The cold energy inside the woman was chaotic. As though alive, it squirmed and resisted my calls. Considering the inherently chaotic nature that was death, it would probably be better to describe this as volatile—disturbed. But while the dissipating Life energy in the room had something to do with its rather intense activity, it should only be a small part of the problem.

As I continued tugging at the energy from inside her, I promptly realized I was only making the situation worse. Not only was I not doing anything helpful, I felt the energy becoming more turbulent with my interference. Instead of helping her, I was probably killing this woman faster.

But who could verify what exactly I was doing? Amber had probably taken off to dreamland by now. It was already surprising enough that he was able to hold a conversation with me in broad daylight.

No longer feeling confident about my attempt, I decided to withdraw. This was an actual person's life, after all. I could not simply insist on my theories and risk killing someone. Just because death was my element, it didn't entitle me to granting it to whoever at will.

But it didn't change the fact that I had to do something that could curb the rising energies, at least. The doctor tried various means, trying to stabilize her condition, but none of the physical therapies were working.

So I spoke, "The energy's all messed up."

They looked at me.

"What?"

I hastily searched for the right words. "The energy's all messed up. I-it's probably not a physical thing."

The doctor gazed at me for a moment. "Ah...could it be the life energy?"

It was, but I shouldn't act like I knew the situation too well. "Probably."

The doctor retrieved something from his leather satchel—a small bath-bomb-looking object. He then threw it against a wall, causing white smoke to billow out. The energies in the room were far less volatile—almost like a neutralizing agent had dispersed in the air.

"This disperser should scatter the energies," the doctor said, then turned to Kaiser's mother anxiously. He walked over to monitor her condition.

With the chaos in the room scattering from the disperser, the woman showed observable improvement within the next few seconds. Her skin turned less grayish, although the complexion remained bleak and corpse-like.

Everyone was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Kaiser gazed at me gratefully. Now that his mother had stopped trashing about, we were finally able to let go. I silently retreated to my corner in the room, watching the scene from the side.

"I'm sorry you had to see that..." Kaiser began.

I shook my head. "It's alright. As long as your mother's fine."

"So how is it?" Herrin inquired, as he loosened his grip over his sister's waist.

"I don't know what went wrong...it's probably best if I stay until tomorrow to monitor the patient's condition. I'll also need time to reevaluate her condition. I may have this diagnosis wrong..." the doctor trailed off.

"Come with me, Evyionne," Kaiser told me. "I think we best leave for now." He approached Illuna to repeat what he said to me, then came over to his father. "Dad, I'll lead our guests out."

"Go on and do that." Pier clapped his son's shoulders with a sigh. "I'll stay with your mother for now."

"Okay."

We left the room. I cast one last glance at Kaiser's mother and was once again confronted with the choice of helping her or not. Clearly, earlier I tried. However, it didn't do so much help and I only ended up aggravating her condition instead.

"You look troubled," Illuna said beside me. He handed over the harp to me.

I accepted. "I'm alright."

"How did you know it was the energies?" he asked.

I was a little doubtful. "Well, now I think I'm particularly sensitive to it. I could feel something wasn't right. That place back there was too chaotic."

Illuna sighed. "It seems I didn't give much help this time. Kaiser, where's your uncle?"

"I think he won't be coming out yet. I'll take you to the guest room first," Kaiser said.

"No, I don't think I can stay very long. Can you just pass on the word for me that I'll be heading off for now?" he asked. "As for the compensation your uncle promised me, he can just find me for it within the week. Tell him I'll be waiting for him in the place we usually meet."

"I understand. Thank you for helping us." Kaiser bowed deeply at Illuna, and Illuna returned the bow to me.

"Then I'll get going."

"Can I show you out?"

"No need. You can escort Little Miss Evyionne instead of myself. A servant should do." Illuna gently smiled.

Kaiser gestured for someone waiting by the door. "Please see Sir Illuna off."

The servant nodded and led Illuna away.

Now that Kaiser and I were alone, I waited until there was barely anyone around. "Kaiser..." I trailed off. "About your mother."

He was downtrodden at the mention of the woman, shoulders visibly weighed down. He sighed. "Nothing we can do about it. You don't have to worry though, the compensation and agreement we had earlier will still be followed."

"No...it's not about that. What if I can help her?" I asked.

He stopped, then turned to look at me. "How?"

"Bring me somewhere to talk."

He thought for a moment, then grew a little embarrassed. "W-what about my bedroom? No one comes in to disturb..." He coughed.

I nodded. I knew he was embarrassed, but I couldn't care much about it right now. Besides, he would probably be more mortified if I said something about his embarrassment.

Teenager brains.

Kaiser led me away with a red face, then went down a different direction. After a short walk, we came to a large door. Kaiser opened it and walked in with familiarity before promptly pushing it close.

I looked around. The place was much neater than I thought—although there was some carelessness and chaos that was characteristic of a room of a boy his age.

There were footless chairs on the corner. I went over quietly and sat down, lowering the heavy harp on the ground and calmly gazing up at Kaiser, who strode over as well and sat down across from me.

He calmed himself down. "How would you help?" he asked.

"Do you know the sickness from Vertvalden?"

"What sickness?"

"You should know why there are so many refugees that have come in from the ports in the recent years, right?" I pointed out.

"That's right. What do they have to do with this?"

"I'm seeing the same thing in your mother. There's a chance it's not actually winter poison."

"The sickness...how could she have gotten it?" he asked.

"If you're wondering, it should not be contagious," I said. This matter worried me a lot. If it somehow got out that the sickness originated in Vertvalden, the discrimination against my people should increase inadvertently. I didn't want there to be a misconception that could easily escalate to racial violence. I had seen how bad those could get.

"Then how is it spread?"

"It's not a physical sickness...to be precise..." I quickly recalled the lessons I had regarding the nature and constitution of the people in this world. "There are three dimensions for each person, remember? Mind, body, and soul," I began.

"That should be right."

"It should be a sickness of the soul," I said. "And it manifests in this manner. If it is left alone, the person will be emptied of its soul and turn into a Specter. A sort of soulless vessel. I guess you can say it's similar to death."

"Have you seen it happen?"

"No...From a friend..." I trailed off. "A Specter, I've never seen. However, the Temple provides shelter for refugees. I am in close contact with those who have encountered this, and he has told me in clear detail. If you can allow me, I can bring him to you to verify this sickness and see if I was right. But I'd like you to help me talk to your father first."

Yes, this should be the best way to do it. They would not believe me easily and would even doubt my claims. Thankfully, I had some background and reasons that could back up what I was saying. This way, they shouldn't have to be so suspicious, and I could gradually form a plan in my mind that could devise a treatment which would not carelessly reveal my abilities.

Kaiser did not hesitate. "Alright. But I'd like to get this done today. Will you be troubled?"

"Not much," I said. "Anyway, I'll feel guilty if I don't talk about something I know. You can consider this as something I'll throw in for free." I shrugged.

Kaiser beamed. His smile was sincere. "Thank you. Then should we set off now?"

"What about your father and uncle?"

"I'll tell them to wait awhile, or maybe you should come with me? Maybe we should tell them first?" he suggested.

"Well, this does concern your mother, and we're barely adults, so I understand the need for supervision. Anyway, what if they say no?"

He paused. "Do it anyway," he said.

"I like the way you think, but that's highly unlikely." Considering how desperate these people seemed, they should not reject the idea too much. Anyway, it wasn't like there was a lot at stake, and I have shown earlier that I knew something. Now that Kaiser agreed to speak for me, it should be smoother.

We briefly talked about what to say first, just so we were in agreement. I decided I would leave the harp behind for now and then pick it up again before making our way back. He then proceeded to stand up and make our way out the door.

However, the scene in the hall shocked us.

Kaiser's uncle Herrin was standing just outside, gazing at the two of us doubtfully.

I instantly knew the meaning in those eyes and could not help flushing from embarrassment. Kaiser was the same. This reaction probably hammered Herrin's assumptions.

"Uncle! What are you doing here?" Kaiser asked in a fluster.

"I should ask the same," he began in a low voice.

"Well...we were going to come and talk to you about something."

"Marriage?"

"NO!" we both chorused.

"Relationships shouldn't be casual. I taught you better than that, Kai."

"W-we aren't in any relationship!"

"I'm just thirteen years old," I replied calmly.

Herrin smiled. "I was kidding. So what are you two planning?"

"Evyionne said she might know something about Mom's condition," Kaiser said with determination. "We want to bring someone back to see if it's really what she thought it was."

"It's not winter poison?" he asked, gazing at me.

"That's what we would like to find out," I said. "Would you allow me to bring that person here?"

Herrin did not hesitate, surprisingly enough. "As long as they can swear secrecy, it should be okay. Should I accompany you?"

"I think we can do this ourselves! I'm old enough, uncle! It's just bringing someone back. It should be no trouble for us."

"Then I'll talk to your father in advance. Go and do your thing, I'll prepare for when you return."

"Come on, Evyionne!"

"We go by the guest lounge to grab Maun first."