Hemlick Emergency Method.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
When these two emergency methods were employed, the scene nearly spiraled out of control. The religious figures, or rather, healers, as Garrett described doctors in his previous life, often held the fate of lives in their hands. Watching a patient gasp their last breath without revival would be etched in anyone's memory forever, haunting them for decades:
"If only I had done this or that, perhaps I could have saved them..."
Garrett was immediately surrounded. Anthony, William, even the beautiful Joanna who questioned Garrett, everyone's eyes sparkled, eager to move forward. Elder Elwin, relying on his high rank and strong combat skills, secured a place at the front but was almost pushed over by those behind. Helpless, he brandished his staff
"Ah! Elder, you're cheating!"
Vines as thick as bowls slithered out of the ground. Every healer present was ensnared around the waist by the vines, dangling in mid-air like little dolls.
Thanks to that lecture, Garrett's reputation within the council soared, narrowly avoiding immediate punishment. Only because the council lacked a fixed temple, he managed to escape and was escorted back to the Mage Tower by Elder Elwin. Shaken, Garrett refused to leave, burying himself in the Mage Tower, remaining secluded until Midsummer.
Studying magic, studying divine arts; reading journals, writing papers. It wasn't until the day of Midsummer that he emerged from the Mage Tower to join Uncle Karen's family.
Celebrating the festival!
Assisting big brother Raymond in wooing girls during Midsummer!
Garrett always remembered the first day he went to the Mage Tower, how Aunt Eileen stayed up all night altering Raymond's new clothes to fit herself. Those clothes were originally meant for Raymond to wear during Midsummer...
Garrett wasn't good with sizes and dared not buy clothes randomly. He could only purchase a piece of fine cotton, quickly returning it to Aunt Eileen's family, etching her kindness deep into his heart.
He had to perform well and help Raymond win over a girl!
Walking behind Aunt Eileen, holding Avril's hand, Garrett glanced around. The streets during Midsummer were a hundred times livelier and a hundred times more colorful than usual, filled with vibrant reds, soft yellows, deep blues, and an array of colorful dresses.
Women adorned themselves in bright long skirtssolid colors, stripes, floral prints. Even the boys who usually only wore rough hemp jackets or worked with bare arms now donned shirts made of fine linen or even cotton.
The colors saved up throughout the year seemed to burst forth on Midsummer Day.
Merchants didn't miss the chance either. Especially the small vendors who displayed their goods, hoisting bright flags and showcasing various items. Garrett, holding Avril's hand, bought along the way: a fried fish, a flower headband, a slice of sweet melon...
All small things that cost a copper or two, held by Avril as she walked, eating happily along the way, her laughter forming crescent moons. Aunt Eileen had to intervene, "That's too much..."
"I bought them for my sister," Garrett replied with a smile. Turning around, he bought a string of fried meatballs, placing them in Avril's hands, softly asking, "Avril, are you tired?"
Midsummer was a traditional festival of the kingdom, usually held within ten days after the end of May, following the summer harvest, provided it was a sunny day. The lord's manor would typically host grand celebrations, inviting local nobles, temples, and mages to join in the festivities. On the square in front of the lord's manor, there might even be specially invited circuses and performers.
Of course, only the prominent figures qualified to attend the lord's manor banquet. Apprentices like Garrett were better off enjoying themselves elsewhere.
So, Garrett went to have fun. He accompanied Avril, buying and eating along the way until the little girl showed signs of fatigue and he carefully escorted her back. As soon as he turned, Raymond grabbed him, dragging him into the crowd dancing.
Everyone on the street was dancing.
This kind of dance belonged to the common folk and was quite simple: men, women, men, women, standing in a circle, holding hands. Amidst the lively music, they'd step in, lift hands, step back, lower hands, kick, release hands, then spin in a circle...
Then the women stayed put while the men moved one position counterclockwise, exchanging partners and starting again...
Garrett felt dizzy from all the spinning. All around were dresses blooming like flowers, girls' braids flying about, occasionally brushing against his face, tickling his cheeks.
Exiting one circle, joining another. Soon, Garrett saw Raymond grabbing a girl's hand, the two twirling around.
The girl wore a fiery red dress, tall and athletic, her red hair blazing like flames. Her fair skin and emerald eyes sparkled. Garrett noticed how Raymond subtly squeezed her hand as they spun, making her blush when she turned back...
Things were getting interesting!
The mischievous side of Garrett emerged. As this round finished and it was time to switch positions, Raymond moved from the girl's left to her right, and Garrett ended up standing to her left. Just as he settled in, Raymond introduced him:
"Oh, he's Garrett?" The girl was surprised. She looked him up and down, her eyes shining, and suddenly giggled, "Quite handsome!"
"Of course! Little Garrett is already a mage!"
Garrett: "..." What did being a mage have to do with being handsome...
After this short conversation, the music resumed. Garrett had to join in the dance againmoving forward, stepping back, raising arms, kicking legs, completing a circle and switching partners. This time, Raymond stayed put and refused to move.
Laughter filled the circle. Raymond blushed but kept holding the girl's hand tightly, and she showed no sign of pulling away. Whistles echoed, people around clapped and cheered:
"One more! One more!"
The group dance was turning into a paired dance. The accompanying musicians got into the spirit, the music gaining extra liveliness. With his right hand linked with the girl's, left hand around her waist, Raymond swiftly spun her around.
Cheering erupted. The flute played with more vigor, the drums became more cheerful. Men and women, all in pairs, danced along to the music.
It seemed Raymond had succeeded... Garrett didn't need to linger as a third wheel and potentially become a buzzkill...
Glancing around, Garrett stealthily retreated. After dancing for so long, he realized the food he had eaten earlier was nowhere to be found. He needed to grab a bite again. Ah, he'd only explored half of the stalls on the street earlier...
Roaming and eating alone offered him more choices than being with Avril. Garrett wasn't afraid of upsetting his stomach, holding a skewer of grilled meat in one hand and a skewer of roasted bird in the other, lips greasy. But as he indulged, he heard a commotion up ahead, followed by a cry for help:
Garrett dashed forward.