Jenni had awakened at fifteen, advanced to Copper just a year later, and became an Iron ranker before twenty. The speed, while admirable, was nothing extraordinary. Her main focus had been on building a solid foundation from which she could ascend higher into the path. But this foolish incident not only put cracks in her foundation but also drained her of the essence.
About half of her essence had been ripped out of her by that dark power that clutched at her being. Well, she was alive, as the man said, she could gain them. But what would her father say if he saw her like this?
To him, getting rid of such a daughter in marriage would be the best outcome. Now, what about the challenge? How could she meet with that centurion fiance of her and rub it in his face in her feeble state? It will take her years to gain back what she lost.
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Agnes said, rubbing her cheeks softly.
"Yeah, you can regain what you lost," the man added. "It won't even take as long as before, speaking from personal experience."
"You had a case like this too?" Agnes asked the man, a frown appearing on her brows.
"Oh, I hadn't mentioned that yet, had I?" he smiled ruefully. "Well, my condition is more complicated, not that I can say much about it."
"Ahh, I forgot about your condition..."
After talking among themselves a little more, they left her to rest in the tent, reassuring her that nothing of the sort she experienced would befall her again. Jenni believed them.
Opening the tent slightly, Jenni peeked out. She looked around and found the two of them ahead. And no, they weren't involved in any intimacy, as she had thought. Captain Agnes was seated cross-legged, her face pale and bloodless, with wisps of dark power swirling fanatically around her. Meanwhile, the healer continued casting golden healing spells.
Of course, she was training, Jenni mused. What was I thinking?
With her idle curiosity satisfied, Jenni drew on her own power. Instantly, a ripping sensation surged through her channels. She guessed she wasn't completely healed, but she didn't stop either.
Hopefully, the pain she was in wasn't like what the captain was enduring. After five minutes of wrestling and tugging with her energy, Jenni completed the Tier-1 Cleansing script, which usually took her only a few seconds. She applied the script all over her wet clothing and blanket, allowing it to consume the moisture.
Now, it was only wet, like water; there was no stench. Thankfully, she found a waterskin and emptied it without a second thought. While her throat was certainly sore, she could use the excuse that she spilt the water all over herself while trying to drink.
Jenni let out a triumphant sound. Now, she was ready to come out of the tent and check on the captain. Maybe even ask for her dimension cube to change into new clothing.
"You seem to have regained some of your colour," the man said, turning his head in her direction as she came out. She nodded, her eyes lingering on the captain's troubled form. "What's happening to her?"
"She's absorbing dark essence greater than what infested your system." Jenni was dumbfounded. She could finally take a good look at the man; he was common-looking, wearing janitorial clothing over his armour, oddly enough.
"Don't worry, she seems to have absorbed most of it already," he said. "Give her some time to finish. In the meantime, are you feeling unwell?"
His eyes lingered on her wet clothing, as Jenni unwittingly made herself scarce, wrapping her arms around the wet gown.