Sage was able to pull himself together as the blonde came in. Their eyes met as a smirk crossed his rival's face.

"Look who's still standing. Where's the medic?" Sage stayed quiet as he turned his attention to the letter. He had better things to do than drag his pride through the mud with this guy. He had to regain his stance.

"Don't you have better things to do than come all the way here to bother me?" Sage finally said as he went over and grabbed a box and grabbed the list that the Chairperson had sent him. He had to get the next package ready for Lapis. He could scrap Joel for a moment.

"I would if my entire base didn't jump on me to relax." Sage stopped what he was doing to look at him.

"Oh? And I'm the target for my health?" Joel frowned.

"You can't take care of yourself."

"At least I had a good childhood." The pain that swept across Joel's face said enough.

"Yeah... you probably were in a hospital bed for most of it." Sage hummed as he went back to what he was doing.

"In my town, we had a lone infirmary for ours. I was the third most normal visitor of it. Two others were in there more than me. So before you try that, I was never allowed to stay in a bed all day. That actually makes me weaker if you ask the caretakers of the place I was in. So shut up, Joel. I still had a better childhood than you." Joel frowned as he looked around.

"Where's the medic?"

"Called away. Apparently she was needed in more important places. And she didn't leave without someone replacing her."

"Oh?" Joel paused. "And who's the replacement?"

"Me, sir." They turned as Cedar stood up from his chair. Sage smiled as he closed the box up and finished setting it up for departure.

"How are you the replacement?" Sage took a steady breath, trying to contain his anger. "You don't look like a medic to me." Cedar didn't seem fazed by Joel's words. Instead, he held his head high as he spoke with pure confidence.

"I don't need to have a medic uniform to be one. I am certified in medical training and know basic healing magic. I can handle the position more than enough, thank you." Joel paused as he blinked.

"Ooh... confident... there's a confident fire I don't think many have. Not bad." He glanced at Sage as he picked up the box and turned to the duo. "I must say, you have gained a pretty good ranger. I look forward to seeing how you two progress." Sage huffed as he glanced at the box.

"Sure. whatever you say. I'm off to get this to the postman before he leaves me hanging." Joel scoffed.

"Playing with fire behind the Chairperson's back? Who's that for?" Sage hummed.

"A soon-to-be ranger that is actually trying to get around his father. The Chairperson has full consent about this. As a matter of fact, she gave me the idea." Joel blinked as Sage went outside and put the package in the mail. He came back and smiled.

"You sneaks... you guys..." Sage scoffed as he stretched.

"Why don't you go back to your town and leave me alone. I have things to do." Joel scoffed as he went out.