" Bwaaah." I roll on the floor, the book in my hand following the trajectory of the fall, does a tumbling bounce on the carpet.
" Shit, sorry Mr.Book." I quickly pick the book back up to check all the corners for any incidental dents or scratches before promptly laying it back on top of the pile of books next to my foot.
From sitting on the study table properly, I have somehow ended up on the floor once more, digging through books older than my living years.
After Selinus's departure, the 4 handmaidens change me out of the sweat-dampened clothes into something more comfortable.
What came after was a much-appreciated scolding for sneaking away from my room and recklessly exercising when my body still resembled a tattered rag.
Fair enough.
I have been running around like a headless chicken, but to be honest... I was as high as a kite this whole time. Ever since I woke up 3 weeks ago, the very first adrenaline-filled moment was quickly replaced by unimaginable aches and pains, quickly followed by a torrent of dizziness and a profound desire to be put back under ground.
That very first week, I barely moved beyond seven paces around my bed, though I tried several times to rebel and get off the bed to grasp some ground on this strange yet all too familiar world.
Doctor Selinus and his medical team scolded me so much for recklessly pushing the limits of my body, yet they don't look entirely surprised, like this kind of scene has repeated itself like clockwork.
Somehow, someway, my stubbornness combined with some wicked pain killer and loads of bizarre bitter concoctions resulted in me quickly sprinting around a further distance and then quickly returning to bed via the handmaiden's aid. With my consistency in disobedience, I'm now able to walk and run about just as much as the average 12-year-old, with the energy level and body of a 70-year-old with spinal issues.
I have been pretty drugged up even at this moment. Hehe.
After getting me settled, the other three handmaidens even helped me get the books the tutors had noted down for me, leaving me with Ariadne.
" Miss Amelia." She stood right in front of me, her eyes gleamed with unconcealed worry and uncertainty.
" Are you sure you need to rush this hard to speed up your recovery?"
" Your family lacks no resources, and you clearly desire to fix what is damaged."
" Please don't misunderstand my intention, as I feel relief just like everyone else in the estate when we see you finally could run and laugh again."
At this point, I could tell she was getting teary-eyed. Ariadne and Amelia, though they differ in age, could say they have grown up side by side. She has lived in the estate ever since she was born, raised by it, educated by it, and inspired by it. She had once earned her chance to reach further, be more than just another servant in this giant yet warm estate; she never hesitated to return to her roots.
When this happens, the Madam recognizes her talent and sincerity, entrusting her with caring for their youngest lady with her seniors. From that point on, the two became akin to siblings, causing mischief and covering for one another.
There was a time when the light Amelia carried suddenly dimmed; she became quieter and guarded even to her family members that she once charged like a bullet into their arms, and even to her, a sudden invisible wall blocked off their relationship.
Yet...
Ariadne couldn't help but bring her hand up to Amelia's face, the residual warmth on her fingertips no longer burns to the touch. That fleeting coldness in that short while and the child's pained expression seemed to have melted away slowly with each familiar greeting and laughter.
" Don't worry, Ariadne. I wanted to play with everyone again just like before, so... I'll get better quickly. I promised. " She could feel my small arm wrapped around her waist. Her heart felt constricted a bit; the sudden heat made a stream of tears pour out like scattered pears.
I felt the onion rubbing up on my eyes at that moment as well. Amelia's longing came out of the woodwork and swung for the fences. Both of us sobbed into each other's clothes for a few minutes before the other handmaidens burst in, wailing and crying with books tightly clung to their arms.
We became a hugging pile for several minutes before I was finally released from their swarming embraces.
As per the doctor's order, they hesitantly departed from my room to give me some alone time with the books and the giant cup of bitter herb smoothie.
It has been 2 hours, and I am just halfway through that cup.
Bleg...
So bitter...
And the magical buff also ran out... a while ago. I have been staring at mana circulation techniques for ages, but there have been.... troubles.
There are no issues when it comes to performance; instinct fills that beginning gap without any major disturbances. The real conundrum is with the body's internal hardware. It is explained like so...
Selinus: Your body is like a bunch of water hoses with holes stabbed straight into them; the outer shell is intact, so theoretically it could still operate as intended. However, this means that your body is incapable of regulating mana or other energies in a normal fashion. You are lucky that we were able to stop the problem of blockages and salvage most of your bodily functions. Surprisingly, your stomach can still function moderately normally. So STOP running off and-....
Let's stop that recall right there:3.
They said that further treatments will be discussed with other family members involved and me, as it concerns the cooperation of everyone in the house. So in conclusion...
The entire family will be meeting me soon.
I dread.
" ...Right, system, how much did I accumulate in stat growth today?" May that be a problem for another time.
___________
Congratulation! You have achieved noticeable growth.
------
[Status Board]
Vitality: G -> G++ (Extremely Weaken)
Mana: F++ (Extremely Weaken)
Agility: G+ -> G++ (Extremely Weaken)
Strength: G+++ -> G++++ (Extremely Weaken)
Intelligence: F+ (Weaken)
Luck: C+
Overall rating: F+ -> F++
------
Combining your efforts today with the past 3 weeks, you have gone up in rating.
The system sends applause for your resounding result.
___________
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Dear lord, thank the gods.
I managed one plus!
My one-month efforts bear fruit after all.
Who would have thought I would be so happy just because of a single one-digit multiplier?
" HAHAHAHAHHhahhhHHahhHhhahHHhahh" I let out a crackle like a maniac as I spin circles on the carpet, almost crumpling the notes I have been taking.
Though my Mana won't be budging anytime soon, this is still a good step forward.
I grabbed the rest of the thick medicinal soup in a cup, then chugged the rest in one breath. The blasted taste sent me into a full-body shiver as I tried not to gag. I tried to gargle the taste away with some water, but it seemed like it was nigh ineffective.
Dusting myself off the floor, I placed all the sprawled materials neatly back in their stacks and threw them back on the table, then threw myself straight into the bed.
A patient who has done a good job ought to receive a deserving rest.
I spin myself a cocoon in bed with my soft and fluffy blanket, then immediately succumb to exhaustion and medicine.