"Her name is Manlin, a senior mage specializing in Enchantment School magic."
Marvin introduced her casually.
"Try to get on her good side. She might become the next president of the Blackstone Town Mages' Guild."
"Master Marvin, that's far too flattering."
Manlin covered her mouth and chuckled. "Your chances are clearly better than mine."
Marvin did not respond. Instead, he pointed at Zeliel's leg.
"He hurt himself while doing a mission. Help him treat it. It hurts to watch him limp around."
After saying that, Marvin nodded to them both and turned to leave the room.
"Go sit over there," Manlin called.
Leaning on his crutch, Zeliel walked over to the sofa at one side of the room and sat down.
Following Manlin's instructions, he rested his injured leg on a low stool and rolled up his trouser leg, exposing the wound wrapped in layers of bandages.
Manlin gently unwound the bandages. When she saw Zeliel's torn, mangled wound, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Marvin said you were injured while doing a mission."
Her fingers lightly brushed over the wound, and a warm, gentle energy flowed through it, easing much of the pain. "Are you an adventurer?"
"Yes."
"You're a brave little fellow. I certainly didn't have your courage back then." Manlin smiled.
Zeliel suddenly remembered that Marvin had not mentioned Manlin's family name when introducing her.
Could Manlin, like him, have been born a commoner?
"Relax. The treatment is about to begin."
Zeliel immediately took a deep breath and calmed himself.
Manlin raised her hands, hovering them above Zeliel's wound.
She did not use a staff. She merely closed her eyes, her long lashes casting faint shadows in the sunlight.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed.
Zeliel could vaguely sense a powerful yet restrained force spreading outward as specks