EPISODE 5

<Veterinarian Druid Episode 5>

By the way, just the thought of studying again makes me sigh.

Sigh, I spent 6 years in undergrad, 2 years in a master’s, and another 3 years in a doctoral program. That adds up to a total of 11 years studying, and now I find myself back in school again.

If it were up to Seong Soo-ho, he would probably say something like this.

‘Do you want me to cut off your head with a bag strap? I never want to go back to that hellish life again.’

As Healer Dan walked over to my side, he said something intriguing.

“Choosing Alberburg as your goal was a good move. There, you’ll be able to advance directly to the advance class.”

“Advance class?”

Like the elite class?

I’m curious about the potions, and the the pseudo-therapy called Mana Healing Technique. If I join the advance class, will I be able to learn all those things?

No, maybe it's better to start from the basics and build a solid foundation?

"There are very few healers who can handle creatures like Spica. That's why research in that area is scarce. But these creatures offer many benefits to those who help them."

"Benefits?"

"Cohordes always repay those who assist them. That's why the combat achievements of healers who can handle these creatures are incomparable to regular knights."

"Combat? Healers as knights? I thought they were supposed to heal knights?"

"Hahaha, you could think of it that way too. I’m talking about knights who can engage in battle together with a monster. With the support of a single creature, their combat abilities are tremendous. There are quite a few talented individuals who aspire to be combatant healers and apply to the Healing Tower.”

Knights, combatants... These terms came up unexpectedly.

Strength is essential in this world, of course.

"I see."

“There are about ten Divine Beast healers in the Empire. If you can treat half-beings like the Cohorde, then the next step is the Divine Beasts which are the top-level beings. While challenging the upper-level beings is possible, only those with innate abilities can enter the top-level...

Healer Dan suddenly cut off his words and looked at me. Then he nodded his head and muttered to himself before speaking.

"In my opinion, if it's young master Marcus, he could easily break through even the top-level."

"Well, you said you need innate abilities. I value licenses."

Whether it's the upper-level or the top-level, the problem is the license.

Considering my situation, it wouldn't be surprising if I were kicked out of this household at any time. When the Count is in power, I can get by, but if Fred or Jaden becomes the head, they will kick me out without mercy.

Those guys are unbearable. They don't even understand the concept of repaying double for kindness and tenfold for enmity. Where should I start?

First of all, to ensure we don't go hungry anywhere we go, having certifications and licenses is crucial.

"Even if you graduate from the Healing Tower's general class, you have the qualification to treat anywhere in the Empire, no, anywhere on the continent. Not to mention the upper class, the top class gives you the qualification to handle all living beings in this world."

"Oh!"

Is that a good thing?

Won't it become overwhelmingly busy to treat both humans and animals?

Soon, I might end up buying a mansion like this.

I pondered while turning the circuit of hope.

I changed my mind from simply thinking it would be nice to serve at the Healing Tower to a firm determination to go there.

And to top the class in the shortest time possible with the qualification to handle all living beings in this world…

By the way, I wonder if there's also an early graduation system here?

Let's aim to pass the entrance exam first.

"Healer Dan. Do you have any exam guides?"

"Exam guides?"

“I mean, a summarize content that will likely appear on the exam. Like a collection of past exam questions from the past 10 years.”

"Oh, I see. You mean study guides. I'll get it for you in a few days. I'll write down a list of the essential books you must read."

Of course! Study guides are available anywhere, regardless of the era.

"Please do."

"Then, I'll be waiting for you at the training ground tomorrow morning."

"Alright."

Healer Dan disappeared while shaking the contract for sugar therapy treatment. 

To be honest, I was planning to delay signing the contract until I saw the situation a bit more, but hearing that it could earn me extra points made me sign it.

Of course, after adding various clauses that would work in my favor.

After Healer Dan disappeared, I came out. At that moment, Spica, who was walking beside me, suddenly stopped and looked up.

"Spica, what's wrong?"

When I looked up to see what she was looking at, something fell on Spica's back with a thud.

"Oh, what's this... for you!"

When I wondered what it was, it turned out to be birds that were sent to shuttle my breakfast.

I was surprised and dumbfounded as I looked at them.

[Why? Do you have a problem?]

The red one spoke up boldly.

Its eyes were sharp, its fur bristling, and especially the long, sleek tail feathers gave off an air of elegance that was quite different from a typical bird.

- Ah, no. It's not that, I was just surprised by the sudden interaction. But you guys, be careful.

[Oh, the one who used to just babble all the time, have you improved a bit?]

Instead of answering my words, the red bird looked at me from top to bottom and started talking nonsense.

[Huh? This one became a Druid?]

This time, a small, fluffy blue bird fluttered its tiny wings and chirped cutely.

I looked at them, recalling the golden letters that had shimmered.

How did these birds know that I became a Druid?

[Druid? Hmph, what a noble... huh?]

The red bird fluttered over and circled around me.

But this bird's gaze is quite fierce.

It's like when we go to buy something, we examine whether there is a flaw or not.

[That's right. Although there is no level yet, there is some energy.]

[Wow, wow!]

[It's fascinating. Why would someone like this...?]

Even the blue one, who knows when it flew in, chirped while circling around me.

Ah, red and blue.

They were spinning around so much that it made me dizzy.

[Well, there are countless things in this world that we can't understand.]

With the red bird's absurd comment as the last, they settled down on Spica's head.

Of course, the red bird didn't forget to give me a sharp gaze.

Wait, those birds?

Aside from their absurd behavior, I was worried about their well-being.

-If you keep acting like that, you'll end up being eaten by Spica. You guys, who are only the size of a palm have no fear.

[Tinger]

[I'm Bella.]

- Huh?

[Name.]

[Yeah, that's right. My name is Bella, and this one is Tinger.]

[Hmph!]

So, the red bird's name is Tinger, and the blue bird is Bella?

Hehe, now this kind of thing doesn't surprise me anymore.

-Anyway, be careful. Even if Spica seems gentle, she gets really angry when she's mad. You guys won't be able to even shed your feathers and disappear.

[What is he talking about?]

[He says be careful. Cohorde are supposed to be well-behaved. Spica, are you really well-behaved?]

[Th-That's right. I've always been gentle.]

[Kyahahaha, that's ridiculous.]

Well, it may sound ridiculous, but it makes sense.

* * *

The next day, while riding in the carriage on the way to the training grounds, I fiddled with a green fruit in my hands. The birds had given it to me, claiming that breakfast had become tastier lately.

"Was this really found in a haystack?" I wondered, unsure if it was a coincidence or part of the conspiracy I had heard about in the Count's office.

While lost in thought, we arrived at the training grounds.

Underneath a large griffin statue at the entrance, Healer Dan even enthusiastically wave his hand upon seeing me.

Seeing his expectant expression, I handed Healer Dan a bundle of papers. "Here you go."

"What's this?"

"It's a summary of the information regarding the hoof disease you mentioned yesterday."

"Oh, thank you. I've been waiting for this."

Snatching the papers eagerly, Healer Dan quickly skimmed through them. The content, which could have been summarized in just a few pages, had ended up being quite lengthy to ensure anyone could understand it easily. In fact, it spanned 15 pages.

"Goodness gracious! You've summarized it so simply. Young master truly is a genius."

What is he talking about?

"Simple, you say? Really?"

"Well, yes. This is a revolution, a revolution."

"Don't talk nonsense and let's go inside."

"I can't believe this. How did you think that the pain in the hoof could be related to an internal issue? Young master is truly a genius, the greatest I've ever known."

Seigan muttered as he followed Healer Dan.

"Something has been off about him since he praised Master yesterday. It's clear that even the healer's mind is not right."

Unconsciously, I found myself nodding in agreement.

I have to agree with that.

“Here we are.”

As we entered the stable, all the horses' gazes were fixed on us.

Among them, a black horse spoke.

[Terry, alive. Druid. You.]

I suppose it means, "You're the druid who healed Terry."

But wait, do horses also have a community? How did they know?

Surprised, I blinked my eyes.

[We, in pain. Please.]

The horses bowed their heads.

Hmm, these horses are more polite than Terry?

-Don't worry.

It was slightly surpring that the horses approached me first to make a request. However, the treatment was easy. They all obediently extended their front legs and waited.

Seeing Healer Dan hesitate, I encouraged him, “Go ahead, I’ll assist you.”

"Hmm, it seems that my steps are not steady. Yesterday, as Young master taught me, I tried to check their pulse by touching their front legs but I almost died from being bitten."

“Oh my, you must have been surprised. Don’y worry, I can control the horses well, so feel free to treat them. Most of them won’t even flinch in my presence.”

“Indeed, even Spica behaves well in front of young master. I will trust only young master then.”

"Alright, you guys, behave."

I adjusted my voice so that all the horses in the stable could hear me.

-From now on, this person will treat you. Listen well.

[We will listen!]

-And one more thing, I have a question.

[Answer, answer!]

I took out a green fruit from my pocket and showed it to the horses.

-Have you seen this before?

[We ate it for breakfast.]

[It's delicious!]

[We found it in the hay. We were happy.]

They had a tasty breakfast with it this morning, and they found it buried in the hay.

After the treatment was over, I came out of the stable and immediately went to the feed warehouse.

As expected, there were plenty of beans and plants, and scattered throughout were black walnuts.

There was a significant amount of black walnuts. This couldn't be a coincidence; someone must have intentionally put them there.

It’s undoubtedly someone who holds a grudge againts Ulysses, and has the awareness that black walnuts can cause colic, gastric ulcers, and respiratory issues in horses. But who could it be?

Well, judging by the open display of hostility, it’s likely that there is more than one enemy involved.

Regardless of the reasons, I can’t let things go wrong while I’m in this household.

At least until I can earn a living.

* * *

Late at night, in Dan's room alone, the sound of a conversation flowed through.

"If the professor had seen it themselves, they would have been truly amazed."

=Even without that, you've examined the sample you sent several times.

A voice came from the communication device placed on the desk.

“Isn’t it impressive? The incurable disease that we’ve been struggling with for so long has been solved by the third master of the Ulysses family.”

=Even the professors here are all amazed and don't know how to react. If this treatment method has an effect on horses elsewhere as well... it's a revolution.

Healer Dan expressed his pride in Marcus and praised him for a while.

“Shouldn’t this be enough for the third master to be qualified for admission?”

=Just qualified? I want to go and bring that young master with me right away. But we have to follow the procedure.

“You don’t have to worry about that. Based on the young master’s brilliance, he will undoubtedly pass the exam.”

Dan spoke with a proud heart.

"I will send the report as soon as it's written. So please take care of the registration of the treatment method first..."

=Of course, if this fact were to be known, there would no peace anywhere. So, make sure to guide the young master well.”

"Understood."

***

In the morning, I received a summon from the Count. The reason he wanted to see me was obvious.

Because, last night.

[Experience gained: +1 for treating horses]

[Experience gained: +1 for treating horses]

...those messages came to mind several times.

Endurance: 8/50

It means all 7 horses have fully recovered.

"Since I treated the horses in the training grounds, I hope I'll be rewarded."

As expected, as soon as I entered the study, the Count greeted me with an excited voice.

"Oh, our youngest Marcus, come in."

The Count welcomed me warmly. I wondered if this was the same Count I had seen before.

"The horses that collapsed have recovered. Thanks to that, the morale of the knights has also been revived."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"I didn't know you had such incredible abilities."

The Count looked at me with pride. Then, the Count, who had been watching me for a while, asked indirectly.

"So, is there something you want?"

"Please give me some money."

There is nothing better than money for someone whose future is uncertain.

The Count stared at me with a displeased expression and threw a pouch towards me.

"Tsk, you were well-behaved for a while."

"If you dare to go to a tavern or something...."

"I won't go."

"Well, you probably won't be able to go anywhere from now on anyway."

Huh? What does that mean?

When the Count gestured, his secretary Todd handed me a piece of paper.

"It's the schedule for the Healing Tower’s examination. It seems like there's not much time left."

"What did you say?”

"If you fail the exam, you will have to go to the Border Defense Unit as planned."

A sigh escaped me as I walked out of the office.

"Sigh, I guess there's no choice but to gather information in this situation."

---///

NOTE: The updates will be scheduled on weekends.