Chapter 257: No Pain, No Gain?
A few moments passed. It was already the umpteenth visit from students. Some of them came with various kinds of gifts, and it was continued with their kind words to Elysia.
Since it was a medical center, the visitors didn't stay there long either. After exchanging a few words with Elysia and Evelyn, the students left with calm hearts. However, several other students arrived not long after. It repeated itself until more than two hours had passed.
"Hehe, is it the twenty-first group or the twenty-second? Ah, I've lost the count. Anyway, a lot of your friends care about you, Ely." Elle patted her hands with a light chuckle.
"Ye- yeah..." Elysia just smiled with an overwhelmed expression as she saw the many gifts in the room. She hoped that the group just now were the last visitors.
It was okay if there were only one, two, or three groups. But if there were many, then it would be quite a pain.
"Hum-hum, looks like there's more to come, Ely. I know that. Ah, I just said it, and here it comes." Evelyn chuckled with glee as she watched her best friend's hilarious expression. As said, the entrance opened, and three students entered with confident steps.
"A perfect morning to you. May this day bring a healthy light upon you. Smile the day has just started!" Brian walked in with the style and line for a cool boy, but he realized there were a holy knight lady and an old mage in the room.
"Ahem, I mean good morning. I wish you good health, Elysia. I got you something, and I hope you like it." Brian scratched his head and then took out a sizable gift box from his Space Bag.
He thought that the ones in this room were Elysia and classmates, but it turned out that the others had already left. The initial intention was to arrive early, but late because he and David were confused when choosing a gift to bring.
"Mm, that's so kind. Thank you so much." Elysia could only accept the box that was handed to her.
"Pretty big box, is this a present or something else?" Elysia asked in wonder, but she faintly smiled as she peeked at the present using her advanced perception. A blanket and a pillow. Then, there was also healthy snacks, a box of tea, and note cards.
"Ah-uh, yeah, I hope you like it. You can open that up later, Elysia. It's from David and me. Psst, give your prayers too, David. Don't just gape beside me." Brian nodded absently and immediately nudged David.
"My heart holds a prayer that brings you so close to the blessing of the Goddess. I convey my hope that you will know her touch and be healed by the divinity above." David immediately sent a prayer for Elysia, as discussed previously with his boss.
"Amen." Brian and David uttered in unison at the end of the prayer.
Elysia, Evelyn, and Ella looked at each other and chuckled lightly. After all, these two boys sounded a little amusing.
"Hehe, thanks. If I need to say, I've recovered, really." Elysia was still grateful for that prayer. On the other hand, Brian and David smiled at the delightful chuckles of the girls.
After that, Ashton pushed Brian and David aside because it was time for him to give his gift.
"That's good news if you've recovered from yesterday's incident, Elysia. You are a person I admire very much. Here's a little present for you. I thought you'd like this for... Well." Ashton handed Elysia a gift, but he was confused to explain it because what he brought was a little unusual.
Actually, he, Brian, and David were the most confused about choosing a gift for visiting the sick. They happened to meet in the lobby when they were about to ask permission from the receptionist. They shared their experience just like that.
"Ehm, for?" Elysia tilted her head slightly, waiting for Ashton to continue.
"Well, that's a little strange for me to say, but these are beauty products like skin moisturizers and a few others." Ashton scratched his head with an awkward smile, but he felt happy after Elysia accepted the gift without question whatsoever.
"Such a concern, Ashton. Thank you for your gift." Elysia put the box on her lap and opened it. Sure enough, some beauty products, skincare, and others.
"Oh, that's right, what are you three going to do on this three-day holiday? Some of the students whose homes are close to this city decided to go home. Brian, your hometown isn't too far from here, right? Are you going home?" Evelyn inquired for pleasantries. She had done the same with other classmates as well.
After hearing that, Brian's face turned sour all of a sudden. Yet, He immediately changed his expression and shook his head with a slight smile. "No, I didn't come home at this opportunity. I better train on the training ground or wherever I can. I want to become stronger."
"I see..." Evelyn nodded slightly.
"Haha, that's the spirit. Do you want to join me in training? But, it's not less than eight hours a day, and you can't stop halfway." Ashton was delighted to hear that. He patted Brian on the back with a light laugh.
"Tsk, then I would prefer to train on the holy knight's training ground. If you are brave and have strong guts, come with me to the holy knight rookie training." Brian avoided the pat from Ashton and gave a challenge in return.
"That great? Well, count me in. The talented me must also have a fair affinity for Holy Magic. You'll see and be amazed." Ashton puffed out his chest with a grin.
"Meh, it's only Grade 1, and don't get your hopes up." David folded his arms across his chest in a subtle sarcasm.
"That's the two of you. For me, of course, that's clearly different. Don't group me by standards like the two of you, okay?" Ashton didn't want to lose to the taunts of Brian's vassal.
"Uhm... Sorry if I sound disrespectful. I once heard you say that you wanted to prove your talents and abilities to your family. Does that have anything to do with your vigorous, rigorous training, Brian? Are you too, David?" Elysia asked out of kindness.
She didn't know why, but she knew something was wrong with Brian and his way of training. It was as if he was chasing a goal in the shortest possible time regardless of his good condition to train.
In just a glance, Elysia and Elena already knew that Brian and David's bodies were suffering from significant stress due to overly strenuous activity or excessive use of magic. It would probably just take a few more days with their usual activities, and they would collapse.
"Oh, err... Well, you've heard that from me, Elysia? Well, that's no secret either. And, yes, I want to let my family know how great I am. All they cared about was just my talented brother. It's as if they've forgotten that there are two young masters in the Chapman Marquess Family." Brian rubbed his elbow subconsciously and acknowledged that as he stared out the window.
"For me, I want to be a great person. The future of the Moore Baron Family is in my hands. I want my family to live free from difficulties." David looked at his hands and clenched them as he remembered his family near the border between three regions.
Although his family was granted aristocratic status, his family life was still surrounded by difficulties. He wanted to change it, wanted so badly no matter what.
"I understand. What a noble goal. Praiseworthy concern for your family. Umm... I don't know anything, and I don't want to sound like a meddle in anyone personal matters. But may you listen to my little advice?" Elysia put the box on the bed, then interlaced her hands.
"You are so benevolent and gracious, Elysia. Any suggestion of kindness will be greatly appreciated. Wait, I will take note of your suggestions." Brian nodded with a big smile, then took out a notebook and a pen from his Space Bag. David also followed in his footsteps.
He felt happy because his idol girl didn't respond to the things he worried about the most. It was quite the opposite, his idol girl cared about him enough that she asked him and gave him advice!
"I mean, you know, are you completely unaware that something is wrong with your bodies? Are you trying to push your limits too much? Excessive is not good, and practicing to get stronger has its limits too. It's because of the body's burden, whether it's a physical exercise or a magic workout. Well, now may you tell me... Have you had any sudden unnatural pain and fatigue recently?" Elysia questioned that, but she had the urge to laugh as all her words seemed to be written by Brian and David.
After writing the beautiful words of his idol girl, Brian realized it was a question that came to ascertain something before suggestion.
However, after he paid attention to his handwriting and thought twice ... He was quite surprised and immediately looked at Elysia with an incredulous gasp. How did she know? Brian wondered in his mind.
Meanwhile, David was not much different from his boss either. The two boys were shocked, and the people in the room could only look at their exchange with an interested gaze.
"Ho- How do you know that, Elysia? Is there something wrong with our bodies because of our vigorous training? David and I have been taking elixirs and herbs to relieve it. Isn't it just aches and pains as our bodies adapt to the stress of the new muscles we engage in training? It's no pain, no gain." Despite saying that, Brian had a worry on his mind. He asked for enlightenment from his idol girl, who seemed to know a lot.