Lily's appreciation for sleep, a simple yet vital aspect of life, had grown exponentially. Magic, her first love, still held its allure, but the comforting embrace of slumber was now a close second. The insomnia that had plagued her for days made her all the more grateful for the restorative power of sleep, even though the 'clear' spell she had mastered only provided temporary relief. Waking from a meager three hours of sleep, jolted awake by a nightmare, she had simply recast the spell, sinking back into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.
Awakening again as dusk embraced the world outside, the faint murmurs of the town's nightlife filtered through her window. She attended to their evening rituals, preparing a simple meal and tending to Draven with gentle care. Once these necessities were addressed, she allowed herself a moment to reflect on the effects of the 'clear' spell.
Unlike the 'clean' spell, which had proven its worth in maintaining hygiene – a key component in preventing disease – the 'clear' spell offered a different kind of cleansing, one that soothed and unburdened the mind. It was akin to waking up fresh, unencumbered by the worries and stresses that usually clouded her thoughts. This mental clarity was precisely what she needed, especially now, with the looming deadline of the mendicar exam.
However, Lily couldn't help but ponder the full capabilities of 'clear'. How did it aid in recovering from mana overexertion? Perhaps it had healing properties that extended to the mind, a theory she could only confirm through observing the spell effect while using her 'health sense' skill. This realization sparked another curiosity – could she use her skill simultaneously with a spell? An experiment for another time, she mused.
For now, her focus had to remain exclusively on the impending exam. With only two days left, every moment was precious. The burden of household chores was lightened by the fact that she only had to care for herself and Draven, freeing her to dedicate more time to study and preparation. This brief pause from external responsibilities was a small mercy in the face of the challenge ahead.
In the muted glow of candlelight, Lily meticulously organized her treatment notes, the flickering flame casting dancing shadows across the pages. She avoided straining her eyes with intensive reading, opting instead for basic sorting and planning, a prelude to the deeper studies that awaited her at dawn. As the evening waned, she set aside her notes, feeling the familiar tug of fatigue.
However, the prospect of sleep brought a twinge of anxiety. Nightmares and haunting memories had turned her nights into a battleground, a place where fear and unrest reigned. But now, armed with her newly acquired 'clear' spell, Lily found a way to bypass the dread that started accompanying her attempts to find rest.
Morning greeted her with a sense of rejuvenation, completely different from the fitful sleep of the previous nights. She awoke only once from a nightmare, a marked improvement that hinted at a path to healing. Despite a niggling worry about becoming reliant on the spell for sleep, Lily recognized its current necessity. It was a concern she could address later; for now, the spell was her sanctuary in the night.
The unknowns of the upcoming mendicar exam loomed over her. Without a mentor to guide her, Lily faced the uncertainty of what the exam might entail. She had gathered snippets of information during her time with Master Orion, but nothing concrete. The test would involve real patients, a thrilling but frightening prospect. It was one thing to fantasize about treating patients, quite another to be confronted with the reality of it.
However, Lily's confidence found its roots in her 'health sense' skill. Diagnosing was her forte; she could unravel the mysteries of a patient's condition with just a glance, a powerful advantage. Creating a treatment plan would be more complicated, but she felt equipped to face the challenge. Her strategy was to revisit her notes and the cases she had witnessed and read about, fortifying her knowledge in preparation for the test.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t so confident in the following steps of the treatment – medicine preparation and treatment execution. In the complicated world of mendicar practice, concoctions were mixed on-site, their efficacy reliant on freshness and precise dosages tailored to each unique case. Unlike potions, which alchemists could craft with standardized recipes and longer shelf lives, concoctions demanded immediate preparation and usage.
Lily could only hold on to the fundamentals she learned: Earth-aligned herbs needed grinding, water-aligned ingredients required infusion, air-aligned elements demanded delicate mixing, and fire-aligned components called for boiling or smoking. The balance of these alignments was critical, particularly when countering specific mana types. The potency of each ingredient had to be meticulously controlled, ensuring it was 60 percent less intense than the element being countered, to avoid harmful reactions.
Disinfecting concoctions posed another layer of complexity, requiring careful dosage to prevent exacerbating a patient's condition. When in doubt, Lily knew to err on the side of caution, selecting dosages that prioritized safety.
The practical aspect of treatment, however, was where Lily's confidence completely wavered. Her proficiency in diagnosis afforded her some leverage, potentially minimizing unforeseen complications. Yet, her inexperience with medical tools and physical treatment could prove undefeatable. She could only compensate by meticulously reviewing each case, methodically noting the steps and techniques involved.
Lily felt somewhat prepared for minor mana poisoning, basic lacerations, and simple fractures. For mana poisoning, her attention was fixed on correctly balancing the counteracting dosages, especially in peculiar cases. With lacerations, the key lay in thorough disinfection and cleansing of wounds. Sewing, however, presented an uncharted territory. Her experience with fabric and thread was extensive, but skin was a vastly different canvas.
Experimenting on herself with her sewing tools crossed her mind but was quickly dismissed as unwise. Instead, she decided to rely on her theoretical knowledge, hoping it would bridge the gap between understanding and practice.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
As she revisited her meticulous notes and reviewed the books she had discreetly taken from Master Orion's store, the 'clear' spell became a weapon of focus. It swept away distractions, allowing her mind to absorb the particular details of healing. This spell, much like the 'clean' spell, had its limits, but it was instrumental in maintaining her concentration amidst the chaos of anxiety and anticipation.
With the exam nearing, she couldn't help but acknowledge the gaps in her practical experience. Setting bones in fractures was a skill she had only observed, never performed. Despite this, she clung to the hope that her exceptional diagnostic prowess would compensate for her lack of hands-on experience.
---
The day of the exam dawned, and Lily, armed with as much knowledge as she could absorb in this brief time and a pouch of 30 silver coins carefully concealed, made her way to the City Watch. The journey seemed to stretch longer than usual, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. She contemplated casting 'clear' once more to quell the trembling in her legs and the rapid beating of her heart. But she chose to embrace these feelings, recognizing them as natural responses to one of the most important moments in her life.
The previous day, she visited Aunt Carol to get support to finalize the deal with Mr. Loges at the City Watch. Despite the bittersweet nature of selling her childhood home, it was a necessary step towards her and Draven's future. Mr. Loges had shown unexpected kindness, agreeing to complete the transaction in a way that gave Lily some much-needed time.
The imposing City Watch tower, standing as the most prominent structure in the town, was a sight to behold. Its lofty presence, near the town walls, served as a strategic advantage, allowing the City Watch to swiftly respond to any threats, especially during mana surges. This pragmatic positioning had inadvertently created a bustling district around it, one teeming with hunters, crafters, and many stores catering to their needs – from equipment and potions to scrolls and mendicar services.
Lily navigated through the lively streets of this district, her focus unwavering despite the vibrant chaos surrounding her. Upon reaching the tower, she was greeted by a clerk at the counter. The woman, clad in a refined attire – a crisp coat paired with a tailored skirt – exuded professionalism.
"How can I help, young Miss?" the clerk inquired with a warmth that caught Lily off guard. She had braced herself for a brush of arrogance, but the clerk's demeanor was anything but.
Momentarily taken aback, Lily quickly regained her composure. "I'm sorry. I was hoping to take the mendicar exam," she replied, striving to project confidence and dignity.
"Oh, a young mendicar apprentice, how lovely! Let's get you sorted, dearie," the clerk responded, flipping through a ledger with an air of efficiency. Her lack of skepticism or patronizing attitude was a pleasant surprise for Lily.
This encounter served as a gentle reminder – appearances and social standings didn't always dictate the nature of a person. Despite her prior experiences suggesting otherwise, both this clerk and Mr. Loges had extended courtesy and respect beyond her expectations. It was a lesson in humility and a prompt to reevaluate her preconceptions.
"How lucky of you. Both our resident master mendicar and imperial envoy are available now. If you're comfortable with our resident master overseeing your exam, we can begin shortly. However, you're entitled to request a different master mendicar if you prefer," she elaborated, her eyes briefly lifting from the ledger.
Lily's response was initially hindered by a sudden dryness in her throat. Gathering her composure with a deep breath, she managed to articulate her agreement. "I would like to proceed, thank you," she replied with a tentative nod.
"Excellent. That will be 30 silver coins, with half refundable upon passing," the clerk explained.
After handing over the coins, which the clerk meticulously counted, Lily was prompted to follow her. They navigated through a corridor, leading to a room where the clerk instructed Lily to wait momentarily while she notified the envoy.
Alone, Lily seized the opportunity for a brief meditation, focusing on her breathing and the gentle flux of life mana within her. This practice of inner tranquility was briefly interrupted by the return of the clerk, now accompanied by a striking figure – a tall man with fiery red hair and a sword strapped to his waist. His robust build and vibrant appearance opposed the actual age revealed by his life mana. His demeanor was stoic, offering Lily nothing more than a cursory glance.
The trio proceeded towards a room labeled 'Master Mendicar', only to be met with the sounds of a heated argument from within. The red-haired man turned to the clerk, his expression hinting at his disapproval. She, somewhat flustered, apologized, explaining that no appointments were recorded in the office book.
"I told you, Mr. Lin, I won’t take her. Now, please, if you would..." an authoritative female voice resonated from inside the room.
Then, a male voice, painted with desperation and a touch of arrogance, pleaded, "Master Kali, please. I'll compensate you for any inconvenience." His words suggested a belief that money could sway any decision.
However, the elderly female voice retorted firmly, "It's not about the trouble or compensation, Mr. Lin. This is a matter of aptitude."
Undeterred, the man persisted, "She has been training under a Master for years. Surely, she could be of some assistance in the field..."
The woman, now identified as Master Kali, interrupted with a heightened tone, "Mr. Lin, your daughter lacks the natural gift for healing. It's not just about training; she's simply not cut out for this profession."
Before the man could formulate another plea, the door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of the red-haired envoy. The man arguing with Master Kali, identified as Mr. Lin, was a portly individual adorned in ostentatious attire, embellished with jewels and crystals, presenting an obvious contrast to Master Kali's dignified and simple white mendicar's robe.
"Your Excellency," Mr. Lin greeted the envoy hastily, masking his agitation with feigned respect.
Master Kali, leaning on her cane, rose with a composed demeanor to acknowledge the envoy. "Your Excellency," she greeted in return, her calm bearing matching her confidence and authority.
The envoy, addressing Mr. Lin with a directness that tolerated no argument, questioned, "Mr. Lin, why are you bothering my Master Mendicar?"
Mr. Lin, attempting to salvage his dignity, replied with a rehearsed apology, devoid of genuine remorse. "Forgive me, Your Excellency. I was merely requesting a favor from Master Kali."
The envoy, unimpressed, dismissed Mr. Lin curtly, "Then, you may leave now, Mr. Lin."
As Mr. Lin reluctantly retreated, the envoy turned to Master Kali, "We have a prospective mendicar here for the examination." He gestured towards the door.
Lily, realizing the cue, stepped into view. Her gaze initially fell on Master Kali, whose elegant presence aligned with Lily's ideal of a compassionate healer. But before she could fully absorb the scene, a sharp, incredulous familiar voice shattered the brief tranquility.
"Her? A lowly servant taking the mendicar exam? That's impossible! She hasn't even been trained in healing!"