// Piecing things together... //

The problems never end, doesn't it?

Is there a way to get away from this spiraling madness of this stupid place.
The fact the prince who is targeted by spies and other crap is coming with us.
It only leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

While thinking of the piling stress inside my mind.
I ended up visiting the places where the students are said to have raised their hand in participation for this training...

The task given to me is to bring them a letter from Lotte.
Inside it is the schedules, the affirmation of conditions and other things like if they disobey her direction and command.

They would be placed under liable for their own lives.

To make it simple, they are held accountable if something stupid happens.
Such as going alone and failing to adhere to warnings and such things.

In this world their many things are happening cannot be controlled after all.
Especially we are doing a real-time exercise where we are outside the safety and protection.

Thankfully, the twins were both incredibly capable and made things quite smooth on our first test.
But I'm not technically sure how these guys will handle the outside.
To make matters worse with Tori the most reliable among us being injured.

Just raised the damn difficulty.

We can't afford to be reckless anymore.
No more mistakes like the last.

If she tries something like that again.
It will be her graveyard that, we will be visiting.

This means I need to think about how to properly work with these monkeys in-case something goes wrong. Talie and the protagonist group isn't so bad...

But something else amongst the participant bothered me.
Which will later make me regret this whole ordeal.

...

...

...

But before I went there...
I need to let the twins know about this.

After entering her room she was alone with Talie.
Their parents seem to have left to discuss with Lotte regarding the job and her intentions.
Meanwhile, she was tied in casts and resting in a bed while being wrapped in bandages.

"So...
How are you feeling?" I ask.

Her pale eyes and bored expression turn to me.

"I feel numb, sour and having the time of my life!" she sarcastically said while lightly laughing.

Talie on the other hand replied.
"You tried to use, one of your best offensive spells.
Usually, your body in your past life could handle it being resistant to magic.
It's only natural that this was the result if you forgo any forms of defensive preparation."

Tori retorts.
"I did make defensive preparations!

How the heck did you think my body survived!
But what I never imagined was the resistances of my spell being shaved away from the backblast leading to this painful state."

She groaned a bit while retorting to her words.
Meanwhile, I then said.

"Well guys, we have even more bad news.
The prince we once saved 3 years ago is going to be a part of our group."

Tori's face twitched while Talie face froze with a pale expression.

Talie then asked. "Tell me your joking," she asked with a tired expression.

Tori then pleaded as she then said.
"Baster...
Please, kick him out of our group!
DO anything in your power to not let that happen!

Ow-Oooow!" she seems to have pulled a wound.

Baster sighed to her request.

"Too late, this was Lotte's list of students.
The prince being there means we can't easily reject him unless we have a valid reason."

Tori then laughed creepily.
"Great...  
ha-ha-ha-ha.
This is why I hate royal pricks.
They think the world is theirs and others below them are merely tools.
For them to take advantage of...

I'm sick of their existence." when Tori said those words.

Talie then pointed at the earpiece device as she activated it.

"Tori has a terrible experience with them.

In the past, she doesn't hate them.
But when she met other princes in other nations who were spoiled to the core.

Well...
let's just say they tried to claim her as one of their own.
As they did everything that could label her as some kind of object.

To which she disfigured their faces and escaped their kingdom
while she crushed every opposition that tried to stop her.

Of course, during that time she was capable enough to not kill any of them as she merely left all of them half-dead."

Baster could only say
"What the heck?
How ridiculous is she"

Talie replied.
"What did you expect from a human capable of destroying an army?
Now imagine if she was still a dragon.

You can already imagine how fearsome she was during that time..."

Baster said to himself. (I'll try to avoid pissing her off.)

Talie then added.
"Don't be too surprised and see her as some kind of monster."

"I don't" He retorted."

"Good.

She was feeling guilty the moment she woke up.
It's not strange considering this was a rare moment in her life.

Where she tried to desperately protect someone once again.
But in the end, protecting someone means taking the life of another for the sake of that person."

Baster then replied.
"It's not like we had many choices.
But why would she call herself a monster?"

Talie replied.
"Because she was the main reason.
Why there was no war, no conflict, and corruption around the territory of her land.

Everytime she stood atop the realm of heroes.
She later realized those who tried to compete with her, simply saw her as a monster.
The common folk loved her but those who want to rise into power became her enemy.

Hence why her life was such a thrilling situation where every day someone was trying to kill her."

"Is this why she's so infatuated with being at peace?"

"Yes, she was the bridge that brought peace to people.
But also the thorn to the ambitious people who sought to use violence.

Of course, until everything was ruined by a single mad-man."

"The one who is said to cause the overflowing mana in our history lessons and caused the island to float."

"Yep, that man.
I forgot his name."

But then Baster replied.

"But still, to call herself a monster.

Most wouldn't probably care for the lives of such horrible people who acted like pirates.

But then I realized that...
We are dealing with real people here.
Who is just trying to live a life.

Inside those ships are commoners, soldiers and even servants who probably just mindlessly followed their masters.

Then the nobles they served were acting like pirates.

She was possibly left with no choice but to sink them together with the innocent.

After thinking about it...
It's not surprising that she would feel that way.
Even I would feel that way if I was in her position."

Talie smiled and winked at Baster.

Tori grunted. "Grhmmm."
As she cried out.
"You guys are making me feel lonely like this.
I don't like it.
Talie let me borrow that tool!
Let me hear what you guys are talking about!"

As she wiggled in her bed unable to move a single moment.
The two gazed at her and laughed a bit.

Talie then said to Baster.
"She's quite amusing isn't she?"

"Frank and straight to the point." Baster nodded.
 
"Though...
After I watched her obliterated six ships that were supposedly capable of handling an army of pirates while severely damaged 3. That alone is impressive enough that I wouldn't have been able to come up with anything to deal with it and accepted defeat.

Magic is truly amazing."

Talie then removed her earpiece and retorted to Baster.

"I think your misunderstanding something about magic Baster." Talie bluntly said.

"Hah?"  as he too removed his earpiece.

"But then...
How exactly did Tori restore the prince's arm?

Didn't she just use magic?
There should be some kind of magic to break the curse so we can heal it."

Tori flinched and choked on her saliva at what he just said.

"You *Cough*
Ow!
You!
 Imbecile!" as she wiggled in her bed but powerlessly stuck.

Talie then replied to my question.
"Baster...
You should know by now that magic alone cannot fully heal everything."

Tori then retorted.
"Didn't you already told this idiot about the power of a spirit?"

"Yeah, I have...
Though he probably didn't imagine the fact that...
You were still using it after you summoned it."

"Eh? are you saying that she..."

"That's right, she used the spirit she called forth to heal his wound 3 years ago.
While its power was spread across that fortress."

Tori then added.

"It's true power isn't to just heal those around me.
But to enable those who use and wield recovery magic.
The ability to enhance their ability as healers allowing them to perform miracles that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do normally able to do.

It is the gift given to me by the Lord of Spirits.
One of the epitome of restoration magic.

The power call forth the most powerful spirit of light. "

Baster's face froze in shock the moment he heard it.

(Isn't this the reason why there were so many survivors during the incident?
This is it? ISN'T IT!

Oi! isn't that super broken OP skill why the heck did you give it to such a brat like her!)

Tori then added.

"Not to mention...

I also needed to use both of my hands to weave and continuously repair that stupid prince hand together. If I somehow made a mistake during that time, his hand would have had his fingers in the wrong place."

She then frowned while saying.

"So that jerk better be thankful he still has working ones,
I swear if he starts acting haughty in front of me.
I'll kick his ass off this ship the moment I can move my legs!"

Tori appeared like she was breathing fire while saying so...

It was then I asked.
"Then how do we fix her limbs?"

The twins then gazed at Baster with tired expressions.

"Talie...
Kick him!" Tori then said.

I was currently leaning behind a wall,
It happened all of a sudden.
That I felt a foot pushed me down from behind as I fell to the floor.

As I fell with a loud *Thud*.

"Ow!"

Tori then continued to explain with great fervor.

"Baster, I will repeat this to you.
Healing magic cannot cure everything.

Cuts, Bruises, and wounds can be cured by enhancing the regeneration of one body using magic.
But when dealing with fire, poison, and other elements that carried malicious curses.

It is the only time I can say it's impossible to say using magic alone is going to cut it.
As there are magical spells that exist.
That is designed to counter any type of recovery spell.

If it was so easy, Tori and I wouldn't have easily resolved this just by waving a hand.
But it isn't...
Most healers who aspire to save others learn other practices such as not relying on magic alone but utilizing medicine, herbs and how to fix a limb restored recklessly by magic.

Saving someone IS NO EASY TASK!"

Baster could only nod to her as he complained.

"Ugh!?
Why does such magic exist!"

Talie then said.
"Like how people learn to use poison as medicine.
Magic is simply the same.

You cannot rule out, that there are ways to seal away miracles."

Then I asked. "Is there a way to break such curses?"

The twins gazed at him then shrugged.

"Call Milim..." she said.

I tilted my head unsure of what they meant as I left to bring her to their room.
"Tori? You called?" Milim cheerfully said.

"Where's your brother?" Talie asked.

"Do you need him?
He went to help bring our stuff inside our rooms."

"Not really, but we do want to borrow something from you.
But it's going to hurt a bit."

"Why is it going to hurt?"

The twins then gazed at baster.

"Huh? why are you two looking at me?"

It was then Tori said.

"Baster, Pull out a piece of her scale."

"Eeeeh!?" Milim cried out.

"But why!?
It's going to hurt!
It's a part of my skin you know!" Milim swiftly retorted.

She seems to have experienced having one of her scales plucked.

Baster was feeling awkward as well with the odd request.
Unsure of what to do...
Milim seems to reject the idea.

"If you can't do it.
Then we can't break the curse."

Milim then asked.
"What curse?"

Talie then explained it to Milim about the situation.

"To break the curse embedded on us.
The scales of a light dragon are needed...
Because of the immense capability to break even the strongest curses.

However such materials only exist on the half-blooded and the fully fledge ones.
And obtaining even a single piece is difficult." Talie sharply gazed at Milim.

"You as a half possess the scales to break the curse that afflicts us.
But we don't intend to hurt you in any way."

"I... see.
If it can cure her then go ahead!" She bravely participated despite her legs quivering.

"But...
It is really going to hurt." she was frowning with fidgeting cutely.

Baster then asked.
"Is there another way,
Other than doing this?"

Tori then replied.
"Unless Milim learns how to break curses herself.
It's the only way.

The curse I implemented to break barriers magic.
It is equal to the power of the curse I placed on our wounds.
I either wait for it to naturally subside which could last for months or even a year.

Or..."

She turns to Milim.
As Milim then cried out.
"Just do it Baster!
If my scales can help her recover then..."

Baster then at this point, hang his head and shook it.

"I can't...
It would be too cruel.
Not to mention it would leave a scar if we force it."

"It's fine!"

"No its not!.
You are a girl.
You should take better care of yourself."

Her face went a bit red until Baster said.

"Don't copy this reckless kid who got herself injured and is now trying to take your scales so she could heal herself."

Tori's face twitched with agitation.

"Or this smug sister of her's who allowed her to do something so reckless! "

Talie face twitched as the twins both gazed at him with agitation.

"Either way, I won't do it.
It's better that you learn how to break the curse by asking Tori how to do it."

Tori face twitched and retorted to his idea

"What?
I don't even know where I will begin to teach her something so complicated!"

When Tori retorts, Baster then slowly slips toward the door.

"Well, I got other things to do,
Tori, I'll leave Milim to you."

As Baster swiftly left the door like the wind.

"Hey wait! BASTEEEEER!
YOU IMBECILE!"

After she shouted these words Talie could only dryly laugh.

"If only learning magic was as easy as waving a hand.
We wouldn't be struggling like this.

Sorry, Milim I don't think my sister can easily teach it to you.
But do you happen to have shed scales?"

Milim shook her head. "I don't think I ever had my scales shed before?"

To which Tori retorts. "Light dragons never shed which makes it even difficult to obtain.
The only way to obtain one is by pulling one out.
Or letting it crack by being in contact with powerful magic like this curse.
 
But I don't advise it.

Because it will become painful for months and could even get worse.
While recovery magic on it is instantly repelled and resisted rendering it useless.
Forcing you to use medicine that doesn't involve any kind of magic."

Then Milim said. "Why not take a piece right now? If it would heal you both then..."

The twins shook their heads.
"Your too kind," Tori replied to her words.

"I was merely testing Baster's decisions.
In truth, even if you managed to break the curse on our wounds.
These injuries of mine are simply too heavy that it will take the same amount of time before it would recover.

Magic can only hasten recovery but people shouldn't underestimate natural recovery as well."

Milim then asked.
"I see...
But why would you do such a thing?"

Talie then replied.
"She is assessing Baster way of thinking.
If he agreed to such a cruel thing.
Then Baster is simply scum.

Though, he managed to pass your test.
Am I right?"

To which Tori said.
"He did so quite well.
I'd say Milim, he's a good man.
Why not go on a date with him.

I wouldn't mind having you as a sister in the future."

Milim faces when flush red the moment Tori asked the question.

"Jeeze!
So you asked him that question so I get a good impression on him?
There's a limit to your jokes!"

Tori looked away.

"But I'm not joking at all.
Though, at least...
Now know that Baster doesn't see you as an object.

Even after discovering the power of your scales to break curses."

Milim's face went red in confusion unable to retort.

Talie at this point could only laugh at the scene.

While Milim then wondered.
(I already know Tori's mental age is technically older than mine after she confessed her past-life was similar to my own.

But... what's with this sheer confidence in handling such topics!
She is acting like a parent who wants to wed off her son!
Your still 12 for crying out loud!)

These were the words she earnestly wanted to say.
But could only nod to her as Tori promised to teach her more about her race as she lack's understanding of what is happening to her own body as a half-blooded demi-human.

At the end of their conversation, Milim left the room, mentally exhausted from their discussion.

Baster on the otherhand.
Left to visit Nelly as he requires to visit each of them to inform them of their departure.

 

Note: to those who are confused.
The Magic Tori released is a type of attack that destroy's magic and miracles.
Curse is a proper word to call it as it remains on those affected by it.