Shiloth groaned as she regained her consciousness. Her heavy eyelids gradually opened and she tried to stretch her body.

However, Shiloth panicked when she realised she was unable to move. Expecting the worst, she was confused when all she saw was a flowery pink blanket. It was unusually heavy yet not suffocating. Her curiosity also grew when she felt the undulations of healing energy coursing through her body.

As Shiloth grew less afraid, she looked around to take stock of her surroundings and found herself in a rustic bedroom filled with wooden furniture. The room was bathed in golden rays of light, and the cooling breeze flowing through the open window carried with it the sweet scent of flowers.

Shiloth's could also fell the sheer amount of mana around her, enough to make her feel like she was in the very core of the Mother Tree. Despite being tightly bound, her anxiety subsided when she felt no sense of hostility from the surrounding mana.

Shiloth decided to absorb and circulate the healing energy in her body, but her concentration was disrupted when she heard the sound of footsteps. A short while later, Lee entered the room carrying a tray filled with vials of sparkling liquid.

"Oh, you're awake." Lee gave her a cursory glance and placed the tray on a nearby table.

"I greet the Guardian," Shiloth said weakly, "... and also nice to see you, master."

She tried sitting up but eventually gave up due to the sense of heaviness.

"That's the Heavy Blanket." Lee drew a pattern on the blanket to loosen the spell. "It's weight grows in proportion to how dangerous the person underneath it is. Humans use this frequently in hospitals and mental asylums."

Shiloth sat up when she felt the weight disappear. While she was initially surprised at finding herself dressed in pink frilly pyjamas, she blushed when she realised what it meant.

"I've seen you naked many times when you were a child," Lee curtly replied. "Give me your right arm."

Still blushing, Shiloth obediently held out her right arm. To her surprise, she saw that while the black patches were still there, her wrinkly skin had regained its former suppleness.

Lee's right eye and hands blazed with a blue flame. As he placed his fingers firmly on her pulse, Shiloth could feel a subtle wave of arcane energy sweep through her body. After letting go of her hand, he gently but firmly gripped Shiloth's head, causing her to feel the same energy scanning her brain.

Lee released his grip moments later. A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over Shiloth as he dissipated the arcane energy from her body. She quietly watched Lee as he carefully mixed the various liquids in a glass cup.

"Open your mouth, please." Taking a swab of Shiloth's saliva, Lee dipped the cotton bud to test his concoction and nodded in satisfaction. As she was still too tired, he gently supported her as she sat up to drink.

Lee carefully wiped her mouth after she finished. Shiloth's mind and body felt much more invigorated after she drained the cup.

"I'm surprised that you aren't asking me anything, or being suspicious of me," Lee remarked as he put the empty cup on the table.

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"I believe that my master won't harm me," Shiloth replied. "You will tell me in due time, anyway."

"Well..," Lee smirked. "In that case, I'll be the one doing the asking first." Shiloth nodded.

"So, what's the deal with.," Lee gesticulated, "...everything?"

"Hold up," Lee stopped Shiloth just as she opened her mouth. "Make sure you make it as short as possible."

Shiloth sighed. Her master's dedication towards efficiency was unchanging.

* * *

Shiloth finished her uninterrupted narration half an hour later. She turned towards Lee to see his reaction, but was exasperated when she saw him nodding his head with his eyes closed.

"Umm, master?"

Lee lifted his head. "Don't worry, I was listening."

"To summarise," Lee decided to ignore her skeptical gaze. "One, you felt some unknown mana from the Mother Tree two years ago, but decided that it will be eventually diluted. Two, a rift to the In-Between opened in Drumagah a year ago. In order to close the rift, the Mother Tree was forced to slumber while you were corrupted by the aura from the In-Between.

"Three, after this incident, the Drumagahan elves became increasingly hostile towards outsiders, and all non-elves were eventually expelled. Four, the Drumagahan parliament forced you to step down from the custodian of the Mother Tree to be a normal priestess. Five, which was ten days agi, most of the elves suddenly went berserk. You were forced to draw upon the Mother Tree's mana to quell them and your corruption worsened. Unfortunately, a group of patrolling elves escaped the Tree's influence and remained active on the borders. Did I miss anything?"

Shiloth reluctantly shook her head.

"Now, let's discuss yesterday's incident," Lee leaned forward and placed his fingers together. "I suppose the elves that attacked me were the patrolling group you mentioned earlier."

Shiloth nodded. "May I ask what happened to them?"

"The leader and four other elves are dead, while the other nineteen are wounded but received some treatment, just enough to keep them alive."

"Can't you.. can't you heal them completely?" Shiloth asked softly with a hint of indignation.

"I am not a saint, Shiloth," Lee replied frostily. "I won't go out of my way to help people who are actively trying to kill me."

"Plus," Lee's tone turned gentler, "I tried calming the five of them. However, their minds were too far gone. If I forcefully placate them, their brains might literally explode." Shiloth drooped her head at Lee's answer.

"You are not to blame," Lee patted Shiloth's head. "You tried your best to sort things out. If all the elves were emotionally manipulated to such an extent, it just means that something rotten was already hidden deep down."

Shiloth knew that Lee was speaking the truth. Elven supremacists were notorious throughout Haruz-Hamuv. In addition, as Drumagah was the largest and most ancient elven city in the continent, it was no surprise that non-elven discrimination was advocated and openly practised.

"Don't blame yourself too much, young one. The chaotic aura of the In-Between is as unknown as it is dangerous. Sensitive races such as the elves are easily affected."

Shiloth looked up at the unknown speaker. Much to her surprise, she saw a fluffy tabby cat standing upside down on the ceiling. However, her well-honed senses told her that this normal-looking furball is anything but harmless.

"I explicitly said that walking on the ceiling is forbidden." Lee fired a small bolt of arcane energy towards Tabby but it was easily deflected with his tail.

"Tsk, spoilsport." Tabby grumbled and dropped onto Shiloth's bed.

"Is this your... pet?" Shiloth flinched at Tabby's sudden hiss.

"Nope, he's a freeloader," Lee replied.

"Oi, say that again you punk." To Shiloth's amusement, Tabby stood up in a boxing stance and mimed punching Lee.

"Sorry, he's a rude freeloader." Lee shrugged and covered himself with a barrier. Tabby tried firing some spells but quickly gave up and eventually curled on the blanket.

"Anyway, as much as I want to continue this fascinating conversation, I think we should continue it tomorrow." Lee stood. "You need more rest."

Tabby reached forward and tapped Shiloth's nose.

"Boop."

Shiloth suddenly felt incredibly tired and slumped down on the bed. The two of them watched as the beautiful elf started snoring loudly.

Lee picked up the tray of vials and gestured with his head for Tabby to follow.

"I'll leave later," Tabby said. Lee raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

* * *

Hours later, the bright light of the day gave way to pitch-black darkness. Everything was silently slumbering.

The door to Shiloth's room slowly creaked open.