Skills And Demerits

Check out all these new HEEERBS!!!

Ooh! Look at this one! And this one! I'm SO glad I sailed out here!

I'm glad to see you're having fun.

Are the herbs around Lake Tiilen really so interesting?

You bet they are! They're TOTALLY different from what grows out east. So many new sights and smells.

Hmm, I wonder how it tastes...

H-Hold on! We've been over this before! You can't just eat whatever you find lying on the ground!

It's fiiine! I've got plenty of digestive medicine with me.

Once she gets started there's no pulling her away from her research...

Oho! What do we have here? Could this be a totally new species of moss?

Hm?

Hmmm, yes, it's quite different from what grows on the Zol Plains.

And would you look at that!

Excuse me, young man.

Huh? You mean me?

Mind if I get a bit of that grass yer standin' on?

Oh, uh, sure.

The blade's certainly got an interestin' shape to it. Now how 'bout the taste?

(Eww... She ate it without a care in the world. I guess Sazanca wasn't one of a kind after all...)

...A little bitter, but it'll do. What I really want to know is how its effects compare to similar species.

...I guess she's fine?

Ah, yes! Much obliged, young man. I take it yer not from around here?

You guessed right. The name's Aldo. I'm a traveling swordsman.

Is that so? The name's Hanabi. I came from the eastern continent to search fer someone.

Which reminds me! Have ya happened to run across a loudmouthed glutton of a hea...

...Huh? That's strange. I feel a bit...dizzy...

What's wrong?

A-Are you okay?!

Stay with me! My friend's a healer! She'll be able to help!

...Hrmmm? A healer?

Yeah. She should still be close! I'll be right back!

He's a nice kid, but he didn't need to go out of his way fer me. I'm used to this kind of thing.

That said, I'm intrigued by this healer friend of his.

...Could she be the person the villagers told me about?

...Hey, look! I found some fruit. Wanna bring it home?

Gross! Look at the color... There's no way that thing isn't poisonous.

...Yeah you're probably right. Let's just get these herbs back to the village.

Wow! What a vibrant color! Do you mind if I take a look at that?

I've read about fruits with unique medical properties in this area, but I wasn't expecting to actually see one.

You can make medicine by boiling down the juice, right? Was that what you were planning to do with it?

N-No... We were planning to just toss it out.

Really?! What a waste! Mind if I take it, then?

I'd like to test what kind of effect the juice has when it's fresh...

Test it? Like, how?

...Munch.

G-Gross! She's actually EATING it!

...Hmmm?

Hey! This is really good! It doesn't taste like medicine at all...

She's still going...

So, where did you find...

, S-Sorry, gotta go now! You can have all of this stuff if you want!

Let's get out of here!

Y-Yeah!

Hey! What're you running for?! I just wanted to know where you found...

Huh?

I-I don't feel so good... This is way worse...than usual... Need medicine...now or... ...Oh crap! I'm completely out!

Heeeeeey! Sazanca!

I found somebody that needs your help! Could you come with me for a...

What the, ?! What happened to you?!

A-Aldo... My stomach...

No way... If you're sick, then who's going to...

Oho? Tried the cocomo fruit did ya?

Wait. You were okay?

Of course, my boy. That kind of thing happens all the time. It was nothing serious. THIS on the other hand...

How many times have I told ya that no matter how effective it looks as medicine, multi-colored fruit like that is poisonous... You never listen, do ya, Sazanca?

You two know each other?

BARF... What are YOU doing here, Master?

Master?!

Here. Take it.

Urgh...

What? Don't want my help, is that it?

I-I'll take it! I'll take it!

Th-Thank goodness...

Ahahah! Some things never change. You always were quick to recover as long as a little medicine was on-hand.

Sniffle... YOU were the one always making me sick in the first place...

You DID call her "Master" just now right? Are you two from the same town?

Nope! You misheard. Never met her.

Come now, don't be like that. This is supposed to be a heartwarmin' reunion between master and disciple.

Ah, but yes, I should probably fill ya in first, young man.

I'm the person who taught Sazanca everything she knows about medicine.

Wow! Really?

......

What's wrong, Sazanca? Your stomach hurting again?

Of course not!

Ah, right. It was MY medicine ya took, after all.

Wow, you must be one heck of a healer to be Sazanca's master!

I'm already beginning to like you, young man.

...Don't be fooled, Aldo! You wouldn't believe the awful experiments she conducts behind closed doors!

What brings you all the way from the eastern continent?

Y-Yeah! What're you planning to do to me this time?!

I only came to check in on my cute little disciple's progress is all.

I don't believe that for a second! You're definitely up to something...

How did you even know I was here?!

I just followed the rumors in Ratle.

Something about a self-proclaimed healer with a big mouth and an even bigger appetite.

Hey, I'm not a self-proclaimed anything! I'm the real deal!

Oh really? Not many healers I know would gobble down suspicious plants until they give themselves food poisoning.

I dunno... I can think of at least one more... Speaking of which, are you sure you're okay? You looked like you were going to pass out after eating all that grass.

Hah! That's just another one of her tricks.

No matter what she eats, she never experiences anything more than a little lightheadedness.

That's one heck of a special ability...

I know, right?! It's totally unfair! She can perform all the experiments on herself she wants!

And anyhow, aren't YOU the one that told me to taste test everything I could find?!

Just because you find it so easy doesn't mean that I do!

I made myself sick for the sake of my research! All you do is hole up in your laboratory like an old hermit!

Looks like someone's gotten a little too big for her britches while I was away. How 'bout a contest, then? We'll see who can come up with the most interestin' new medicine.

Y-You're on!

Alright, then. You can use whatever ya want fer ingredients, and the final product'll be judged for originality and practicality.

Fine! I'll show you how it's done!

I like yer spirit, but save the big talk fer after ya've won. I'm gettin' started now.

To think we'd run into your master in a place like this! I'm happy for you Sazanca.

Well, don't be! This stinks!

This is what happens every time! She storms in and issues some kinda pointless challenge without ever thinking about my feelings.

Hmm, I guess she was a little pushy about it...

A little?! ...Well, as long as she's satisfied with whatever I make she should go home without a fuss. Let's just get this over with.

You sure you won't be sad when she's gone?

Hmph! Not even a little!

Anyhow, the first thing we're gonna need is a supply of medicinal herbs, so let's get to it.

She came out all this way just to see you, you know. You could at least go and chat with her for a bit...

Just what happened between you two, anyhow...

Ooh! This one's perfect!

You always look the happiest when you're searching for herbs.

Yep! Field work is the best!

Hanabi's the one who taught you about it, right? Why do you get so annoyed by her?

It's a long story. She wasn't just my master, she was my guardian. I didn't have any family of my own.

Her work was well respected in our village, and she tried to pass those skills on to me. She taught me how to identify herbs, how to create medicine...lots of stuff.

Sounds like you really owe her a lot. So why are you acting so cold towards her?

I don't owe her anything! I paid her back ten times over as her unwilling human test subject!

S-Seriously?!

Whenever I got a fever she'd make me take this horribly bitter white mineral powder... If I got a scrape she'd put this disgusting slime she scraped out of a monster's nest on it... You wouldn't believe how much that stuff stings!

...Wasn't she just trying to look out for you?

That's not what it looked like to me! She was practically singing with delight every time I got hurt!

Oh, and let's not forget her awful inventions!

This weapon of mine was one of them. Wanna guess how she tested it out?

Are you saying she would hit you with it?! That's terrible!

No, no, not that. She'd use it to grind her herbs.

She'd smash 'em and crush 'em and then make me drink down all that terrible tasting medicine!

And once there were no herbs left to mix? She'd drag me out to all sorts of dangerous places to get even more!

So basically...she taught you the value of perseverance and self-reliance? I've gained a whole new level of respect for her...

You are COMPLETELY missing the point here, Aldo! She scarred me for life, I tell you!

Sigh... It's been forever since I last saw her. Why is she just now showing up again?

Ya sure do seem to have a lot of time fer idle chit-chat. Finished already?

Quiet you! I'm trying to focus on collecting ingredients!

Oh yeah? Looked to me like the only thing ya were focused on was talkin' to yer boyfriend there. I'm done here, so I'll be waitin' for ya back at the Acteul inn.

That herb she had just now...

Huh? Is something wrong?

...Nope. If anything I'm more confident than ever.

Think you can really win, then?

Definitely. I've got a good idea what it is she plans to make, and this is gonna be waaaaaay better!

Let's see her tease me once she sees THIS!

Come on, Aldo! Let's head back to Acteul inn and get to work!

...All finished!

Looks pretty normal... What's it do exactly?

You'll find out soon enough.

How long ya plannin' to make me wait over here?

Pipe down, we just finished. It's time to win this thing!

That's the spirit! Now show me what ya've got.

As for the judge... How about the young man there?

Huh? Why me?! I don't need any medicine!

You'll be fine. All ya have to do is take it an' tell us what the effects are.

I thought it was dangerous to take medicine when you're not sick...

You can start with mine, but before that...

Your food's ready! Enjoy it while it's still hot!

Food?

This is Acteul inn's specialty. I figured I should treat ya to somethin' since ya've had to put up with my troublesome disciple all day.

Really?!

Of course! We can't have ya takin' medicine on an empty stomach now can we? Gotta get ya prepared.

Prepared for what?

Look, stop worryin' so much and just enjoy yer meal.

Something seems fishy about this, and it's not just the fish... Can't deny that I'm hungry, though.

Whoa, this is incredible! The fish is so fresh it tastes like it was just caught minutes ago, it's...

Hm?

A-Aldo?!

Th-That's weird...

What's wrong?! Why are you crying?!

I...I dunno. But I can't stop...

Exactly! It's an exquisite dish at the forefront of Acteul's culinary culture, so delectable that a single bite will move you to tears! ...Or so they say. The cryin' thing's actually caused by a very powerful spice used in its preparation.

Stop explaining everything and FIX him, already!

Don't worry yer pretty little head, my dear. I've got the cure right here.

Take this, along with a fresh glass of Acteul spring water.

I don't care if it's spring water or drain water, just give me the medicine already!

...H-Huh? The tears stopped almost instantaneously. How'd it do that?

Hah, hah, hah! THAT, young man, was the power of the venerable Dr. Hanabi's newest creation, Tear-minator 2000!

Wait, "2000"? That's not the version I know. Are you telling me you perfected it?!

You know of it?

We were both researching it together before I left!

But back then it was still called "Tear-minator 1000", and we ended up giving up on the project.

And just how long ago do ya think that was, Sazanca? You aren't the only one who's been brushin' up on her craft.

So? Surprised?

A little, but I think I was more surprised by the fact you fed me such a ridiculous food without warning me first.

What can I say? Scientific progress comes down to three things: Experimentation, observation... ...And sacrifice.

I'd rather not become the latter...

Now you know how I felt!

Anyhow, don't think you've won just yet! I've been studying extra hard since I left your tutelage.

In fact, I've vomited out enough of this continent's herbs to fill a small ravine!

And THIS is the result of all that hard work and suffering!

Less talkin' and more showin', please.

Oh, you better believe I'll show you! Aldo! Can I ask you for a favor?

Uhh...

What kind of favor?

Your food's ready!

Another seafood dish? The soup is as red as boiling lava...

Yep! Another local specialty, Seasonal Surf and Volcanic Turf. It's a stew made from locally caught fish and the spiciest spices the continent has to offer. It's an iconic dish, said to represent a coelus swimming in the Nadaran caldera.

I've tried it before myself and it was really good, but by the time I was done I was burning up from head to toe.

Anyhow, in order to test my medicine, I need you to try it, too.

Uhh, I think I'll pass! I don't really like spicy food!

PLEEEASE, ALDO! If you don't do it, I'll never be able to prove how great my medicine is!

Help! We need a healer right away!

The Derismo Highroad is under attack by monsters! The palace guard has moved to engage them, but they've already suffered numerous casualties!

Well yer in luck, 'cause there're two capable healers right here.

Can I count on ya, Sazanca?

You don't even need to ask!

Our little contest can wait fer later. Will ya join us, young man? We're going to need all the help we can get.

Of course. Let's hurry!

Thank goodness! The healers have arrived!

Ngh... Why can't I stand... My comrades...still need me...

Just take it easy. We're here to help.

I've got just the thing for you. It'll make your pain completely disappear.

Disappear?

Is there really a medicine that can do that?

Be careful about makin' promises ya can't keep, Sazanca. It's not possible to completely relieve the pain when someone's been wounded this badly.

That's where you're wrong. Watch this.

...Huh?

I-It's true... I can't feel a thing...

I-I've gotta get back to the fight...ngh!

Hey, wait! Just because you can't feel it doesn't mean you aren't still wounded! You need rest!

I'm impressed, Sazanca.

Eheheh. That was actually the medicine I just made for our contest.

But how? I've never seen a remedy that effective before.

Like I said, I've been honing my craft.

I never did figure out how to become a "cynth", but I still learned a lot about medicine on that trip.

Ah, you mean that time we went to the future.

Yeah. I learned about it from the hunters we met back then.

How are analgesics made? Hmm... That's not really my area of expertise.

I would assume it's a concentrated mixture of chemicals that relieve pain and fever.

A concentration, huh? I guess that WOULD be pretty powerful with the right materials.

I guess I just have to start boiling down everything I can get my hands on!

Just be careful to use a safe dosage...

I will! Thanks for your help!

Shouldn't she already know all this? I thought she was a doctor...

For this one, I first created an extract from a number of different herbs with pain relieving properties. After that I hardened it into a pill, and that's what they just took.

......

Well I'm glad it worked. Now we just need to do something about those monsters.

Yeah, we'd better find them fast. Let's check over there.

When did she get so smart? It seems like just yesterday she was still dependin' on me for every little thing...

What the, ?!

Thank goodness we made it!

That mortar...

Oh this? Yeah, it's the same one you gave me.

I thought ya said it was too heavy to carry around...

Look, I've changed a lot from the girl you used to know!

Let's do this, Sazanca!

Ready when you are! I wanna finish this up and get back to our contest!

Everyone okay? Are you hurt?

It's gonna take more than that to get rid of me.

Heheh, good. Can't have you croaking on us before we settle our little contest, can we?

Come on then! Let's get back to it!

Back to it?

Yep! You still haven't told us whose medicine is more useful. What do you think, Aldo?

Hmm... It's hard to choose. You both worked really hard and both of them are useful...

Hey! What kinda half-hearted answer is that?!

Fine. How about you, Master? You looked pretty surprised by my medicine just now. Guess that means I won, huh?

Hey now, you can't just go deciding the winner by yourself...

...Well I can't deny that I was surprised.

Really?! You really mean it?!

FIIIIIINALLY!!! I finally won!

Do you know how many of these stupid challenges I've lost up until now?!

Let me stop ya right there. No one said anything about winnin' yet. Did ya check that medicine for side effects?

Uhh...

I already taught ya this. You absolutely MUST check the side effects whenever ya develop a new medicine. There could be some very dangerous effects ya didn't account for.

B-B-But I did try it already! I wrecked my stomach SOOO many times!

Don't ya get it? That's exactly why yer not a good test subject. Ya poisoned yerself so many times ya've developed a resistance to it.

Please! Somebody help!!!

What's wrong?! What happened?!

The soldiers! They're all sick with some kinda stomach bug!

What did you just say?!

Oh no...nonononono...

Blast it... This is exactly what I was worried about.

D-Digestive medicine... Let's see... WHAAAAAAT?! OH NO! I'm totally out!!!

U-Uh, umm, Master?

What?

Could I uh, maybe...borrow some of yours?

And the contest?

Sob... Fine... I lost.

...Ya really can't do ANYTHING by yerself, can ya?

W-We'll be right there! Aldo, you think you can help me out again? Pretty please?

Sure. Let's hurry.

I'm so sorryyyyyy!!!

Sigh... And here I was thinkin' she'd finally grown up.

I guess I should've expected a whiny kid like her to need a little extra time.

...Did I use too much? If I put in any less it'll lose all of its potency. Maybe I can...

, Hm?

Oh. Hello there. I see ya here a lot. What're ya up to?

I'm waiting for the trees to get bigger. Their fruit is suuuuper yummy, you know!

Oho, is that so? Well then let me know when it's ready.

Sure!

Sniffle...sob...

...Was it my measurements? No, they were definitely correct. Which means...

WAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

I must have waited too long. I guess its properties change over...

SOOOOOOOOOB!!!

Argh! Blast it! How am I supposed to concentrate with all this...

, Ahh, I see. Yer favorite tree withered, didn't it? It's probably because of all the rain we've had lately.

Sniffle... Yeah...

...Alright, alright. Here.

Huh? What's this? A seed?

That's right. I'm givin' it to ya. It's fer my research, and pretty valuable at that, but it's all I've got on me right now. Make sure ya take good care of it.

O-Okay... Thank you...

Now enough with the waterworks. This is my favorite place to take a walk and I can't think straight with all that racket.

...One of these days I'm going to create a medicine that shuts up cryin' kids. Then I could at least get some peace and quiet...

...In any case I'm glad she's feelin' better.

Sigh, time to clean up another one of her messes.

Ngh...

I really don't have time for this.

I still have important business with the maiden of rain...