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10. Mendicar Exam III

In the treatment room, Lily approached the young hunter with a practiced calm, her movements concealing her foreknowledge of his grave condition. Gently unraveling the makeshift bandages, she assessed the wounds with a keen eye, noting the discoloration and swelling with a concern masked by professionalism. With Master Kali's nod of consent, Lily retrieved a set of mana tinctures from the storage, to be used as a test to determine the nature of the poison inflicting the hunter's abdominal injury. Each vial's scent was methodically presented to him, culminating in a strong reaction to the air tincture vial. The result was one of her worst fears – an air-aligned poison, a treatment scenario she had not observed Master Orion handle.

"Leg fracture with superficial laceration; serious lateral abdominal laceration aggravated by air-aligned monster poison, with potential internal organ damage," Lily recited, her heart sinking at the thought of handling the wounds herself. Master Kali's grave expression acknowledged the severity but also confirmed Lily's diagnosis.

The treatment plan crystallized in Lily's mind: “For the leg, a routine of disinfection, fracture realignment, and immobilization, followed by an application of a minor healing balm to ease swelling and hasten recovery. The abdominal wound requires thorough disinfection, meticulous internal cleansing, an application of a healing concoction designed to be absorbed internally, and suturing. The patient will need both minor vitality and pain relief concoctions, alongside an earth-aligned concoction to neutralize the air poison.”

After getting permission, Lily walked to the preparation room. She meticulously cleaned her hands and a selection of tools, laying out the necessary ingredients with an almost reverent care. The challenge of this medication would be calibrating the earth-aligned components' dosage, a delicate balance in the concoction's composition to mitigate the poison without overwhelming the patient's system. Although she had committed the recipes to memory, the theoretical knowledge of dosages clashed with her lack of practical experience in balancing elements, especially in a case she had not seen treated before.

Lily's plan to mitigate this problem was bold, perhaps even a bit risky. She had, in a moment of quick thinking during the examination, allowed her tunic to be stained in the blood from the hunter's wound – a move that drew a stern look from Master Kali, possibly marking a deduction in her assessment. However, this was a calculated risk on Lily's part. Covering her movements in the preparation room, she used the blood-stained fabric as a canvas to test the effectiveness of her concoction against the poison. With 'health sense' active, she watched closely as the life mana within the blood interacted with the dark empty spots she identified as the poison. Adding the concoction to the fabric, she observed the battle between remedy and toxin, adjusting the concoction's potency based on the reaction until she achieved a balanced effect where the poison's advance was halted without overpowering the life mana – excessive efficiency would probably cause mana poison with the countering element.

With her preparations complete, Lily returned to the patient's side carrying the medicines she had meticulously crafted. Opting to address the leg's wounds first seemed prudent, given the relative severity and to conserve the young hunter's strength for the more demanding abdominal wound treatment. Confronted with the task of setting the fractured bone, Lily hesitated, the weight of the responsibility bearing down on her. She scrutinized the situation for a tense minute, wrestling internally with her decision. Eventually, she found her resolve and turned to the mendicar.

"Master Kali, I don't feel confident to reposition the bone properly. While I'm familiar with the theoretical aspect and have observed the procedure numerous times, I've never actually performed it myself," she admitted. Acknowledging her limitations was difficult, and she feared it might jeopardize her standing in the exam. However, Master Kali's earlier cautions resonated deeply with her, emphasizing the importance of patient safety over feigned confidence.

Master Kali's response was unreadable, devoid of any discernible emotion as she approached. When Lily withdrew, expecting the mendicar to take over, she was instead guided to participate. Master Kali's hands directed Lily's with precision, instructing her on where to apply pressure. "Use your strength without losing firmness," the mendicar counseled, a lesson in the delicate balance of force and control.

Under the mendicar's guidance, Lily positioned her hands, feeling the tactile sensation of the man's skin, the underlying structure of his bones, and the slight give as she applied pressure. The sharp cry from the patient as Lily set the bone was completely ignored. The decision to delay the 'minor pain relief' concoction administration until after setting the bone was strategic, though it demanded a great deal from the patient's endurance. Throughout the procedure, she carefully observed the life mana flow under her hands, committing the steps and energy behavior to mind.

The moment stretched until Master Kali finally nodded, a subtle acknowledgment of the task completed. Lily released her hold, her arms trembling slightly from the exertion and the adrenaline of the moment. She stepped back, allowing the mendicar to inspect her work, her heart pounding in her chest.

Master Kali's inspection was thorough but fast, her eyes scanning the leg, now properly aligned. Without a word, she moved back, leaving Lily to continue with the treatment. Swiftly, she proceeded with the immobilization and dressing, her movements becoming more fluid as she gained confidence.

Turning her attention to the more challenging abdominal wound, the young healer's resolve was tested.

With the patient now under the influence of the 'minor pain relief' concoction, his features relaxed, offering Lily a silent encouragement. The initial external disinfection was followed by a cautious exploration of the wound's interior. The sight of the damaged tissue and the realization of the debris lodged within caused a momentary lapse in her composure.

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Recognizing the critical need for precision, Lily feigned the need for better lighting as a pretext to recast the 'clear' spell discreetly, a clever ruse that allowed her to regain her focus. With renewed clarity, she started the painstaking task of debris removal, her 'health sense' skill proving invaluable. Each particle removed was a small victory, each minute spent a step closer to completing what felt like an endless task.

The disinfectant mixture's careful application was followed by the gentle pressing of a clean cloth against the wound to remove any excess liquid. The 'minor healing' balm's application was done with the utmost care, ensuring not to exacerbate the hunter's already fragile condition. As she began suturing, her movements were cautious, each stitch meticulous despite her evident lack of experience. The task was grim, requiring ten precise stitches to close the gaping wound. She then coated the sutured area with the concoction externally before bandaging it securely.

Exhaustion set in as Lily briefed the hunter on post-treatment care, emphasizing the importance of keeping the wound clean and applying the healing balm at prescribed intervals. She advised against any strenuous movements and cautioned about the dietary restrictions to prevent aggravating the mana poisoning.

No sooner had she guided the hunter to a resting area than Master Kali, unmoved by Lily's evident fatigue, signaled for the next patient. Her resolve was tested again as a woman, clutching a burned arm, made her way to the examination bed. But it was the sight of a man at the end of the queue that retained Lily's attention – a picture so devoid of color it sent a chill down her spine. Through the lens of her 'health sense,' a tumultuous battle unfolded within him, a maelstrom of life mana desperately fighting an unseen assailant, signaling an urgent and deteriorating condition marked by earth poisoning. It was something she had seen not long ago – something that foretold death.

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Lily. To act on her instincts and interrupt the examination could jeopardize everything she had fought for.

Master Kali, noticing Lily's diverted attention, turned to scan the crowd, her experienced eyes searching for signs of imminent danger among the ailing. Yet, to her, the gathered ill appeared stable enough to await their turn.

The mendicar immediately turned disappointed. The young healer's diagnostic acumen had impressed her deeply, a potential exceptional talent rare in the field. However, Lily's practical skills did not mirror her theoretical brilliance, her hesitance and inexperience were evident in her touch. Kali was torn, recognizing that this erratic behavior would impact Lily's evaluation, which already teetered on the precipice of success and failure.

"Is there an issue, candidate?" Master Kali inquired, her voice revealing concern but demanding focus, aiming to reel Lily back to the task at hand.

Lily wrestled with her conscience, debating whether to dismiss her instincts and proceed with the planned treatment. However, the echoes of past regrets, the haunting memories of silence when action was required, propelled her to speak. "Master Kali, I apologize for my distraction," Lily began, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I believe there's something I need to mention. May I know if the Master is aware of Master Orion's tragic event?"

Master Kali's expression shifted from concern to annoyance, her brows frowning. "Yes, I was invited to examine the body. What’s the matter?" she asked impatiently.

"Do you know what happened?" Lily asked ominously.

"A monster attacked him, of course," the mendicar replied, irritation evident in her voice. She was perplexed by Lily's line of questioning, seeing it as detrimental to her own prospects in the exam.

Lily, however, was focused on a more specific concern. "Not to Master Orion, but the boy," she whispered urgently, her gaze fixed on a man in the queue.

Master Kali felt a jolt of alarm, her demeanor shifting as she responded, "We suspect it might be a parasite. But why does this concern you during the exam?" Her voice carried an authoritative edge, demanding an explanation.

It was then that the envoy finally reacted, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "This matter is under investigation. Why are you asking?" he pressed.

"Because," Lily began, her voice gaining strength as she drew a deep breath for courage, "I believe that man there, clutching his stomach, is afflicted with the same condition."

A tense silence enveloped the room, the gravity of Lily's assertion dawning on everyone present. The subsequent sound of the envoy's sword being drawn commanded immediate attention. “Calm down and sit on the ground,” his order quelled the rising panic. While many had the instinct to flee, his imposing figure, sword in hand, ensured compliance.

Lily felt an urge to sit as well, but was halted by the envoy, "Not you."

"Explain how you came to this conclusion," Master Kali demanded.

Meanwhile, the envoy, already advancing towards the indicated man, sought confirmation, "Are you sure?"

The weight of the situation bore down on Lily, the potential for catastrophe hanging in the balance. She knew too well what they faced; it would be fast, and then people would die. With a heavy heart, she affirmed, "Yes."

The envoy, illuminated by a blazing red aura that seemed to set his very essence alight, moved with haste, his blurring silhouette advancing towards the unsuspecting patients. Their screams of terror, filled the room as they desperately sought refuge from a danger they couldn’t comprehend.

With a swift, decisive motion, the envoy's sword sliced through the air, its sharp edge finding its mark with lethal precision. The man who had been clutching his stomach was cleaved in two, his body falling in a gruesome display of the envoy's grim resolve. Lily, caught in the throes of shock, found herself mute, a scream of horror caught in her throat. Even Master Kali, usually unaffected, gasped, her composure shattered by the unfolding tragedy.

As the dust settled, a sinister growl emanated from the bisected remains, heralding a new terror. From within, a monstrous worm, its girth rivaling that of a grown man's arm, lunged with hungry intent, its fangs bared in a grotesque attempt to attack the nearest person. Its brief moment of freedom was cut short by the envoy's swift retribution, his blade mercilessly slashing the creature. Each strike left the abomination in shorter pieces until it finally stopped trashing.

The envoy then turned to Master Kali with a gaze that bore the weight of unspoken questions. Striving to reclaim her steadiness, the mendicar answered: “I don’t know how to explain it. I never saw or heard of a monster that could parasitize people and grow from their inside.” She answered directly, ignoring the terrified presence of the waiting patients.

The envoy, casting a final glance at the remnants of the monster, uttered words that sent a cold shiver down Lily's spine: "This is not natural. It's created."