Bonus Short Stories

Helping Hands

Bottaculli’s unfortunate and unexpected accident had put Merratoni’s Healer’s Guild, as well as its clinics, in a very rocky situation, and the responsibility of setting things right now fell to Luciel. These sudden obligations combined with resuming his training with Brod left the S-rank healer with very little in the way of free time, and his struggles didn’t go unnoticed by the Adventurer’s Guild receptionists.

Nanaella and Monica were discussing these concerns about their friend one day.

“I’m glad we got to chat when we cut his hair, but I can’t help feeling like he’s been avoiding us lately,” Nanaella said. “I know he’s not, and I’m just being silly, but still.”

“You’re thinking too much,” Monica replied. “Remember how happy he was when we finished? Plus, and this is just between you and me, I know what’s been keeping him so busy.”

“You do? I couldn’t get a word out of the men he brought with him. Have you been taking lessons from Galba?”

The other made a face. “It’s like you forgot where I used to work. An old coworker and friend of mine actually just became guildmaster of the Healer’s Guild, so I’ve got myself a trustworthy source.”

“My regards.” Nanaella’s ears perked up. “Well? What is it?”

It was all Monica could do to keep from giggling. “So, the reason Luciel came back was to study up on how guilds and clinics are run, but then Bottaculli, you know, the guy who runs most of the clinics here, got sent to the Holy City. And not just that, but the old guildmaster had his hand in dirty business, and there are funds missing from the guild’s treasury.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“No, it doesn’t. But Luciel didn’t want to leave town right after getting here, so word is he’s learning what he came to study at the Merchant’s Guild.”

“Really? What about the healers and clinics?” Nanaella couldn’t lie. She was happy to hear that Luciel didn’t want to leave but at the same time hesitant to support his actions. The healer’s greatest enemy was his own dedication. He had a tendency to bite off more than he could chew, and Nanaella worried he would work himself ragged.

Of course, in reality, the Extra Heal spell meant that Luciel was in no physical danger (save for mental fatigue), but Nanaella had no knowledge of that.

“He’s still working with them. It sounds like a lot, but I guess that speaks to how much responsibility he’s carrying these days.”

Nanaella cast her eyes down. “Just when I thought we were getting to know him, he comes back and he’s like a completely different person.”

“Bad.” Monica lightly chopped her head between the ears, then chose her words carefully. “Don’t be so down, okay? We’re not family or even dating for that matter. We can’t know everything, and hey, isn’t it more fun that way?”

“You know, I wish I was as cool as you sometimes.” Nanaella greatly admired her friend.

“Oh, um, thanks.” Monica blushed, cringing at herself for talking big to an older girl, and about romance, no less. “Anyway, back to Luciel.”

“Let’s see, how can we put a smile on his face?” Nanaella thought for a while. “I know he’s always been happy when we cook or go shopping with him.”

“Right. Why don’t we ask Gulgar to teach us a thing or two about cooking? Even Luciel’s gotta eat sometimes.”

“Good idea. Let’s go find him.”

“Nanaella, we’re still on the clock. Let’s maybe wait for our break first.”

“Oh, right.”

The girls went on to study under Gulgar as planned, and the joy this would bring their dear friend could have very well been a story all on its own.

Brod and the Order of Healing

Brod, guildmaster of the Merratoni Adventurer’s Guild, could barely contain his excitement—a feeling he hadn’t experienced since his apprentice had been sent to the Holy City by Bottaculli. He stood in the training grounds with a smirk plastered on his face at the mere thought of what was to come.

“You’re serious?” he confirmed. “You want me to train your grunts?”

“Very serious,” Luciel replied. “I trust you guys with them. Oh, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be slacking on my own training.”

The guildmaster was to whip not only his apprentice but his apprentice’s entire team into shape.

Brod looked at the men behind Luciel. No matter what the healer wanted, none of it would matter if his underlings didn’t share his zeal. The guildmaster quickly noted the looks in their eyes and knew that it wouldn’t be a problem, but whether their resolve was strong enough to carry them through remained to be seen.

“All right. On one condition.”

“Anything, as long as it's reasonable.”

“The healers need to help treat adventurers, and that includes beastfolk. I want the knights patrolling town. Sound good?”

None of them flinched.

“Patrol? Why? Have things gotten dangerous since I left?”

“Nah, but word on the street is, someone’s dumbass apprentice keeps stickin’ his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Luciel’s team nodded to each other in thoughtful agreement.

“Um, words are hurtful. And you guys, whose side are you on?!” his apprentice griped. “Anyway, sure, I’ll agree to those terms.”

“Yeah? Just so you know, I don’t hold back. Personal policy,” Brod growled at the unit, letting his facade down and his fearsome grin shine through. But again, no one flinched.

“Thank you, sir!” they said together.

“My pleasure. Now, I want to see what you’ve all got before we get started. Luciel, you’re up first. Come at me!”

“Yes, sir!” he responded.

“Show me you haven’t been slacking!”

“I’ll do more than that!” Little things like this were all it took to send Brod’s mood soaring.

And just like that, the training grounds once more became a realm of shrieks and laughter—Brod at the helm of combat training and Gulgar ensuring the men’s diets were rife with the proper nutrients for bodybuilding. Including Substance X.

As their training continued, Brod was astonished. While most adventurers ran with their tails between their legs, Luciel’s team not only endured his hellish sessions but thrived on them, asking questions and actively learning. On top of that, the healers had gone above and beyond with their part of the deal. They healed all adventurers, regardless of race, selflessly, even past their own physical limits. Whenever their magic started to run dry, they’d send for Substance X and chug it down then and there, stoic as statues.

Compared to their lily-livered, adventurer counterparts, who Brod had become so used to in spite of his good intentions, they were in a league of their own. Brod couldn’t help but like them, so he, Gulgar, and everyone else in the guild did whatever they could to lend a hand.

This group, the representatives of the Church of Saint Shurule, would come to be known as the Order of Healing to those they aided. They would also become the foundation of the widely-feared regiment known as the Tools of the Divine.