Chapter 7: The Shape of a Soul

Sain placed the first crystal in front of Shou.

"Now, try channeling some magic into this. Just a little."

Maybe about the same amount as when using the toilet?

Oh! A soft green glow flickered inside the crystal.

"Hmm. You have the aptitude."

The goddess actually did her job!

Shou had doubted her, and she silently apologized in her heart.

Falco, however, had a complicated expression—somewhere between pleased and conflicted.

"Next, try this one."

It was another crystal orb.

Oh! This time, it glowed with a gentle, creamy hue.

"Your magic reserves are more than sufficient. You have no particular elemental bias. With training, you could even become a mage."

No thanks. Shou shook her head.

Sain continued explaining her options.

"If you choose to become a mage, you’ll need to study at the academy in the Lakes. If you wish to become a healer, it’s best to train here in Deep Forest. But there’s no rush to decide yet—you’ve only just completed the Trial of Aptitude. Take your time."

Falco suddenly cut in.

"You could also become a hunter, you know."

"Falco."

"She should have the freedom to choose, Sage."

"Well… Falco isn’t wrong. Aside from healers and hunters, there are merchants, scribes, and many other professions. However, those with healing aptitude may still be called upon for healing, no matter their chosen trade. That’s why training is necessary. But… you won’t be able to come to town until spring, will you? Falco, why not entrust Shou to me for a week in the meantime?"

"No way. I just found her a week ago. She’s still getting used to everything."

Sain slowly looked around the neatly kept cabin.

"She seems quite settled already. Falco… are you the one who’s uneasy?"

"That’s not true!"

Is Falco bad at dealing with the Sage?

He’d been getting pushed around this entire time.

Shou decided to speak up.

"Sage—Sain-sama."

"Ahh, I like that. Yes, call me Sain-sama."

The stern expression he had directed at Falco softened as he turned toward Shou.

"Sain-sama, is it necessary to start training immediately?"

"Not necessarily. Those without parents often begin training early at the church, but most start around the age of twelve."

"Then spring should be fine."

"Hmm."

"Shou…"

"I mean, I have to take care of Falco."

"Pfft—hahaha!"

"Leon!"

"Come on, Falco, did you hear her?"

"I—I don’t care what she does, as long as she stays with me!"

Sain chuckled kindly.

"Very well. Let her do as she wishes."

"Then, let’s at least go over the basics of healing."

"Right now?"

"Yes. Let me explain the nature of the soul. The soul and body are inseparable. When the body is injured, the soul is also damaged. By restoring the shape of the soul, the body naturally heals."

So… it’s like energy?

"Exactly. Healing uses magic to restore the missing energy of a wounded soul—drawing from the goddess’s reservoir."

So the goddess is a fuel tank, and healing magic acts as the pipeline connecting the tank to the soul?

"Now, take my hand and try to see the shape of a soul."

Sain took Shou’s hand and gently channeled magic.

Their magic flowed between them.

If she thought about "soul shapes" in Japanese terms, she imagined hitodama—little floating spirit orbs.

But here, it wasn’t an orb.

It overlapped with the physical body, mirroring its form.

Sain’s soul had no missing pieces and shone beautifully.

"Ah, Shou, your magic is warm."

"Sain-sama, your soul is beautiful."

"Thank you. Now, take Falco’s hand and see if you can find any missing energy."

"Okay."

"Wait, I don’t have any injuries!"

"Then there’s no problem, is there?"

Despite his protests, Shou took Falco’s hand.

For a moment, he looked… a little happy.

She channeled magic.

His soul was bright, warm—

But—

"Falco, your left shoulder…"

"Tch… it’s nothing."

He tried to pull his hand away.

Shou tightened her grip and looked to Sain for confirmation.

"You need to restore that area’s original form."

"Got it."

She visualized his soul returning to its proper shape—

Pulling in energy from the goddess’s reservoir—

Yes, she could do it.

"Whoa… warm… huh?"

Falco rolled his shoulder.

"It’s… healed?"

"That is healing, Shou."

"I think I understand now."

"You’re not tired?"

"Nope, I’m fine."

"Good. Then—"

Sain turned to Leon.

"Leon."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

Leon stood up.

"Shou, you’ve noticed that I have trouble moving one of my legs, right?"

"…Yes."

"I’m sorry, Leon, but Shou needs to understand a harsh reality."

Sain’s expression grew serious.

"Healing is not all-powerful. Leon was once a hunter, but his injury took too long to receive treatment. It never fully healed."

"But—"

"As time passes, the soul forgets the original shape of the body. Once that happens, it cannot be restored."

"…I see."

"Look at Leon’s energy and observe what is missing."

"Alright, Shou."

"Leon…"

"I’m used to this. It’s for everyone’s benefit—go ahead."

Leon gave her a slightly sad smile and held out his hand.

Shou connected to his energy.

His left ankle lacked its usual glow.

"There were potions, but they weren’t enough for the severity of the wound. Help didn’t arrive for two days. The outside healed, but…"

That must have been painful.

But… if the soul had forgotten the shape of his ankle—

Could she copy the memory from his right leg, mirror it, and paste it back?

"Leon, can I try healing you?"

"Go ahead. Can’t get worse, right?"

"Alright."

She copied the shape, flipped it, and began restoring the soul.

It worked!

"Shou, your healing feels warm."

"How does it feel?"

"Hmm… it actually feels… better? Hey—!"

Shou suddenly slumped forward.

Ah.

This was like running out of energy on a mountain hike—

Walking too long without eating enough, until her body just stopped moving.

"She’s drained her magic. But it’s good that this happened in front of others. Eat some bread, and you’ll recover."

Sain directed Falco, who was panicking.

She dipped bread into her tea and took small bites.

Before long, the exhaustion faded.

"Now, all she needs is experience. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Falco is a reckless hunter. Keep an eye on him daily, and heal any injuries he gets. That will be enough until spring."

With that, Sain and Leon left, reluctantly saying their goodbyes.

Of course, they both made sure to lift her up one last time before they left.

Fine. Whatever.

"That was nice, huh? Town kids are usually too scared to let me hold them."

"Same for you, right, Leon?"

"Haha. And Falco definitely hates it when we pick up Shou, but he’s too scared she’ll notice, so he keeps quiet."

"He acted like a different person today. A good sign."

Guess lifting kids wasn’t standard after all.

As they sat side by side in the driver’s seat, they reflected.

"I was skeptical when Shou said she wanted to be a healer, but I’m relieved she has the talent for it."

"Yeah. Deep Forest always needs more healers. But still—"

"Still?"

"Leon, step out of the carriage for a second."

"Huh?"

"Just do it."

"Okay… I’m out. Why?"

"Your leg."

"My leg? …Oh."

Leon jumped lightly in place.

He put weight on his left foot.

"It moves… it’s healed… This was Shou, wasn’t it?!"

"You figured it out? Neither Shou nor Falco noticed, so I kept quiet. But her healing is far from ordinary."

Sain sighed, troubled.

"But this means I can be a hunter again! And so can many others!"

"That’s exactly the problem."

"Sain! Shou is a miracle!"

"Which is why she was hunted."

"…Ah."

"If word gets out, everyone will want her. Do you want to drag her into that?"

"No… you’re right. I’m sorry."

"For now, let’s say your leg healed slowly over time. By spring, you can return as a hunter. You’ve kept up your training, haven’t you?"

"Yeah. I always wanted to go back. Even if not to the front lines."

"Then be grateful to the goddess for giving us Shou."

"Yeah… Sain… yeah."

Unintentionally, the goddess had just gained an even deeper follower.