As you all know now, Shila is an annoying sister—like the one I had in my previous life—and an excellent healer. According to her, she's now an 'intermediate' healer now, but I don't know what that means since I've never had the chance to compare her to others. Still, her skills are legit.
Because, according to her narration, I was sick and bedridden for weeks. So, after being unable to move my muscles for so long, I should be aching in pain upon waking up. But surprisingly, I wasn't. When I asked her the reason, she said with a questioning expression, "You're asking 'that'? Heh(with an old lady type expression), that's new. I think the fever made you smart too!" Then she laughed at me like those Asuras I've seen in Ramayana movies.
Even though she indirectly insulted me, I held it back. "Please tell me, pretty please!" I said, using my cute little appearance. I might be 12 years old now, but in my mind, I'm 20, okay? So, it was 'super-duper' embarrassing.
"Why won't you tell me? Can't you just satisfy this small boy's curiosity?"
"Huh, small!!! You're already 120 this year! Who are you calling small? Humans don't even live this long, you know that?"
"What?!"
Although I knew I was an elf, I didn't expect to cross 100 already. Well, whatever. Oh shoot—I shouldn't expose too much obliviousness. She might suspect.
"Why are you trying to make me old? As an elf, I'm still young, hmph!"
"Okay, King Luo, as you wish. As for your pain… It didn't come because I used magic to warm and stretch your muscles even while you were bedridden. I transferred food and water directly into your tummy and took care of your sanitary problems with magical tubes. So, you didn't feel anything and are still good to function."
"Wow! But wasn't that difficult? Didn't it cost a lot of mana?"
"Yes, it did. But thanks to your mother's magic circle, which continuously works to gather mana, it helped me a lot. With all the training I got while nursing your family, doing these magical chores is nothing now. So don't worry. And truly, thank you for your concern."
"Um, Shila, can you help me again? This time, I think it'll be for a long time."
"What! Did that fever come back? Goddamn it! I knew it wouldn't leave me in peace."
"No, no, that's not the case."
I get that she's worried, but why say "it won't leave me in peace? You know I'm the one who'd be suffering!
"And hear me out first. Don't jump to conclusions all of a sudden, okay? Hmph!"
I don't know why, but I often do this "hmph." I guess it's a habit of this body's previous owner. It's not a problem if I'm a child, but in older days, it would've been embarrassing. Not that I'll need to worry for a few centuries. But what if three centuries from now, would I still be saying 'hmph' like a toddler? Ugh. Forget it-
"I need to do some research. Can you help me with that?"
"You? Research? What is it—do you wanna study how caterpillars turn into butterflies, huh?" She said it in a way that made me feel like I was five years old. So I stared at her with a face that screamed, 'Are you for real?!'
"Aww, what a cute expression! If I were an artist, I'd have painted it, you know."She pinched my cheek, her claws prickling like a crab's pincers.
"Cut it out, you son of a—" I caught myself before finishing those words. I'd nearly forgotten I was a kid now. I can't behave like I used to. And I wasn't the kind of guy to curse someone either. Old habits die hard. In my past life, I'd never sworn aloud—only in my head where no one could judge me. It's all because of her influence. I guess my body is still at an age where I mimic others. (*_*)
"What did you just try to say, you weak, wimpy kid?"
"Nothing, ma'am! It just slipped my tongue because, well… you know how I hear these words every day. Now this is the result."
"So this is my fault, huh? You bastard!"
She looked genuinely pissed, but what could a tiny healing sprite do? 'Maybe she could bite me like a small mouse?' I smirked at the thought.
Seeing my expression, she hurled a football-sized chika fruit at me. Damn, it was heavy! The impact made my nose bleed. The damn thing weighed like a cannonball. Typical enchanted forest produce.The fruit—larger than my head—left a dent in the floor where it rolled after hitting me.
"Sorry! Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to! Ugh, why do you have to be so fragile?" She burst into tears.
I don't understand her tsundere personality at all. I'm the one bleeding here, and she's crying!
"Ok ,ok, i am alright now . So , stop crying."
"I'm not crying! Healing sprites don't cry! My eyes are just… leaking mana!"
"Huh, sometimes you're such a crybaby, you know. Whatever—now hear my grand plan. Even if it doesn't sound grand, just pretend it's a great idea, okay? I'm gonna find the cure for that cursed fever."
"..."
"Say something!"
"Did you say something?" Her oblivious act pissed me off, but I held back. I really felt like squashing her like a cockroach.
"Why? Do you think I won't be able to find it? I'm an elf. I have all the time I could wish for!"
"Unless the forest monsters, the fever, or I kill you first. Do you think it's easy? I've been searching for a cure for a hundred years and still haven't gotten close. The biggest problem is this damn forest—we can't leave because of the monsters. And we can't trust the royal kingdom either. Even with all these books on alchemy, we'd need materials: samples from other patients, herbs for testing antidotes… blah blah blah…" And thus, she rambled on.
"Stop! Stop, stop! I get it, just shut the hell up!" I screamed in annoyance.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Watch your language, young man!" She brandished a sharp knife at me. At that moment i could literally felt the breath of grim reaper.
I swallowed. "Sorry, ma'am. I just got heated up for a moment."
"Yeah, you'd better be. Don't test my patience, little brat."
"What I'm saying is, I can solve these problems one by one. But I need your help. Sheila… will you help me?" I said with a serious expression—because I was serious. I meant every word. I really didn't want to take my last breath in this forest. If I have to dic then i would prefer to die after using this beautiful face of mine, just think about it what's the point of having it if I can't even use it, right ?(=_=)
"So, Shila… will you form a contract with me?" I finally asked.
"..."
"Sorry. I guess I was asking too much."
"No, that's not it. For a moment, I was lost in thought.(I think my words reminded her of my mothe )Okay. You'd better not forget your promise."
I was shocked she actually accepted. She extended her hand toward me. I took it and shook it. (*\0/*)
"You fool! Why are you shaking? Stay still. We're proceeding with the contract now."
Then she began chanting in a peculiar tune:
"I, the daughter of the water spirit Gangi, request Mother Nature to witness my oath. I vow to aid this pitiful child, 'Luios Van Ogasti, 1st Prince of the 98th Elven Dynasty,' in his quest."
A beautiful golden light—woven with diamond flowers and pearl vines—wrapped around our hands. Butterflies materialized, taking the form of delicate hands that rested atop ours and spoke:
"We give you our blessings."