Elizabeth and Freon turned to look at the woman, who was somewhat dazed. She was not like them. They had endured great trials and tribulations to get to where they were. Elizabeth had endured her Core's destruction from the Lannisail explosion, and Freon had endured the premature awakening of his Bloodline Ability from Protector Avin's methods. There was also the battle with Emperor Lianghu, their run-in with the Whispering Shadow, and even the Battle of Liguang. They had gone through so much, that their mental strength had already far exceeded what a normal person could achieve. Although Ten Dawn Iris may be one of the human world's ten supreme Arcanists, she was far from reaching their level in that regard. It took her a lot longer before she returned to normal again.
"Your Highness?" Ten Dawn Iris asked in confusion. She had no idea what was happening.
"We don't have time to spare. Please heal us first."
"…Is the reason my body feels fine the product of Freon Adnire's spell?"
"It is. Is that a problem?"
"No, it's just that…" She coughed red. "My injuries are graver than expected. Although my body might feel fine, I know it's an illusion. I can't cast any spells like this."
"Then, is there any way you could teach us your spells?" Elizabeth quickly thought up a solution.
However, Freon knew the answer already. Ten Dawn Iris was famed for her particularly superior Magic Perception, even amongst the Ten Dawns. This, combined with her unique Bloodline Ability, allowed her to perform extremely precise and delicate work on the Core and Channels, thus earning her the title of the White Healer. It was not something that he or Elizabeth could replicate in a short time nor was it something they should attempt either. The risks involved were simply too great as the tiniest miscalculation could transform their medicine into the strongest poison. If they wanted to court death, then this might be the best way to do it. At the very minimum, they needed to be Condensed Drop Arcanists with a fully developed Magic Perception to try. They were not even there yet. Therefore, it was pointless to ask Ten Dawn Iris for her spells. They were completely incapable of using them.
It seemed like the woman came to the same conclusion and began, "Your Highness, I don't think that is-"
"Your concern is that our Magic Perceptions won't be strong enough to utilize your spells, but I'm not trying to heal other people. I'm trying to stabilize our own conditions first. That way, our Magic Perception won't be an issue," Elizabeth explained. "Freon's spell, Verdant Apathy, has a time limit. Once that expires, then we'll revert to how we were before. That's why we need to act quickly while we have the chance. Are there any simple spells with an immediate effect that you could teach us?"
The Ten Dawn closed her eyes and focused. Considering her spells' simplicity, effectiveness, and energy consumption, as well as Elizabeth and Freon's particular affinities and Core Levels, she organized the plethora of spells in her head. As the White Healer, she knew almost every healing spell in the Zino Kingdom, so there were countless options to sort through. It would have taken a normal person close to an hour to go through them all, yet she reached a conclusion in an instant. It was a shocking feat! Her Core might have waned, but she kept her title as the world's greatest expert in magic healing! She was certainly worthy of it.
"I have two spells. Your Highness, this is the High Gaseous Fog wind-type spell, Bounded Wheel. It creates a cycle between the Magic Energy inside your body with the World Energy outside. Through this method, it should slowly cleanse your Core and Channels of any impurities. Here is the Magic Circle." Using her finger, she drew the complex Magic Circle in the dirt. She then turned to address Freon. "This is for you, the High Gaseous Fog fire-type spell, Heavy Needle. It creates a tiny 'needle' of Magic Energy inside your Channels that you can use to correct any damage. It's more effective than Bounded Wheel, but also more dangerous. Be careful when you use it. This is the Magic Circle."
Her voice could hardly be heard over the intense battle raging around them. Although the surrounding soldiers, Sir Winstin, and the Royal Guards formed a grand defense, that was not an absolute. It would only take one single enemy to break through, and the balance would be broken. Time was of the essence! This urged Elizabeth and Freon to begin practicing the spells in their minds. They had to be certain that their execution was perfect; however, Ten Dawn Iris was left with doubts. This environment was far too hectic and dangerous to concentrate deeply, so it was unlikely that they could do it. She gave them High Gaseous Fog spells, despite having Peak and Half-Condensed Drop spells at her disposal, because she anticipated their chances of a backlash would be high. She had already assumed they would fail.
A horrible death cry entered her ears and sent shivers down her back. People were dying in droves, while she sat around and did nothing. The guilt mounted in her. Looking at her wand pensively, she debated putting her life on the line too, except… she was afraid. Of course, who would not be? Life was short but filled with infinite potential. There was so much left to experience, especially for someone as young as her. No one wanted to die… Unfortunately, the thought of Ten Dawn Krogan's sacrifice passed through her mind. He was the same as her, was he not? He was young too, and he had so many things left to do. His future was boundless! However, that ended with the Battle of Liguang… Nearly everyone had perished in the Battle of Liguang, and who was left? A coward who was too afraid to make the same sacrifice. She felt ashamed and guilty for having survived in their place. The weight almost broke her. She was completely lost.
When she looked at Elizabeth and Freon though, they were like the light at the end of the tunnel. Who were they? One was a princess, the former heir apparent, and the second most powerful person in the Alzar Kingdom. With her position, she could have gone anywhere or done anything she pleased. She only had to say the words and the world would bend to her will. It was truly her stage to shine! However, here Elizabeth was, a girl who should have never stepped on the battlefield, much less fought with her life on the line… She struggled and climbed the ranks from a simple Low Gaseous Fog Arcanist to the pinnacle of Half-Condensed Drop in less than two years. Her story was an inspiration for everyone.
It was the same with Freon. His sister, Ten Dawn Nassandra, was a once-in-a-generation genius, an absolute monster of Magic Potential, who became the youngest person in history to achieve Condensed Drop. Everyone naturally looked to him to be the same apex figure… yet he was not. He was a failure by every definition of the word. Everyone, including Ten Dawn Iris, thus held him in disdain. They never once thought he would amount to anything and eventually forgot his existence entirely. However, here Freon was, the boy who everyone labelled as useless. He rose the ranks like Elizabeth to become a Half-Condensed Drop and stand alongside the Ten Dawns as one of the army's leading figures! No one could ignore his presence now!
Ten Dawn Iris's fingers curled around her wand. Elizabeth and Freon… They pressed on despite the countless challenges they faced. Even now, as the odds were stacked against them, they never stopped. They never gave up. They continued fighting until their very last breath! In the face of that overwhelming determination and willpower, anyone would feel motivated to do the same, and indeed, she felt the same way. Her worries and troubles seemed insignificant now. If they could do it, why could she not? A fire reignited in her heart. No matter how small the chance seemed, she would fight for the future alongside them! Her newfound determination translated into her Magic Aura as it flared violently, startling Elizabeth and Freon, who were confused by her sudden change. They never could have imagined that they were responsible for it.