Though Aida hoped most of the Affiliates would be more open-minded about the students they were trying to recruit than Healer Vega, she was still pleasantly surprised that everyone was professional enough to not allude to the dispute that occurred during the New Sun Festival brunch.
“Hi! Aida, right?” the Gullbeaks Affiliate, Kuri Kisa, cheerfully greeted Aida during the first evening session Class 2 had with the Affiliates. She was slightly shorter than Sue, making her slightly taller than Aida. Her friendly blue eyes danced like flames, giving Aida the impression that Kuri didn’t have the patience to put up with steady political maneuvering when she could just make friends.
“Yes, hello,” Aida smiled back tentatively. “You’re part of the Gullbeaks, right?”
“Oh, you’ve heard about us!” Kuri exclaimed, pleased. She was very affable, and spoke with great humility; as if the Gullbeaks were still a small upstart Adventuring group, instead of the highly respected organization it was (as Levi had strongly impressed upon her during a crash course of Sue’s heroes).
“Yes, my friend Suelina has been gushing about you guys,” Aida said politely. “She’s said her dream is to either join the Gullbeaks or start her own Adventuring party, so—”
“Ah yes, Suelina!” Kuri nodded ecstatically. “I really loved talking with her! She’s got such a rare fire. But I also wanted to talk to you!”
Aida hadn’t realized, but Kuri had casually led Aida to a more private corner of the classroom Class 2 and other Affiliates were in. Glancing around quickly to make sure no one could overhear them, Kuri dropped her voice.
“I saw that fiasco that happened during New Sun Day, and I just wanted to make sure - how are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” Aida said after a brief pause. She hadn’t expected Kuri to be so straightforward about it, but she was looking at Aida with sincere concern in her expression. Aida searched for the politically correct words to reassure Kuri. “I mean, I understand where Healer Teena Vega’s concerns are coming from…my track record hasn’t been stellar, especially when compared to the cream of the crop; but all I can do is continue doing my best.
“For what it’s worth, she’s wrong about me,” Aida added fiercely when Kuri continued to look at her with doe eyes. Kuri grinned, reaching out to grasp Aida’s hands tightly. Her hands were warm, and her spirited mana licked happily at Aida’s own, beckoning brightly.
“I knew it,” Kuri declared happily. “I could tell in the courtyard that you weren’t the pushover Teena was hoping you would be, even before you fought back.” She winked. “I - and the rest of the founding members of the Gullbeaks - haven’t been to Maglica either, but we’re not so stuffy that we’ll judge people based on their history.”
“Thank you?” Aida said blankly, trying to make sense of Kuri’s meaning. Her words themselves didn’t really inspire confidence that Kuri wasn’t judging Aida, but her demeanor certainly seemed harmless.
“Oh, I just meant history isn’t everything,” Kuri said quickly. “It’s just one factor - we want dependable people in our company, you know? But we don’t eliminate candidates just because their background is a little weird - lots of reasons, you know?”
“I appreciate that,” Aida said, bemused. “But I just want to get it out there…I’m not looking to become an Adventurer immediately after graduation. I’d like to work on my Healing abilities first.”
“Ah, understandable!” Kuri nodded. “Healers are always so valuable. And I absolutely did not mean to impose on you - I hope I didn’t ruin your perception of the Gullbeaks.” Kuri wilted, her grip on Aida’s hands loosening. The young woman wasn’t acting; her mana felt ashamed as well, curling in on itself. Either that or she was excellent at controlling her mana.
“Not at all,” Aida said quickly, feeling slightly guilty for accidentally insinuating that she didn’t like Kuri. “I just wanted to be honest about my goals, in case you wanted to spend your time meeting other candidates who might be more aligned with yours…”
“Oh no, never!” Kuri redoubled her grip on Aida’s hands, pulling her closer. She dropped her voice into a conspiratorial whisper. “To be honest - I didn’t want to come to Maglica to recruit, but since I’m the youngest senior in the company, I got sent here. So I’d rather spend my time talking to people I like than - you know - interviewing.” She stuck her tongue out, before pulling back and resuming in a normal voice. “Anyway! I’ll be here for several moon cycles, so there’s plenty of time to get to know the rest of the graduating class.” She grinned at Aida cheekily.
Aida couldn’t stifle her chortle. Kuri’s guileless attitude was so refreshing, especially considering the professional environment they were supposed to be in. “Well, as long as you don’t have any expectations of me,” Aida replied quietly, covering her mouth so that the rest of the Affiliates in the room didn’t see her stupid grin.
Kuri’s eyes widened. “Oh flames, sorry! Am I keeping you from meeting with anyone you wanted to talk to in particular?” she asked earnestly.
“Well…” Aida glanced surreptitiously around the classroom. “…I guess at this point I’d like to talk to anybody who doesn’t see me the way Healer Vega does.”
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Kuri hummed, her bright eyes scanning the room as well. “I think you could probably talk to Healer Bokar. His clinic specializes in treating poisoned individuals - not just the typical poisoning you’d get from the wilderness like venomous creatures or eating poisonous mushrooms, but also therapeutic treatments for allergies.” She blinked her large eyes at Aida. “Since people like to avoid poisons, he’ll talk to anyone who won’t turn their nose up at his work.”
Aida looked at the gentleman Kuri indicated. He was a squat fellow with dark skin and gray streaked in his purple hair, and he had a bounciness to his body language that belied a cheerful personality. He had rectangular glasses resting on top of his head. Bokar was speaking animatedly to Kozu, buttressed by occasional nods and laughs as Kozu kept a casual eye on the classroom.
“Sounds like we have a lot in common,” Aida said, pushing her uncertainty aside. He looked friendly enough, but even with Kuri’s endorsement she was worried how affected he might be by the scandal Healer Vega had caused. After all, Vega theoretically shared enough background traits with Aida that she should have been more supportive than critical of her.
“Good luck!” Kuri said cheerfully, waving both hands at Aida. “Feel free to come hang out with me if you don’t find what you’re looking for!”
Waving goodbye to Kuri, Aida made her way towards Kozu and Bokar. Kozu caught her eye as she approached, and he smiled in relief as he straightened up. “Aida! Let me introduce you to Healer Bokar Evins. He’s the head researcher of the Relief for Health Clinic. This is Aida Loreh, water element.”
“Nice to meet you,” Aida said, shaking his hand. “I’m surprised you’re able to take the time to come and participate as an Affiliate.”
“I’m on sabbatical,” Bokar said, peering at her. His eyes were a deep purple. “The rest of my staff have taken on the bulk of treating patients, so that gives me some more flexibility with my time. I’m pleased to meet you. Kozu mentioned you were interested in being a Healer?”
“I’ll let you two talk,” Kozu said, touching Aida’s shoulder lightly as he excused himself. He gave her a reassuring nod before he left. At least Professor Kozu trusts this guy.
“Yes, I am! I have been practicing my Heal and Regen skills recently, but I am open to learning anything that can help cure patients and improve their lives.” Aida rattled off the speech she had prepared ever since the Old Moon Festival, describing her motivations, desire to learn and help, and work ethic. “I also have a personal stake in learning about poisons, because I feel it’s an underutilized field,” Aida concluded.
“To be honest, I’m flattered that you want to learn more about my work,” Bokar responded, pleased. “Most people think of the bad in poisons when they hear the word, so would prefer to avoid it entirely. Why do you feel it’s an underutilized field?”
Aida gave an embarrassed laugh, trying to hide the guilt from bubbling through her. Let’s see how convincing I can be. “Well, I don’t have the raw power of the top five. Or even the top ten. But because I don’t have the luxury of their mana reservoir, I have to be more careful with my mana use - and because of that limiting factor, I have to think a bit more creatively about what I can do with my limited resources.” Aida bit her lip, but Bokar nodded encouragingly at her. “So…and this is just me hypothesizing here, but having at least a basic knowledge of poisons and how they work might expand my opportunities to be a Healer, either in combat as a poison user, or as a Healer in your clinic.”
Bokar stared avidly at Aida as she finished. “Interesting. Very interesting.”
“I don’t mean to sound so selfish about my desires,” Aida said quickly, her brain still spinning as her own words unlocked a line of questioning in her mind. “But I’m also wondering - medicines are a mixture of controlled poisons, right? Too much of anything can always become toxic. So in that vein, studying potions and brews from the perspective of poisonous ingredients in the first place might be safer than studying from the potion-crafting perspective. So that I could learn the fundamentals of the ingredients I might be working with.”
“Why yes,” Bokar said, a grin spreading across his face. “You are correct. Medicines are certainly controlled poisons, which is why we do not recommend regular healthy people to take medicine if they don’t need it, and why Healers have to prescribe the right quantity and mix of herbs only after they understand the ailment. You are very thoughtful for your age, young lady.”
Aida smiled back at him, trying to keep her composure. Bokar seemed elated that Aida wasn’t just saying things to butter him up; he seemed to appreciate her showing a genuine interest and asking questions about his field.
“Fascinating, most young people your age wouldn’t have the foresight to think that broadly, even at Maglica,” Bokar continued, pulling the glasses down from his head. He cleaned the lenses with a small stream of water he summoned between his fingers. “I really like the way you think, and even if you decide poisons aren’t your interest, I’m excited to see what we can teach you. Perhaps you may even learn enough to make a breakthrough in another discipline! What do you say to doing your first sponsorship assignment with me, this upcoming rest day?”
Aida stopped holding herself back, letting a full smile split her face. “I’d be honored!”
“Excellent!” Bokar finally put his glasses on his nose, making his purple eyes smaller as he looked her in the face. His face mirrored her own wide grin. “I’ll have to change up the sponsorship assignment - my list initially had some basic things, gathering materials, you know, but I think we can make it more interesting for you. Do you know Detox?”
“Ah,” Aida was brought up short. “I…I know it, but I haven’t really had occasion to use it.” She quickly brought up the skill menu, looking through the translucent blue box at Bokar as he continued speaking.
“Fair enough, I imagine the school has been keeping you all healthy and safe anyway. Study up a bit on detoxification, if you must - this first sponsorship assignment will be experimental, give you the chance to understand how poisons feel, what to look for - if that’s amenable to you?” He glanced inquisitively at Aida.
“Of course,” Aida nodded. “I trust that the school won’t let you poison me to death,” she chirped.
“I wouldn’t let that happen to you anyway!” Bokar laughed heartily. “Very well, let’s meet after breakfast on Sun Day. Make sure you eat well.”
You have learned Detox (Lv1).
Total RP: 76