I was now sitting in a very handsome chair before a large sitting table carved out of a marble slab. While its surface was evenly flat, its edges were quite jagged but still dull to the touch. I checked. It sat atop four legs, also of some marble make. A wide assortment of items were laid across its surface, but it had the look of a table of an executive position.

That was when I realized this must have been a conference room of some sort, or one of those old castle solars. Much of this castle I was walked through had the appearance of high decor and finery. It was a manor clean in wealth, though void of any modern amenity that I could see.

With me in this room were a couple maids, dressed in old style, and another man-servant person holding a decorative service tray. The butler had me sit here in this wingback chair, while the maids and footman (I think) began to ply me with tea and biscuits. I tried to politely decline such hospitality, but I figured if they went to all this trouble I may as well take a couple sips of tea and chew on one of the small biscuits. It was nothing really tasty, but it was not bad either. The drink even left a minty freshness in my mouth, something I could really appreciate.

Before Morris left the room, he apologized for the Lord's tardy, stating to me, "He would have prepared a more suitable reception, if he knew of your coming."

I told the butler a "not at all" and explained this was more than an adequate, "-greeting for such a visitor. To be honest, I was not at all, expecting this much. I thank you for this consideration," hoping that what I said here was a suitable response. Morris then did another formal bow and left to make ready the preparations.

Since the manor had not expected any visitors, especially a house call to the injured Burg heir, this house was in a hurry to make 'everything' ready. Apparently the young master was still in a rather cripped state and partook in a tonic that dulled the senses. The maid who told me this left no imagination as to the 'why' for this. He must have been in a constant state of pain.

But if it happened a month ago and the priests mended his body, then why is the patient still sounding so bad off. I wasn't going to ask that though and draw any ire, so I just kept my mouth shut and took another sip of tea.

The boy's family were currently rousing him to awake with the house staff cleaning up. Really, I did not think my visit was warranted all that but thinking back on old histories and literatures, this did follow those standards of high society; which looking around my current setting again, was clearly where I was in.

Not five minutes later, Morris returned with a younger gentleman in tow. I could instantly tell, even without [Scan], this was the Lord Burg. The two maids and footman stiffened their already straight backs as the butler neatly followed a couple paces behind his lord after they entered.

I had already stood up as a sign of respect. I probably should have put my tea cup down first, but it would kinda look silly to do so now. Lord Burg took the largest seat in the room, opposite the table where I was seated, with Morris standing to his left with his back to the wall.

No one said a word, so I kept standing, not trusting my own knowledge here to the know the proper etiquette. I'm was pretty sure I could sit back down, but I wasn't going to risk it. A moment later, the Lord gestured with his hand, "Please, be seated."

"Arigato, Burg-sama." I put the tea cup back in its saucer before giving him a formal half bow. "And thank you for this kindly greeting." I had to get this out first before taking my seat.

"Not all all, madoshi." I noticed he used the Japanese term here to address a mage. "So you are here about my son?" He questioned next. I quickly shuffled to hand him the guild request paper at my side. He looked to read it top to bottom, sighed, and handed it back to me with a nod.

"I thank you for honoring this request and coming out here." The Lord looked a little weary in the eyes, but I didn't want to comment on it or even think about it. So instead I came out as forward as I could-

"So... um... might I, see the patient?" and it had the exact effect I was expecting. Everyone in the room flinched with the footman carrying the tray making the slightest of jingling noises before they all returned to their stoic expressions. There was a reason I was brought here first after all.

The Lord Burg made a motion with his head, like a nod towards the arched doorway, and the two maids and footman left in due order. Only the butler remained unmoved. I was a little alarmed by the quick dismissal and took the chance to whisper [Scan] upon my host in the meantime:

Name: Tomas, Burg (surname)

Race: Haffu

Class List

lv.19 Swordsman

lv.20 Squire

lv.33 Villager

Stats

Strength - 86, Vitality - 80, Agility - 98, Dexterity - 94, Magicka - 40, Spirit - 40, Luck - 5

Skillset

Sword Hand: 12 +Counterattack +Feint, Sense Magic

Feats

Dueling Form, Toughness II

Titles

Landlord*

As I quickly looked through his character window, I noticed he had a 'Title', the first I've seen on anyone scanned so far. And its Landlord tagged with an asterisk, this probably denotes something about that 'dominion' lore Rogers was telling me about. I also noted his HP sphere was a tad different than those I've already seen, even mine.

Also another odd thing was Tomas here had the Haffu race as Rogers's window shown. Hafu in general terms was to describe someone who was half-Japanese, like myself. Did that also apply here? Both these men had no 'Japanese' features at all, while my own status has me as Erudite due to that RPG World variant selection. But what that might mean in this new world here... I had no idea. This was getting confusing.

There was no reason to inwardly debate it now, so I dismissed this windowed view from my inner eye, but in those few seconds, the Lord Burg had quite a wry smile on his face as he leaned back in his chair. I froze when he said-

"I see you have a Mystic Eye." It wasn't a question he posed but a statement he already knew the truth to. Morris the butler stiffened as he heard the pronouncement. My memory of the window quickly came back up, and that was when I noticed he had a Sense Magic skill. Uh oh, my grip on the Curved Rod was a little tighter.

But before I could make any sense of this situation, the butler shed all niceties to chastise me in a clear voice, "That's very rude, young man." My eyes darted on him, his gaze making me feel quite small, before I put them back on the Lord Burg. His look was one of generally evaluating me, as though learning that I had this 'Mystic Eye' raised my own personal value. Tomas then flicked his hand in dismissal towards his butler while saying-

"It's fine, Morris." The Lord Burg looked more impressed than anything. Was I safe here?

"I'm sorry but... can I ask," I swallowed here before continuing in a straight voice, "what this 'Mystic Eye' is?"

Tomas's eyes narrowed a little but thankfully his expression did not change much. He took a quick glance at his butler, Morris still giving me the stare of doom, before telling me, "It allows one to use an imbued spell with their eyes. Mind you, it is a rare magical skill."

Again he waved off the tension his butler was giving off as he told me, "Please. Don't feel threatened. In fact - I'm actually quite happy here. Having someone as talented as you coming to look at my son is a blessing." Here he gave a pointed stare at Morris who quickly looked away after the playful rebuke.

Feeling a bit more assured it was all alright, "Was it because of your Sense Magic skill?"

Here Tomas laughed and said with a nod, "See Morris. He does have an Eye." The tone made it seem it was all a bluff before. I blushed, thinking I'd been had but-

"But yes to your question, madoshi. Your's is a form of appraisal magic, is it not?" I could swear Tomas's smile was like one of approval, the same I would get from a teacher for giving the right answer to an open question. An awkward minute passed between us before I felt the need to apologize-

"Gomen. It is kind of a... bad habit."

"Don't worry yourself over it," came Tomas's easy reply. "Like I said, it is not a big deal."

"So... about your son?" I was hoping we could get into the 'why' of why I was brought here not directly to the person the guild request was for. I'm sure an exchange of pleasantries was hardly the reason. I did not say this to the Lord Burg in that exact wording, but I wanted to know why everyone was being so apprehensive about this. I mean one of the maids was shooting me daggers.

"I mean... how bad is it, if you don't mind me asking." And I finished.

Tomas's smile was gone, his expression completely somber now. "It's pretty bad," the lord started. "Do forgive my staff here. Thom was a bit of a handful and everyone tends to dote on him. So seeing him like that," his voice broke on that last word. No one could not have noticed.

"Well, it's hard." Even the butler looked like he was about to cry. I think I'm seeing why I am here now.

"So, you want to know what 'healing'," I put a bit more emphasis on that word, "I could provide?"

The Lord Burg nodded and talked about how the priests who came to heal his son almost a month ago were able to mend his broken body but could hardly do anything for his damaged eyes, although the three were able to restore their shape. It was getting hard to listen to.

"Kami-sama, how bad did this kid tumble," was all I could think during his explanation.

"-and it.. it was a... a long process," as Tomas finished. The entire time the lord's eyes did not meet my own. That could only tell me it was a bad experience. Like really bad.

"How long," fearing the answer.

"Some three days." Was healing that 'bad' here? Most of my healing spells had instantaneous effects, well all my spells did in the game world. My four buffs worked as normal, even my skills did - save that little heart attack with Phoenix Heart. True - I haven't actually used any of my healing spells per say, but did healing work differently in a real magical setting?

"Do you know what magic spell they were using?" I was trying to narrow it down. Perhaps healing effects correlate to the caster's level, or stats, or the spell used. But since my own stats were much higher than most people I've scanned, maybe that will affect my own magic here in the positive?

Lord Burg turned his head to his butler who replied, "They were alternating Mending spells." I put my fingers over my pursed lips as I racked my brain to go over all my gaming knowledge over 'Mending'. From what I remember, Mend was basically a self-healing Monk skill. Basically a light heal that can sometimes removes conditions like a bleed or poison. There might have been a Mend Spirit spell in a game I once played but that was pretty much it. My gamer knowledge felt inadequate here.

There was only one other question I could ask, "Mending is a low ranked spell, correct?"

Again, Morris answered, "It is a common Priest skill. One of the first that they learn. A magic can that restore an object's shape." Object? So it may not even be a traditional healing spell. I found a new avenue to solving this question.

"I have question if I may. Forgive me if it sounds like... stupid." Tomas merely nodded. I looked directly at the butler and stated in the most simplest terms I could think of, "Are these Priests of the Temples, healing specialists?"

Morris looked clearly confused to my question which meant that 'it' must have sounded a stupid one. He even looked as his lord to gauge his response to it, but any number of answers could lead me down the right path. The butler stood still in a moment of thought, probably wondering how best to respond, when he put forward-

"Well... Priests are a Magic Support class. The basic one, no?" I could almost see a question mark over this old guy's head. But if they are Magic Support, then-

"So, Priests are a Mage class then?" was my rebuttal to Morris.

"No, no." This time the butler was more forceful, then, " I mean they can be, mind you." Jesus - make up your mind, but he continued, "But, it is a starter class like a Mage or Squire."

"So, you mean it ranks up." Those words were out my mouth before I even thought to say them.

"Yes, of course. Well, once a Priest reaches a high enough level of training that is." Morris seemed more confident his answer this time.

"What I'm trying to get at is, do Priests start off within the Holy magic system?"

"T-The D-Divine Arts!? Gosh no. Nothing that advanced." Morris looked almost stricken. "Those spells are the providence of Clerics and Paladins. It takes decades of devotion and service to use those magics."

Got it! So Priests in this setting must be a base class that ranks up to a Cleric or Paladin after a certain amount of levels are gained into it. In most games I played, Priests were basically a 'White Magic' caster. They literally started off with various healing ability. It must be different here in this world where they level towards a specific job class that has those spells.

"Sirs, after hearing this... I feel confident enough to tell you that my own healing spells are, they're not like the priests' Mending spells." The tricky part here was trying to explain something I've only ever done in games but still keep an element of fantasy to it as to be considered within the realm of possibility. "My spells are either going to work or... or not. What I'm getting at is - it should not be a long or due lengthy process."

To this the two sagged in relief, but I had to continue so they knew I was not intentionally trying to mislead them here. "You see, my class is an Adept Mage," and now the two looked confused as they were having a similiar WTF moment akin to Genifer's when she saw it on my Status Card.

Going on, "It is a Magic Support class that allows me to access two magic schools. My own healing spells are, how do I say this, they're more 'direct' since they're considered Holy magic." I could not think of any way else to describe the effect.

It was like a bomb went off in the room. The Lord Burg literally staggered in his seat while Morris dropped his trained professionalism to stare at me slack-jawed. Tomas's face was wild as could not rush over to me from behind the large table setting fast enough, grabbing my hands with both of his own, urging me to my feet, while bowing profusely the whole time.

The lord was speaking so fast in broken sentences that I could hardly make out what he was saying. His begging intentions were pretty clear though, "healing his son". Before I knew it, I had somehow been ushered out the door and was being guided (shoved) down the hallways towards my patient's destination.

I did not even get to take in half of what I saw, such a speed we were moving. I tried to better explain during the trip that, "...I only have four healing spells. And I'm not sure if they'll work." The only answers I got in return were "anything" and "please". Over and over. Sometimes together. I guess it was too late for a takeback.

We soon reached what looked to be one of the family rooms. The door was already open and several maids and the same footman were in standby. I literally tripped through this doorway due to the excessive force behind me. Thankfully the pressure on my back was gone now, so I was able to regain by bearings.

My eyes immediately went to the large bed in the room where I could see a boyish figure sitting, propped up with a couple pillows at his back. He was the reason was I here and looked a mess, but other scuffling in the room grabbed my attention. I looked back to a couple of maids standing. The maids all wore painful expressions as though they were expecting something dreadful to occur. The butler went to them and said something I could not hear, to which their faces screwed up into a fake smile.

"Please, madoshi-sama. Anything you can do for my boy." The Lord Burg's voice brought my head around to the room's other two occupants. One was an attactive woman sniffling in the lord's arms, I could only assume being the lady of this manor and the patient's mother. The other was a little girl with the mother's yellow blonde hair in pigtails with the lord's bright blue eyes, likely their daughter. She would be cute if it wasn't for the angry look she was giving me.

I was about to ask if something was wrong with the little girl when a painful moan came from the boy. He was a young teen of 12 or 13 with his father's more bronzed hair coloring, but that was the only part of his appearance that did not have a bruising color. Even saying these were bruises was an understatement. It was like every inch of his face was a different shade of red, purple, pink, and brown. Really, it was horrible sight to look upon.

I took a couple steps towards him when something crashed into my midriff. Surprised, I looked down to see his little sister throwing her little hands in a clear attempt to shove me back. This too would be a cute sight if it wasn't for her angry look she was giving me.

"You's stay away from my brother!" Everyone in the room was stunned to the girl's brazen action. The lady mother softly cried into Tomas's shoulder while Morris took action, getting her to stop 'beating me up'.

"Ojou-chan," as he took her into a forceful hug from behind. "It will be okay. He's here to heal..."

"No. No. No." Each word being said with more vocal force. "No more screaming."

To this the room visibly broke down. The boy on the bed started to shake, the mother cried out in the lord's arms, the maids had to suppressed their rising emotions, and the lord himself looked away affected as the butler tried to hush the little girl with calming words.

As I surmised - whatever healing the priests had done for this boy had an adverse effect on those closest to him. I could hardly be angry with the girl and knelt down to her so my eyes were nearly level to hers.

"I promise. I will do what I can for your big brother. And I will not do anything more than is necessary." All the anger in her face turned into tears as her little body stopped struggling.

I stood back up to look at the parents and said with more assurance, "That, I promise."

"Please, madoshi-sama. Anything you can." With the lord's words, the lady seemed to gather some stability to meet my gaze. I bowed my head to her as I turned all my attention to the patient. With the feeling I had permission I strode up to the bed.

"Kon'nichiwa," I opened up, "My name is Rikku and I've come to you as a healer today." The effect was immediate, he flinched away from my presence. It looked like he wanted to say something but all that came out was a moan. That was when I noticed most of his front teeth were chipped in some form. For some odd reason, his face didn't look swollen but there were little scabs like scars all over. Even on his ears. I took a quick look at his hands to see them gripped and shaking on the spread, wearing the same discoloration as his face. Is this all over his body?

His fear of me was understandable, and I did not want to make this a long session. Truth was, I wanted to leave as soon as possible. This was a very stressful first quest. I figured my best bet was to use [Scan] as a way to diagnose my patient and see if there were any markers to look out for. The boy's character window came up as:

Name: Thom, Burg (surname)

Race: Hume

Class List

lv.4 Squire

lv.12 Villager

Stats

Strength - 19 (-17), Vitality - 20 (-18), Agility - 20 (-18), Dexterity - 20 (-18), Magicka - 19 (-17), Spirit - 20 (-18), Luck - 5

Skillset

Sword Hand (novice): 1

Feats

Athletics

Titles

heir* (this word is faded to mean non-active)

From his [Scan], I could see Young Thom had two critical status. It was like I could see these statuses as a portion of his low HP sphere. One was Blind, but he also had Cripple. Also his Stats had negative values added into them, reducing each to a value of 2... save for Luck which was unchanged at 5. Even his lone Feat was scratched out. This was really bad.

But I had to know the extent of his injuries, this so I could gauge the effectiveness of my healing spells in the future. I asked his father to know if the coloring on his face also extended to parts of his body. To my inquiry, he nodded and directed two of the maids who helped move the boy around to remove his pajama shirt. Thom squirmed and groaned the whole time. Then his shirt was off revealing more than half the extent of what he was suffering.

"He's been like this for a month now." I was completely dispirited at the sight. It was awful to think 'this' could be the end product of a healing spell. His body bore clear abrasions in the shape of stichings. It was like magic was forcibly used to mend his body back together. I was not going to make my observation out loud, but the sound of his mother balling now was like affixed to my hidden admission.

There was only one last thing to check, "Bocchan, may I see your eyes please?" He instantly shook his head, pursed his lips, while pressing his eyes shut even more. The pain that was already there likely intensified. One of the maids made to move, but I waved her off with my weapon hand which I then placed the rod into my ring's storage.

I then sat on the bed before my patient to lean in and whisper, "I'm so sorry, kid. But listen, my intention is not to hurt you here. I'm only asking to see, because I need to see the extent of the... the injury so I know how effective my healing will be. If I don't know the damage beforehand, then I cannot make a proper determination for you going forward."

He still fidgeted away but his dad's voice came in, "Do it Thom."

I made no further attempt to coax Thom to do it and just waited. After 30 or so seconds, the boy struggled to open his eyes to look straight. They were as I expected, gray lightless eyes that were slightly bloodshot.

"Thank you, bocchan," I put as gently as I could. "Now please, try to make yourself comfortable." Thom closed his eyes as I got off the bed to address his parents.

"Okay," while taking a deep breath. "My own diagnosis reveals that your son has two critcal status, the blindness that can be... seen and a Cripple condition."

His father's face went tense while the mother cried out, "Cripped! But the priests said they mended his body."

"And they did, I think." I was at a loss how to explain this but, "It could be a side-effect of the Mending spell they had used to restore the body's shape. Like the body was made whole, but the stress of the former injuries still remained? It would explain why Thom here is having a bit of trouble moving on his own, a month after being healed." I don't think the lady could take much more because she simply just closed her eyes with her hand over her brow. I could hear the little girl sniffling now which also caused the maids to.

I bit my lip to continue, "The first spell I'm going to use is called [Remedy]. It is a Holy magic that can cure certain conditional effects. This will also help me gauge how effective my own magic will be on his body."

"Okay bocchan. Brace yourself here and try to relax." Should I have the boy braced before doing this? I never really 'healed' anyone before. "You might feel a sharp sensation on your face, but please bear with it. The effect of this magic should not last long." And for God's sake, don't scream.

I reached into my ring's storage to pull out the Oaken Wand. I'm hoping here the +Focus boost will give my spells here a little nudge towards success. I had the wand's tip about 5-inches from the bridge of his nose that clearly looked uneven, when I said in a forceful command, "[Remedy]."

The effect was immediate - a pale yellow shone from the tip for the briefest second to appear on the boy's face. He let out a sharp cry of surprise to its sensation, its light having a sizzling effect on his eyes, while parts of the same light curved and fractured to run through the boy's whole body. For a moment, it looked like his entire nervous system was shining in its golden hue. A second later - there was a collective gasp in the room.

Thom was still tense and shaking, expecting to feel more pain to come but the magic was already over within that couple seconds' time. I let out a sigh of relief since it appeared [Remedy] had a very positive effect here. Most of his bruising was visibly gone now. I thought back onto his scanned window again as a checkup and both the Blind and Cripple status were no longer there, as well as the negative penalty on his stats and Athletics feat.

"Unbelievable." That croak came from Morris the butler who had come up from behind me to shake me by the shoulders. The look on his face was one of awe. The boy's parents were shaking in their embrace. Even their young daughter was trembling in emotion.

I was glad I was able to do something for these people, and this kid, but we had to know for sure.

"Bocchan... can you try to open your eyes to see?" It was the moment of truth. Thom was probably in a dazed state as his hands moved all over his face. He was probably feeling the aftereffect of that magical tingle. Eventually though, he opened his eyes straight to his parents, both of whom cried out in clear happiness as they went to embrace him.

I didn't get to see his eyes, but I can safely assume it was a success. Quest completed!

A little bump again hit my waist. The little girl was hugging me tight this time around.

"Mister Wizard healed anija." I could hear her say between sniffles. I laughed softly as everyone in the room was now emotionally comforting the other. The maids were hugging and laughing. The butler was now embracing Thom. And somewhere running in the castle was the footman telling everyone he could find that the young master had finally been healed.

Now the goal was to get out of here. But I think I was currently pinned with the little girl crying at my hip.

Soon the Lord Burg and his lady wife were before me. I tried to give them a formal half bow, but it was a little difficult with the weight at my side. I barely made the motion though before Tomas, crying, had me in a literal embrace, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Afterwards, the lady took my hands with her own and kissed them after a bow.

I could feel my face growing hot by this, as I tried to say, "Please, think nothing of it. I'm just glad I could be of service here." My voice a nervous mess.

"Madoshi-sama. This is... more than... words can describe," her voice was soft and gentle. After my hands were released, each of the maids took me into a hug. One had a particularly large bosom that made my cheeks burn even more. I could feel the little weight at my side gone now. She was in hand with her mother and then the maids parted so I could see the last, young Thom on his feet and his beaming blue eyes before me. His range of motion also looked a mile further than what it was.

"So, how are you feeling, bocchan?" I could tell the magic of [Remedy] did not fix his broken teeth, still one would not be able to tell he hopped off his deathbed a couple minutes before. Outside a few bruising on his chest and a couple spots on his face, his posture was one full of health.

"Alive." The relief in his voice was one that could bring you to tears, but none did because of the joy of miraculous recovery still dancing in the air. He gave me a formal half bow, saying-

"Arigato gozaimasu, madoshi-sama."

"You are most welcome." Perhaps this may have been a little informal, but I held my opposite hand out to him in a flat gesture. He smiled again as he lightly slapped it with his own. This helped break the tension in the room during his "thank you" as his little sister was now hugging him, and it looked like he would be making a round being congratulated by the maids.

I did feel a little guilty as he still had a mouth full of broken teeth. Technically this quest was over. The request was to cure his 'blindness'. But I may as well, while I'm here...

"Domo, if I may have a moment." Everyone literally stopped making me almost sweatdrop. It felt a little rude interrupting the little festivity before my eyes, but I had to ask, "I'm sorry to interrupt but... the guild paper. I was told having signatures could be considered proof of completion. But I think I left it back on the..."

"Of course, of course." The Lord Burg was already motioning to one of the maids, who bowed to excuse herself as she hurried off to the previous setting.

"And this might be rude to ask, but could I have the patient's signature and perhaps a couple more who were witnesses here?" Everyone in the room was nodding. I breathed out a little sigh of relief, but during the wait I offered to heal young Thom's teeth.

"Please, madoshi-sama." Tomas looked open to the idea but, "Surely, you've done us a great service already. To ask anything more..."

"It's fine. I mean, I'm already here." I kinda gave a shrug to say it wasn't a bother.

Tomas ushered his son forward who had a little spring in his stance this time. He was looking 'eager' for another round of healing.

"Can you open your mouth please?" Thom did as asked, opening wide to show me the severity of the damages. Thankfully, it looked like most of the broken teeth were in the front so it would be easier to see how effective my next healing spell will be on them.

"Okay," drawing myself up to better explain to those in the room. "The next spell I will be using is called [Regen]. It's short for regeneration. This one is more of an enhancement spell though, so its effect is continuous but for a limited time."

My audience seemed to be confused by the terminology used but I went on, speaking this time to Thom in particular-

"You might feel a little tingle, all over, and... you might glow a little. But it is not dangerous, okay." I mean some people might see glowing skin as some sign of radioactivity. I was trying to avoid giving anyone a scare here.

"That's cool." He did not seem scared at all. It was hard not to let out a laugh to my patient's response.

Again, using the wand, I pointed it about half a foot from his mouth and said, "[Regen]." A pale green light appeared around Thom and looked to seep into his skin as the light continued to pulse around in interval. There was another combined intake in the room as the boy broke out in a laugh. His sister started clapping.

"Look - I'm really glowing. And it tingles a little. Just as the madoshi said." The boy said inbetween bouts of laughter. He even started doing propeller flaps with his arms.

I took note with the effects of [Regen] having already healed away the last of the bruisings on his face and body. This was a good marker for its future use, it would be as strong as most other healing options since the pulses are on a 3-min timer. His skin looked completely healed and even in color now. But what about the teeth?

"Bocchan, can you open your mouth again, please?" Again, he opened wide to show me. Most of his teeth were already magically corrected into a proper shape. The only one still 'regrowing' was that one front tooth on the top that had been nearly chipped at the base. And just like that, that was done.

"My mouth felt funny," the patient remarked, after I told him he could relax.

"That effect might last for another 2 minutes. But it worked. Most of your teeth are back to normal."

"Arigato," and he bounded to give me a quick hug. I could hear his little sister asking her father if Mister Wizard could make her glow too, but she got a quick admonishment from her mother instead. Though the words said to make her pout were too low to hear.

I was curious to how Thom was 'feeling'. Like when I was under the effect of my four buffs, I felt as if I had a surge of energy coursing through my veins. I wondered if he felt that same sensation.

"Yessir," Thom stated immediately. "I feel a rush in me," to where he pinched his little sister's cheek and said playfully, "Catch me if you can." And to everyone's surprise, he literally bolted off and out the door running down the hall hooting all the while. No one even had the time to stop him.

The litlte girl screwed up her face in clear determination, picked up the hem of her little gown, and ran after him. This got the butler all worried as Morris took off behind her-

"Waka-chan! Ojou-chan!" while imploring them down the halls not to overdo it.

I laughed a bit at the little banter. Seems everything will be back to normal in this house in a short while. I put my wand away into the ring's storage and held my hand out to the Lord Burg asking-

"Is there anything else, Burg-sama?" I could swear the light in the lord's eye went sharp as he took my handshake by the forearm and leaned in closer to say in a voice that was just loud enough to be overheard-

"Say. Rikku, right? Rikku-dono?" I nodded to my name then, "How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?" I wasn't really sure how to answer this though.

"Tomas." This came from the lady who clearly wanted to scold her husband for some reason.

"No. I'm serious here," Tomas said to her in his defense while looking at me imploringly.

"Ei... uh... seventeen." Technically I was eighteen, but my character status puts me a year lower. I was getting a little embarassed due to our relative closeness and still shaking embrace. The lord's mind seem to think on my age as some complex math problem before declaring-

"Ehh. That's young enough. Say..."

"Tomas. Stop!" This got the lady to laugh, but she saved me by starting to critize her husband for "such a lack of decorum". I lost track of what they were talking about as he released my arm, and my attention got focused on the maid who reentered the room with the guild paper in her hand.