Healing System

Michael squinted, slowing his pace.

Yeah. That's her.

Claire.

The same person who he had met at the Vivum Academy, and the same person who taught him the basics of mana.

Her black hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and she wore a navy uniform that barely resembled the academy robes he remembered. But her face? Focused. Calm. Her eyes scanned the crowd like she was on patrol.

He stepped to the side and gestured to the others. "Wait here. I'll be back."

They didn't argue.

Michael pushed forward, weaving through the people until he was close enough to call out.

"Claire."

She turned at once, eyes narrowing. A flash of confusion crossed her face, then recognition.

"Michael?"

He nodded.

Claire crossed her arms. "You're alive."

"Wasn't planning to die just yet."

"You disappeared," she said flatly. "Everyone thought you were gone for good. And now I find you walking around in the middle of a foreign city in some random world?"

"It's been a weird few years."

Claire exhaled slowly. "Of course it has."

Michael gave her a once-over. "You changed."

"So did you," she replied, voice low. "Your mana's completely different now."

"Comes with the territory."

There was a brief silence before she spoke again.

"I'm stationed here now. Acting advisor to the local Magic Security Division. We monitor all external threats and mana surges that cross into the region."

"And I guess I just triggered your system?"

"You didn't," Claire said, tilting her head. "Your signature's suppressed enough to avoid alarms. But when you knocked out two mages at the border, it kind of made noise."

"They attacked first."

"Not surprised." She paused, then added, "Follow me. We should talk somewhere quieter."

Michael nodded and glanced back at the others. He pointed to a nearby bench. "Wait there."

They looked on with weird gazes, but still went away and sat down on the bench.

Claire led him down a side street, away from the crowds and into a small courtyard with a fountain in the middle. Once they were alone, she turned to face him.

"So how's it been? How's Vivum? Tell me everything."

He shrugged. "There's too much to tell. I got involved with gods. Broke a few rules. Killed some people. Got hunted. You know how it goes. As for Vivum? No clue. I left that place years ago."

She didn't laugh, merely stared at him.

"You used to be careful."

"I used to be weaker," Michael said simply. "Now I don't have the luxury of holding back."

"I can tell... you do seem a little more imposing than I remember." Claire giggled and glanced toward the plaza. "Your friends. They trust you?"

"More or less."

"Then don't get them killed."

Michael looked her dead in the eye. "That's the plan."

She stared at him for a few moments and let out a giggle. "Sorry if I'm not very talkative. I'm a bit shocked at the fact you're here. I never expected someone to follow me across the worlds."

"I didn't follow you." Michael shrugged. "It was a coincidence I ended up here in the first place. I'll be out of your hair soon enough."

"It's fine, I don't mind if you stay," she replied softly. "In fact, it has been pretty bland ever since I left Verdusk. This world isn't that interesting since everyone's so weak."

Michael nodded, then inspected her.

She had reached Tier 4, which was a surprising achievement in and of itself. In fact, it was very impressive she had managed to do that within the span of a few years.

Nonetheless, it seemed like she had some patrol duties, so he didn't hold her up.

"It's nice to catch up. Hope we can do this again sometime," Michael said plainly.

She tilted her head. "Then do you want to go out on a date?"

"A date…?" Michael's eyes widened. "Okay?"

He was about stunned by her proposition, so much so, he answered without thinking.

But as a warm smile tugged at her lips, he felt like he had made the right decision.

"Tomorrow?"

"That works for me."

"See you then. I have to get back to work now," she said with a wave. "Have fun. This city is pretty fun for people who don't live here."

With that, Claire walked away, and Michael stood in place for a few seconds longer.

Then he turned back toward the others.

"Everything good?" Kael asked as he returned.

"Yeah," Michael said. "I'll be going out on a date tomorrow."

"The fuck? Is it that easy?" Arthur asked, mockingly shocked.

"Don't overthink it, fish. I knew her before," Michael replied with a scoff. "You can probably go roam around the fountain and find something there."

Nyra chuckled. "You're seriously going on a date? In the middle of all this?"

"Why not?" Michael shrugged. "It's been a few days. I deserve something mildly pleasant."

Irelia raised an eyebrow. "You're oddly calm. Weren't you worried about traps like ten minutes ago?"

"I'm always worried. Doesn't mean I stop moving."

"Fair," Kael muttered, glancing around. "Well, now that you've got plans, what the hell do we do until then?"

Michael scanned the plaza. Stalls. Cafés. A few vendors shouting about discount scrolls and mana accessories.

"Explore," he said. "Stay out of trouble. Just anything not sketchy, I guess."

"I'm going to check the local archives," Irelia said. "I saw a tower on the way in, likely a magic research building. Might be something useful there."

"Alright. Just don't get arrested."

"No promises."

The group split. Arthur wandered toward the fountain with a bored look. Kael followed a group of street performers out of curiosity. Nyra stayed near Michael, arms crossed.

"You trust that girl?" she asked.

"Claire? Yeah."

"Why?"

"She's the one who taught me how to use mana. Back when I was clueless."

Nyra didn't respond, but her eyes lingered on the direction Claire had gone. Then she looked at Michael again.

"You're still burning mana."

"I know."

"Let me help."

"I'm good."

"You're not."

Michael gave her a glance but didn't argue. She wasn't wrong. His reserves were stabilizing, but the deep fatigue remained.

Instead, he turned away and started walking again. This time, just to see the city. He didn't want to rest yet, not until he was sure this place was safe enough for the others to relax too.

After about an hour of wandering through unfamiliar streets, past shops layered with charm runes, mana-fueled lanterns, and crowds that didn't seem to care about his presence, Michael found himself in a quiet alley with a faded sign hanging above a crooked door.

'Threads of Essence – Mana Tailoring & Reinforcement.'

The door creaked open as he pushed it, and a faint bell chimed above his head.

Inside, it smelled like old parchment and incense. Shelves were packed with bolts of cloth humming with low magical energy, and in the back, an old man with white eyebrows and a tiny magnifying lens was threading glowing string through a cloak.

"Oh?" the man halted, turning to Michael. "What do we have here? A being wielding chaos? How amusing…"

Why does everyone know about my affinity? Michael thought with a small frown. "Do I know you?"

The old man ignored him. Instead, he started talking nonsense. "You've got too much noise in you."

Michael tilted his head. "Excuse me?"

"Mana." The old man stood, pointing a shaky finger. "Yours is flaring in seven directions. Unstable structure. Fragmented bonds. It's a wonder you're still walking."

"…Thanks?"

The old man ignored the sarcasm and walked around the counter. "I can patch it. Not a permanent fix, but enough to stop you from frying yourself mid-walk."

Michael tilted his head. "Free of charge?"

The old man chuckled. "Just because you're special, I'm willing to waive the cost. Just don't die. Would be a waste of potential."

"…Fine."

The old man motioned him over to a bench surrounded by sigils carved into the wood. Michael sat. He wasn't expecting anything fancy, maybe a minor enchantment, but the moment the tailor pressed two fingers to his wrist, a soft pulse of golden mana spread through his veins.

It didn't heal him. But it smoothed the unstable threads in his core just enough to stop the burning sensation under his ribs.

"…Huh. That actually helped."

"Told you."

The Chaos mana stabilized… briefly, Michael pondered.

He had been feeling great discomfort, and he was a bit surprised his group had realized it.

But following the pattern, so did this man, and then probably a couple more people.

Nonetheless, he was relieved, and he no longer had a strange static in his ears, so he could go about his day exploring as per usual.

"Thanks for that, old man," Michael said with a smile. "But do you know any permanent solutions?"

"I might," the old man said, brushing his fingers against his beard. "But it might require you to give up something important."

"Something important?"

The old man nodded.

"You'd need to give up…"