It Wasn’t Healing, It Was Training Magic

The holy land of Marleon.
Unlike its appearance, there exists a dungeon underground.
Monsters are continuously born there, forming their own ecosystem.

One might wonder if it’s not dangerous to have a dungeon right under the city.

But it’s fine.

Befitting its name as a holy land, Marleon has spread a powerful barrier surrounding the dungeon.
It maintains ironclad security so that no monster can pass through that barrier, and the church periodically dispatches priests to manage it.

Therefore, the dungeon currently was nothing more than a workplace used for adventurers to make money.

“Let’s earn some money today too.”
“Alright, let’s finish quickly. I’ve made a reservation with Edward tonight, so we need to go see my darling. If we’re late, some other bitch might snatch him.”
“Damn woman, still can’t quit that whore?”
“He’s handsome. As long as he tastes good, what’s there to complain about?”
“That’s true.”

A group of adventurers plunge into the dungeon with vulgar jokes.
They were veterans who had spent a long time in this dungeon.

As they enter the dungeon, strong demonic energy presses down and oppresses their bodies,
but for those who have become accustomed to it, it was as free as their own living room.

Moreover, they’ve fully grasped all the monsters here.
It would be safe to say there’s no life-threatening danger for them.

“Seems like we’ve earned quite a lot today? Why are there so many expensive ones roaming in groups? We’re lucky, huh? Should we push a bit more today? We should earn as much as we can while we can.”
“Ah, but I need to go see Edward…”
“Sigh… what’s so great about that man. Alright, I’ll give you an extra share. So, let’s go.”
“Hmm, then I guess we have no choice.”

The adventurers went deeper.
They were relaxed because they had experience of going to the very center of the dungeon several times anyway.

It seemed like a good day where they could earn a lot of money as many rare monsters were visible.
It should have been, but.

“Worship the revival of the Demon King…!”

Today was different.
Something they had never seen before appeared.

“What is that? I’ve never seen such a monster before?”

The adventurers stepped back.
They instinctively felt it.
That the beings that appeared before them were on a different dimension from other monsters.

There was only one in the world with purple skin and horns protruding from the forehead.

“De-demons?!”

It was the appearance of demons.
Come to think of it, they had heard recently.
That the Demon King’s army was rampaging across the continent.

Three horns are visible.
They seem to be at least mid-level demons.

It’s known that they absolutely cannot be killed unless you can use sword energy,
but the adventurers didn’t have that level of skill.

Escape is the only option.

“Where do you think you’re going, humans?”

Demons are beings that feed on humans’ negative emotions.
They could feel the adventurers trying to escape just by breathing.

When the mid-level demon swung its hand once, the entrance the adventurers had come through was shattered.
It happened in an instant.
The adventurers fell to their knees.

A situation with no more retreat or strength to fight back.
Only death remains.

‘Is this how I die… I fucking loved you so much, Edward.’

The adventurer thought of their lover before dying.
They only regretted not being able to meet him one last time and have a relationship before dying.

“Then farewell, humans. I’ll make you sacrifices for our proud monster army.”

The demon sneered, signaling the end, and launched another attack.
It seemed the adventurers would lose their lives just like that.

But then.

Thump—!

Some being intervened between the adventurers and the demon.

Kwang—!

And perfectly blocked the demon’s attack.
No, should I say deflected?
The attack hit, but only caused a slight scratch.

“Beastkin…?”

The demon shouted in surprise.
What appeared was a fox beastkin girl with fluttering red hair.
She was a precious being said to have almost gone extinct due to the recent war with humans.

Gulp.

The demon swallowed.
Just by looking into her eyes, they could feel it.
How strong this small girl is, unlike her appearance.

No wonder the Demon King ordered to recruit beastkin.
They inherently possessed the traits of predators.

If he were to fight this girl now, it was clear he would lose.
The demon recalled the Demon King’s order and spoke to the beastkin girl.

“Beastkin girl, don’t you hate humans? Come, let’s join hands! The Demon King has promised! Prosperity and power for the beastkin! And revenge! We, the Demon King’s army, absolutely support and are willing to help the beastkin! Let’s massacre all the humans in this world together!”

At the demon’s cry, the adventurers wet themselves.
What kind of beings are beastkin?
Aren’t they those who consider humans as enemies?

The adventurers, as citizens living in Marleon, understood the relationship with beastkin better than anyone.
It was a well-known fact that the cause of the beastkin’s near extinction was the church,
with the holy land of Marleon at its center.

If demons and beastkin joined hands like this, their future was as clear as day.
Instead of dying at once by the demon’s hands, it changed to being torn apart cruelly by the beastkin’s hands.

‘Damn, dying is the same either way.’

The adventurers closed their eyes and gave up.
At that moment, the beastkin girl opened her mouth.

“All humans?”
“That’s right.”
“Shut up…”
“Wh-what did you say?”

The demon doubted his ears for a moment.
Did she really just tell him to shut up?

Thinking it must be his mistake, the demon approached the beastkin.
Just as he was about to ask her intention again.

Bang—

“I’m not in a good mood right now, so I said shut up!”

With one punch, the demon exploded and died.
The demon, who was destined to guide Akasha to become a general in the Demon King’s army, ended his life with one punch.

“Gasp…!”

The adventurers were terrified.
They didn’t even dare think of running away.
A predator who kills a mid-level demon with one blow.
How could they turn their backs and run away?

“You guys get lost too.”
“Pardon?”
“I said get lost if you don’t want to die!”
“Yes!”

The adventurers somehow moved their powerless legs and ran away.
Watching the adventurers disappear like that, Akasha let out a sigh.

‘I’m annoyed.’

No matter how much she tried, her hatred for humans wouldn’t disappear.
She thought moving her body a bit in the dungeon would relieve her stress, but.

Even after slaughtering all the monsters in sight,
and bursting that fly-like demon woman.

She still couldn’t forget the disgusting sight of Soho sitting alone with Zick, smiling.

“Grrr!!”

It seemed this wouldn’t do.
She had a feeling she might do something if she couldn’t control her emotions.

In fact, Akasha knew well that she shouldn’t be like this.
The moment she harmed Soho, it was obvious Zick would be disappointed.

But still.
Even though she knew that well.

Jealousy towards Soho and possessiveness towards Zick.
And her inherent hatred for humans were rising.

“Hoo…”

After rampaging for a while, Akasha let out a big sigh and decided.
To return to the lodgings.

It’s about time for Zick to return.
She hated nothing more than causing worry for Zick.

“Akasha, I’m back!”
“Welcome back!”

When Zick returned, Akasha wagged her tail and rejoiced as if nothing had happened.
Today, Zick was returning after finishing his exam.

Akasha asked how the exam went.
Hoping for good news.

“I think I did well!”
“Ooh!!”

Akasha wagged her tail left and right to show her joy.
Seeing that, Zick naturally smiled.

A fox beastkin wagging her tail like a dog.
This was truly a rare sight.

“Hmm?”

Zick, who was continuing the conversation with Akasha, opened his eyes wide.
Wounds he saw by chance.
Several small wounds were visible on Akasha’s arms and legs.

Did she get scratched somewhere?
Zick asked where she got hurt like that.

“Th-that…”

Akasha turned her face away.
Not wanting to cause worry, Akasha didn’t know how to answer.

Should she tell the truth?
Or should she hide it?
Shouldn’t she be honest about everything to her God?

Akasha felt that hiding her true feelings from her God was something she shouldn’t do.
Her chest tightened with guilt.

“Don’t worry and tell me.”

Seeing her eyes trembling and looking anxious, Zick gently stroked Akasha’s head.
It was because he felt sorry for her whimpering like a frightened puppy.

Then Akasha opened her mouth and explained step by step.

That she hates humans so much.
That she’s struggling because those feelings won’t leave her mind and she can’t control them.

She consulted honestly.

“I see.”

To Akasha’s confession, Zick just quietly stroked her head.
In fact, thinking of the original Akasha, it was a miracle that she had been this docile until now.

Her country and village.
And having lost her family and mother to humans, how could she easily erase her hatred?
Rather, Zick was glad that she didn’t immediately express such feelings but spoke honestly.

Anyone who knows the original Akasha’s appearance,
would surely be shocked to see her current appearance.

“I don’t know what to do with these feelings. I hate humans so much. But, I’m afraid Zick-nim will hate me if I act on it. So I’m confused.”

Unable to do this or that.
Akasha was in pain.

When she spends time with Zick, that hatred is forgotten,
but even in the slightest moment he’s gone, it resurfaces.

And above all, that human woman called Soho is trying to take even Zick away.
It was nearly impossible to control her heart.

“What should I do, Zick-nim? Please help me.”

Akasha clung to Zick.
Isn’t Zick a god?
God is a being who shows miracles that make the impossible possible.

He must surely know the answer.

“…”

Zick fell into deep thought.
In fact, there was nothing he could do.
How convenient life would be if one could just say “Don’t hate humans!” like magic and it would stop.

The only power he possessed was healing magic.
He was just a healer who could only heal wounds and curses.

But, because of that, Zick said.

“As you know, Akasha, I’m a healer. I’ll heal you with my magic.”

Zick used healing magic.
In fact, he had no expectation that this would really make Akasha’s heart at ease.
He had never heard of healing magic providing mental peace.

But isn’t there something called the placebo effect?

In fact, drugs with no actual efficacy are sold for the placebo effect.
Like that, he wanted to give comfort to Akasha who needed rest right now.

“Akasha, don’t worry, I’ll heal any worry you have. If you have such thoughts again, think of me. Don’t think of anything else, just look at me. Then you’ll feel at ease.”
“Yes… my God!”

The light of healing seeped into Akasha’s heart.
It was truly a warm light.
All her worries melted away like snow.

Zick’s magic had melted Akasha’s heart.

‘As expected of God.’

Wasn’t it resolved like a lie?
Akasha inwardly marveled.

And as her heart lightened,
she realized she had been thinking too complicatedly all this time.

If it seems like Zick might leave her.
Shouldn’t she rather seduce him so that Zick would only look at her?

She already had a secret method she heard from her mother.
Moreover, it was 7 techniques passed down through generations in her clan.
Her mother said she used this method when she seduced her father.

‘Alright!’

Akasha vowed to use any means necessary to seduce Zick.

Sniff sniff.

The scent of Zick as she snuggled into his arms.
Today too, it was so sweet.

The day after the exam ended.

I headed to the church.
It was the day the exam results were to be announced.

“You’ve come to check the results.”

As I approached the guide, she recognized me without even asking.

It seems I’ve already become famous.

‘Well, that’s true. After causing such a commotion.’

With one High Priest’s head flying off,
it’s impossible for rumors not to spread in this situation.

“Then I’ll guide you.”
“What? Aren’t you going to tell me the results right away?”
“There’s still the final stage of an interview left.”

Interview?
I was puzzled.

I thought it would end with just hearing the exam results and receiving the healer’s license,
what could this be?

I followed the guide with questions in mind.
The place I was guided to was a large room.

Especially the door made of high-quality wood with antique carvings on it seemed unusual.

Creak—

As I opened the door and entered, I made eye contact with a woman, and

“Hello! We meet again.”

Her hair was swaying in the wind like faint cherry blossom petals.

“Welcome, Zick-nim!”

It was the Saint, smiling brightly.
Freya Badanis.