The numbers of kobolds thinned quickly. I didn't think that they would fall that fast, but the power behind my |Ashen Arrow| and Fina's skills surprised me.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
("Oh, nice.") [Solace]
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
("Another one? Pretty good-") [Solace]
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
("Uh… How many-") [Solace]
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. You have gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
This continued on for about an entire minute. By the time it was all over, I was at a whopping level of 18.
"...Just a few more." [Fina]
She faced the last kobolds with a killing glare, causing them to take a few steps out of fear.
("Yikes… I never thought someone like her could make such a face…") [Solace]
The kobolds growled at Fina, but she didn't budge. All she did was take a single step towards them, making them quite literally turn tail.
("There they go…") [Solace]
Running with their tail behind their legs, the kobolds went deeper into the cave. At long last, we had a moment of rest.
"That… was amazing." [Jai]
"Thank you. Can you stand?" [Fina]
She walked over to Jai and held out a hand, but he simply shook his head.
"Not yet. I'll need to rest a bit." [Jai]
Jai looked over to both his sides, observing the state of his comrades.
"Fina, you wouldn't happen to know any healing magic… would you?" [Jai]
He nodded a head towards Nash, whose breathing seemed to get heavier by the second.
"...I do, but it won't work on Nash." [Fina]
"I-It wont?! I thought it fixed everything!" [Jai]
Fina sighed at Jai. She looked at him as if he was stupid, and I would if I had eyes, but I also thought healing magic kind of fixed everything.
"Nash is currently suffering from mana deficiency. The treatment and symptoms were taught in class a few days ago for me. You're a third year student, correct?" [Fina]
"Y… Yeah? I mean… I would remember, but…" [Jai]
"But you weren't paying attention." [Fina]
Jai seemed to be embarrassed. He promptly shut up while avoiding eye contact, which would probably be something I would do too if I were to be called out like that.
"Anyway, the treatment of mana deficiency is simple. We could either feed him a mana potion, or directly inject mana through skin contact." [Fina]
"I-I think I might have a mana potion in my pouch!" [Jai]
Having said that, Jai quickly brought out a sack that rattled with items inside.
"It should be about here- Huh?!" [Jai]
His face was panic stricken, causing Fina to raise a brow.
"What's wrong?" [Fina]
She leaned over to get a closer look within the darkness of the cave, revealing a sack full of shattered glass and strange liquids mixed together.
"...We can't use this." [Fina]
"I-Is there any chance that you have one too?" [Jai]
Fina shook her head with a pained expression on her face.
"I do have one, but I cannot give it to Nash." [Fina]
"What?! Why?!" [Jai]
"According to dungeon laws, a dungeon clearer must keep one mana potion in reserve for personal use." [Fina]
"W-wait! Then it should be fine then! I haven't seen you use a single potion since we entered, surely you have more than one mana potion...?" [Jai]
Jai spoke frantically, clearly displaying his desperation.
"I apologize. I only brought one. I mainly use daggers to fight, so I rarely need to use a mana potion for recovery." [Fina]
Jai was shocked. Tears began to pour down his face, and he lowered himself to the floor.
("What is he doing…?") [Solace]
Slamming his forehead against the ground, Jai put his hands forwards to mimic the form of prostration.
"Please...! Make one exception! Just this once…!" [Jai]
He was desperate, frighteningly so. I had no clue behind the relationship between Nash and Jai, but it didn't seem very simple.
"I… can't. Although, I am willing to inject mana as long as you take responsibility." [Fina]
Jai's face lit up with hope. He lifted his head off the ground with glee, showing Fina and I his bloodied forehead.
"I will! I'll do anything you ask! Please, just save him!" [Jai]
His willingness was overbearing. It was like I could feel the energy gushing out of him.
"Um... Okay…" [Fina]
Fina seemed a bit weirded out by Jai, but she ignored it and turned her attention to Nash.
"First, I'm going to remove his shirt." [Fina]
"Huh?!" [Jai]
("Hah?!") [Solace]
Disregarding Jai's reaction, Fina promptly unlocked any gear on his torso and took off his shirt.
"W-woah! I thought you were saving him!" [Jai]
"I am. Be quiet so I can focus. If I mess up, then he might become unable to use magic again." [Fina]
That was when Jai shut his mouth. Now that he was simply observing, Fina made Nash lie down on his stomach.
"This should do." [Fina]
Fina sat by Nash's side, placing her hands on his back. Moments later, a dim light began to shine around them.
"Let's hope this works." [Fina]