After lunch, mid-afternoon in the Chantry library…

Raindrops patter gently upon glass windows. Arcane Familiars shuffle around on marble floors, stacking and sorting books and cleaning up amidst healers and paladins busy with books and Librams. More of the same and the usual, really.

In a little study room far from the main reading area and the front desk, Anna and I sit next to each other at a wide desk made for two. We spent the whole morning out and about at the courtyard while the sun was all bright and sunny. And now, here we are! Back in our own little world, dry and safe from the rain.

Discussions – that’s what these rooms are for! I’d like to think so, because it’s far enough from the Librarian’s desk and he never comes over to tell anyone to shut the fuck up. Can’t get mad about noise if you can’t hear it! But I’ve seen him around, seen him rage at anyone in earshot who dares make even the slightest squeak of unnecessary noise. And he’s an Orc! Sure, he’s old and his skin’s grey like smoke and tough like old boots… but he’s scary enough. I may or may not have found out first-hand in the previous timeline, on my first trip to this oh-so-holy place of learning and study. So now, I know better!

Hmm... I do wonder why an Orc works here as a Librarian. And also, why his name’s the same as his job. Orcs don’t venture far from the dungeons they dwell in with their Goblin cousins, and for most, are kill on sight. But not him. Thought to ask him myself, but he’s always so curt and grumpy, especially if it’s got nothing to do with books or the library. I suppose Lady Iris knows why, because she’s the one who inducted him into his current duties. But her lips are sealed on this matter, even for me.

Oh well. Just curious, is all. But that’s a story for another day. Maybe, if the chance ever arises in this new timeline. Rinnah willing. For now, we’re here for Anna. I did promise her that we’d get her good at her Heal spell, after all!

“Hey, umm… Arisa?” Anna whispers cautiously, hand pressed gently upon her cheek as she looks at me sheepishly. “Before we get started, I’ve been meaning to ask… umm…”

“What’s up?”

“You’re a fully-fledged Healer like Mom, right? So, umm… what spells do you know? Besides Heal, of course! I was thinking, since I showed you mine, it’s only right that you show me yours as well… right?”

I cup my chin thoughtfully as Anna watches me with bright eyes and a demure smile. I’ve got a feeling that she’s just trying to stall for time, but it’s not a bad idea to show her what I’m capable of, at least within the confines of a comfy room. But then, how best to go about it? I could just list them out to her… but hey, that’s no fun at all! Rather, perhaps a live demonstration’s the best way to do so.

“Umm… Arisa?”

“Sure, why not?” I answer with a warm smile. “But first…”

Looking away from Anna, I get up from my chair and close my eyes, envisioning the entirety of the library in my mind’s eye as I cast Clairvoyance. And when I open those eyes of mine anew, I gaze through the realm of light, observing all of the Chantry library from the ceiling, a bird’s eye view of everything within.

It’s quite the majestic and regal sight, but I focus on my main objective – the Librarian. I can’t help but smile when I see that old Orc lounging lazily on that comfy armchair of his at his desk as his big grey hands lazily flip through the contents of an antique tome, far away from this little study room of ours. And he’s helping himself to a candied apple from the dining hall, one of many on a fancy platter accompanied by a steaming mug of piping hot coffee. Even better!

“Oh my!” Anna exclaims as I bring my gaze out of the realm of light, returning it back onto her. “What is that spell? You were staring at the wall, and yet you looked like you were looking at something far beyond… umm… the wall!”

“It’s a spell called Clairvoyance!” I answer enthusiastically. “Lady Iris and I worked on it together back in the previous timeline!”

“Ahh…”

“Oho! I’m full of surprises, eh?” I add with a playful wink. “Anyway, I think we’re in the clear! The Librarian’s busy doing his own thing. As long as we don’t make a mess or burn anything!”

“You don’t think that will happen… right?” Anna asks cautiously, frowning slightly. “Setting this place on fire does sound pretty awful…”

“C’mon… really? Why, I’m very hurt that you’d even worry about that…”

“Hmph. I’m just making sure, Arisa.”

“You have my word, if it’ll ease you enjoying into this feature presentation!” I declare confidently with an elegant flourish of my hands, as Anna sits down to watch me do my thing. “And now… let’s begin!”

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Memories of the Healer…

Hmm. How should I go about this? So many ways to show off what I’ve got… but I suppose the only way to really do it, is to do it!

Oh, but I don’t have Elizabeth with me right now! Had to leave it at the lockers by the library’s entrance, just as Anna too, had to put away Ascalon. No weapons are allowed in here, you see. And the Librarian’s a real stickler about the rules, especially the ones involving weapons. He hates it whenever sheathed claymores knock over his display racks, when a Paladin turns around without knowing better. Either way… I’ll just have to make do. And I shall!

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I’ve got quite the collection of spells up here in this rather thick skull of mine. And so, first and foremost… Holy Fire! It burns warmly in the palm of my hand, crackling in shifting shades of white and blue. It’s a basic spell, one of the first that all aspiring healers learn. Purely for self-defence, of course! Because these sacred flames don’t heal wounds – instead, it’s a missile searing across the battlefield, or a stream of righteous fire!

Holy Fire is really good against the undead and demons, and all corrupted by evil magics. Lights them up good. Less so against the living and those pure of heart, though. You’d want a Mage or Conjurer’s Fireball spell instead for such situations. But Holy Fire is still pretty hot!

“Oh my! That’s Holy Fire, right!?” Anna exclaims, her eyes wide with wonderment as she fixates on the white and blue flames in the palm of my hand. “I’ve seen Mister Archie use this spell… but yours is... umm… it feels a lot more powerful, just being in its presence!”

“It sure is!” I exclaim happily, as I casually eye our desk. “I’d show you how it works, but then… heh. Plenty of chances in the future for that, I reckon. And I did promise ya!”

“Arisa…”

“Just kidding! Sorry about that, by the way,” I say with a smile as warm as my Holy Fire as Anna gives me a disapproving look while her hand presses itself against her cheek. “Anyhow, have a look at my next spell – Mage Armour!”

I cup my hand into a fist, extinguishing the flames of Holy Fire for good. With that same hand still warm, I snap my fingers, bringing forth a flash of blue that flickers upon my skin in the blink of an eye – a Mage Armour that makes my skin and bones as hard as stone. Despite the name, it’s a useful spell that all magic users employ in one form or another to toughen themselves up in pinch, to get ready for the brutality of combat.

Mine’s the non-Mage variation of Mage Armour, though! Odd as it sounds. Mages can learn and master the main version of this protective spell, and theirs makes their skin tough like diamonds. Non-Mage magic users such as Conjurers and Necromancers, as well as healers like myself, have to make do with this variation of Mage Armour only making us as tough as mere stone or iron. It’s kinda scuffed. But then, Mages can’t mend wounds as easily as I do!

Good grief. It does feel like I’m coping here. Not gonna lie. But even this weaker version of Mage Armour for healers is still better than nothing when that nasty-looking blade or Monster claw comes down on you! I found this out for myself a couple of times in the previous timeline. Can’t say I recommend it. Not the spell, but y’know… getting hit by something sharp and brutal and nasty.

“Hit me if you’d like to,” I say as I offer my arm with a smile. “I can take it.”

“No way!” Anna exclaims, crossing her arms and shaking her head. “I know what Mage Armour does, Arisa!”

“Good! And since we’re on the theme of protective spells…”

I take a step back towards the wall to give myself a bit more room. I extend my hand outward, channelling my Mana into a Spell Ward – a runic barrier of white and blue spreading forth from my hand in the shape of a kite shield. It’s a spell that converts Mana into an anti-magic barrier that nullifies incoming magic, so long as I maintain my concentration.

“I know this spell! That’s a Spell Ward!” Anna exclaims as she rotates around me, her eyes carefully looking over every part of my magical anti-magic barrier while I maintain it. “How long can you maintain yours!? Mom says that her personal best is two hours! And umm… she only stopped maintaining her Spell Ward because everyone else competing ran out of Mana…”

“Hmm. Good question…” I answer thoughtfully, one hand cupping my chin while my Spell Ward hums vibrantly with Mana. “Never tried it. But I oughta!”

“I wish I could cast Sanctuary with such grace and finesse...”

“You most definitely will, soon enough!” I exclaim, the energies of my Spell Ward fading away into the ether as I cease my concentration, placing my hand reassuringly upon Anna’s shoulder. “Sanctuary and Spell Ward are the two spells a Paladin and Healer have to master to pass the challenges of the Trial of the First Saint, to become fully-fledged members of the Order of Selene!”

“That’s a lot of pressure…”

“Don’t worry, because I’m here for ya!” I add with a confident nod as I look Anna in the eye while she presses a hand on her cheek. “We’re a team, remember?”

“We are!”

“Precisely. Now then… have a look at this nifty spell!” I declare playfully as my fingers glow white and blue. “Any guesses?”

“That’s Dispel Magic!”

“Yup! It drains magic away from someone. To me.”

“Unless you use a staff of some kind as a grounding tool, right?” Anna asks, cupping and rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “Umm… you know, like Elizabeth!”

“Yup, right you are!” I exclaim joyfully before cupping my hand. “But uh… I don’t have Elizabeth with me right now, so a live demonstration will have to wait. But for now… I’ll need a volunteer for my next spell!”

“Well, umm…”

Cheekily, I make a big show of looking from left to right. And then my gaze comes to rest upon Anna, upon the shyness of her demure smile.

“Pretty please, Lady Silverlight?”

“Oh, Arisa! If you say so…” Anna answers nervously, that demure smile of her turning sheepish. “But only because you insist!”

“Good enough for me!” I declare joyfully. “You’re gonna love this one!”

With an outstretched hand aimed at Anna, I take a deep breath and focus my thoughts. Wordlessly, my lips mouth the words of a prayer to Rinnah. For this one’s mostly our God doing the heavy lifting, and I’m just a delivery girl bringing divine providence – a Divine Blessing for my Paladin, to empower her in our time of need.

Divine Blessing is an advanced spell for even the most seasoned of healers, sealed within the Libram of Discipline. Using the Healer’s Mana, the recipient is empowered with a godly boon that aids them in combat – they're given lucid clarity of mind to better control the flows of magic, or becoming faster and more brutal while in the thick of combat.

“Feel any different?”

“Arisa!” Anna exclaims, her eyes burning hot with my Mana. “I feel stronger… faster…”

“That’s what Divine Blessing does. Gives you the power to fuck stuff up!

“The only other Healer who knows this spell is Mom…”

“Damn right. I learned it from her, Anna. The Libram of Discipline isn’t available in the library yet. Far as I know, it’s still safekept in Lady Iris’ personal collection.”

“For a moment, it felt like she was here with me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment!”

“That’s how she taught me the basics of the Heal spell, Arisa…” Anna states thoughtfully. “She used this spell to improve my spellcasting capabilities so I could accomplish that first successful cast. And then, after that… she had me rely on it less and less until I could cast Heal all by myself.”

“Oh, shit. That was my plan to help you learn that Sanctuary spell!” I exclaim, smiling modestly as I scratch the back of my head. “I guess great minds do think alike, huh? She did teach me everything I’m showing off to you right now, after all.”

“Umm… you think it’ll work with Sanctuary?”

“I don’t see why not!” I declare enthusiastically. “Oh, and speaking of learning things…”