Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 70

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 70   People we can save.

After treating my sister for several hours, the news that I was able to cure Lazy syndrome spread throughout Istria at the hands of Duke Balkh in no time. Duke Balkh arranged a facility to accommodate Lazy syndrome patients and devoted efforts to their treatment.

The facility, consisting of several large rooms, seemed like a cultural hall used for events on ordinary days, spacious and suitable. However, even within Istria alone, there were nearly three thousand Lazy syndrome patients, and it was impossible to transfer all of them.

Selecting several hundred patients based on the severity of their condition and the length of their hospital stay, Duke Balkh transported them to a specialized clinic. As I treated them, he planned to accept more patients continuously.

Since it was unclear at the initial stage how quickly we could progress with the treatments, we decided to proceed with this approach for the time being.

The facility had a waiting room in the center upon entering through the front door, with several small rooms and six large rooms on both sides. Initially, patients were admitted to the large rooms and laid on beds. We would then move around to their beds to conduct the treatments, believing this method would facilitate the process.

Patients had not been transported yet, but it would soon get busy. We were in the waiting room located at the indoor center.

I was the only one in a white coat, as I was the only one who could perform the treatments. In this makeshift clinic, I was the only one considered a doctor. Alongside me and Cole, there were about ten assisting nurses, and I was in the process of providing a brief explanation.

“There are no specific tools required for the treatment of Lazy syndrome, and it can be done anywhere. So, what I would like each of you to do is take care of patients other than those undergoing treatment, and assist with explanations after treatment. Regarding the transfers, we are borrowing help from Duke Balkh, so please only provide instructions for moving. Additionally, I may ask for your assistance in guiding severe patients and explaining to mild patients. Also, as there may be various issues due to people coming and going, I appreciate your cooperation in handling such situations.”

As for Cole, there was no need for an explanation. He was my assistant and understood all my thoughts. He was a reliable presence. However, other nurses, apart from Cole, didn’t hold a favorable impression of me, to be frank. It was to be expected. If a child suddenly appeared claiming to treat lazy syndrome that had caused prolonged suffering, it would be met with skepticism. For healthcare professionals, especially doctors, I was an unwelcome presence. Even in the role of a nurse, one might feel similarly. In this world, nurses were more like assistants. Many were male, and they possessed enough knowledge and experience to perform various treatments alone, though not to the extent of doctors. Perhaps for that reason, they looked at me with considerable suspicion. But I didn’t particularly care; I wasn’t here to win their favor.

“If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Once the treatment starts, time will be limited, so now is the best time.”

The waiting room stirred slightly. In the midst of this, one man raised his hand.

“I apologize, but you look like a child. You lack the knowledge and experience as a physician. Over the past year or so, I heard rumors of some strange treatment going on at Dr. Alfonse’s clinic. Let me be clear; we don’t trust you. We might have dismissed it as some noble’s plaything, but to take it this seriously and find out you can’t actually perform treatments is not something we can overlook.”

There was no voice of agreement. But that was probably because they were professionals. They didn’t feel the need to argue right before patients were about to be brought in.

As evidence, most of the nurses had sharp gazes. They were skilled nurses driven out of various clinics. They had seen the doctors in various clinics, and they took pride in working in the medical field. Their opinions were reasonable, and I admired their thinking; I had no complaints.

“Yes, of course. I’m here to treat lazy syndrome patients. If you think this is a frivolous or crazy endeavor, I wouldn’t mind being executed. At the very least, I have a record of treating my own sister. She was also a severe lazy syndrome patient. If I couldn’t treat her, feel free to do whatever you like with me.”

Cole crossed his arms, and although he listened, he seemed to be feeling some frustration.

“You don’t even bother to know how much Shion struggled…!”

It was a low voice. The true desire to shout was evident on his face, but he was rational. Even though he knew how much I had struggled, he understood that arguing here would be a waste of time when they were about to treat many patients.

That composure was appreciated. The room buzzed again, and in the midst of it, Cole clicked his tongue quietly and said loud enough for everyone to hear.

“You’re calling him a child, and yet here we are. It might be wise for you distinguished adults to refrain from complaining any further?”

It was clearly a provocative statement, but there was no rebuttal. However, without saying anything, an air of resignation permeated the room.

Seemingly with no intention to say anything, I thought the discussion had settled for the moment.

“Well, then, please prepare.”

At my words, the nurses started moving, at least for now.

○●○

From the moment the first patient was brought in, the clinic turned into a battlefield. Families of the patients, who had been taking care of them for a long time, naturally wanted to be the first in line for treatment if it was available.

The soldiers arranged by Duke Balkh should have been the ones transporting the patients, but it wasn’t uncommon for families who heard rumors to bring their loved ones in themselves. The main street in front of the clinic was crowded with countless people.

“Oh, we’re first! This girl is in a severe condition! Treat her first!”

“Don’t mess with me! We’ve got the proper procedures in place! Step back!”

“Please! It’s been so long since I’ve heard my son’s voice! Help us!”

“I am a noble! Why do I have to stand in line with commoners! Let me through first!”

“Step back! Calm down!”

“It’s dangerous to act out! Please step back!”

It was chaotic, a scene of pandemonium. In the end, everyone was going to be treated. Whether they were listening or not, it wasn’t unreasonable for people to want their families treated as soon as possible. The state of mind wishing for a quick recovery for their own family members was painfully understandable.

The patients’ social status didn’t matter. The order was determined by Duke Balkh’s discretion based on the duration of their affliction with lazy syndrome, ensuring equality. Regardless of age, gender, commoner or noble, the disparity in wealth – none of these were considered.

While there were nobles among the patients, their numbers were few, as there were more commoners. In a sense, the lack of power-wielding figures might have been fortunate for Duke Balkh.

The insults heard from the entrance reached even inside the clinic. Nobody here was a villain. Everyone was genuinely concerned about their families. Yet, because that sentiment was universal, conflicts arose. There was only one solution: I had to treat everyone quickly.

“Cole! Assist me in starting treatment from the back!”

“Got it. Focus on the treatment.”

Cole’s composed voice helped me stay calm. Patients were being brought into the first large room one after another. The nurses expertly laid the patients on the beds and gave instructions. At the entrance, on the verge of a riot, the soldiers dispatched by the Duke managed to keep things under control.

I stood beside a boy who had just been brought nearby. His face lying on the bed looked like that of a doll.

“Please! P-Please help us! Our son, please!”

The mother bowed her head repeatedly toward me. To her, I might have been just a child, but it didn’t matter. As long as there was someone who could help, that was enough. Her urgent plea was evident from her gestures and expression.

“Please step back as you may interfere with the treatment.”

Cole said it straightforwardly, and the mother stepped back with a face that seemed on the verge of tears. While I felt sorry, we didn’t have time to listen to each person and respond individually. Treating the patients was more beneficial to the families than consoling them. Quick treatment. I placed my hand on the boy’s chest to supply magical power. Gradually increasing the magical power, 100, 105. Checking for reactions carefully. The mother didn’t seem to understand what I was doing, but she still watched, hoping for something. And when the magical power reached 150, a slight reaction occurred. Upon noticing it, the mother let out a hoarse voice.

“Ah, he…he moved…”

When the magical power reached 200, the child blinked and moved his hands. And simultaneously, when the magical power reached 300, the magical power in his chest sparkled, and magical power returned to his body. 300. One-fifth of my sister’s magical power. As expected, it seemed that the required magical power varied from person to person.

“It should be okay now. It will take some time to return to normal life, but I believe he will recover if he gets some rest.”

“R-Really? I-is he cured?”

“I cannot assert that he is completely cured. However, he is undoubtedly on the path to a full recovery. The post-treatment explanation will be provided by the nurse. If anything happens, please come here immediately. Now, please go ahead and talk to him.”

After saying the words I had decided on, I prompted the mother to speak to her child. The mother approached the child fearfully, and the child looked at her.

“Mo…mom…?”

“Ah, ah, yes, you’re talking…oh, my boy…”

The mother hugged the child, shedding tears. Just that conveyed how much she had been worrying. The child, bewildered, accepted his mother’s embrace.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, really, it’s nothing.”

She showed a smile. Probably, that smile was undoubtedly the first genuine smile she had shown since her son fell ill. I painfully understood her feelings.

“Well then, I leave the rest to you.”

“Huh? Y-yes, understood.”

The gazes of the nurses around us were focused on us. They were probably curious about the progress of the treatment. Some were surprised, pausing their work to stare in astonishment at the child’s reaction. I tried to move on to the next patient.

“Um, excuse me! Th-thank you so much, Doctor!”

The mother bowed her head repeatedly.

“Take care.”

I said that and turned away from her.

Doctors are said to be cold-hearted, not considering the patient’s feelings, and selfish. I’ve heard such voices before.

But is that really true, I wonder now.

Taking time to empathize with and treat a single patient, or minimizing the time spent on an individual patient to treat many, neither approach seems wrong to me now.

At least, I am content with choosing to save as many people as possible.

I continue to maintain a strong will amidst the loud screams and angry voices.

To the next patient.

With that thought, I moved forward.