Chapter 6: The Healer
1663 Words
Not long after, footsteps sounded outside.
The door opened, and Azari stepped inside first, followed by two people.
One was Liora, the chief.
The other was an elderly woman with a head full of white hair. She leaned on a cane as she walked, her steps slightly unsteady, but there was a sharp, intelligent light in her eyes.
“Mia!”
Liora hurried over and pressed Mianna gently back against the bed, then clasped her hand tightly.
“Azari said you had a nightmare? Are you feeling unwell anywhere else? Let Granny Mabel have a look at you!”
Her hand was warm, her grip firm, as though she were afraid Mianna might disappear if she let go.
The old woman had already shuffled over to the bedside.
Without saying a word, she raised one dry, withered hand and placed it against Mianna's forehead.
A faint green glow appeared in her palm, soft and gentle.
Mianna felt a warm current seep through her forehead and slowly travel throughout her body.
The room fell completely silent.
Even their breathing could be heard.
Liora's grip on Mianna's hand tightened with every passing second, her eyes never leaving Granny Mabel's face.
After a long while, Granny Mabel withdrew her hand.
A complicated expression appeared on her face—surprise, relief, and a hint of joy.
“This girl's body is no longer in any serious danger. She's just still a little weak. And...”
She paused and looked at Liora.
“Her mind has cleared as well.”
Liora froze.
“Y-You mean... really?”
Ever since Mia had awakened yesterday, Liora had vaguely sensed that her daughter seemed different.
But she was afraid it was only wishful thinking after waiting and hoping for so many years.
Afraid that the hope would disappear again.
Now that she'd heard Granny Mabel say it herself...
Liora opened and closed her mouth several times, but no words came out.
Her eyes simply reddened.
“Mia...”
She held Mianna's hand tightly, her voice trembling.
“You... you really...”
Looking at the face that was almost identical to her own mother's, Mianna suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her.
She squeezed Liora's hand back and gently nodded.
“Mom... Mama. I'm better now.”
Liora's tears immediately spilled over.
She pulled Mianna into her arms and hugged her tightly, as though she were holding a precious treasure she'd finally gotten back after losing it.
“Good... good... That's wonderful...”
She buried her face against Mianna's shoulder, her voice muffled and trembling with tears.
“Thank the Beast God! Mama has waited so long for this day...”
Mianna could barely breathe from the tight embrace, but she didn't pull away.
Instead, she gently patted Liora's back, just as her own mother had comforted her when she was little.
Azari stood nearby.
His eyes seemed slightly wet too, but the corners of his mouth were curved into a happy smile.
Granny Mabel waited patiently until Liora had calmed down somewhat before clearing her throat.
“All right, all right. You're old enough to know better than to cry like this. This old woman hasn't finished speaking yet.”
Only then did Liora release Mianna.
She hastily wiped away her tears, but never let go of Mianna's hand.
Granny Mabel looked at Mianna, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
“Girl, not only has your mind cleared... you've also awakened an ability.”
“What?!”
This time, it wasn't Liora who exclaimed.
It was Azari.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Mianna.
Liora froze as well and turned toward Granny Mabel.
The old woman nodded.
“And it's a Wood-type ability. Rank 1. It's still very weak, but you definitely have one now.”
The moment those words fell, she paused.
Wood-type.
Liora's breathing suddenly became lighter.
Of course she knew what this meant.
In this world, Wood-type abilities were extremely rare.
There might not even be one among ten beastkin.
And the most important meaning of possessing a Wood-type ability was—
**Healer.**
Every Healer was a Wood-type ability user.
Granny Mabel was the only Healer among the nearby tribes, but she had already entered old age, and her ability was gradually weakening.
If a new Healer could inherit her position...
The Stonehorn Tribe truly had the Beast God's blessing!
Liora's heart was filled with both joy and worry.
She was thrilled that her daughter had awakened such a rare ability.
But she was also deeply concerned.
Mianna was still far too weak.
Without the tribe's protection, a Wood-type beastkin could easily become a target for other tribes to snatch away—or worse, be killed.
Mia needed time to grow.
Liora immediately cast a sharp glance at Azari.
Azari understood her meaning at once.
His expression became solemn, and he gave a subtle nod.
Granny Mabel looked at Mianna and continued slowly.
“Rank 1 Wood-type isn't capable of doing much yet, but at least you've awakened. As you gradually increase your rank, there will be more things you can do.”
Liora lowered her eyes without saying anything.
But her grip on Mianna's hand tightened once again.
Mianna noticed the brief exchange of glances between the three of them.
She said nothing and silently called for Quad in her mind.
【Quad.】
【I'm here, I'm here! (´∀｀)】
【Is Wood-type really that rare? Why didn't you tell me earlier?】
【I did tell you, Host! (´･_･)` I said it was very rare!】
Quad sounded terribly wronged.
【But you probably didn't pay attention at the time...】
【...Fine.】
“Girl, do you know how abilities can be upgraded?”
Granny Mabel continued.
Mianna froze and instinctively looked toward the little white ball floating in the air.
Quad immediately began talking at full speed.
【I know, I know! (￣▽￣)ノ Host, listen up! There are several main ways to upgrade your ability!】
【The first is absorbing beast cores! Hunting powerful beasts yields beast cores, and absorbing the energy inside them can increase your rank! Usually, male mates provide beast cores to their female mates~】
【The second is dual cultivation! Ahem... basically, doing *that* with your male mate... The higher your compatibility, the better the effect!】
【The third is taking spirit herbs! But the effects are relatively slow!】
【The fourth is battle training! It's easier to break through at the edge of life and death! But that's more difficult for females!】
【And the fifth is receiving the Beast God's blessing. But that's incredibly rare, so you can basically ignore it!】
Mianna fell silent for two seconds.
【Quad, did you just say “dual cultivation”?】
【Yep~ ( ᐢ ᴗ ᐢ )】
Quad sounded completely innocent.
【It just means sleeping with your male mate! It's a perfectly normal way to increase your rank in the Beast World!】
【...】
Mianna decided to ignore that particular topic for now.
“Absorbing beast cores can increase my rank?” she asked Granny Mabel.
The old woman nodded.
“Yes. You're Rank 1 right now, so you can start by absorbing the lowest-grade beast cores. I'll have your mama send some over later.”
Liora immediately nodded.
“Yes, yes! I'll have some sent over right away! And I'll have your beast fathers and brothers go hunting for you too!”
“Mia, I... I have some too!”
Azari suddenly spoke up, his voice slightly hurried.
“I'll bring them to you later!”
Mianna looked at his expression—the unmistakable look of *I can help too* written all over his face—and couldn't help smiling.
Granny Mabel glanced at Azari, then at Mianna.
Then she slowly said,
“Speaking of which, your male mate is Rank 5 as well. He should be somewhat useful. Once your body stabilizes, you should form a bond with him as soon as possible. It will be good for you too.”
Mianna felt her face catch fire.
She didn't dare answer.
She certainly didn't dare look at Azari.
Her mother was standing right there!
The Beast World really was incredibly open about these things.
All she could do was nod vaguely and hope they would move on quickly.
【See? Host, I told you I wasn't wrong! (＾▽＾)】
Quad happily spun around beside her.
【Granny Mabel really knows her stuff!】
Mianna took a deep breath.
She decided that, for the rest of the day, she wasn't going to talk to this ridiculous little ball.
Granny Mabel sat down beside the bed and continued explaining the other ways to upgrade an ability.
Which types of spirit herbs she should take.
How females should protect themselves during battle training.
Although the Beast God's blessing was rare, there had been records of it throughout history...
Mianna listened carefully, nodding along and memorizing everything in her head.
This time, she was going to pay attention.
She absolutely would not let Quad lead her astray again!
【Host, how did I lead you astray?!】
Quad's little body flashed pitifully in midair.
【Don't talk.】
【Oh...】
Quad obediently fell silent.
Poor Quad.
After finishing her explanation, Granny Mabel gave Mianna a few more instructions.
Rest properly.
Don't push herself too hard.
Come to her anytime if anything happened.
Only then did she slowly stand up, leaning on her cane.
“All right. This old woman is leaving. Your body still needs time to recover, so take it slowly. Don't rush.”
She glanced at Mianna, then turned toward Liora.
“And don't spoil her too much. Let her rest, but make sure she moves around too. An ability has to be used if she wants to grow.”
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