From Ashes To Scales

Let's see… was it 2 drops of puffer cobra venom or 3? 2. Yeah, it has to be 2.

Alistair managed to procure all the ingredients I requested in mere hours. I guess his influence and the status of a merchant aren't just for show. And right now… I am trying to remember the exact recipe that Bennett used years ago. And to be honest, I’m nervous. I might act all mighty, but deep down I am shaking. If I get the dose wrong, it might have severe consequences. The last thing I need is to accidentally kill her.

But, I’m pretty confident in my brain. So far it's the only thing that hasn't let me down so there should be no issues. But, I can't stop being nervous. Despite this, within 30 minutes I managed to create the 2 poisons.

Next, I asked Leona to accurately split a wood log into wooden needles. And then I let the needles soak in the poison for roughly 10 minutes. It was almost time. I asked Rose to help me put some restraints on the girl. I’m not going to lie, this is going to be painful, but I can't have her moving and squirming around.

“Alright. Everything is prepared. I’m ready to start the treatment.”

“Hold it!”,said the doctor with a worried expression. Him, the priest and the scholar asked to witness and record the treatment. I can only guess that the reason he stopped me is because…

“Mister Magnus, no offense, but have you lost your mind!? The mixtures you just made… judging by the ingredients you used… Those are 2 deadly poisons, am I wrong?”

“You are correct. These are poisons.”

“Again, are you crazy? You’ll kill the girl along with the parasite.”

Seeing how panicked the doctor was, Alistair took a step forward.

“Magnus, is it true? Are you in the end some sort of assassin after my daughter's life?”

“Oh, for crying out loud! All of you are such big idiots, it's making my head hurt. This is a treatment. And I won't allow you to get in my way. Girls… please gently restrain them.”

“Understood!!” (X3)

Rusalka, Leona and Saphira all responded in unison. Naturally even without weapons, it was extremely easy for them to immobilize them. I felt like watching a circus show. The difference in power was too great. I should reward them with something for their growth. But now back to the matter at hand.

My hand was unsteady. I was about to perform acupuncture. Although I know how the human body works… I don't have a single clue if I have to connect these to specific pressure points. So I’ll just pray this works. And… I inserted the first needle.

Discomfort was seen on the girl's face. I continued with the second.

“Aaah!!”

A high pitch echo. And as I inserted the 3rd needle right below her shoulder, as her blood vessels started turning green.

“AAAAAAAAA!!”

She let out a loud scream.

“I know this is painful, child, but please bear with it.”

Alistair and his guards were desperately screaming at me to stop but there was no way for them to overcome my girls. A few seconds later… the purple ooze that was eating her body started to vibrate… and detached itself from Charlotte.

“Now, Rose!”

“Got it!”

The moment the Necrotic Leech separated, I instructed Rose to burn it through any means. She coated a piece of wood with elemental fire and pierced the leech, vaporizing it.

“This isn't over yet! Now for the final step.”

I quickly picked up the needles imbued with the second poison. This step was crucial. I inserted the first of the new needles, just above where the parasite had latched on.

Charlotte's face contorted with pain, but her screams had ceased, replaced by deep, ragged breaths. I continued with the second needle, targeting the areas around the discolored flesh to ensure full coverage. Blue blood vessels started to overlap with the green ones.

"Just a little more, Charlotte," I murmured, my voice as calm and soothing as I could manage under the circumstances. "You're doing great."

The tension in the room was palpable. Alistair's face was a mix of hope and fear, his eyes locked onto his daughter. Behind him, the priest and scholar were straining against their restraints, desperate to intervene but held firm by Leona, Rusalka, and Saphira.

Finally, I inserted the last needle. A faint hiss emanated from Charlotte's arm as the second poison took effect. Not before long the color of her blood vessels returned to normal and her skin also returned to her natural appearance.

"It's working," I announced, turning to face the others.

"By the gods," the priest whispered, his eyes wide with astonishment. "He's actually doing it."

The scholar, no longer struggling, stared in awe. "I can't believe it. I've never seen such a treatment before."

I removed the needles carefully, ensuring that no residue was left behind. Then, I applied a salve to the affected area to soothe the irritation and promote further healing.

"It's over.”

And surely enough, just like Sparky… it didn't take long for Charlotte to open her eyes… and she abruptly stood up. For a few seconds she was confused, looking back and forth and then at her own body.

“You're alright now. Do you still feel pain anywhere?”

“No. On the contrary. My body… feels refreshed.”

I signaled the girls that it was ok to let the bystanders move now. Leona, Rusalka, and Saphira released the priest, doctor, and scholar, who immediately moved to examine Charlotte, albeit with much more respect and caution now.

Alistair rushed to his daughter's side, tears streaming down his face. "Charlotte, my sweet girl. You're going to be alright."

Charlotte's eyes were also moist with tears, and gave her father a big hug. “Papa…”

I took a step back, letting the family have their moment.

"Magnus," Alistair said, turning to me. "I don't have the words to express my gratitude. You've saved my daughter's life. I should have never doubted you. I will pay back this debt to you fully.”

“We can discuss that at a later time. I am a bit exhausted after the procedure, so I would like to rest as well.”

“Of course! I’ll make some arrangements for you and your friends to have the best possible rooms.”

To be honest inside I was still a bottle of nerves. I had no guarantee that it would turn out all right. Once again, I am not a doctor, so the fact that the needles worked even with me putting them randomly… that defies all logic. It's nothing short of a miracle. I gotta stop gambling like this. But… I couldn't let the incompetence of these people continue. They would have killed her anyway if I didn't step in.

I’m glad everything worked out in the end. Seeing this heartwarming father-daughter duo… makes me happy. And sad at the same time. My father never showed such emotions to me. I yearned for such warmth. Thankfully I managed to fill that empty space with a different warmth. The warmth of my party. I look forward to our future together. Assuming we can finally reach Ephiria.