Azarinth Healer

Chapter 638: Bonding

Chapter 638: Bonding

Chapter 638 Bonding

Phoebe had seen the girls before but she couldnt recall their names. Mila was already there, waving at her with a smile.

Trian, her? Really? one of the two said.

The girl looked like she was in her late teens, one of the younger Sentinels around. Long black hair fell down her back, slightly curly. Freckles and deep black eyes made her face easy to look at.

Phoebe couldnt quite gauge the complaints. Whats the issue? she asked.

The girl looked at her and grinned. Youre a cold asshole.

Isnt that something an asshole would say? Phoebe asked. At least shes direct.

No, thats something someone observing an asshole might say, the girl said. Im really nice. Right, Ember? she added and poked the healer next to her.

Ember had her hood up, covering a part of her face as she nearly stumbled to the side. Green eyes looked at the ground, a single brown braid coming out from the hood and resting on her leather armor past her shoulder.

I g guess you are, Ember said.

The other girl rejoiced, raising her hands in victory. There you have it. Plus you didnt say youre not an asshole, so either way Im right.

Mila walked over to Ember and grabbed her hand, whispering something to her.

Phoebe glanced over, her eyes resting on the two hands touching before she looked back at the smiling girl in front of her.

[Fire Mage lvl 22]

Ember is level fifty and I think shes got the Medic Sentinel Class like me.

You shouldnt insult people who could win in a fight against you, she said.

The girl pointed at herself. We havent fought. How would I know if youre stronger?

One of those, Phoebe thought and rolled her eyes, glancing at Trian. I can see your smirk, old man. You cant hide it.

This is Willa, Trian said after clearing his throat. Willa, meet Phoebe. Ember and Mila you both know already. None of you have agreed to join a team of more than two, which again, is perfectly acceptable. I wont repeat the benefits of working in larger groups however. You all know them. All I ask is that you train together for one day.

Willa sighed. Ilea doesnt work in a team either.

Why would you bring up that demon?

If youre as strong as Ilea, you wont have to listen to my lectures anymore. Though trust me, I still try to lecture her, Trian said.

Youre just jealous that shes stronger than you, Willa said with a smirk.

Phoebe looked at the Headmaster with wide eyes. Too daring. Youre level twenty.

Envious is the word youre looking for, Trian said. Ilea has the wisdom to listen to the people around her. People with backgrounds and knowledge she might not possess. She trained with people and learned from them, fought and befriended beings most others wouldnt even consider talking to. Arrogance was not what led to her power.

And now shell get angry and leave us the fuck alone, well done Headm-

Willa bowed her head. Im sorry. Ill try to work with them.

Phoebe glanced between the two. The girl had changed entirely from a confident and snarky warrior attitude to that of a meek and subservient student. She is quite young. Maybe shes just a little dense, if she really hadnt considered the arguments he shared just now.

What are you looking at? Willa asked, glancing over.

Ill try my best to work with them. For today, Phoebe said, ignoring the aggressive girl.

Trian nodded, glancing at the other two. Is that acceptable, Ember?

She nodded lightly. It is. Thank you, Trian.

Who do they think he is? Their father?

Phoebe reminded herself that many of her peers didnt come from a normal background like herself. She had started seeing violence and war once she decided to become an adventurer but it had been her choice, the path she wanted to walk. Not many get a choice at all. She smiled to herself, thinking of her parents.

Mila, youre fine with it too? Trian asked.

Of course, Headmaster, the woman said and bowed respectfully.

You dont have to address me that formally, were youre teachers, Trian said.

Mila smiled. Which is a position deserving of respect.

Phoebe stared at her friend, her freckles seemed to shine in the magical light coming from above. Shes so graceful. Like a queen.

Willa giggled to herself, looking at her.

What? Phoebe snapped, staring at her.

Oh, nothing at all, Willa said. Should we start then. I suggest Pain Tolerance training.

You enjoy that torture?

And I need you healers to take care of me, otherwise Ill die, the girl added.

Werent you here ages ago? How are you still at level twenty?

Got anything to say? Willa asked.

Yes. Youve been here before I even joined. Im a Medic Sentinel and at level eighty two. You should have gotten your Class long ago if youd done the normal classes and training sessions, Phoebe answered.

Willa grinned. Because I dont want to become a Medic Sentinel. Do you really think a Class based on Liliths teachings will be able to surpass her?

You want to surpass Lilith? Phoebe asked. The notion seemed ridiculous to her. After that display. She mustve never met her. She just smiled lightly.

Same look as everyone, Willa said and giggled.

At least you dont seem arrogant about it. Though I doubt you really understand how daunting that task really is, Phoebe said.

Ill leave you to it th- Trian said before he froze in his tracks. He looked back at the group, raising one eyebrow before he smiled.

Phoebe thought she detected an expression she hadnt really seen on him before. Malice? No, it couldnt be. Not Trian.

Is anything wrong? Willa asked. Youre not leaving.

I will. Just give it a minute. Someone else is joining your training, he said.

Why would you need to wait then? Willa asked.

Phoebe glanced at Mila, the two meeting eyes at the same time. Oh no.

Oh yes, Mila said.

What? Willa asked, looking between them. Tell me.

In that moment, a winged Sentinel appeared behind Trian, her wings vanishing as she landed on her feet.

Phoebe took a step back, trying to control her breathing as she averted her gaze.

Trian stepped over to the newcomer, whispering to her in a tone everybody with a Sentinel Class would easily hear. Dont kill them. Dont torture them beyond anything they expect, dont give them gold or dangerous items, dont do anything inappropriate, and dont feed them anything weird.

No wonder some of them think he is a father figure.

Trian, who do you think I am? the demon queen said, an innocent smile on her face, piercing blue eyes looking out from below the hood. She wore simple leather armor and casual clothes below, looking like an adventurer at maybe level one hundred.

[Battle Healer lvl ??]

How inconspicuous, Phoebe thought, catching herself staring before she focused on the ground again. Dont take your eyes off the enemy, she remembered and forced herself to look at the monster.

The Headmaster lightly punched Liliths arm before he made for the exit. Enjoy yourself, students.

Leaving us with the monster so he doesnt have to deal with it. So thats how it is.

Phoebe glanced over to Willa and smiled. Now youll understand.

Hey, Ilea. Been a while, the girl casually said, waving at the founder.

Oh, Willa. You made it in after all. Congratulations. No Class yet? Are you slacking? Ilea asked, walking closer as she squinted her eyes.

Im working on my resistances, and Im trying to get an ash related general skill. Gonna get the best Class in the Sentinels, Willa said and gave her a thumbs up.

Commendable. But dont wait too long to fight monsters. Otherwise youll end up an ancient witch dying of old age in her tower because she wanted to optimize her first Class, Lilith said.

Willa waved her off. Just because you rush into things doesnt mean I have to make the same stupid mistakes.

Dont insult her, Phoebe thought, her hand slightly reaching out towards the girl.

True, Lilith said, smiling to herself as she looked at a nearby wall. Well, whatever. So you all have to train together for a day because youre loners? Oh hey Ember, glad you joined as well.

Ember bowed. Its good to see youre safe, Ilea.

They all fucking know her??

Phoebe ignored the grin plastered on Willas face.

I can see theres some tension in the room, Ilea said. But dont worry, a bit of good old broken bones should help you release all that. Works for me at least. Two ashen copies of Lilith formed next to her, the creatures rushing away before they closed the large gates to the training hall. Can you four keep a secret between the five of us?

Of course, Willa said immediately. Ember and Mila nodded.

What about you, Phoebe? Lilith asked.

I yes, she answered, annoyed that she got flustered.

Great, Lilith said with a smile. I brought a friend with me today. Violence, you can come out now.

Phoebe watched as a creature as black as the night stepped out of Liliths dark hood, floating in the air as it held on to what looked like an ashen copy of itself. Its eyes were pure white, like two magical lamps. Six small wings moved on its back, two short arms and legs formed a vaguely humanoid shape, all entirely black and otherwise featureless. She had heard about the creatures in one of the classes.

[Fae lvl 103] [Excited / Violent]

Violent? Phoebe asked herself, confused at the mention. She knew the Fae were apparently somewhat harmless travelers and part of a whole. If they got stuck or need help, one might get rewarded in the future for rescuing them. Information that certainly wasnt common knowledge. She had read enough monster manuals and talked to plenty of adventurers before. Now we know where that knowledge came from, she thought, staring at the creature.

Its so cuuuute! Willa shouted and rushed towards the floating thing, hugging it close to her.

A giggling resounded from the location but Phoebe couldnt quite place the sound. Mind magic? Or is it something different?

Violence! a voice resounded in her mind.

Telepathy harmless, but I should be wary of the creature. My resistance is low.

Violence will support us with our training today, Lilith said and sat down on an ashen chair that formed behind her. A meal appeared in her hands before she started eating.

Can I have some too? Willa asked, patting the Fae on its head.

No, came the answer.

Phoebe didnt dare walk closer, Mila and Ember definitely braver than her as they joined the founder.

Of course you can, Willa said with a smile. Ilea is here, so just dont over do it, okay? she said and lifted the Fae up high.

Phoebe looked on, the little creature giggling as the girls smiled. She took a step forward. Maybe its oka-

Her thoughts froze when Willas eyes exploded outwards with sprays of blood and tissue.

She jumped back and activated her armor, the women looking at her with confused expressions. Willas eyes reformed.

What?! Im the weird one?? Phoebe blurted out.

Lilith started laughing.

You cant get Space magic resistance from just anyone! Willa exclaimed.

Ember nodded.

Its true, Mila said.

You too?

Her arms slumped down before she felt someone grab her hand. Mila,

Its okay. Come on, Violence seems nice. Its just excited, the girl said and pulled her towards the monsters.

Those who have ash magic, try to injure me, Ilea said. Aim for my face, I dont want to waste another set of clothes and armor.

Were a healing order after all, Phoebe thought, looking at the Fae as it floated up to meet her face. Knock yourself out, she said.

Violence! the creature exclaimed before her vision went dark.

_____________________

Ilea sat in her ashen armchair, patting the Faes head as she watched around sixty Sentinels writhe on the ground, her mind keeping track of their health.

I thought Trian didnt allow for group training anymore? Sidney asked, the woman sitting down on the armchair she had brought.

You brought a chair to watch? Ilea asked, looking over at the Shadow and teacher.

Its good if they associate pain with me. Just being around will help, she said.

Youd be more suited for this then, Ilea said. He agreed because everyone pestered him when they heard I was around.

Your arcane healing. I can see that, Sidney said. Pain Tolerance training is difficult. To process, she said. Normal healing helps but its nowhere near yours.

Demon

Lord

No, Im not, Ilea said. Im just helping out.

Pain

Controlled pain so that they can endure or ignore it when theyre in a real battle, Ilea said, stopping her reverse healing on a few guys who were screaming especially loud.

ding Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 8

The people who joined early on benefited a lot from your personal training, Sidney said. Me included.

It does help, Ilea said, wondering how much easier all of her resistance training had been over the years, compared to people without arcane healing readily available. After the second tier of Pain Tolerance was unlocked, the difference should be minimal but it could leave psychological scars to see ones body ripped apart time and time again. No mind mages who can help with that?

None willing to work with us. And the contact you have in Riverwatch apparently refused to consider it, Sidney said.

Really? Why? Ilea asked, glancing at the woman. She let go of Violence, the Fae going around destroying eyes and teleporting people around. She had decided not to hide the little Fae after all, mostly because it didnt sit still within her hood.

The beauty of pain should not be disturbed, something along those lines. I agree in a sense. If pain leaves no mark, it fails to teach caution, she said, giving her a look.

Some truth in that, Ilea said with a smile, displacing groups of people at a time.

Sidney nodded towards the Fae. Not worried someone might talk about it?

If someone does anything to Violence, lets just say it wouldnt end well, she said. Not sure why anybody would care anyway.

Exotic being, telepathy, space magic. Plenty to be interested in, Sidney said.

They can just ask him then, she said and whistled, sending a charged use of Monster Hunter through the hall, most of them locking up for a few seconds.

Still cant believe I held my own against you during your Shadow evaluation, Sidney said, immune to the calls effect.

A student tapped the ground, Ilea stopping her reversed healing immediately. She healed the student, focusing on his mind as he sat up and sighed. He gave her a thumbs up a few seconds later, resuming the training.

You can have a go at it now, she suggested with a smirk, resting her head on her hand as she looked at the woman.

I dont need to lose anymore confidence. Facing the higher level Sentinels already does enough damage, the teacher explained.

Hmm, Ilea mused, looking back at the Fae, the creature flying around the hall with its ash copy in tow.

One of the Sentinels behind her collapsed, the womans legs broken by one of Ileas ash clones.

Not even a complaint, she thought, watching as the Sentinel teleported away, bending her legs back as the flesh connected again. I do hope were not dooming humanity by training these people.

What are you thinking about? Sidney asked.

Consequences, Ilea answered.

The woman chuckled. I train with them every day. Humanity needs this power if we plan to survive, and there has never been a group as suited to hold it than the Medic Sentinels.

Ilea smiled. Which is exactly what every group ever said about themselves.

We try out best, Sidney said.

That wasnt meant as criticism, Ilea said. Its just human nature. Im far from perfect, others will be as well.

Compared to you, theyll have an education, Sidney said.

Im getting more and more interested in a bout with you. Just to see if this combat instructor is suited for the job, Ilea mused.

Misusing your power to abuse followers and employees. The issues with that are covered in one of Trians classes. Maybe you should find time to take it, Sidney said with a smirk.

Im sure a few exceptions from time to time are acceptable, Ilea said, smiling back as she stopped her reverse healing. Thats it for now everyone. I can only take your screaming for so long.

Aww, really? I can gag myself! one of the students said. Or we just destroy our throats?

Yeah, this is so much better than fire, one of the girls said and shuddered.

I think ice is the best to be honest, another one said, rolling his shoulders as he joined the fray, eight students each fighting one of Ileas clones.

James, do you want to meditate together later? one of the women asked, running after a guy.

Meditate, sure, Ilea thought, looking at the Sentinels finding their friends and returning to their teams, each heading off to their classes or training, some forming a half circle around Violence to receive more Space magic training, others joining up with the ashen clones.

You alright? Sidney asked.

Huh? Ilea said, looking at the woman.

You seemed lost there for a second, Sidney said.

I did? I guess, yeah. Just kinda wish I couldve experienced the student lifestyle for a while, she said.

The woman laughed. You wanted to be a student? I doubt youd be the one sitting in classrooms for longer than a few weeks.

I suppose thats true as well.

You should be proud of what you built here, Ilea said.

Thank you. I am, as is everyone else. Dont discredit yourself either, none of this would exist without you, Sidney answered. Will you be around for a while?

Ill be back in the coming days but I want to check on something, Ilea said, getting up from her chair before she cracked her neck. Violence?

The Fae appeared on her shoulder, an ashen copy forming next to it.