Finn never knew he could move so quickly. With Syl in his arms, and the child in Gideon’s, the two of them sprinted back to the Inn as quickly as they could.
He used the [Feather Step] this time, barely matching Gideon’s speed, who did not dare go too fast lest the boy get injured more
The two did their best to be as stable as possible, avoiding shaking them, and he was incredibly thankful he cleared a path—as if it was just for this.
He had already let her drink the health potions that he had. Sadly, because she was strong—likely at the Blessed Stage already, which was the magic equivalent of fortified level—the basic potions could only do so much.
The best way was to take advantage of her natural regeneration as a powerhouse and as an elf, multiplying the effect with that of the inn!
When he arrived at the inn, everyone was shocked by how panicked he looked. Finn did not have the time or patience to explain anything and just threw one order after the other.
"Everyone, gather as many of the ingredients for potions as you can gather and place them in the workshop. NOW!" he turned to his staff member. "Haurus, please make as many as you can!"
"Ranran! Come with me!" he yelled, carrying the woman to the room he reserved just for her. He gently put her in the bed, and they undressed her together so they could handle her wounds more effectively.
Well, if she felt conscious after this, he was perfectly willing to take responsibility. Perhaps in an attempt to calm himself down, he was already thinking of how to tease her after she recovered.
Strip
The moment Ranran took off everything, he froze.
Blood.
Seeing all of her injuries and seeing how the blood seeped through the bed, Finn felt a little weak. However, he stayed strong and helped Ranran out.
They cleaned up her wound and stopped the bleeding with the gauzes and so on they got from Milo. Ranran was asked to stay beside her the entire time, while Finn left and headed straight to the pharmacy to help Haurus.
Two hours later, they managed to make several basic healing potions, all of which were sent to Syl’s room. Hopefully, they’d be helpful enough, at least increase the stacking effect of the Luxury Room.
He did not bother sending one to the boy’s. After checking, they found that the child’s injuries were minor and they just had to wait for him to wake up, ideally so he could tell them everything that happened.
However, he remembered how elves were strong magicians. Could he have powerful healing magic? What if he could help Syl?
At this, he immediately rushed to the boy’s room. The little boy was still unconscious, and Finn extended his arms, intent on waking him up.
However, he was blocked by Gideon, who had a solemn expression on his face.
"He is shaken. Although his wounds aren’t deep, it is not wise to stimulate him too much." His tone was quite strict and reprimanding. It was clear that Gideon had an unexpected soft side for children.
Usually, Finn would be curious and might even tease him about it. But he has neither the time nor the energy for that.
"We have to wake him up," Finn said. "He might have a healing ability," he said. "Even if we’re not sure—what if he does. He can heal himself and Syl!"
Although Syl was stabilized now, he couldn’t help but remember all those injuries. How could he sit still and wait when there was a better option?
Gideon looked at him for a moment before sighing, giving way. Finn did not give him any more attention and headed straight to the boy.
"Please wake up," Finn said, shaking the elf. "Please wake up."
"Master..." Gideon patted his shoulder, obviously uncomfortable. Finn shook his hand away.
"Athie...your name is Athie, right? Your aunt told me about you. Your aunt is in trouble, you’ll help her right? Just as she protected you—"
At this, he gritted his teeth, realizing he was feeling irked. Indeed, Syl must’ve been injured protecting this boy. How could he not wake up to help her out?
He knew it was not fair to blame the boy, nor was it his place to do so, but the brain and the heart were very different organs.
Fortunately, the boy did wake up, and he immediately sat up. It seemed that he was half-conscious before and now had the energy to stand.
The boy almost fell, but Gideon caught him. "I’m fine," he said, like a mature little adult, and it made Finn feel a bit guilty for being annoyed with him at all.
"Please take me to my aunt."
...
By this time, he could purchase a few mana potions from the [Hearth Market]. He bought them all and placed them next to the child. "I’m counting on you."
The boy gave him a look. "I’m her family." Translation: Why are you asking favors when I’m helping my own kin?
Finn’s lips twitched, but stepped back, decidedly not arguing with the child—especially when he was right.
Then Finn saw the boy’s furrowed eyebrows as he looked at Syl’s state. The boy was stoic, but the way his face scrunched betrayed the fact that he was about to cry, barely holding it in.
Finn scratched his neck in guilt as his heart softened, realizing the boy must be feeling guilty by himself, and blaming himself for it, too.
Still, as a stranger to him, Finn knew that it was not his place to comfort the boy, so he just stayed quiet, watching.
"This will take a while..." he whispered, and it was obvious the child wasn’t comfortable with being watched. Finn nodded and gestured to leave.
"I..."
In the end, Finn couldn’t help but pat the boy’s head. Now that he was calmer, he found his heart was also going towards this stoic little elf.
"It’s not your fault, Athie," he said. "Syl would gladly save her family, over and over again."