I woke up with a start. Ugh, the last thing I remember was desperately trying to heal the Hero. That’s right, I need to save him! What if I didn’t heal him enough? Now's not the time to be resting! I quickly started to flow my mana as I went to get up.

Well, tried. I realized in horror as my mana bubbled in refusal, that I couldn’t use my mana anymore. That, That's right, the mana potion. I-I can’t use my mana anymore. I… I couldn’t help even if I rushed out.

That’s when I noticed how sore I was. I was able to notice that I was inside a tent, but the burning my eyes felt stopped me from checking any further. The fact that I woke up in my tent likely means that at least a few hours should have already passed. Even without my poisoning, I was likely too late for anyone that needed emergency healing anyway.

I just sat there in stunned silence, as I realized that there was nothing I could do. Whether I had done enough or not, was now out of my control.

I don’t know how long I ended up laying here in shock, but I need to get up. I need to know what happened. Just sitting here won’t give me any answers. Ignoring my body’s protests, I forced myself to open the tent. At least I was calming my mana this entire time, so I actually could mostly move properly. As I saw the light peak through the entrance, I got excited. Maybe it might not have been all that long!

My enthusiasm was quickly extinguished when I noticed the actual position of the sun. Morning. I’d slept until the next day at the very least, possibly even longer.

Haa, well, let’s get this over with, I think as I exited my tent. I immediately regretted my decision though, as I'm still in the collapsed mountain, so the terrain is, of course, abysmal. Adding how sore my body is, and my lack of usable mana, I don’t even know if I can leave my tent. I just sat down as all of my previous motivation left me.

“Haa, what now?” I say, completely lost.

“Caw!” I’m startled as I hear a sound come from the top of the tent. I turn to see a green crow on top of the tent.

“Oh, just one of Hansen's summons, the same one he usually has watch over me. Haa, you scared me.” Well, at least I don’t have to crawl through the rocks and gravel to figure out our situation.

Soon after, Hansen arrives. “Elizabeth.” He greets. “Good to see you awake.”

“Yeah, though I wish I didn’t pass out in the first place.” I sighed. “So… how, how is everyone else?” I forced myself to ask. Waiting will just increase my worry.

“You’ll see soon.” He says. Well then. That’s not very helpful.

The next person to arrive was a happy Rapunzel. “Eli! You’re finally up.” She smiles.

“Yeah, how long was I out?”

“Nearly an entire day.” She responds.

“Figures.”

“So, how is your, uh, poisoning going?’ She asks.

I shrug. “No clue. It’s there though.”

“I… see. Do you need help?” She offers.

“Probably, but that can wait for now. I’m more worried about how everyone’s doing.”

“I understand. Don’t hold back if you need help though.”

“Trust me, I won’t.”

I then see Melly coming over. Why are they coming one at a time? “Hello M- wait! How are you fine!?”

“Hello to you too, Eli.” Melly laughs. “Remember how your raw mana would calm down when introduced to regular spells? Well the massive amount of mana remaining from our attack fueled the regeneration spell you cast on me, causing the spell to last for several hours. If it wasn’t for the fact that even the most stable and efficient spells naturally decay over time, I might still have had that regen spell active.”

“That, what? Really? That’s amazing! That might help me figure out new ways to improve my spells!” I say in excitement, glad my spell helped, even if by accident.

“By the way, thank you for your help during, and after, the battle. I know that it really wore you out, but I’m thankful for what you did.”

“Any time.” I say. “I’m so sorry for your mistreatment after you were hit though.” I bowed my head as I apologized. Her treatment was abysmal.

“Ah, yeah. That was pretty brutal, but I understand why that had to happen.” She says with a sigh. “Besides, I can’t really complain after what you went through.”

“Yeah, we both were pretty miserable.” I agree, though she definitely had it worse.

“So, I’m sure you’re worried about the Hero.” Melly starts. I nod intensely. Despite how casual everyone is, I can’t stop thinking about the worst. “Well, I was going to tease you a bit, but seeing your expression, yeah, get over here Hero.”

“Hel-” Before he could say anything I rushed over and hugged him, my excitement overcoming my aches.

“You’re alive! Are you okay? Hurt anywhere? Any problems?” I rush, tears falling down my face. It’s sooo relieving to know that he didn’t die.

“Miss me much, if I didn’t know any better…” He says with a very amused smile.

I just stared at him blankly. Haa, if I wasn’t certain that he only said that to calm me down, I would have been very annoyed.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to let him off though. “Huh, where’d you learn that, from the big brother at the capital?” I say, causing Melly to burst out laughing, and even Rapunzel let out some chuckles. I’ve told them tons of stories about big bro’s failed romantic adventures.

“Amusing.” He says in the driest voice possible. “Well, to answer your questions, I’m fine, I didn’t receive too many injuries, and you healed most of them. The rest were healed with a health potion.”

“You what!?” I shout, shocking everyone but the Hero. “Why!? Do you realize how bad those are for you! Even the best health potions can cause numerous health issues, from artery blockage, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, blood thinning, and increased risk of heart attacks, to reduced metabolism, weakened bones, reduced ability to heal injuries, hyperactive immune system, and so on. I can keep on going for hours, okay.” I complained. “The biggest problem, though, is that you even had them. Why!?” I start tearing up. “I don’t understand. YOU HAVE A HEALER!” I shouted as I retreated to my tent.

“Eli, what’s wrong!?” Melly asks in panic.

“Oh!” Rapunzel blurts out in realization. “That’s not good.”

“What?” Melly asks.

“Health potions heal injuries.”

“Yeah.”

“And so do healers.”

“Indeed.” Hansen adds.

“They both do the same thing, so having both is ‘moderately’ redundant.” Rapunzel continues. “So, the ‘only’ reason to even have potions when you’re in a party with a healer, is if you don’t trust your healer.”

“Okay? I kinda see what you’re saying, but that…” Melly hesitates.

“Is ignoring the several reasonable situations where a health potion might be useful, or even necessary, like when your healer is injured, separated, dealing with mana poisoning, etc.” Rapunzel finishes.

“Yeah…”

“The problem comes from years and years of conflict, ending in the church’s victory with the discovery of the several potential side effects that were extensively researched by the church. As such, healers were elevated in importance to such extremes that it was deemed that the only reason to ever have health potions was because you don’t trust your healer. Such ideas, while far less prominent nowadays, especially with spells that can remove the symptoms of health potions, are still preached almost like fact in the church.” Rapunzel explained.

“Oh, so Eli likely truly believes that.”

“Yeah, probably doubly so, considering she’s the saintess, known to be one of, if not the best, healer. Adding how worried she was, that ‘betrayal’ likely hurt.”

“Oh… um, what if I, uh, well.” Melly whispers.

“Right now? She’d feel betrayed. If you explained that to her later though, she would probably understand. Though, if you did, why didn’t you use them?”

“I mean, they are far inferior to Eli’s healing, take way too long to heal, and apparently they are disrupted by regular healing spells. Most importantly though, I trust Elizabeth. Besides, if I needed a health potion, I was sure she’d tell me, or even give me one.” Melly admits.

“I see, but yeah, I doubt she even has one. She might not have even seen one before. She’d probably sooner resort to directly transferring her lifeforce to you before even considering the idea of using a potion. I am curious though, where’d you hear that the potions are disrupted by spells?”

“Oh, uh, is that wrong? That’s what my family told me.”

“I don’t know, that’s the first I’ve heard of that. We should ask Eli about that later, considering that she seems to have memorized everything there is to know about health potions. I wouldn’t be surprised if she could recognize all of the raw ingredients. Right now though, it might be better to ask Gregory.”

“Yeah. What do you mean by transferring lifeforce though?” Melly asks.

“Well.” Rapunzel probably leaned in to whisper as she soon muttered. “...what am I doing?”. “So, from what another scout told me, some priests can directly transfer their lifeforce to others. He didn’t know much, but the ability is apparently a secret, as he was told not to tell anyone about it.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I see.” Melly says as she gives Rapunzel a look. “Well, another thing to ask Eli.”

“Would she even tell us?”

“Probably, considering that she’s shown some other restricted things to us. If she won’t though, we’ll just have to respect her decision. Enough of that though, we should see how Eli’s doing.” Melly says as she heads for my tent.

“Indeed.” Hansen agrees. “I’ll continue helping the Hero.”

“Yeah, you’re right, our curiosity can wait. Thank you Hansen.” Rapunzel says.

“Eli-”

“It’s open.” I interrupted.

“Uh, okay, I’m entering then.” Melly says as she and Rapunzel enter the tent.

“And for your information, I’ve only remember some of the more common ingredients, okay. I’m not obsessed. And, I most definitely have seen a health potion before, I’ve even drunk one.” I say as they start to sit down.

“Did you hear-” Rapunzel starts.

“Everything? Pretty much. These tents are specifically made to allow sounds to easily pass through it, and it’s not like you were far or quiet.” I explained, sounding a bit more annoyed than I intended.

“Oh, well, about that.” Melly tries to defend herself.

“It’s fine. I know that I’m the one in the wrong, as there’s nothing really wrong with having health potions. I just let my emotions get the best of me.” I explain with a sigh.

“It’s fine, Eli.” Rapunzel comforts. “That’s just how you were raised, we don’t blame you. And considering how the Hero bowed after you left, he probably doesn’t either.”

“He did?”

“Yeah, so you should talk to him about this.”

“Yeah, but later. I need to calm down first.” I agreed, taking a deep breath. “So, I’ll answer some of your questions. First, yes, healing spells can disrupt health potions, but most don’t. There are some odd interactions, but usually it’s ‘compatible’ or otherwise similar potions and spells that mess with each other, though that’s fairly uncommon. There are entire types of spells that disrupt potions, but those usually deal with removing foreign toxins and impurities. There are even some potions that can enhance certain healing spells. For you though, Melly, were you told that after you were chosen to join the party?”

“Yes, how’d you know?”

“Because, as the Saintess, in addition to my spells properly healing injuries, they also tend to remove any immediate impurities, especially magical ones, from wounds. As such, very few health potions can even work after I use a spell, much less work with them, as all potions are foreign by definition. Especially as potions are specifically made to gather their effects towards your wounds. Also, the church did create a few compatible potions to get around that..”

“I see, that explains why I’d never heard of that before.” Rapunzel says.

“And about lifeforce spells, I actually can’t tell you that much, As my teacher made me promise not to, though it’s not like I know that much anyway. I can say that there are several problems with their use. Like how even just training with them is all but guaranteed to leave permanent damage as well as reduce your lifespan and overall health.” I explained. “Also, while having knowledge of manipulating lifeforce itself isn’t restricted, knowing spells that do so is, with some of the reasons being similar to why mana vein spells are restricted.”

“Okay, but then.” Melly looks at me with worry.

“Don’t worry, I only know a few spells, with most having never been actually cast, and the rest being done very carefully. Besides, I only have a vague understanding of how that works, so I could use my lifeforce to heal you better, it just isn't worth its cost, something most people agree on. That’s the main reason they are restricted after all.” I finished with a shrug.

“That makes sense.” Rapunzel says. “By the way, do you want help?”

It takes me a second to realize what she meant. “Ah, I’ve already started flowing my mana, so you don’t need to worry about that.” I assured. “Besides, I was too worried about everyone else to care about that anyway.” I smiled. “Haa, I’m just glad that everyone’s fine.”

“What about Gregory?” Melly teased.

“Ah, well, he’s probably just reading in his tent, likely glad that he doesn’t have to help with the dragon for now.”

“Yeah, you’re exactly right.” She agreed with a laugh. “He did at least get up in time for breakfast though.”

“Breakfast! I missed breakfast. And dinner. Haa, that’s no fair, I missed two meals because I passed out. Haa, guess it’s rations for me.”

“Don’t worry, the Hero said he’d be making lunch, so you don’t need to wait long.” Melly comforted.

“So, what are your plans? Are you gonna help deal with the dragon?”

Rapunzel looks at Melly. “No, we’ll keep you company, at least until lunch.”

“Great! Shall I tell you about all of the horrible things that health potions can cause?” I ask, eyes sparkling.

“Uh, I would prefer to talk about something else.”

“Fine.” I grumbled. “How about we hear more things you were told by other scouts, maybe some special secrets that weren’t supposed to be spread?” I tease.

“That was one time!” I just stared. “Fine, but only a few.” She relents. That’s how we spent the next hour or so while we waited for lunch.

Eventually, we heard the Hero announce that lunch was ready.

Luckily, it seems that before Greg stopped the potion’s effect, he made sure to clear an area for us to camp, so the Hero’s table wasn’t actually difficult to get to.

There was some tension as we started eating, my previous outburst on their minds. I take a few bites before exclaiming. “Man, If it resulted in the Hero being able to continue cooking like, the health potion was worth it!” The Hero nods in acceptance of my compliment, as everyone just sighs.

“It was that easy?” Melly says in shock.

“Indeed.” Hansen confirms.

“It is quite understandable though, the meals prepared by the Hero are simply that exquisite.” Gregory says.

“Yeah, I can’t disagree with that.” Rapunzel adds.

After we finished eating, I called out. “Hey Greg, how ya fairing?” Haa, the first time someone else uses a mana potion, I’ve also used one. I wish I could have used a spell to speed up his physical recovery.

“As expected. I do not believe I could relieve the effects on my own. I hope you can quickly dispel yours soon, so you could help me with mine.”

“I’ll try, but don’t get your hopes up.” I shrug. “I don’t even know why last time was resolved so quickly.” Nor do I know how to help you, but I’m sure he has an idea.

“Truly?” He says, surprised.

“Yeah… why?”

“You didn’t notice?” Melly asks.

“Notice what? Did something happen last time?”

“Last time, as you were preparing to tell us… what made you scream, you suddenly glowed. Afterwards, when you were able to use mana far sooner than expected, we decided that it was the fact that you are a saintess that reduced the time it took to recover.” Melly explained.

“Oh, I didn’t notice. I can confirm that being the saintess wasn’t the cause though.” Sad, as that would have been quite helpful.

“Then what was that light?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even notice it in the first place. Hmm, what was going on then?” I mutter as I try to remember what happened.

“It’s okay, take your time.” Melly says.

“Hmm, that’s familiar.” I mumbled in an odd remembrance.

“““Oh.””” I exclaimed.

“Hmm? What happened?” I ask in confusion.

“You glowed again.” Rapunzel reported. “It’s slightly different this time though.”

“Really?” I say as I look at myself. I feel like I would notice if I glowed, but I guess not. I shrugged.

“What circumstances caused such a feat?” Greg asked.

“I just remembered my determination that I wouldn’t let my mana stop me.” I said firmly while clenching my fist in front of me. I will not give up.

“There, you’re glowing!” Melly exclaims.

I focus to try to see what they are talking about. I can’t for long though, as my already tired body quickly loses what little energy I have left.

“Haa.” I sigh. “I don’t know, what you’re, talking about.” I say through my tired breaths. I’m really starting to feel tired.

“Are you okay?” Melly asks with concern.

“Yeah, I’m just, tired. Really tired. Haa, wow, I’m exhausted.”

“Why?”

“Why? That’s what, I want, to know!”

“Would her glowing be the cause?” Gregory hypothesizes.

“What, glowing?” When did I glow? I was looking at myself the entire time.

“Earlier, when you told us how you remembered your determination, you were glowing.”

I just stared at him in confusion. Man, I'm tired. What’s going on?

“Hmm, let me think.” Greg says. Okay, I nodded sluggishly. After a bit, he continued. “Oh, I remember, most people can not naturally see raw mana without properly flowing mana through one’s eyes. That would explain why she did not notice her own glow.”

I just stared at Greg in confusion as a response. Talking is quite tiring right now.

“Ah, I can see mana naturally as I have specifically trained to do so. It is a fairly useless skill though, so most do not even consider such a skill worth mentioning.”

“Oh.” I guess that explains why I can’t, see, my mana… leaving my body? What? How, why? “I’m confused.” I mumble in, would you know it, confusion. I’m completely lost. Haa, I don’t want to think, only sleep, but my curiosity is too much.

“Eli, are you okay?” Melly asks.

“Yeah, why?”

“You’re wobbling.”

“Ah, I am. I’m tired.” Ah, it’s difficult to keep my eyes open. Mmm, maybe I’ll just rest them, for just a little bit.

“Do you have any idea why your mana was leaving your body, Eli?” Greg continues.

“Mhmm.” I do. I have, an idea. Haa, thinking is exhausting.

“Let’s talk about this later, Eli’s exhausted for some reason.” Melly declares.

I shook my head, I think. “Mana… poison.” I start. I tried to continue, but the words wouldn’t come out. Everyone's waiting though, right? I, need to, continue. I can, hear them mumbling. Haa, give me a bit, I’m just, just gunna, rest my head, right now, for a bit.

______

When I opened my eyes, I was inside the tent again. “What?” I mutter in confusion. How’d I get here?

“Eli?” I hear my name called from next to me. I turn to see Rapunzel laying down.

“Hello.” I weakly say. Haa, I’m still sore and somehow still tired.

“I see you just woke up.”

“Yeah.” I say. “Were you sleeping?” I ask. It looks like I woke her up.

“I was. It’s fairly late.”

“I see. I guess I fell asleep.” I sighed.

“You did.” She says as she gets up.

“You don’t have to get up, I’m fine on my own.” I say in slight panic.

“It’s fine. I figured I should tell you what happened afterwards.”

“Okay.” I should start alleviating my mana as well.

“So first, we figure that your glowing is what tired you out. It seems that the glow is caused by your body releasing your mana, though we don’t properly know why, especially as this time was different. We do believe that it’s somehow linked to your reduced recovery times though.”

“Yeah, that’s what I think as well.” I agreed.

“Also, you said something about mana poisoning, what was that about?”

“Ah, that’s part of my theory, though that can wait until tomorrow.” I say.

“What are you going to do for now, then?”

“The same thing as earlier.” I smile.

“Um, are you sure?” She says in worry.

“It’s fine. If my idea is right, I’d just have to do this again anyway.”

“Haa, fine. It’s not like I can stop you. Just, please be careful. I know that you can heal most things, but you shouldn’t rely on that to be reckless.”

“...Yeah, you’re right. I definitely can be a bit reckless. I’ll be careful.” I promised.

She nods before going back to sleep.

Okay, let’s see. So, my mana currently isn’t as energetic as I’d expect, so my hypothesis is going good. I’ll check again tomorrow. For now, determination, determination, determination. It takes me a bit to get the right mindset, but once I do, I rapidly feel exhaustion creeping up. I don’t push myself too far for now though, so I stopped fairly early, at least, I think I did. I’ll know tomorrow.

Well then. I yawn as I lay back down. Time to go back to sleep. As I drift off, I realize that I should have at least eaten something first. Oh well, something to remember for next time.