Sylvana watched as the kid finished arranging all the equipment with meticulous care.
"There's basically no cure for what you were inflicted with," Alex said.
'Then what are you attempting?' Sylvana countered inwardly.
"At least no normal cure. That's why I went into that damn jungle—looking for the one thing that could actually cure you."
'What?' Sylvana thought. 'And what is this grand ingredient you needed so badly that it made you, oh valiant tier-one mage, brave danger itself?' She found his tone amusing.
Then, against all expectations, Alex pulled out something that made her choke on her own thoughts.
A crystalline tear rested in his hand, and the mana of the entire chamber stirred. Bluish-green threads of energy drifted toward it as if drawn by instinct.
"Of course, the only thing that can counter a legendary poison is legendary healing. This is the Saint's Tear—a legendary ingredient that can heal any injury, poison, or disease, but only once in a lifetime."
Sylvana had no words. How could a kid acquire something like that?
'You're willing to use that on me? Even though it could get you anything you want?' she wondered, feeling a sudden, unexpected respect for him. Her hope surged for the first time in centuries.
'First, I thought you were going to give me the most embarrassing ending imaginable. Yet you might be my only chance at recovery. Truly, never judge by appearances,' Sylvana told herself.
"But this alone can't heal you. You're probably so weak that the full force of the Tear would kill you instead of heal you."
'Then what? Are you here simply to torture me with possibilities?' Sylvana couldn't tell if he was helping or tormenting her.
'Stop pulling my expectations up and down!' she wanted to shout.
"That's why I ransacked a legendary alchemist's secret stash—to get the plants needed to heal you," Alex added casually.
'What the fuck…' Sylvana thought, thoroughly blindsided.
"Haha, I only took three plants out of all he had, so I hope he doesn't get too angry," Alex said with a laugh.
'You're insane, kid,' Sylvana concluded. 'But now I'm even more confused why you'd go this far for someone you supposedly hate.'
"You see, the concoction you need is practically made of ancient-class plants and a legendary one. Maybe that's why your family gave up on you. Just the ancient ones are a nightmare to get—never mind the Saint's Tear, which can only exist in one copy at a time."
'I see,' Sylvana thought, her mind heavy.
"You know, I actually met your niece. I doubt you even knew you had one, right?"
'OH! My sister got married!? I can't believe it!' Sylvana was stunned. Her sister had always been quiet and distant.
'I wonder what she was like. Did you like her?' she wondered.
"Her guard almost killed my sister," Alex said flatly.
'I'll be damned… No wonder you hate nobles.' Sylvana had no rebuttal.
"But Vanessa intervened to stop her. So I guess she's a good woman," Alex continued, unaware she was listening.
'I swear, kid, when I wake up, I'm going to spank you into next week,' Sylvana hissed internally. At least she learned her niece's name—Vanessa. 'That's a lovely name,' she admitted.
Alex went quiet. When she focused on him again, he was already crafting the potion. Waves of mana rippled outward from his work, filling the chamber.
He moved with unbroken focus, carefully following each step. After what felt like hours, he poured a white potion streaked with blue and pink into a container. It glimmered softly.
"I hope you're as pristine as everyone in the capital claimed you were," Alex said, his expression shifting to something more serious.
'Didn't you go to school? My achievements were textbook material while I was still walking,' Sylvana thought.
"You know, there's a storm brewing—not the ordinary kind. If left alone, it'll destroy the realm. So I hope you'll put your reputation to use and help defend the world… for my family, for your family, for everyone's," Alex said, then fell silent.
'I see. So that's why you went through all this trouble, even putting aside your hatred. But how did you learn about such things?' Sylvana wondered. She refused to believe he risked so much for nothing.
A bubble of water formed and wrapped around her, covering her body entirely except her nose.
'You're using water to unfreeze me? This ice has kept me stable for centuries—it's going to take ages,' she thought.
Alex realized the same. He took several mana potions and continued channeling, gradually adding wind mana to make the water rotate. The temperature exchange sped up.
'Clever,' she judged.
After five hours, and half a box of mana potions, Sylvana was finally unfrozen.
She watched Alex approach with the potion.
"Excuse me," he said softly.
'You're excused,' she answered silently.
He gently opened her mouth, poured the potion in, tilted her head so she could swallow, then stepped back.
Sylvana felt the effects immediately—warmth, strength, clarity. Her body mended faster than she had dared imagine.
Excitement rushed through her. She wanted to leap up and embrace the kid—her savior.
'Who would have thought? I swear, I'll not let down your expectations.'
She wanted to wake up already, to speak, to ask questions. But recovery demanded time.
Alex set a box of potions beside her, put his mask back on, and prepared to leave.
'Wait. Don't leave!' she wanted to scream. She wanted his name, at least.
But he walked away, and she was frozen again—this time only by helplessness.
Hours passed before Sylvana finally opened her eyes. Her body felt stiff and drained of mana, but with determination, she stood and looked at the box he'd left. On top was a folded note.
"I don't know if any of these are strong enough to affect someone like you, but try them anyway. It's on the house."
"You are one amusing kid," Sylvana murmured with a small smile. "And our paths will cross again. You know far too much."
She uncorked a mana potion and drank. "For a low-class potion, this is excellent quality."
She drank several more—stamina, anti-stiffness, circulation boosters. It seemed the kid had prepared for every possibility.
Feeling steadier, she flexed her fingers, then made a cutting motion through the air.
Space split open.
Without hesitation, she stepped into the breach and vanished.