"- a little more aaaannd I'm done!" I exclaim happily. After I got the grimoire, for FREE, from that kind old man Accot, I decided to immediately write down all my spells. But worry not! I have written them all down in english so this worlds inhabitants won't be able to read it! The people in this world use symbols similar to nordic runes with and this way no one will ever know of my villainous spells.

It's about time I continue with my shopping so I stand up and brush off the dirt of my clothes. I decided to write down my spells in one of the backstreets where no one could see the "strange" language I use. That could raise some questions. Hmm, where should I go next?

Suddenly a young boy jumps in front of me seemingly out of nowhere. His clothes are dirty and it looks like he's in desperate need of a bath.

"Give me all your money!" the boy shouts while threatening me with a small knife, max 10 centimeters. Am I getting mugged? Sigh, how annoying. I get distracted for just a second and something like this happens. Why didn't I activate Sensor? Well, don't cry over spoiled milk, as my dear mother used to say.

((To threaten mistress like this... I will skin him alive!)) Rowan yells in rage. No you won't. I got this.

"Hey kid!" I exclaim. "You hungry?" The boy flinches and looks confused.

"Uhm, yeah but- wait! I am older than you! And I'm robbing you! S-so give me your money and I won't hurt you!"

"My, my, what a pickle" I say, pretending to be worried.

((What's a pickle?)) Zar asks.

"How about this? I buy you dinner and you don't stab me. Deal?" I propose, offering him my hand.

"D-don't screw with me! If you don't just give it to me t-then I will take it by force!". The boy then rushes towards me with his knife ready. Too slow.

I take a single step to the side, avoiding him completely. I kick his butt, causing him to fall forward onto the street.

"Ouff!" the boy exclaims as he hits the ground. He tries to get up but I won't let him.

"Zar" I say and the next second a tiny deer appears from thin air. Zar jumps over to the boy and then proceed to sit down on him.

"Did I do good mama?" Zar asks with anticipation in his eyes. I gently pat him on the head.

"Yes, you did very well". Zar seems to sparkle when I compliment him. How cute. I switch my attention to the boy. "You ready to talk now?" I ask.

"...". The boy doesn't answer me.

"Hey, I wanna help you but I can't do that if you don't say anything. So, what's your name?" I say using my kindest voice.

"... Ace..." the boy finally says.

"Ace huh? Nice to meet you! My name is Ruth! And this fella here is-"

"Hiiiiiii!" Zar exclaims happily, cutting me off. "My name is Balthazar but you can call me Zar!"

"Uhm, h-hi?" Ace say hesitantly.

"Now Ace," I say and crouch down "why did you try to mug me?"

"..."

"Come on, maybe I can help you!"

"... My sister..." he mumbles while staring into the ground. "My sister, she's sick... She need to see a healer..."

I go silent for a second. So he's just a boy trying to save his sister. This sounds like the backstory of a protagonist.

Slowly I signal Zar to stand up and take Ace's hand.

"Where do you live?" I ask.

"Huh?" Ace exclaims, confused.

"I think I can help you" I say, smiling. "So let's go save your sister".

-------------------------------------------------------

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"This way, we're nearly there!" Ace shouts while running. Ever since I told him that I could heal his sister he have not stopped running. "Here it is!" he suddenly exclaims.

The house in front of me... I don't even know if I can call it a house. It's more like a shed without any real door, just a drapery loosely hanging on the front.

Ace moves the drapery to the side and walk in. I follow him in. The first thing I notice is the darkness. Next is the stench. It stinks sweat and urine. Furthest down in the room there's a lump on the ground covered by blankets. It gives off a bad feeling...

"B-bro-ther? Is that... you?" a weak voice says.

"Yes, it's me sister and I've got someone that might be able to help you" Ace responds.

"W-who? A d-doctor?". I take a step forward and crouch down besides the lump on the floor.

"Hello, my name is Ruth. I'm afraid I'm no doctor but I know healing magic".

"Y-you can s-save me?" the voice whimpers.

"I belive I can. But I need to see your condition first. Can I remove the blankets?"

"N-NO!" the girl shouts, only to cough violently afterwards.

"Sister, please let her help you!" Ace pleads.

"I-I am u-ugly, p-please don't look at me" the voice stutter and becomes smaller, crouching together. I put my hand on the lump. It flinches at the contact.

"I know it's difficult but please, let me help you. Don't let it stop you. You are strong. You can do this. So please, take of the blanket".

For a second nothing happens and I am afraid my pep-talk did not help, but after a few seconds the lump on the ground moves. The blankets fall off and reveals the frail body of a child at least eight years old.

Her face is horribly scared and covered in blisters. Her sickly pale skin almost seems translucent and black veins cover her whole body. Oh dear...

((Poor girl...)) Morgana comments and I can do nothing but agree. She must be in a lot of pain.

"I t-t-told you I was ugly..." the girl whispers, hugging herself as she do. Gently I take her hand.

"I think you're beautiful, you just need some help and then you will be the cutest girl in town" I say, smiling. The girl just sits there with her mouth agape. "What's your name?"

"L-Linali" she stutters.

"Linali... What a beautiful name! Nice to meet you! Let's be friends from now on!"

"O-ok!" Linali exclaims, shocked but also happy. I grab her other hand. This illness seems to be very dangerous so I will go all out. As I activate Minor Healing I also start singing, using Healing Voice.

I close my eyes and let the words just flow out. I can feel the illness in her and how it gets weaker and weaker. After a while it disappears completely. I open my eyes.

In front of me sits a stunningly beautiful girl. Creamy white skin, brown beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and pink supple lips, similar to cherries. She's like a doll.

Linali is staring at me dumbfounded, then she looks down on her body and starts crying.

"W-waaaahhhhh!! T-thank you, thank you!!" she shouts, with snot and tears streaming down her face. Linali then hugs me tightly. I hug her back while patting her on the back.

Then I hear another sound. I turn around.

Behind me stands Ace, crying just as much as his sister. Sigh, no matter how mature he acts he's really just a kid. Well, nothing wrong with that. Children should be children after all.