People with physical defects often feel inferior when facing those who are whole.
But when they face someone with the same kind of defect, that inferiority shifts into a sense of shared suffering.
Collei stared at Xia Zhi's gray eyes, dumbfounded for a few seconds.
Xia Zhi looked back at her—at the Silver Tier Progress Bar hanging above her body.
It wasn't until he slipped his glasses back on that she finally snapped out of it, whispering, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xia…"
Xia Zhi shook his head. "You don't have to keep apologizing. You've done nothing wrong. If anything, blame me for not telling you earlier. Let's put those irrelevant matters aside for now and talk about your scaly disease."
Collei blinked. "Mr. Xia… you know about it?"
"I've heard a little," Xia Zhi said. "It's an illness unique to Sumeru. But truth be told, this is my first time encountering it."
First time…
The light that had just appeared in Collei's eyes dimmed again.
Xia Zhi asked, "There's a trace of Archon Residue clinging to you. How did you get tainted with something like that?"
Collei lowered her head and stayed silent.
Seeing this, Xia Zhi sighed. "If you don't want to say, then forget it. I'll just treat your disease first."
"Mm… huh?"
Collei jerked her head up, staring at him in disbelief.
"Mr. Xia… what did you just say?"
Softly, Xia Zhi repeated, "I said, I'll cure your disease first."
"You… you can cure it?"
"Of course."
"That's impossible."
"Why say impossible?"
"Because… because it's incurable. At best, with proper care, it can be managed. The symptoms can be slowed… but never healed."
"Who told you that?"
"…Every doctor I've ever seen."
Xia Zhi's tone was calm. "Different medical systems. To me, it's just a minor illness."
"…."
Collei fell quiet for a moment, her voice heavy.
"Please don't lie to me."
"I've no reason to lie to you."
Xia Zhi didn't bother explaining further. He simply pulled out the [Universal Syringe] and glanced at the Silver Tier Progress Bar above her.
"Miss Collei, don't move. Work with me on this."
"What… is that?"
"Don't be afraid. It'll be quick, and you won't feel any pain."
"…."
Collei watched as the gleaming needle sank into her palm.
And indeed—not the slightest pain.
Xia Zhi began to extract.
Dark liquid appeared inside the syringe.
At the same time, Collei felt something inside her ebbing away. She watched, eyes wide, as the ugly gray-black scales on her arms rapidly vanished.
This! This!
Her whole body trembled from sheer excitement.
"Please don't move," Xia Zhi said gently.
Collei bit her lip, forcing herself still. "Mm!"
When her hands had completely returned to normal and no more black liquid could be drawn out, Xia Zhi finally withdrew the syringe.
"How do you feel now, Miss Collei?"
"I… I…"
"Don't get worked up. Breathe."
"…Hah…"
Collei lifted her hands, holding them up to her face.
Pale. Clean.
The disease that had tormented her for years—truly gone.
A rush of emotions welled in her chest, her eyes stinging red.
She looked at Xia Zhi, her voice hoarse.
"Mr. Xia…"
"The illness that's plagued you so long is cured. You should be happy."
"I am! I really am! Thank you!"
Xia Zhi gave a faint smile. "I told you, it's a minor illness. Just a flick of the wrist."
He calmly transferred the black liquid from the [Universal Syringe] into a [Universal Test Tube].
"Miss Collei, please keep sitting still. We're not done yet."
"Huh? But… isn't it cured already?"
"The scaly disease, yes. But the Archon Residue in your body also needs to be removed. Otherwise, it'll still harm you."
"…Okay."
Collei watched the glittering needle approach again. This time, she felt no fear at all.
The needle slid into her skin. No pain.
Xia Zhi began the extraction.
Another flow of dark liquid filled the syringe.
Not as much as what Xiao had carried—but for an ordinary person, more than enough to be fatal.
Xia Zhi withdrew the syringe and spoke softly. "That should do it. How do you feel?"
Collei closed her eyes, her voice trembling strangely. "I've never felt this good before."
Xia Zhi put the syringe away and stood. "Come on. We still haven't finished dinner."
Collei opened her eyes, gazing gratefully at his back, and quickly followed.
—
Outside, the girls turned to her at once. "Miss Collei, are you all right?"
Collei lowered her head, whispering, "Thank you, everyone. I'm fine now."
After that little episode, dinner finally ended.
In the afternoon, the girls split up—some accompanied Kirara shopping, some went to the Library to read, others went with Charlotte to take photos.
Collei said she was going to see a friend and left on her own.
Xia Zhi, meanwhile, went with Xianyun and Ying'er to the librarian's office, where they picked up Lisa before heading to the Alchemy Workshop.
Knocking on the door, Sucrose answered, pleasantly surprised.
Lisa smiled seductively. "Little Sucrose, where's Albedo? Big sis came especially with something important to discuss."
Sucrose pointed at a room inside. "Mr. Albedo is painting."
That jogged Xia Zhi's memory—he'd once acquired a skill called [Mastery of Painting] from Albedo.
It made sense. Albedo really did love to paint.
Sucrose ushered them in, then went to knock on the inner door. "Mr. Albedo, you have visitors."
Moments later, Albedo opened it.
Xia Zhi immediately noticed the sparkling Diamond Tier Progress Bar hanging above him.
Albedo walked over, calm as ever.
"Miss Lisa, Miss Xianyun, Miss Ying'er… and this must be Mr. Xia, yes?"
"Yes, that's me." Xia Zhi nodded. "Mr. Albedo… you know me?"
"Sucrose brought me the treats you made. Delicious."
"If you liked them, you're welcome to join us for a meal next time."
"Thank you for the invitation."
Albedo turned to Lisa.
"Since all of you came together, I assume it's important?"
Lisa replied, "It's about that batch of alchemy materials we collected the other day."
"Weren't those already deemed unusable for potion-making?"
"Yes, but Mr. Xia thinks there might be a way."
"Oh?"
Albedo looked at Xia Zhi.
"What are your thoughts?"
Xia Zhi shook his head with a rueful smile. "Honestly, I already discussed it with Miss Lisa this morning. I haven't figured out a solution yet. I wanted to come this afternoon to exchange ideas with you, if you're free."
Albedo hesitated, then nodded. "I am."
He joined them, and the six began brainstorming.
Mainly Xia Zhi, Xianyun, Lisa, and Albedo exchanged ideas.
Ying'er and Sucrose, though not quite at their level, listened carefully and took notes.
As they talked, Xia Zhi noticed Albedo's Diamond Tier Progress Bar steadily rising.
Until at last—it filled.
A system chime rang in Xia Zhi's mind.
"Progress Bar at 100%. Diamond Chest reward obtained."
He glanced at the new chest in his inventory, then returned to the discussion.
By the time they wrapped up, Xia Zhi rose to leave.
Albedo and Sucrose walked them out.
They hadn't solved the material problem, but everyone had gained valuable alchemical knowledge from Xia Zhi, the master alchemist.
Even Albedo, realizing Xia Zhi's level was close to his own teacher's, couldn't help showing him a hint of respect.
"Mr. Xia, if you have time, you're always welcome here."
"I will."