“So, do you want to explain what the fuck is going on? Also how do you plan to pay back for the Amber that is now half used on a boy who would amount to nothing in life?”

Nathan took a deep breath, the fight long gone for his body. “I want to start by apologizing for hitting you. I needed to try and knock some sense into you. I’ve never been in a real fight before, and those wolves were my first. The adrenaline was still pumping through me, causing me to lose focus. I took an Oath to never do harm to a person, and I hit you. So again, I am deeply sorry.”

Nathan stuck his hand out. “I’m Doctor Nathan Shutlz. And yes, I am a Doctor, but not the same kind I heard you are trying to be. Please let me explain things.”

The Priest looked at the hand but didn’t shake it. “Ragnork. You should at least know the Dwarf you are indebted to I think.”

“Ragnork. Okay, so I am not exactly from here. Where I am from Doctors take an Oath. In it, they promise to save any life they can if able. No matter the cost, the way, or the will. It’s not our job to judge who can live or die. It’s our job to keep people alive, to treat diseases, and above all never play God.” Nathan said the word God in a respectful manner, not wanting to anger the Priest anymore than he might already be.

“So when I saw another practitioner of health not follow those tenants I hold so dearly, I did the only thing I thought to motivate you. I don’t ask for forgiveness for my actions, but just ask you to stop and think about things from my point of view. My friend was dying, his mother trusted me to save him, and I had nothing to do so. You were the only one I could count on, and when you were failing that, I felt like I was failing them.”

Nathan let his words sit on Ragnork, who in turn was thinking them over. “Let me ask you something, if you are a Doctor, why couldn’t you save him with your own magic?”

“I have none, where I come from, Awakening isn’t a thing. Magic isn’t known like it is here. A Doctor is a title given to someone who can claim to be an expert in the field of medicine. Both in prevention of illness and treatment of it.”

Ragnork looked at Nathan as if he was telling the worst lie ever. “Yea, and I’m an Elf.”

“It’s true. Peter and Elderade didn’t believe me, but I helped Peter ensure his arm didn’t get infection by simple actions. Keep it clean, and that scabs are a good thing to protect the wound from getting worse.”

Ragnork looked confused. “How did you know that?”

“Like I said, it’s a common thing to know where I am from. At least for someone who works in my field. I would like to think it’s common household knowledge, but a part of me doesn't think so.”

“That’s...that’s only something you learn when you gain the First Aid skill. I didn’t read it in any book, the knowledge just popped into my head.” Ragnork squinted his eyes at Nathan. “What are you? Where are you really from?”

Nathan smiled. “Just a normal man, and you would find it hard to believe me. Besides it doesn't matter. What does matter is that I am glad you helped save Marcilio. I understand it might be expensive, and I plan to help them pay off that debt.”

“But you aren't their family,'' Ragnork said. “Why would you?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. I’m not going to let greed get in the way of progression and helping of others. If I can, I would like to one day learn the magic you performed. The ability to go around and help people. To cure them. All with a simple wave of a hand. Tell me, why don’t you do it?”

Ragnork sighed, getting similar questions all the time in his life. “I do, but with something like his arm, I can’t do that freely. Not without donations, and even then it took almost all the mana I had. If we were not within this clinic, I wouldn’t be able to save his arm.”

“How does a building let you then?” Nathan asked curiously.

Ragnork pointed inside. “It's’ the altar to my God. I can store mana inside of it and use it for the purpose my God represents. The God of The Hearth is a minor one, but she is loved by many Dwarves.”

“Hearth? What do you mean by that.”

“Home, Family, Love, and Hope. Her four values. The love those parents have for their son enabled me to channel more mana, and the hope you had in me as well.”

“Well I hate to say, but I am not much of a man of faith, so don’t be mad when I say I am thankful for what you did.” Nathan said.

“Ahh I think I understand. I’ve met a few people like you before. Don’t worry, you will turn around soon enough when they show up in town.”

“The Gods just show up in town? What, do they get something to eat at a local restaurant?” Nathan joked.

“Eh I wouldn’t doubt it. But let me say this Nathan, you do have wisdom about you. More so than any human your age I’ve seen ever had. If you want to become a Healer, I know the Church would welcome you with open arms, especially if you have knowledge not given by a skill.”

Nathan shook his head. “I have no plans to join a Church. Surely there are healers who don’t require to be in a church right?”

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Ragnork let out a laugh. “Not any good ones or legal ones! Your best bet is Alchemy at that rate boy.”

Nathan was disappointed he was told yet again the only path he could take was with a Church. It didn’t sit right with him. “What makes those who are healers so bad if they are not within a Church or Temple?”

Rangork looked at Nathan as if he didn’t believe that Nathan didn’t know the answer to that question. Yet, he still answered. “Because of the paths one takes to unlock skills and spells. You can’t just learn everything you want to at once, there are secrets hidden behind certain levels, ranks of skills, and so much more. Each Guild has their own secrets. Some find them by accident, as that’s how they were found originally, but don’t expect to be so lucky.”

“What’s to stop someone from teaching the secrets to outsiders?” Nathan asked.

“Magical binding contracts. It forces you to never share the secrets that you learn. No matter how bad you want, so long as you signed you can’t let the wolves run free.”

Nathan knew contracts helped legally bind people to agreements, but to enforce it with magic? What if it was morally or the best solution to save someone? The number of times he broke a rule or contract to save a patient numbered around twenty, maybe even thirty. This made Nathan not want to join even more.

“All Guilds have this?”

“All the ones that teach you secrets. Adventurer's Guild is the only one I know of that has no contract like that. Since it’s more of a money making thing, than a place of learning. Also a great way to gain Experience.”

Nathan nodded. “Well, with the Amber I owe you, I might have to join them and start earning it.”

Ragnork laughed at that. “Don’t care how you do it, but let’s go inside and rest. I am sure they need you there right now as well. For now, I have a little trust in you Nathan. I won’t bring any guards into this situation, but don’t make me regret it. If you want to help pay back without money, I would love to talk to you about medical practice. You could even help me increase some Ranks of my skills!”

Nathan stood up and offered a hand to help up Ragnork. “I always enjoyed teaching others about Medicine. The fact it helps pay off my debt to you is just a nice bonus.”

Peter went back to the Farm house to check on Nadiel and the kids. Nathan offered to go with him, but asked him to stay with El and take care of her and Marcilio. Ragnork offered the two of them cots to sleep on for the night.

In the morning, Nathan woke up feeling sore and tired. He had a weird blinking light in the corner of his vision. Even after rubbing at his eyes free of any goop or dirt, it remained there. It didn’t bother him, and figured it would go away eventually

He sat by and listened in to Marcilio and El cry over his missing arm. He offered a few words of encouragement, but knew Marcy was taking it badly. He remembered many patients who lost limbs. The fact he lost it to a wolf like that, and felt all the pain just made the situation far worse mentally.

The three of them walked back to the farm to be greeted by the second half of the Phankard family. Nadiel and Zizi broke into tears with the rest of them. Nathan offered to look after Dale while the five of them talked. He was only in the other room, watching over the sleeping baby.

The blinking light was still there and even after washing water over his face, it remained there. It never impeded his vision and if he was focused on another task, it seemed to disappear. “What is wrong with my eye?”

Nathan covered them with his hands trying to see if resetting his light sensitivity would help fix the issue, but even with his eyes closed, it was there in the corner of his vision. Nathan waited till after the family talked things out before asking Peter about it.

“Hey Pete, have you guys ever had this weird blinking light in your vision? Is it from looking at magical lights too long or something?”

Peter looked at Nathan slowly. “Say that again?”

“Light, top left of your vision, or anywhere really. Slow blue blinking light. Still there after closing your eyes. Maybe Ragnork knows about it.”

“Nathan, I thought you weren't Awakened?” Peter hissed, looking around to see if anyone was watching. “That’s a notification saying something important happened to your Numbers. Either a level up or a skill up.”

Nathan looked at Peter like he was crazy. “I’m not? At least, I thought I wasn’t.”

“Stay here, don’t do or say anything. I’m going to get El.” Peter went upstairs to grab his wife.

Nathan stood perfectly still. Afraid the smallest movement would cause him to explode like a bomb.

He heard the rushed steps of El and Peter coming back down the stairs. “Nate! Is what Peter said true? A blinking light, blue, ebbing slowly in a consistent rhythm?”

Nathan nodded. “Yea. What’s...what does this mean?”

El rubbed at her temples taking a deep breath. Peter started laughing. “Boy, that means you Leveled up!”