17 Whereabouts

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As Akane stood at the side of the hospital bed, with a cast around her right arm, staring at her injured comrades, she knew that they were in no condition to use magic for a long period of time.

Magic intoxication----The overuse of Magic. In order to stay alive from the onslaught of the Demon Beasts, the four of them had depleted nearly all their magic. However, their two party members had succumbed to heavier injuries, and were now in a grave Magic intoxication on top of multiple external wounds.

Although Magic had brough about many changes, it was still not clearly developed in the medical field.

For example, using <Alchemy Medical Treatment> to transmute the human body using magic from Base Particle Prima Materia, it was possible that there would be unforeseen side effects when the human body was rearranged, as it was still an undeveloped field of study.

Hence, the only treatment available was to allow the body to rest and slowly recover. Although it was possible to treat the external wounds, it was hard for a Magician to wake up from magic intoxication. However, this depended on the scale of the intoxication as well. It was highly possible for her two party members to wake up today or tommorow.

Although her heart ached for her two comrades, it ached even more when she thought about how she had to abandon Takashi in that forest in order to safely extract their party.

Ever since their first meeting----No, even back during their time in the orphanage, Akane always had a fondness for him. However, she did not wish to break the current relationship and hence she kept her feelings deep down.

However, now that Takashi had not returned for 5 days straight, her heart was permeated with regret and guilt. Tears slowly streamed down her face as she thought about the fact that she might never see him again.

Ayato, who was standing at the side, simply patted her shoulder while she wept.

"Swoosh!"

The door of the hospital room opened and President Iori, along with her other members, Claudia and Akatsuki, entered the room.

As President Iori noticed the look on Akane's face, she forced a smile and tapped her on the shoulders. Akane turned around and her face was guilt stricken with tears.

"I am sure Takashi-Kun will be okay. I have requested the Crusadors Order to dispatch some people and look for him. I'm sure they will find him in no time----if it's you, you should know that man will not fall that easily. I could see it in his eyes during the duel with Moroboshi. Those were the eyes of someone not willing to give up, not willing to give in to despair."

As Akane looked up at President Iori, emotions overwhelmed her and she hugged the woman in front of her.

President Iori was shocked for a split second but her smile widened and she patted Akane's head. Ayato, still standing at the side, did not wish to be a bother, and hence, only smiled at the scene.

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"Takashi-kun, you have such a lovely woman crying for you. Don't make a woman wait for you. Quickly come back!"