Chapter 164 How are you going to pay me?
"This battle is over.
Winner, Elara Flameheart."
Astra announced and the moment she did, the crowd erupted in a large cheer.
"Elara!"
Vaan didn't stay idle either, he quickly rushed towards his fiancée, holding her as if she were the most delicate thing in the entire world,
"You were amazing…"
His voice was full of emotions, the emotion that overpowered most of his emotions, however, was worry.
Seeing Elara's marred skin, his heart ached and anger soared, he glanced at Elric who was being taken away by a few Medics, and seeing his disfigured face, his anger calmed down.
"You were amazing indeed…" He agreed to his previous words, extremely satisfied with his fiancée's performance.
His eyes then fell on the Medic who had walked towards Elara and,
"What is the expected recovery time for the wound?"
He questioned.
"Young Mas-" The Medic was about to answer, but then,
"It would obviously take just a few minutes since there is somewhere the two of you need to be.
Or did you two forget your promise?"
The Medic was interrupted by someone he never thought he would.
"Mother." Vaan greeted, his eyes, however, were on the man walking behind his mother.
Astra didn't mind it either, she knew Vaan was worried, she was the same. Astra then nodded at the man following her, the man nodded back, he then walked forward, extending his hands as 6 Magic Circles appeared around him.
The 6 Circles shined at the same time, Elara's arm was then covered in a strange Golden light and the next moment, her skin started recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The puss coming out of her wounds went back, the charred skin started regaining its color, the marred parts of the skin reverted back to their previous form and within 2 minutes, Elara's arm appeared as if it had never been injured.
Elara was surprised.
She tried moving her hands to check if it was alright or whether it was an illusion, soon, however, she realized that she couldn't move her arm anymore.
"What your arm has just experienced is a highly pure Healing Magic, according to some theories, Healing Magic originates from Time Laws, therefore it is considered to be one of the strongest Magic Forms and since a Mage's body is weak from the beginning, it needs time to get used to such magic being used on it. Only the Healers affiliated with the Church of Light have the ability to disregard this limitation.
Mages excelling in healing Magic cannot do that.
So I will not be allowing you to move your arm for the next 30 minutes."
Astra spoke, a small Magic Circle shining in front of her index finger.
"I understand, teacher." Elara nodded in understanding.
"Lady Astra, should I cast an overall Heal as well? She may look fine, but she has been through a difficult battle, she might have hidden injuries." The 6th Circle Mage spoke.
"Are you feeling any sort of pain anywhere?" Astra glanced at Elara.
The red-haired girl shook her head.
Astra nodded her head in understanding as she then shook her head,
"There is no need. You can leave."
"As you command, Lady Astra."
The Mage nodded before he walked away.
"Why did you stop him, mother?" Vaan questioned with a curious look on his face.
"There is no need to use Excessive Heal on the Body."
"Is using Healing Magic continuously harmful to one's body?"
Vaan questioned with a frown on his face. He had been studying theories related to Healing Magic because of Orion's excessive training for a while now and he read anything like this yet.
In normal cases, information like this should be shared in the beginning.
"Hmm? If the Mage casting the Heal is considered a good Mage, then no, there are no side effects you can cast as many heals on your body as you want. Of course, there are some limits and disadvantages, especially in cases like yours where you might lose the strength you've built in a particular training session if you use Heal after it, however, I am sure Orion is taking care of that part.
As for her, I just don't want to use Excessive Heal on her."
A big smile then appeared on Astra's face as she glanced at Elara and,
"Today, I witnessed the warrior aspect of my pupil.
I have made the decision to nurture her into a fearless warrior who can effortlessly conquer her opponents.
Such a warrior does not need to depend on healing for every minor issue."
Hearing those words, a smile appeared on Vaan's face as well.
"Indeed Indeed, my Elara is indeed a Warrior in making." He nodded continuously.
Elara lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Well, she wouldn't be able to move if I told that mage to cast an overall heal, that's one of the reasons as well," Astra spoke.
"Hmm? How is that a problem, I can easily help Elara move, I can even carry her wherever she wants."
"You think you can fool me? Don't make me reveal what you are thinking."
How could Astra be fooled Vaan?
Hearing her teacher's words, Elara frowned in confusion.
"What are y-"
"Oh right, Elara, I think they told all the winners to gather back in the Hall, so we need to be there as well. Let's go together."
Saying those words, Vaan pulled his fiancée away.
"V-Vaan?" Elara was confused by how Vaan was acting. Astra, on the other hand, just smiled.
"You look happy." Eliza, who appeared next to her spoke.
"Today has been a good day." Astra nodded.
Eliza glanced at the back of Elara and, "It was a good day indeed." She nodded as well.
"Would you like to take this chance to address the people? I believe it would be a pity if you do not." Eliza suggested as she glanced at all the people present in the stadium, looking at Astra with expressions full of respect.
Astra noticed that as well and without even her needing to say anything, Eliza called the announcer, and the next moment,
Astra addressed the people of her city.
…
"Vaan, w-where are we going?" Noticing that they were heading in a direction opposite to that of the Hall, Elara inquired with a doubtful expression on her face.
"Are you worried that I might take you away?" Vaan questioned with a playful smile on his face.
"N-No, I trust you…" Elara spoke, Vaan however, shook his head, and his smile widened.
"You should not."
Saying those words, he took Elara to an unfamiliar, dimly lit area. From there, the muffled echo of the crowd's cheers could be heard, and the entire place seemed to tremble from the sound as if on the verge of collapse. Nonetheless, Vaan remained undeterred. He pressed Elara against a nearby wall, his hand placed on the wall above her shoulder, closing her path of escape.
"W-What are you doing?" Elara questioned, her heart racing in panic.
Vaan, however, didn't say anything, rather, he just pushed his body close to Elara, leaning forward, he brought his face dangerously close to hers. Since the place was dimly lit, he couldn't see Elara's face clearly, however, that didn't stop him from doing what he wanted,
"Your fight today was amazing. You did well." Vaan whispered.
"I-It was because you trained me." Elara stuttered, clearly, she wasn't used to such a situation.
A new, unknown feeling made her heart race and her emotions were in a strange turmoil, she found it hard to understand what her body was trying to tell her, however, one thing was clear.
She wasn't hating any of this.
Rather, she felt strangely excited.
"Then don't you think you should pay me?" Vaan questioned.
"W-What?"
"I trained you, didn't I? Don't you think it is time you pay me for everything I did?"
"Okay, h-how much Elemental S-Stones do you need?" Elara questioned.
Vaan, however, smiled widely.
"You aren't getting away with mere Elemental Stones, Elara~" Vaan chuckled.
Then, he pressed his forehead onto Elara's forehead, by now, even the innocent Elara understood what Vaan was trying to do, she may have been in a drunk state the last time they did it, however, that didn't mean she forgot about it.
This time, however, it was different, right now, she was sober,
Completely sober.
As her heart started beating loudly, her mind started thinking, and different emotions attacked her body at the same time, in the end, however, one emotion prevailed and Elara closed her eyes,
Vaan's smile widened, he then leaned forward, going for his fiancée's lips, but then,
"Ahem Ahem."
A sound was heard.
Both Vaan and Elara widened their eyes in disbelief, Vaan stood in front of her as if trying to hide and protect her as he turned around. His expression changed when his eyes fell on Eliza standing behind him,
"Lady Astra has ordered me to keep an eye on you but I believe the two of you wouldn't want others to witness what you were going to do.
Return for the award ceremony and continue your… act after the Elemental Clash is concluded."
Eliza ordered, blue balling Vaan.
