As they turned to depart, Elara touched Caelum's arm, stopping him. She leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Caelum, I spoke with the plants in the house. She is having a problem," Elara revealed, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and curiosity.
Caelum turned to her, his expression one of surprise. "What do you mean?" he asked, intrigued despite his earlier frustration.
Elara's voice remained low, "She is cursed but doesn't know why. That's why she's collecting all these treasures, to find a cure."
Caelum, taken aback by this revelation, paused to consider their next move. He glanced back at Amaryllis, who watched them with a mixture of impatience and expectancy.
Caelum sensed an opportunity, his mind calculating as he faced the eccentric Amaryllis. He had something no one else possessed: his system, capable of observing things others simply couldn't. If he could pinpoint her problem, she would owe him a favor. Turning to the old woman, who was absentmindedly playing with the Star Iron Fragment and the Phantom Vine Extract, he ventured a question.
"Mistress Amaryllis, are you by any chance, cursed?" He asked, his tone laced with feigned expertise.
Amaryllis turned sharply, her eyes narrowing at Caelum. "What did you say, boy? Are you insulting me?" Her voice was sharp, tinged with a mix of suspicion and anger.
"No, no, not at all," Caelum hurried to clarify, his mind working rapidly to maintain his ruse. "I simply noticed something... off in your energy. It's a skill I've picked up in my travels. It could be nothing, but I thought it worth mentioning."
Amaryllis's expression eased slightly, her curiosity overcoming her initial irritation. "You think I'm cursed? That's a bold claim. What makes you think that?"
Caelum glanced at Elara, silently communicating to tread carefully. He then turned back to Amaryllis, choosing his words with care. "In my travels, I've learned to read certain signs in people's auras. It's not an exact science, but it has served me well. Your energy seemed... disrupted, as if something is amiss."
Elara, observing the exchange, added gently, "Perhaps it's worth investigating, Mistress Amaryllis. If Caelum's right, it could be important."
Amaryllis regarded them both, her demeanor easing. "Alright, boy, let's say I believe you. What now? Can you find out what's wrong with me?"
Caelum nodded confidently, although internally he was relying on the system to guide him. "Yes, I believe I can. But I'll need your cooperation. May I?" He gestured, asking for permission to come closer and observe her more intently.
Amaryllis consented with a nod, her eyes reflecting a blend of skepticism and hope. Despite consulting numerous doctors and healers, no one had been able to diagnose her ailment, let alone cure it. She had sought countless treasures in hopes of finding a remedy, but all had been in vain. It was the first time someone had recognized her curse, and if Caelum could identify it, perhaps he could also cure it.
Caelum, however, was not certain what to do next. His initial use of Observe when he entered her home hadn't revealed anything amiss. Now, he could only hope. "Mistress, may I have a few drops of your blood?" he asked tentatively.
But realizing the scowl on her face, Caelum hastily added, "I promise I am not a blood mage or a curse caster. I just want to inspect it to determine the type of curse." In Eryndor, blood held a profound significance; especially when willingly given, it could be used for nefarious curses or even to enslave a person. Trusting someone with one's blood wasn't a matter taken lightly. Amaryllis, her expression fraught with uncertainty, weighed her options.
Caelum sighed, softening his tone, "You can hold it in your hand. I just want to see it." He hoped using Observe on her blood directly would reveal something about her condition.
After a moment of contemplation, Amaryllis nodded, extending her hand with a cautious reluctance. The significance of this gesture wasn't lost on Caelum; blood was a powerful conduit in this world, a sacred bond to its owner.
Caelum observed her carefully, noting the subtle shifts in her energy as she pricked her finger. A single drop of blood welled up, gleaming like a tiny ruby against her wrinkled skin. Caelum focused intently on the droplet, activating his Observe skill with a heightened sense of urgency.
[System Message: Analysis in progress... Unknown toxin detected. Origin: Cannot be determined, gradual. Symptoms: Slow energy drain, gradual weakening of magical abilities.]
Amaryllis watched him, a mixture of skepticism and hope flickering in her eyes. "Well, what do you see, boy?"
Caelum looked up from the droplet of blood, his expression grave. "It seems you've been exposed to a mystical toxin."
She frowned, "That is as good as not saying anything." She snapped. Caelum sighed, "It's draining your energy, weakening your magical abilities over time." He said. This time her eyes opened wide, "Y-yes." She muttered. "How did you?" These were her symptoms. If not for those, even she wouldn't know she was poisoned, but over the years, she felt getting more and more tired and her abilities weakened. Many doctors said she was just getting old, but she knew it wasn't that.
Caelum was as clueless. The System failed to find the source, but the word 'gradual' in the source told him she was being exposed to it regularly. He first looked at the trinkets she was wearing and used Observe on each one of them.
[System Message: Silver Necklace – Tarnished. Minor magical resonance.]
[System Message: Jade Bracelet – Enchanted. Faint healing properties.]
[System Message: Obsidian Ring – Ancient. Absorbs negative energy.]
Seeing neither was poisonous, he determined it had to be something in her workshop or house. He scanned the room, his gaze methodically moving from one object to the next, as he employed the Observe function of his System on various items around the workshop.
[System Message: Engraved Box – Silverwood. Contains minor protective enchantments.]
[System Message: Crystal Orb – Faintly luminous. Aids in meditation, currently inactive.]
[System Message: Vintage Looking Glass – Hints at hidden reflections, inactive.]
As Caelum continued his analysis, Elara spoke up. "Mistress Amaryllis, has anything in your routine changed over the years? Anything new that you started using or consuming regularly?"
Amaryllis pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "Not that I can recall. I've been using the same tools and materials for years. The only new things I acquire are the artifacts and gems for my collection."
Caelum turned his attention to the various artifacts and gems, systematically observing each one.
[System Message: Emerald Amulet – Ancient. Holds a dormant curse, currently inactive.]
[System Message: Rune-inscribed Skull – Mystical. Origin unknown, potentially dangerous.]
[System Message: Vial of Shimmering Dust – Alchemical. Properties unclear.]
None of these items seemed to be the source of the poisoning. Caelum's frustration grew, but he masked it with a calm exterior. He turned to Amaryllis, "May we inspect your living quarters? The source of the toxin might be there."
Amaryllis hesitated, then nodded. "Very well, but I doubt you'll find anything there."