Chapter 21

I followed the man, trudging along.

From the outside, this probably looks like a parent dragging their child to some unpleasant cram school or something. Actually, I’m being taken to an unpleasant hospital right now.

The feeling of a child being taken to the dentist must be something like this.

I can’t think of this man as my parent at all.

This man doesn’t seem to have any intention of matching his pace with mine.

He strides ahead, occasionally glancing back to check if I’m following, then continues walking.

To be honest, it’s hard to keep up.

Maybe we should have a conversation.

There must be something to start with...

“Hey,”

At the sound of my voice, the man turns and stops. I cling to this moment.

“What is it?”

“Why am I being taken to a treatment facility...?”

The man starts walking again, but his pace is slower. I can just about keep up.

“I heard it’s to cure your three-day fever.”

“That’s true, but...”

That’s not what I want to know. I want to know why we have to go to a treatment facility instead of waiting for medicine.

“Why do we have to go to a treatment facility? Can’t we just take medicine?”

“Don’t know.”

The man answers immediately.

“I don’t understand Gustav’s thinking. I don’t know the circumstances. I’m just following orders and arranging the treatment.”

“I see...”

So, the reason is unknown.

By the way, the shop owner’s name is Gustav. I didn’t know that.

Talking makes me out of breath. The man finally seems to notice my heavy breathing and slows down to walk beside me.

There are still many things I want to know. I might as well ask everything.

“Sir,”

“Niksky.”

“Why is Niksky following Gustav’s orders?”

“I’m an explorer.”

So, Niksky is an explorer and is guiding me on Gustav’s request... Is that right?

He’s not very talkative, but I’m sure that’s the case.

“Where is the treatment facility?”

“On the outskirts of Fifth Street. We’ll be there soon.”

He answers my questions matter-of-factly. His pace doesn’t change.

“What does it mean to donate silver coins?”

“It’s in lieu of payment. They won’t treat you if you don’t donate.”

“But can’t they just take payment?”

“The treatment facility doesn’t accept payment.”

“Is that how it works...”

It’s probably just a matter of different wording, but they seem to be very particular about it.

Oh no, the conversation has ended. He’s starting to walk faster again.

“What kind of treatment do they do?”

“The healers from the Healer’s Guild use magic... no, ritual magic to treat you.”

I think I heard a new word.

“Is ritual magic different from magic?”

“It’s not magic. It’s a ritual.”

“Um, what’s the difference between magic and ritual magic?”

“There’s no difference.”

He answers curtly, almost as if he’s annoyed. But looking at his face, he doesn’t seem upset; he just seems to be that kind of person.

But it’s still confusing.

From what he said, magic and ritual magic seem to be different things. I can’t tell the difference. I’ve been using magic casually, but I guess I need to learn more.

“!”

I got distracted by the conversation and wasn’t paying attention to my feet.

I tripped on a step and fell.

“Ouch...”

I scraped my hand. It’s a minor scrape, but it hurts quite a bit.

“Are you okay?”

Niksky didn’t offer a hand but looked down at me with a blank expression.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I waved my hand and replied. I felt a bit dizzy as I got up, but I managed to stand.

Once he determined I could move, Niksky started walking again. He doesn’t seem to be worried anymore.

He’s walking fast again. I’m a patient, you know.

After that, we didn’t talk much and arrived at the treatment facility quickly.

The treatment facility was a completely stone building.

The walls were smooth and seemed to be made of a single slab. It looked like concrete but had a bluish sheen. It was a mysterious material.

The exterior looked like a church, with windows here and there. The glass was clear, something I hadn’t seen before, as I was only familiar with frosted glass.

When we opened the wooden door, the walls inside were also made of the blue stone. There were a few chairs attached to the walls and floor, where one could rest.

“No one’s here. Let’s go in.”

Niksky looked around the waiting room, confirmed no one was there, and went further in. I followed him.

The back was an examination room.

It wasn’t a private room but a large room with several indentations on the floor, each with a cushion.

A woman in a green school uniform with a cloak was sitting in the room.

Niksky bowed, and she smiled and returned the bow.

“I’d like to request treatment.”

Niksky said this and looked at me intently.

“Donation.”

At that, I realized what he meant and hurriedly took out a silver coin.

“Here, please use this.”

“Thank you. May the gods watch over and bless you.”

She took the coin, held it up, and placed it in a bag hanging from her chest. The smooth motion suggested she was used to it.

“So, what’s the matter?”

Niksky looked at me and gestured with his chin.

“I’d like to be treated for a three-day fever.”

“Oh my.”

The healer put her hand to her mouth dramatically and smiled.

“Please, sit over there.”

She guided me to a chair on the floor.

“Relax.”

The healer placed her hand on my head and recited a spell.

“In the name of Tereet, I command, cleanse and aid this one. Heal.”

My body felt warm, and then a chill seemed to gather at the ends of my body and disappear.

“I command again, grant this one vitality. Revitalize.”

I felt a surge of energy. I recognized this sensation.

My ki had been slightly activated.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The healer stepped back and gestured for me to stand.

I clenched and unclenched my hand, confirming the strength had returned to my body.

I felt great.

My body felt as light as a feather, and there was no joint pain.

“Wow! Thank you so much!”

I couldn’t help but express my gratitude. I didn’t expect to feel this good.

“Oh, it was just a good warm-up for me.”

Tereet smiled. Her beautiful face lit up warmly.

“Now, child, go home quickly. Go play and be lively.”

She turned to Niksky, as if advising a guardian.

“Besides the treatment, I’ve cast a ritual to boost your vitality as a precaution. You should be fine for a while. However, for your health, consider using preventive medicine. This year, especially, you can get cheap mackerel.”

“I’m just here to bring this boy. I’m not his guardian.”

“Oh my.”

Tereet looked at me with pity.

“Then, what about this child?”

She was about to ask about our relationship, but Niksky interrupted.

“He’s from the slums.”

“Oh, that must be tough.”

Tereet gripped the small bag at her chest, probably worried about my financial situation.

“I’m fine. I earn enough to manage.”

Hearing this, Tereet looked down, then at me.

“It seems you haven’t walked a dark path, so there’s no need to worry. But from now on, walk in the light. Then, the gods will have mercy on you.”

Her eyes met mine, and I could see she genuinely cared for me.

At that moment, a noisy sound came from the entrance. Someone was coming in.

“Tereet! I got hurt again, can you help me?”

I thought it was a group due to the noise, but it turned out to be one person.

The middle-aged man approached Tereet with a smile, pressing a cloth to his hand, looking apologetic.

“Haman, again? Please be more careful at work...”

“No, it’s just a cut, but I need to get it checked just in case.”

The man noticed me and Niksky for the first time. He frowned but then continued his conversation with Tereet.

“Can you check it just in case? Please?”

“I can’t refuse, but I’m sorry. After this one is done.”

Hearing this, the man looked at me, sizing me up from head to toe.

Ah, this look again.

That’s why I didn’t like going out in the city.

“This kid is done, right? Come on, treat me.”

The man pushed past me and approached Tereet.

“Hey,”

I was getting irritated. Even if I’m a child, this treatment is not right.

“Huh?”

The man glared at me, not hiding his displeasure.

“Can’t you see I’m hurt? This brat, can’t you see?”

“Even if you’re hurt, you can’t cut in line without an emergency.”

“Huh?”

After glaring at me, he turned to Niksky.

“What a brat. Is this your kid? You need to discipline him better!”

Niksky closed his eyes, looking annoyed, and said,

“I’m not his guardian.”

The man sighed.

“What a mess! Alright, be done! Go home!”

He pushed me again, and I almost fell.

Clear malice.

I glared at the man.

What should I do?

I can’t back down. I’m angry. I’m angry.

But I can’t hurt him.

It would just cause more trouble for Tereet, and this guy clearly came here for her. He might even be happy to have more reasons to come.

Seeing me quiet, the man probably thought I wouldn’t resist anymore. He lost interest in me and turned back to Tereet.

His lips were relaxed.

I wanted to punch him. But I can’t cause more injuries. My rationality held me back.

So, I can’t cause more injuries.

I had a good idea.

My cheeks curved into a smile.

“Hey, sir,”

He’s probably past his prime, but I’ll call him that for now.

“What? Do you need something else?”

He looked at me with annoyance, but I found it amusing.

I subtly released my magic, focusing it on his arm.

It was a small cut, like a scratch from a thin blade. As expected.

This is something I can easily heal with my magic.

“Your hand, what are you doing with it?”

As I said this, I healed the cut and cleaned it without him noticing.

I’m used to this. It’s a quick process.

The man looked at his hand in shock.

There was no sign of the cut, just his hand as it was before.

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

Tereet, who had been looking, smiled and said the same.

The cut was healed.

For the man, it was definitely there, but now it was gone. It must be unsettling.

His gaze wavered uncertainly.

Embarrassed, the man fell silent for a moment, then burst into anger.

“You! What did you do!?”

He must have been trying to regain his composure. He directed his anger at me. Not only that, he grabbed my shoulder and tried to shake me.

I didn’t counterattack, but I did resist.

I used telekinesis to fix my body. Of course, his strength couldn’t move me at all.

I stared at him silently.

I could see confusion in his anger.

“The cut is gone, isn’t that good?”

I smiled at him.

He stopped moving.

“What did you do? Do you think I did something?”

I’m just a small child. His aggressive stance must look ridiculous from the outside.

Looking up at his face, I added,

“The cut is gone, isn’t that good?”

“Tch...”

He spat and let go of my shoulder, turning away.

“I’ll be back.”

He told Tereet and left the treatment facility, looking very upset.

The noisy footsteps faded away. He was as loud coming in as he was leaving.

“Saying he’ll be back... I don’t think a treatment facility is a place to make appointments.”

“Haha, you’re right.”

It wasn’t clear if she understood what just happened, but she was quietly smiling.

Well, I should go home now.

“Take care.”

I left the examination room. Tereet waved modestly to see me off.

“Wow, ritual magic is amazing.”

I was very excited and talked to Niksky. He listened with a blank expression.

“The cause of the fever was easily removed, and the body was strengthened from the outside. I want to learn ritual magic.”

“Study it.”

“I have no idea where to start, though.”

I folded my arms and groaned, and Niksky frowned, looking annoyed.

“If you have magic, you can join the Healer’s Guild and learn.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it, huh. It’s tough for someone from the slums, so be prepared.”

“So, there’s discrimination even there?”

I had a vague idea, but...

“Of course. In fact, no one who doesn’t discriminate against healers or mages exists. She’s an exception.”

“You mean Tereet?”

She seemed kind, but maybe that’s not normal.

“People with magic are valued. Discrimination against the underprivileged is common. Even if you come to the treatment facility with money, people from the slums won’t be treated.”

“So, I was lucky today?”

“It’s not luck. Probably...”

Niksky suddenly stopped talking.

“I’ve said too much. Let’s go.”

He’s a busy person.

We left the treatment facility. My healthy body felt light and refreshing.