I had the ability to power most of the runes myself. The mental runes to detect her condition and find her injuries, the gray mana necessary to activate it, and the transference mana necessary to push all my mana into those runes.
I didn’t have the most critical type: life mana to cause the actual healing.
But I did have three beautiful Class 3 life gems from a trio of slimes.
It was experimental. I’d never seen a healing item that activated when shook. I didn’t know if it would work, and if it did, I knew there was a chance that triggering it would detect me as the injured party if I just shook it over her.
So, with the utmost care, I charged all of the runes, set the now-enchanted rock on top of Vera’s back, and shook her body.
I turned on my attunement.
It was working.
Golden life energy was flowing from the rock into her back, and then across it, finding the bullet wounds. I didn’t know if it would expel the bullets, but if nothing else, it seemed to be repairing some of the damage.
I didn’t have the medical expertise to know if it would have been wise to try to dig in for the bullets with some kind of implement, so I didn’t try.
I still had every confidence the situation could get worse at any time.
And so, the next thing I did was pick up the Jaden Box and my flask of endless water.
With them in hand, I pushed my way over to the closest bloodstain I could find. I drizzled water onto the blood and then used my hand to sweep as much of the mix as I could into the box.
I closed the lid of the box. “Summon Katashi.”
Nothing happened.
So, I swept the liquid out, found another spot, and swept that in.
Closing my eyes, I tried again.
“Summon Katashi.”
A felt an overwhelming burst of pressure and fell to my knees.
When I opened my eyes, Katashi was floating above me. He turned his gaze downward, his eyes narrowing as he assessed my condition.
“Corin Cadence. You would be wise to speak your reason for this insolence.”
I pointed a hand toward Vera’s fallen body. “I brought Vera here like you asked, but she’s badly hurt and I don’t know if my item will be enough to save her.”
Katashi looked at Vera, then back to me. “How did this come to be?”
“Ah, yeah, you’re not going to like that. You were absolutely right. There were people in the government working to keep both Vera and Tenjin’s locations concealed. One of them was Professor Orden,” I pointed at her body. “She acted like she was helping us, then stabbed us in the back half way through. As you can see, we barely survived the confrontation.”
Katashi nodded his head. “Then, given the circumstances, I will forgive your insolence in summoning me — though I am curious as to how you managed such a feat. You are no Summoner, and even if you were, my mark on your hand should not have been a sufficient bond.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but his eyes turned to the box in my hands and he spoke again. “The Jaden Box. I had thought it lost forever. We will speak of this more when I have assured that Vera will survive.”
“If it isn’t too much to ask, can you please heal my companions as well? Sera and Derek at least. They meant no harm. And Jin, well,” I turned my head in his direction.
Jin was gone.
I turned on my attunement immediately, searching for him. If he was invisible, I could probably catch a hint of his aura.
But no, he was completely gone.
And so was the return bell.
I’d never sealed this room against teleportation.
And I’d made him an item that dampened sound.
I grit my teeth. “Never mind Jin. Can you please help Sera and Derek as well?”
“Any who were harmed in the service of the task that I gave to you will be healed.” Katashi pronounced.
He floated over to Vera first, landing and kneeling down.
He stared at my rock for a minute curiously, reached down, then seemed to change his mind and left it there.
Even gods can’t comprehend my enchanting skills.
I laughed in spite of myself, feeling a fresh surge of pain.
Katashi, fortunately, ignored my outburst.
He pressed his hands against Vera’s back. A surge of blue energy enveloped her. I watched as bullets appeared in the air above her. He’d teleported them out. In another moment, they fell, and he continued to pour mana into her.
Vera stirred, not waking, but her breathing seemed to ease.
Katashi rose and floated to Derek next. It wouldn’t have been my choice, but I didn’t complain.
He knelt and put a hand on Derek’s shoulder.
“This one does not require my help. He is simply fatigued and frostbitten. He is strong. He will recover on his own.”
I nodded.
Katashi landed next to Sera, putting a hand on her back.
And he frowned.
“This... She has been deeply scarred from the overuse of mana.”
Katashi turned his head toward me, shaking it slightly.
“I can treat her pain and save her life, but I cannot heal her entirely. Perhaps my sister could, but this is beyond my abilities. I will do what I can.”
A blue glow washed over Sera. She sighed, seeming to relax, but I winced at Katashi’s words.
He turned toward me. “It is not often that I am incapable of granting a request to one who has done me a service, but her wounds are deep. She may never speak properly again. When this is concluded, I will see to it that she receives recompense for her sacrifice.”
I considered his words. “You mentioned a sister that might be able to help. Can you tell me which one you spoke of?”
The visage nodded. “If it is healing for your sister you seek, Ferras may be able to aid you.”
I nodded. Ferras was the Visage of Creation. It made sense that she would be even more potent as a healer than other visages. “Thank you, Visage.”
The visage stood up to his full height, looming over me once again. “You have completed your duty in bringing Vera to me, but my brother remains missing. You claim that this Orden was involved in keeping him from me; I will now find the truth of your words.”
Katashi floated over to where Orden had fallen.
This time, he did not kneel to treat her wounds.
He raised a hand — and she floated, suspended in the air, still unconscious.