The next day quickly arrived.
Hans was standing outside the door, along with 2 other person I have never seen before. One was a young man, he has a green robe and wear a white shirt underneath. He was blindfolded and his head was covered by a hood.
The other was a woman. Her long purplish hair and her purple dress and beautiful fair skin gives her a mature feeling. She doesn't have a blindfold, revealing her grey eyes. It's hard to discern her age from her appearance.
I was glad that Hans was able to fulfill my sudden request. I felt bad about rushing him but it couldn't be help. I was in a very strange state yesterday. My thoughts were chaotic as if affected by something yet nothing felt out of place at the same time.
The strange state only lasted for several minutes but that was enough to set off alarms in my mind.
Thanks to Nasha explaining beforehand, the kids weren't startled by the 2 sudden appearance. They were curious about the new presences but kept their distance. Nasha took them out on a walk, leaving the 4 of us alone in the house.
"Shall we start?" Hans asked.
I wanted to start immediately, however there was a problem.
"... how do we do this?"
"Ah! I forgot to tell you didn't I!"
After slapping his face for his own mistake, Hans explained the process to me.
"It's really simple. This miss right here is a perseverance wizard, call her Roo. She can steadily damage your soul with her special poison, making it easy to control the damage.
After she's done, the kindness wizard will heal back your soul. We can repeat this process until you are satisfied."
The plan indeed sounds very simple. After I gave my confirmation, everything was quickly set in motion. I laid on my bed with miss Roo sitting next to me. She hold my arm with one hand, and a small purple needle appeared on the other. The needle glow ominously, subconsciously making me retreats back. I couldn't though as she was still holding my arm.
She spoke, her voice smooth and soft like a warm spring breeze.
"Please don't underestimate soul damage. If anything is wrong, tell us right away."
"Yes ma'am."
Sensing that I was ready, she slowly push the needle into my arm. She muttered quietly.
"This might hurt..."
What cut her off was a sharp pain across my body. The pain was much worse than what a syringe or needle could cause. It felt like my entire was stabbed and my face contorted in pain. The pain stopped right after, changing place with a green glow. A green barrier covered my entire body, relieving me of any pain I had.
"Are you fine?"
"Hah... I'm... hah... fine."
It took me several minutes of rest to heal back to normal. Unfortunately, the damage wasn't enough to achieve the necessary effects. Even so, I felt something happening in my soul. I can only hope it's a good sign.
"We can start again."
"Alright."
The needle was once again inserted into my arm. This time, I could hold on for nearly a minute. Now I was sure I'm on the right path. The longer the damage, the more the soul react.
"Again."
I grit my teeth to endure it. This time I lasted for a whole minute. It was close. Whatever is happening to my soul is very close to being done. I need to last a bit more, just a bit more.
"Again."
However Roo warned me, her expression tell me she wasn't pleased.
"Listen kid. Any further and it might cause serious damage. Even a top healer might not be able to heal you if the worst happen."
I hesitated. Should I continue?
'Why... why do I feel the need to continue?'
A strong feeling of determination assured me, telling me this was the right path. It doesn't seem to be mine. Nevertheless I pressed through anyway.
"Please continue."
Roo still didn't move, waiting for another person. Hans sighed loudly.
"You heard him. Please continue... haaah... Nasha is going to kill me."
The familiar pain assaulted me again. 30 seconds. 45 seconds. 1 minute. I could feel my soul responding.
1 minute and 5 seconds. The pain got worse. This time, I felt like thousands of knives is chopping me alive. 1 minute and 8 seconds. My nose was now bleeding. 1 minute and 10 seconds. My head got dizzy.
1 minute and 12 seconds. I did it.
Right after, I fainted on the spot.
~•~•~•~
Looking at the boy with a bloody nose laying peacefully on the bed, Hans felt a bit guilty.
He should have stopped this sooner, much sooner but he couldn't. How could he after witnessing something like that.
After the one minute mark, Ken body started shining, the brightness intensified overtime. His body started turning translucent, the red color was like magma. It makes Hans felt like he was staring at the sun.
The kindness wizard quickly went to heal the boy, leaving the other 2 to discuss on their own. Roo look at the boy with interest.
"So. This is the 'determination' you wanted to show me."
"Not 'show' but you 'discovered' it on your own." Hans said curtly.
"Yeah yeah. Just tell me what you need help with."
"Bring him and the others to the capital."
"Right on the money huh."
"People are still suspicious of me, more so since I'm coming here more often. That's why I need you." Hans said annoyed.
"It's understandable. You have quite a history with her after all."
Hans glared at Roo but since she was blind there was no response.
"Anyway you in or no?"
"Haha. What if I said no?"
"Well I'm sure you won't go blabbering about it. Having an enraged Nasha could spell the end of the country right now."
"I can go to other country, we are still the wizard council members remember?"
"And let countless die?" Hans asked, his voice was cold.
Roo didn't response to his word. Instead she change the topic.
"So what do I get out of this?"
"My love and affection?" Hans said innocently.
Roo laughed loudly. She said mockingly.
"Sorry hun, I belong to someone else."
Hans shook his head 'regretfully', his voice was 'filled with sorrow'.
"Oh what a shame. How can you deny me so straightforwardly."
"If you are so devastated why not talk to him then?" Roo said, nudging her head at the healer.
Hans put his hand up, smiling wryly.
"8% of my treasures."
"17%"
"That's quite a lot don't y-"
"18%"
"Wait! 18% is fine."
Roo mouth curled into a friendly smile, her expression was like that of a caring neighbor. It was a smile that made Hans wanted to punch her without caring about consequences. But he was a gentleman so how could he do that?
"It can't be help, he's quite the liability."
It was then that the man approached them, his blindfold was now gone revealing brilliant emerald eyes.
"He's okay. In fact, his soul started healing by itself so I didn't need to do much." His voice contained curiosity.
"Thanks sweeties."
"Glad you helped Jay."
"Well, we better get going or else things might get ugly. As for the request, it'll take around 7 to 8 years, that's fine with you?"
"It's perfect. I'll take care of other matters."
The 2 left the house, leaving Hans to tend to Ken.
He has to make sure Nasha won't notice anything or else he won't be coming back here anytime soon.