Trees went by the windows, it was interesting to watch the world pass by on the first day. Now during the second day it was already getting boring, and I’d have to suffer through this for a week. It was just boring pine tree after boring pine tree. At least the company was goo— awful. The maid had tried to offer me some tea at one point, but a certain Miss important hero shut it down by saying there was no point to waste good tea on a commoner. Fun fun fun. This trip is turning out to be really awful.

On the third day the wagon came to a stop for the first time. I looked around, but we were still deep in a forest with nothing of interest outside. We could hear agitated voices coming from the front. Miss hero opened the door and jumped out of the carriage. I decided to follow to see what was going on. A tree was laying across the road and on top of the fallen tree and on the sides of the road was a group of 10 rugged looking men.

“Hand over all your valuables, and we might let you live!” The unkempt man in the middle yelled out. Clearly the leader or something.

Our two guards were in full plate and were about to talk to the bandits when Lyudmilla strode up.

“Filthy bandits, you stand no chance against a hero! I will smite you all” She yelled out as a large golden sword materialized in her hands.

She barely finished the sentence when an arrow pierced her stomach. Lyudmilla screamed out in pain and let go of the sword as it dematerialized in a puff of golden smoke. She fell to the ground screaming and crying while clutching her stomach. At least she didn't get hit in the knee. Those injuries are hard to heal.

Well if that isn't the most hero thing I’ve ever seen or heard of. I’d laugh if I wasn’t slightly preoccupied being terrified. I ducked back into cover while the armored guards charged the bandits. A few arrows pinged off their armor but didn't do much. Two against ten might seem like the result would be obvious. But the guards were well-trained and the bandits were not. Even when the bandits managed to get past the guard’s guard, heh, it still did not achieve much. I stood back peeking around the corner of the wagon. I didn't want to end up like Lyudmilla. There was nothing I could do to help out the guards during combat without giving myself away as a Biomancer. So I just waited.

One of the guards brought down his long sword and cut a bandit across the chest, guts spilling to the ground as the man collapsed. The other guard had unfortunately gotten a dagger through one of the gaps in the armor near his gut and had taken a few steps back while the other guard mopped up the last few bandits.

The fighting died down with the last bandit dropping to the ground and the only sounds were the crying moans of Lyudmilla and the heavy breathing of the guards. I got out from my hiding place and rushed over to the wounded guard.

“Quickly remove the armor near the wound, and I’ll patch you up”

The first reaction of the guards was just a confused stare.

“I’m a healer!”

With the help of the uninjured guard they quickly removed the armor. I took out a pair of scissors and cut away the man’s clothing around the wound and then put my fingers up against the bleeding gash.

I grabbed a short stick off the ground and handed it to the guard.

“You might want to bite down on something, this is going to hurt.”

The guard nodded and followed my instructions and bit down on the stick. Then he let out a muffled scream as I pushed all the contaminants out of the wound with a spurt of crimson. I mended the pierced intestine, knitted together his muscle, the skin stretching and pulling before finally closing it up. I made sure there would be no complications and then patted the unblemished skin.

“There, should be back to normal, you might feel phantom pain occasionally for a few days, that’s normal. However, if it lasts more than a week, contact a healer.”

The man was pale and sweating from the pain but still stood up and bowed to me.

“Thank you healer! I have seen too many friends and colleagues slip away from similar wounds. I mean it, if there is anything I can do for you. Just ask.”

I looked at the man with pity. There was clearly much pain and suffering working as a guard.

“For now, I just ask you to take it easy for a while. I recommend you take a few weeks off once we’re back to civilization. Maybe spend them with any significant other. Appreciate that they did not lose a friend, husband, or father. If any of those apply. Saving the life of someone who put their life on the line to keep me safe from being killed or worse by the bandits is a no-brainer. Even if it’s their job. Anyway I better take a look at Miss important back there, she doesn't look so hot.”

I walked over to the still whimpering Lyudmilla, a gut wound was painful and almost certain death without a healer, but it was a slow agonizing death that could take days depending on where it hit, so I wasn’t too worried she’d go and kick the bucket while I helped out the guards that did the actual smiting. When she heard my footsteps she looked at me with glossy eyes.

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“Please help me” she whispered in a strained voice.

Well well well, if it isn't the consequences of your own actions.

“I’ll help you of course Miss hero, but perhaps it would be better to wait for a proper healer than isn't some commoner don't you think? Wouldn't want the job to be done improperly after all.” I said with barely hidden disdain in my voice.

“I’m sorry Alina… I… it hurts so much… I thought this was just some weird fever dream… I didn't take it seriously, but now I know it's real. Please help me, I beg of you.” She cried to me.

Well if that’s how she put it, I’d be the bad guy if I didn't heal her. Clearly she realized that this wasn't some happy fun dream, and it was actually reality. Hell, she even remembered my name. I’m impressed. I kneeled down next to her.

“This is going to hurt like hell, but I promise you, you’ll be back on your feet before you know it. Okay?”

She nodded meekly, and I immediately ripped out the arrow stuck in her stomach. She screamed out in agony, but I quickly put my hand into the hole in the dress and flooded the wound with my magic. I also temporarily disconnected her nerves from the area to numb the pain as I put her damaged body back together. It was a slightly risky move as nerves are a bitch to mend, but considering how frail she seemed, there was a real risk she’d die from the pain instead.

I knew she was fine physically, but she just kept sobbing. I lifted her up slightly and held her to my chest as I gave her a long reassuring hug.

“It’s going to be alright, you’re fine now” I whispered repeatedly in her ear as she slowly calmed down.

While this happened, the guards had chopped up the log blocking the road and hauled the bandits to the side. I called one of them over when they were done, and he carried Lyudmilla into the wagon and laid her down on one of the couches. Not caring that her dirty and bloody dress got the couch all filthy. I looked over to the maid who was still shaking slightly from the ordeal.

“Take care of her will you, she’s been through a lot. Take her to her room when she’s able and clean her up, And if anything seems wrong, don't hesitate to call me. I’ll be in my bed recovering my lost mana.”

The last part was a lie, but damn. I had tried to keep my composure, but I had just witnessed ten men being cut down. They may have been lowlifes and would’ve done the same with us, but that didn't change the fact that I felt sick. The fact that the guard was so appreciative did help though, I felt like I had made the world a better place by saving him.

I woke up the next morning. At some point during the last evening the maid had delivered a hot meal to me. It was a first for the journey, but I really appreciated having proper food instead of eating the dried meats and fruits I had bought. When I opened the door I was greeted by Lyudmilla standing in front of me. She did a really deep bow.

“Thank you for saving my life, I know I was an ass to you, and I apologize. I honestly thought this was just a weird dream. I don't know how I can ever repay you.”

Whoa, she even sounded sincere.

“Honestly, I don't really need to be repaid or anything. Maybe put in a good word about me to the church. But honestly, as long as you treat me like a fellow human I’ll be content.”

“Yes of course, I’m sorry for how I treated you. To be completely honest, I’ve felt really alone since I came to this world. Perhaps we could be friends?”

I almost felt touched. When she stopped being a bitch, it turned out she was quite a cute girl. I accepted and now we were friends I guess? We chatted about our lives. She came from a world oddly named Oerts or something. It apparently had no magic, which made no sense, as magic was necessary for life to form in the first place. I told her about my studies and the academy.

The next day I decided to start working on my alchemy projects. Lyudmilla asked a bunch of questions as I explained what I was doing. My agenda was creating a few drugs. Inspired by the ordeal with the count I had whipped up one that helps with erectile dysfunction. It would be selling like hotcakes. My second idea was a contraceptive type of drug. I made one for men and one for women. It was an idea I got from Lyudmilla as she talked about khondomes or something from her world. I couldn't replicate the thing, but I could replicate the end effect. No pregnancies. Lastly, I wanted to make a really cheap antiseptic. A drug that could perhaps give a soldier with a gut wound enough time to get to a healer. The last one was heavily work in progress, but I still think the current effect was decent.

The trip went by quickly when I had someone to talk to, and I also got to talk a bit more with the guards, whom I came to know and Ben and Joram. Joram was the one who got hurt, and he was treating me with a lot of respect. I had given the two guards some prototypes of the medicine. With a big disclaimer that they might not work as well as hoped. When there were two days left of the journey, the landscape and weather became more tropical. Open savanna and palm trees.

At the end of the weeklong trip, we finally came to a large town with tall yellow sandstone walls. Well Inside the town the buildings were mostly covered in some white plaster, and it gave off a really bright and comfortable feeling. Once we got into town proper, I was dropped off near a large luxurious inn. I gave Lyudmilla a tight hug as we said goodbye. While I hugged her I fixed all the issues with her body I had found earlier. Now she’d live a long and healthy life. Well, she was still a hero, so maybe, hopefully, possibly.

“Take care of yourself ‘Milla. If you want to keep up the hero business, ask the church to get you proper trainers. With your powers and some actual training, I’m sure you’ll end up as an actual Hero and not another clown. Though, don’t tell the church I said that” I whispered in her ear.

“Take care too Alina! With your healing, I'm sure you’ll be alright, I wish you all the best luck with your alchemy business. I'll send you a letter with results if I get around using any of the ones you gave me. Hope we see each other again soon!”

It was still early afternoon when I entered the inn. I was wearing my robe with the hood hanging down and obscuring most of my face. I ordered a room and asked to have a large mirror brought up to it. It was pretty obvious I was trying to keep a low profile and the professional inn keep played along, which I appreciated. I got into my room and stripped down. It was finally time to discard this unattractive body of mine and get the body I had always wanted. My eyes were sparkling with excitement.