Around an hour later, Pallet showed up. Hmm, judging by everyone’s reactions, he lost some popularity when he attacked Melly like that last time. Haa, I hope he’s not here to pick a fight.
“Melly, Saintess, have you finished what you were doing?” Does he mean my monster ascension?
“No, not yet. Hopefully, I’ll finish within the next few days. Right now, I’m trying to regain my familiarity with healing.” I answered. Haa, I really hope I’ll actually done by then.
“I see. I’ll be waiting.” He says before leaving. Oh, he was picking a fight, and I accidentally delayed it. Well, I didn’t lie, so it should be fine.
“You’ll be fine in a few days?” Melly asks happily.
“Hopefully.” I don’t want to ruin her happiness, but I don’t want to lie to her. Haa, let’s just hope I’m actually fine this time. I mean, without using the density technique to its limits at all times, I definitely won’t be, but at least there’s hope.
______
The next few days went relatively peacefully, though the nightmares have sadly increased in intensity. I’ve also regained my proficiency with my spells while being able to chat and relax with everyone over the last few days. But alas, the time has come.
“Haa, my veins really aren’t improving anymore.” And my mana is still increasing density. I knew this would happen. I just, haa.
“Well, at least I’ve been learning the third spell, albeit minorly,” I muttered.
“Are you okay, Eli?”
“I, I just don’t know. My mana… it’s still getting more dense!”
Before I could start crying, Melly gave me a hug. “It will be okay. Let’s not panic yet. Maybe you are just really close. Besides, it won’t be too late to draw out power tomorrow, okay? You still have time.”
“Haa, yeah. You’re right. Haa, I just. I need to wait. It, it will be fine.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here with you.” Melly comforted me.
By the time we arrived for breakfast, everyone had already finished. Haa, let’s quickly eat so we can head out to practice.
On the way, Melly had an odd expression on her face. “Is there something wrong?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I just feel weirdly… hungry.”
“Do you want to go back and eat some more?”
“No, oddly enough, food isn’t fulfilling it. And, it’s not quite hunger either. Also, everyone else has been feeling the same sort of thing.”
“Huh, so kinda like how running out of mana makes you feel ‘out of breath’ despite being completely different?”
“Yeah, exactly! I’m ‘hungry,’ not hungry. I wonder what’s going on?”
“Shall we ask? I’m sure Samuel or Cardinal Caitlyn would know.”
“Are you sure?” Melly worried.
“Ah, yeah, I’ll be fine.” She was worried about me bringing up that the core is still going. “I mean, I’ll have to tell them eventually.” I sighed.
“Okay. Also, we shouldn't just keep barging into the Cardinal’s office while she’s working, so let’s set up a proper meeting then. Oh! We should also invite the rest of the party since they might have their own questions.”
“You’re right. Let’s do that then!” I say as I lead the way.
“Saintess? Is there something I can do for you?” He asks once I head to one of the church’s clerk counters.
“Yes, I’d like to set up a meeting with the Cardinal.”
“Okay? Follow me then.” The priest says as he starts to get up.
“No, I actually want to set up a meeting!” I interrupt.
“The Cardinal has given you and your party (he looked at Melly) permission to meet her whenever you wished.”
Oh, I didn’t know that. “Still, that’s a bit impolite. And, as we’d like to set up a meeting for my entire party, an official meeting would be preferable.” I explained.
“Understood. When would you like your meeting?” Um.
“When is she free?” Aren’t you supposed to fit me into her schedule?
“Whenever you desire.” Before I could say anything, he continued. “You and your party are her first priority. Everything else can wait.”
“But why? I know that we are the chosen heroes, but we’ve only just started our mission.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Killing a dragon isn’t the work of novices. You’ve more than proven your worth, so we no longer have a reason to limit your authority.”
“Our authority was limited?” Melly just sighed at that.
“Yes, only to make sure everybody was ready for it. Your position as a saintess is effectively higher than anything you’d gain from being a member of the Hero’s Party, though, so you were likely never informed of such.”
“Oh, it’s actually not Eli’s fault this time,” Melly said in surprise.
“… Right. So, when would you like to set up your meeting?” I turned to Melly.
“How about tomorrow morning, a bit after breakfast?” Melly asked
“That should be good. I’ll inform the Cardinal. “ He bowed before leaving.
“That went differently than expected. Is this normal for you?”
“Not at all. Even I have to go around people’s schedules, right? Hmm, actually, that hasn’t truly been the case since we started our journey. Haa, I didn’t even notice, once again.”
“Well, you do try to be polite about these things.”
“Of course! That’s how the church raised us.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re quite proud of that.”
“Of course I am! I was raised properly, unlike those mean brats.”
“Mean brats?” Melly questioned.
“Oh, just some kids I grew up around. They sometimes think they are better than us, so they try to become bullies.”
“You were bullied!”
“Not at all. Kids tried to, but they always failed. Especially since we always had each other’s backs. And, you know, we weren’t afraid to escalate things. Like, some noble brat thought he could get away with anything that got hit after bullying a kid. Before the kid could really even start anything, we had already talked to a priest about what happened. Afterwards, his father had to come personally apologize, while we got punished with cleaning. Where we were already supposed to be cleaning, at normal time, with the normal people.”
“Ha, that sounds pretty good! I’d thought…” She cuts herself off.
“That we were powerless, had no support, were miserable, etc? While I can’t say that we didn’t have any problems, the church did its best to take care of us. We were not people you could just bully. In that sense, we had it better than most.”
“I see. One of these days, we need to sit down and talk about your life.”
“Uh… well, that.”
“I don’t mean now. And I probably don’t even mean soon. Just, at some point, when you feel comfortable.”
“Haa.”
“Only if you’re willing, of course!” She panicked. “And I’ll tell you about my life as well!” She offered.
“It’s fine. It’s not you, I just, haa. Sure, let’s do that. At some point. Eventually…” I mean, I do need to get over my, my what? Distaste? I mean, my life wasn’t bad, and telling them should help show everyone that. I just, I don’t really want to. However, at the same time, I actually do? Haa, why’s this so confusing?
Well, that’s another thing to ignore until later. “Anyway, let’s continue our training!” I shift. Right! Let’s just focus on what’s in front of me for now. There’s no need to rush anything, after all.
______
Training went the same as usual. Other than my mana density technique being overwhelmed now. While it’s incredibly minor, only straining me after hours of intense magic usage currently, my mana density is still increasing. Haa, at least it’s time for lunch.
So, after we finished eating, Melly got everyone’s attention. “So, we have scheduled a meeting with the Cardinal tomorrow after breakfast. It’s primarily to ask about our ‘hunger,’ but if anyone else has anything to ask or request, that’s the time to do so.”
“Thank you, Melly. That should quell our worries.” Greg approved.
“Indeed.”
“Anyway, this is just a heads up, so you aren’t obligated to participate. I’d just recommend it. It’s your chance to ask Cardinal Caitlyn any questions you might have, after all.” I added.
“I shall be there,” Greg stated.
“Same.” Rapunzel joined.
“Indeed.”
“Good to see that everyone’s going. Anyway, that was everything we wanted to say.” I conclude before leaving with Melly. Okay, now to finish setting up my main question. At least it feels like the growth of my mana density has slowed. Hopefully, that’s not just my imagination.
______
Soon, it was time for dinner, and after reminding everyone about tomorrow’s meeting, we all went to bed.
Haa, I’m so nervous! Was it just my imagination, or is it true? I haven’t properly checked it yet. I-I have too much hope. It would be crushing to lose it. I-I’ll be fine. Everything will be fine.
Soon, we entered Melly’s room. Haa, it’s time to find out. Gods, please bless your loyal follower!
“Are you ready?” Melly asked.
“Haha, not at all.” I laughed.
“Then-”
“No. Waiting will just make it worse. Haa, let’s see.”
I then, very nervously, cast a spell while checking my strain.
“It, it increased,” I muttered.
“Eli… I’m so sorry. I-”
“It did, but, but it’s small. It’s small! Even if it’s not quite finished yet, it’s near the end! It’s, while not perfect, I can accept this! And!” I shout in realization. “Even that should disappear with the third spell! Melly, I did it! I’m fine!” I started to cry.
“You did it, Eli!” Melly pulled me into her embrace.
“Thank you, Melly, for supporting me, for stopping me from Drawing out power. This! This was nearly the best result I could get!”
After celebrating for a bit, we finally decided to head to bed. Haa, I’m exhausted. While everything was quite stressful, it was worth it in the end. I’m fine. I can still use my magic. And I didn’t waste a ridiculous amount of lifespan learning unnecessary spells. Though they would increase my power…
No! Stop. Let, let’s just sleep. Haa. Nice and peaceful.
Yeah, no. I still had a nightmare.
The dream was odd, though.
Yeah, the dragon still chased me around, but it was weaker than usual. Did, did it run out of power!? Hopefully, I’m tired of these stupid nightmares.
Haa. I wish I’d cast my ascended spell before sleeping, but I’m trying to wean off it. I doubt it will work, at least on its own, but I hope it will make the withdrawal even barely more manageable.
Regardless, with the end of the dream came morning.