----ONE LONG NAP LATER----
"Ughhh..."
I groan dramatically as I drift back into consciousness, slowly prying my eyes open. My vision is blurry at first, but as things come into focus, I'm greeted by a wooden ceiling I've never seen before. Sunlight spills in through a window nearby, gently roasting my face.
I try sitting up and immediately regret it. My torso screams in protest, but- wait. I glance down.
Bandages...
Oh. So I did get chomped. That wasn't just a bizarre fever dream.
"What happened...?" I mutter, rubbing my temple as the events come rushing back.
Right. The forest. The wolf. The girl...
I hope she's all right...
GUH, I'm such a worthless guy!
I look around me. It all seemed like a generic room that you would see in a fantasy world. A simple bed, some flowers beside it, a big wardrobe, some weird decorative magical lamps on the walls, a simple wooden door, nothing too out of the ordinary.
"Did that girl save me...?" I mumble to myself while looking at my hands. I got this strange gut feeling I'll be seeing her again soon. Not sure if that's me being hopeful or anxious.
Right! That's two near deaths since I got here. At this rate, I'll be a ghost by tomorrow!
In the middle of my thoughts, the room's door swung open, and a girl walked inside. She pauses, visibly surprised to see me awake.
"Yo," I greet her with a casual wave.
"Oh! You're finally awake," she says, blinking a few times before walking over. She wore some distinct black and purple clothes you'd see a mage wearing. Very wizardly! Definitely a magic user. Probably the one who patched me up.
"What happened? And where even am I?"
The girl tilts her head and gives me a sympathetic smile, whilst clasping her hands together.
"Well, I can't say what exactly happened to you, since I just found you bleeding all over my doorstep a couple of days ago. As for where you are, welcome to my tiny hospital!"
"...It looks just like a regular house."
"Well... technically, it is my house," she said with a sheepish chuckle, "But I also heal people here! So, it counts, right? Hehe"
"Luckily, your injuries weren't that bad! And, as a top-tier mage with unmatched healing talent, I fixed you up in no time!" she puffed up her chest dramatically, her bright blue eyes sparkling as she looked at me.
I distinctly remember a wolf making me into a chew toy. How exactly was that not "too bad"?!
"Riiiight... thanks, I guess."
"Hey, uh... did you happen to see a brown-haired girl near me when you found me?" I quickly added.
She pauses for a moment, thinking. "Hmm... Nope! I only found you out cold a few days back."
"Wait... hold on. A few days back?" I narrow my eyes.
"Oh, yeah! You've been unconscious for three days."
3 DAYS!? Did that wolf really mess me up that bad?!
I sank back into the bed, questioning everything.
"Oh, wow..." I mutter. "I hope I wasn't too much of a burden..."
"Oh, no, no! Not at all!" She waves her hands dismissively. "It's my duty as a healer to help those in need."
"Oh, how rude of me! I haven't even introduced myself yet!" She places a hand over her chest dramatically. "My name is Akane! This city's finest healer and mage! At least that's what I call myself..."
"Nice to meet you, Akane. And seriously, thanks for saving me."
She smiles warmly at me. "No need to thank me! Just get some rest, okay? By tomorrow, you'll be as good as new! Perhaps you will even be able to explore Ironholt!"
Is that some nearby city? Maybe I could find out about my whole hero purpose there!
"Will do. Thanks again." I nod as she cheerfully exits the room, closing the door behind her.
I let out a long sigh.
Ahhh, what a start to this new world...
The day dragged on as I lay in bed, healing slowly but surely. Every now and then, Akane would pop in to check on me or bring me food. We chatted a bit- mostly small talk- before she had to rush off, mainly because she had people coming to her home asking for help, potions, and such. Even with that many people in need of help, she never seemed bothered by it. Actually, she smiled throughout the whole day, not showing a single sign of being exhausted or bothered by it. I don't know how she does it, but it sure is motivating!
Man, being a healer must be exhausting!
As the night slowly crept in, I found myself able to get out of bed and actually move around.
Ah, yes. Mobility- truly an underrated gift!
After a few half-hearted stretches, which mostly consisted of me groaning and cracking my back like an old man, I shuffled toward the wardrobe.
*CLICK*
The doors swung open on their own.
Uh... excuse me?
A strange shiver ran down my spine, like the wardrobe itself was watching me. Judging me...
"Okay, listen here, you glorified wooden box, I'm not in the mood for haunted furniture!"
I wasted no time in yanking my tracksuit out and taking a few careful steps backward, just in case the wardrobe decided to lunge at me or something. Who knows? This is a fantasy world, after all. If monsters of all kinds exist, possessed furniture can't be that far-fetched!
And then, as I was getting dressed, something ELSE flew past me.
A watering can.
Just casually floating by like it was on a Sunday stroll. It wobbled through the air and started watering the flowers all on its own.
...WHAT!?
I blinked in shock. The watering can continued its little routine as if it were perfectly normal.
...I'm sorry, is this house haunted!? Because no one told me I'd be roaming around with a bunch of flying furniture!
Deciding that questioning it would only hurt my brain, I quickly finished dressing up and made my way towards the door. Coming out of my room, I could see that she had quite a stylish home. Although it was quite small, it had lots of plants and decorations.
Damn. Fancy.
I thought to myself. The place smelled faintly of herbs and something vaguely mystical, like someone had bottled the essence of "enchantment" and sprinkled it around for aesthetic purposes.
Definitely a step up from the trashy apartments I was used to...
It wasn't long before Akane spotted me wandering around the house.
"Oh! Look at you, getting better by the second!"
"Haha, yeah, thanks to you." I replied, throwing in my best 'grateful patient' smile, even tho I wasn't feeling my very best... but I can't say that to the person who just saved my life!
"I'm glad to help! Come, sit with me. I'll make us some tea!" she said cheerfully, already ushering me toward the dining table before I could protest.
It was quite cozy, nicely decorated in all kinds of plants, probably for making potions or something, and furniture that seemed straight out of a fantasy world. Very fitting! The kitchen was just as cozy as the rest of the house. With lots of strange plants, some even moving, weird small glowing bottles, what seemed like ingredients for making potions, and cauldrons of all sizes. Some of the smaller items even floated lazily through the air, moving as if she commanded them.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" She smiles at me, noticing my curious and confused face.
"Y...yeah I'm uhh-" I duck my head as a small cauldron flies above me. "-not used to this kind of thing," I say, slightly shielding my head with my arms.
"Haha, I get that a lot," She chuckles. "Only the most powerful mages can do neat tricks like this. It's honestly fun to see the reactions of people who witness it for the first time!"
"It's sort of scary..." At this point, I was half-convinced that if I sneezed too hard, the furniture would scold me for making a mess.
"Haha, please don't be, they won't do any harm to you. Now, how about I give us something to drink... hmmm... ahh! This one!" She barely reaches a small box filled with what I'm guessing is the finest tea she has.
"Oh, you really don't have to go through the trouble," I said, trying to sound polite.
"No, no, it's my treat. You are my favourite patient after all~"
Aren't I the only one here?
"Well, if you insist," I said, not about to turn down free tea. I plopped down at the table as she bustled around preparing it.
"So, how long have you been a healer?" I ask her, trying to make some small talk.
"Oh, ever since I was a kid!" she replied cheerfully. "My mother was a healer, too. She taught me everything. How to make potions, how to heal wounds with magic, you know, all that fun stuff!" She explains to me as she picks up a picture that I guess is her mother. She looks at it with a smile for a bit and sighs deeply before putting it back.
Well, great, now I just ruined the mood!
She placed two cups onto the table and filled them up with tea.
"But I won't bore you with my whole life story, haha," she added with a laugh as she slid the cup across the table.
"Oh, no, no! I'd love to hear more," I said, waving my hand dramatically. "Besides, you did save my life and all. I, at least, owe you a listen."
Man... I really hope the tea isn't also sentient.
She smiled, then suddenly tilted her head.
"Actually... I do have a small question for you."
"Uhh, sure, what is it?"
"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked, eyes flicking to my tracksuit. "Your clothes look... different from anything I've seen before."
"Oh, this?" I glanced down at my incredibly out-of-place modern tracksuit and forced out a laugh. "Yeah, uh, I'm from the East! Y'know, long-distance traveler! I go from place to place, wandering the land, seeking new experiences, living life to the fullest-"
I say as I take a big sip of my tea.
"That's strange," she interrupted, with a look on her face like she was trying to remember something. "As far as I know, this city is the most eastern one on the continent."
"PFFFFFFTTT," I spit my tea out.
"Is something the matter?" She asked, with a surprised and worried look on her face, as I coughed and tried to catch my breath.
"Oh man... haha... this tea... is SUPER good!" I said, wiping my mouth and throwing her the most awkward thumbs-up in human history.
"Well, I'm glad you like it!"
"Say... how would one go about becoming a hero here?" I asked, leaning forward with a serious look in my eyes.
There has to be some organization that helps new people find work or otherwise supports them, right?
"A hero?" She blinked in confusion. "You mean an adventurer?"
"Yeah, yeah, that. Same thing really."
"Well, first, you would need to find the Adventurers Guild-"
"Ahhhh, ok, ok."
"-and once there, you have to register and get the adventurer's card, which officially makes you an adventurer!"
"Aha!"
I declared dramatically, downing the last of my tea in one overly theatrical gulp before setting the cup down with a decisive clink. "Then I shall retire for the night so that I may awaken fully rested for my grand quest tomorrow!"
"Haha, very well." She giggles and warmly smiles at me as she places her head on her arms, resting on the table. "Have a good night!"
"Uhh," I blush slightly. Her smile was way too warm and pure. I'm talking, dangerous levels of cute! "Y...yeah, you too!" And with that, I head off to bed.
Also... where the hell is Amelia all this time!?!?