Chapitre 19: Training Trip - She's Just Build Different
After walking for a while without anything else happening, I finally reach my destination. In front of me stands a house. Its appearance isn't too different from the other homes inside the village, though it's not particularly large. I mean, it's much bigger than my cabin, sure, but compared to the other houses around here, it's relatively small. Still, I imagine it could easily accommodate a family of four. Despite its slightly older and more worn-out look compared to its neighbors, it feels far more luxurious than the houses in the outer village.
The house exudes an air of antiquity, yet it is remarkably well-preserved. Its wooden door is perfectly centered, flanked by two small windows, each framed by rustic wooden shutters. Beneath each window lies a neatly tended flower bed, and above them hang delicate clay pots filled with vibrant blossoms—These are rare around here, little families know how to work with clay like this in the tribe. Adding to its charm, a lush vine stretches across the left wall, its leaves cascading upward until they vanish over the edge of the wooden roof. The weathered appearance of the clay pots suggests they have been passed down far too many times.
As I go up the short, two-step staircase leading to the door, I can't help but look at the many drawings made on it. Some are faded with age, and others still fresh and vivid, some made as early as yesterday.
After observing for a few moments, I slowly push the door open, already knowing it would be unlocked. Taking a few steps inside, I find myself in a simple yet well-organized room. A small table with two chairs sits neatly to one side, but looking closer, I notice a third chair tucked away in the corner of the wall, just out of sight at first glance.
On another wall, I see a small wooden cabinet with three doors mounted above the ground. One interesting thing about the tribe is how advanced their woodworking skills are—surprisingly so for such an isolated place. Wooden furniture is common here, though the designs tend to be quite rustic. Perhaps the people of the tribe don't place much value on aesthetics when it comes to furniture. This thought reminds me that I still need to ask about the tribe's history.
Anyway, another striking feature is the sheer number of plants inside the house—there seem to be as many indoors as there are outside. I guarantee that no matter where you look in here, you'll spot a plant somewhere. Ignoring this detail for now, I move deeper into the home, where two doors face me: one to the right and the other to the left. The door on the left is slightly open. Noticing this, I make my way to the door on the right.
As I reach it, I hesitate for a moment before raising my hand to knock. But before I can do so—
"You can come in," a calm female voice calls from the other side. The tone is so soothing that I can't help but feel an immediate sense of relaxation as I hear it.
"How did you know I was here?" I ask with a pout as I push the door open slightly and lean to the side.
"Oh, dear, I can still see your shadow under the door," she replies with a soft laugh.
Finally stepping into the room, I can see the owner of the voice more clearly. Sitting on the bed is a woman of almost ethereal beauty, her features accentuated by the sunlight streaming through the window just above the bed, making her skin seem to glow. Her silver hair falls in soft waves, shimmering as if each strand is capturing the light, and her deep blue eyes meet mine with a warm, welcoming gaze.
Her appearance is so striking that it almost overshadows the rest of the room. The space itself is modest, with only a simple bed pushed against the wall and a small shelf nearby. From the window, a vine—likely part of the same plant climbing the front of the house—trails gently into the room, this thing sure is nosy guy, I'm sure I saw parts of it on other parts of the house.
"Good morning, Miss Miori. I'm sorry for intrud—" I begin, bowing slightly.
"There's no need to be so formal, dear. The house is practically yours at this point," she says, her lips curling into a soft smile. "But more importantly, don't you think you're forgetting something?"
"..."
"I'm waiting~," she teases, her tone playful and expectant.
Finding no way out, I resign myself to my fate. I step closer to the bed and watch as Miss Miori opens her arms. As soon as I'm close enough, she wraps her arms around me in a swift motion, pulling me into a hug and toppling us both onto the bed.
"Fufufu, that's it, my little girl," she says, gently patting my head and pulling my cheek with surprising enthusiasm.
"M-Miss Miori—! I'm not a baby!" I protest, my voice filled with embarrassment.
"Oh, but how could I resist when you're this adorable? No one is allowed to be this cute!" she replies, intensifying her head pats with exaggerated affection.
"You're the strange one for thinking like that!" I protest again, struggling to escape her relentless attack, but it feels as if all my strength has simply left my body.
"Oh? It seems someone still hasn't learned their lesson~!" she teases, increasing her intensity even more. "Just be a good girl and let me pamper you~"
She continues her playful assault for a while before finally stopping. Noticing my helpless expression, she releases me at last.
"Ahhh~ It's because of expressions like that I just can't resist," she sighs contentedly, like someone who's just finished a satisfying meal. But after a moment, she straightens herself, doing a dramatic 360-degree spin, and resumes the demeanor of a composed woman, as if her behavior from mere seconds ago didn't exist. "Phoebe, would you mind helping me to the living room?"
"Y-yes, of course," I reply, quickly standing and positioning myself to assist her.
With some effort, she finally rises, and I begin guiding her to the next room. Now that she's standing, I can take in her full appearance.
For starters, she's short—no, that's not the right word. Compared to the other people in the tribe, she's short, but compared to outsiders, her height is rather average. What truly draws attention, though, is her face. I wasn't exaggerating when I said she's incredibly beautiful. I've read several fantasy stories, with beautiful princesses and princes, but she manages to surpass even that.
What makes her stand out even more, like a sore thumb in the tribe, is how different she looks from everyone else. Beyond being much smaller than the other tribespeople, her skin is completely white, a stark contrast to the sun-kissed tones of the others. Her facial features are far more delicate, with small, rosy lips and a striking eye color that no one else. And then there's her hair—its silvery hue so unnatural that, had I not known better, I'd have assumed she came from outside the tribe.
But none of these features are what truly hold my gaze. No, it's the dark circles under her eyes, the half-lidded way she struggles to keep them open. On closer inspection, it's evident that she's painfully thin, her skin alarmingly pale, far beyond what's healthy. And if all that weren't enough, the fact that a 26-year-old woman needs help just to get out of bed is proof enough—she's sick. Very sick.
I met her two years ago during that incident when Mirina and I were attacked by a wolf in the forest. When we returned to the village, I brought Mirina home and begged Miss Miori—who, in case you haven't figured it out, is her mother—for forgiveness. She was clearly worried sick about her daughter disappearing into the forest at night. I was fully prepared to receive a harsh scolding.
But, to my surprise, not only did she forgive me with ease, but she also practically trapped me in her house, insisting that I spend the night there. I can't quite explain it, but when it comes to this woman, I lose all sense of resistance and find myself completely pushed around. I guess she's just that overwhelming.
After that day, I started visiting often. At first, I didn't notice anything unusual. She always seemed a bit frail, lacking the energy for many tasks or the strength for anything strenuous, but it didn't seem worrisome back then. That was until one day, when she suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed.
I ran to fetch Mama Huiya for help, and after treating her, she never explained what caused the problem. She did, however, prepare a remedy that I've been bringing to Miss Miori daily ever since. Despite that, her health has continued to deteriorate, little by little, every single day.
...
"So, Phoebe, what brings you here today? Don't get me wrong—it's a very welcome surprise—but isn't it a bit early? Nothing bad has happened, I hope?" Miss Miori's voice interrupts my thoughts, and I realize we've already reached the table.
"Oh, there's nothing to worry about. I just thought I'd stop by—" I begin, but the sound of the front door opening cuts me off mid-sentence. This seems to happen more often than I'd like.
Turning to look, I see Mirina entering the house with a wide smile, glancing back at something outside. She's carrying a basket of clothes—likely returning from the river. Since Miss Miori fell ill, Mirina has had to take on the household chores. Yes, I know—I didn't expect her to manage either, especially considering she's never been the type to wake up early. But, well, look at her now. Who would've thought?
"Mom, I'm ho—!" she starts to call out but stops when she notices another presence in the room. "Phoebe?! Phoebe!"
Thud
Realizing it's me, she tosses the basket of clothes aside and launches herself at me. I quickly step to the side just in time to catch her before she falls face-first onto the floor, making us both fall to the ground.
"You really need to stop doing that," I mutter, frowning at her.
"Hehehe," she giggles, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder like an overexcited puppy. I really want to knock some sense into her. Can I? I think I can.
"Oh, if only I were young again," Miss Miori's wistful voice cuts through my mental calculations. Glancing at her, I see her resting her head in one hand, a melancholic smile flickering across her face.
"But you're still so young," I reply absentmindedly.
"Oh, aren't you just the sweetest?" Her expression instantly shifts into something playful, and there's a dangerous sparkle in her eyes. "Looks like someone wants to be pampered again~."
I—I've been duped! It was a trap!
Without thinking, I duck behind Mirina, which isn't the most strategic move since we're about the same height.
"Mãe, don't bully Phoebe too much!" Mirina scolds her mother, puffing out her cheeks.
Yes! Someone to save m—wait. What do you mean by 'too much'? Mirina?!
"Oh dear, I was just teasing her a little bit~ It's harmless fun~," Miss Miori replies, her tone that of a teacher instructing a pupil on a life lesson.
"Ah, I see, I see," Mirina nods in exaggerated understanding, her fingers thoughtfully tapping her chin. Hey, wait! What are you teaching her now?!
"But Phoebe, darling, what were you saying?" Miss Miori shifts the focus back to me, her playful grin fading into a more composed expression.
"Y-yes, um, where was I?"
...
"You really need to stop doing that," I mutter, frowning at her.
"Hehehe," she giggles, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder like an overexcited puppy. I really want to knock some sense into her. Can I? I think I can.
"Oh, if only I were young again," Miss Miori's wistful voice cuts through my mental calculations. Glancing at her, I see her resting her head in one hand, a melancholic smile flickering across her face.
"But you're still so young," I reply absentmindedly.
"Oh, aren't you just the sweetest?" Her expression instantly shifts into something playful, and there's a dangerous sparkle in her eyes. "Looks like someone wants to be pampered again~."
I—I've been duped! It was a trap!
Without thinking, I duck behind Mirina, which isn't the most strategic move since we're about the same height.
"Mãe, don't bully Phoebe too much!" Mirina scolds her mother, puffing out her cheeks.
Yes! Someone to save m—wait. What do you mean by 'too much'? Mirina?!
"Oh dear, I was just teasing her a little bit~ It's harmless fun~," Miss Miori replies, her tone that of a teacher instructing a pupil on a life lesson.
"Ah, I see, I see," Mirina nods in exaggerated understanding, her fingers thoughtfully tapping her chin. Hey, wait! What are you teaching her now?!
"But Phoebe, darling, what were you saying?" Miss Miori shifts the focus back to me, her playful grin fading into a more composed expression.
"Y-yes, um, where was I?"
"What?!" Mirina cries, her eyes wide with shock. "Why are you leaving?!"
"I have to go, Mirina," I explain, feeling guilty at her crestfallen face.
"Mirina, don't make this harder for her," Miss Miori interjects gently, though her voice carries a hint of sadness. "But tell us, how long will you be gone, dear?"
"About three months," I reply, wincing slightly. "I'm sorry I couldn't warn you sooner. It's all so sudden."
"There's no need to apologize," Miss Miori says with a soft smile. "It's alright, my dear."
Mirina, however, stands beside her mother, pouting. She doesn't say a word, but her silence is loud enough.
"Since you're leaving, why don't you stay and eat something before you go?" Miss Miori offers, her tone expectant and hopeful.
"I really wish I could, but I've already stretched my thirty-minute break too far. Mama Huiya will be fuming if I don't get moving," I explain apologetically.
"That's too bad, then," Miss Miori sighs softly, though she quickly recovers. "Mirina, why don't you walk her to the village gate?"
Mirina doesn't protest, though her expression says otherwise. She stands up silently, walking ahead to the door.
"Oh, before I forget," I say, rummaging through my bag until I find a small sack. I hand it to Miss Miori. "Here, take this."
"What's this?" she asks, her hands wrapping around the sack.
"It's the medicine. I won't be here to deliver it for the next three months, so I've prepared enough to last you until I return. I hope it's sufficient," I explain, smiling weakly.
"How thoughtful of you, dear," she replies, her laugh soft and warm. "But you should hurry now. Don't keep her waiting too long."
"I'll see you soon, Miss Miori," I say, bowing quickly before heading out.
The walk to the village entrance with Mirina is silent, her pout lingering. I know there's nothing I can do to change the situation, but I still feel the urge to say something to ease her worries.
"You'll come back, right?" she suddenly asks, her voice softer than usual.
We're nearly at the gate, and she seems calmer now. Still, the weight of her words hits me.
"What kind of question is that?" I grin at her. "Of course, I'll come back!"
"But what if you don't?" she presses, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.
I pause, thinking of how to answer her. She's had her fair share of bad experiences in the forest, and while she hides them behind her sunny personality, I know she's scared deep down.
I step in front of her, gently holding her hands. "You don't need to worry about anything, okay? You, more than anyone, know how strong I am. And besides, Mama Huiya will be with me. Nothing in that forest can hurt us!" I declare with a confident smile.
"And when I return..." I pause for effect, grinning even wider. "I'll come back as the strongest thing in the forest! Then nothing will stop us from exploring the world together!"
"Then promise me one thing," I add, my tone softening as I meet her gaze. "Promise you'll be here to greet me when I return?"
"Yes," she replies, her pout melting into a radiant smile. "I'll be here!"
.
.
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L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Ampulheta
Ampulheta Phoebe's Notes;
It’s time. Time to face my fears and confront everything I’ve been dreading. I can do this—I know I can do this. I’m the next shaman, after all. Of course, I can do this.
Three months of sleeping in the forest—here I come!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone