《For All In Thy Hands》


 Prologue - An Excerpt from Atrologus, the Forgotten Bestiary of Etred

    Accompanied by a dense colourless miasma is the gluttonous beast of the damned, the Nahkrab. Its title is in recognition of the devastation of mana in its wake, as if the beast had consumed the energy for its own gain. The origin of the Nahkrab is unknown, however it is speculated to have evolved from the grudges of the Titan race who are now extinct.


    The Nahkrab resembles that of a giant¡¯s skull. It rests on a poolof slimy and flesh-coloured substance, which the early scholars of the continent of Etred have dubbed "Creep". From every hole of the skull, Creep weeps out indefinitely. This Creep is the main reason why the Nahkrab poses a serious threat to everything around it despite its inability to move or react.


    The Creep is known for two distinct reasons. First is its physical properties. It is soft to touch butholds an unimaginable resistance if hit with force. It will also latch on to surfaces it is on after a brief time. The second is its ability to turnthe surface it is latched on into pure mana. This mana is then released into the air, turning into a dense miasma - the same miasma that shrouds a fully-active Nahkrab. If Creep latches onto a living being, this process is said to numb the being such that they die from lack of mana without even realising what had happened.


    The dense colourless miasma is composed of highly-volatile form of mana, capable of mutating dead organic matter and slowly reanimating the flesh. Itis also a natural disruptor of magic due to its volatility. Any incantations or spellcasting in the presence of the miasma has increased chance of going out of control.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The miasma is capable of lingering in the system of any living being if consumed a certain amount. Apparent symptoms of those who carry the miasma within their bodies include abnormally high rate of magic failure, abnormally high rate of magic backfire and ghoulification upon death. It is also possible to transmit the miasma to others through mouth contact or consumption of bodily fluids.The miasma will gradually disperse from the body over time, but this process can be accelerated through meditation and divine blessings.


    In order to still the Nahkrab, one must successfully breacheither the constantflow of Creep or the thick giant¡¯s skull and apprehend the core. The core is unable to attack any hostile threats approaching it, but it constantly emits a psychedelic light while generating Creep. The lights can easilydrive any ill-prepared beings into madness, so relying on vision alone can prove to be fatal.


    There are three known Nahkrabs recorded in the continent of Etred since time immemorial. One was observed at the Barren Lands of the Dead, located East of the land currently governed by the Nation of Runia. One was observed at the depths of the Submerged Labyrinth of the Corvum Isles. One was observed and sealed at the location now known as the Martyrium of Sola.

 Chapter One - Sola’s Teachings and the Otherworldly Users

    Chapter One - Sola¡¯s Teachings and the Otherworldly Users


    Running footsteps echoed against the marble floors as a boy dressed in black robes ran down, disrupting the harmonious tune of voices which could be heard in the background of the hallway. The said hallway was well-polished and wide enough for three people to walk abreast with little trouble of colliding into each other. Sunlight filtered in from the left side of the boy, where the walls had arched holes that serve as windows. If anyone peeked out to the windows, they would be able to see the entirety of the building and the hallway itself, because the so-called building the boy was in was built in such a fashion where the hallway was embed into the edges of a pit shaped much like an inverted cone. The highest floor of this place was ground level while the lowest point was considered the "sixth floor" below ground, though it was more often called "coils" instead of "floors" by the residents. Naturally, due to the way the hallway was structured, it allowed one to traverse between the floors without using the stairs albeit more time-consuming. For a trainee cleric like the boy, however, stairs were luxury. They were forbidden to access them unless being accompanied by afull-fledged cleric or someone in a higher position. If that were not the case, the boy would have reached his destination by now.


    Eventually the boy reached the room he was heading to. His face crumpled at the sounds of singing voices coming out from behind the doors, lightly blowing a chestnut lock out of his eye which fell due to his hurried pace. His mind clouded with the various forms of punishment he may face for being late. At the same time he had not the heart to back away, for he knew the punishment for skipping a class was even greater. Heaving a sigh, he adjusted his attire and hair in hopes of not increasing, if not lessening the punishment from having a sloppy look.


    The voices stopped almost immediately as the boy turned the knob of the door. He was certain the knob barely made a sound and voicelessly cursed at himself. Letting out yet another sigh, he entered.


    "Mister Vean."


    Came the acknowledgement of his entry. The feminine voice was that of an adult, raspy with age. The boy knew this was the voice of today''s instructor and hung his head whilst standing by the door.


    "It pleases me to know that you would grace us with your presence today."


    The instructor stated without a hint of amusement in her voice. Some of the other trainees in the room snickered at the comment, though the instructor gave no notice and continued speaking.


    "As a fellow worshipper of Goddess Sola, I am obliged to discipline those who are late."


    This was the moment the boy, Charles Vean, was afraid of. His hair bobbed up and down as he nodded to show that he understood and accepted what the instructor was saying.


    "Come see me about it after class. For the time being, get into your position for your daily hymns."


    "Yes ma''am."


    He replied with a heavy heart. While he was relieved to know that his punishment wasn''t as severe as he assumed, for the words the instructor had said to him just now was a typical sentence they gave for a few strikes of the stick after the class, he knew he would be late for classes the next few days as well due to a promise he made. He just hoped the punishments would not escalate too much.


    Charles took his designated spot with the others and held his chart of hymns up. Then, the instructor tapped the air in front of her with a wooden stick. A sound much like hitting on a hard surface vibrated out magically. The trainees, Charles included, all inhaled as they knew this was the sign to resume the singing.


    As they sang, Charles caught sight of asmall piece of parchment floating magically within his reach. Curious, he snatched it while the instructor wasn''t looking and peered at the writing held within.


    ''So what happened? It''s not common to see you being late.


    -Kerri''


    Charles risked a glance to where his childhood friend Kerri was. The familiar swirl of olive filled his vision as their eyes met, to which she daringly gave a small smile and a wave of hand. Charles'' eyes darted to the direction of the instructor with alarm, but the instructor took no notice. Then he realised the other trainees in front of Kerri was blocking the instructor from being able to see her in the first place.


    Despite being the same age, Kerri was at least two heads shorter than the other trainee clerics. Not only that,her attire was always too large for her; supplies and clothes all came from Inglorium, the capital city of the Kingdom of Glordia. Each supply from the capital came with a detailed list to prevent leftovers, and all robes had set sizes per age group - unless the robes were too small and were in risk of showing too much skin. It was surprisingly difficult to get a tailored robe when the situation was reversed. Likewise,any rips or tears were fixedsimply by ordering a replacement from the Capital.


    Kerri was able to adjust the length of the robe by folding it inwards and out of sight for now, but whenever she attempted to fold the sleeves also she would be punished by the instructors for not wearing her attire properly. The white shawl which was supposed to be around one''s shoulder became a stole which came down to her thighs to disrupt her walking as well. Charles thought this added to how cute Kerri''s appearance was, but he wouldn''t dare put such thoughts into words in front of her. Time after time he was tempted to tease her about it to make her cheeks flare up with pink and see those olive eyes glaring at him, but the aftermath of that would be being treated as if he did not exist for a week plus getting hatred stares from Kerri''s fans so he kept that to the rare occasion such as during his own birthday.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    While singing, Charles concentrated his attention on the piece of parchment that now laid flat against his hymn chart, his index finger pointed at it. They practiced this particular hymn every day so in truth the majority of the traineeshad already memorized it by heart, and Charles was no exception. His finger let out small flickers of light as he willed the power he had received from Goddess Sola on the parchment. It was a simple task, to burn the surface of the parchment such that it became letters. Within moments he was done, and so changed the magic from burning to floating the parchment back to Kerri.


    Kerri snatched the parchment out of the air as soon as it was within her reach and Charles'' vision darted once more towards the instructor. There was no need for such caution, but his instincts to make sure no harm or punishment befalls on his friend made him check regardless, and saw that instructor had her eyes closed as she listened to the singing.


    Kerri''s eyes darted down the parchment and as she read, she felt a growing warmth of happiness in her heart.


    ''Was talking to some Users to see if any of them can sew. Y''know, so that you''d have some proper clothing for once. I''ll convince the clerics if they start berating you about it as well so don''t worry!


    -Charles''


    Before she could write another message, the hymn was over. The instructor clasped her hands to a clap and addressed thetrainees to movefor their next task. This wasnothing new to Kerri and Charles; the instructor selected a part from the Solarary, the holy scriptures of Goddess Sola, and thetrainees studied about it in small groups. Then came lunch.


    "Mister Vean,"


    Kerri imitated the instructor when she spotted Charles returning from the punishment. The trainee clerics at the same table as her all burst into laughter at that as he joined them at the cafeteria located on the lowest coil.


    Despite being the lowest coil it was as bright as ground level without any artificial light. It was thanks to the open ceiling; the cafeteria was in the very center of the inverted cone-shaped building. The building, also known as the Martyrium of Sola, was created in order to commemorate a certain event listed in the Solarary but in the present day it is also used as one of the six sites in the Kingdom of Glordia where clerics worshipping Goddess Sola are nurtured.


    When Kerri first got transferred to the Martyrium, she wasn''t sure whether this place could be called a building; from above it was more like a giant hole in the ground with a spiral of hallway impaled to the edge of the hole. Though that was over seven years ago; today, it was the natural view of her home.


    "Very funny."


    Charles spat, though his smile showed that he wasn''t in a bad mood.


    "So, details please."


    Kerri spoke, going straight to what she was going to ask him before. She also pulled at his hands; there were distinct red marks where the stick had been used to carry out the punishment. A soft glow appeared in the outstretched hands of Kerri as her magic healed his hands. Out of all the trainee clerics at the Martyrium, Kerri''s healing was one of the best - though even if her healing magic was not the best, Charles would still have allowed his friend to take care of his hands any day. He did, however, had to force himself to look away from Kerri and her alluring raven hair before he was called a pervert for staring too long and answered the question.


    "Yeah, so. This morn I spotted some Users at the top floor,"


    He started, but was cut short by the gasps of his peers.


    "U-Users?! Here?! That''s impossible, only those serving Goddess Sola are ever allowed in the Matryium!"


    One of the trainees spoke what everyone had in mind.


    "That''s what I thought too, but apparently these Users achieved something big, something pleasing to Sola."


    "GoddessSola."


    Kerri corrected Charles. He scowled at that, but didn''t fight back.


    "Anyway, I trailed them for a bit. They were being led to the Head cleric''s room by an instructor. I waited until they were coming out, then waited for a chance when the instructor would leave them."


    Charles'' voice was becoming elated as he talked at the sight of the utmost attention those surrounding him was giving him.


    "It was when they were about to leave the Martyrium when I finally had the chance. I was risking everything by that point, since you know what happens if we accidentally leave the place, even by a hair''s width."


    Everyone nodded at his words; when a trainee cleric leaves the place they were designated for training without proper permission, they risked their favour with Goddess Sola and lose their granted powers. It was possible to regain this favour, however that took a lifetime of effort.


    "Luckily I caught one of them before they left. That User was a beauty, really; flowing green hair, icy white eyes. And those hips..."


    Charles'' grin became bigger as he reminisced the encounter. Kerri gave a glare and as if he realised that, he snapped out of it and continued.


    "She told me her name - Sylvia - and we talked for a bit. I asked her about what she did to come here and she gladly told me about it. Apparently she and her party managed to fell the army of Orcs which were terrorizing the towns; but that''s not all. They were able to recover something very precious! They didn''t tell me what it was, but judging by how they were treated, it must''ve been something really good. Then I asked her if she knew anyone who could sew. She became really friendly after that and told me that she''d look for one, and that she''d come back again soon!"


    Charles ended his story with pride. As he had expected, he was swamped by the awed eyes of the other trainees. Within moments he was a star, being asked questions about the Users he came across, the appearance of Sylvia''s party members and more.


    "Ugh, it started again."


    Kerri grimaced, looking away. Unlike her peers, Kerri did not feel the charm of Users. She was by no means hostile or opposed of them, but the amount of attention everyone seem to give them was overrated in her views. Instead, she left her seat to have a little walk.


    Her feet led her to the very center of the cafeteria. She wasn''t planning to leave the place just yet as there was time until the next class. The cafeteria''s walls were decorated with various tapestries and arts of the events told in the Solarary, but those she revised every day during classes; the center of the cafeteria however held a majestic statue. For some odd reason the instructors and all the senior clerics were reluctant to tell her - or anyone - about the statue and its origins. Perhaps because of that reason, she found herself observing it whenever she can to speculate why. The closest information Kerri had was during the history class about the Martyrium of Sola, the very place she was in. And even then it was just in passing; no note or reason as to why there was such as statue in such a place.


    ''The Gluttonous Beast of the Damned, the Nahkrab.''


    Kerri read the name of the statue in her mind, then circled it. The countless times she had looked at it told her that it resembled a skull sitting on a circle of.. something. The statue was chiseled in grey stone, so she wasn''t quite sure what to make of it. She observed every detail once more in hopes of gaining more clue; something she might have missed in the past umpteenth time.


    Her search was fruitless, and soon Charles came by to announce that it was time to move on to the next class. With a light nod, Kerri joined her friend back to the slow walk towards the next class.

 Chapter Two - Surroundings

    Chapter Two - Surroundings


    The cafeteria quickly thinned of trainee clerics as they excitedly made their way to the next class. Charles and Kerri were also in the group heading up the coils. Charles lost sight of Kerri a few times along the way due to her height, and he regretted once again that he could not muster up the courage to ask her to hold hands on the way up.


    ''It''s not like you guys are dating, so that''s weird!''


    He berated himself mentally.


    Soon, the two reached the fourth coil, and here he had a sudden urge to say something to Kerri. He turned to face her, and Kerri looked at him with curiosity. And yet, his mind went blank at not knowing what to say. He felt saddened because they were soon going to different classes, but they will meet up again during dinner time. He was conflicted, but eventually blurted out a sentence.


    ¡°Well, see you after DM.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, go kick some butts Charles.¡±


    Kerri nodded with enthusiasm, lightly replying. She turned and went to her designated classroom without a pause. Charles sighed himself, then followed the trail of trainees who were heading into the same classroom as himself.


    Unlike other classes where trainees were grouped up by their age, the Divine Magic class designated trainee clerics by their abilities. It was also one of the only classes where trainees could interact with those of the other age group while in class, which was an added plus in Kerri''s opinion.


    ¡°Kerri, over here!¡±


    Upon entering the room she was greeted by curious glances of her classmates. She also looked around, lightly waving her hand at seeing familiar faces. She then moved towards the corner where the girl who had called out to her was there, and the classmates went back to their own things.


    ¡°Hello you guys, been well?¡±


    Kerri greeted the trio standing at there. The first was a blonde, pigtailed girl named Dana; the one who called out to her. Next to her was her twin brother Cass and their friend, Rowan. Despite the three-year age gap between the trio and Kerri, their height was the same.


    ¡°Yup yup! I wanted to join you for lunch but due to a certain somebody we had to stay behind and recite the hymns a bit more.¡±


    Dana replied, her eyes narrowing to the girl to her right as she spoke.


    ¡°Hey no fair Dana, you know you''re the one who made me laugh in the middle of our lesson. Right Cass?¡±


    The girl who was glanced at retorted at her friend¡¯s words. Cass shrugged, his golden curls bouncing as well.


    ¡°You know how sis is when it comes to things like this - nothing I say will help.¡±


    At those words, Kerri couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°I see you three are the same as ever. Dana, don¡¯t tease Rowan too much or else she¡¯ll cry.¡±


    ¡°Yes''m! C¡¯mere Rowan, let this big sis comfort you~¡±


    Dana¡¯s mock-hostility was shed the moment Kerri spoke and turned to her friend with her arms out. Rowan gave a sour look, adjusting a strand of ashen hair out of her eye¡¯s way.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather have your twin brother comfort me, you bully,¡±


    Came Rowan¡¯s reply, arms crossed and facing away. Kerri caught Cass¡¯ face turning red at that, but she didn¡¯t say anything; despite being such close friends, Dana and Rowan were slow in realising Cass¡¯ feelings toward Rowan. Having said that, Kerri had no intention of spoiling anything, especially since she enjoyed making fun of him from time to time. Charles usually wasn¡¯t there to stop her mischief either much to Cass¡¯ despair.


    ¡°Anyways~ I have a feeling that we¡¯re going to go somewhere exciting for today''s lesson.¡±


    Dana diverted the conversation as she noticed the instructor coming in. Kerri turned to the entrance also, and noted that within the instructor¡¯s grasp was a bundle of scrolls. The scrolls, dubbed the Escape Rope by the trainees, had Goddess Sola¡¯s blessings which allowed the trainees to leave the Matyrium without inciting her anger. Kerri often wondered why it¡¯s called a rope instead of a scroll, but no one knew who exactly coined that name any more.


    ¡°Finally, it¡¯s time! I waited so long for this.¡±


    Kerri blurted out happily, to which the trio nodded in understanding.


    ¡°It does get a bit disheartening when we can only practice protection or enhancement magic.¡±


    Cass spoke, to which Dana butted in.


    ¡°Well too bad you¡¯re not as good at it as I am, bro. I betcha that¡¯s why you find it boring!¡±


    ¡°If healing magic could be practiced on any target like your barriers and not just the injured, I am certain I would excel in this class more than you.¡±


    Cass gave a nonchalant reply.


    ¡°Oh yeah? how about you cut someone and heal them? Easy.¡±


    ¡°You do realise the last person who maimed another for that exact reason got held back by the instructor for five hours of extra lecture on the importance of life and why Goddess Sola would despise such actions, plus a week of extra cleaning duty? Next time, please give suggestions that are not downright absurd.¡±


    ¡°Ech. You two just pause for a bit, the instructor¡¯s coming with the Rope.¡±


    Rowan, who was keeping an eye on the class, broke in between the two before their verbal competition got any worse.


    "Attention trainees,"


    The instructor started. What little chatter that was going around the class dead away instantly.


    "As some of you may be aware, there has been an increase in monster activity around this region. Brave souls have gathered to cull their numbers, but it seems there has been some casualties. We have been summoned to the town of Siochana to aid and support the injured there."


    "Siochana?"


    Kerri gasped to herself in pleasant surprise.


    "That''s the nearest town, right?"


    Dana confirmed in a small voice. Cass nodded.


    "Roughly twenty minutes of walking from here."


    "Here are the scrolls allowing you to leave the holy Matyrium. Those who have received the scroll, head up to the highest coil. Instrutor Thomas will be at the entrance to guide you to the town."


    The instructor continued, then proceeded to distribute the scrolls.


    "C''mon, let''s get ours!"Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Dana exclaimed, almost running up to the instructor.


    "Siochana, huh? I wonder if T¨¦a''s still stationed there..."


    Kerri murmured to herself while following the trio.


    The Martyrium was located in a dense forest. Magically enchanted to grow thicker than normal, the forest served as a barricade to any unwanted hostility. Monsters were warded away by holy blessings, and the only feasible way to reach and leave the Martyrium was via the skies or the cobblestone pathway. At the entrance to the Martyrium stood four buildings: a church open for the public; a small store for wares and grocery; a bar which doubled as an inn as well as an adventurer¡¯s guild branch; and a storage shed. They were for visitors of the Martyrium mainly, and were all run by members of the Martyrium.


    Led by the instructors named Thomas and Claire, the trainees took to the pathway. Kerri did not recognise the instructors, so she assumed the two had only recently joined the Matyrium. Her suspiscion was further reinforced when they started travelling; the trainees weren''t kept in two neat lines as they walked, something the other instructors made a point in keeping, and they didn''t take notice of chatter. The only times they actually instructed the trainees was to move to the empty side of the pathway whenever a carriage went by. The pathway was wide enough to fit two horsedrawn carriages with room to spare, and there weren''t all that many carriages in the first place so that meant the trainees were more or less free to walk as they please.


    "Why are we walking there, though?!"


    Dana''s complaint shifted Kerri''s attention from the instructors who were now making a conversation as they walked too, to the trio. Dana was walking with her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction, and Rowan was snickering at that.


    "It can''t be helped. The Matyrium''s carriages are for emergencies, remember?"


    Cass replied casually with his hands behind his head, staring up at the sky.


    "Besides, there''s twenty-two of us if we include the instructors. That would require at least three carriages."


    "I know that, Cass. But I still wanted a carriage! What if we meet a monster along the way or something?"


    "The pathway''s enchanted to deter monsters, remember? And it also reduces exhaustion, so no use making up excuses like becoming tired. Besides, it''s only twenty minutes of walking."


    "That''s still twenty minutes too long! Right, Rowan?"


    "I don''t mind, actually. I mean, it''s been months since I''ve been allowed to leave the Matyrium. Feeling the wind on my skin and seeing the outside world is refreshing."


    Rowan replied, glancing happily at the greenery surrounding them. Dana gave a disgruntled mumble with her arms crossed, but didn''t say anything back.


    "Um... Have you been to Siochana, Rowan?"


    Cass spoke up cautiously.


    "Years ago, I think. Honestly don''t really remember the town much."


    "It''s a town governed by Ophress, one of the major Houses of the kingdom. There''s lots of temples and churches of different gods and goddesses there, it''s quite a sight."


    Kerri explained, recalling the time she went there.


    "Different gods and goddesses? Are we allowed to go there then?"


    Rowan questioned.


    "Goddess Sola doesn''t judge us for something trivial like that, so it''s okay. There''s also no fights between believers because the Ophress House keeps everyone in check."


    Kerri answered, recalling the lessons.


    "Hmm... In that case, I wonder why they asked us to heal the injured. I mean, they have other trainees."


    "That''s obviously because Goddess Sola is the goddess of healing and divinity. No one is better at healing than Goddess Sola''s clerics!"


    It was Dana who answered Rowan''s question this time. But then her look shifted to that of curiosity. Dana then questioned.


    "But I wonder why monsters have suddenly become active. That''s what the instructor said back at the Matyrium, right?"


    "It''s not that unusual around this time of the year,"


    Kerri explained.


    "Monsters increase in numbers around about now, so they''ll try to find more space to live. If there were anyone injured from that, it''s the clerics'' job to treat them. I guess they don''t have enough clerics this time."


    "Ah, I see. Hm? Looks like the instructor''s signalling us."


    Kerri looked towards the instructor at Dana''s words. Instructor Thomas was making the trainees get into two neat lines.


    "We must be close to the town now."


    Rowan spoke. Kerri nodded, but was unsure what to make of the new instructors. They seem unenthusiastic about their job, only doing the bare minimum.


    The trainee clerics were led to the central area of the town and into one of the churches which had the symbol of Goddess Sola at the top; a golden circle floating above two cupped hands. It was one of the larger buildings situated there. Upon entering the church, some of the trainees gapes at the praying hall which had rows and rows of seats, easily fitting hundreds of people. Kerri was one of the few who had visited this church before, and she was slightly curious what the other trainee''s reactions would be upon seeing the infirmary which could fit in just as many beds.


    Her curiosity did not last long. The trainees were led to the infirmary, and all twenty trainees could not help but gasp at the sight before them. But unlike the time in the prayer hall, the trainees weren''t reacting to the size; rather, they were reacting to the chaos.


    Never had Kerri seen so many people injured and bedridden in one place. Some seemed to be in a more critical situation than others, their blankets and bandages red with blood. Some seemed to merely be asleep, but others were so pale she thought they could pass off as corpses. The sobs and cries of pain and despair was inaudible back in the prayer hall, but it was all too clear in here in the infirmary.


    "This... What happened? It wasn''t this bad last time..."


    Kerri blurted out amongst the shocked gasps from other trainees. Her eyes darted around the room, her body unmoving from the shock. She saw a couple of clerics rushing between patients, casting soft glows of healing magic here and there. The two instructors also sprang into action, checking the patients nearest them, then moved to talk with the clerics who were already working to get a grasp of the situation.


    Kerri blinked as she caught sight of a familiar face. One of the clerics who was frowning in concentration as she casted her healing magic on a heavily-breathing patient was Teannta, or T¨¦a as she called her. A cleric residing in Siochana, she was in her early thirties. Her hair was waved and hung loose behind her. Her chestnut hair reminded her of Charles'', though Charles said her olive eyes reminded him of Kerri in the past. Perhaps due to these similarities, along with her warm personality, Kerri was fond of Teannta. In fact, she was also Kerri''s role model. A kind and hardworking cleric whose specialty was healing magic.


    Finding Teannta in the midst of the clerics spurred Kerri''s legs to move. Normally the instructors would give instructions as to which trainee should go where, but judging by the flustered instructors, Kerri found them to be unreliable. Besides, she knew there was no time to waste.


    "Cass, Dana, Rowan. Let''s go, we can''t just wait while there are people needing help!"


    Kerri called out as she approached the nearest patient, a man who seemed to be asleep. He was covered in a blanket with his right leg out that was wrapped in bandages. The bandages seemed clean, but the man was wincing and occasionally moaning in pain. She held her palms out and muttered a spell under her breath. Goddess Sola''s Divine Magic did not need spells to be chanted, but it helped her concentrate enough especially in a noisy situation such as this. Soft light formed under her palms, melting into the man. The man''s voice drowned down to a murmur, his breathing returning to a soft rhythm.


    "R-right."


    Cass was the only one to verbally reply, but the three also moved to treat the injured. They were nervous, the sound of painful moans and the overall atmosphere affecting them heavily. Dana and Rowan went to the nearest bed together and started up their healing magic, eyes closed in concentration. Cass looked at them for a moment, feeling uncertain and nervous. He, too, had stationed himself next to a bed, but he was unsure of what he should do. He knew he should use healing magic, no doubt, but there were more than one healing magic. Some were for minor wounds and some were to be casted for internal injuries. Casting the wrong magic had no particular side effects except for wasting his mana and made himself mentally stressed out, but the situation was making him blank out. A different trainee bumped into him, pushing him away from the patient. The trainee spread his palms out, starting to cast a healing magic on the patient Cass had been next to. Looking around, he saw that a little over half the trainees were now casting healing magic at a patient, some even helping the clerics change bandages or bringing water for the patients.


    "Cass you moron, get a grip!"


    Dana snapped at and elbowed him.


    "Ow Dana!"


    "And you lot also! Are you guys just gonna stare there dumbly?"


    Dana barked at the remaining trainees who were still in shock. Most of the ones still unmoving were around Dana''s age, and some had started forming tears at being shouted at. A couple were also turning pale in fright at the sight of so many wounded.


    "Now now, we are not here to fight."


    Teannta''s soft voice addressed Dana and the immobile trainees as she approached them. Fatigue was clearly visible on her face from overusing Divine Magic, but she was smiling as she looked at the trainees.


    "Thank you for coming to help us. Now, these people here needs help. Our help. And Goddess Sola has seen that we are the perfect people who can give that help. So please, lend us your hand, and don''t worry about mistakes. Just do as you''ve done during your practices and everything will work out under the Goddess'' guidance."


    She spoke soothingly to them, placing a hand on some of the teary-eyed trainees to calm them down. Seeing the small nods, Teannta smiled once again.


    "Okay, let''s see... let''s form you all into three groups; one to cast healing magic to ease the pain, one to cast enhancing magic to aid those who needs more strength to survive the pain, and one to help changing bandages and other materials we need. Please stand in three groups, in one you believe you can help the most. Healing here, enhancing here and bandages here."


    The trainees got into groups. Cass and Dana looked at each other, then proceeded to join the healing and enhancing groups respectively. Teannta then directed them in what they needed to do.


    By the time the moans of pain and suffering died down in the infirmary, it was well into the night.