Chapter 63: The hot alchemist
Chapter 63: The hot alchemist
The door swung open, and a woman in her late twenties stepped into the room. Her brown hair was neatly tied back in a practical bun, and her green eyes sparkled with intelligence. She wore a pristine white coat over a form-fitting dress that made her figure look snatched by the outfit. Her neckline exposed a full cleavage that threatened to spill out with how she walked and they bounced.
As her gaze fell upon Zafron, her eyes widened in surprise.
"You're awake!" she exclaimed, quickly regaining her composure. "I'm Dr. Lyra, the alchemist in charge of your care. How are you feeling?"
Zafron attempted to sit up, wincing slightly. "Better than I expected, honestly. Though still a bit confused."
Dr. Lyra approached his bedside, her movements graceful and purposeful. "That's understandable. You've been through quite an ordeal. Let me check your vitals."
As she reached for his hand, revealing more of her voluptuous cleavage, Zafron's vision was suddenly filled with a floating text :
[Subject Scan Complete]
Name: Lyra Evensong
Age: 28
Marital Status: Single
Compatibility with Zafron: 78%
'What in the world?' he thought, bewildered. 'The system can scan people without them knowing? And... compatibility?'
Zafron's eyes widened, and he found himself stuttering as Dr. Lyra asked him a question about his pain levels.
"I... uh... it's not too bad," he managed to reply, his mind reeling from this new development.
Dr. Lyra raised an eyebrow at his flustered response but didn't comment. "I'm glad to hear that. Now, if you could lie back gently, I'd like to examine you more thoroughly."
As Zafron complied, he watched Dr. Lyra approach the large mirror he had noticed earlier. She tapped it with her fingertip, which began to glow with a soft purple light. Instantly, the mirror's surface brightened, displaying a complex array of arcane symbols and diagrams.
Curiosity got the better of him. "What exactly are you doing, if you don't mind me asking?"
Dr. Lyra turned, a hint of pride in her smile. "This isn't an ordinary mirror. It's an X-Reflector, a highly advanced piece of arcane technology that allows alchemists like myself to examine patients non-invasively. You won't feel a thing." She paused, her chest puffing up slightly. "I'm one of the few in this region with the magical aptitude to handle such sophisticated arcane tech.
You're in safe hands."
'Fascinating,' Zafron thought. 'This must be the advanced magic Drakoria is famous for. Quite a change from Astoria's magic-shy culture.'
As he pondered this, Zafron became aware of the bed beneath him. Despite its mirror-like surface, it was surprisingly comfortable, conforming to his body perfectly.
Dr. Lyra's gasp drew his attention back to her. She was staring at the X-Reflector, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"This... this is remarkable," she muttered, more to herself than to Zafron. "Your wounds are healing at an unprecedented rate. And the poison... your body is neutralizing it faster than I've ever seen."
She turned to Zafron, her gaze intense and questioning. "Do you possess regenerative magic? It's the only explanation I can think of for such rapid healing."
Zafron shook his head, feigning ignorance. "Not that I'm aware of."
'It must be the Eros Vitality System,' he realized. 'Thera mentioned it was accelerating my healing, but I had no idea it was this potent.'
Dr. Lyra frowned, turning back to the X-Reflector. She ran her hands across its surface, manipulating the arcane displays with practiced ease. Zafron watched as diagrams of his body rotated and zoomed, showcasing the miraculous healing taking place within him.
After several minutes of muttering and rechecking her findings, Dr. Lyra turned back to Zafron with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time. It's just... you're quite remarkable, Mr. Zafron.
Your recovery defies everything I know about healing processes."
She paused, remembering something. "Oh, I almost forgot. There are two ladies waiting to see you. They brought you in and have been quite worried. Would you like to rest more, or shall I send them in?"
Zafron's heart leaped. 'Mara and Matilda!' he thought, relief washing over him. "Please, send them in right away. I don't want them worrying any longer."
Dr. Lyra nodded, moving towards the door. "Of course. I'll send them in momentarily. And Mr. Zafron," she added, pausing at the threshold, "we'll need to run some more tests later to understand your unique healing abilities.
For now, rest and enjoy your visitors."
As she left, Zafron took a deep breath, processing everything that had happened. 'This Eros Vitality System is more powerful than I imagined,' he mused. 'Scanning people, accelerated healing... what else can it do?'
He glanced at the X-Reflector, still displaying his rapidly healing body. 'And this technology... it's leagues beyond anything in Astoria. I'll need to adapt quickly to this new world of advanced magic and arcane tech.'
The sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway pulled him from his thoughts. Zafron braced himself, eager to see his companions and begin unraveling the mystery of his new life and the remarkable system he now possessed.
The door burst open, and two familiar faces rushed in. Mara, her curly hair in disarray, was the first to reach Zafron's bedside, her eyes brimming with tears of relief. Matilda followed close behind, her usual composure barely masking her concern.
"Zafron!" Mara exclaimed, grasping his hand tightly. "Thank the gods you're awake! We were so worried!"
Matilda stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Zafron's shoulder. "Indeed, we were. How are you feeling, my dear?"
Zafron couldn't help but smile at their presence. 'They really were worried sick,' he thought, touched by their concern.
"I'm feeling much better now," he assured them, squeezing Mara's hand reassuringly. "Thanks to both of you, I'm sure. How long was I out?"
Mara and Matilda exchanged glances. "Three days," Matilda answered, her voice soft. "It was touch and go for a while. That poison... we feared the worst."
'Three days?' Zafron thought, surprised. 'It felt like an eternity in Limbo, but only three days passed here?'
"But you're awake now, and that's what matters," Mara interjected, her voice wavering slightly. "I... we... were so scared we'd lose you."
Zafron noticed the quick correction and the blush that crept up Mara's cheeks. 'Oh Mara,' he thought fondly, 'always trying to hide your feelings.'
"I'm sorry for worrying you both," Zafron said sincerely. "But I'm curious, how did we end up in Drakoria?"
Matilda took a seat on the edge of the bed, her hand still resting on Zafron's shoulder. "After you were stabbed, we knew the local healers couldn't help. I... I made the decision to bring you here. Drakoria has the best alchemists and healers in the region."
'She risked so much to save me,' Zafron realized, a wave of gratitude washing over him.
"It was a long journey," Mara added, her eyes never leaving Zafron's face. "But we couldn't... I mean, Mistress Matilda couldn't bear to lose you."
Zafron noticed the slip again, his heart warming at the care both women showed him. 'If only they knew how they both felt,' he mused.
"I can't thank you both enough," Zafron said, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved my life."
Matilda smiled softly, her fingers absently tracing circles on his shoulder. "I'm just glad you pulled through. You mean more than you know to me, Zafron,"
Mara nodded vigorously. "You are very important," she agreed, then quickly added, "To the household, of course."
Zafron chuckled inwardly at their attempts to hide their feelings. 'If only you knew what I've been through,' he thought, remembering his trials in Limbo. But he decided to keep that to himself, at least for now.
"So, what happens now?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Now, you rest and recover," Matilda said firmly. "Once you're well enough, we'll discuss our next steps. Drakoria is... different from Astoria. There might be opportunities here for us... for you."
Mara nodded enthusiastically. "It's amazing here, Zafron! The magic, the technology... it's like nothing we've ever seen!"
'You have no idea,' Zafron thought, thinking of the Eros Vitality System hidden within him.
"I look forward to exploring it with both of you," he said warmly, earning bright smiles from both women.
As they continued to chat, filling him in on the events of the past few days, Zafron felt a deep sense of contentment. Despite the mysteries surrounding his new abilities and the challenges that surely lay ahead, he was grateful to have these two caring souls by his side.
'Whatever this new life holds,' he thought, 'at least I'm not facing it alone.'