“System, with the efficacy of this healing potion, can Elina truly be cured?”
“Responding to the Host, after careful analysis, this individual’s magical energy is in disarray, and their meridians are completely shattered. It seems someone employed exceptionally cruel methods to destroy their entire cultivation and magical meridians, thereby eradicating any future prospects in the Way of the Sword.”
“Moreover, the severe damage to their meridians has compromised their physical constitution, preventing them from undertaking even the slightest strenuous activity. This has, in essence, rendered them utterly useless.”
A sharp intake of breath escaped Leya.
‘To inflict such cruelty upon a girl so beautiful, kind, optimistic, and full of positive energy—it’s clear the person who did this truly possesses a vicious heart…’
Leya’s gaze upon Elina, therefore, held an even deeper mix of sympathy, pity, and admiration.
“Then, System…”
“There are methods to save her, but they are not recommended for the Host.”
“Uh… just tell me. I’ll decide based on the situation myself.”
Taking a sip of red wine, and glancing at Dean and Elina, who still appeared quite reserved, Leya spoke with a hint of helplessness.
Leya was undeniably a formidable individual. She abhorred being manipulated by anyone and vehemently rejected any command she found disagreeable.
She detested being refused and disliked others haggling with her even more.
However, only when dealing with the System could Leya not employ her usual mindset. This was because the System was unlike anyone else; its loyalty to her was absolute, its selflessness unquestionable, beyond any doubt.
Leya knew that every word from the System was genuinely for her benefit. Therefore, if possible, she truly wished to avoid any arguments with it, as it served no purpose.
She simply hoped the System would cooperate with her as much as possible, rather than opposing her.
“Sigh… fine…”
Speaking with a hint of resignation, the System said, “Using the purple potion can restore her physical constitution, bringing her body back to a normal person’s level. However, the magical meridians are more complex.”
“They would require the Host to expend a significant amount of divine power to repair them.”
“Divine power? But I can’t activate that yet, can I?”
“If you insist on proceeding, you could expend a High-Grade Divine Power Storage Card as a substitute.”
“…………”
“Host, there’s no need for surprise. Reconstructing meridians is inherently beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortals. Moreover, Elina’s magical meridians are numerous and richly endowed; their full recovery could elevate her to at least a [Lv4] level martial artist.”
“Thus, the cost of restoration is naturally very high, which is precisely why I do not recommend you proceed.”
At the System’s explanation, Leya instantly felt a bucket of cold water douse her rising enthusiasm, and she began to regain her composure.
She pondered, ‘Was Leya truly asking out of a sincere desire to aid Elina, embodying the spirit of doing good deeds without seeking recognition?’
‘Hmm, it must be admitted, there was certainly some of that. After all, Leya’s own background was quite similar to theirs, so to say she felt no sympathy at all would be false. However, just for that, to expend a High-Grade Divine Power Card, emmmmm…’
‘That’s a bit difficult…’
‘The value expended and the benefits gained were simply too disproportionate…’
Although it was true that Elina might reach [Lv4], to be honest, Leya, who possessed a Saber Transformation Card, didn’t really think much of [Lv4] martial artists.
Having once experienced Saber’s formidable power, Leya could confidently assert that, though she remained unaware of an Lv4’s exact prowess, a reasonable analogy suggested a decisive outcome.
If her Saber-transformed self were to challenge her nominal Lv3 master, Edwin, Leya was certain she would emerge victorious, and with considerable ease.
As a former King of Knights, even if only for a fleeting thirty minutes, Leya still possessed an undeniable wellspring of confidence and an aura of regal dominance.
So, if a character summoned by a Mid-Grade Transformation Card was already so powerful, what kind of monstrous individual would a High-Grade Transformation Card summon?
Perhaps those at that level could no longer even be called human…
It was precisely this thought that fueled Leya’s hesitation. Expending a High-Grade Divine Power Card to save Elina, who was barely on the cusp of a Mid-Grade Divine Power Card’s effect, felt incredibly extravagant given how scarce transformation cards were for her currently.
If she had more cards in the future, she wouldn’t mind, but right now, it was a bit…
“Miss?”
Watching Leya, head bowed, twirling her cutlery, seemingly lost in thought, Dean and Elina exchanged glances. Dean was the first to speak.
“Ah, oh… I apologize. I was lost in thought just now.”
“No, no, it’s fine, Miss, you don’t need to worry!”
“Alright, let’s not dwell on that. Dean, since your sister is ill, why haven’t you sought treatment at a hospital?”
“Uh… Miss, you might not know this, but my sister’s illness is incurable. It’s not even a matter of money.”
“The doctors say it’s theoretically impossible to cure, unless a miracle occurs. Otherwise, not even the highest-grade red potion could heal her.”
“I see…”
Leya sighed, looking at Dean, whose expression was deeply pained and despondent, wishing the illness had befallen him instead of his sister.
Beside him, Elina was equally dejected. Ultimately, Leya decided to help them, at least within a manageable scope.
Even if Elina were cured, having lost her magical meridians, she might not be of much use to Leya.
However, Leya felt it might be a matter of fate, that she had encountered this brother and sister.
“Actually, my family has an ancestral secret medicine. It’s rumored to have the effect of bringing people back from the brink of death, having once revived a terminally ill patient and cured their ailment completely.”
Of course, this entire statement was fabricated by Leya. As for anyone accusing her of exaggerating the potion’s effects? Leya would simply protest her innocence.
Based on the System’s data for the purple potion, achieving these results wasn’t difficult. Leya’s intention was merely to alleviate Dean and Elina’s doubts and bolster their confidence in the purple potion.
Indeed, just as Leya expected, upon hearing her words, bright lights flickered in the siblings’ eyes.
They stared in astonishment at the purple potion Leya produced from seemingly nowhere.
“As for your sister, restoring her to her original physical constitution, at least so she’s no longer this sickly, frail self—that much should be achievable.”
“What do you say? Do you believe my words?”
“This…”
“Believe it or not, the opportunity comes only once…”
“I, I want to try it!”
This time, Elina stepped forward and spoke first, not even waiting for Dean to open his mouth.
“Big brother was right! You truly are a kind-hearted angel, as benevolent as water!”
“…………”
“Because you have no reason to deceive us, do you?” Elina said with a smile.
Yet Leya couldn’t shake the feeling that she had heard similar words countless times before.
Placing the potion into Elina’s hands, Leya offered no further words, merely instructing with a poker face: “Three times a day, a small cup each time. Your injuries are internal and require slow recovery.”
“Rest well at home for the next few days. However, you must also understand that restoring your physique does not mean restoring your magical meridians. You should be quite clear on the reason, correct?”
Elina nodded. What more could she possibly ask for now? If she could truly become as Leya described, no longer resembling a cripple, Elina would willingly give anything for it.
No one could truly comprehend the depth of despair and agony felt by a former sword prodigy, a shining star of the kingdom, who had fallen to such a state, almost like a useless shell of a person.
Especially when she saw her brother leave early and return late each day, just to earn a copper or two to buy her food, sometimes even bearing bruises and swelling on his body.
This only intensified her feelings of powerlessness and her desperate yearning for salvation.
“Um, Miss, may I ask your name?”
“Hmm… just call me Leya.”
“Good! Miss Leya, Elina will truly never forget such immense kindness and generosity. If Elina is indeed fortunate enough to recover her physique as you’ve said…”
“…then in the future, I will certainly repay you, no matter the cost….”
As she spoke, two faint, round tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
“…………”
‘One does not easily shed tears, save when the heart is truly grieved.’
Moreover, Elina was inherently a beautiful and kind girl. Her former strong facade, to be frank, was merely a cover for her inner fragility.
In this regard, everyone was essentially the same.
Recalling all the moments of her past, and everything this girl, whom she had just met, was giving her, Elina was profoundly moved.
“Alright, Elina, stop with these dismal words. Since your body will be recovering from now on, how can you not eat more?
“And Dean, if you don’t eat, will your sister truly be at ease eating?”
“This… Miss Leya… I… I truly don’t know how to thank you. Since my sister has already said so, if you don’t mind, I could actually become your servant, should you ever have need of me!”
“Tsk, I’m telling you, you two siblings are truly something… Ugh! Alright, alright, Elina, stop crying, okay? Let’s eat, eat…”