Aether jumped from the bed a blush crepping up his cheeks.
****
"What happened, Aether?" Mary's voice laced with worry as she inspected her son's wound. "It's nothing, Mama, just a scratch," Aether mumbled dismissively.
"A scratch that's bleeding?" Mary countered, her tone firm.
"Honestly, Mama, it's fine. I don't want to fuss you over something so small. I just slipped and scraped my knee," Aether reassured her, trying to downplay the injury.
Mary met his gaze. "Aether, that's what mothers are for. Now hold still. I won't have you with a scar, understand?"
Aether couldn't help but smile as he conceded defeat. "Alright, alright, Mama. But we're low on supplies at the settlement." A strange concern flickered across his face. With no medical supplies and no known alchemist, he wasn't sure how she planned to treat him."Fufufu!" she chuckled
Mary, however, seemed unfazed. A mischievous glint twinkled, in her eyes as she declared, "gods of old, ever turning, Threads of life, hear my plea! Grant us the earth's bounty: MINOR HEALING!"
Aether's jaw dropped. This was the first time he'd witnessed true magic. Tiny emerald flecks of light danced across his scraped knee, sending a tingling warmth that soothed the sting. It felt like a gentle breeze caressing the wound.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Mary's voice was softer than usual. Aether didn't answer, his gaze glued to the fading green light. He finally managed, "Mama, that was incredible! Can you teach me..."
But before he could finish, a wave of fatigue washed over Mary. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breath hitched. "Seems I used more mana than I intended," she mumbled, struggling to regain her composure.
Aether shot up, concern etching lines on his young face. "Mama, are you alright?" He rushed to her side, worry replacing the earlier awe.
Mary winced. "There, there," she said weakly, "looks like I got a little carried away trying to be the hero."
Aether shook his head. "No, Mama, you were definitely the hero. The coolest one." He gently helped her lie back down. A sudden realization dawned on him. So that's why she always refused to let him accompany her when someone needed help.
Waiting until his mother's breathing fell into a soft sleep. Worry gnawed at him. Her illness worsened with each burst of magic, the toll evident in her exhaustion after even minor healing. He had to act. Simple first-aid and improved hygiene could help the settlement, but that wouldn't stop his mother's inevitable need for magic, further overloading her already her fragile mana circuits. A heavy sigh escaped him as he sank onto the wooden chair beside her bed. A single, burning question echoed in his mind: 'Could there be a way to learn magic myself, without Mama?'
The silence stretched, broken only by the faint fading glow of the setting sun. As darkness crept in, a single, unwavering thought solidified in his mind. Learning magic, on his own, was the only hope to ease his mother's suffering, perhaps even heal her entirely. It was a desperate gamble, but it was the only path he could see.
****
The last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon as Aether finished a simple but hearty meat stew. Mary, taking a bite, declared it delicious. Their small settlement was fortunate to have a young hunter who shared his spoils in exchange for herbs and other supplies. Mary, in turn, used her magic to heal the hunter's wounds and purify any illnesses he brought back from his expeditions.
"This is truly a feast, Aether," Mary chuckled, a hint of weakness in her voice. "I almost wonder if you're really my son with such culinary talent!"
Aether forced a laugh, the lightheartedness not quite reaching his eyes. Sitting beside Mary, he spoke up, his voice firm. "Mama, I know your condition is worsening. That's why I'm determined to learn magic myself. I can't bear to see you use your magic anymore. It's making you sicker. I want to learn how to help, but I don't want you to teach me if it means draining you further."