Lily quickly discovered the 'clean' spell's practicality, though it proved less useful in healing than she initially hoped. Its true value lay in its potential for growth, as hinted in the book; a base spell capable of evolving into more powerful forms at higher tiers. Already, it was streamlining her household chores, creating a safer environment for Draven by minimizing infection risks.
However, she couldn't shake off a lingering hesitation to rely solely on the spell for tasks like laundering clothes and sterilizing tools. After three days of diligent practice, Lily noticed her proficiency with the spell and her mana capacity both expanding. She could now cleanse an entire shirt in one attempt and, shortly after, a pair of pants.
The skill had started a positive cycle, reducing the time she spent on cleaning chores, thus saving more for magical training, while also providing training on its own.
At work, Master Orion dealt with four patients over the subsequent days. One case, a hunter with extensive fractures, exceeded Orion's capabilities, requiring a referral to a more skilled mendicar. The situation left Orion in a foul mood, venting his frustration on both his students and Lily through complaints, curses, and the occasional thrown object.
Despite the challenges, Lily persevered, seizing every opportunity to learn. The cases treated successfully by Orion included two instances of mana poisoning – a seemingly frequent affliction – and a hunter with a straightforward fracture and laceration. These experiences enriched her understanding of the herbs and materials effective against specific mana types in poisoning cases.
She also gained insights into handling uncomplicated exposed fractures. After cleaning and disinfecting the wound, Orion applied a semi-solid ointment to align and stabilize the broken bone before closing the wound. This practical knowledge was invaluable, making the limitations of her current learning environment less of a problem.
Lily's learning also extended to the discovery of etherbrew, the concentrated disinfectant Master Orion had been using in the treatments. She learned that this liquid, obtainable from tier 2 alchemists or higher, was relatively costly at one silver per vial. However, its versatility in being diluted and enhanced with specific herbs offered some consolation.
As she juggled her chores and observed Master Orion's treatments, Lily probed deeper into the basic healing book, now focusing on mastering the 'health sense' skill. Unlike spells, which required mana manipulation from the mage's brain-located mana spring, skills activated through the raw mana coursing through the body. While mages typically only mastered mana absorption and manipulation, healers, enchanters, scribes, and alchemists had the unique capability to develop both a mana spring and a mana heart, enabling them to learn a broader spectrum of skills and spells, within the limits of their mana type, of course.
The ‘health sense’ skill would enhance her innate ability to perceive life mana, refining her senses to detect and distinguish different health conditions. The skill involved forming a mana-based filter over her eyes, allowing her to discern complex health details through changes in life mana.
However, actually using the skill proved challenging. It tapped into a different mana source within her — the mana heart, a reserve she hadn’t frequently used. Her initial attempt to summon the filter resulted in an uncomfortable overexertion of mana, marked by chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, and fatigue. These symptoms mirrored the strain she experienced when first casting the 'clean' spell, though manifesting in a distinct physical manner reflective of the skill's internal focus.
Gradually, Lily acclimatized herself to the taxing process of exercising this newly tapped 'organ.' The initial step involved drawing sufficient life mana to her eyes, prepping them for the next phase: forming the mana filter. This delicate task required layering ultra-fine 'sheets' of life mana over her eyes, then sustaining them to fine-tune her vision for health indicators.
Skills, unlike spells that demanded a blend of mysticism and mental exertion, relied on physical training and developing what Lily understood as 'muscle memory.' In this case, it was more akin to 'eye memory.' The first successful attempt at forming a mana layer over one eye felt like dousing it in acid, forcing her to keep it shut for ten agonizing minutes.
Endless trials ensued as her body adjusted to this new sensation. It wasn't until a week had passed that she finally mastered the skill. To others, her eyes appeared normal, but through her lens, she saw a vivid green world revealing several hues corresponding to different life mana conditions. Lily had to manually categorize each new health condition she encountered, a gradual process of building a comprehensive diagnostic database within her mind.
In a delightful twist, Lily found she could assign specific colors and symbols to different health issues, creating a personalized diagnostic palette. Impressively, the skill could make educated guesses based on similar conditions, labeling uncertain diagnoses to prevent misleading conclusions.
As for practical applications, 'health sense' was proving to be more useful in healing than 'clean,' although the latter remained invaluable for general purposes.
Lily was intrigued to learn that monster parts were also used in healing. The blood of high-tier monsters could be refined into mana-specific tinctures, while their claws and teeth yielded powders with unique properties. While alchemists primarily processed these materials, some were directly used by mendicars. Additionally, she discovered that monster meat, often included in dietary prescriptions, held therapeutic benefits, though mendicars themselves did not use it in treatments.
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She learned that in addition to countering the effects of poisoning, consuming food aligned with specific mana types could enhance physical and mental capabilities. However, moderation was key, as excessive intake might lead to mana poisoning. Water-aligned food could sharpen mental acuity and vision, fire-aligned increased energy and stamina, wind-aligned enhanced respiratory function and agility, while earth-aligned foods boosted strength and muscle mass. The benefits were gradual and subtle, but undeniably restorative.
Master Orion's practice remained busy with a variety of cases. Common injuries like fractures, lacerations, and mana poisonings were frequent, but some unique cases also emerged. One such instance involved a hunter who had developed a resistance to detoxifying concoctions due to overuse. Orion employed a complex technique involving slender needles and crystals to isolate and draw out the poison through controlled bleeding. The procedure was lengthy and required copious amounts of 'minor pain relief' concoction, which the hunter also seemed to have resistance to. It was a borderline case for the mendicar, pursued only because the hunter's robust constitution could handle his rough methods. Gradually, the contaminated blood was drained, leaving the hunter to recover slowly from the lingering effects of the poison.
Another noteworthy patient was a mage who had strained his mana spring through overexertion. This was a new concept to Lily, serving as both a learning experience and a warning. The mage's options were a period of abstention from casting or an expensive 'minor clarity' concoction taken over several days. The mage's reluctance to rest led Orion to suggest seeking a more expensive 'mild' version of the treatment elsewhere, an option clearly beyond the mage's means.
This case prompted Lily to recall a spell called 'clear' mentioned in her basic healing book. The spell appeared to offer effects similar to the 'minor clarity' concoction. However, the book's explanation was frustratingly incomplete, not due to the author’s oversight but because sections, including the one on 'clear,' were missing from the copy.
Determined not to be stopped, Lily decided to scour every book in the study room before conceding defeat on learning the spell. The risk of mana overdraw made it too important to overlook.
Alana's mocking voice cut through the quiet of the study room as she entered, finding Lily absorbed in a book. "Still insisting on this useless effort?" she sneered. "Your dedication is commendable, but let's be clear – someone like you will never become a mendicar. Do you understand?"
The hostility in Alana's tone was matched by her actions as she aggressively grabbed Lily's arm, her fingers digging in painfully. Lily, who had spent days looking at the marks from the girl’s last attack, felt a surge of anger at the unprovoked aggression but was deeply aware of her inferior position in the house. A direct confrontation could cost her the job she desperately needed.
Attempting to pull away, Lily's efforts only intensified Alana's grip, her nails now breaking the skin. "Let go!" Lily exclaimed, instinctively jerking back with considerable force.
In response, Alana's hand struck Lily's face with a resounding slap, leaving a stinging red imprint. "Know your place, trash," Alana spat venomously.
The injustice of the situation sent a rush of adrenaline through Lily, making her heart pound and legs tremble. Overwhelmed by humiliation and a sense of injustice, she reflexively slapped Alana in return, sending the other reeling back into the chairs.
"You dare!" Alana shrieked, her face twisted in fury. "You dare to strike me!"
Realizing the gravity of her reaction, Lily's heart sank. She had momentarily lost control, responding to aggression with aggression, and now feared the repercussions. In a state of panic, she fled the study climbing down the stairs, desperate to escape the escalating situation.
"Stop!" Alana's shrill cry echoed behind her just as she was about to reach the store’s door.
Master Orion entered, drawn by the commotion, with other students trailing behind. Through her tears, Alana played the victim to the mendicar. "This servant attacked me, she dared to slap me!" she wailed, her voice quivering with feigned hurt.
Orion's gaze shifted between the mark on Alana's face and the similar mark on Lily's. He approached Lily, who, gripped by panic, attempted to explain. "Master Orion, I was just defending my..."
Her words were abruptly cut off by a sharp slap from Orion, a blow that echoed through the room and silenced any further protest.
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes as she cradled her reddened cheek, her gaze cast downward in humiliation and suppressed anger. The room was silent, save for the collective gaze of those around her, their eyes boring into her like unwelcome intruders. In her heart, a storm of fury and indignation raged. The injustice of it all was suffocating. She could retaliate, repay the man’s slap with equal measure. Yet, the thought of losing the chance to learn more and her impending departure stayed her hand.
Her vision blurred with unshed tears, Lily cursed her perceived weakness. Her dream was simple – to become a healer, to aid her brother and those in need. Why did such cruelty and spite meet her every step? It wasn’t fair.
At that moment, the paths before her were laid out – to unleash her pent-up emotions, to stand her ground, to fight back. But bound by obligations, by the overwhelming need to ensure her brother's safety and her own survival, Lily stifled her righteous anger and swallowed the humiliation. She straightened her posture and bowed her head, her voice barely above a whisper, "I’m sorry, Master Orion. I’m sorry, Miss Alana. I beg of you, sir, please give me another chance."
Her apology was met with Alana's sneering triumph and Orion's cold nod. "It’s good that you recognize your errors," Orion intoned sternly. "Remember, your presence here is a privilege, not a right. From now on, your studies are confined to early mornings and late evenings. You’ll clean up after supper as well. Do you understand?"
Lily's heart sank, weighed down by shame, anger, and degradation. She had never felt so belittled, so powerless, especially against her own inability to stand up to them. Nonetheless, she simply nodded, her response a silent acquiescence.
"Be gone, then," Orion dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
Lily left the room, her tears flowing freely as she made her way back. Through her sobs, she made a silent vow – she would endure, she would learn all she could from the mendicar. She would bow and serve, but she would never again allow herself to be diminished. This was a temporary sacrifice, a stepping stone on her journey to becoming a healer, a journey she would complete no matter what.