Academy’s Genius Mage

As they entered, a strong herbal scent filled the air, assaulting their senses. One side of the room was lined with ointments and potions, while all sorts of medical equipment filled the space.

Several nurses bustled about, attending to patients.

Ian Oracle took out his watch to check the time.

It was past seven in the evening.

“Until what time do you see patients here?” he asked.

“We don’t have a set closing time.”

Their footsteps came to a halt.

Inside the examination room, a young man was seen consulting with a patient.

His hair was tousled, and he appeared exhausted.

Ian had previously seen people with similar appearances at the Great Library, typically tired from several sleepless nights.

Klefio pointed out the young healer.

“That fellow works until 10 PM. After that, it’s my shift. We have only two healers in the hospital.”

“But wouldn’t you need more healers to operate like this?”

“We don’t have time to consider such realistic things. There’s a saying in our industry; the disease doesn’t wait for the healer.”

Klefio moved onward just as the young healer began examining a patient by lifting his shirt and touching various areas. The patient groaned, complaining about the pain.

In that moment, the young healer’s eyes gleamed.

Just that one scene made it clear why he was struggling here.

‘I guess Klefio might be more extraordinary than I first thought,’ Ian pondered briefly, observing the scene before following him.

‘Indeed, was he an army healer?’

An army healer, as the name suggested, was someone who treated soldiers, whether in peace or wartime.

During peace, conditions were more favorable, but everything changed with the onset of war.

On the battlefield, there was a shortage of both supplies and manpower, and the resulting injuries and illnesses were unlike those of ordinary times.

There were many patients with amputated limbs or other severe injuries, and most couldn’t withstand it.

Having gone through such severe situations, one couldn’t help but dismiss any notions of reality.

“Don’t worry too much. Despite appearances, that friend isn’t like other young people these days.”

“That’s a relief.”

“His name is Groot. You’ll probably hear about him often, so remember it.”

As Klefio walked down the corridor, he continued explaining different areas.

“The first floor is for consultations, and the second and third floors are for admissions. I’d like to expand the hospital if the opportunity arises, but it’s not easy.”

“Is it due to a lack of funds?”

“Until a few days ago, yes, but thanks to you, the financial problem is completely resolved. I’m very thankful, both personally and as a healer.”

Thanks to the contract Ian and Edel made, Edel had come into a substantial amount of money.

After accounting for the commission, he received 1.7 billion shillings.

This was just the advance share, when the new potion standards hit the market, they would gain a portion of the net sales as profit.

“It’s thanks to your capable son.”

“To be honest!”

Klefio started, scanning their surroundings before speaking.

“I thought my son would have a hard time. The academy, especially the Royal Academy of Sonokin, is no easy place. I thought it couldn’t be helped if he quit shortly after getting in.”

Then Klefio smiled.

“But thanks to you, he seems to be getting the hang of it, and I’m relieved. I extend my gratitude once more.”

“I simply did what I had to as a roommate. We’ve also received much help from Edel.”

“Your new potion idea was truly excellent.”

“You flatter me.”

“Well, I agree with this fellow. Though Edel may be quite shy, he’s loyal.”

What parent dislikes hearing praise for their child? Klefio beamed warmly.

“I’ve met many nobles through my work, but you two seem different.”

“We hear that a lot. When I decided to enter the Department of Magic, the elders of my family were furious. As for Ian, he’s practically severed all ties with the social scene.”

Both were effectively outsiders within the nobility.

Ian Oracle was the successor to a rather humble family.

Milo was born into a prestigious family of knights, but instead of following the family tradition, he became a mage.

Because of this, they managed to break away from the stagnant norms of nobility and develop a broadened perspective.

“Well, I didn’t mean it like that. Anyway, I hope my son graduates from the academy soon. I’m not what I used to be.”

“You still seem robust!”

Milo bantered with a light-hearted tone.

Ian and Milo, having completed their tour of the hospital, returned to the first-floor lobby.

Coincidentally, a patient who received treatment from Groot emerged from the examination room, looking noticeably brighter.

Klefio smiled with satisfaction.

“Do you know why there is such a shortage of healers working in hospitals?”

It didn’t seem like he was asking just to be comforted.

Ian answered.

“It’s because most people who can handle mana choose the path of combat magic.”

“Correct.”

It was an inevitable phenomenon.

Whether theoretical mages or healers, they remained distant from wealth and fame.

Particularly as a healer, one had to forsake personal ambitions and dedicate oneself to the nation.

With bad luck, even doing good deeds could cost one’s life.

For this reason, most who could wield mana chose the path of combat magic, close to money and fame.

“That doesn’t mean one can criticize that choice. Everyone has the right to forge their own life.”

Klefio chuckled softly.

“There’s no need for concern. I didn’t have you look around the hospital to lecture you at my age.”

“So, there’s another reason for this.”

“The issue isn’t with people’s choices, but with mana itself, so to speak, that’s what I wanted to say.”

Ian and Milo exchanged a glance, then refocused their attention on Klefio.

Klefio motioned for them to follow him.

The place they moved to was his consultation room.

In line with his background as an army healer, the interior was exceptionally clean.

It was so minimalistic and tidy that it seemed beyond the need for further organization.

“You must be hungry, but bear with it a little longer. There’s something I really need to talk to you about.”

They had already anticipated this.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought them to the consultation room of a separate building before the dinner.

“It’s our first meeting, but I have a favor to ask you both.”

“If it’s something we can do, we’re happy to help.”

“Feel free to refuse. Just listen comfortably.”

Klefio began revealing the thoughts he had harbored since his youthful days of choosing the path of a healer.

“The reason for the shortage of healers, as I mentioned before, is mana. It’s not easy to become a healer without being able to manipulate mana. Even if one becomes a healer, diagnosing or treating is bound to be challenging.”

For instance, there’s healing magic.

Healing magic is a very fundamental magic for treating injuries.

However, without the ability to manipulate mana even slightly, one cannot use healing magic.

Mana is not used solely for healing magic.

There are limitations to inspecting a patient’s condition solely with the naked eye.

Thus, high-level healers can transform mana into a special waveform to diagnose invisible internal diseases or injuries.

“So I have thought for a long time about whether people who can’t handle mana can still become excellent healers.”

“How can someone become an excellent healer without using mana? Is that even possible?”

Milo asked, being in the process of learning about the healing discipline through academy lessons.

Compared to him, Ian, who was well-versed with vast knowledge even in healing, could somewhat grasp what Klefio had been pondering.

“It’s not impossible.”

Milo flinched, responding with surprise.

“Isn’t it fundamentally difficult to diagnose? Professor Medina mentioned that in her lectures, didn’t she?”

“That’s the general theory. It’s daunting to talk about the specifics when most are just entering the world of healing studies.”

Klefio looked at Ian with interest.

Aside from Edel’s constant praise, even his eyes, which had often faced life and death on the battlefield, could see that Ian was extraordinary.

“It’s possible to integrate magical engineering into the healing arts.”

“What? Does that even make sense?”

“In theory, it is possible.”

That darned obsession with theory.

Milo almost habitually said that out loud but stopped himself.

They weren’t alone, after all.

“If we create a device to store mana and use it to develop diagnostic or therapeutic tools, we could treat patients just by operating the machinery, even if we can’t handle mana directly.”

This time, Ian turned his gaze toward Klefio.

“Is that what you intended to say?”

“Precisely. It’s almost as if you read my mind.”

“But right now, it’s not something we can tackle immediately. Regardless of how skilled we are in handling magic or our knowledge of magical engineering, interdisciplinary fusion isn’t easy without fundamental knowledge in healing.”

“I understand it’s difficult. What I’m asking is, if Edel ever conducts related research at the academy in the future, could you assist him?”

Both Ian and Milo offered a meek smile.

“You don’t have to ask. We’d naturally help him. Besides, Edel is managing well at the academy. He has even made a close senior friend other than us.”

“It’s reassuring to hear that.”

“Since we’re talking, may I ask one more question?”

“By all means.”

“What if Edel decides to specialize not in the healing arts but in practical magic or another major?”

Both Milo and Klefio were taken aback.

Edel often mentioned that he would continue the family business and had a profound affection for the healing arts and herbal studies. Yet, choosing a different major?

“Did he mention such a thing?”

“No, not at all. It’s purely my personal curiosity.”

They didn’t yet know that Edel had begun learning offensive magic.

Magic is a mysterious field.

Once entangled, it’s hard to escape, much like a legal drug.

Edel might have just learned offensive magic, but if he started learning other magics, healing might take a backseat.

‘Edel’s mana capacity isn’t bad. His sense is quite good too. If he puts in the effort, he has potential for growth.’

That’s why Ian brought up the question.

“Well, I hadn’t thought that far. It’s a bit unsettling but…”

Klefio didn’t ponder for long.

“It’s the choice of my one and only son, I ought to respect it.”

“Is that so?”

“It doesn’t seem like a completely baseless suggestion. Could you tell me if it wouldn’t be too much trouble?”

Ian glanced at Milo before speaking.

“Actually, before coming here, the academy’s regular examination results were announced.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, there was an important exam. But what about it?”

“Your son received an impressive score of 91 points. Fifth among the freshmen and even a rank above Milo here.”

“Is it… true?”

Remembering what he had scarcely forgotten, Milo hung his head in shame.

On the other hand, Klefio couldn’t contain his astonishment.

His normally solemn expression was filled with surprise and delight.

To surpass so many noble contenders and secure fifth place.

“Why didn’t he boast about it as soon as he came?”

“He’s not the type to go around bragging.”

“I suppose not.”

“Given his level of talent, I thought he might choose a different major, hence why I mentioned it. But no need to worry too much.”

Just then, the door of the consultation room clicked open, and Edel poked his head through.

“Oh, you were all here? Father, dinner is ready. Come for the meal, everyone. Huh? Why is the atmosphere like this?”

The unusually quiet environment seemed peculiar to him.

Edel’s gaze circled the room before finally landing on Milo.

“Milo, did you get scolded?”

“…”

Milo found himself unable to lift his head even more.