Indeed, they are. Heal someone, or in his case, the opposite. It’s yet another feeling that is… not quite regret, but something he hopes will ebb now that he’s collected an Asterisk with healing ability.

"Hmm? Oh, our spirits were... not things we could see. They were part of the land, and we could gain their favor and attract them through rituals and talismans. But they didn't fight for us or join us in battle, only protected us." He pauses. Standing further back from the painting, he can see the immensity of the spirits’ sizes; the dragon’s wings eclipse the sky.

More quietly, he continues, "We didn’t have Asterisks either. We learned trades through years of study, including fighting and healing.” The smile returns. “I have also gained skills I could not have at home, or not this quickly.”