The Journey Begins in DanMachi

"Hurry up and improve your stats so the expedition goes more smoothly; that's what really matters. If that skill of yours still works by then, we might finally end this streak of constant losses during our expeditions."

The skill Riveria referred to was the 'Luck Correction' description within Ode to Spring.

Noah's level of luck hadn't been apparent before, but yesterday, while returning from the Dungeon, Riveria—who was carrying a mountain of magic stones and drops—finally realized it.

You brat, is your drop rate higher than everyone else's by a 'billion' points?

In short, for one reason or another, Noah was kicked out of the dining hall by Riveria and ordered to get his butt to the Dungeon immediately.

"Oh, and take Ais with you. Have her act as a supporter so she doesn't cause any trouble."

Reminded by Riveria, Noah finally realized—right, where was Ais?

At this moment, inside the Divine Chamber of the Twilight Manor's Central Tower.

Loki, who had been forcibly woken up from a dream where Uranus served her wine, Hera washed her feet, and Freya massaged her back by two slaps from Ais, fell into silence as she looked at the data on the paper in her hand.

Ais Wallenstein Lv.1 Strength: D593 → B770 Endurance: D559 → B712 Dexterity: B788 → A850 Agility: A801 → A870 Magic: I0

Knowing that Ais had entered the Dungeon half a month ago to fight frantically, even battling a variant Jet-Black Wyvern with a potential status estimated at Lv.4, Loki wasn't surprised by this level of growth.

The only issue lay below—

Magic: [Ariel] [Wind-Chasing Lightning-Pursuing] · Wind-Lightning Echo · Magic Resonance · Liberate True Self

Skills: [Revenge Princess] [This Heart This Intent] · Attachment and Yearning, Protection and Transcendence · Longing never fades, the chase never ends, break through the limits · All stats increase when fighting to protect and transcend one's longing · Super-strong mental pollution resistance · Always active

Watching Ais leave with a satisfied back, Loki tremblingly took off her nightcap.

Then she discovered it was green!

"Noah!! I'm going to expel you from the Familia!!"

54 Amid: Devoted to protecting the women of Orario!

On this day, Amid woke up earlier than usual to begin processing various materials and concocting potions.

As the city's premier medical Familia, the Dian Cecht Familia had to purchase and process large quantities of materials every day to prepare potions.

Although Amid was not yet very skilled at negotiating prices with various adventurers, she had already shown extraordinary talent in the task of potion preparation.

Even with the same materials, the same steps, and the same amount of time, potions made by Amid's own hands were simply a cut above the rest in terms of effect and quality.

The barrier of talent stands before one, and it is truly a helpless feeling.

It could be foreseen that Amid would sooner or later become the number one pharmacist in the Familia, or even in all of Orario.

Thus, it was already certain that she would eventually surpass the many veterans in the Familia and take over as the captain of the Dian Cecht Familia.

Fortunately, this captain-in-waiting was not someone the Familia members disliked.

Although she often pointed out the mistakes of others—even her seniors—with a stern expression despite her young age, her exquisite, porcelain-doll-like appearance made it hard to stay upset.

More importantly, Amid didn't just point out the mistakes of others; she was even stricter with herself.

Despite possessing such astonishing talent, she didn't slack off in the slightest; instead, she worked even harder.

Under these circumstances, being corrected by her didn't feel humiliating; rather, it made one submit willingly.

Sure enough, when many members finished washing up and eating breakfast, arriving at the Pure White Hospital, they found Amid already at the front desk, performing the most tedious initial processing of materials for potion preparation.

Judging by the quantity of those materials, Amid had likely been working for quite some time.

With a captain like this, how could the Dian Cecht Familia not flourish!

Just as the members were sighing in admiration, Amid, whom they praised for her diligence, went stiff after accidentally crushing a precious crystal-colored herb while lost in thought.

I, I ruined it again...

This shouldn't be crushed directly; it has to be boiled down...

Stealing a glance at her surroundings, Amid confirmed no one was watching before using practiced movements and a heavy sense of guilt to sweep the fragments into the waste pile nearby, burying them deep.

Having successfully destroyed the evidence, Amid patted her chest—which remained completely flat beneath her white vestments—and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

A breath condensed into white mist escaped her small, pink lips.

It was late autumn, and the morning air was biting; frost and ice clung to the corners of the streets, and even the rising sun could not fully dispel the chill.

Whether for the sake of preserving materials and potions or providing a stable environment for patients, the Pure White Hospital had strict requirements for maintaining internal temperatures.

Therefore, at the time of its founding, the Familia invested a massive amount of capital to build a magic stone heating system that enveloped the entire building, ensuring it remained warm in winter and cool in summer.

However, sitting in a position near the street, Amid could not avoid the encroaching cold.

As for why she insisted on sitting here—

Her magnificent violet-blue eyes cast toward the shop entrance, sweeping over the flow of people on Adventurer Street with a hint of resentment, trying to catch a glimpse of a familiar silver-haired figure.

Why isn't he here yet?

Didn't we agree that every time he finished an exploration of the Dungeon, he would come to me for a check-up?

Pressing a pure white scarf—so plain it could be mistaken for a pillowcase—against her cheeks, Amid inhaled its faint scent and couldn't help but fall into memory.

When and why did she start caring about that person?

Was it because of the words "fighting is for the sake of protection," which solved her own inner turmoil?

Or was it because of the terrifying old scars on his body?

Or perhaps, it was Noah's behavior during treatment—

It was truly astonishing that he could remain expressionless while she broke and reset bones in his thighs, arms, and even his lumbar spine without any anesthesia.

But if he didn't take painkillers because he resisted the taste of medicine like a child, what did that say?

Should she call him mature? Or childish?

Even Amid had never expected to encounter a patient like this—a treatment she thought would be troublesome ended easily, while the follow-up care she thought would be simple nearly drove her to a breakdown.

This guy, he's seventeen, right?! How is he still afraid of taking medicine?

He actually requires candy and sweets just to drink his medicine! Where is this child even from?

No, even a seven-year-old in Orario wouldn't be this childish!

On top of that, he tried to escape several times, and after being dragged back, he would complain that she was as nagging as an old woman.

At those moments, Amid could feel the veins on her temples throbbing, and she was on the verge of exploding.

She wanted nothing more than to kick him out of the Pure White Hospital, or even out of Orario entirely, and never see him again.

...But after Noah was discharged by Nine Hell, the girl couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Even though she had decided never to see him again, Amid found herself involuntarily imagining scenes of Noah's body covered in new wounds.

Judging by his previous injuries, he must have experienced many desperate battles where he risked his life, and he clearly lacked teammates he could trust, leaving his wounds untreated.

Was it pity? Curiosity? Or heartache?

In any case, regarding the silver-haired boy from another Familia who was much older than her, an uncontrollable feeling rose in Amid's heart—she couldn't just leave him be.

...She would just tell herself it was to uphold her honor as a healer!

After all, he was the first patient for whom she had completely devised and implemented the treatment plan; if he ran off to the Dungeon and got himself killed, her reputation would surely be tarnished to some degree!

Did that little girl not heal him properly, leaving behind hidden injuries that caused his death?—Even if only one in ten thousand people thought that, Amid would never allow it!

More importantly—

Breathing in the faint scent from the scarf, Amid couldn't help but squint her eyes like a kitten being petted by its owner, her expression intoxicated.

Over the past half-month, Noah's body had undergone various changes while receiving treatment.

Perhaps even Noah himself was less aware of this than Amid, who had personally performed the treatment and care.

Although it was not uncommon for adventurers to experience physical changes after receiving a Blessing, these were usually limited to improvements in physical stats like strength, vision, or endurance.

The extent of Noah's changes, from his skin to his bones, was something Amid was certain was quite rare—perhaps even a unique case.

It felt similar to a werewolf undergoing beastification under the moon; perhaps it should be called an awakening of bloodline?

Amid did not yet know what impact those changes would have.

But for her, the most pressing matter was the scent emanating from Noah!

This delicate fragrance did not provide the intense, soul-submerging pleasure of Soma or certain incenses; instead, it refreshed the mind, cleared the consciousness, improved efficiency in work and study, and even made sleep much more comfortable.

But that was precisely what made it so dangerous!

Whether Amid wanted to admit it or not, she had to acknowledge that she had become somewhat addicted to the scent on Noah.

Once accustomed to that delicate fragrance, leaving it behind would cause her mood to sink into an uncontrollable malaise, leaving her with no interest in doing anything, and often even suffering from insomnia at night...

What kind of devilry is this? Is he a legendary succubus? That doesn't seem quite right!

In any case, if even Amid, a physician herself, had inadvertently fallen victim to it, one could only imagine how many women would be tainted by his fangs should Noah make a move on others!

That guy Noah is destined to be an enemy of all women!

Therefore, for the sake of the chastity and safety of the women in Orario, I must absolutely keep a close watch on him!

Even if it means sacrificing my own—

However, another voice quietly rose within her heart: Oh my, I never expected you to be such a shameless girl, Amid, actually sinking so deep into it that you can't pull yourself away!

No, that's not it! I am not addicted!

I am sacrificing myself for the sake of the women of Orario!

Amid, caught in a fierce internal struggle, failed to notice several young girls walk into the Pure White Hospital and approach the counter in front of her.

"Amid? Amid?"

"Miss Amid Teasanare!"

The sound of a hand slamming against the desk startled Amid, causing her to jump straight up from her spot.

"I am not so addicted that I hug it to sleep every night—"