The boy hummed to himself as he watered one flower after another. He was currently all alone in the house, but Minet Bloom honestly far preferred the quiet atmosphere. Today was his 12th birthday and his mother had departed for a large city a few days ago to get him a special present. He was honestly brimming with excitement over the prospect of getting a big surprise like a character from a fairytale. He still cherished the flutes that mother carved him every year, but his childish self deep down desired something big and amazing.

He had already cleaned the dishes beforehand, and now that he was done caring for the flowers he didn't really have anything to do. After a few moments of hesitation, he eventually went to his bedroom, which was just next door in their 3 room shed, and opened one of the only two drawers, revealing an entire collection of carved flutes. After some deliberation, Minet picked up his favourite one crafted from birchwood and returned to the merged living room and kitchen before sitting down by the lone table.

He looked around the room and smiled at the flowers that his mother loved so much. She has been away for only a few days, but he already missed her so much that he could barely stand it. With those thoughts on his mind, he blew into the flute, and a melancholic melody sounded throughout the room. But when he saw the beautiful flowers sway in the sun rays coming in through the windows his mood immediately brightened, and an energetic and joyful song played through his instrument. Without realising it Minet even infused a thin string of mana into the nodes which made the song all the more wonderful. Although only the flowers were his audience they swayed to the rhythm as though they were thoroughly enjoying his performance.

When the song was over Minet elegantly bowed to the flowers and imagined their applause with a smile on his face. However, just as he was about to begin his next show, a barrage of hurried knocks landed on the front door.

"Minet are you there," the boy recognised the voice. It was the elder which the local miners and farmers considered their unofficial leader, and he seemed quite panicked.

"Yes," Minet immediately answered.

"Is your mother back home yet?" the man asked the next question with bated breath.

"No," Minet answered just as he opened the door "what happened?!"

"The mine," the chief spoke with a very grim expression “one of the new shafts collapsed!” and that meant a lot of critically wounded, the chief didn’t need to say. Minet’s mother was a healer and especially in a situation like these her presence would be vital, yet she was currently away. Minet grit his teeth when he considered what that could mean. The community in the encampment was very tight-knit, so even though Minet was rather shy, he knew most people personally. There was no one except his mother who could properly help them. Except perhaps…

Minet’s eyes widened as he came to a realisation, and the next moment he nodded his head as his eyes became filled with determination. He quickly dashed to one of the few cupboards in the room and took out a packed sack and a jar. The sack was filled with bandages, while the jar contained an antiseptic which his mother had mixed a few days before her departure. Without any further hesitation, Minet handed the two items to the chief, since they were quite heavy for the fragile boy to carry.

“Minet, you…” the chief seemed slightly confused at why the boy handed him those things.

“Take me with you,” Minet clarified, “I might be nowhere near as good as my mother, but I believe that I can make a difference,” the chief looked at Minet and wanted to dismiss the young boy at first, but when he saw Minet’s resolute eyes he could only nod his head, “Let’s go then, quickly,” there was nothing to lose by letting him try anyway.

The mine was not far away, so even though their speed was not impressive they arrived in less than 5 minutes. On the scene, there were still the last few people being carried out of the collapsed mine by those who could still walk, while there were already dozens of critically wounded men and women lying on the ground. Most of the encampment women worked in the fields, but since there was often not much work to do there, some of the sturdier ones decided to occasionally help out in the mines instead.

“Is Daisy back yet?” a 2 meters tall rough-looking man asked the chief as soon as he spotted them, his eyes glimmering with tears, and hope. However, they grew significantly dimmer when the chief shook his head, “Damn it!” he cursed out.

“But the boy will try his best to help,” the chief attempted to bring back what hope he could, although even he was sceptical about how much a 12 years old could achieve. The large man locked his eyes with Minet, which caused him to involuntarily gulp, “Think you can do it?” the man asked, “I believe I can make a difference,” Minet nodded his head with renewed determination.

“Everyone!” Minet then yelled as loud as he could, subconsciously infusing a bit of mana into his voice. That made everyone pause what they were doing and focus on him, “Those who are unwounded or only bruised, please, step aside from the wounded. I will try to use area healing magic, and you would weaken the effect.”

“Do it!” the chief commanded when everyone seemed to be rather hesitant about listening to the boy. With the emphasis from the chief everyone vacated while Minet quickly stepped into the middle of the wounded. He then closed his eyes and with intense focus began to chant.

“To us brittle and broken,

Desiring nothing but a token

of your mercy, oh, mother of light.”

At that point, a tangible glow began to cover Minet from head to toe. It was as though he shed his skin, and clothes only to be granted a new form as pure and immaculate light.

“Show to our mortal sight

the glory of your might,

oh, merciful mother of light.

Mass cure wounds”

As his incantation came to an end even a thicker sheet of light seemed to cover Minet’s entire form. Everyone was looking at him with bated breaths as for a few seconds nothing seemed to happen. Then suddenly all the light withdrew from Minet’s form and instead concentrated on his feet, before discharging in a brilliant nova all around him. The circle of light rapidly extended over the wounded and upon touching each of them, particles of radiant glow gathered over their bodies, quickly stopping the most serious bleeding, in some cases even restoring the person completely to health. As the light travelled further outward it began to rapidly dim, and by the time it was about to reach the people who stepped aside it had disappeared completely.

“You did it!” people quickly noticed that the wounds of everyone touched by that light were healing rapidly, and cheered Minet. However, the boy didn’t really have the time to enjoy it as he went pale white and fell down to his knees, gasping for air. Casting a 5th circle spell was extremely straining for him. The chief as well as the large man quickly rushed to him, supporting Minet before he could completely collapse.

“You are amazing, boy,” the chief finally spoke when Minet managed to catch his breath, “You should rest now. We will take care of the rest.”

“No!” Minet accidentally raised his voice, “I can still keep going. The bandages and jar I gave you. Pour a bit of the liquid inside on open wounds and bruises before bandaging them. I will try and help those who are still in bad condition,” he spoke, and neither of the men could deny him. While the chief gathered a few other people to help with the bandaging the burly man helped Minet up and took him over to the closest person who still seemed to be on the brink of death.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

Minet chanted with closed eyes while directly touching the wounded man. Light coiled through his hand into the patient, and his wounds began to rapidly close, and just a moment later he seemed to be stabilised. Not minding the dizziness overcoming him, Minet moved over to the next person.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

Once again he channelled his power.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

And then again.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

And again. The dizziness inside his head grew more and more intense, and he could feel his chest begin to hurt, however, he decided to ignore those sensations and instead fully focused on healing.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

He clearly recognised the wounded woman that he was now attempting to heal. She was the one who helped Minet and his mother gather most of the flowers that decorated their home. She was a kind-hearted woman who usually worked in the fields, but decided to go to the mine today of all days. Her complexion was just as pale as Minet’s, as she was covered in blood from many open wounds. Yet the light coursing through Minet’s hand was dim this time, nowhere near the previous radiance. When the power entered her body the wounds at first seemed to be about to close, but then their sealing suddenly stopped without much effect. This naturally made Minet panic as he cast the spell again.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

Yet the effect was not any better, as her wounds kept oozing out blood.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all creation.

Cure wounds”

With futility, Minet tried again. He was not willing to let this person die. Not while he could do something to save her. The dizziness in his head turned into dementing numbness, while the pain in his chest became agonizing. Everything in front of Minet seemed to become blurry, and he suddenly found it incredibly challenging to keep his eyes open.

“Grant the petty us salvation,

progenitors of all…”

He attempted to cast the spell again, however, he was unable to finish. Exhausted far beyond his limits he collapsed. His mind entangled by darkness.

The next thing Minet knew he was looking at his mother’s face. She was smiling at him, but he could tell from the redness in her eyes, that she had been crying.

“I am sorry. I made you worry,” he apologised, still confused about what was going on. He also noticed a dull ache in his head.

“No, you did nothing wrong. It was thanks to you that so many people were able to survive,” she smiled at him brilliantly.

“What about…” he suddenly remembered the dying woman lying on the ground, and his chest tightened. After he had collapsed there was likely no one that could save her.

“She is fine,” Daisy assured him, “I had arrived just after you collapsed, so I was able to save her, and everyone else who was still wounded,” a kind smile appeared on her face.

“I see,” Minet let out a relieved breath, and smiled back. He did not want his mother to worry even more than she already had.

“I also have something for you,” Daisy kept smiling at her son, and turned around, picking up an elegant black suitcase. On it Minet noticed an unfamiliar emblem: It was a symmetrical grey brick castle placed on pitch-black background. With a gentle nudge from Daisy, the suitcase was opened, and a burst of brilliant light was immediately released from beneath the lid. Minet could only stare at the item in a daze.