"Are you ready for the results of your final tests, Miss Bromley?" The doctor at the hospital tried to keep a straight face, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his bedside manners. Marcie, still in her wheelchair, couldn't wait any longer. The doctor passed her a printout of her latest x-rays.
She remembered what they looked like before, full of cracks and slightly askew. But Marcie couldn't believe what she was looking at now. "Are you sure these are my x-rays? Y-you didn't switch them with someone else's?" She pleaded for honesty, not believing what she was looking at.
The doctor shook his head. "No these are definitely yours Miss Bromley…" Marcie stared down at a pristine example of a healthy and strong spine. Not one disk out of place, not a single blemish on the bones. Marcie's hands trembled. She had already regained feeling in her legs after being revived at the end of the surgery, but she had lost all her muscle strength so she was still too weak to just get up and walk around like her accident never happened.
Healing potions healed injuries, but they weren't instant muscle-builders, that was in the realm of fantasy. Marcie still had a journey of recovery ahead of her. Tears swelled up in her eyes and for the first time in a very long time, she felt a sort of profound emotional release as though during these past two years she had been denied to express anything. All this suffering and struggle was finally over, right?
Marcie quietly wept between her many thank you's to the doctor and only left once she had regained some of her composure. Antonio had been waiting in the lobby to drive Marcie back to the guild, they still had to work now that everyone had recovered from the ordeal of the surgery and it was indeed busy.
On the drive over, her and Antonio were busy discussing her recovery therapy schedule. Something that he had volunteered his time to supervise and assist with since he could help the healing process with his skills. Who needs steroids when you have an Antonio? Marcie couldn't help but laugh at the comparison, only to have Antonio vehemently insist that he was far superior than any pharmaceutical steroid could possibly be. It made for a light conversation that certainly broke through all the heaviness as of late.
Antonio couldn't help but notice the drastic change in Marcie's behavior. She seemed brighter, and much less emotionally burdened. A natural glow and rosiness had returned to Marcie's complexion from the previous state he was used to seeing her in. This new-found energy and liveliness made Antonio's heart soar in gleeful satisfaction. He looked forward to seeing how much more Marcie will come to life from now on.
The guild seemed suspiciously nonchalant as the two entered the building, almost like everyone they came across were young children who had a big secret just barely on the tips of their tongues. Antonio also noticed, but didn't address it at all. Marcie began to wonder if the events that had happened in the surgery the other day had left her guild-mates with a weary or soured impression of her. Was her work-life peace ruined? She could hardly bring herself to ponder the possibility that such wonderful people would harbor immature thoughts and attitudes, at least, she desperately hoped that they hadn't.
"What's going on?" Marcie asked as the two exited the elevator, now on their destined floor. Antonio shrugged as to feign a confused ignorance, but before he could say anything, coworkers had jumped out, poppers of confetti blew into the air and everyone in the guild hollered congratulations in unison.
Marcie was absolutely shell-shocked by the reception. At the back, hanging from the ceiling was a banner that had written 'Congratulations on your successful surgery!' with clusters of balloons, a table of catered snacks, and an office crammed full of guildmates who were all incredibly eager to celebrate Marcie's hard-earned triumph over her tribulation.
Maybe hugs and pats were given as Marcie made her rounds to everyone. Thanking them along the way. At last, there was Richard, who waited patiently for his turn. A bouquet of flowers in his hands, just like how he brought her flowers when she was in the hospital. Richard knelt down on his knees, though since he was naturally so tall so he still had only the slightest bit of height over Marcie. He pulled her into a tight, but gentle hug.
Neither of them said anything. The embrace was enough to communicate. Marcie took in that same cedar scent of his cologne and it was like her whole body relaxed. If it weren't for the fact that they were at work, Marcie would have probably been content to have a nap right then and there, but they still needed to work.
The entire guild had moved with an extra bounce in their steps that day. Those that couldn't be there at the initial surprise made sure to stop by the labs to give their congratulations to Marcie when they found the time. Mick found himself shooing more coworkers out of the labs than normal when things got busy. But it seemed like even the grueling work everyone had been stricken with for months had no weight on their minds today.
For the first time in a very long time, Marcie worked with a pinpoint focus, determined to catch up on work, but also to do even better. It felt like an unending fog had finally cleared in her mind and the tasks she used to struggle with, no longer resisted her efforts.
~Ding!
Reinitializing system evaluation protocols are now complete. System has been updated for user 'Marcie Bromley'
Name: Marcie Bromley
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Level: 5 (Level Up! x2)
XP until next level-up: 792
SP: 8 (+2)
Strength: 23
Agility: -30
Constitution: 67
Mana:47
Special Status: Host for System 2.0
Titles:
Blessing of the Sky Guardian, Survivor, The One Who Sees, One Who Turns from Death, Messengers Vessel
Special Abilities:
- Absolute Shield (SS-Rank) (Active)
- Dimensional Inventory (X-Rank) (Active)
- Gift of Providence (SS-Rank) (Passive)
- Eyes That See Beyond (X-Rank)
- Magic Class: Lightning (D-Rank) (Active)
- Magic Class: Creation (A-Rank) (Active)
- NEW: System Moderation (D-Rank) (Active)
Skills & Resistances:
- Pain Tolerance B-1 (Level Up!)
- Fortified Bones F-8 (Level Up!)
- Spatial Awareness E-2
- Iron Stomach F-2
- Shock Absorption F-7 (Level Up!)
- Strong Arm E-1
- Poison Resistance D-7
- NEW: Parasitic Resistance D-2