to witness Eliot’s return, now mere minutes away. Even Annabelle emerged from her palace, perching atop one of her domain’s large fence pillars. Standing beside her great master, she observed the arrival of potential new subjects in her realm.