Chapter 5: "Like a Snow-globe but reverse"

"Hmmm it looks like you're in good shape, do you feel any pain or discomfort?"

"You a doctor?"

"No, but I can pretend to be one"

"Well Doctor Two Tails, my body feels sore all over, and warm. Am I going to die?"

"Most certainly. I give it 5 minutes"

"I see, well that sucks"

To ensure I hadn't become a monster of sorts Enda headed out to fetch a doctor, meanwhile Arisu threw on a white coat on top of her casual clothes, so we goofed off a bit to clear the air. Without her armour on, I got to see her tails for the first time as well.

Like her hair, they are both snow white and looked extremely soft, seemingly moving around with her mood.

"So what is this thing? It just looks like a grip waiting to be fitted onto a longsword or something"

"Hehe, I'm glad you asked young one-"

"Not going to call him 'little bro' anymore? Or is that because he might just be taller tha-"

"Oi oi oi, no interrupting the medical professional while they work! Now then, the nickname 'thousand cuts' youcanalsogivemeanicknameifyouwant-" *cough*

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing, anyway, I called it that because it relates to what it can do"

"So if I somehow cut anything with it, it'll receive nine hundred and ninety nine more cuts?"

I knew that wasn't the answer, but I scratched my chin anyway. It was mainly to tease more than anything. It felt like someone shaved me as well, I had a small bit of fuzz before I set out from the Orphanage.

"Did you shave me Ota?"

"No, Arisu did"

How did she know how to shave? Unless she used that weapon of hers, that wouldn't surprise me. Maybe I should give her a nickname... she did want one after all. Warren already called her 'Ari', and she had called the paladin girl 'Tsu' so 'Su' was out of the question.

"Another thing, isn't it winter? I thought it would be snowing"

The bed was positioned right under a large window just out of reach within the stone wall. With harvest season gone and cold winds present, the first snowfall of winter should have started by my count.

"Give me... uh, ten seconds. I need some things ok?"

"Knock your heart out doctor"

"Yes yes, be riiiiight back"

She zoomed out of the room rather fast. Not at breakneck speeds this time, well not fast enough to cause more than a sight draft.

Shifting my attention to the Oni, who now sat at the unoccupied table scribbling down something on a schematic, I thought I'd try talking to her casually as a loud racket rang out from another room.

"I better go see what she broke"

Now it was just the Oni and I as Eyebore left to check on Arisu.

"What happened to that gem thing? Before I blacked out, you picked it up and kind of just fell forward"

Maybe I should of asked with someone else here, because the response I got was just as shameless as my first meeting with her. She just lifted up her shirt, showing the crystal embedded where her heart should be. I could almost see straight through it.

Of course Arisu had to return at right then, a box and two different swords in hand.

"Wow, fancy bra, anyway see this"

Didn't even give it a second though, like it was somehow a normal thing or she knew exactly what was happening. Maybe I should give her a nickname that meant something like 'avoids awkward situations', if any exist that is.

Arisu plopped her cargo on the bed while shoving a small glass ball in my face.

"This right here is a Snow-globe, see the base and little house in it? Check this out!"

Shaking the ball vigorously, white flakes swirled within the sculpture then slowly came to rest on top of the miniature house inside.

"Now imagine the whole big city we're in as that house, and the white flakes as snow. Enda told me because of the natural magical energy the skull gives off, it like gives off a naturally weird barrier thing that tries to reach a temperature within. While it's not completely effective, it does turn the snow back to rain"

Well now I really wanted to go outside and explore the city. I've only heard tales of it, despite my current location, but with the rain and snow further outside the city, it might have to wait. The doctor can't come soon enough.

"So when you really thing about it, it's like a Snow-globe but reverse"

"A 'Rain-globe'?"

"There is a way to make a miniature with rain, take a trip to the visitors centre when you get a chance, both of you. I'll be taking that back as well, I don't want you breaking any more of my otherworldly 'relics' thank you"

Eyebore walked back in and snatched the Snow-globe from Arisu who had been ogling it.

"The nurse will been here shortly as well, so everyone out. You can go over the relic after the check-up. Also until you can control it, try not to hold it too much, ok?"

"Alright.."

"You too Arisu, get out"

"Aw come on!"

"You heard the boss, we leave"

Ota picked Arisu and carried her out over her shoulder as she crossed her arms and pouted in protest as Eyebore lead the way out.

A few moments later a knock on the doorframe and an 'excuse me' a beast-kin entered. He was a bit smaller than Arisu, but looked slightly older. I would say he looked about twenty, blonde hair, soft face, big green eyes, the spitting image of an elegant, refined and handsome young lad, a heartthrob.

Wearing brown straight pants, suspenders, black clean shoes, a white buttoned shirt with a vest. If we happened to still be in Tyrants Rest, I would of assumed he was a noble.

"My senior requested I take a look at you on her behalf to see if I could figure out your growth, my name is Batoris Swiftsteal, it's a pleasure to meet you Touji Himura"

I have a last name too? Does that mean it's Enda's last name as well? It'll probably grow on me over time, right now it doesn't fit me, I think.

"The pleasure is mine?"

I need to dust of my 'noble speak'.

*Chuckle* "It's quite alright, no need to stand on edge. Alright now, I'm going to take off this blanket and go over your body and ask a few questions-"

What followed was a fairly personal check-up while I was in bed as he examined my body, checking each muscle group and neve reaction one at a time.

...

"Right, you can all come back in now, I've gone over him"

"Right bunny boy, what's the snitch"

"'Bunny boy'?"

"Heh, don't worry about it, anyway what's his deal, is he going to die? Tell us the truth, how long has he got"

"You are certainly gifted with an, interesting family, Touji"

"You know what they say, you can't pick your family. Though I've not even spent a whole day with them, at least not awake yet"

"'Interesting' was certainly the right word then"

"Any idea what the cause is?"

Breaking up the small talk and jokes, Enda came back into the room and grabbed a small book from the box Arisu brought into the room and left on my bed.

"He's grown in every regard thanks to both Ota feeding him as much as she eats, and the relics constant strain on his body. However that doesn't explain the height, bone and muscle density growth. Blood testing only gave a slight inclination that he has a mixed race parent according to Doctor Ru. It could be both the Relic and heritage naturally shaping his body to keeping up with the availability of nutrition"

Doctor Ru? Hold up, surely not the same Waterborn who pulled the boat?

"That was my guess as well, plenty of wildlife at his age will grow more or less based on what they can eat before maturing into a full adult"

"Is that why you're so tall Enda?"

"No, I just got unlucky"

She certainly is hard on herself a times. I feel like plenty of people are into tall, sort of thin girls. Rather harsh to call herself unlucky, wait, maybe it's like how I think of my blessing then? More trouble than it's worth at times.

"He should be fine after a few days rest and massage or two, just to wake up his new body. He'll need to get it moving and get used to it. Also have him take a warm bath every night while doing an exercise plan, I'll get Ota to run him through, she knows the drills. For now avoid holding or using that Relic when you are alone Touji"

Why do I feel like Arisu is planning something really stupid right now?

"He he, that means we get to use the hot springs on the roof!"

The what is where?