Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 81 A helping hand

I left the house and headed towards the facility where patients were gathered, guided by Winona.

The escorts, including Fritz, seemed to have no intention other than providing protection.

Winona, acting as our guide, simply trailed behind us, leaving everything to the maidservant.

Just like Istria, it seemed that the capital’s military training was not particularly high.

Perhaps it was because it was a small country or because there was currently no war, resulting in a state of peace.

Observing Fritz and the others behind me, I turned my attention to the front.

When Winona and I made eye contact, she let out a small scream and averted her gaze.

What’s with these people, seriously?

Honestly, it would be more comfortable to act alone, and I feel like things would go more smoothly that way.

But I can’t afford to be so selfish.

Winona doesn’t seem like a bad person at heart, and I’ll need to get along with her a little better.

If things continue like this, it’s going to be troublesome in various ways.

At least she needs to become someone I can talk to normally.

Why is it that I, who is supposed to be shy, have to actively engage in communication like this?

… Oh well.

“Does it take a long time to reach that facility?”

“Hya, hyai!? N-no! It’s, it’s not that far! We, we’ll arrive in just a few minutes!”

“Ah, I see.”

Don’t be so frightened.

Did I do something?

Or is it just her personality?

Considering her state when we first met, I think it’s the latter.

We’ll have to become friends over time.

We spend time chatting about trivial matters here and there as we walk.

After a while, a large building looms in front of the street.

It seems more like a comprehensive facility than a hospital.

Istria also gathered patients in a similar facility for treatment.

This facility, however, is much larger.

It may not be on the scale of accommodating ten thousand people, but it’s sizeable.

I wonder if it’s divided into different sections.

Or perhaps there are people receiving care at home without hospitalization.

I head towards the facility.

We arrive at the entrance of the facility.

A plaque on the double doors indicates that entry is prohibited for unauthorized personnel.

We should be fine since we are considered related parties.

Winona opens the door.

Inside, there’s a somewhat cramped space with another door.

She opens the second door.

And there, there is a scene different from what I expected.

It looks like a hall with several benches, and there’s a reception-like area.

Numerous corridors stretch to the left, right, and front, with visible doors.

It seems to have an open ceiling, and looking up reveals multiple floors up to the third.

If it were just that, my impression would have been limited to the building being spacious.

The issue lies on the first floor, around us.

There, doctors and nurses have gathered.

They surround us, standing there.

I can’t help but wonder what’s going on.

I look at Winona instinctively because I don’t understand the situation, but she seems just as bewildered and quite shaken.

What’s going on?

An elderly person in a white coat takes a step forward.

He seems to be the representative.

He scans Fritz, Winona, and finally shifts his gaze to me.

With eyes widened in surprise and uttering in confusion, he says, “What on earth is this?”

“…Could it be… Are you the doctor who treated Istria’s lazy syndrome patients?”

“Yes. I am Shion Ornstein.”

He slowly scans me from my feet to the top of my head.

Given my age, it’s a natural reaction.

“Is it really true? Can you truly treat it?”

He seems skeptical about whether I can treat the lazy syndrome. I am a child, and I’m aware of my lack of reliability. At least, I decided to answer the question with confidence.

“Yes. I can, and I have done so.”

“Oh… you can. You claim that a child like you can treat the lazy syndrome, a mysterious illness that doctors have researched for over three years and still couldn’t find a solution. Is that what you’re saying?”

Ah, that’s what it is.

Istria had a similar situation.

The pride of the doctors, huh?

For them, there is a past where they couldn’t produce results despite years of research, and they take pride in being specialists. It must be inconceivable for them that a child like me could treat it.

Or perhaps, even if it’s true, they dislike the idea of their pride being wounded.

Either way, I don’t have time to concern myself with them.

What’s important to me is the treatment of the patients.

While I can understand the struggles of the doctors to some extent, I must not forget the priorities.

No matter the situation, it is the patients and their families who are suffering.

“Yes. I can cure it. I have a track record, and the method is well-established. So, will you let us through? I want to treat the patients as soon as possible.”

I attempted to pass through the doctors somewhat forcefully, but I was stopped.

This did cause a slight feeling of discomfort.

No matter how much their pride won’t allow it, would they go this far?

The doctors should be aware that I am here under the queen’s orders.

Yet, would they be so obstinate even knowing that?

“We are here by the queen’s command! Obstructing us is equivalent to rebelling against the queen! You understand that!”

Fritz suddenly shouted.

There was a momentary stir, but it was brief.

The doctors turned their determined gaze toward us.

It’s still strange.

Would they go this far for their own sake?

The opponent is the queen and knights, after all.

“We have our own pride. We cannot allow passage until we fulfill that!”

“You lot… Prepare yourselves!”

A small scream erupted, and it was no wonder why. This impatient knight had drawn his sword.

This guy is insane. Just a little disagreement, and he’s already brandishing a sword. How arrogant can you get?

Fritz, veins bulging, raised his sword towards the elderly doctor at the forefront.

What’s wrong with this guy? Show some hesitation, at least!

Others, aside from Fritz, seemed not to have expected things to escalate so suddenly. I, too, must have shared the same thought. Consequently, the elderly doctor panicked, turning his back to Fritz and attempting to flee.

But it was too late.

The deadly blade was already before the elderly doctor’s eyes.

It’s going to hit!

Everyone must have thought so.

However, it never happened.

With a metallic sound, the blade came to a halt. I had stopped the sword with my bare hands.

The sensation transmitted through my hands didn’t prompt pain. The magical power gathered in my right hand absorbed the impact and nullified the blade’s force.

My current hand was harder than metal.

A shield.

The magic, gathering thousands of magical powers, rendered any attack ineffective.

From the perspective of those around, it probably looked like I had caught the sword barehanded. While that was impossible, I believed it was perceived as some sort of serious blade-catching feat.

In fact, I held the blade to create that illusion.

Using boost, I enhanced my grip strength.

Since I used a bit more magical power than usual for the boost, it was more potent than a regular one.

“What!? Y-you caught the sword with your bare hands!?”

Fritz and the people around him trembled in shock. They probably wouldn’t have imagined the use of magic.

Shields and boosts had no external elements, and from appearances, it wasn’t apparent that I used some mysterious force.

I believed I hadn’t disobeyed the queen’s order not to use magic.

“Holding a sword out of nowhere is going too far! There seems to be some circumstances for them. It’s not too late to listen to their story! If you’re going to harm people around, please leave!”

When I released my hands from the blade, Fritz still seemed to be recovering from his astonishment. However, he regained his composure, breathed heavily, and sheathed his sword.

“Hmph! I see. Well, go ahead. It seems you’re reasonably strong. Feel free to do as you please.”

Without hiding his irritation, Fritz, along with other knights, left the facility. Perhaps he didn’t like having his sword caught. Well, that’s fine. Now we can finally have a decent conversation.

Winona, perhaps frightened by the recent commotion, moved towards the wall, shivering. Despite me reassuring her, she seemed not only unconvinced but even more scared.

Let’s leave her be.

“Uh, thank you. For helping us.”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s not a big deal.”

The elderly doctor bowed respectfully. Maybe he’s not a bad person. At least at this point, it didn’t seem like he was rejecting us to protect his pride.

But then, why did this happen?

“May we hear your circumstances?”

“Yes. As you can see, we are physicians, assistants, and nurses. Almost all of us have been involved in the treatment of lazy syndrome and the care of patients for several years. Much like Istria, over three years ago, the first patient with lazy syndrome appeared. From then on, we engaged in research for treatment and continued to provide care for the patients…”

The elderly doctor glanced at the other physicians. Their faces were worn out, devoid of energy. One can imagine the feelings of those who couldn’t cure patients ravaged by the disease, continuously encouraging families engaged in caregiving.

“Until now, we have been completely unable to find a clue for treatment, and we were overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. At that time, we heard about Istria. There was a physician who treated lazy syndrome.”

Recalling the reactions of Istria’s physicians, most were surprised, some envious, denying the possibility. However, as the actual treatment progressed, they fell silent, unable to say anything. Of course, many people cooperated and supported me, but they were not the majority. Were the elderly doctors feeling the same way?

“Do you understand what we felt at that time?”

“Did you get angry that someone, unknown and untested, resolved the issue?”

Years of research not bearing fruit, and someone else, somewhere else, solving it. Hearing that must have been unbearable. It’s natural to feel that way because their efforts had seemingly been in vain. However, the elderly doctor said this.

“No. We were happy. Very happy. Everyone was delighted.”

Delighted? Even though it wasn’t their achievement?

Anyone, even good people, becomes disappointed when they realize their efforts were meaningless. Can one truly be happy because someone else achieved what they couldn’t? If that were the case, it would mean they genuinely cared about the patients as individuals involved in healthcare. Then why hinder my treatment?

“However, the joy was fleeting. We quickly realized the reality. No, we remembered it.”

“Why? If you were genuinely happy that you could treat patients, then there shouldn’t be any need to worry.”

“No, no, it’s different… Do you think for over three years we’ve done nothing but immerse ourselves in research? Do you think for over three years, we’ve only cared for patients, patiently waiting for miracles?”

“What on earth…”

Unable to understand the intention behind the words, I could only ask again. I noticed Winona standing at a distance. Apparently, she had finally regained her composure after the commotion. She still seemed scared and wasn’t by my side.

“Since the onset of lazy syndrome, we immediately searched for treatment methods. We provided support for caregiving and encouraged families, saying that we would surely find a treatment method. We had to believe. Doubting wouldn’t let us move forward. And a few months later, we heard rumors of someone treating lazy syndrome.”

Treated? That’s absurd. Besides me, no one else can use magic, and if there’s a treatment, there’s no need for me to be summoned here. As if reading my thoughts, the elderly doctor shook his head.

“As you’re thinking. It was a lie. It was a scam. These wicked people only think about exploiting the weak. Imagine telling people desperate for their family’s treatment, ‘If you take this medicine, you’ll be cured.’ Even if they think it’s a lie, they cling to it if there’s even a slight hope. If someone dear falls ill, it’s only natural. We told the families that such a medicine didn’t exist, but our words didn’t reach the patients’ families.”

Everyone seemed frustrated. Perhaps everyone here had experienced it at least once.

“Not just once. Using different methods, changing their approach, the scammers came multiple times. Even if it was clear it was a scam, families still clung to it. They desperately saved money, even for expensive goods, trying to purchase them. Do you think they’re foolish? What about them?”

“…No.”

I understand the sentiment. If I were in the same position and there were no such thing as magic, I might have bought that medicine for my sister. If I heard there was a doctor who could heal, even if they were far away, I might have traveled to seek their help. Outsiders might laugh at such actions as foolish. I think it’s because they’re fortunate not to feel that way. But in reality, the more precious something is, the more blindly one becomes, reaching for even a straw. That’s just how it is.

“We’ve encountered such situations many times. Witnessed families smiling with hope, thinking their loved ones might get better. And then, we’ve seen them turn to despair, shedding tears. Eventually, they lose all hope, just drifting through their days. Some even contemplate ending it all. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“That I might be a scammer, that’s what you think.”

“When you speak, it’s clear you’re an honest person. Despite your very young age, you seem quite intelligent. Having seen many scammers, I can tell you’re not one of them. However, whether you can cure the lazy syndrome is a different issue. If you can’t treat it, if the doctor appointed by the queen, who traveled all the way to the capital with a proven track record, turns out to be unable to heal, the families won’t be able to stand up again. No one before you has carried the hope of being able to treat patients like you do. Do you understand? A scammer with a small hope is less damaging than a renowned doctor with significant hope, shattering the families’ aspirations. For us, for the families, for the patients, you are both an angel and a grim reaper. We are doctors, people involved in medicine. That’s why we know, ‘There’s no such thing as a disease that will definitely be cured.'”

Ah, I see. I finally understood their feelings. The people here are not only thinking about the patients but also the families of the patients. If I fail, if even one person is not saved, the families won’t have hope anymore. Living itself might become difficult. If it were just a small possibility I had bet on, I could convince myself even if I failed. But with a significant possibility, if I couldn’t treat them, they might think there’s no other option. If I fail, if I can’t save even one person, it will kill the hearts of those families. I may have achievements, the queen’s support, and information that I’ve actually treated patients, but that doesn’t guarantee success. They wanted to confirm it by talking to me. Even if I’m not a scammer, it’s not certain that I can fully heal the patients. As a doctor, they know that.

“They have suffered enough—both the patients and their families. I can’t bear to see them suffer any more. If there’s anyone causing them pain, we will never forgive that existence. We’re aware we’re making an unreasonable request. We, who couldn’t do anything, might seem presumptuous. But… but I want you to tell us. Do you have the resolve to bear all responsibility, regardless of the outcome? I want to ask you. Can you truly treat lazy syndrome?”

I wanted to help people. Initially, it was for my sister. But as I met various people, discovered my own capabilities, I wanted to save someone in need with that power. That’s why I’m here. Their gaze carries intense anger, hatred, and sorrow. It’s not directed at me but at the injustice in the world. Anger at the absurdity of why earnest individuals can’t find happiness. And there’s something faintly hidden in those eyes—expectation. I don’t know them, so I don’t want to pretend to understand or even can understand. There’s only one thing I can do. After pausing for a moment, I look at each of them.

“I can.”

I said it.

For a normal illness, I wouldn’t dare claim to cure it definitively. But lazy syndrome is different. As a magic user, I can treat this illness with certainty. So, without hesitation, I spoke confidently. Someone in the room choked back a sob. Someone else slumped to the floor. It was just words. Only a single phrase. I hadn’t healed anyone yet. However, upon hearing my words, those present crumbled. Maybe they had reached their limit, too. Even the elderly physician standing before me had tears streaming down his face. With unsteady steps, he approached me, gripping my hand firmly.

“I-Is it true? Can you really cure it?”

“Yes. I can cure it.”

“Wi-Will you save them?”

“…I will save them, without fail.”

The elderly physician, unable to contain himself, cried out. He covered his face with both hands and collapsed. In a hoarse voice, he spoke.

“Pl-please, take care of the patients…”

“Leave it to me.”

It’s alright.

I will definitely cure them.

So everyone can relax.

It’s okay now.

I held the hand of the elderly physician to convey my determination.