Silence stretched for dozens of seconds as Valthar waited for Emi to speak.

  Through his life sense he saw her struggle internally till finally a question slithered out of her throat.

  “What about dark mist poisoning? Can you cure it?” Emi's voice shook.

  ‘Dark mist poison? Probably related to the dark mist from the dark mist forest?’ Valthar guessed in silence.

  Though knew the basics on healing and had read about how to treat most common poisons, he had not learned about this dark mist poison.

  Naturally he had no idea if he could heal it or not, doubly so since he used a completely different energy than elemental mana.

  ‘Still, it should be worth a shot.’

  “I would need to see the afflicted in person to be sure, but I should be capable.” He said full of confidence.

  In theory very few infirmities could not be solved by infusing a shit ton of life force…

  However in the real world Valthar lacked the most crucial ingredient of certainty, direct experience.

  “Why do you ask? Does someone you know suffer from dark mist poisoning?” Valthar prodded.

  Almost instantly Emi nodded as a mix of shame and desperation swirled within her.

  “My husband…” She whispered quietly. “Please tell me you can save him.”

  “Take me to him and I'll see what I can do but before we go I heard dark mages need to register first before using magic or the Silverfangs will kill them.”

  Emi hesitated in thought for a moment before she gave him a deep nod.

  “Then give me a moment, I may be able to help you…” She spoke with certainty before she stepped out of the room.

  For a good minute Valthar questioned whether to run away, but the desperation he felt in her convinced him this probably wasn't a trap.

  Minutes later she returned, her words dished out a warning before she guided Valthar away to another room.

  “Manager Mikayla is a Silverfang, always be courteous and keep in mind she is a noble so a word from her can end a commoner's life.”

  Valthar nodded while doing his best to recall how commoners should act when near nobles… how commoners used to act around him.

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  *

  One step inside the room and Valthar's eyes widened.

  Mikayla was beautiful, with long silver hair, tall body, lean muscles, sharp features and an aura that screamed danger.

  But what truly caught Valthar's attention were the wolf-like ears on the top of her head and the silver colored tail that peeked from behind her back.

  ‘They really are a beastborn family.’

  Mikayla's eyes locked on the two as soon as they entered the room.

  Beside him Emi dropped down to one knee and stared to the ground, a motion which Valthar promptly copied.

  Quietness took over the room and Valthar locked his life sense onto the wolf girl.

  Her life force was strong and dense, enough for Valthar to call her a knight if she was human.

  But beastborns were known to have both stronger bodies and longer lives than the average human, which made direct comparisons much harder to do.

  “Emily, is this the dark healer that you wished to show me? The one that can cure Damian.” Mikayla scoffed with undisguised sarcasm.

  “Yes Lady Mikayla…” Emi nodded with shame but determination.

  “Dark mage, can you truly heal her husband when you yourself are magically crippled?” Mikayla turned her gaze towards Valthar.

  In a moment Valther felt a heavy mana pressure descend on him.

  ‘She's a mage so some skepticism is expected, but to call me a cripple on her first phrase...’

  Valthar clicked his tongue.

  “Obviously I can Lady Mikayla.” He answered curtly, peeved by her disrespect.

  Mikayla narrowed her eyes, intensifying the mana pressure around him as her life force pulsed with amusement.

  “Obviously?” The wolf girl chuckled before she approached Valthar with soft steps.

  “Normaly I should ask your name, the nature of your magic, power rank using number of mana rings and greatest feat as a healer before I decide whether to give you my permission to stay on my family's lands."

  Mikayla squatted in front of Valthar.

  Gently her fingers interlaced his hair as she grabbed the back of his head before forcefully tilting his head up until her silver eyes locked against his.

  “Yet since your skill is so obvious let's make a bet, cure Damian and I'll put my name behind your actions and take you under my wing." Her tone grew quieter and sweeter as she leaned closer to his. “But when Damian dies I'll break both of your legs and wash your mouth with soap till you pass out, little bitch.”

  Valthar should have been alarmed by such aggressiveness, shaken into understanding he wasn't a high noble anymore, it would be easy to back out, apologize and try the normal process and yet… only a single stupid thought sprouted in his mind.

  ‘She smells like a forest after rainfall.’

  Valthar's breath felt shaky, he could feel his blood travel fast in his veins as his heart thumped in his chest.

  “Easiest bet of my life, Lady Mikayla.” Valthar whispered back, his voice an octave lower than normal.

  Mikayla pulled back, eyes glinting and scorn plastered on her face.

  “Good, hehehe.” She chuckled before walking back to her table. “Now get out and if you try to run before our bet ends you're dead.”

  *

  BANG

  When the door closed behind the two Valthar frowned for a moment.

  As his bloody heart calmed down a bad premonition couldn't help but settle in the pit of his stomach.

  ‘Why was this wolf girl so confident I'll fail?’

  “Emi, how bad is your husband's situation?” He asked offhandedly as they made their way through the underground corridors.

  Emily looked back at him with the same desperation her life force had shown earlier.

  “The last healer said it was terminal, but dark magic is different right? You can save him right?”

  ‘Terminal?’

  “Hmmm, how many rings did this healer have?” He asked in a serene tone, ignoring her question.

  “3, I think…” She answered quietly.

  Valthar closed his eyes and turned his face to the ceiling.

  ‘Fuck my life.’