St Chaos Healer

Ch 72 - A Living Nightmare

I slowly opened my eyes and found my cheek pressed against the cold floor. I was back inside my cellar. I felt utterly exhausted and had no strength to move my body. I just lay there, motionless, waiting for the fatigue to pass.

I hear footsteps approaching. A guard came to my cell and slid in a tray of food.

"Eat up and get ready for the next ritual. We'll be heading to the courtyard in the next 30 minutes," said the guard.

I lazily sat up and took the tray.

Today's lunch was musk bull steak with stir-fried veggies, a piece of flatbread dipped in honey, some meatballs, and a side of milk. There was also a small mana potion and pills that helped regenerate my mana.

This was indeed a luxury meal, one that I had been provided with ever since I moved here. A common person would have to spend three months' earnings just to buy a meal like this.

After eating the meal, I felt better. I also consumed the mana potion and pills, then sat in a meditative state to let the potion flow throughout my body. In a few minutes, I was able to stabilize the mana within me and fully utilize the potion's effects.

Through meditation, I started to understand the inner workings of mana and meridians. I learned about meridians during my personal tutor session in the citadel.

Just then, two guards approached my cell and entered.

"It's time to head up," one of them said.

I opened my mouth, exasperated. "Yeah, yeah, let's go."

Again, I headed out to the upper courtyard. I met new people, healed them, and they thanked me. Then, I felt a massive headache and passed out. I woke up in my cellar, my body hurting, feeling like shit. My mind was fuzzy. I waited to recuperate. Food and potion arrived. I ate, felt a little bit better, and then the next ritual began. Repeat.

My situation has worsened since I started doing the blessing ritual three times a day. Headaches were a common occurrence after the rituals, but now I was also experiencing body cramps. It felt as if all my joints were getting stiffer day by day.

Again, I heard footsteps approaching. The steps came to a stop right in front of me. I let out a sigh.

"Please, let me rest a few minutes more."

As I glanced at the gate, I was stunned. A beautiful woman wearing white robes and high heels stood before me. She had her signature black lipstick and was holding a small notebook in her hand.

"Madam Rita? It's a surprise seeing you here!"

"Master Almond, it's high time you apologize to the enforcer. They will let you back into your room," said Rita.

"Is that what you say to your student the first thing we meet?" I asked.

She let out a sigh,
"Listen, child, put aside your pride and just return to your room. We can resume your studies and graduate before it's too late."

"I will not apologize to those stuck-up enforcers. I don't mind being held back for a year or two. It's a matter of my reputation. I won't be able to live without holding my head high," I rebutted.

Suddenly, the nearby noble prisoners burst into laughter.

"Haha! The little lamb wants to live with dignity, he says!"
"Soon enough, he will be crying for his parents anyway."
"Ignorance is bliss. I want to watch this charade a bit longer."

I suddenly got angry. "What the fuck is the deal with you pigs? Stop eavesdropping on private conversations, will you? Not once did you guys interact when I tried talking, and now suddenly you all feel chatty, huh?"