David said, "The healer is here. And I heard you were acquainted as well." It was Lumos.
Liebe said, "Hey, man. How are you?"
Lumos said, "OK, I guess."
Liebe said, "I'm glad to know. Can you do a quick check-up and like, heal all my wounds as much as possible?"
Lumos sighed and said, "Sure. Let's see how bad your wounds are right now after getting your asses handed to you by every big shot in the nation."
Liebe said, "Hey, I won those fights."
Lumos said, "Fine. Just remove your uniform."
Liebe said, "Sure." As Liebe removed his uniform, his body was covered in wounds.
Lumos said, "Your body looks bad. Even though more than 60 hours have passed since the battle, yet it seems the wounds are still fresh."
Liebe said, "Well, yeah. Arcame Prison doesn't exactly have the word 'human' in it."
Lumos said, "But you know, healing magic. And on top of that, your magic ability can heal your body greatly. Without it, you should be dead. But right now—"
Liebe said, "Well, the thing is, my magic ability—Vanadis Eilífa Áin—is dependent on my will to live. But right now, that is basically nonexistent. And for the same reason, I haven't healed myself. I was kinda using the pain to keep my mind off things, so you know."
Lumos said, "I can clearly see that."
As Lara, Licht, and Gelda came in:
Licht said, "So you finally got out of prison. So what's the plan?"
Liebe said, "To save the kid and for me to go back inside."
Licht said, "OK. And what do you want me to do?"
Liebe said, "Nothing. I can handle this alone."
Licht said, "Come on, don't be like that. I'm bored without you. I don't have any fun missions to go on."
Liebe said, "Later. And Lara, I'm fighting Envy. Tell me everything about string magic since you have it as well. Teach me all, but just bullet points, please."
Lara said, "Alright."
Lumos said, "Liebe, I checked your body—"
Liebe said, "Good. So when can I sortie?"
Lumos said, "That's the thing. Your body is in bad shape. Every wound is still fresh. In fact, after your battle with Professor Lilith, I'm having trouble finding bones in your body that aren't broken. All your ribs are basically shattered. Your spine is damaged but holding. Your hands and legs are also broken. Your neck is barely holding. Your skull is fractured as well. I can use magic to heal your wounds, but fractures take time. Magic can help in regeneration, and that's all magic can do. But your magic power can regrow limbs, even if it's only limited to your body. But right now, without it, you need at least 3 months of bed rest. How have you even been walking? Fighting? How is your body not shattered? With what we have right now, your body won't make it in a fight against a Sin. I'm surprised it's managed to hold on for so long. I strongly advise you don't fight—just take the princess and escape."
Liebe said, "Come on, you know I can't do that. Plus, even if this battle is my last, I will still fight and win."
As Lumos began healing him:
Lumos said, "Don't blame me if you don't make it."
Licht said, "Light Magic: Saint's Light."
Lumos said, "Licht, what are you—"
Licht said, "Two healers are better than one, I guess."
Liebe said, "Gelda, get me painkillers. And Lara, my notes."
Lara said, "Mainly, basically, the most effective way to use string magic for offense is thin, sharp strings. For defense, strong strings. If it's in a closed environment, a string magic user can have a heavy advantage. Not to mention, they can set traps. And well, it's hard to dodge string magic attacks normally with eyes. So the best way is to simply close your eyes and use mana resonance to see where they planted the strings. That's it, in bullet points."
Liebe said, "Got it. And Lara, use your strings to tie my bones together, OK? And make it tight."
Lara said, "Understood. String Magic: Pierce Force!" As her strings pierced through Liebe's skin and went inside and tied his fractured bones together.
Liebe said, "Thank you, Lara. Fighting a Sin with string magic really does seem like a walk in the park when you have literally the second best string magic user in the world."
Lara said, "Oh, come on, Acting Captain. You are too much."
Liebe said, "Come on, it's not like that. And more importantly, these were the basic stuff we practiced."
Lara said, "That was as kids. It's basically second nature."
Gelda said, "Oh, then what's spatial magic? I thought I was quite thorough on my lesson."
Liebe said, "Come on, Gelda, you know it's not like that."
Gelda said, "It appears I may have to drill the lesson back into your head after this, if you are forgetting spatial magic and its counters. You might be lacking."
Licht said, "Please, you two. Let the poor guy go. He just got out of prison."
Liebe said, "You guys leave. I need to have a word with Licht and Lumos."
As they left:
Lumos said, "Liebe, your body can't take so much strain. And now using strings to keep it together? I will be honest, Liebe—there is a chance this battle may be your final one. Even if string magic was your own attribute, and you knew it inside out—that I suppose you do—your body can't last too long. You need to be on rest, especially in a fight like this."
Liebe said, "I'm aware of the risks. I can feel it. Thanks for the painkillers. And Lumos, I will keep my promise. The day half-breeds like us can live in equality isn't far. For it's a future that has just begun."
Lumos said, "Alright then."
Licht said, "Hey, Liebe. You sure you don't need our help?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. You guys must be busy. I understand."
Licht said, "Come back alive. Our journey is just beginning."
Liebe said, "Yeah. But maybe a part of me—a deep part of me—wants to end my adventure here. I feel like my life has fulfilled its meaning."
Licht punched Liebe in the gut and said, "Shut the crap. End this battle and come back. Or else—or else my life won't have a purpose. Remember our promise: to be the strongest and to be the fastest?"
Liebe said, "Alright then. Also, make sure your Microsoft doesn't become Macro Hard while I'm away."
Licht said, "Still hate that joke."
Liebe said, "It's a face, idiot."
Meanwhile, on the outside, Gelda cried hearing those words.
Gelda thought, Why, Lilith? Why did you have me raise that boy? Why did you have me shape him into a hero? Just why? So that you could kill him off at the slightest inconvenience? Why, Lilith? If Liebe dies here, I can never forgive you.
Meanwhile, in the Empire:
Helios signed to Alysa: Hello. I'm Helios.
Alysa signed back: You know sign? Since when?
Helios signed: I needed to for family. But I felt like it.
Alysa signed: I can actually talk, but I'm introverted, so talking is hard.
Helios signed: I understand.
As Helios lost attention:
Alysa signed: Helios, are you OK?
Helios signed back: I need to use the washroom in 46 minutes and 34 seconds. I'm on my period.
Alysa signed: So you are a girl? And that was a bit too specific.
Helios signed back: Yes, I am. Why do—
Alysa signed back: Yes, you do indeed look like a boy.
Helios said, "Sorry for the misunderstanding."