Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Unexpected errors

The next morning I went to the guild myself. Rose and Meira were sleeping so peacefully that I just couldn't disturb them. 

I summoned Yukio and he was more than willing to let me ride him to the guild. He was careful, trying to see if I could hold on to him all the time. He really is a good friend. 

At the guild he disappeared so my mana could recharge. Karra gave me another message from home and I was lucky to see her, she was about to go home after working throughout the night.

This is the letter I received. And thankfully Karra opened the envelope for me, that was a big help.
"Rescue team delayed. Expect arrival within two weeks. Violet sends her best wishes, hoping you'll be home before your birthday. Hope to have you in my arms soon, Mom."

Aww....now I'm getting homesick. Violet, I miss you too. But my birthday? I can't reply and ask about the date of my own birthday.

This is my reply for today. "Understood. We're fine and met even more friends. Can't wait to be back, mom, I'm getting homesick. Give Violet a hug for me. Miss you all. See you soon."

On our way back to the Elven village, Yukio suddenly stopped, making me fall down to the forest floor.
I'm scratching my head, still dazed from the fall when I'm startled to see other foxes around me, but then they just run away. Except for one. I quickly hide behind Yukio.

"Sorry about that, Daisy, are you fine?" Yukio asks me with concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm good. But what's going on?" I asked. Then I peek at the fox and see it lying down. It appears to be injured.

"Can you help him, Daisy?"

It took a few moments for my brain to reboot, but this is a regular fox. A wild brown reddish fox. Will it bite me?

I slowly walk towards him and he wants to back off, so not about to attack me. But I also hear him making soft noises, I guess he really is injured.

"Hello there, are you hurt?" I ask. I bet he can't even understand.

"Yes, I am hurt. I was chasing a squirrel, but he beat me by jumping over these tree roots. Then I strained my paw."

"Eh...you can understand me?" Did this fox actually talk to me?

"Yes, of course I can. You even look like a fox, well, sort of?" The fox makes a good argument.

"Okay, that works for me. Please hold still, I will heal you."

The fox nods carefully and I invoke the goddess's name to ask for a healing.

A few seconds later the fox is already standing on four paws. "Thank you! You really helped me there!"

"Don't mention it. It's my job to help. Better find that squirrel while you still can."

"Ha ha ha, sure thing. Oh, if you ever need shelter, you'll always be welcome in my den. Or if you're hungry, I'll hunt something small for you."

I bow to the fox to show him that I appreciate the gesture, even though I'm not interested in raw meat. But it's always best to stay polite. "Thank you and see you!"

The fox then nods and I could swear it just smiled at me, then it runs off into the forest.

Wow, helping people...eh...animals always feels good. It gives me that special feeling...
"Daisy...Daisyyyy...are you listening?" Yukio is trying to get my attention.

"Huh? Oh sorry, I guess I was.."

"Daydreaming? Yeah, I thought as much. I have to go now, time's up. Will you be fine?"

"Aww...already? Okay, see you later, buddy." 

Flash!

And there I was...all alone again. 

You are reading story ???? Daisy’s fairly fabulous fairy tale adventure at novel35.com

I decided to use the opportunity and go explore some more, even though I'm all by myself.

After flying for a few minutes, heading towards the Elves, I already feel bored.

I'm bored...so bored. Maybe this is a good thing...being all alone. I have several interesting sounding skills, but can't really test them out with people near me. How about.....purification? If this forest can use one thing, it's purification alright!

It says "wide area" on the box, so exactly what the doctor ordered. Perhaps this skill is more like a small nuke, instantly healing the whole area instead of branch by branch. Yeah....that's the one I'm gonna try!

I keep flying until I'm about half an hour away from the Elves. It should be safe here, don't you agree?

Okay...breathe in....breathe out....
Then I shout "Purification!" and the whole area lights up for a second.

"Huh? That's...all? Meh...not what I had expected. Bummer. Maybe it just needs to level up?" 

I fly to a nearby tree and see that it has healed somewhat...but still doesn't look all too healthy. So...perhaps a wide area coverage means lower effective healing? That would be disappointing.

But then without warning, a very welcome and perfectly timed popup appears "Purification skill --level up to (lv.2)"

"Aha!! See? I Knew it..it was just a starter skill. Of course! It's designed for people who wouldn't go through all the trouble of practicing in the middle of nowhere."

Okay. Again......."Purification!" 

But nothing happens, except for a bit more glow in the immediate area. When I look at my status screen, I can see that the skill is currently grayed out. Ohhhh.....already out of mana I guess.

Mmm......what would happen if I keep calling for it anyway? Does it have a failsafe mechanism? Won't it even work? I mean.....I have to try, don't I? You never know when you need the skill.

"Purification!" A soft glow illuminated the area for a second. Not very impressive. I do feel tired suddenly, but not so bad.

"Purification!" This time around nothing happened at all. I guess the gray color simply means that it won't work at all. Oh my god, I feel so tired suddenly. Better stop now...this feels....bad.... but I think I'm okay...I just need to rest a bit.

* Warning *
Excessive use of mana detected. Core life functions impaired. Activating emergency solar mana retrieval. 

Then, without warning, my body takes over and I can't move at all! I shoot up all the way into the sky above the trees. The second I see sunlight, another pop-up message appears. 

 

* Warning *
Emergency solar mana retrieval higher than core systems can process. Ejecting excess mana.

 

At this point I start shining like a sun myself, probably blinding everything nearby.
And then....then I started falling. Even though I have regained control, I keep spiraling down. 
First through the treetops, then hitting a few branches and finally crashing onto the forest floor.

"Ouch.......OUCH....that....was.....so...painful!"

* Warning *
Self healing activated. You are locked in this form for 24 hours until mana pathways have recovered.

 

"Huh? What form?"

I look at my clothes....all normal...except...."no.....are you KIDDING me?"
A few birds fly away, startled by my sudden outburst.

Wait....did my voice...just sound like a kid's voice?

I check my status screen, and sure enough.....this is everything I get:

 

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