The city of Orario was the center of the world. A bustling cityscape the size of three capital cities. It had many districts such as a market district, a pleasure district. A district for theater. One for gambling and last but certainly not least one for healing.
Inside this city were canals bringing the city fresh water to drink and bathe with. Many people in the city didn't realize how valuable this was. It was just something they were used to in their day-to-day life.
But the thing that drew everyone's attention was the giant tower shooting into the sky. So high the tower was that it shot above the clouds. Many had not seen anything like it but those that know what lies beneath the tower know what it's actually meant for.
Keeping a lid on the dungeon.
A dangerous place where monsters spawned and had this been a thousand years earlier they'd be roaming the surface. But this world is also different in that the gods themselves descended.
After growing bored in heaven the gods decided to come down and find entertainment. When they descended they put a seal on the dungeon so that no more monsters would flood the surface.
Then after that was done constructed the great Tower of Babel. The tower that reached into the heavens, and the very tower Bell Cranel was looking at right now.
He had just entered the city and stared at the tower with bright and wide eyes. He had never seen anything so cool and miraculous in the countryside where he grew up.
But then again he didn't see much of anything thanks to his near barbaric training from his master.
Bell Cranel was just a simple 16-year-old boy. He had short white hair and ruby-red eyes. He stood at 5'10 and had a lean build. Though he did have muscles all over his body thanks to farm work and hellish training.
More muscle came from the latter part, however.
He was dressed in a short-sleeved black shirt with brown pants and boots. Slung over his back was a sling bag that allowed him to carry his possessions with him. Most notably his journal. A gift from his master to write down his thoughts.
Bell took in the fresh air with a smile on his face. He knew what he came here to do and what he wanted to be.
A combat healer.
It was the only thing he could really think of. It was the only way he thought he could be useful. Healing people in the dungeon while also being able to fight himself.
It was totally not because his master had beaten that dream into him. No not at all.
Bell ignored the chill that ran down his spine thinking of her. Instead, he headed further into the city.
His Grandpa had told him that if he wanted to be a good healer then he should join the Dian Chect familia. Not because the god was nice or anything but because they were the top healing familia around.
Meaning they had access to all the top-shelf goods a healer would need. It also meant they were the best clinic in the city.
Not that any of that mattered to Bell. No, he had magic meant for healing, and it was a lot different than any other healing magic. As well as exceedingly rare.
So he should be easily accepted, and if they weren't easily convinced by that Bell could also take care of himself in a fight.
With another breath of Orario's air, he began making his way to the Dian Cecht clinic. He had a rough idea of where it was thanks to his Grandpa. But nothing concrete so he asked for directions.
After getting them from a kind stranger Bell made his way to the clinic. As he walked through the city he was awestruck at the architecture.
Cobblestone streets and brick buildings showing a rustic charm to the street. The giant walls stood proud and tall surrounding the city. Not meant for defense but to keep adventurers in.
But anyone with half a brain knew the walls could easily be broken by an adventurer if they wanted to. Nobody did so, however.
After asking directions one more time Bell had finally arrived at the Dian Chect clinic. It was a long two-story brick building that nearly took up the entire back alley. It had the symbol of healers. That being two snakes wrapping around a staff.
Outside was a merchant and his cart. The man seemed to be unloading boxes outside the clinic and it looked like he was struggling a bit.
The merchant seemed to be middle aged with parts of his hair graying. No one else seemed to be around to help him so Bell made his way over.
The merchant let out a sigh as he placed the heavy box atop another. He looked back into his cart with a small amount of relief seeing that it was at least empty now. But that left him with the problem of taking them inside.
"Ugh, I'm getting too old for this." He muttered.
"Excuse me, sir, do you need some help?" Bell asked.
The old merchant turned and looked at Bell. His eyes filling with a modicum of relief. "Yes, young man some help would be appreciated. My old bones don't work like they used to. Be careful though these boxes are heavy."
Bell gave the old man a smile. "It shouldn't be a problem."
He leaned down and grabbed the stack of boxes. The old man was getting ready to warn Bell each box weighed about a hundred pounds and that he was about to pick up four of them.
But to his utter shock and surprise Bell lifted all four of them like they were nothing. The old man's mouth opened and closed in shock before he shook himself out of it.
The boy probably had a Falna with a strength build is all.
"So where do I take these?" Bell asked. He peeked his head over the boxes awaiting directions from the old man.
The man sputtered. "U-Uh r-right this way." He gestured.
The old man began to walk to the front door with Bell following behind him. Once inside Bell could see couches pressed against the walls to his left in right.
He assumed there was a table in front of him as the old man told him to watch out. Bell did so pivoting to his right and still following the man.
Eventually, they reached a counter where Bell heard the old man talking to a woman. He couldn't see her so he just waited to be told where to go.
"Morning Airmid, same place as last time?" The old man asked.
"Yes, who's your helper?" Airmid asked. Bell noted her voice was soft. It reminded him of a soft breeze.
The exact opposite of his master. If he had to describe her she'd be a hurricane. A destructive force of nature. He wouldn't say that to her face, however. Her back though. Now that was fair game.
"Oh, just some passing young man who's offering to lend me a hand. Not as young as I used to be." The old man answered.
"I see, very well show him to the back. Be careful not to break anything." The woman warned.
The man gave her a wave and gestured for Bell to follow. As Bell walked past the corner he wanted to look to his left to see the woman. But decided not to so he wouldn't trip and fall.
After following the man Bell arrived at a storage room and placed the boxes down where the old man pointed to.
Once done the old man patted Bell on the back. "Thanks for the help, young man. You just saved me a lot of time and aching bones."
Bell chuckled. "You're welcome, sir. It was a pleasure to help."
The old man turned around and walked out of the storage room with Bell following. The boy didn't notice his arm dragging across a loose nail on the shelf. Nor the blood dripping down his arm.
The two arrived back at the front desk where the woman still stood. She was short only standing at 4'11. She had silver hair with purple eyes. Her skin was pale and looked like porcelain. She looked like a cute doll to Bell.
"Well, Airmid it's all taken care of." The merchant said.
Airmid reached down and grabbed a coin pouch from under the counter. She gently placed it on the counter and the man took it.
"Thanks for the payment. I'll see you next time you need a restock." He said. The old man waved goodbye and walked out the door.
Airmid then turned her attention to Bell. "And how can I-
Her words caught in her throat seeing Bell's arm. A giant cut went from the palm of his hand up toward his elbow. His arm was bleeding like a stuck pig and he didn't seem to realize.
"Arm! Now!" She demanded snapping her fingers.
Bell quirked an eyebrow and gave her a confused look. "Uh, what?"
"Your arm. Give it to me now." She demanded once more.
Bell grew even more confused as he looked down at his arms. He then noticed that his left arm was bleeding pretty badly.
"Oh, I'm bleeding." He mused giving the arm to Airmid.
The woman began chanting causing a beautiful white light to surround her hand and her body. Bell watched intrigued by her magic and how beautiful it was. After she was done chanting the cut on his arm was gone leaving it good as new.
Bell clicked his tongue. "So how much do I owe you?" He asked.
Airmid looked around to make sure no one was nearby. "Nothing, just see it as thanks for helping the old man. He's nice and should retire soon."
Bell smiled. "Alright, our little secret then."
Airmid let go of his arm and looked up at him. To her Bell was a giant and she had to crane her neck back just to look him in the eyes.
"So, what business do you have here besides helping the old man?" Airmid asked.
Bell then remembered he was here to join the Dian Cecht familia. "Oh, I'm here to join this familia. Can I speak to the god?"
Airmid seemed to cringe slightly. "Um...are you sure you want to join this familia?" She really hoped she heard wrong.
Bell nodded. "I do, my Grandpa told me this was the best healing familia in the city. I want to join so I can help people."
Airmid looked into the young man's eyes and sighed. She really hoped he wouldn't regret his decision. "Very well follow me."
Airmid stepped out from behind the counter. Behind there were shelves filled with potions and a stool for her to reach the top shelf.
Bell found that kind of cute but kept that information to himself.
He continued to follow her down a hallway. The floor covered in checkered tile giving it a chess-like feel. Many rooms branched off to the left and right. Most likely hospital rooms to treat patients.
The two ascended a spiral staircase leading up to the second floor. From there it was a straight shot to the office at the end of the hall.
Airmid softly knocked on the door. Hoping and praying that Bell would change his mind. But in the end, he didn't and her god ordered her to come in.
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Airmid tentatively opened the door to her god's office. Dian Cecht sat at his mahogany wood desk filling out paperwork. In the corner of his desk was a stack of valis. As well as a cup holding pens and a letter opener. In the other corner was a scale.
Green carpet was laid across the floor and bookshelf's stood tall behind the god. From what Bell could make out those seemed to be accounting books.
Dian Cecht was an old man with gray hair. He wore a white robe and had an assortment of jewelry adorning his body.
He looked up from his paperwork and signaled Bell and Airmid to come closer. Airmid let out a small sigh as she approached the desk. Bell followed two steps behind her as to give her space.
Once reaching the desk Dian Cecht looked Bell up and down. By pure physicality, Bell was a decent specimen. Good height and good build added to that.
However, the old god knew Bell wanted something and intended to find out what. "So what do you want boy?"
Bell nervously swallowed and steeled himself. "Uh well, I would like to join your familia sir."
Dian again looked Bell up and down. He ran a clinic, not a boxing ring. How would this boy be of any use to him?
"Well, I don't run a boxing ring. You'd be better utilized elsewhere." He waved off.
Bell didn't let this get him down. "But I can heal people." He said.
Dian raised an eyebrow as the boy was telling the truth. But his looks did not scream healer. He was intrigued.
"Oh you can, can you? Mind giving me a demonstration?" Dian mused.
Bell nodded and pointed at his letter opener. "May I?" Bell asked.
Dian nodded giving him the go-ahead. Bell stepped forward and grabbed the letter opener. Then before Airmid could react or protest stabbed it into his arm and dragged the blade down.
Airmid didn't know what disturbed her more. The fact Bell so willingly and carelessly harmed himself. Or the fact he didn't even flinch while doing so. Dian just watched with intrigue and amusement. He wanted to see where this would go.
Bell finished dragging the blade up his arm. He took the blade out of his skin and wiped the blood off the blade. Then calmly put the letter opener back inside the cup.
After all that was done, Airmid was about to yell at him but stopped. She noticed his body started to glow green and the cut on his arm began to heal.
What surprised her is that the magic worked quickly and within a few seconds Bell's arm was completely healed.
She looked on in shock and awe. Bell didn't even chant and his healing magic was that strong. Dian however gulped. He had seen that magic once before from a woman who terrified him.
He cleared his throat and spoke. "Airmid please leave us."
Airmid gave a small bow. "Yes, lord Dian."
She turned and walked back to the door. But not before turning to look at Bell one last time. Just what was he?
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Once the door to Dian's office shut the old god took a shaky breath. Bell waited patiently for the old god to speak again. Judging by the sweat on his brow and the shaky breath Dian took he was very nervous.
"You have...her magic." He sputtered out.
Bell nodded. "I wouldn't say it's her magic. But yes I have the exact same magic as her."
Dian gulped as he looked Bell in the eyes. "Is...is she still alive?"
"Yes." Was Bell's answer. It was simple and calm. Yet that word held so much power and weight to Dian.
The old god nodded before taking a deep breath. "And I assumed she passed her teachings and ideologies off to you?"
Bell shook his head. "No, not exactly. She taught me how to heal. She taught me how to fight. But when it comes to killing that's where our ideologies differ. I see life as precious. My Grandpa always said that dying was easy. Once you're dead you're gone. There's nothing left for you. But living that's where everything gets hard."
"And that quote makes you not want to kill?" Dian asked. He leaned forward slightly to observe Bell better.
Bell again shook his head. "Not entirely, truth is I don't think I have it in me to kill anyone. So instead I'll heal them. Save lives and not take them."
Dian nodded and leaned back in his leather chair. "Well from what I've seen and what you've told me you'd be very useful. You know how to fight and you can easily heal yourself and anyone you want. I assume she put you through her normal training?"
Bell nervously chuckled remembering those days. A special effect of Bell and his master's healing magic was that it repaired muscle tissue quickly. So she'd have him work out until he couldn't move anymore then heal him and start the whole process over again.
"Yeah...those were the days." He muttered. His hand rubbing the back of his neck. Bell shuddered to think about those long and hard days.
Dian cleared his throat getting Bell's attention. "Very well, I guess I can take you in. You'll save me a lot on bodyguard costs." Dian muttered that last part.
Bell quirked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" He asked.
Dian looked up at him. "Oh, it's simple really. If you were trained by that monster you know how to fight? Am I correct?"
Bell nodded having no idea where this was going. That didn't seem to deter Dian however as he reached back and grabbed one of the accounting books labeled guards.
He opened it and flipped through a few pages before landing on the one he wanted. Dian then turned the book around and showed it to Bell.
"You see, right here is how much I'm paying guards to keep Airmid safe. I'm losing two million valis a month paying all of them. But if I have you there the cost is practically nothing!"
Bell gave the old god a bug-eyed look. Was he really about to turn him into a bodyguard? For a woman he barely knew no less.
Dian rubbed his hands together. "Yes, this is excellent. So much money would be saved and go back to me!" He cheered.
Bell just stood there wondering what he got himself into.
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Bell sat on a chair with his shirt off as Dian applied his falna to him. The god wasn't too surprised not seeing a Falna on him. He knew his freakish strength came from that woman's hell training and the fact his magic took away the body's natural limiters.
If Dian had to guess Bell had the strength of a level one without a falna purely because of that. It impressed Dian slightly knowing that piece of information.
Bell Cranel
Dian Cecht familia
Level one
Strength: SSS1337
Endurance: SS1019
Dexterity: SS1098
Agility: SSS1337
Magic: SSS1010
Skills:
Will of Asclepius
Magic:
Healing Magic: User has the rare healing magic. It requires no chant and uses mana rather than mind. It can heal any and all wounds except that of curses. Removes all the bodies limiters as a result.
Dian's eyes nearly busted out of his skull seeing those stats. Just what exactly did that monster do to this boy?
Dian was suddenly very glad she wasn't still in the city.
But another thing he wondered was what that skill was. There was no definition for it and Dian had never seen it before. So what exactly did it do?
Did it happen to cause these insane stats he was seeing? Or was that because of Bell's magic?
Dian didn't exactly know the answer to either of the questions and it intrigued him. Very much so that part of him was glad Bell was here.
It'd give him ample opportunity to study him.
After finishing imprinting his falna on Bell's back Dian stood up and walked to the door. Bell put his shirt back on while the old god yelled down the hallway for Airmid.
She entered the room right after Bell finished putting his shirt back on. Nothing seemed to be bothering the boy even though he cut himself earlier. It worried her slightly.
The two stood in front of Dian's desk as the old god sat back down. The chair creaked as he leaned back and Airmid noticed the accounting book for her bodyguards. She wondered why it was out.
Gods she hoped this wasn't going where she thought it was.
"Airmid I'd like you to meet our newest member. His name's Bell and from this day forward he will serve as your bodyguard making sure you're safe and protected on your way to and from work while also keeping you safe at home." Dian declared.
Bell could've sworn he saw valis signs in the god's eyes as he rubbed his hands together.
"What?! Lord Dian what is the meaning of this?! Why are you assigning some boy to guard me?!" Airmid screeched. She then turned to Bell and spoke softer to him. "No offense to you but we don't know each other. I have no idea what you're capable of."
Bell raised his hand. "None taken. I find this weird as well. I don't even know you and I'm being told to guard you."
Dian waved them off. "Yes, yes you both don't like this. However, I am your god and this arrangement saves me money and that's all I care about. Protecting my best asset for the low low cost of free."
Bell and Airmid looked at each other before sighing in resignation. It seemed there was no changing Dian's mind on this meaning they'd just have to put up with it.
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The door to Dian's office shut behind the two as they exited. Bell turned to Airmid who looked at him in anger. Bell wondered what he could've done to make her mad.
Was it because he was her bodyguard now?
Airmid cleared her throat before pointing at him and then pointing toward the ground. Bell furrowed his brow in confusion but leaned down nonetheless.
He was taken completely by surprise when Airmid smacked him in the back of his head. He leaned up even more confused than before.
"What was that for?!" He yelled.
"That's for making me heal you when you could've done it yourself!" Airmid curtly replied.
"Wha- I didn't even know I was bleeding, and you healed me without me asking you!" Bell pointed out.
"Still, you need to take better care of yourself. How can you not even care about a care cut on your arm?!"
"Because it didn't hurt!" Bell yelled.
Airmid sighed in annoyance and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I quite frankly find that hard to believe. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to work."
Airmid then turned on her heel and curtly walked away. Bell's eye twitched in annoyance watching her walk away. Oh, he knew his time in Orario just got a whole lot more interesting.
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Bell spent the rest of the day lazing around the clinic. He really didn't know what else to do. He could go to the dungeon but Bell didn't know if he'd be able to find his way back here without getting lost.
So Bell waited. He sat behind the counter with Airmid and simply waited. The two didn't say much and Bell couldn't tell if it was because she was annoyed at him or very work-focused.
Whatever the reason was it was pretty quiet for Bell for the rest of the day. When it was time to go home, however. That's when Airmid spoke to him again.
While he was there noticed several people enter and then angrily exit Dian's office. He assumed those were previous guards.
"Alright since you're going to be my bodyguard now there's a few things I need to say about it." She told him.
Bell sat up straighter and nodded. Despite the fact he was sitting Airmid was still barely taller than him this way.
"Number one, as my bodyguard you are meant to escort me to and from work and anywhere else I would like to go. Number two the guard usually had stayed at the spare room in my place. So that's where you'll stay. Number three be a good house guest."
Bell nodded and stood up quickly towering over Airmid making the small girl crane her neck to look up at him. "Alright, is that it?"
"Yes, follow those simple rules and we won't have a problem," Airmid added.
Bell gave her a thumbs up. "Got it, you ready to go?"
Airmid nodded. "Yes, I am ready to go."
Airmid and Bell then walked to the exit as two new nurses took over. One was a blonde-haired Chienthrope and a black-haired human.
He didn't get their names but saw a teasing smirks on their faces as they passed by. Bell didn't know why they had that look on their faces and wondered why.
He paid them no mind as they exited, however. Airmid and Bell walked down the street to the residential district side by side. Bell didn't really know what he was doing as a bodyguard. Did he stay close to her or follow a few steps behind?
He decided to stay next to her and did his best to keep his eyes peeled. Bell had no idea what he was looking for or who. But he was tasked with protecting Airmid all the same.
Not liking the quiet between the two Bell tentatively spoke. "So uh...I'm guessing you're getting dinner at home?"
He mentally kicked himself for the stupid question. It sounded much better in his head than out loud.
Airmid didn't seem to mind however as she nodded. "Yes, that's where I normally eat dinner. At home is the only place I can really get peace and quiet in the city."
Bell nodded and silence fell over the two again. Before Bell had an excellent question to ask her.
"Why's that the only place you get peace and quiet?" Bell asked.
Airmid stopped in her tracks and looked at Bell. Her eyes wide with confusion and shock. "Because of who I am?" She answered.
"Aren't you just a healer?" The boy asked. It was a simple but innocent question. One that almost made Airmid let out a giggle but she suppressed it.
"Yes, I am a healer. But I'm also known as the best healer in Orario. Though you might take the cake for that here pretty soon." Airmid replied.
"Does your magic heal curses?" Bell asked. He was quite curious to learn about different types of healing magic.
Airmid nodded and began to walk again. "Yes, I can heal poisons, curses, status ailments, and help regenerate stamina." She explained. A small smirk tugged at her lips showing off slightly to her junior.
Bell smiled and his eyes had a small sparkle in them. Slightly impressed by the lengths her magic could heal. "That's pretty cool, my magic can only rejuvenate stamina, heal poison, and well heal. But when it comes to curses my magic doesn't work and I have no clue about status ailments."
Airmid internally fist pumped knowing there was something Bell couldn't heal. But it didn't explain him cutting himself.
"Does your healing magic not make you feel pain?" She asked. If that was one of the side effects it could be dangerous for Bell.
Instead, the boy chuckled and shook his head. "No, I just had brutal training growing up. My master has the same magic as me and well, she has an interesting way of training me."
Airmid quirked an eyebrow. This she had to know. "Training you how?"
The two took a left off Main Street and down a smaller less busier street. This was when Bell's guard raised exponentially. He still answered her question, however.
"Well, you know how when you work out your muscles rip and tear then grow back stronger?" Bell asked.
Airmid nodded. "Yes, I do." She wouldn't be a good doctor if she didn't know how the human body worked.
"Well, when I first awakened my healing magic my master made me run ten miles every day. It was hard at first since I was only 11. But every time I stopped because either a muscle gave out or pure fatigue my master would heal me and force me to keep going."
Airmid's face started to pale having a feeling where this was going. "She didn't."
Bell nodded. "She did, every day for five years I did all types of exercising. Each time my body gave out it was healed and I was sent back to work. Then when she started teaching me how to fight it was the same thing."
Airmid shook slightly upon hearing this. If that had been her she didn't know if she'd be able to last like that.
"That sounds...brutal." Airmid shakily replied.
Bell nodded shivering slightly himself. "It was, but to finally answer your question it's because of her training that it's really hard for me to feel pain. High pain tolerance and all."
Airmid nodded in understanding. But then wondered how hard this master of his hit him to have such a pain tolerance.
After a few more minutes of walking the two finally arrived at Airmid's house. It was a two-story brick building coated in light blue paint.
It had a small staircase leading toward the door made of brick with two railings on either side of it. On both sides of the door were plants giving it a homey feel.
Airmid took out her key and placed it in the lock. She turned it and opened the door to the house while walking inside. Bell followed behind her and shut the door behind him.
He made sure to lock it behind him as Airmid went upstairs. She stopped on the stairs and turned to him.
"I'm going to go change. Wait here and I'll show you where your room is." She said.
Bell gave her a thumbs up and nodded and watched as Airmid went upstairs. Bell then took the time to look around downstairs.
In front of the door was the kitchen. Next to it on the right was a small table which Bell assumed was where she ate if not at the counter which separated the two.
Off to his right seemed to be a living room where one could relax. Off to Bell's left were the stairs Airmid had just gone up.
He didn't go up them as he wanted to give her privacy. It was her house after all and he was just a guest. So he made his way to the kitchen to examine it.
It had the normal appliances. A stove, fridge, and pots and pans shoved into cabinets which were located above him. Bell held back a laugh seeing another stool.
It seemed Airmid couldn't reach the top shelf.
Bell turned back around and noticed the windows by the door. The curtains were drawn so the sunlight couldn't come in.
It was then that Airmid came back downstairs. Her footsteps sounded out against the hardwood floor.
When she entered Bell's view again she wasn't dressed as a nurse. She wore casual clothes making her look a lot cuter than before to Bell.
He didn't know why it was just a simple pink t-shirt with black shorts. She had her hair tied up in a messy bun and looked at Bell in the kitchen.
"Come on, I'll show you to your room." She said. She turned back around and headed up the stairs with Bell following closely behind her.
After reaching the top of the stairs they arrived at a hallway that had two windows to the right and two doors to the left. At the end of the hallway was one more door which Bell assumed to be the master bedroom.
The door closest to them was the one Airmid went into. She opened the door and gestured inside.
"This is where you'll be sleeping. The bathroom is the second door on the left. Make sure you knock before you enter." She told him.
"Shouldn't there be a lock on the door?" Bell asked. He tossed his sling bag on the bed so he didn't have to carry it anymore.
"The lock on the bathroom door is broken. I haven't had any time to get it fixed recently so like I said. Knock before you're about to enter." She reaffirmed.
Bell nodded. "Got it, you ready to have dinner now?"
Airmid nodded and began to walk back downstairs. Bell shut the door to the guest room and followed her.
What happened next was an awkward dinner for the two as them as Bell who was practically a stranger was now living with her.
All so their god wouldn't have to pay for bodyguards anymore.
Well another commission another story. Been in a bit of a dry spell recently so that's why there's been little updates. But I'll bounce back soon and get back on the grind.
Just need a little break I guess.