Chapter 240: Chapter 217 : Burst Bubble

While ‘Nightingale’ was the title Rachel Norton was most known by in present days, it was but one of many titles she had accrued over the decades.

As far as titles went, Nightingale was a strange one. Titles were usually meant to be telling of one's deeds, prowess or field of expertise. Nightingale did none of that. It was neither reserved nor grandiose. Hearing it for the first time would only confuse the listener. In that way, it was similar to the duo's Transmigrator's title; one needed special knowledge to make sense of it it.

Nightingale?

As in the bird?

Most people thought so but this wasn't the case.

In actuality, Nightingale was the name of the female protagonist in a little-known fictional novel called The Brave Medic. A young Rachel loved reading about the main character's adventures and admired the medic's unyielding spirit and selflessness. So great was her admiration for the character that she eventually embodied the character herself, and thus, the Nightingale title. Of her dozen-plus titles, it was Rachel's favourite, and the only one she called herself. This preference was taken to by the world at large, who out of respect, called her as such. Still, most felt that another title suited her better.

The Angel of the Battlefield.

It was Rachel's first title, earned due to her virtuous nature and selfless deeds...but mostly due to her looks. Yes, the Unique was a beauty of note, be it back then or even now.

She neared sixty and yet had the countenance and figure of one touching forty at most. Her face was free of wrinkles or blemishes and her fair skin was taut and spongy. Silvery hair flowed down her face and onto her shoulders into a single french braid style. Her appearance was one to envy, especially her eyes, which were greener than the grass on the other side of the fence. All in all, she was a sight for sore eyes.

As one might guess, her colourful appearance and youthfulness weren't entirely natural. Rachel wasn't one to value outward appearances. She dressed modestly since her teenage years and despite never having given birth, the Unique exuded a motherly warmth that erased all sex appeal. What she did value though was others' lives, which resulted in her current appearance.

She was one among a handful of individuals who were known to have received immortality from Micheal. The inheritance potion which had turned her raven-like hair silver and her oceanic orbs green had also extended her life indefinitely, all in the service of her life goal, to save as many lives as possible.

'So this is the Nightingale…'

Taking in her kindly face, Silver felt a perfect congruency between the rumours and the sight before him.

He had been very interested in meeting Rachel, in fact, it was one of the reasons he put on the scale when deciding whether to head to the Academy in the first place. And how could he not? A fellow Unique who could turn back time or potentially reverse cause and effect; he was eager to see her powers in action and perhaps compare notes.

"Good day, young man," Rachel started, exuding her usual friendliness. "That was quite the bloody fight you had, how are you feeling?"

((Great...thanks to the victory,)) Silver said with a smile, matching the Ascendent's energy. The twins' eyes lit up at the Psi Clone's conjuration.

"I see, happy to hear."

Rachel's lips moved to speak again but before she could voice another word, her bodyguard sprang into action.

"Heya~ Silver, the name's Mei, I'm a huge fan, congratulations on the victory, I knew you would pull through," Mei Gon said while flashing a bright smile and a thumbs up his way.

Silver's lips quirked up, the Ralf in him flaring up. ((Thanks. Winning, it's just what I do.)) He tapped at his person and then finding nothing, looked to his immediate surroundings where he found nothing interesting either.

Mei's eyes sparkled with delight as she took in his actions. "Ah, no worries, I can wait," she said knowingly, eagerly anticipating her level-up candy. To be an Ascendant was a dream of hers.

Rui caught onto her twin's aims and quickly found her own voice. "Um, I'm also a fan, a huge fan, the biggest fan and uh, congratulations on the victory."

“Enough you two,” Rachel's face cracked into a wry smile at her companions’ shameless behaviour. “Begging for candy, what’s this Halloween? No, even on Halloween, you two would be way too old for that.”

The twins’ faces flickered with bitterness as they found themselves agreeing with the fact. There were no mirrors present but one glance at each other revealed the bitter truth. They had just passed a psionic’s golden age.

The Unique chuckled at the twins before returning her attention to the fused being. “Silver, forgive my companions, they're a bit forward."

((No problem, I'm used to it. I don’t mind giving them or anyone candy. I can't promise any level-ups though.))

"Even so, we'll take it."

"Gladly," Rui ended her sister's words while bearing an eager smile.

Silver nodded. ((Very well, I'll deliver them soon. I'll bring some for you too, Nightingale.))

"Me?" The trio jolted.

((Yep. Perhaps you'll level up, would be interesting, no?)) he said, getting strong agreement from the twins on the sidelines.

Rachel smiled. "I suppose it would. Then, thanks in advance. I'll gladly accept your offer," she said showing an appreciative look. She clapped her hands and approached his bedside. Her emerald sights ran across his slumped form. "May I?" she asked, extending her golden aura towards him.

((Of course.))

After getting the go-ahead, Rachel's Psi Scan invaded Silver's body and examined it thoroughly.

"Mmm," Rachel released an approving murmur. "You've patched yourself up quite brilliantly. I'm impressed."

((I've gotten a lot of experience with these types of things.))

"Oh, I have no doubts about that," Nightingale replied while sporting a wry look. "I've met few as reckless as you, young man."

Silver rolled his shoulders. ((I was never in any real danger. Even without your help, I'd be good as new in an hour at most. I'm no masochist but should victory cost a few injuries or more...I'll gladly pay the price.))

The twins showed approving nods at the words whereas Rachel just sighed with a bitter look on her face.

"A young man obsessed with victory....you're just as I've heard," she echoed in a complicated tone.

((Hey, don't knock my obsession. Everyone has something they're obsessed with, no? Lady Nightingale?))

"Ahaha, got you with that one, Rae..."

"True true, tell her..."

The bitter look returned to Rachel's face in full force as the twins burst out into laughter. She sighed again.

"I suppose you're right. To each their own, be it vice or virtue," she said, getting agreement from her surroundings. "Okay, inspection complete. Time to fix you up. Ready?"

((More than ready. I've been eager to witness your powers in action for many many moons already.))

"Many have, though, I always disappoint."

((Hm?)) Silver tilted his head at the words.

Rachel showed a troubled smile before explaining herself. "My Unique power, you see, is only visible to me. From your perspective, one moment you'll be injured and by the next, you'll be fixed. That's it, sad to say."

((Mm, that would be boring. Well, let's not drag it out then. Please, go ahead.))

Rachel nodded. "Let's start with that silver tongue of yours, shall we? Please open up wide."

Silver did as instructed, opening his mouth to reveal its reddened interior.

"Good. I'll be done in a few seconds at most. Starting now."

Saying this, Rachel extended her palm toward Silver's face and activated her Unique power. Aura flaring up, she materialised a Reality Bubble and had it engulf the fused being's head region. It was as large as a beach ball and looked to be no different than a soap bubble, being almost clear with traces of rainbow-like colours swirling on its exteriors. Following the Reality Bubble, bubbles of similar size and makeup were summoned.

These bubbles surrounded the Reality Bubble, forming perfect lines at the cardinal and intercardinal points in rows of four, bringing the total bubble count to thirty-three. What separated the Reality Bubble and these other bubbles, labelled as Possibility Bubbles, were two things: first the clarity, and secondly, the contents within the bubble.

Where the Reality Bubble showed reality as it was (in this case, Silver opening his mouth), the Possibility Bubbles' imagery varied, with distance from the Reality Bubble being a key factor. The further away the Possibility Bubble was from the Reality Bubble, the more different it was. From the third bubble onwards, Silver's image wasn't even in the frame anymore and instead replaced by an empty bed, another person entirely or a seemingly random object.

These sights were intriguing but Rachel didn't pay them any mind, knowing from experience that the distant bubbles were useless for her aims. She focused her mind's eye on the first rows of Possibility Bubbles for what she was looking for, an image of Silver with a pristine tongue, and lo and behold, she found it, several actually.

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The seconds passed as she debated between North West 1 and South West 1. While she was preoccupied with this task, something interesting - no, disturbing - was happening in the background.

As soon as Reality Bubble was summoned, the fused being jolted in place. Rachel noted this but thought nothing of it; she had seen this reaction in others many times and believed it was due to her aura surge...but this wasn't the case.

Had her gaze lingered on Silver a second more, she would have recognized this abnormality and perhaps been able to spare herself what would come next.

From curiosity to shock, awe and enlightenment to...

The fused being experienced a roller coaster of emotions in the passing seconds. By the third second, the light of awareness in his gaze had flickered out of existence, his body had turned limp and his expression became that of a mask.

Rachel was unaware of these troubling signs, too focused on her internal debate, and so too were the twins, who were studying the Psi Clone, hoping to recreate their own versions.

Ignorant, the Unique continued on as usual.

'Okay, NW1 it is.'

Settled on the choice, Rachel willed the swap. The contents of the Possibility Bubble and the Reality Bubble were instantly switched. Mind's eye focusing on the new Reality Bubble, she had her Psi Scan perform one last check before confirming the switch. Her aura flared up a second time and without flash or fanfare, reality was altered by her wishes.

"Okay, done. Should be all good and new, sorry for the disappoint...ment, Silver? Silver, what's wrong?" Rachel's mental cogs ground to a halt as she set her sights on Silver - the current Silver. She had received many reactions to her healing process but none like this. 'What's with that look?' Dread surged in her heart as she questioned.

A pointed silence descended upon the hospital room. The cordial atmosphere from before was nowhere to be seen, an acidic miasma eroding it in the blink of an eye. From awkward to gloomy...to tense and foreboding. The shift was as baffling as it was sudden. Unbalanced and unnerved; the trio's heartbeats accelerated as they took in the sight of the young man before them.

At a glance, his expression's blankness could be mistaken for emotionless. The trio knew better though. This wasn't the case, in fact, it was the opposite. Boiling with emotions yet frozen in place, a perfect contradiction, an impossibility: that was Silver.

'What's happening to him? Is it because of my power? What did I do wrong? It's no different than I've always done. I've got to fix this...now!'

Guilt fueling her resolve, Rachel summoned her Psi bubbles again but-

"Don't!"

The thunderous shout was accompanied by a powerful mental signal. It rang out with deadly intent, imparting pain to all who would hear it and even those who hadn't. In the blast zone, the trio of Rachel and the twins immediately winced as their brains were seemingly set ablaze.

"Ah!"

"Sil-"

"Urgh, fuck! Stop!"

Mei overcame the EM waves first. Gritting her teeth through the pain, she erected a barrier to shield the trio and then had her telekinesis smother Silver and the mental signal. Rui's Psi joined the fray a moment later, the twin sporting a face like her sister's, scrunched up and filled with anger.

"What's going on? Silver? What happened to you?" After coming to, Rachel straightened her bent posture and approached as a mess of worry and confusion. She couldn't understand what was transpiring, the lingering headaches doing her no favours.

"Bastard! You dare hurt Rae...Pather or not, don't think I won't kill you right here and now," Rui Gon growled, appearing beside Silver with a Psi sword in hand, her gaze sharper than her blade.

She had no qualms about killing any who'd insult her master let alone anyone who did Rachel harm. Silver had become an enemy in her eyes. Mei's too, the twin's Rank 9 telekinesis applying a bone-creaking grip.

"Oh," Silver released, incredulity and disdain spilling from his now pristine mouth. With slow motions, he dragged his gaze upward to capture the twins.

'Ah, he is...'

'What is he...'

The flames in the twins' eyes were instantly snuffed out before the flames in his gaze. They shrank back before the chaotic swirl presented. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. Struck by incomprehensibility, an invisible weight descended upon the twins' beings, one that threatened to crush them to nothingness. Their breaths shortened and their heart rates spiked.

The elderly Ascendant was no less affected, her thoughts and emotions in complete turmoil as she observed the ongoings.

What's happening here?

At the question, she searched for answers in his gaze. She had lived a long life and had developed a knack for reading others. The Ascendant peeked through the windows of his soul and found...that which would only baffle her further.

'Anger, hatred too...huh, self-hatred? Shame? Guilt? What could bring about these emotions...and have them burn so intensely? What have I done?'

"Kill me?" Silver said with a hollow chuckle, tingling the spines of the trio. "Try it...and you'll get to see something interesting, frogs in the well," the fused being said, eyes widened and glowing with the light of madness.

The twins' pride flared up at the words and they regained their moxie. Their auras spiked with deadly intent but not a moment later, said auras would shrink back before another.

*Boom*

Golden aura exploding out, Rachel put her foot down.

"Enough! Mei. Rui. Stand down at once. No one will be dying on my watch," Rachel said in a forceful tone. The twins faltered before her reprimanding words and gaze. "Also, retract your Psi, this is no way to treat a patient."

"But..."

"No buts. It's clear that my power is the cause of this outburst. Silver isn't one to act in this way. There must be a valid reason for this. You're his fan so you should know even better than I."

"Ah yeah...you're right," Mei said with some reluctance before withdrawing her Psi. Rui did the same before walking back to her previous position. Her face was tense and unforgiving. To her, no reason could justify anyone harming her master.

Rachel read these thoughts and couldn't help but sigh. She reigned in her own aura before turning to Silver. Better, she thought in relief as she recaptured his visage. It was still stormy but not to the point of imminent danger, as it was a few seconds ago.

"Sorry, Silver. I don't know what went wrong with my power. I've heard many great things about you and your other selves from Sigurd and Micheal and know you're not usually like this. Our earlier trade of words told me as much. This has all been my fault, and for that, I'm truly sorry," she said, her voice ringing with sincerity. "To harm instead of heal, as a medic, I'm ashamed. if there's any way I can fix this, please only say the words."

The apology and offer induced eye twitches in the fused being. His mouth opened only to close immediately. Finding words difficult, Silver took a moment to gather his bearings. He shut his eyes and reclined back. The seconds passed in golden silence, none of the trio speaking as they observed the changes overcoming the young man. Negative emotions riddled Silver, no different than bee stings. One after the other. His face flickered and his body tensed up and relaxed erratically.

'He's calming down,' this thought was shared by the trio.

While they hadn't the faintest clue as to what had caused the young man's emotional upheaval, they could tell that he was trying to get himself under control. Rachel showed a look of approval and the twins dropped their edge as they recognized this fact.

Ten seconds later, the twitching stopped. Silver's eyelids flapped open slowly. All the previous emotions were still there but they were far more subdued than before. He didn't rush to speak and took a few more seconds to anchor himself in reality - this reality. After a long-suffering sigh, his lips parted to eject gravel in sonic form.

"The Silver Path has long been interested in your Unique power, Nightingale." His opening words drew slight surprise from the trio. "I too was curious. Was it time reversal or cause-and-effect inversion? No, and no, that's not it," he shook his head for emphasis. "Then, was it a healing power?" Silver released a bleak chuckle before saying words that would stun the trio. "No, it's not."

"Huh?!"

"What nonsense! Of course, it is you ungrateful brat."

Mei and Rui reacted one after the other. Rachel was similarly baffled, but where the twins went on the immediate defence, the aged Ascendant choose to try to understand the incredulous statement.

"What...do you mean by that?"

"I don't care to explain the details, just know that it is the truth." Silver got off the bed to the sound of the twins' curses. Unfazed by the noises around him, he strode toward the exit, passing by Rachel without batting an eye.

"Silver?"

Rachel's hurt and confused utterance stopped the fused being dead in his tracks. A pang of guilt struck him, briefly overpowering all other emotions. At the doorway, he took a breath to calm himself enough to speak.

"Rachel Norton, you seem like a good person, so I'll leave you with some advice. Only use conventional means from now on. Don't rely on your Unique power anymore...for the sake of your consciousness. It is not a power of healing. You've never healed anyone with it...not even once."

Emphasizing his last words, Silver shut the door and strode off, leaving the boggled-minded trio to wrestle with the meaning of his words. What was supposed to be a routine visit turned out to be a life-changing experience for all parties involved.

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