Chapter 29: Mastering the Art of Healing
After finishing an intense training session with my father and having lunch, I took a well-deserved two-hour nap.
In my previous life, I only napped when I'd eaten too much for lunch, but in this body, with its limited stamina, a nap was essential.
By the way, sometimes when I get into bed for my nap, Hina joins me. It's adorable.
After my nap, feeling completely refreshed, I was summoned by my mother to the living room. The "living room" here is a tatami room with a television and an old-fashioned low table, which we use when eating meals.
"Itsuki, sit here."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Aye!"
Hina sat down next to me.
Even though Hina wasn't directly involved in the healing magic practice, she loved watching magic practice sessions. So, she sat beside me, eager to watch the lesson. My little sister is just too cute.
Smiling at Hina's enthusiasm, my mother began to speak.
"I'm going to teach you about healing magic, Itsuki... but actually, there are two methods of healing magic."
"Two methods?"
What does she mean by that?
I must have had a puzzled look on my face without realizing it because my mother smiled gently as she explained.
"Yes, well, the first method involves using Silveit Threads to perform a Form Change. This method is very difficult, but it uses less magic power, and with enough training, anyone can learn it, so most exorcists who use healing magic prefer this method."
"And the other method?"
"The other method involves pouring a large amount of magic power into the injured person and causing it to 'resonate' with them. That way, the injury heals."
"...Huh? How does that work??"
I was even more confused, and my mind filled with questions.
The first method made sense to me right away. Basically, since magic can recreate anything, Form Change could be used to connect torn muscles or skin and coat broken bones, essentially functioning as magical surgery.
That, I could understand.
But the second method puzzled me. How does pouring magic power into someone and causing it to resonate result in healing? The logic behind it completely eluded me…
"Magic power is like life force, Itsuki. Did you know that?"
"Life force?"
"Hmm, well, it's the power necessary to live. People can live because they have magic power."
"Wait, so if someone runs out of magic power, they'll die!?"
Since magic power and life force are the same, that would be the logical conclusion. I was so shocked that I couldn't help but raise my voice a little.
I'm living with Rank Seven magic power, so running out of it is something I don't have to worry about. But if running out of magic power means death, then for ordinary exorcists, managing their magic power would be a matter of life and death.
But my mother quietly shook her head.
"No, just because your magic power runs out doesn't mean you'll die. You'll pass out before that happens and won't be able to use magic anymore. But you're partly right. People who are on the verge of death have very little magic power."
"So... if you share your magic power with them, it'll help?"
"Exactly. When their depleted magic power is replenished, the excess magic power will heal their body. But you can't just give them magic power; you have to make it 'resonate' with theirs. Otherwise, it won't become their magic power."
I kind of understood, but kind of didn't.
My mother seemed to notice my puzzled expression and offered her hand.
"Rather than explaining it all, it's faster if you see it for yourself. You have True Sight, so watch closely."
"Okay."
With that, my mother took out a small cutter and made a shallow cut on the tip of her finger.
"Mom!"
"It's okay, it's just a small cut. Besides, you can sometimes get hurt like this while cooking."
She smiled lightly as she spoke, then motioned with her eyes for me to look at the bleeding tip of her finger. As if drawn to it, I watched closely.
The next moment, Silveit Threads emerged from her fingertip, almost like surgical sutures, covering and sealing the wound.
The threads then dissolved into her skin, leaving the wound completely healed.
"…It healed."
Watching the process, I couldn't help but whisper in amazement. Even Hina, who had been playing with my clothes out of boredom during the explanation, was now fully focused on the display.
Although I had experienced my mother's healing magic a few times before, this was my first time watching the process unfold, and it left me breathless. At the same time, I realized just how complex healing magic truly was.
"With this method, I'm not just healing the skin on my finger; I'm also sealing the blood vessels underneath. This is the healing magic that anyone can learn. But to use it, you need to study a lot. Do you think you can handle that, Itsuki?"
My mother's explanation made me nod instinctively.
Of course, I'd need to study. This was more than just magic—it was like performing self-administered surgery. You'd need to know exactly where everything in your body is, what's damaged, and what needs to be repaired.
…This might be the most challenging magic I've encountered yet.
Until now, the hardest thing I had practiced was the Thread Techniques. But now, I felt like this might surpass it as the most difficult skill I've faced.
But I really wanted to learn healing magic as soon as possible.
The first method might be beyond my reach for now, but what about the second method?
With the immense magic power of a Rank Seven exorcist, if I could just make it resonate, I might be able to heal others' injuries.
When in doubt, ask. So, I decided to ask my mother.
"Hey, Mom. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Since I have a lot of magic power, wouldn't the second method be better for me than the first?"
"Hm, maybe you're right."
My mother tilted her head thoughtfully, seeming to agree. But then she laughed and continued.
"But, you see, I've never used the second method to perform healing magic, so I don't know how to do it."
"Really?"
"Yep, because I'm only Rank One. If I gave away too much of my magic power, I'd pass out from magic depletion."
…Oh, I didn't know that.
It was the first time in my five years of life that I learned about my mother's rank.
Still, this idea of "resonance" intrigued me. I remember my father mentioning something similar when he saved Hina. Could it be that magic isn't just about Form Change and Elemental Change?
It feels like there's a deeper aspect to it, something more profound. Maybe this is related to the Inherited Magic or something?
"So, are you going to teach me the first method, Mom?"
"That's right. So today, we're going to start by studying the body."
With that, my mother pulled out several anatomical textbooks from under the low table, all focused on the human body.
Whoa, this brings back memories!
I remember reading something like this in my previous life!
"Let's start with this one, The Secrets of the Body. Hina, you can join in too."
"Yay!"
Hina happily sat on our mother's lap. As our mother turned the pages, she began reading aloud.
Naturally, I also joined in, reading the textbook with her.
Is this really part of the training?
It looks like I'm about to start a very low-key, but crucial training…!