Observing the laboratory, Illyan got itchy as he felt an urge to try all the tools out. As someone who studied herbalism and medicine almost his entire life without proper equipment, he couldn’t do many things despite his theoretical knowledge.

But here, he could further his mastery of medicine one step further in a short time.

But why did Vael guide him here?

With doubt in his mind, he turned his attention back to Vael, who already sat down on one of his chairs. He was breathing heavily as if those few steps he made took a heavy toll on him.

But Illyan wasn’t surprised. After all, he was literally coughing out bits of his lungs. If he could breathe properly despite that, then that would be the weird part.

“Sir, why did you bring me here?” Instead of wasting his time, he asked directly.

“Huhu, impatient, aren’t we?” Once Vael caught his breath, he smiled as he teased Illyan.

However, Illyan was impervious to such teasing as he replied curtly.

“I like to use my time effectively. I have too much to do on my list, you see.” What Illyan said was his honest feelings as it was true.

While Illyan could take his time when it came to his lifespan, it didn’t change the fact that there was only so much he could do at once. He already had four techniques to practice, namely [Nature Breath Method], [Blood Feeding Technique], [The Way of the Body], and [Flow Breathing Technique]. Unfortunately, he could not put all his time into them as he also had to study.

Now, he also had to fulfill his responsibility as a physician to make money too.

Not to mention that he planned to expand his collection of techniques and knowledge by stealing from numerous forces of this town.

Illyan felt a little overwhelmed, but he knew he couldn’t take it easy as the fear of misfortune was too strong. That’s why he refused to waste his time unless necessary.

When Vael heard his words, he nodded in understanding.

“Time is a scarce commodity. Youngsters these days love to squander their time in pubs and brothels. It is gladdening that someone like you showed up in this institute. Your diligence and passion are what this place needs the most. Especially in the Medicine Department, which is almost empty by now.”

Vael shook his head as he caressed the beakers full of some liquid as he continued.

“Those who study medicine would either travel to the capital where the people are wealthier and pay more, or they would go even further south, far beyond the kingdom where the very long war rages in which people are dying by the thousands if not more daily. Small towns like this don't need that many physicians. Unfortunately, if everyone thinks like that, there will be no physicians left to treat the ill—Cough, Cough…”

A sudden fit of cough made him almost fall, but he managed to hold on. Illyan watched the man cough the bits of his own lungs with an impassive expression and wondered what Vael wanted to say with this speech.

“Kaoran, do you plan to leave too? I am actually curious since you just bought the house here.” After a while when Vael stopped coughing, he asked what he was interested in.

“Oh…” Illyan nodded in understanding. So it was about that.

It was not like he had the need to lie about this, so he answered truthfully.

“I don’t plan to live here forever, but I don’t plan to leave anytime soon either. Else, I wouldn’t buy the residence.”

At that, Vael smiled.

“That’s good, that’s good.”

He then started rummaging the place and took out some of the things and placed them on the table.

“You see, this place is my homeland… It carries an inexplicable feeling in my heart. That’s why I became a physician. To make this place a better place. I don’t know whether I achieved that, but I don’t regret anything… But now that I am turning old and ill, I can’t take care of myself let alone others,” Vael chuckled.

Illyan nodded as he could see that the old man was in no shape to treat patients.

“I planned to buy new laboratory equipment with my wealth for my granddaughter, you see. She is an apprentice here and treads the same path as me despite her foolish father’s protests.” The changes on his face were palpable as Illyan saw his doting look when talking about his granddaughter while his frowning face when talking about his son.

“However, I thought it would be too much of a waste to throw away my old equipment. While old, it still should fulfill its purpose. For someone who lacks funds, it should be a good opportunity.” After saying all that, he smiled with an ambiguous expression while watching Illyan.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

On the other hand, Illyan finally found out why the old man called him here and couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise.

However, the first thought that came to his mind wasn’t that this old man was kind but instead…

Is he also trying to scam me?

In his mind, the face of Korin showed up with his gentlemanly smile as he put the contract in front of Illyan.

“For how much and which type of equipment?” Illyan still put up the facade of politeness but his eyes glinted with coldness.

Vael didn’t notice that as he chuckled and shook his head.

“You misunderstood, lad. I am not selling them. If you didn’t show up, I would either donate it to the institution or if they wouldn’t want it then throw it away. After all, some of the pieces are several decades old and there is a chance of malfunctioning.”

Illyan looked around. While the first sight of the laboratory made Illyan look at those things with rose-tinted glasses, it was true that many of the tools around were worn out by the time. If you had money to spare, then you would probably want to buy new ones.

But Illyan didn’t have any spare money. He wanted to start his career as a physician to make a living and pay off the money he owed to Korin. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the equipment to make the more elaborate medicine. Yes, he could make medicine even without tools just as he did in Blood Crow Forest, but that couldn’t even be called medicine at all.

As long as one knew the effect of some stronger herbs, they could do the same. Even uneducated commoners ate some herbs that were known for alleviating certain illnesses.

For that reason, he needed the equipment to create proper medicines. But for that, he needed money which he wanted to make by creating the medicine…

Because of this vicious circle, Illyan considered that he would try to rob someone. For example, the Venomous Viper Gang. Since he planned to kidnap the son of the leader, there was no harm in stealing from them anymore…

However, his problem was now solved.

“Is this really alright?” Still, he was full of suspicion as he stared at the dying old man.

“Yes… Actually, I didn’t plan to give it to you at first. However, when I asked you some of the questions during the exam, your answers were spectacular to the point of even me admiring it. It showed that you didn’t learn medicine just because of money. The fact that you even learned alternative ways of treating illnesses just to make the medicines cheaper is giving me hope that there are still good physicians.”

“Oh…” Illyan nodded in understanding. However, his mind was filled with different thoughts.

‘I see, so it was a misunderstanding, huh.’ There were times when he thought of learning medicine only to help people. But those times were gone for a long time. While he loved medicine itself, it didn’t mean he was some benevolent saint to help others for free. It was just that, thanks to his [Eyes of Truth], he could consume any type of knowledge without it slipping from his mind, so he didn’t need to consider such small things.

If there were several variants of medicine with the same effect, it meant he wasn’t dependent on certain herbs. It would also solidify his foundation once he finally decided to research the herbs more in detail to find out how they worked.

All in all, it was no loss to learn more knowledge.

However, Vael misunderstood that as him thinking of the poor people.

But since it gave Illyan this opportunity, he would be a fool to pass it.

“Thank you for your generosity, senior.” Illyan bowed a little as he thanked Vael for his consideration.

But Vael just shook his head and with an amiable smile, he continued.

“This is just a small matter. It is usually hard for small academics like ourselves to gain proper equipment and further education if you don’t work in the institution in your early years. Many failed and became poor or worse because of it despite their profound knowledge. It doesn’t matter how much you know if you don’t or can’t get the opportunity to apply it in real life…”

Vael showed a sour expression. It was obvious that he saw many such cases during his long life and didn’t want to see another one, especially when it came to such a promising physician.

Now that Illyan thought about it, this institution was never about grooming the younger generation but rather allowing someone to further his studies in the library while allowing them to have their own research in the labs. While there were lectures, they were done by only a few willing academics and only when they were free, which wasn’t that often. Most of the time, apprentices just self-studied and worked as assistants for academics. That’s why it was always preferable if the applicants were already erudite since they weren’t considered students but employees to work for the institution

for the chance of learning.

Illyan read that in the capital of Vanaras and further in the south in the Arkravav Empire there were organizations called academies that were customized for young people to learn knowledge and the practical uses of it. The professors were the learned academics and scholars, and the lectures were frequent and compulsory. They would teach you anything you would need, and once you graduated, your prospect of looking for a career would be much easier.

Unfortunately, it was mostly for young nobles to attend. Adult commoners like him would be able to attend such a place only as a professor if they were capable enough, which he probably wasn’t as of now.

Not that Illyan considered attending the academy; it was just a passing thought…

“However, I have a small condition, or rather I need a favor from you.” Vael suddenly said as he stared into Illyan’s eyes.

Illyan furrowed his brows. He just said it was free, but now he was asking for something…

As if noticing the unease in his eyes, Vael explained hurriedly.

“It is nothing serious. As I said, my granddaughter is working as an apprentice diligently to become a physician. However, she is a reckless and stubborn lass, only doing whatever she likes. Before, I could look out for her, but now…” Vael shook his head as he coughed.

“I just ask you to look out for her and help her a little on her path to becoming a physician.”

“I see. I will definitely help her.” Illyan nodded immediately.

He feared that he would want another contract, but it was just a verbal promise. Illyan didn’t mind that. As long as helping her wouldn’t jeopardize his life and plans, he didn’t have a problem helping her out a little. Moreover, since it was just a verbal promise, he could just not do it if he didn’t want to….

After exchanging some other small pleasantries over the next few minutes, Vael took several boxes and put all the things he wanted to give to Illyan. It wasn’t much. Just basic tools like beakers, flasks, test tubes, pipettes, Bunsen burners, centrifuges, all kinds of scales, distillation apparatus, even basic mortar and pestle, etc.

Many of those things were something Illyan never saw, let alone used, but it didn’t douse the excitement flowing in his veins as he was looking forward to finally bringing his skills to the fullest potential.

“There is too much of it, so I will have to let the wagon bring it to your residence. You have enough space inside, right?”

“Yes, there is no problem.” Illyan nodded.

“Good.” Vael smiled gently. Unfortunately, his smile was ruined with the drop of blood flowing out of his mouth…