While Healer Severin immersed himself in the complex alchemy matrix, making careful modifications, Aiden struck up a conversation with Elena.
"Healer Elena, did you have an alternative treatment plan in mind?" he asked curiously.
"I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but yes," she said, a hint of shyness in her voice. "We also intended to incorporate alchemy, though our approach was not nearly as radical as yours. We were preparing to use the Uruz (ᚢ) rune."
Aiden had to suppress a sigh. 'Uruz. The rune of strength and health. So their plan was to just pump the girls full of vitality and hope they could withstand the curse on their own?'
A familiar voice interjected in his mind.
[Ding. To be fair, that is significantly better than a plan that involves incinerating them.]
'Shut up,' Aiden shot back.
After a short while, Healer Severin returned, holding up the revised blueprint. "Mr. Prewett, what do you think of this?"
The drawing now showed two nested matrices. The complex outer matrix retained Aiden's original design, but a new, inner matrix had been added to divert and filter the magic flowing through him.
Aiden studied it for a moment. "This diversion matrix needs another modification."
"Oh? Is there a problem?" Severin asked, puzzled.
"I've already completed my magical organ linkage," Aiden stated calmly. "The natural magic flowing through me will inevitably be contaminated by my own magical signature."
The two healers stared at him, their eyes wide with shock.
"Magical organ linkage?" Severin's voice trembled slightly. "The legendary state of perfect integration? But you're so young..."
"He can create his own spells," Elena murmured, mostly to herself. "It seems anything is possible in the world of magic."
"Then, Mr. Prewett, please review this again," Severin said, his professionalism kicking back in. "I used the parameters of an ordinary adult wizard, but clearly, we are dealing with other variables."
"Your design is sound," Aiden reassured him. "The problem isn't the matrix; it's my magic. What if we add Othala (ᛟ), Laguz (ᛚ), and Mannaz (ᛗ) at nodes twenty-four, twenty-eight, and thirty-seven respectively?"
Severin's eyes lit up as he traced the new additions. "Inheritance, water, and self… This would keep the solar magic's properties unchanged, then use the concept of 'flow' to purify—no, to intercept—and finally use 'self' to fix and isolate any of your contaminating magic. It's a brilliant design, Mr. Prewett. Your knowledge of alchemy is truly remarkable."
"Then, if we are all in agreement," Aiden smiled, "let's begin."
The three of them went to find Arseno in the sun-drenched garden, where he was anxiously waiting with his three daughters.
"What's the verdict?" he asked, rushing to meet them.
"The specific plan has been designed," Severin said with a confident smile.
Elena quickly added a word of caution. "However, Mr. Greengrass, as you know, we cannot offer a guaranteed cure."
"And this treatment cycle will be a long one," Aiden concluded. "I hope you are mentally prepared."
"It's no matter," Arseno said, patting his chest with relief. "As long as the family curse can finally be resolved, we will endure however long it takes."
Under a nearby gazebo, the three Greengrass sisters were whispering amongst themselves.
"So that's the famous Aiden Prewett," Daphne, the eldest, observed.
"Yes, sister!" Arsesi, the middle sister, said excitedly. "His knowledge of alchemy is incredible. It seems there's nothing he doesn't know."
"He is indeed very knowledgeable," Astoria, the youngest, added shyly.
Daphne suddenly reached for Arsesi with a teasing grin. "You seem to care a great deal about him, Arsesi."
Arsesi gracefully sidestepped her sister's grasp. "Hmph, I do not," she said stubbornly, though a faint blush betrayed her words.
Daphne's smile faded, replaced by a flicker of sadness. "If you care, then care. Don't let others decide your future. Father wishes for me to get closer to Malfoy. I hope you never have to face that."
Astoria, sensing her sister's sorrow, gently took her hand.
Just then, their discussion was interrupted as Arseno walked over. "Arsesi, Astoria, come with me." He led the two girls to the small group of healers. "I leave them in your capable hands."
"This is the first treatment," Aiden explained, his voice calm and reassuring. "We will perform one session a week. The curse should be completely dispelled in about a month."
He stretched out his hand, conjuring a long, ornate staff. With a flick of his wrist, he used a controlled burst of fire from its tip to carve the complex runic matrix directly into the flagstones of the courtyard.
"Oh, so matrices can be inscribed that way," Healer Severin muttered, hastily taking out a notebook to copy the design.
"That is a magnificent staff.," Elena commented idly. "I wonder where one could buy it."
"Healers, a little help, please?" Aiden said, looking pointedly at the two loiterers. "Don't just stand there and watch." He tossed them two vials of a shimmering alchemical solution, as the key nodes of the matrix required special materials.
With their combined efforts, the complex matrix was soon complete.
"Who wants to go first?" Aiden asked, looking at the two younger sisters. "Don't be nervous. There's no danger."
"I'm not nervous," Arsesi declared, stepping forward bravely. "I'll go."
She mustered her courage and walked into the matrix, confidently taking her place in the very center.
Aiden stared at her. "...No, that's my spot. Am I supposed to sit over there?"
"Hahaha!" Elena burst out laughing. "Over there, dear. This is Aiden's position."
Arsesi's face turned beet red. "Who could tell? This matrix is so complicated. I just assumed that was my spot. I wasn't nervous at all," she insisted, quickly swapping places with Aiden.
Once everyone was in position, the two healers drew their wands, standing by just in case. As Aiden activated the matrix, the sunlight in the courtyard seemed to bend, focusing its energy into him. He could feel the raw solar magic being filtered through his own, then flowing through the diversion matrix toward Arsesi.
'Why do I have the strangest sense of déjà vu?' he wondered.
[Ding. Analysis: a common trope in certain visual media. A boy and a girl lie in adjacent hospital beds, connected by a transfusion tube. From that day forward, an unbreakable blood bond is formed between them.]
'An unbreakable... what?!' Aiden nearly choked, the system's commentary almost breaking his concentration.
At node thirty-seven, the filtered magic began to solidify, slowly forming a flawless, silver-white magic crystal. At the same time, a faint purple smoke began to rise from Arsesi's body—a clear sign that the curse's magic was finally being purged.
After a few minutes, the matrix powered down.
"The treatment was a resounding success," Elena announced after giving Arsesi a thorough examination. "If we continue with this procedure, the curse will be completely removed."
Next, Astoria took her place in the matrix and underwent the same treatment.
Afterward, the group sat together, drinking tea and discussing the results. Healer Severin sidled up to Aiden, rubbing his hands together with scholarly greed.
"Mr. Prewett," he began conspiratorially, "those magic crystals generated by the matrix… what do you plan to do with them?"
"I'll take them back with me," Aiden replied simply. "They make for an excellent energy source."
"Might you be willing to sell me one or two?" Severin pressed. "I would love to study them."
"No," Aiden said flatly, his refusal absolute. "No negotiation."
"But… why?" Severin asked, his face a mask of disappointment.
***********
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