Chapter 44
Doctorial Trials
(Three Weeks Later)
I have had three full weeks of a constant stream of patients coming in, all needing to be healed in different ways. Apparently not only are a number of people getting hurt by rebuilding, but due to the town being decimated, the number of adventurers, even the local towns people, have not been able to keep the local animal population in check. This of course has led to more and more animals spawning and growing higher in level. This led to a bunch of higher level adventurers and builders being called in during the massive rebuild, while the higher level adventurers were also called in, temporarily raising the level of the zone to be that of the monsters that were not kept in check. This is all very odd behavior.
I have never seen a zone that would start off at one level, only to increase once it got wiped out. I am not certain if this is the tower’s direct response to the challengers or not, but basically everything I have seen has told me it is time to stay here in my little room and let the dust settle around me. This was of course fine when I had books to read, unfortunately I have since read every book in my section that has been allotted to me. I don’t know if I will get more, if I decide to stay on, once I am recognized as a Doctorate of healing. As it stands now, I have blown away the minimum standards, needed.
Quest Update: Not The Healer They Wanted…: You have agreed to become the resident healer for the Crossroads branch of the Mage’s Guild. In order to become a true healer, you must take on certain basic knowledge levels. To become a true Apprentice Healer, you must find five items of scientific knowledge related to healing that will help you advance (50/5). To become a Journeyman Healer, you will need to find ten items of scientific knowledge related to healing that will help you advance (50/10). To become a true doctor of healing, you will need to find twenty-five items of scientific knowledge related to healing that will help you advance (50/25). Note: Time remaining until replacement arrives 0 Days, 1 Hours…
If there was a minimum number of patients needed, to be healed then I should have met that quota a long time ago. Yes, I have had to heal everything from diseases caused by wounds being left to fester, rot from fungal spores left to mutate, a few STDs that I fortunately did not have to observe, though the gagging sounds Zero made while lancing some of those boils were particularly amusing, don’t tell him I said so. Then there were other minor actions that were also needed to save the lives of the various citizens of Crossroads.
I have to say the best skill I got was the one that helped me break through into the Doctoral standards for this quest. Apparently the four books were part of a rare set that were all needed to gain one specific skill.
New Skill Gained: Energy Resonance Alteration Skill Energy Resonance Alteration is an Endurance, Sociability, Personality, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill.
With so many different components going into it, I just knew it was the skill I was supposed to get from this quest line. First the books didn’t really appear until I had already read 24 articles related to anatomy. Second, that skill is seriously over powered, and likely the rationale given to why certain people without Life magic can heal others. Basically, the skill is a godsend, I first channel my mana into a willing patient, just as before. But now once my mana is there, I can change the frequency of my mana to match that of my patient’s natural life force and energy. This is a long and likely overly complex explanation, but basically because of this changing of my energy into that of my patient’s, I can essentially trick the targeted body into healing itself.
Also, not going to lie the number of Attributes affected by this skill are impressive, that is also how you know it is an ultimate skill, as it uses at least nine hooks meant it was an elite level skill, three hooks for the title, and six for the different attributes it increased.
It was after I got that skill, that my number of patients increased, just as I had expected, going from one every two hours to at least one an hour. When I took a nap for bed, I would be awoken in the middle of the night with immediate medical needs. That or, I would be swamped so that I averaged over 24 patients a day, yes, the game was that petty apparently. Though honestly, I didn’t mind, well I did mind when I had to focus through the fog of sleep deprivation.
Also, while I hadn’t lost a patient yet, there were several blunders I had. First, I misdiagnosed a simple rash, for an STD. To my defense the rash was caused by a bit of ointment that the patient happened to be allergic to. I am not going to ask how, nor why said ointment made it to their crotch area, but that patient had to come back a second time. Only then did they finally remember a severe allergy to vanilla extract. I then cleared up the rash a second time, and suggested they use a different ointment for their activities. Again, I was spared having to look at anything thanks to the curtains, also my lack of vision made it impossible for me to see anything anyways, so I was safe.
A second, more tragic misdiagnosis was the time when I missed the clear signs of abuse. To my defense it was a male that was the victim, not that this makes what happened in any way all right, but I totally missed the signs. A male dark elf was being abused, and it took Zero asking me something on the third time he came in for it to click.
“Isn’t it odd that he keeps falling and hitting his face, three times in a row?” Zero said.
Of course, I was so out of it from constantly reading new books, to trying to catch a few minutes of sleep, that I missed it. I also missed the way this male would look around frightened. He saw that I was a female, and all but trembled the first time seeing me. In fact, it wasn’t until he realized I was in the form of a child that he relaxed at my presence, even then it was only mildly.
Yeah, this game made sure I was prepared to be a doctor, to notice the signs of abuse, so it sent a test to me, one I nearly failed. Fortunately, after Zero’s notification, I immediately went to the Mage’s Guild and spoke of what was happening. I was far too low a level to do anything, but the level 450 mage that came in to help with the rebuilding process was not too low. In fact, not only was he high enough, but he was able to solve the problem without getting me or the victim involved at all.
I don’t want to know what happened, but the next time the patient came in, it was a week later for a wellness visit, he was fine and looked really relieved to see me. It was that moment, seeing their happiness from my taking action that I felt truly rewarded.
Not that the quest completion and subsequent level up didn’t hurt things either.
Hidden Quest Complete: A True Healer: Being a true healer isn’t just about healing the symptoms a patient exhibits, but the core problem as well. You managed to heal the core problem of a patient in need of more than just physical healing. Rewards: Experience, Increased Reputation.
Experience Gained: 500
Ding.
Level up.
You have reached level 20.
With that my Willpower went up by three, Free Points by two, while my Dexterity, Appearance, and Intelligence all went up by one. This of course left me with 28 Free Points waiting to be spent. I know, I should use them, but it’s kind of hard. Logically I should use them on Attributes that don’t get touched at all during my leveling process, which would be Strength, Endurance, Sociability, Personality, and Perception, but Intelligence is also important and it only goes up once every other level. I’ve wanted to increase those Attributes for some time, but I haven’t had a moment of down time since I accepted being the healer of this rebuilding town.
I have to say the number one line of patients are those needing the Toxins purged from their bodies, they are such an easy task now that I can get through them almost mechanically. Apparently many of the Apothecary members who had been crafting the detox potions either died during the slaughtering of the town, or had the resources needed to create the detox destroyed. In either case, the number of dark elven guards coming for treatment just continued to increase.
Finally I tried to probe the mind of one of the dark elven guards, particularly after they stopped answering my questions. That was often a sign, either the system thought I had enough clues, or wanted me to make the next move on my own. Since I was in the middle of dealing with my bloodline curse, I of course opted to abstain from delving further into the guard’s problems. Well verbally at least, I did try using Telepathy on one of the guards, only to find that they had a form of mental shielding in place. I could have tried to fight my way through the shielding, but if I was found out doing that, then I would have been seen as a combatant and I didn’t want that, especially as these people were coming to me for medical attention. So I stopped, after the one attempt, however that one attempt was apparently enough as I have not heard them come or go for the last day. I honestly hope they are all okay, and I hope that whatever they were doing to be exposed to such high levels of toxins was gone. Of course, I knew such an event was not likely to happen. The fact that I hadn’t seen them in the past few days, and the fact that the end of my Trial period as a doctoral candidate also didn’t go out of notice.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Note: Time remaining until replacement arrives 0 Days, 0 Hours, 32 Minutes…
“Zero, prep all the beds.” I say, after checking that the timer is coming close.
“All of them?”
“All of them. In fact, ask if we can borrow a few extra beds for the next few hours.”
“Hours?”
“Hours.” I confirm.
I can all but feel the tension building. In a matter of minutes Zero does his magic, as my trusty assistant. As the time has gone on, some of my status as healer has gone onto Zero, who has proven himself quite handy with his four clawed paws and his long body, making it so he can provide different assistance to two patients at nearly the same time.
I have a feeling that we are going to need all of his flexibility and ability to float in place in the coming hours.
Bbbrring.
The bell to the guild office rings outside.
“Hello, how can I… oh, right over there.” The receptionist states, her voice noting an obvious concern.
I don’t need to even look as I see two injured people coming in, one that is slightly less injured than the other is carrying a gravely injured person.
“Set him down at the first bed,” I say, while pulling a cord that pulls back the curtain for a bed.
The healthier man places the second person down, only for me to realize they are unconscious.
“Do you give me consent to treat yourself and your friend?” I ask.
“Yes.” The man says.
“Very good, now sit in the bed next to him. Know I might have you move as time moves on.” I say as I begin splitting my attention and casting two different channeling spells at once. Instantly I feel my mind link to the new bodies, and then my Energy Resonance Alteration skill kicks in, allowing me to begin healing both parties equally. These are both dark elven males, I almost don’t need any warning as to who the ambulatory patient is, as they are one that I have seen a number of times here.
“Reymel, I hope this isn’t a typical visit?” I state, while causing his injuries to heal up. Fortunately, they are mostly superficial, and his body just takes a minor bit of coaxing to begin healing. Reymel of course was the abuse victim that I helped save, well Zero saved him, I just informed the authorities on his behalf, though I guess I did get a level from helping him.
“No, not like that. This is…” he trails off, as he doesn’t want to state the true reason.
“The mine?” I ask.
At that, there is a slight pause, as I know his friend is currently suffering from severe toxic poisoning, in addition to deep lacerations; while Reymel only has a minor portion of toxic build up that I purge from his system before sealing up his wounds completely. It will likely stink, but his clothes are dirty and blood covered anyways, I don’t think that it will matter much in the long run.
This is slightly odd though, as I don’t remember Reymel ever showing signs of toxic poisoning.
“What happened to you, you are showing signs of being poisoned?” I ask, instead shifting the focus away from possible secrets, and towards Reymel to help me heal his friend. At the very least I use the open wounds on his friend to purge the toxins, before also healing the wounds, then trying to regenerate the blood. This is a long complicated process that will take time and focus, but still I need to know just how bad things are. Are these the only two or will there be more.
“It’s Tarnavia, I had been under her protection.” He says the word protection like it is the worst thing to come out of his mouth in a long time. “But ever since you saved me, she has put me on the deepest lines, before she was reassigned elsewhere.”
“I…” I trail off, that is fucked up. I mean that is really, really messed up. She demands sexual favors, then when outside authority is called in to stop it, she takes out her anger on the victim. I make a mental note to go check out this Tarnavia person. But for the moment, I can only deal with the present. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, it is fine. I would much rather be down there being exposed to it, than to be exposed to her, and all her…” He trails off, an act I am immensely grateful for, as that is hard to stomach.
“I will stop her, this I swear.” I say.
“You already did, she is fortunately gone, but the new person they brought in to replace her isn’t as skilled with maintaining order, thus the collapse.” He said.
“Collapse?” I ask.
Bbaringg.
Just as he speaks the Guild hall bell rings again, this time there are three more people.
“Zero!” I shout.
“On it.” Zero says, coming from the right wing of the guild hall, what was he doing over there? Well no matter, he is here and able to help.
“Reymel, how do you feel?”
“I feel really good.” Reymel says.
“Good, I am going to put you to work. Start directing patients to the different beds. Those that are healthy, make them walk to the back, those that are in bad shape, place them here next to your friend. And do what I tell you, can you do that?” I ask.
Reymel pauses for a second, but then shakes his head and answers, “sure thing.”
With that, I got a new skill notification.
New Skill Gained: Leadership has reached level 1. Skill Leadership is a Personality, Sociability, Appearance, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill.
Wow, I never thought that I would ever earn that skill, but there is a first time for everything. I guess technically I did have two different people under me following my directions. Still this was no time for getting lost in my own thoughts about the system telling me I what I was doing. I needed to focus. Realizing I would likely need to be seen by at least a few of the dark elves present, I decide to go for a mask approach, no not my Thieves’ Guild mask, but rather a doctor mask that makes it look like I am covering my face to protect myself and others from the spreading of germs and diseases. I also keep my EGGs on, along with my white Mage’s Guild SWAG cloak. Basically, if I need to burn my persona here, due to being exposed as a dark elf that is Shade Touch and actively being cursed by their bloodline I will deal with the consequences. In this case, I am trying to save lives, and that is more important than my reputation. Even if I am outed, I will say it was a good cause. Besides, I hope that the people I treat will have some decent courtesy, and give me at least a day’s notice before trying to hunt me down.
After the next three, I place them down, begin treating them by linking my mana to theirs, and then once again changing my Energy’s Resonance to match that of my three new patients, then I begin working with them as well. There is just enough time to begin the channeling process on all three, when I hear the ringing again as more bodies come in.
I triage, which by the military definition means I heal the least injured first and put them to helping me. Now it is not just Raymel and Zero, but a score of others that help. Even the guy that Raymel brought in gets up and begins helping out as well. This of course frees up beds, meaning more and more patients can come in.
The bell over the door rings, no less than a dozen times, each time I am met with more and more patients. I am on fumes, nearly ready to collapse, when a woman comes in.
Scanning her, I can see that she is completely healthy.
“You need to get out of here if you are healthy. I cannot see you for a wellness visit.” I say, trying to think of any reason why someone who looked so healthy would come here.
“Oh, you have me wrong. I am here to proctor your final exam. Though I take it before then you could use a bit of help.”
“I have help.” I say gesturing to Zero and the other miners that tending to their friends.
“Oh, well I could help cast a few healing…” She then trailed off as she went through the lines of people all to find that they were all healed. “You healed all of them?” She asked.
“Clearly.” I say, just a little exhausted. “Tell you what, you can handle any new patients that come in. I think I am fairly tapped out for the moment.” I say, then I immediately go back and begin talking to Zero and Raymel.
Only after that interaction does my brain really understand who she is, but I don’t care at this point. I feel that I will likely have to move on anyways, I have a whole tower to climb, and I will clearly be able to pass any test I am offered.
Once it is all said and done, I sit down and let out a long contented smile.
“Here.” The Doctoral examiner says, holding out a cup of warm liquid.
“What is it?” I ask.
“A doctor’s only friend, whiskey.” She says.
I laugh, “I am underage.” I say.
She looks at me for a second, then scoffs. “Anyone who is able to survive that,” she says gesturing to the miners who are in the process of leaving one by one, now that the rush is over. “Is more than ready to have a break with the good stuff.”
I smile, though through my mask it likely doesn’t show. “Thank you, though I do have to admit that this was rather fun.”
“I was going to give you a test on the biological properties of different races, but it seemed that you covered a majority of the known races with that fiasco. You had dark elves, humans, orcs, and I believe one or two regular elves if I am not mistaken.” She says.
I just nod, I honestly had no clue. Honestly after the fifth patient, they all just became dark blurs to me.
“Though I have to say, you healed them both of injuries and of toxin related poisonings?”
“Yeah, there is a mine that has something going on with it, before the renegades went through and burned the town to the ground, the guards had a standing order with the Apothecary Guild for Detox potions. I never found out why that was, only that rather than getting new potions, they all came to me for the last three weeks to be healed. During that time, I learned to purge the toxins from their bodies rather easily. Then when they came today, it was just a matter of linking with them, healing their wounds, and purging their bodies of toxins.” I say, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“You did all of that by yourself?”
“I did have Zero, and a few of the guards help, when they were done being healed.”
“Yes, I saw, this Zero, that is your familiar I have heard so much about?”
“I guess? I don’t know what you might or might not have heard about him.” I say.
“Oh, all good things, it is just… wow. I had come here prepared to fail you out of spite, saying that you were too young to hold this post, but clearly I was mistaken. You have shown a level of competence and expertise needed to not only be declared a true doctor, but I am willing to offer you this position as a full time job.” She says, then with that I am met with a quest update and a new choice to make.
Quest Complete: Not The Healer They Wanted…: You agreed to become the resident healer for the Crossroads branch of the Mage’s Guild. During your time you took it upon yourself to become a true doctor of healing, you were required to find and internalize twenty-five items of scientific knowledge related to healing, you not only met but exceeded that standard (50/25). Rewards: Experience, Skills (already gained), New Badge: Healer of Valor (250), chance to gain a position of power within Crossroad’s Mage’s Guildhall. New Quest: Crossroad’s Mage’s Guildhall Healer: Your exemplary service has earned you the chance to become the full time lead Healer for the Crossroad Mage’s Guild. This will be a contract that will last exactly one year, after which time you will be allowed to once again explore, or transfer your status to another Mage’s Guildhall with a Healer Vacancy. This position comes with its own perks, to include but not limited to continual daily quests, monthly spending funds to improve the clinic, and full access to the Mage’s Guild Library (even all parts of the restricted section).
I had been so close to saying no, until I saw that last line about access to the Mage’s Guild Library, and wondered if they had Rahul’s newest adventures?