*Indeed. Our origin tends to stand out when manifested. It shapes who we are. Our body is just a conscious manifestation. In the end, everything comes down to it.

  - I see... But what do I do now?

  *Don't think that destroying an origin is easy. It would require a certain amount of power on your part. But I'm an exception. In this case, think of it like tearing up a sheet of paper with both hands. You can't hold it like a stone, but if you do it symbolically, it will be enough to destroy it. So don't just stand there and do it now!

  As if you were separating two objects, I get it. Even so, it's a surreal request that's about to come true... Someone's life is in my hands. And in the literal sense, this is quite different from when one of my beloved freshmen used to say “my life is in your hands, senpai”. That was abstract...

  Does he really want to die like that? He doesn't seem like the type who would give up his life like that. He really doesn't have any choice.

  - ...

  No...

  It might even be a waste of time, as he said, but it doesn't hurt to try...

  Instead of destroying his origin with my bare hands, I chose to use my healing powers, in the hope of easing his pain a little.

  *Wow! What are you doing?

  - Trying to help you...

  It's much harder than I expected. Perhaps because I already know my own body, I've adapted to my power, but in another individual, the process is much more complicated. It's not like treating pnts, something more conscious, such a strong being... it requires considerable effort.

  *Silly human! You'll run out of mana before you know it! To heal someone like me with your current power would take months, maybe years!

  - Well then, I guess I'll have to stay here for quite a while... I'm sorry I'm not strong enough, but if my magic has helped ease your pain a little, perhaps, with time, I can heal you completely.

  I don't really know if it makes a difference to him. Maybe I'm just trying to relieve a momentary pain, like putting ice on a burn. At least he seems less agonized... I mean, I don't know for sure, since he hasn't said anything or shown any emotion. He pys the tough guy at these times.

  *Are you serious, human? Are you going to continue with this futile effort?

  - If it's so you don't follow such madness... then yes. Don't worry, I may not have much strength, but I won't lose consciousness or get exhausted so easily. And besides, we've got a long time to go.

  Maybe he'll die in a few days... or more.

  *And I thought I could overestimate you... You're just a fool. Even if exhaustion doesn't bring you down, humans need basic things like food and water. Anyway, you'll die before me if you stay here.

  - As long as the herbs are growing, I won't be hungry. If you get thirsty, there's a ke around here... somewhere. I just need to purify it. The pnts don't taste nice, but they're not so bad.

  It's like following an extreme diet, with just sads and water. I tried it once to lose weight, but in the end, I only got hungrier and ended up eating twice as much that week... a terrible mistake on my part. But in this case, I have to be strong and make an exception for him.

  *I can't listen to more nonsense from a human...

  - Silly this, silly that... That's enough. There's no point in saying any more... you're not getting rid of me that easily.

  He doesn't even seem as stressed as he used to be. Even after I challenged him, he didn't respond immediately. Maybe the cure is actually working...

  *Hehe...

  - Hm?

  HEHEHAHAHA!

  He started ughing out of nowhere. As his voice only manifested itself in my mind, there was no problem, but the sound was still shrill and loud. If it echoed through the cave, I'd go deaf.

  - Eh? What's wrong?

  *You really are a foolish human... Not the most foolish among all humans, but certainly the most foolish among those I've met! The greatest warriors would give anything for the chance to sy a primordial dragon, and you offer to help me instead? Now that's something to smile about.

  - Sigh As you wish... Then, indeed, I am a fool.

  *Don't belittle yourself. All humans are fools to me, but you... You're the greatest of them all.

  - ...

  *That was a compliment.

  - Well... thanks, I guess.

  *I was already resigned to dying at the hands of a possible savior of mankind, but you... you're a rare find among an amazing species...

  Well, that was a compliment. I don't think he has much skill with words, he should work on his oratory a bit.

  *You were right, human. There is, in fact, another method we can use to resolve this impasse.

  - Really? Then why didn't you tell me before?

  *Don't get me wrong. Even with all this talk, you humans are great with words. I couldn't easily be convinced by empty words alone, but your actions have proved that you are worthy of my trust.

  - I'm... happy about that, I guess.

  *Hmph, you should feel honored to have earned such a privilege. But back to the point, we can solve this simply.

  - And what would that be?

  *The two of us will form a soul contract.

  - Soul contract?

  *That's right. We'll form a bond, sharing our origins and creating a link between our souls.

  - So... we'll merge?

  *No, it's much simpler than that. What do you humans call it? Ah, yes, a friendly retionship, but with an extremely strong bond. The connection of souls is something that can hardly be broken by anything else. However, this one will be a little different. Instead of forming a bond of loyalty, the two of us will become one.

  - So... let's merge.

  *It's not a literal merger! You would still retain your consciousness and free will, but I would continue to exist, sharing your soul and origin.

  - Now I get it, but how would that be advantageous for you? It seems that I'm the only one who would gain from this.

  *It's more than obvious to you that you have a great aptitude for healing magic, right? You belong to a peculiar css called [Healer].

  [Healer]? Like an RPG css? I didn't expect the name to be so literal.

  Vaku