Healer Ability

They fussed over each other's actions and agreed that they had no plan to save themselves. Although the bottom of the well was still quite far away, Xavier could see that the surface was narrow and slightly damp. His vision was not mistaken when he saw some sort of torch illuminating the surface of the well. 

'What fool would light a fire at the bottom of a well?' 

That question must have crossed the minds of ordinary people, even them. Now they were just waiting to see if death would come or an unexpected stroke of luck would protect them. Due to his efforts, Xavier's speed had slowed down and was now slightly ahead of Cytherea. It was lucky for him that the goddess would land first while he could drop himself without having to collide with the surface.

The goddess' screams began to howl again. Her eyes closed slightly and she gave up her safety for nothing. Until finally Cytherea fell, hitting a surface so painful that the pain was unavoidable. Landing feet first managed to secure her body but both her feet were now severely injured. She felt her legs almost break and quickly bent them slightly to reduce the pain. Somehow his life was saved.

Meanwhile, Xavier landed in the next second and delivered a much harder and more painful blow. He fell on his back and crashed into Cytherea's bent legs. Unfortunately, Xavier's chest was in unspeakable pain. The cracking sound of his chest had a tremendous impact on his breathing. He gasped as he stroked his chest, hoping that his fractured breastbone could be healed without surgery or therapy. His hand waved at Cytherea as if asking for first aid. Foolishly, before giving help, the goddess took the time to hit his sternum again in return for a very imperfect landing.

Xavier whimpered in pain, completely helpless or returning the blow. Swiftly, Cytherea placed both hands on his cracked sternum. Her eyes closed, her mouth mumbled as if chanting an incantation that could not be heard clearly. In the next instant, the white light Xavier had seen in the village hut appeared. It was just that the light was quite faint and nothing could be felt by him.

"Now you are safe. I've put your sternum back together. You should be fine."

A statement that Xavier could not possibly hear after all these years. It had been a long time since he had suffered a serious injury like this while this was the first time his wound had healed in seconds and without any treatment. He felt his chest slowly and pressed slightly on the fracture.

"H... How? What did you do to me?" Xavier could not hide his excitement.

"God's secret. You don't need to know and if you do, now is not the time."

Xavier narrowed his eyes, asking again. "So you can use the 'healer' ability? That's very helpful. We don't have to fear injury or death as long as you're by my side."

Letting out a long sigh, the goddess replied in a low voice. "Don't expect you to get that healing repeatedly. You said we can protect ourselves and live without dependence, right? Think of the healing as a reward and you can't go back on your word. Or else your worth as a man needs to be questioned."

Before he had a chance to argue, Xavier was a little regretful that he had assumed his partner's chances as an auxiliary role were quite slim and now his chances of getting a healing from the goddess were slipping away. Recalling how they landed from a great height, Xavier began to pick up his luggage again while imagining how powerful the 'healer's' abilities were. 

During their time in the army, each soldier's medical treatment depends on their caste in the organisation. The highest caste definitely received supportive facilities and were always prioritised by the medical staff. Xavier was not the lowest caste soldier but when he or his comrades were, at least they would almost wait for days to a week. Seeing what Cytherea had, he honestly expected to receive treatment and first aid in a quick and organised manner. But his selfishness some time ago resulted in the goddess being selfish to him as well.

Shaking off her robes and clothes, Cytherea was in no pain at all as the figure landed and hit the ground. It was quite strange considering how long they had been plunging and it was still a question that could not be revealed. She bent down, rubbed her right hand against the ground three times and then pressed down. 

'A hard, rough, dry surface. It's impossible to imagine how we won't get hurt or scratched in the slightest.' he thought. 

Then her partner did the same, beginning to understand the thoughts his brain was still questioning. Xavier thought that it was like they were falling from a dream, except that he thought this was one of the easiest 'test' that the little old man had prepared. At least if they failed, death or misery would not hang over their lives. Especially now that they had just started a journey that was far and full of surprises. 

"We got lucky. I don't know what that bastard guy had in mind, but it seems like he thought of all this as a mild 'test' before we started our journey."

"You have a point. I'm actually curious as to why he prepared this kind of test for us. In other words, that little guy knows that we're comers and indeed have a goal that's quite impossible for ordinary people. We did survive but failed the test this time."

"The proof that we are still alive is one of the successes in this damn test," Cytherea grumbled, still not accepting to be treated like an outcast. Not to mention that the test was held unilaterally and suddenly. 

On the other hand, they could see a winding and dimly lit passage. The torches along the hallway were poorly lit but they could hear a few steps echoing along with inaudible chatter. It was the only way or they would have to return to the surface by climbing up the dark and stuffy well.

Having just entered the hallway, from behind came a soft footstep that startled them. The little old man landed very smoothly and his face was devoid of any expression. Behind, Xavier and Cytherea could see a fragile wooden plank, towering high and with handles at each corner like an elevator.

"Why don't you use that assistive device and forget about your damn exam, you little bastard!"