Chapter 2

It just came to me, so I wrote it down.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

I added a bit of description for the receptionist.

"Heal!"

Today is a beautiful day, perfect for recovery magic.

I, Anest, once witnessed recovery magic and have since become completely hooked.

Originally, to learn recovery magic, one needs to make a substantial donation to the church. However, as a commoner born into an ordinary family, I understood even as a child that no matter how much I stretched, I couldn't afford it.

So, what do I do?

I have to do it myself.

"Then, I'll do it!"

I cut off my own arm. When I did it in the past, it was quite painful, but now it's just a bit itchy.

"Um, Heal!"

My arm quickly regenerates. In just a few seconds, a fully restored arm is back on my shoulder.

What, how did I learn recovery magic? Well, when you're on the brink of death, anyone can do it to some extent. At first, I started with my fingers, then my hands, feet, and arms. I did whatever I could. But self-taught, this is probably my limit. I need to find someone to teach me soon.

Recovery magic, apparently, is valuable just for being able to use it. If I work in a slightly larger town, I think I can save up enough for the donation if I work hard.

I'm 16 today. It's the age when I start to be seen as an adult. I've been holding back until now, but that ends today. I've already gotten permission from my parents to leave the village today.

"Hey, Nest! Are you leaving already?"

"Uncle! I'm all set, so I'm good to go!"

I'll travel to the city with the merchant caravan.

The city was huge. It was incomparable to my village. But apparently, the capital is even bigger, which is a scary thought.

"Um, is this the Adventurer's Guild?"

I'm at the Adventurer's Guild now. I don't intend to become an adventurer.

"Yes, are you a new member?"

Receptionists are often beautiful, and this one has long brown hair that reaches her back. It's a bit intense for me, who isn't used to women.

"N-no, I'm not here to register. I just want to borrow one of the guild's tables."

The guild is where many people gather. I thought it would be better to use a guild table than to rent a place myself.

"Um, what for?"

I feel like she's a bit suspicious. I don't want her to glare at me like that. It's scary.

"W-well, I want to... heal people there..."

I'm stuttering too much. But the receptionist, as expected, seems to understand what I'm trying to say.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I think it should be fine, but as a rule, you'll need to meet with the guild master."

The guild master? Isn't that a bit too soon?

"Guild master! It's me. Are you available now?"

"Sure, I'm available."

The sister led me to a room. Inside, there was a child.

"Huh? Why is there a child...?"

"I'm an elf, so my growth is slow. I've lived for over 100 years, though."

"Little old lady! Oh! I'm sorry, I'm from the countryside..."

I need to pull myself together. I might not get the table if I don't.

"This time, this...?"

"Oh, Anest. Close friends call me Nest."

"I see. So, Anest wants to borrow one of the guild's tables to heal people."

Ah, she didn't say Nest. Well, it's true that it doesn't match me!! My face value is too low!! Don't say it all!!

"Is that right? So, Nest, how much recovery magic can you use?"

"Well, I can only use Heal. Is that okay?"

Yes, I can only use Heal. I don't know if I have a lot of magic power, but I think I can use it a fair number of times. I once tested how many times I could use it in a day, and I did it from morning to night with no problem. Maybe Heal doesn't consume much magic power.

"Hmm. Only Heal...?"

He looks doubtful. Hey, who said that recovery magic is valuable just for being able to use it?

"Actually, there's no one in this city who can use recovery magic right now. Even if you can only use Heal, I think Nest will have many customers. The question is whether you can handle them. Also, the healing process can vary from person to person."

"Oh, I think I can handle the number of people. I had plenty of spare magic power even when I used it all day."

"Huh? Recovery magic is supposed to consume a lot of magic power... Maybe what Nest is talking about isn't Heal... Since you're from the countryside..."

He's muttering to himself. Ah, so it's a no-go, huh? I can't go back to the village now. What should I do?

"Hey, Nest. Can I see your recovery magic? I need to confirm something."

Is this my last chance!? I can't afford to fail. I need to try my best.

"Um, I'll do it now. Could you cut off both my hands and feet? I'm not very good with swords..."

"\"Huh?\""

The sister and the guild master spoke in unison. Is that not enough...? Maybe I need to cut my head!?

"Sorry, I can't cut my head! I'm sorry!"

"No, no, I didn't mean that... Can you really handle both hands and feet?"

The guild master and the sister look at me suspiciously. What's the problem? It's not like I'll die if my hands and feet are cut off.

"Well, both hands and feet should be fine..."

"Guild master, maybe he means to stop the bleeding. Heal can heal minor injuries..."

"Yes, he might think he can regrow his limbs later. That's a bit too much, so at least a small cut on the hand would be enough. Even that would be helpful..."

They're discussing something. Maybe I'm too incompetent to be of use in the guild...

"Um, Nest, just a small cut on the hand is fine. You can do it yourself, right?"

"That's fine. I'll do it."

They seem to be in sync, but they must think I'm too incompetent to even cut myself... I guess the guild is out of the question. I'll finish this quickly and go somewhere else...

"Um, a small cut on the hand...? Got it..."

Who can blame me for feeling down! No one can blame me!

I cut off my hand. My hand fell to the floor.

"\"What!?\""

They look shocked. Was my cutting technique that bad? I never paid attention to it before.

"Hey! What are you doing! I said a small cut! How can you cut off your hand!?"

What's he getting so worked up about?

"Guild master, focus on the healing! Nest, stop the bleeding quickly!"

Ah, the receptionist called me Nest. She seems flustered. Okay! This will help me survive tomorrow!

"Heal"

My arm regenerates. Oh no! I made the room a mess with blood! What if they make me clean it up or pay for it?

"\"Huh?\""

"Um, I'm done. I guess it's not good enough, right?"

The result is obvious. It's embarrassing!

"I'll clean up tomorrow, so let me go home today..."

I turn the doorknob, feeling dejected.

"Wait, wait, wait a minute!"

"Huh?"

The sister grabs me from behind. I'll say it again: she grabs me. In other words, her large chest is pressed against my back.

"Ugh... Ugh... Ugh..."

I can't resist the pressure and immediately pull away, fleeing the scene.

---

"He, he ran away..."

When I said that, the guild master finally came to his senses.

"What was that? He said 'Heal,' but if that's Heal, what is the world's recovery magic? Garbage?"

Indeed, the Heal he used was clearly abnormal. He cut off his hand, and it regrew in a matter of seconds. The hand he cut off is still on the floor.

"What a missed opportunity."

He probably won't come back to the guild. I wish I had lent him the table or something from the start.

"Hey, you. Is your neck wound... healed?"

"Huh?"

It's a scar I got when I was an adventurer. It made me retire and take up the receptionist job. Because of it, people found me creepy. I've been hiding it with my hair...

The guild master hands me a mirror.

There, I see my neck without a single scar.

After seeing that abnormal recovery magic, it can only be his doing.

"Nest, huh..."

My cheeks feel hot.