28 THE STRANGER: PART II

***

Early the next day, Athena woke up from a strange dream, she dreamt of a stranger visiting that night. She contemplated, wondering if it was indeed a dream or real. For, she was sure she felt someone's hand holding onto her neck.

Without the girl realizing, Serfred has arrived to check on her with her food. He wondered why the girl looked so focused, so early in the morning.

"My Lady, is something wrong?"

Athena looked startled at Serfred, but she was more elated to see him as she asked, "Serfred, did someone come to visit me last night?"

"What do you mean?" Serfred needed a more detailed explanation since quite a few priests and nuns did visit her that night. They took turns to check on the girl and how she was doing.

"I mean, apart from you and the church members, did anyone else visit me?"

"Well, apart from us, I don't think so. Since the church does close its gates at night."

'Strange,' Athena thought as she was certain that it wasn't a dream. The stranger's hands that night was warm yet cold since it was late that night.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, I had a strange dream that someone came to visit me."

"Well, I hope this stranger who visited you is the God that Father Roland has been talking about, so I can thank him for curing you."

"God?"

"Yeah, the old man started lecturing me about only a God could have cured you. Since, you came back to life without doing anything, nor with anyone's help."

Athena considered the idea that the stranger could be God that night. Since it does not respond to her when asked, yet, the being felt so alive and real.

"Don't worry about it too much," Serfred said as he went closer to the girl and placed the food on the table next to the bed. "Here, eat, and get some more rest."

After the girl finishes her meal, Serfred leaves to allow the girl to get some more rest.

Not long till the girl drifted off to sleep. And once again, the stranger came to check on her…

The stranger only visited to check how the girl was doing. Since he was unsure if the potion would work, he came back to monitor how the girl was doing.

"Her mana seems to be making slow progress." He spoke in a low and barely audible voice.

He gathers all his energy and a magic circle appears right in front of him, giving him a clear vision of the girl's inner body.

"Here organs are slowly repairing itself as well."

He canceled the magic circle as he ended his visit. Before he steps out of the door, he casts a spell on him making himself vanish and turn invisible.

It was brief and her vision was still murky, but the girl clearly saw a silhouette of a person. However, she was not sure if the stranger was indeed a God or just a human person.

"Hmm, he came again…" she muttered as she soon drifted back into deep sleep.

…

In the days that follow.

Athena has slowly recovered, yet she still feels her inside burning from time to time. It must be because of all the poison within her.

Since that day she has a vague picture of the stranger's silhouette. Every single time she would drift off to deep sleep, she would try her hardest to stay up just a little longer to encounter the stranger. However, it seems her plan failed as the stranger never showed up again.

Even though only a few days have passed, Athena went back to her usual routine. To hunt with Serfred and the group, as well as study with Father Frances and Father Roland. It worried them all as to why the girl is pushing herself too much.

Whilst the hunting group was on their way to the forest, the girl was in deep thought as she continued to wonder about the stranger's identity. She's asked around yet everyone gave her the same answer. They have not seen anyone visit her apart from Serfred and the church staff.

"Lady Tina, is something the matter?" A villager asked, noticing how puzzled the girl looked.

Athena turned to see who it was, it was one of the village hunters. She sighs as once again, the man addresses her to "Lady", it's thanks to Gran that the hunter team have started addressing the girl "Lady" as well.

"Let's go." She replied as the village hunter followed her from behind.

During their hunt, Athena tried to see if she was able to distinguish a person's aura and mana. Father Frances told her that there are some who can.

*Flashback*

"Father Frances, is there a way to track down a person using their mana?"

"Ah, you mean identifying a person's mana?"

"I guess so."

Father Frances looked at the bookshelves if they do have records of it, "Hmm, sadly we don't have a book about it, but I can explain it briefly."

"Sure."

"As you see, each one of us has a different mana." He paused when he noticed the girl seems to be lost already, "Hmm, how about this. Combat Mage, Magic Fighter, and Combat Healer can distinguish each other through their aura. As you know, an aura depends on the person's character and mood."

"I understand that, since the forest atmosphere is filled with malice aura because of the monster."

"That's right, like Fuji. He is a Twilight Wolf puppy, when he grows up, he too will emit such aura to his enemies. But, his aura towards you will be different."

"So, what about those who don't have an aura? How can we distinguish them?"

"As you know, there are some mages who go into battle, but do not possess an aura. However, they are quite powerful despite not having one. This might sound strange, but actually, we leave a trace of our mana when he casts a spell."

"Trace?"

"Hmm, it's like a marking of your magic. We can't see it, but there are those who can. Those who can see such traces of magic, mana energy have this special ability called Elemental Sight."

"Elemental Sight?"

"Hmm, it's like an appraisal magic ability, but, this is innate. Meaning, you are born with such ability, but will only realize it as time goes by. One must practice such ability in order to master it."

…

Since then, Athena been practicing whether she has such ability. She would let the hunters team go ahead as she follows them by tracking traces of mana. Yet, as Father Roland said, it's an innate ability that can't be practiced.

As they were heading out of the forest, Serfred grabbed hold of Athena and what happened next surprised not only her, but everyone else.

"Serfred what are you doing?" Athena started shoving herself away from the man to put her down.

"You just woke up a few days ago, your body is still weak," Serfred replied, ignoring who wiggle herself whilst frowning at him.

"I'm too heavy, let me down.." She averted her gaze, annoyed that the man continues to treat her like a sickly child.

We'll she is one technically...

"You are as light as a feather, My Lady, you should eat more."

The rest of the party watched as the two walked ahead leaving them all behind dumbfounded by what they were witnessing.

"Arthur, are you seeing what I'm seeing right now?" Gran continued to tug at Arthur's shirt.

"..." Arthur only sighs as he watches the two ahead.

In the end, Athena gave up and wrapped his arms around Serfred's neck. She soon recalls the time she was back home when her brother would carry her around as well. A single drop of tear, then rolled down her face as she wiped it away.

"Something wrong?" Serfred asked, noticing the tear on the girl's face.

"Hmm," she shook her head as she buried her head on his chest.

When they returned to the village, everyone's eyes were all focused on them. Everyone was all silent and halted what they were doing as they witnessed Athena fast asleep in Serfred's arms. They didn't want to wake her up, so they stopped everything until she passed by.

As they arrived at the Chief's home, Serfred slowly placed her in the bed as she drifted into a deep slumber.

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