Malin opened his eyes, and it took him a while to realize why the carvings on the ceiling seemed so much larger—it wasn’t that they had become bigger, but rather that he had shrunk.
What on earth was this ailment, that every time after a fight he was bound to shrink? Was it because the previous battles had consumed too much, causing his body to automatically switch? That would be deadly. To switch physique after each fight was indeed a headache.
With this thought, Malin sat up, took out a robe suitable for his smaller size from his spatial bag, put it on, then hopped off the bed, slipped into the noticeably oversized slippers, and scampered to the door. He raised his hand to open the door and entered the hallway.
Malin was hungry and wanted to eat.
Driven by hunger, Malin ran down the stairs and, under the peculiar gazes of the maids in the hall, he jumped onto the chair at the table, ready to indulge in the still-steaming food when he was picked up by the scruff of his neck.
"Who are you?" The Head Maid looked at Malin with a puzzled gaze, "No one was allowed in last night; how on earth did you get in here, child?"
"I am Malin," Malin spoke, while also showing his arm where the saplings of the World Tree spelled out his name in letters in a very straightforward manner.
Although the Head Maid did not recognize Malin as a child, the saplings of the World Tree on his arm were indisputable, so she put Malin down very awkwardly and then apologized with a lot of remorse.
Malin generously stated it was nothing, as they had never seen little Malin, so he couldn’t blame them. After soothing them, Malin forked a meat patty into his mouth. Despite his small size, Malin still maintained an impressively perfect Frost Giant appetite, to the delight of the maids who had prepared the full table of breakfast—they had been quite downcast, thinking Malin would leave a lot of food uneaten.
Impossible, even though the taste of the food wasn’t his favorite, the diet of the North—because of the meat—was satisfying.
Today’s roast meat was Malin’s favorite.
After breakfast, Malin planned to visit the Hagelberrys according to his schedule.
Malin brought along Lulu—who had decided to sleep in the next room the night before. When they arrived at the Hagelberrys, the old man was already waiting for Malin at the gate.
Nobody recognized Malin when he got out, until Lulu disembarked, the carriage moved to park at the side, and in hindsight, people turned their gazes to Malin.
The old patriarch examined Malin and chuckled awkwardly, "I thought you were your own little follower."
"This is the result of my paternal lineage’s dominant trait. Speaking of which, who is this gentleman?" Malin pointed to the middled-aged man limping next to him, who bowed his head and introduced himself without expression, "Victor Hagelberry, my father’s eldest son."
"When was your leg injured?" Malin inquired.
"Fifteen years ago, I was wounded in the North fighting the Chaos Folk. The injury couldn’t be treated immediately due to a blizzard, so it became lame." The man expressed some pride when referring to his wound, and Malin also felt the man had a reason to be proud—this was a battle scar, a man’s pride, and it should not become a burden in his life.
Thinking this, Malin waved his hand, and Spiritual Energy lifted the man up, and before anyone could react, Malin separated all the adjoined tissues at the injured spot with Spiritual Energy.
Amid the screams of Mr. Victor, Malin applied a healing spell formation for severe injuries and a healing spell. While the Hagelberry youngsters were indignantly stirred up, Malin released the man: "Now, try taking a step?"
The middle-aged man recovered from his pain, the spell suppressing his agony, and the lame man took a step. Then the expression of pain on his face was completely covered by surprise. He walked normally in front of everyone as if he were an ordinary person.
Those who were initially angry were thoroughly astonished—how could they not know what others didn’t, that the fully adjoined tissue had turned the Hagelberry family’s eldest son into a cripple, and now, after just one encounter with this person, his leg was healed?!
Even for a miracle doctor, that was much too fast.
Malin nodded, then approached the elder: "My bloodline is particularly adept at healing. Regarding our business deal, once you’ve chosen the location for the shop, my workshop can bring over the tools anytime. I will visit the royal family tomorrow morning."
Malin himself would take care of the royal family’s permit; the Hagelberrys only needed to sort out the shop and personnel.
"That won’t be a problem, our Hagelberry family has some foundations in the Central District, and we will ensure you are satisfied," the elder spoke while looking at his elder son coming towards them, "Victor, how do you feel now?"
"Having heard that you defeated the Champion of the Chosen in a duel, I was skeptical, but the healing of my leg is very real. Therefore, please accept my apologies and gratitude, respected Mr. Malin." The middle-aged man’s face looked much better than before.
Malin smiled and nodded, indicating that it was nothing, "I know how painful a lame leg can be for a warrior, so I helped you, letting you walk again just like any ordinary person."