In the early days of his dungeon expeditions, determined to push his stats higher, Akira often endured monster attacks without dodging, getting himself beaten half to death in the process. Naturally, that meant he was a frequent patient here.
Of course, the Blue Pharmacy run by the Miach Familia was closer to his home but boys had their quirks, didn't they?
Once you "registered" a favorite store in your mind, you kept coming back to it, like an NPC refreshing on a set spawn point. It was during those visits that Akira frequently met the young woman who manned the reception desk, Airmid Teasanare.
Back then, she was just a polite, soft-spoken receptionist, but years later she would earn the title Dea Saint.
Their exchanges had been brief, and their relationship no more than cordial. As his strength grew and his injuries became rarer, he visited less often, dropping by mostly to purchase potions for his familia but her appearance was unforgettable.
Airmid looked as if she had been sculpted by the gods themselves, delicate, doll-like features and a petite frame barely reaching 150cm. Her long, silvery-white hair flowed down her back like spun moonlight, framing a pair of amethyst eyes fringed with dreamlike lashes.
It was, without question, the archetype most beloved by certain Far Eastern enthusiasts, the perfect white-haired loli.
And while she wasn't yet the legendary healer she would become seven years from now, she was far from ordinary even now. Her sole magic, Dia Fratel, was powerful enough to elevate her standing within the familia, and it was rumored she had the skill to run her own clinic if she wished.
"Hm?"
Feeling two pairs of eyes on him, Akira narrowed his gaze and swept the area with a pulse of magic. His head turned to the right and there they were. Standing on the stairs behind a window, watching him with wide eyes, were Adi and Airmid themselves.
'Ah, crap.'
He had just been caught lounging on the roof of someone else's pharmacy.
"Well, well… long time no see, Adi, and Airmid-san." Stepping through the open window, Akira dusted off his clothes and greeted them with a smile.
The two girls glanced at each other, still wearing traces of their earlier surprise.
Adi recovered first, blinking before smirking ever so slightly. "You really have a unique way of showing up, Akira."
"It has indeed been a while, Akira-san." Airmid replied with a gentle bow, hands folded neatly before her.
Despite her usual reserve, there was a faint warmth in her voice. After all, this was the man who had saved countless lives during the recent Evilus attack at the relief food station.
But then her tone shifted. "Now then, would you care to explain why you were on the roof?"
Her doll-like expression returned to its default setting, perfectly composed, perfectly blank, but an invisible pressure seemed to radiate from her as she stood before him.
"Ahaha… total accident. Yup. Just an accident." Akira said with a dry laugh, scratching his cheek and looking away to avoid her piercing gaze. A bead of sweat slid down his temple.
Hearing this, Airmid's expression softened slightly, yet her tone remained calm but firm.
"Since it was truly an accident, I'll let it slide this time. However, this treatment center often has injured patients coming and going. If someone were to suddenly appear out of nowhere, it could cause unnecessary disturbance."
Her voice carried no sharpness, but there was an undeniable weight behind the words.
"I didn't think it through. I'll definitely be more careful next time." Akira quickly nodded, looking every bit the picture of sincerity.
"That's for the best. If I didn't believe you were a—"
Sensing the incoming lecture would not end anytime soon, Akira abruptly turned his head toward the blue-haired girl beside him, cutting in before Airmid could finish.
"By the way, Adi, what brings you here?"
"You—"
Airmid's hands shifted to her hips, her porcelain-doll face showing clear dissatisfaction at his escape tactic.
Seeing Akira's guilty, slightly hunched posture, Adi covered her mouth and let out a playful laugh.
"Hehehe. I came here to buy supplies for everyone, you know, in preparation for the upcoming battle."
As she spoke, she threw him a mischievous wink.
"Oh? In that case, I'm free right now. Let me help you carry them back." Akira thumped his chest lightly, offering to join in.
It was also a convenient excuse to deepen their rapport.
Adi's eyes brightened instantly, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Really? That's perfect. Thanks, Akira."
Truth be told, the shopping list her sister had given her was long, uncomfortably so, and she had been wondering how to transport everything back.
The Dian Cecht Familia could arrange delivery, of course but with their manpower already stretched thin tending to injured patients, she was reluctant to trouble them further.
Airmid still stood with her hands on her hips, though the scolding seemed to have faded. She simply let out a soft hmph before turning toward the medicine sales department.
"Since you've decided to help, follow me. Some of the supplies are stored deep in the warehouse, they won't be easy to move."
Her footsteps were light, but her tone left no room for argument.
Akira and Adi quickly followed behind her. The moment they stepped inside, they noticed that the air was thick with the mingled scents of herbs, alcohol, and antiseptic. Shelves upon shelves were lined with bottles, some no bigger than a thumb, others the size of a forearm, while neatly stacked bandages and pristine treatment tools filled every available space.
Airmid led them to a far corner where several large crates sat. She gestured toward a particular set and said, "These are filled with high-grade recovery medicine, the key supplies for this battle. Handle them with utmost care."
Inside were thirty portions of Panacea 1.4, the pride of the Dian Cecht Familia's alchemy. The glowing, seven-colored liquid within each crystal bottle shimmered like fragments of a rainbow trapped in glass. The price of a single portion was no less than five hundred thousand Valis.
Adi crouched down and began carefully inspecting each crate, ensuring no bottle was missing or damaged. Her focused, serious demeanor brought an amused smile to Akira's lips.
"Thank you, Airmid. Everything's perfect." Adi said cheerfully, holding up her hands toward Akira in a gesture of celebration.
Catching her intent, Akira chuckled and met her palms with a crisp clap that echoed lightly in the warehouse.
Then he turned toward Airmid. She only gave a faint shake of her head and murmured, "As long as you're happy."
"Ehhhh..." Adi stretched the syllable with playful dissatisfaction.
With the inspection complete, Akira bent down, effortlessly hoisting a crate onto his shoulder. He gave Airmid a small nod, wordlessly assuring her of his caution.
"Alright. This way." She extended her hand slightly and began leading them back out.
Akira walked steadily, the precious cargo balanced perfectly, while Adi carried a large but lighter bundle of supplies. Together, the three made their way toward the exit.
The moment they stepped out of the warehouse, sunlight spilled over them like a warm blessing, making the treatment center seem even more ethereal.
A gentle breeze swirled past, carrying a faint fragrance of herbs and fresh linen.