Even before Conner's eyes had opened, the muffled creaking of footsteps on aged wood prodded at his ears. Groaning floorboards echoed, giving him a very vague understanding of the size of the room he was held in.

  An assortment of herbs and spices wafted through the air, filling the room with an intoxicating aroma. The underside of a cabin roof greeted him as his eyes fluttered open. Though the morning sun was still hidden below the horizon, its rays soaked the distant skies in a vibrant orange hue, light filtering through the window to his side.

  Besides the lack of water leaving his tongue coarse and his throat parched, he felt fine. He was lying in a bed with dry clothing, his blankets providing a comfortable warmth.

  "So you're awake, are you?" A gentle, yet weathered voice stirred his attention.

  Turning to the source of the voice, he found a woman who looked back at him with the soft gaze of her milky blue eyes. Wheat blonde hair had been tied back into a messy bun, her bangs framing her wrinkled face. Her dignified demeanor exuded a relaxing presence that put him at ease. Her simple cream robe moved gracefully as she approached him with a tender smile.

  "How do you feel, Child?" She placed her hand on his forehead.

  Conner blinked as he tried to comprehend the situation. The last thing he could recall was fleeing his village and ending up in a ravine, struggling to keep warm. Taking in his surroundings, he found a crackling fireplace embedded in the adjacent wall radiating warmth with a pot above it.

  Across from him, a shelf lined with medicines, natural herbs, and ointments lay organized in their designated areas. The shelves at his bedside held a selection of old books and grimoires.

  "What's going on?" He asked his caretaker.

  "There are more comfortable places to take shelter than on a rock in a ravine, Child," she chuckled softly. "Fortunately, I frequent that stream to collect fresh water every morning before sunrise."

  She got up from her chair at his bedside and returned with a mug of water. He eagerly accepted and took deep gulps, and although it was at room temperature, it was more than enough to relieve the dryness in his throat.

  "Thank you, ma'am."

  "You may call me Iryna," She introduced as she took his empty mug. "I'm just glad you didn't freeze to death."

  Moving to the fireplace, she carefully tipped the pot, its hot contents streaming into the mug until it was full. She then went over to the shelves of medical supplies, her hand hovering back and forth in search of something. After a few seconds, she plucked a herb from the middle shelf and a jar of natural minerals from the top.

  With practiced hands, she sprinkled in the crushed herb and added a dash of minerals before stirring the ingredients. Despite her age, her fingers moved with youthful dexterity that Conner couldn't help but fall into a trance from.

  She carefully handed him the mug once more. "Drink."

  "Thank you." He accepted again, savoring the tea's pleasant fragrance.

  He blew into the mug to cool it before taking a sip but jolted, his features tightening as its bitter taste made it difficult to swallow.

  His reaction elicited a poorly suppressed look of amusement from Elder Iryna. "Its flavor leaves a lot to be desired but it'll help ward off any potential flu symptoms."

  Hardening his expression, he took another sip before setting the mug aside. "I don't know how to repay you, Elder Iryna..."

  She waved away his concerns. "Please, there's no need. Though if you truly wish to return the favor for my troubles, you can start with your name and an explanation as to why I found you in the wilderness."

  "Of course. My name's Conner. And my village..." He paused as he recalled the events. "It was recently attacked so..."

  The elder nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry to hear that, Conner. If you're in need of a place to stay for the time being, there's an inn not too far from here."

  He scratched his head cluelessly. "And may I ask where 'here' is exactly?"

  "We're just outside of Paelstir Town. It's quite a busy little town so there's usually plenty of work for you to get back on your feet."

  "I see. Thank you for the advice." He took another painful sip of his tea.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  He examined her selection of books, most having to do with mana-related topics. It was a small library of knowledge merely collecting dust and cobwebs. However, there was one book tucked away on the top shelf that seemed to be kept in relatively good condition.

  "Is something the matter?" She asked, getting up again to browse her ointments.

  "It's just that I'm a bit confused. I don't mean to come across as rude, and I'm grateful for your meticulous care, I truly am, but...you have an array of grimoires here. Surely one of them has a spell for ailments. Wouldn't it have been easier to heal me that way?"

  She paused, her face unreadable for a moment before her soft expression returned. "Perhaps, but I'm far too old-fashioned so they're more useful in the hands of a seasoned priest or adventurer. I'm accustomed to more...traditional methods." She gestured to the grimoires. "Most of these are just for aesthetics anyhow."

  "Right, I understand," he dropped the subject, unsure if he completely believed her.

  She returned to him with a jar of a green transparent substance. Opening the lid, she scooped a portion of the contents onto her first two fingers.

  "Now, lift your shirt up," she said casually, making him flinch. Seeing the light change in color to his cheeks, she let out a chuckle. "I promise I'm harmless, boy."

  Hesitant, he obeyed and lifted his shirt, exposing the years of amateur training faintly toning his body. With a soft touch, she lathered the scentless gel onto his chest, cooling his skin. His face burned with embarrassment as she continued massaging it into his skin evenly.

  "This will help regulate your core's temperature," she assured, closing up the jar and returning it to its designated shelf.

  "You have quite the figure, you know," she glanced over her shoulder at him with a teasing glint in her eye. "Hardly something to be embarrassed about."

  The color in his face deepened at her playful demeanor as he promptly threw his shirt back on. Avoiding the elder's gaze, he sat up and stared through the window, catching glimpses of birds darting across the pane.

  He could see now that they were on a hilltop overlooking Paelstir. The sun had barely begun to rear itself and the town was already bustling with life.

  "Thank you for your hospitality, Elder Iryna. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble," his eyes fell to his palms.

  She once again dismissed his words. "It's no trouble at all, my dear."

  After a few moments, she got up from her seat and grabbed a straw basket by the door.

  "There are some ingredients I'm missing for a soup I want to make so I'm heading out to restock. I'll return in a few." She smiled warmly before closing the door behind her.

  With that, Elder Iryna left Conner to his thoughts. His eyes wandered from the medical supplies to the dusty grimoires. He was surprised that she was willing to leave him alone in her own home with her valuables, though it wasn't like he was knowledgeable in medicine or proficient in mana usage for grimoires to have any use.

  His attention settled on the writhing fireplace. It was at times like these that he'd either train his physicality or reinforce his comprehension of the basics of mana. Though he was curious about her selection of grimoires, he didn't want to snoop.

  Several minutes of solitude passed as he worked tirelessly on finishing his tea, which had cooled down some, his face scrunching involuntarily. After a long drawn-out battle with its bitter taste, he set the empty mug aside with a wrinkled nose and a protruding tongue.

  With nothing else to keep him occupied, he willed his Keensight to life and the soft white motes hanging peacefully in the air welcomed him. Their ethereal light blanketed the room in a gentle glow invisible to the naked eye. He panned his gaze out the window, the sea of particles bobbing faintly without aim.

  He quietly observed their inactivity, longing for a change in their behavior but it was all wishful thinking. With Keensight, the town below should've bloomed with a myriad of colors as its people meandered through the streets but it was merely a washed-out backdrop to him.

  He thought he'd come to terms with it but he felt an uncomfortable pang of frustration in his chest each time he used Keensight. Although the particles were relaxing, they also served as a reminder of his handicap. Perhaps there was still a piece of him that hadn't come to terms.

  His attention was drawn to the doorknob twisting and the elder emerged into the room with the basket filled with a collection of different natural herbs and vegetables.

  "A few crops weren't ready to be harvested." She set the basket near the fireplace and began organizing the ingredients. "Fortunately, I have substitutions so the soup will keep its heavenly taste."

  Her assurance was met with silence. She tried brushing it off but as time stretched with her preparing the meal and getting no feedback from her patient, she couldn't help but turn to him. His eyes were wide and his mouth ajar as he stared at her.

  "Conner?" She called out, confused.

  His mouth moved but no words followed in his seemingly dumbstruck state. As she stood up and was about to check on him, she noticed the unmistakable silver hue in his gaze. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise but she quickly regained her composure as a smirk pulled at her lips.

  "So, you can see them too, can you? How unexpected."

  Conner watched her, both stunned and astonished. He hadn't noticed it before but after seeing her with Keensight, it was as clear as day. A colony of motes swirled around her in a harmonic dance, enveloping her form in a gentle white flame.

  Captivation rendered him unable to process the impossibility of the particles deviating from their usually unbothered, static behavior. She made her approach as he continued to admire the foreign beauty of her aura, the ambient motes in her path drawn to her graceful presence while others were dismissed back into the atmosphere.

  "I think I understand you a bit better," She sat at the edge of his bed with a tender smile.

  With the morning sun finally peeking over the horizon to grace their faces with radiant light, he was no longer alone. Elder Iryna placed a warm hand on his shoulder.

  "Conner. How would you like to be my student?"