Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 163: Chapter 161: Good Fortune Will Follow

Jon’s vision slowly came into focus, the unique golden patterns on the Sun Church’s domed ceiling shifting from a blur into clarity.

Warm liquid enveloped his entire body, as soothing as returning to the womb. He subconsciously raised a hand to his chest—to the spot that had been pierced by that terrifying ray. The skin had already healed completely, but his touch still triggered a sharp, convulsive flash of phantom pain.

"Mr. Jon, you’re awake."

Ingram’s wrinkled face appeared above him, his voice tinged with relief.

Beside him stood a serene, middle-aged female Priest wearing a Life Saint Emblem on her chest. She was focused on maintaining the light flowing through the healing pool.

"Ngh..."

Jon tried to speak, but his throat was too dry to form a clear sound. He could only manage a weak nod.

He then tried to sit up, but a profound sense of exhaustion immediately clamped down on his limbs, as if his body no longer belonged to him.

Forced to give up, his eyes subconsciously scanned his panel.

[Life Value: 187/1672, Magic Power Value: 187/510]

[Abnormal Status: Weakness (50% reduction to All Attributes checks), Power Residue (30% reduction to All Attributes), Immersed in Life Saint Water (Continuous Recovery)]

’Damn,’ he thought. ’A direct 80% debuff to All Attributes. No wonder I can barely move.’

"Please don’t force yourself, Mr. Jon."

The unfamiliar female Priest spoke, her voice calm and reassuring.

"Your injuries were extremely severe. Two powerful individuals intervened just in time to save your life, but repairing the structural damage caused by that power will take a very long time."

"What you need most right now is rest."

Jon nodded dazedly, but he felt a nagging question in his mind.

’Two powerful individuals?’ he wondered. ’Who is she talking about?’

"This is Pastor Alison, a Life Priest who specializes in regeneration and trauma repair. The cathedral requested her assistance from the Life Sect."

Ingram added from the side, his tone carrying a sigh.

"You’ve been unconscious for three whole days. It was Reya who, using her status as a Divine Favored, leveraged all her resources and connections to urgently request the highest-purity Life Saint Water and the ’Life’s Praise’ ritual from the cathedral."

Jon tried to curve his lips into a grateful smile, but the movement pulled at the dull ache in his chest, turning the expression into a suppressed groan.

After a moment, he recovered and looked back at Ingram.

"What happened after that... How is everyone else..."

The Elder Priest sighed softly and briefly explained the current situation.

"The attacker’s identity is unknown, and their methods were bizarre. They vanished after Master Claudio intervened, leaving no trace to follow."

"The remnants of the Eternal Frost Sect have been completely eliminated. The Frost Scale Young Dragon was captured by Master Sutton, and Viscount Paris has returned. Order is now being restored in Birch Town."

Jon’s sluggish mind started to work, and he grew pensive.

’Claudio, the Elf Blacksmith... It’s reasonable that his strength would be extraordinary.’

’But, Uncle Sutton? Capturing a young dragon?’

’Is he another powerful expert hiding in plain sight?’

As he was lost in thought, Ingram continued speaking.

"As for Reya and Lady Rosadeline—"

Before he could finish, a trembling voice called out from the doorway.

"Master!"

Rosalind had clearly run all the way. Her silver hair was slightly disheveled, and she was breathing heavily. Her silver eyes, normally as cold as ice, now swirled with relieved, glistening moisture and unconcealed anxiety.

She didn’t even spare a moment to greet the two Priests, her gaze locked on Jon’s face, as if to confirm he was truly awake.

"You’re awake! How do you feel?"

’The last time I saw her this anxious was when Reya went missing,’ Jon recalled.

Jon tugged at the corners of his mouth, doing his best to form an "I’m fine" expression.

"I’m fine."

His voice was still hoarse and weak, but the words reached Rosalind’s ears clearly.

"If I didn’t die then, I’m certainly not going to die now—"

"That’s wonderful—"

The link from their Soul Contract allowed Rosalind to sense the true Life Force hidden beneath his weak exterior. Only then did her tense shoulders finally relax a little.

Still, she knelt by the edge of the pool. Her cool fingers carefully, almost reverently, covered the back of Jon’s hand where it rested on the rim, as if by doing so she could share his pain.

Feeling his follower’s concern, Jon’s face relaxed into a gentle smile.

Pastor Alison witnessed this, a flicker of understanding and warmth in her eyes.

"It seems you two are very close, but—"

She turned to Rosalind, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Mr. Jon needs to rest. Visiting hours shouldn’t be long, and emotional agitation is especially to be avoided."

Rosalind immediately reined in her emotions, her expression returning to one of calm self-possession. However, her grip on Jon’s hand didn’t loosen in the slightest as she whispered,

"Yes, Pastor Alison. I understand. I will quietly stay with my master."

Despite her words, she clearly had no intention of leaving.

Alison looked like she was about to say something more, but a glance from Ingram stopped her.

A moment later, another important person arrived in a hurry.

Reya’s figure appeared in the doorway. Her flame-red hair was tied back in a slightly frizzy bun, and a few stray strands were plastered to her smooth forehead with sweat. There were faint shadows under her emerald eyes—she clearly hadn’t been sleeping well for the past few days.

The girl was tightly clutching a thick stack of documents, the corners of the pages crumpled from her grip.

However, the moment her gaze met the ice-blue eyes that were slowly focusing in the healing pool, all her exhaustion and anxiety were instantly washed away by a wave of immense relief and excitement.

"Mr. Jon!"

The girl’s voice held a barely perceptible sob as she rushed forward and knelt by the pool’s edge, oblivious as her documents scattered at her feet.

"You’re finally awake! This is wonderful... truly wonderful!"

She spoke in a rush, her voice trembling with emotion.

"You were unconscious for three whole days! Pastor Alison said your injuries were very serious... We were all worried sick!

"I... I..."

She was at a loss for words, a thousand thoughts seemingly caught in her throat. They finally emerged as a single, heartfelt whisper, tinged with tears.

"I’m just glad you’re okay... You have to get well soon!"

Jon struggled to pull his lips into a reassuring smile, but his exhaustion was so complete he could only manage a faint, breathy sound.

"Don’t worry... not dead yet..."

His questioning gaze fell upon the girl’s exhausted but still resolutely straight back, and then to the documents scattered on the floor.

"You’ve been busy, haven’t you?"

"Ah—"

Reya followed his gaze to the documents on the floor and quickly bent down to pick them up.

She then took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions and regain a semblance of her usual competence, though her gaze remained soft as she looked at Jon.

"Yes. Rosalind has stepped down from her position at the merchant guild, so there are many things I’m having to learn to take on."

"And with everything that’s happened recently, there’s certainly a lot to do."

At this, she seemed to recall something, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

"Also, my father has arrived in Birch Town."

"Once you’ve recovered a bit, he’d like to speak with you."