As Torrack approached his ninth birthday, he had become not only stronger and more skilled but deeply integrated into the life of Sirco. Years of rigorous training had sharpened his physical abilities and expanded his understanding of his Aura Vision.
His dedication was evident in his daily routines, which included helping around the bakery, making deliveries, and assisting the village healer whenever possible.Over the years, Torrack had grown closer to his family. His bond with them was strengthened by shared experiences and mutual support. He often spent evenings with his parents, Lucia and Herald, and his siblings, Via and Silken, sharing stories and laughter.
These moments of togetherness were a source of comfort and joy in his life.A New RoleIn addition to his family responsibilities, Torrack began to work closely with the village healer, an elderly man named Haron. Though Torrack missed his previous world's medical methods, which involved direct healing techniques, he found his Aura Vision invaluable. In this world, magic was the primary means of healing, but diagnosing the problem remained a crucial step.
This was where Torrack's skills truly shone.One particularly challenging day, a villager named Elira was brought to Haron's small clinic, gravely ill and on the brink of collapse. Torrack, eager to assist, approached Elira with a sense of urgency. As he focused on reading her aura, he saw that her external aura was a stark white, usually indicating an absence of magical energy or a neutral state.
Determined to help, Torrack concentrated harder than he ever had before. He extended his Aura Vision, reaching out mentally to connect with Elira's aura. As he focused, he felt a new dimension open up to him.
His aura seemed to merge with Elira's, and he began to see detailed images of the internal problems plaguing her.He detected broken bones, internal bleeding, and traces of poison—an overwhelming array of symptoms that were previously obscured from his sight. This revelation was both alarming and enlightening.
Torrack's newfound ability to extend his aura provided him with precise insights into Elira's condition. This allowed him to accurately diagnose her issues, something crucial in a world where magic was used for healing but understanding the problem was key.With this critical knowledge, Torrack quickly relayed the details to Haron. The healer, using his magical skills, was able to administer an antidote for the poison, treat the internal bleeding, and set the broken bones.
By the time Elira left the clinic, her once white external aura had turned to a dull grey—a color that signified weakened or dormant magical abilities. Torrack was puzzled by this change.Reflections on GrowthWhy did her magical aura shift from white to grey? Torrack wondered. White usually represented a neutral or inactive state, but grey indicated a significant reduction in magical vitality or effectiveness. Was this a result of her severe illness, or was it something related to the extensive treatment she received?
Torrack's thoughts were consumed with these questions, as he pondered the implications of this aura shift for his understanding of magical and physical health.This experience was a turning point for Torrack. It confirmed that his Aura Vision had evolved beyond what he initially thought possible. He was not only able to perceive the auras of those around him but now could delve deeper into the essence of their physical ailments.
This breakthrough gave him a profound sense of purpose and a renewed determination to further hone his skills.Despite the limitations of his new world's magical healing methods, Torrack's diagnostic abilities, refined by his previous medical knowledge, provided a unique advantage. His understanding of complex medical conditions, combined with his ability to interpret auras, allowed him to bridge the gap between old-world practices and new-world magic.
As Torrack grew past the age of ten, his ability to diagnose illnesses became renowned throughout Sirco and beyond. He had gained a reputation not just for his insight but also for his compassion and determination. Word of his talents reached far beyond the village, and soon, even the nobility took notice.One day, a messenger arrived at Haron's humble healing house, bearing a request from Lord Simtrek himself.
Torrack had never been summoned by the lord before, and the gravity of the situation was clear. Lord Simtrek's daughter, Mycela, had been ill since she was five. Despite the best efforts of every healer and magician who had attended to her, no one had been able to diagnose her ailment. Without a diagnosis, no magic could be employed to heal her, and Mycela's condition had only worsened over the years."Torrack," Haron said, his voice tinged with both pride and caution, "this is a great honour but also a great responsibility.
The lord's daughter is gravely ill, and they are desperate. We must go to her."Torrack nodded, his expression serious. "I'll do my best," he replied. Inside, he felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Diagnosing the illnesses of villagers was one thing, but the lord's daughter was a different matter entirely. Yet he couldn't ignore the pull of curiosity and the sense that this was a challenge meant for him.
As they made their way to the chateau at the heart of Sirco, Torrack thought back to the first time he had extended his aura to diagnose a patient more deeply. It had taken a tremendous amount of focus and energy, but it had also unlocked something new within him—a deeper understanding of the life force that flowed through all living things.
He knew he might need to draw on that experience again to help Mycela.When they arrived at the chateau, they were greeted by a young servant who led them through the grand hallways to Mycela's chamber. The air was heavy with tension, and the atmosphere seemed almost sombre. Torrack could feel the worried auras of the household staff, flickering with anxiety. He focused on his breath, steadying himself for what was to come.Inside the chamber, Lord Simtrek stood by his daughter's bedside, his face lined with worry.
Mycela lay on the bed, her once-vibrant blue eyes now dull and tired. Her skin was pale, and she seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness. Torrack could see her grey aura, weak and faint, barely clinging to her body."Thank you for coming," Lord Simtrek said, his voice heavy. "We have tried everything, every healer and every spell, but nothing has worked. They say you have a gift, Torrack. Please, if there is anything you can do…"Torrack nodded, stepping closer to the bed. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses. He could feel the familiar colours swirling around him, but Mycela's aura was unlike any he had encountered before. It wasn't just weak—it was fractured, like a broken mirror, with pieces scattered and disconnected.He placed his hand gently on her forehead and focused, extending his own aura outward. He felt it wrap around Mycela, probing deeper, trying to understand what was causing this fragmentation.
For a moment, he saw nothing but darkness, a void where her energy should have been.Then, as he pushed further, he felt a sudden jolt—a resistance. It was as if something was pushing back against him, a foreign presence within her aura. Torrack's brow furrowed in concentration.
He pushed harder, feeling his aura stretch, and then he saw it—like a shadow hiding within her, a dark, parasitic presence."It's not a disease," Torrack murmured, his voice low. "It's… something else. Something dark is draining her energy, feeding on her aura."Lord Simtrek's eyes widened. "A curse?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper."I'm not sure," Torrack replied, pulling his aura back carefully. "But it's more than just an illness. Whatever it is, it's attached itself to her, and it's drawing her life force away."He turned to Haron. "We need to find a way to remove it," he said urgently. "If we don't, it will continue to drain her until there's nothing left."Haron nodded. "I've heard of such things," he said slowly. "Dark magic, ancient and forbidden. If this is what we're dealing with, it won't be easy to remove.
"Torrack felt a chill run down his spine. He had encountered many illnesses, but dark magic was something else entirely—a force beyond the natural world, unpredictable and dangerous. But he couldn't back down now. Mycela's life depended on it."I'll do whatever it takes," Torrack said firmly. "I'll learn about this dark presence, and I'll find a way to fight it."Lord Simtrek looked at Torrack with a mixture of hope and fear. "You have our trust," he said quietly. "Save my daughter."Torrack nodded, determination settling in his chest.
He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he also knew he couldn't turn back. He had been given a gift in this life, a second chance to heal and help those in need. And he would not let it go to waste.As they left the chateau, Torrack's mind raced with possibilities. He needed to learn more about this dark magic, and he needed to find a way to remove it from Mycela without harming her.
His gift had brought him this far, but now he needed more than just his aura sight. He needed knowledge, and he needed allies.And he would find them, whatever it took.