Doubts and Fears

Of all the wolves who caught me using Hatiist magic, it had to be Magellan.

He was known for starting public executions without the Alpha Leader’s consent, thus, with Jerri’s case without trial.

‘But this is bad.’ My foot stepped backward as my heart raced.

The child was frozen stiff, yet he didn’t leave his father’s side. Holding his hand with his dear life as he never left the sight of the intimidating presence of the Skollist official guards.

My eyes wandered at his father and his skin started to lose its color and any time, he would succumb to the poison if I didn’t do any—

“GUARDS! SEIZE THAT WOMAN, THIS INSTANT!”

The guards did as they were told, marched towards my direction and apprehended my arms before I could make my escape.

“This man is being poisoned!” I exclaimed. “At least allow me to heal him!” I violently struggled to release their grip.

“Don’t you talk back, Hatiist cult! I don’t care if you are the Luna but rules are rules! You shall be beheaded for your insolence!”

My eyes widened. “Are you out of your mind?! Do you wish to enrage the Alpha Leader?!” I glanced at the dying man. “I could save this man! If our resources aren’t enough, let me use my magic on him!”

Our bellowing voices attracted nearby Skollists to see what was going on.

The unwanted attention only riled him up, showing his authority. Yet, I didn't care. I only wanted to save this dying wolf on the ground.

"If you dare do that, you will only anger our lord!"

"It doesn't matter right now!" On cue, with the gasps of the onlookers as they started gossiping from the sidelines. "What is more important is to save this man!"

I diverted my attention to the healing mages at the corner.

"Do you have a spell that could undo the curse?!"

One of them reluctantly shook his head. "N-no. We didn't have the sources to save him."

I pulled myself from their grip—fortunately now loosened— and I freed myself from them.

I centered myself, getting their attention.

"Then I, the Luna of the Skollist pack, should perform spells dealing with curses like poison. Every present here shall be my witness that my spell written by Hati could save this man!"

I glare at Magellan one more time.

"Just as I saved the Alpha leader when he was poisoned."

====

< Normal POV >

Phineas' body dropped on the town square ground where the Luna was earlier. When he landed, the nearby beta gave a shrill of fright.

"M-Master Ph-Phineas!" It was a huge surprise for any Skollist wolf.

For the High Mage, hidden himself in his own comfort in the tower, had never showed up unless he was in battle.

Phineas's head rotated, searching for the Luna while he completely ignored the surprised stares.

"Now, where is she this time?" He sighed.

He wouldn't show the magic mirror in front of the crowd, so he had to find Rosaria the hard way.

But when he heard voices from not far from here which were too familiar that he had given up to feel surprise.

'Why am I not surprised that she’s in another mishap? If anything, I started to feel like she has a talent for attracting misfortunes.'

But then again, the voice felt clear and audible and when she revealed her magic on Varick, his eyes grew and his skin paled.

'WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT WOMAN DOING?! DOES SHE WANT TO TARNISH HER HUSBAND’S NAME?!’

He rushed to that direction and there he caught sight of Magellan—someone whom he detested and Rosaria.

The crowd continued whispering from the sideline and the words passed to his ears.

"I thought that the Alpha King hates their church. Had it been one of the followers, he would slain them without a second thought! But now it makes sense. I knew the Luna had brainwashed him!"

"I still can't believe a follower of the cult is our Luna until now. There must be a conspiracy going on here."

"The Alpha was poisoned? I thought he was invincible…"

"Oh moon god, first the surprise attack of the rogues and now I'm hearing that the strongest wolf got poisoned?! What shall we do now?"

And these words only brought doubt to Varick.

Phineas knew something had gone amiss ever since the Invasion.

And he didn't like where this was heading.

But Magellan had gone too far. He knew the consequence of touching Varick's wife. Anger the Alpha King and Magellan's rank would plummeted…

…yet, oddly enough, he didn't care about it. Like he knew he would be untouchable.

"You will prove that your magic could heal that man?" Magellan scoffed. "How could a wolf have more mana that could dispel a curse?"

Rosaria frowned as her hands clenched. Despite the mockery she had been through, there were still fiery in her eyes.

"Then I will show you." She was brimming with confidence.

"In return, you and the rest of the Skollist pack should acknowledge that Hatiist spells are nothing but pure."

Phineas couldn't believe his eyes. The nun who was feeble and uncertain could show this when she had an opportunity to shine.

'Perhaps, this would be the real Rosaria when she wasn't in a tight situation.'

She turned to the dying wolf as she shut her eyes.

Then the large magic circle appeared under the man. It was…bright light with a silhouette of crystal blue.

The wolves were petrified and backed away the moment the light shone brighter on the ground.

"O, Hati, Sol Deus. Adiuva puerum tuum!"

The light shone brighter that they had to shut their eyes.

Phineas took a peek but that could only give him a stinging pain.

But it was…stronger than the spell she had before. Seeing with his magic mirror the first time he saw her dispelling Varick's curse… the bloody curse none of them were aware of because Varick was too stubborn to admit the poison running in his veins.

That was why Phineas thanked the Luna for saving him and he wanted to learn the spells she could pull through.

The light diminished and the circle faded afterwards.

Not long after, Rosaria dropped on the ground, catching her breath, as the child stood up and asked if she were okay.

More murmurs circulated in the crowd and they didn't know what would happen next.

"Look at him!"

On cue, the man gave one violent cough, his eyes widened as he jolted up.

Staring at his hands, he stared at his trembling hands.

"I…I am a-alive?"

"Daddy!" The child ran to his parent and wrapped his tiny arms around his lanky figure.

Tears streamed on the child's eyes as he bawled out.

The man started crying as he lifted his son as he cried in joy.

Meanwhile, the audience was in utter shock at the scene. The healing mage was the one who broke the trance.

"A-amazing… that poison wasn't a basic spell and yet her magic did it in an instant."

After hearing such claims, more whispers circulated and Phineas couldn’t help feeling amused.

One thing he could say:

There was no way he could have done that magic.

Rosaria’s mana—the magic energy that wolves mostly don’t have—was stronger than what he had thought.