Book One Chapter Four: Physics Test

Book One Chapter Four: Physics Test

Qube stared at the Chosen One, trying to figure out where he had pulled a fully sized broom from.

So, who do we fight next? he asked. And also, could I get a heal? Im kinda still on fire.

Oh! Of course! she said, blinking rapidly as she looked at his charred and raw chest. [Lesser Healing]!

The normal silvery light from her was shot through with streaks of red. It splashed against his chest, soaking into his skin as his wounds closed before her eyes. He shuddered as the magic took effect, rippling along his body as it searched for injuries.

Okay. So. That was surprisingly uncomfortable, he said.

Was that not massively painful? Qube asked, gobsmacked. His whole chest had been on fire! And not a little bit on fire, like he was singed, he took a full fireball directly to the chest! In fact parts of him were still smouldering, but he seemed to ignore that, instead wandering back to the training circle.

I mean it wasnt great. But it didnt exactly hurt, he said, opening the buckets that held the weapons and looking at them. Still, I would prefer to avoid getting set on fire again. It was not cool.

No, it was hot. Once again Qube felt the Prophecy grip her head like a vice. She wasnt even being sassy that time! He had literally been set aflame! Generally people had a bit more of a reaction to being on fire!

Although shed never seen someone react to being set on fire in a combat situation. Maybe the battle fever shed heard people talk about stopped him from feeling it properly until he was safe. Huh. Yeah, that made sense. What was the point of being crippled by pain while you could still fight? That seemed like it would just get you killed. Far better to be aware that you were injured but able to carry on, rather than rolling around screaming in agony and getting stabbed by the enemy.

Qube looked at the Chosen One with admiration. To think that he was taking his training so seriously it stopped him from feeling pain! Truly he was impressive. She smiled, proud to be the Chosen Companion to such a stalwart Champion.

A Champion, she just now noticed, who was carefully inserting a broom back into his pocket.

Chosen One, please please stop breaking the law of physics, she said faintly.

No, its fine. I did this before.

Everything within Qube wanted to shout HOW? but she managed to stop herself. She couldnt reveal her shameful lack of understanding of how pockets worked to the Saviour of All. How could she expect him to trust her to guide him if she couldnt even wrap her head around pockets? She couldnt declare it was impossible to put broomsticks in your pockets. Shed seen him do it. No. There had to be some sort of deeper secret here. Perhaps even some kind of pocket based magic that she had just missed.

She would study this pocket magic and become its mistress. Maybe she could put not just inanimate objects in her pockets, but living things too! Maybe even monsters! Imagine that: You get into a fight and just pull a bunch of monsters out of your pockets and fling them at your enemies. She could change the world!

True, yes, pockets are very handy for things like that! she said, laughing inanely. Once she got back home she was going to try cramming as many things into her pockets as she could. But I meant that we havent finished training yet, teehee! Youve still got one match to go! And I warn you, these two are masters of stealth!

She was so perky she made herself sick.

And she was still teehee-ing.

Damn it.

Ruth the Rogue was lounging in the training circle with her friend, Quince the Hunter. The Chosen One glanced at them, then walked around the training circle, making sure not to cross into it.

Hello, Hero, Ruth said. She tilted her head, following the Chosen One as he circled behind her.

So what, exactly, starts the sparring? he asked.

You take a weapon out of the bucket and enter the ring! Once the sparring session begins, the first group to all yield or go outside the circle loses! Qube chirruped.

Once I take a weapon? the Chosen One clarified.

So how many times can you heal in a row? Hed asked the second time Qube had fished a toxic plant out of his mouth.

Depends on how much damage there is. She replied, discreetly wiping her saliva covered fingers on the grass. If its something like a small cut, then I can just do a minor cleanse. Anything more than that and I need to do a lesser healing.

Qube had decided there was no point being embarrassed by The Chosen Ones questions. After all, she was supposed to be his guide. So what if they were intrusive and incredibly rude? This was for saving the world, after all.

So how strongs your lesser healing?

That didnt mean she had to like it though.

I dont know exactly. It depends on lots of things. Like if Ive just healed, or just cast another spell, or what kind of attack hit you. If you want, we can go back and get Warwick to hit you with as many fireballs as he can and I can see how long I can keep healing them for? She offered. For some strange reason, he didnt seem keen on that.

No, no, thats fine! Imprecise is fine. I can work with that. Im sure Ill get enough data once we set off. I just thought that you would explain how it all works to me. The whole fighting and magic system.

Oh. Qube flushed. Of course! I would love to explain everything to you! Thats what Im here for, tee- Qube clamped her mouth shut, ignoring the throbbing in her head. No! She refused to teehee any more! She was the Prophecy Approved Companion to the Saviour of All Human and Human-Adjacent Beings! She would not teehee at him! She. Refused!

The side of her mouth slowly opened itself against her will, a small, dying heeeee escaping.

Noooo!

You know what? Im good. The Chosen One said carefully, watching her twitch with rage. It looks like Im supposed to learn about it later. Although... He trailed off just as they arrived at the village. Youre a really strong Healer.

Thank you, Qube said modestly, controlling her temper tantrum. Truth be told, she was the strongest Healer in the entire village. In fact, in terms of raw mana, she was probably the strongest Mage full stop. Of course, part of being a Prophecy Approved Companion was avoiding rubbing the fact that she was better than the normal villagers in their face, but that didnt mean she was oblivious to the fact that her, Quinton and Quince were easily the three most powerful people in the village. It was part of what made them in such a good position to be guides to their respective Chosen Ones.

-especially for a starting area- The Chosen One continued.

Granted, shed never really interacted with the Rogue and Wizard. Companions tended to get a little touchy about you talking to their particular Chosen One. In fact, she hadnt even remembered that the Wizard and Rogue had had names until this morning.

...Had they even had names until this morning?

Of course theyd had names! She mentally scoffed, leading The Chosen One through the village. Everyone had names! She just couldnt remember them having had names before! That was normal. Everyone forgot things. It was probably probably some Prophecy magic thing. It generally was. Suddenly she realised that shed been completely ignoring The Chosen One.

-nervous when their level is too high, its never a good sign, you know what I mean?

Yes, She agreed, not wanting to reveal she hadnt been paying attention, fortunately we dont have to worry about that right now. The tallest building here is the Town Hall and no one likes going up there because the pressure is so high that sometimes you get stuck. So you can relax.

He looked at her in silence for a moment.

Thank you? He said dubiously.

Qube smiled. She wouldnt have thought the Hero of All would be afraid of heights, but she was glad she had been able to reassure him. At least she was doing something right! As she looked at the building theyd stopped in front of her smile slowly slid away. Oh. Right.

Actually, I dont think you should relax just yet. She warned. This this is gonna hurt.

You would little think that the place before them could exude so much sinister energy. The small sign above the doorway was a scarred wooden plank with a carrot, a heart and a potion vial etched onto it. It smelt of varnish, salt, and despair.

This is Mr Igmas shop.