Hugh finished checking on his patients and paced the room. His stomach tightened as he looked out of the window. Leaving Benjamin out there to fend for himself and retrieve the ingredients might’ve been a bad move after all. He was still healing from his injuries. It wasn’t as extreme. Hugh clenched his fists and shook his head. He had to give the boy faith and put his trust in him. But for how long? Benjamin should’ve been back by now, shouldn’t he?

Hugh went back to inspect Isabelle’s still body, placing a hand on the warm forehead. He temporarily left to re-dampen the wet cloth for her. Hugh stared at her unconscious body and sighed sadly.

How could someone so young have to suffer such a fate like this? Why would something so terrible happen to her?

“So, you’re Isabelle, huh? I’m so sorry you had to go through this. It must’ve been so rough...”

Wait, Isabelle. Why do I feel like I’ve heard of...?

The doors swung open, startling Hugh from his thoughts. He turned to Benjamin, stumbling in the main room. The magician had tatters on his clothing; bruises and cuts appeared all over his skin. His knees wobbled and nearly gave way, about to pass out from exhaustion.

“Oh my gosh, Benjamin! Are you alright?” Hugh ran over to check for further injuries before bringing him over to the lounge. “Come on, let’s get you treated right away.”

“I’m fine.” Benjamin insisted with a wheeze. “I told you I’d be back in record time...”

“You still need to relax and rest. In the meantime, you can tell me more about how it went.”

Benjamin sat on a chair as he had his wounds re-bandaged up and cleaned. Hugh prepared a quick meal to give to the magician.

“Thanks for the hospitality.” Benjamin took the bowl and sipped it, the cold liquid contents going down his throat. The sensational and soothing feeling he had was indescribable. “I don’t know how you do it, but this feels wonderful.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Thank you. Glad you like it.” Hugh clasped his hands, resting them on his lap. He couldn’t help but stare, trying to keep a hopeful smile. “So, would you mind telling me how it went? I mean, if you couldn’t find it, I can always—”

“No, it’s fine.” Benjamin interrupted. He reached into the bag and pulled out the flower petals to show him. “I got what we were looking for.”

“No way, that’s fantastic!” Hugh jolted out of his seat, his face lighting up. “Great job. Now we have the ‌ingredients to make the medicine for your friend.”

Hugh wasted no time getting the rest of the ingredients in order. He sorted everything out on the kitchen counter and prepared to mix them up while Benjamin waited on the sidelines. He heated the concoction until it formed a liquid substance. Hugh walked over to place the pieces inside Isabelle’s mouth and applied the other parts to her back and stomach. Afterward, he went behind the beaded curtain to use the rest of the bowl.

Benjamin didn’t know what went on in there, or if he’d be allowed inside. His curiosity may have peaked, but he had other priorities in his mind. He turned to Isabelle, still not moving. It made his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach. Hugh eventually came back and rested on the chair across from the dark magician, staring up at the ceiling. All they had to do was wait for the medicine to kick in.

Benjamin told Hugh about his travels leading up to getting the Star Mallow, while regretting going off on his own. The two went back and forth on answering each other’s questions until a certain point.

“So, what world are you two from?” Hugh inquired, taking a sip from his drink.

“Well, we’re from different worlds,” Benjamin explained, as he scratched the back of his head. “Isabelle’s from the planet Earth.”

Hugh almost choked on his drink, caught off-guard by the remark. “Huh? She’s a human?” Just like- no, it can’t be... “Are you, by chance, a Demi? How’d you end up together?”

“Well, it was our principal’s idea.”

“Ah, Griselda, that woman...”

“Wait, you know her?” Then that book I read before... “Can you tell me about your relationship with her?”

Hugh nodded as he told him the story.