At this moment, Amid's gaze fell on Bai Ye's back, her lilac eyes darkening at the sight of the scars that marred his skin. Each mark was a remnant of his battles, wounds that had once bled freely in the heat of combat.
She crouched beside him, her jade-white hands moving with a gentle grace. Her fingers, slender and delicate, hesitated for a moment before tracing the edges of his scars. A faint tremor passed through her brows, emotions flickering across her face—compassion, sadness, and something deeper, something more personal.
Known as the [Saint of the Battlefield], Amid had seen more suffering than most. She had lived through Orario's dark times and had healed countless wounded adventurers. And yet, even among all those memories of pain, Bai Ye's body told a story unlike any other.
He had endured so much.
And he had done so blindly.
Before he met the god Dian Cecht, Bai Ye had relied solely on his hearing and other senses to fight, navigating the battlefield with nothing but instinct. The thought alone made Amid's heart tighten. She had healed many, but how had this ten-year-old boy survived wounds so deep without proper treatment?
Bai Ye, for his part, remained indifferent to her touch. Whether Amid was his doctor or something more, he trusted her. She had saved his life. That was enough.
"There are elixirs in the Familia that can remove scars," Amid murmured, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Would you like me to take care of these for you?"
She had intended to treat them earlier but had refrained, unsure if Bai Ye saw them as marks of pride or remembrance. Some warriors bore their scars as proof of survival, after all.
Bai Ye was momentarily surprised but then nodded. "If it's possible… I'd like that. Sorry for the trouble, Amid."
He wasn't the type to wear scars like medals. If anything, they were reminders of his vulnerability, potential weaknesses that could be exploited in future battles. Removing them was the logical choice.
Originally, he thought to address her as "Sister Amid," but the words felt foreign on his tongue. Though his body was that of a child, his mind remained that of an adult. The title didn't sit right.
"There's no need to thank me. Put your robe back on for now," Amid said with a small smile. "I ordered some clothes in your size. I'm not sure if they'll fit perfectly, but they should be more comfortable."
She treated Bai Ye with the careful kindness of an older sibling, a tenderness that was impossible to miss. But more than that, it was a duty—one entrusted to her by their god.
"Thank you."
Bai Ye's voice was soft, his gratitude genuine, yet Amid couldn't bring herself to smile in return. His expression, his words—everything about him felt distant, as if he were forcing himself to appear fine.
The blindfold covering his eyes only added to the weight of her emotions. His tired features, the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin, made her sigh quietly.
As Bai Ye reached out to take the robe from her, he activated his [Fluctuation Vision], sensing its shape through the vibrations in the air. He was slowly becoming more adept at distinguishing objects this way.
"I'll help you," Amid said, stopping his movements with a gentle but firm hand. "This robe is a bit complicated to put on, and with your vision—"
Bai Ye sighed but relented, allowing himself to be dressed like a doll in her care. The fabric was smooth against his skin, the sleeves draping perfectly over his left arm while leaving his right free. His pale hair, untouched by restraints, fell over Amid's hands.
Without thinking, she twirled a few strands around her fingers.
"Amid?" Bai Ye tilted his head slightly. "What are you doing?"
"…Ah." Amid blinked, snapping out of her trance. She quickly released his hair and cleared her throat. "Nothing. Just thinking."
Bai Ye let it go, retrieving his blind cane. Just as he was about to follow Amid, he felt her warm hand wrap around his right one.
"I know you rely on your hearing," she said gently. "But we're Familia now. Trust me."
Her words were like a soothing current, washing away some of the tension he carried. Bai Ye had lived too long on edge, always prepared for betrayal or attack. Even now, as part of a Familia, that wariness lingered.
But Amid was right. They were companions.
Bai Ye hesitated for only a moment before giving a small nod. "I trust you, Amid."
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The Dian Cecht Familia specialized in healing and medicine. Their work revolved around developing elixirs and advanced medical treatments, offering potions and healing services that few others could rival.
Unlike battle-oriented Familia that explored dungeons, the Dian Cecht Familia focused entirely on providing support to adventurers. They had a reputation for producing the best recovery potions, and even high-level adventurers sought their expertise when gravely injured.
The Familia's headquarters was bustling. Patients filled the waiting room, and alchemists worked tirelessly in the laboratory, mixing ingredients to create potions of unparalleled quality.
In the medical ward, Bai Ye lay on an examination table, his upper body exposed as Amid carefully applied an advanced elixir to his scars. The liquid spread coolly across his skin, tingling as it worked to restore the damaged tissue.
This was a top-grade elixir, one that only the wealthiest of adventurers could afford. But for Bai Ye, Dian Cecht had ordered its use without hesitation.
Bai Ye barely flinched. The sensation was nothing compared to the pain of battle, the agony of clawed wounds tearing into flesh.
"Before you met the gods," Amid asked softly, finishing her work, "is this how you always treated your injuries?"
Her voice carried a trace of sorrow.
Bai Ye nodded. "Yes. I didn't have many options. I just stopped the bleeding and moved on."
Amid's fingers curled slightly, her expression unreadable. He was only ten. No child should have had to endure such hardship.
She helped him dress again in silence, but her heart ached.
"Amid," Bai Ye said after a pause. "Can you tell me more about Orario? And our Familia? I still don't know much about them."
His voice carried a rare trace of curiosity. He knew little about the world outside survival, about the city of adventurers or the Familia that had taken him in.
Amid studied him for a moment before smiling. "Of course."
She spoke of Orario—the great labyrinth city, home to gods and adventurers alike. She described the Dungeon, the source of all monsters, and the role of adventurers who risked their lives to delve into its depths. And, of course, she explained the role of their own Familia within this grand world.
But when she spoke of their god, Dian Cecht, her voice dipped slightly. "Lord Cecht has… his quirks," she said, exasperation clear. "He enjoys gambling and dice games. If he ever tries to get you involved, just tell me."
Bai Ye chuckled. "Understood."
Amid found herself smiling. His laughter—small and fleeting as it was—made her chest feel lighter.
And in that moment, she resolved to protect this boy, not just as a Familia member, but as someone who had already endured too much.
Because despite everything, Bai Ye carried something rare—hope.