Chapter 3: Hot Springs
In the morning, butterflies danced on the silky robes of Princess Aika. During the rainy season, days of crystal clarity were truly a rarity!
"Miss Kaname, wake up please! The sun is already shining." After Lily called me several times with a soft voice, she finally yanked the blanket off and said, "Good morning~ Little Bear Baby, it's time to wake up! Don't... keep... sleeping~"
"I didn't expect Lily to have such a lively and cheerful side," the Rabbit of Light muttered as he popped out of the covers, "curiouser and curiouser~"
Lily approached, holding a stone bowl, "Miss Kaname, please mind your step as you rise. Here's your breakfast! It's honey oatmeal porridge, wonderfully sweet!" After sipping it, warmth enveloped my body.
The Rabbit of Light snuggled up next to me, "The medicine we handed out last night ensures everyone sleeps deeply and restores some energy, but remember to stay hydrated, folks! Oh, Lily's carrots are simply divine! And trust me, when it comes to medicine, you can always rely on the Rabbit of Light!" With a crunch, he munched on a carrot, sparking laughter among us.
"After your meal, Lily, please shed your linen garment," I gently requested, sitting beside her and reaching for her hand. "Let's dress you in something new."
"She still has another attire," she mentioned, "Lily actually possesses a lieutenant's military uniform. See, it even includes a Shako cap!"
"Princess Aika also has a military uniform!" The Rabbit stood up with half a carrot in hand, "When she departed her home, her stance was resolute. Unmoved by parental calls, only the Yellow River's tumult she heard. Facing trials aplenty on the road south, her valour was truly grand! Upon reaching this land, her attire marred by the Rain of Death, she shifted to silken robes~"
At this moment, Alessio, chewing on mutton outside, chuckled in a low voice, "Princess Aika is quite vain."
The Rabbit of Light put on his glasses again and began his eccentric preaching, "The highest virtue is like water, which benefits all things and contends with none, and it goes to places that people dislike, so it is close to the Dao. Friends! We should be like water, not striving for fame and gain, flowing with goodness. This way, we won't have to worry about entering or leaving. So, um, why don't we soak in the hot springs first?"
Lily said, "Agreed!"
After getting ready, Lily, her guardian Adelina, and I went to the village. In the morning sunlight, the earth exuded a fresh fragrance, and the dew shimmered on the leaves. A gentle breeze carried the scent of soil and flowers, as if welcoming our arrival.
Upon reaching the hot springs, crystal-clear pools gently rippled, while wisps of steam ascended, mingling with the morning mist, crafting a warming scene.
Lily excitedly took off her shoes and stepped into the hot springs first, "Wow! There are eight pools!" Adelina stood silently by the side, as if guarding a sacred baptism ceremony.
I also took off my robes and approached the hot springs, shaking my body, "Take a deep breath~ Don't be too nervous!" As my feet sank into the hot spring, it gently embraced me, like a natural healing force. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let my body and mind immerse in the tranquillity and harmony.
"Miss Kaname, if you're really a princess, why did you come here?" Lily curiously asked, "We came from afar because I'm preparing to go to the Magic Academy."
"Yes," I said, "The Magic Academy in the southern kingdom is world-renowned, yet the path to its gates is fraught with trials. Only those invited, who seek wisdom humbly, and enter the 'narrow gate' are deemed worthy. Venturing to this 'Peach Blossom Spring' is like the pilgrim's progress. I journeyed from the east, while you hail from the west, surely your path was even more arduous~"
The three of us basked in serene tranquillity, wordlessly embracing the gentle touch of crystal-clear spring water and the soft murmur of the breeze. It was as if stepping into paradise, where every trace of weariness and worry was rinsed away by the warm embrace of the hot spring, leaving behind only the calmness of the spirit and the rejuvenation of the body.
"Hey, look, there are eight pools here. Maybe each pool feels different!" The Rabbit of Light gestured excitedly from the bank.
There was a sign by the shore that read: "Pool of Humility, heaven is for those who possess it!"
So, after soaking for a while, we got up and switched to another pool. This time, Lily laid her linen clothes on the ground, "Please walk on the linen to avoid slipping!"
The water in this pool was green, and as soon as I touched the hot spring water, a strange bitterness emerged. Lily accidentally took a sip of the spring water when she entered, "So bitter!"
Lily quickly spats it out and then wiped her mouth with her linen clothes.
I smiled and said, "This pool is called 'Endless Bitterness,' also known as the 'Pool of Sorrows,' it's meant to temper one's will. Only through bitterness can one better appreciate sweetness."
Lily nodded, then said, "Indeed, I feel more awake and focused now."
The Rabbit of Light, on the other hand, was happily jumping around in the pool, seemingly enjoying the bitter taste.
The three of us continued to soak in the hot springs, enjoying this rare tranquillity and comfort. The water here seemed to have a magical power to make one forget the pain and soothe the soul.
Finally, after soaking, we walked out of the hot springs, feeling greatly relaxed and rejuvenated, both physically and mentally.
"Thank you, everyone," Lily said, "This is the best day of my life."
"Yeah," I smiled, "We're all travellers on a journey. Only by helping and supporting each other can we go further."
The Rabbit of Light staggered around, "There are still six pools left to soak! Why don't we each choose two pools?"
"Sounds good," Lily replied, her face beaming with a smile.
So, the three of us began to try the remaining six hot spring pools one by one. Each pool had a different colour and effect. So, with each pool we tried, we experienced different changes.
Lily chose the "Gentle Pool" and the "Longing Pool." In the Gentle Pool, she felt as if she were being embraced by her mother, while in the Longing Pool, the light yellow water seemed to exude the scent of French bread, making her feel full~
Adelina chose the "Mercy Pool" and the "Clarity Pool." While soaking, she remained as pure as ever, like a lily in the water, wearing her white sacred robes, and praying on the water's surface.
In the "Harmony Pool," I felt the enthusiasm and vitality of the hot spring, as if all weariness had been swept away. The hot spring seemed to be welcoming me, reflecting beautiful rainbows under the sun's rays. And in the "righteousness Pool," we felt the revelation of the future, as if all doubts had been answered.
The Rabbit of Light was curious and excited about each pool, bouncing around happily, experiencing the spirit of the spring water.
After soaking in all the pools, we felt greatly relieved and nourished, both physically and mentally. It was as if all weariness and hardship had been washed away by these magical spring waters, leaving only comfort and joy.
The three of us sat by the hot spring, feeling the breeze on our faces, watching the sunset, chatting about various topics, and enjoying this rare serenity and coziness.
"Lily," suddenly remembered something, "You haven't told me why you came here? What drove you to the Magic Academy?"
"Well," I paused for a moment, "I came here to find answers."
"Find answers?" Lily couldn't help but ask curiously, "What answers?"
"I don't know, but I believe this hot spring can bring us some blessings. Look ~ what did I find in the hut by the last pool?"
Weekly Power Status
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