Riyao finished speaking and did not hesitate. He raised his palm, and a pale green magical glow suddenly bloomed, unfurling into a jade-green circular magic circle before him. Tiny specks of light swirled within the pattern, carrying a gentle yet undeniable power of Healing Magic that instantly dispersed the eerie, cold atmosphere in the inner chamber.
"Let's clear the residual poison and curse from this sister first; consider it just a warm-up." As he said this, he unleashed his Healing Magic. A wisp of soft green light detached from the magic circle, wrapping around the wrist of the frightened maid like a ribbon.
The moment the green light touched the blue-black markings, the maid couldn't help but let out a soft hum, but there was no pain at all; instead, she wore an expression of relief. Everyone watched as the faint, barely visible markings gradually faded and dissipated under the shroud of green light, finally vanishing without a trace. The pallor on the maid's face also receded, and color returned to her complexion.
"Alright, the residue in your body has been cleared away, and it won't flare up again." Riyao retracted the green light, though the magic circle remained suspended in mid-air. "Just avoid direct contact with Leo for the time being. Once he has fully recovered, it will be fine."
The maid was stunned. She rubbed her wrist repeatedly, confirming that the terrifying markings had truly vanished. With red-rimmed eyes from excitement, she quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Riyao! Thank you so much!"
The gloom on Toma's face instantly dissipated, and his voice trembled with excitement: "Th-that's wonderful! You really are amazing, young man!" Arcadios also breathed a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Riyao held a touch of genuine admiration.
Riyao didn't stop. He tapped his fingertip again, and the magic circle before him suddenly expanded. The light became much richer, yet remained incomparably gentle. He walked slowly to the bedside, placed his palm on Leo's pale forehead, and whispered, "Leo is the source of the curse and poison. We can't clear it forcefully; we must suppress it first, otherwise, his small body won't be able to handle it."
The green light surged from his palm into Leo's body. The blue-black markings originally coiled around the boy's arm began to writhe violently as if encountering a natural enemy, but they were firmly trapped by the green light, unable to spread any further. Leo's brows relaxed slightly, and his previously weak breathing became steadier. Although his complexion remained pale, it no longer carried that lifeless, greyish pallor.
Riyao maintained the flow of magic, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. After about a quarter of an hour, he slowly withdrew his palm, and the magic circle faded and dissipated. He wiped his sweat, his tone lightening: "Done. The activity of the curse has been suppressed, and the poison has been temporarily sealed in the extremities of his meridians. It won't worsen in the short term, and he should be able to get a good night's sleep."
Toma hurried to the bedside. Watching his nephew's steady breathing, his eyes reddened, and he thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you, young man! Thank you!"
"Don't be in such a rush to thank me." Riyao waved his hand, his expression regaining a bit of seriousness. "He is the source; the curse and poison have already penetrated his soul and body. Forcibly clearing them would tear his meridians. I need three days, split into three treatment sessions, and several key medicinal ingredients for support: petals of the Moonflower, sap of the Star-dew Grass, and a small amount of Obsidian powder."
He explained, "The Moonflower can neutralize the dark attributes of the curse, the Star-dew Grass can nourish his damaged meridians, and the Obsidian powder can adsorb the deep-seated toxins. Only by mixing these three into a potion and combining it with my Healing Magic can we slowly eradicate the source."
"His body is too weak right now, like wood that's almost hollowed out by termites. If we don't use medicinal ingredients as a foundation and proceed to forcefully clear the poison, even if we save him, he will be left with a lifelong ailment and may even be unable to use magic ever again." Riyao glanced at Leo on the bed, his tone tinged with heartache. "This child's constitution wasn't very strong to begin with, and after being tormented for half a month, he cannot endure a second round of suffering."
Toma nodded immediately and ordered his attendant without hesitation: "Go to the storehouse at once! No, I will go myself! No matter the cost, we must find these ingredients!"
"Your Majesty, there is no need to rush," Riyao stopped him. "The palace storehouse should have the Moonflower and Star-dew Grass. The Obsidian powder might require a search at a magic item shop. Since Crocus is the capital, we will certainly be able to buy it. Just have everything prepared before dawn tomorrow; I will return early tomorrow morning to begin the first official treatment."
Arcadios stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Leave the matter of the medicinal ingredients to me. I will go make arrangements now and ensure they are delivered before dawn."
Toma looked at Riyao, his eyes full of gratitude and relief: "Very well! Everything will be done according to your arrangements, young man! Stay in the palace tonight; if you need anything, feel free to command the attendants at any time!"
Riyao grinned, revealing his boyish playfulness again, and rubbed his stomach: "Staying is fine, but Your Majesty, could you have someone prepare some delicious food? I was so focused on healing that I finished all my dried strawberries, and I'm starving now~"
Toma was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then laughed. He quickly ordered: "Quick! Bring the best pastries and dishes from the palace! Ensure young Mr. Riyao is satisfied!"
The small round table in the side hall was covered with exquisite pastries: fluffy cream puffs, sugar-dusted berry tarts, and honey-coated nut cakes, all smelling fragrant. Riyao grabbed a cream puff with his left hand and held a tart base in his right, his mouth stuffed full. He didn't even bother to wipe the cream on his cheek, looking just like a little squirrel sneaking a snack.
"Knock, knock~" A soft, light knocking sound echoed, and without waiting for a response, the door was gently pushed open a crack. A little girl with green twin-tails stood at the doorway, her pink lace dress making her posture look upright. Unlike the playfulness of ordinary children, her eyes were lively yet steady. Her fingertips were subconsciously stroking the Celestial Spirit keys hanging at her waist. It was the young Princess Hisui, who was already wearing the Celestial Spirit keys.
"Are you the Mage Riyao from Fairy Tail?" Hisui did not peek around; instead, she walked into the room generously. Her voice was crisp and carried the politeness befitting her status, yet without a hint of shyness.
Riyao looked up while chewing a pastry. Catching sight of the keys at her waist and her iconic green hair, he raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Yo, is it Princess Hisui? That green hair is really eye-catching. I didn't expect you to have Celestial Spirit keys at such a young age; that's impressive!" He swallowed the food in his mouth and waved the berry tart in his hand at her: "Do you want to try some? Palace pastries are indeed better than the sweet bread at the guild."
Hisui shook her head and walked to a spot not far from the table, stopping there. Her gaze fell on his cream-stained mouth, but she didn't say much and went straight to the point: "I heard you can treat Brother Leo. Is that true?" Her tone was serious, and her eyes were full of concern, lacking the ignorance of a child, possessing only a maturity beyond her years.
"Of course it's true." Riyao patted his chest, unbothered by the cream smearing onto his clothes, and a faint green glimmer appeared at his fingertips. "I have already suppressed the curse and poison in his body. Once the medicinal ingredients arrive, we can clear them step by step."
Hisui's eyes brightened. She subconsciously touched the Celestial Spirit keys at her waist and said softly: "I asked my Celestial Spirits, and they said that curses with dark attributes are very troublesome. Can your Healing Magic completely neutralize this dark power?" She did not get hung up on the appearance of the magic, but instead focused on the core effect, revealing a caution beyond her years.
"Don't worry, I'm confident in dealing with this stuff." Riyao grinned and pushed a small cookie toward her. "But it has to be supported by medicinal ingredients; his body is too weak, and clearing it forcefully will damage his meridians."
"I have already had the attendants confirm the medicinal ingredients. The storehouse has the Moonflower and Star-dew Grass, and I've already contacted a magic item shop for the Obsidian powder." Hisui responded with clear logic, not at all like a child who only knows how to play. "I came to ask if you need me to summon Celestial Spirits to help during the treatment? My Celestial Spirits are good at support magic; perhaps they could be of help."
Riyao was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "The Princess is more anxious than the King. No need; just keep your Celestial Spirits for self-protection. Leave the healing to me." He pushed the cookie a bit closer to her. "Eat a piece to fill your stomach. Even a princess will get tired from worrying about serious matters all the time."
Hisui hesitated for a moment, then picked up the cookie and took a small bite. Her emerald green hair tips swayed gently with the movement, and her eyes softened slightly: "Thank you. Brother Leo always practices Celestial Spirit summoning with me; I want him to get better soon." She paused and added, "Can I be present during the treatment tomorrow? I am very curious about Healing Magic; after all, Mages who are proficient in using Healing Magic are very rare."
"No problem." Riyao bit off half the cream puff in one go. "But you have to stay quiet and not disturb the treatment."
At this moment, the voice of an attendant came from outside the door: "Your Highness."
Hisui nodded and bowed slightly to Riyao: "Then I shall take my leave. See you tomorrow, Mr. Riyao." After saying this, she turned and walked away quickly. Her green twin-tails swayed gently behind her, and the Celestial Spirit keys at her waist jingled with her steps, revealing the steadiness and vitality of a young princess.