Freya Familia's headquarters—Folkvangr.
Among Orario's top factions, this "garden" possessed the largest grounds by far, enough to be described as a wide-open plain.
The mansion atop the central hill was surrounded by a green sea of grass. Under the sunrise, dew-soaked blades glittered so brightly it was hard to look away.
The towering walls and massive gates had long surpassed anything that could be called a fence. They completely blocked out the city's streetscape, turning the place into a fortress within the city.
Hedin returned, carrying the unconscious catman in his arms, and without hesitation headed straight for a certain member's room.
A moment later—
"There's nothing serious. He's just knocked out. But this technique is… unusual," Heith said with dead, sleep-deprived eyes. Her pink hair stuck out in a chaotic mess, the result of having been dragged out of bed and only barely pulling herself together. "Can you describe what happened in detail?"
"That's exactly what I'm unsure about." Hedin pointed to a spot on Allen's body. "He struck him—right here—and then Allen just stopped moving."
That was why Hedin had personally brought him over. He was interested in Xien's method. If not for that, did anyone think he'd be kind enough to deliver Allen to treatment in person?
Heith examined the area carefully, then reached out and tested it herself. As expected, Allen's face twitched in an unmistakable struggle.
"Interesting," she murmured, eyes sharpening. "So the human body still has secrets like this…"
"You're saying it's a system no one's discovered before? Something only that kid—or some hidden school—possesses? A closely guarded secret?"
"Most likely," Heith replied. "Nobody would casually spread knowledge like this."
"Then I'm leaving him with you." Hedin turned on his heel. "I have other matters."
Heith didn't stop him. She simply lowered her head again, continuing to probe the "acupoint" with the obsessive focus of a researcher who'd found a new toy.
Early in the day, Xien patrolled the streets alone—and quickly realized something was off.
People were… too enthusiastic.
A kid shouted, "It's Astraea Familia!" and the entire street seemed to ignite. Xien had never seen this kind of reaction. It felt like the crowd was one step away from breaking out drums and gongs.
His expression didn't change, but his heart sank.
This wasn't a good sign. This kind of fervor meant the citizens were deeply, desperately unsettled. Otherwise, it would never reach this level.
All he could do was act as if nothing was wrong.
The more confident he looked, the steadier their hearts would be.
Of course, some people were different—former "patients" he'd helped. Their gratitude was natural… just a bit overwhelming. If he hadn't been able to excuse himself with "on patrol," he might've been dragged into a full-on celebration.
He walked, and before he realized it, he'd arrived somewhere familiar—
The Hostess of Fertility.
But the next instant, he noticed something strange.
The tavern, usually bustling, had a sign posted:
Closed Temporarily.
Only a slender figure stood at the entrance with a broom, sweeping.
That shouldn't happen. From casual conversations before, Xien knew the staff—and Mia—lived in the rooms behind the tavern. Unless everyone had gone out together, the place almost never shut its doors.
As if sensing his gaze, the girl turned around.
Ash-gray hair. A delicate face.
Syr.
"Ah, Mr. Xien. Long time no see. You're back from the expedition," she said, smiling warmly.
Astraea Familia's expedition had been big news. As a worker at an adventurer tavern, she couldn't not know.
"Good morning, Miss Syr." Xien greeted her naturally. "Looks like you're not open today. Did something happen to Mama Mia?"
Syr hesitated. Her expression tightened, conflicted—then she glanced at Xien's calm face, and her hesitation softened into resolve.
"…Well, you're not exactly an outsider, Mr. Xien, so I suppose it's fine to tell you."
"Mama Mia is injured. She's still recovering, so…"
Xien froze.
Injured?
Who could injure Mia Grand, a Level 6 "Little Giant"?
His mind instantly jumped to a single possibility.
Freya Familia.
The pieces clicked together. Xien exhaled—slowly—and the sound carried a quiet weight.
"Miss Syr," he said, "you know I'm a healer."
Syr blinked. "…Yes."
"If it's convenient, let me take a look," Xien said gently. "Mama Mia's helped me more than once. If there's anything within my ability, I should do it."
Why would Mia suffer such serious injuries? Xien had a pretty good guess—and it likely involved someone "begging" her to step in.
Mia's personality made that entirely plausible.
And if that was the case, Xien had no reason to ignore a senior who'd treated him well.
"…You're right." Syr's face brightened, as if she'd just remembered the obvious. "Please, come in. Sorry to trouble you."
She led him inside without delay.
Then, almost anxiously, she asked, "But… you're on patrol, aren't you? Won't this interfere with your work?"
Xien smiled.
"Isn't Astraea Familia's patrol about helping those who need it?" he said. "Then I'd say I'm patrolling right now."
Syr couldn't help but smile back. "That's… true."
Yet as she guided him upstairs, her eyes—quiet, searching—kept returning to him.
Something felt wrong.
His mannerisms, his bearing—he didn't resemble the "children" she'd met before.
And yet, when she looked at his soul…
It was still that same gray.
A little cleaner than most, perhaps.
But still gray.
That was the contradiction.
By all logic, with his talent, even if he wasn't an unheard-of "diamond," he should at least shine like a "gem," comparable to her familia's executives.
So why did his soul look so… ordinary?
Carrying that question, Syr brought Xien to the second-floor loft. After getting permission, they stepped into a room—and there, on the bed, lay Mia, pale-faced.
Mia's eyes widened when she saw him.
Before Xien could speak, Mia's hoarse voice cut through.
"Oh, it's you, Xien brat. I was wondering why my girl would barge in and interrupt my rest. So it's a guest."
"Sorry. As you can see, we're closed today. If you want food, come back in a few days."
Xien pulled a chair over and sat beside the bed, unimpressed by the gruff welcome.
"Do you really think I'm the kind of guy who'd come to disturb a patient just to eat?" he asked.
Mia paused. Then she remembered what Xien had once said about himself.
"You… don't tell me you came to—"
"I heard from Miss Syr." Xien nodded. "I'm here to take a look."
Warmth flickered in Mia's eyes. The fact that he'd come here at all meant he'd cared enough to show up.
But reality was reality, and she poured cold water on it anyway.
"I'm not looking down on you," Mia said, voice low. "But this injury isn't light. Even a panacea can't fix it fast, brat."
She wasn't exaggerating.
Full-body fractures, multiple ruptured organs, massive bleeding—she'd basically been wrecked. The only reason she was even lying here in one piece was Heith's work and medicine.
She didn't believe Xien's healing would surpass that.
Xien didn't argue.
He simply stood, moved to her bedside, and held out his hand.
"Facts beat opinions." He smiled. "Why not try? There's nothing to lose."
Mia snorted.
"…Fair point. Thanks for the goodwill, at least."
With the "dead horse as a living horse" attitude, Mia grabbed his hand without hesitation.
The instant contact was made, Xien sensed her condition fully—and silently confirmed his suspicion.
This kind of injury pattern…
He knew it.
He'd been on the receiving end of it enough times.
Alfia.
"Touch of Abundance," Xien murmured.
Green, life-warm light bloomed around him.
Through their joined hands, the power poured into Mia's body.
Mia's eyes widened.
Her whole body loosened. A flood of comfort and itching warmth swept through her—exactly like rapid healing.
As a veteran warrior, she knew that sensation.
This kid's power… was real.
Her gaze at him turned increasingly strange.
And behind him, Syr—feeling the life-force in the air—went perfectly still.
She'd seen this kind of power before.
But witnessing it up close was entirely different.
The "grade" of this power was high—far higher than it should be.
And then—
Syr's breath caught.
She wasn't sure if she'd imagined it.
But for a heartbeat, Xien's soul—gray only moments ago—seemed to shift, becoming beautiful, pure… almost luminous.
Impossible.
How could a soul change like that in mere seconds?
The entire healing took only a few more heartbeats.
Xien released Mia's hand and spoke casually, as if he'd just tightened a loose strap.
"All right, Mama Mia. Hop down and walk a couple steps. You should be fine."
"…You really can do it, huh, brat." Mia flexed her fingers, feeling strength return. Then she swung her legs off the bed and stood.
No pain. No discomfort.
Nothing.
"I owe you a big one," she said bluntly.
"It's nothing," Xien replied. "As long as you're okay. Besides, the tavern reopening helps everyone."
"Got it." Mia cracked her neck; joints popped loudly. "If I'm healed, then we're opening. From today on, you get top-tier discounts."
Xien smiled. "Then I'll thank you in advance."
He could feel it—the gaze behind him had grown sharper, heavier, almost… hungry.
He didn't like that.
Turning slightly, he saw Syr staring at him, unfocused, as if her mind was somewhere else.
Xien: …What is that look?
This wasn't the "unimpressed" Syr he remembered.
He didn't know why, but every instinct in him screamed—
Leave. Now.
"Then I won't disturb you further," Xien said smoothly. "I'm still on patrol. Please excuse me."
"Fine!" Mia barked. "Come eat tonight. It's on me."
"Absolutely!"
Xien left quickly—fast enough to qualify as "strategic retreat."
Mia watched him go with a broad grin.
This brat… he's got real skills.
So his earlier humility wasn't exaggeration—it was understatement.
A top-tier healer could become one of Orario's most coveted figures overnight. Once his fame spread, few would want him as an enemy.
Mia turned, already planning to tidy up and reopen—
Then she noticed Syr.
Syr was still staring at the door where Xien had disappeared, eyes unfocused, expression dangerously intense.
Mia's stomach dropped.
…Hold on.
Wasn't this girl indifferent to the brat before?
What is this?
"Hey." Mia snapped her fingers. "You idiot. Snap out of it."
Syr blinked, returning—but with a strange reluctance, like waking from a dream she didn't want to end.
"What?" Mia asked bluntly. "That brat finally caught your interest? You already saw him before."
"It's… strange," Syr whispered. "Unbelievably strange."
"A soul that changes… I've never seen anything like it…"
Mia frowned. She didn't understand what the hell Syr was talking about.
But one thing was obvious.
From the look in Syr's eyes—
That boy was about to have problems.
Xien finished his patrol and went to his daily clinic hours.
These days, fewer people came to see him—proof that his efforts had paid off. With time to spare, he stayed on-site, reading a book and waiting in case someone showed up.
Just as he was thinking, half-annoyed, that his "soft, warm" elf knight still hadn't returned…
A shadow fell over him.
He looked up.
A red-haired, boyish-looking god stood there.
That outfit.
Loki.
"Yo, kid. Morning," Loki said cheerfully.
"It's noon," Xien replied with a flat, dead-eyed stare. "Lady Loki."
He didn't bother hiding his irritation.
Someone like Loki appearing out of nowhere?
That was never good news.
Not once.
....
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