The red light that appeared in the room left as quickly as it came. My head was strangely light. I touched it, and I realized it was finally gone. I got used to it in the past months, but I was still delighted not to have to wear it at all times.
I was relieved for a second till I remembered what Baruba had said. There may be second effects.
My heart started to pound loudly.
' what should I do ?'
I waited for ten seconds, then a minute, then Ten minutes. However, nothing happened.
' I should go to the lake to see if I got anything on my face, but I can't move with this wound.'
I ended up doing nothing till Ulga, our healer, came.
She was startled when she saw me.
" Who are you ? And where is Yalak ? Oh, wait, you've taken off your mask, but why do you have tattoos on your head ?"
" It's the mask. Baruba made it. It has taken its tattoo form, I think."
" Oh! So that's a Baruba thing. Hmm"
"Anyway, I wanted to tell you I have good you'll be able to come home tomorrow and should be fully healed in three days."
" In three days only !" I said, quite surprised.
"Yes, three days. I'm as surprised as you. You have a great regenerative system ! Other young orcs would take a week."
' A week, it's already short ! But not surprising considering we are orcs.' After thinking a bit more about it, it should be the wisps of energy seeded up my recovery.
" Get some rest for now, I'll see you tomorrow."
The next day, I was feeling better. The girls came to fetch me and brought me back home. They were surprised to see me without masks, so I told them what happened.
I really couldn't stand doing anything all day long. Besides, I was feeling well enough to walk around. But the main reason why I wanted to move is that I couldn't wait to see the face Baruba would do when he'll see I have succeeded in retracting his mask. I suspect his experience to be a success but to be sure. There weren't any adverse effects. I had to see him. And finally, I was too curious.
Like last time the door of his house was opened, so I entered without any hesitation. I went directly to his workshop as he most likely was there, but to my surprise, he wasn't there. I finally found him in another room on the other side of the living room.
What was funny is that I found him in the same condition as before, but this time he is working on a costume. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait an hour before he finished his work.
[Baruba POV]
I was working on the future and handsome costume of Cyfrin when a little rascal came to interrupt my work.
Sogh 'This guy should be resting. His wound wasn't a small one, she didn't miss him. What's even scarier is she only used her instinct. She has monstrous talent ! Hmm, I'm rambling again !'
" Yalak, don't you know it's impolite to enter the home of another without asking for permission, but I'm glad you are alright," I said.
" Ulga told me I should be healed in three days."
I arched my eyebrow and turned.
"Really..."
But suddenly, I stopped dazed, my mouth wide open. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Before me, was standing Yalak, but I had a hard time recognizing him because he had NO MASK !
'How is that possible? It shouldn't be possible. Am I a genius ? No, my teacher always told me I was an idiot. Either way, it's incredible !"
The kid was smiling stupidly.
"I... Did you succeed ?"
"Isn't it obvious" He answered as if I had asked a stupid question.
" So that is really the case. How did you do it ?"
" I have my ways... "
' This kid... I swear I never met someone more annoying than him.'
" What are you making," he asked, taking me by surprise.
He knew who I was behind the mask and helped me in creating Cyfrin, so there was no reason to hide it.
" It's my super costume for Cyfrin. It's quite hard to make since I want it to be able to prevent anyone from peering into my secrets."
"Really ! It looks so cool, and if it can do what you told me, a lot of people would want it."
' He can have a good eye sometimes.'
I proudly said
" Of course it can, It's because I made it ! There are still some details to correct here and there, but it's mostly finished."
I couldn't help myself but boast about it. Once finished, it would be one of my finest works.
" So why did you come ? Did only want to show that you succeeded in retracting your mask," I said, acting disinterested.
'hehe, You will tell me everything I want. I can be a real fox when I want to.'
" I wanted to know if there was any side effect."
' BINGO'
" Well, indeed, there kind be several side effects like diarrhea or button popping. You may possibly lose an eye..."
' Ahaha, I can't stop teasing him. It's funny to see his going bad to worse, my poor little Yal. There was only a risk when the mask changed state. Now without any energy, it's harmless, and since you got nothing when it transformed. I can say this mask is a success and safe to use. Although there are still some details to verify.'
" But don't worry, with me here, I can deal with anything that could happen, but for that, I would need your help" The boy was so preoccupied with the potential side effect that he didn't notice my trick.
" What should I do ?"
" Well, you'll have to tell me first how you retracted your tattoo and tell me precisely what happened. Then you'll let yourself be examined by me."
"Will you also answer my questions as you promised"
"What a sharp memory !"
" Yes, of course."
" Alright, so this is what happened."
I listened attentively to his story, asking questions here and there.
" So, if I understood correctly, during the fight with Zala, you discovered a new energy that helped you heal. Then you used that same energy to deactivate the mask, is that right ?"
"Yes, it is."
I didn't show it, but inside I was shocked. What the kid used is called ovzgùn. It's an energy that can only be used through our tattoos or unique technique. Only the supreme genius of big clans or royals can use this energy without a tattoo at this age. But children can only achieve this kind of result through a lot of hard work, resources, and a powerful warrior's help, which is not the case for Yalak.
'Unless he has been tattooed ? But I don't feel any tattoos on him. Hmm, an invisible one ? No, I would have felt it. Or maybe, no, it couldn't, it's ...'
" Yalak, can I examine you now", seeing how hurryed I was, he suspiciously accepted.
" Yes, he said, unsure"
" Alright, I will send a wisp of energy inside your body. Don't resist it. I will only be looking around to see if there is nothing abnormal ok ?"
" ok"
His trust touched me.
So started to pour some of my energy into him and searched for anything. When I came near the heart, I saw it !
'By the blood of Nayum, someone really did it !"