I frowned at the knights who let my arm drop smoothly.
“Ah, damn. It’s bruised.”
“S-Sorry! Assistant!”
They were quick to change their stance.
Neslan approached me. “Thank you so much. I want to reward you handsomely. Is there anything you want?”
“How about becoming the duke family’s doctor?”
At the butler’s suggestion, the other doctors murmured in admiration. Some even voiced their envy. Of course, being the duke family’s doctor is a position everyone desires. But not me.
I quickly shook my head, clearly refusing the offer. “That’s too much for me. I was just lucky. I’m sure someone else would do better than me.”
And there’s something I need to say, now that I’ve caught everyone’s attention.
“As the doctors here may already know…”
“What is it?”
“The reason I was able to do my performance was all thanks to the Kalinos family’s potion.”
“Huh?”
I quickly pulled out a potion from my pocket and started to speak humbly. “If it weren’t for <Goph>, which boosts concentration and detoxifies the body, I might not have survived.”
Seeing the doctors’ eyes light up, it seemed <Goph> sales were about to hit another peak. Moreover, having subtly undermined Marquis Berto, I figured I could ask for the magic textbook as a reward. Absolutely perfect.
But just as I was about to speak, I felt it. Perhaps I had used too much healing mana. I completely forgot that the disguise artifact uses my internal mana! With my mana depleted, I could feel my fingertips slowly changing. If I transformed into Giselle here, it would be extremely troublesome.
Trying to keep my breathing steady, I quickly stood up. “Pardon me. There are many people waiting for me in the streets. I must return to using my medical skills for the poor again.” And with that, I made a swift escape.
* * *
“How could someone refuse a reward and just leave?”
“Is that what true medical spirit looks like?”
Everyone was astonished. Despite their authoritarian nature, they were fundamentally doctors who aimed to save lives. It was only natural that they were wide-eyed at the medical skills Wot displayed.
“By the way, did you all see that? I’ve never seen such a technique in my life. To insert a mana needle into the heart!”
“To work with such dedication despite the risks must have been out of a strong sense of duty.”
Even that mysterious figure shook her head and said it was too much for her to become the family doctor, and that someone else would do a better job.
“How can such a person exist?”
“Does that even make sense?”
Doctors who had pursued fame or money were shocked. They were recalling the oath they took when they attended the medical academy, especially Giyet. Now I truly realize it. I’ve been living my life in vain.
Not only Giyet, but the entire world of arrogant medical academy doctors…
“What exactly was that hand technique?”
“Is there really someone in this world who doesn’t chase after fame and wealth?”
“To think such a person is content with just being an assistant… I need to return to my roots.”
It was the moment that changed the course of their lives.
* * *
“Wot, why did you leave so suddenly earlier?”
Good question. I didn’t want to leave either. But the disguise artifact was causing a fuss about the lack of mana.
“Well, I just needed the textbook.”
“When I asked if there was a magic textbook, they said there was. They wondered how I knew…”
“There must have been quite a rumor that Lord Neslan was writing a magic textbook.”
“…Apparently, since it’s a textbook written by the head of a prestigious mage family, word got around quietly. Here, take it.”
With a racing heart, I recalled the earlier escape. Tears welled up as I remembered the perilous moment when I barely replenished my mana with a potion just before my body was about to transform due to mana depletion.
Anyway, my father-in-law has recovered, I’ve acquired the hidden tag, and received the magic textbook. It’s a perfect plan. Just as I was laughing to myself about how wildly the original story was falling apart—
“They said they’ll keep updating the magic textbook. If it’s too much for you, they’ll send updates through me every few months.”
“Really? Wow, I’ve found the best mentor.”
As I held the first magic textbook tightly, Giyet asked in a serious tone. “So, Wot, what will you do now? Will you live learning magic?”
…Actually, ‘Wot’ would disappear for good, except for when I picked up the textbook. But judging by the atmosphere, if I disappear without saying anything, Giyet will probably come looking for me.
Seeing Giyet’s emotional expression, I quickly made up an excuse. “I’ll live in seclusion, learning magic and helping people secretly. I’ll visit your place once every few months.”
Might as well make the regret male leads #1 and #2 kneel at my feet.
As I laughed maniacally, Giyet quietly muttered. “With such incredible skills, living in seclusion… Wot, I’ve made up my mind.”
“Huh?”
“You’re quite mysterious. I don’t even know how you obtained <Goph>, and I can’t figure out what you’re thinking.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
“Still, from now on, I’ve decided to live by the teachings you’ve shared.”
“Suddenly?” Just as I said that,
“From today, you are my inspiration. Also, there is something I have to say. The doctors are curious about the medical skills you’ve shown.”
Only then did I notice the doctors standing at a distance near Giyet’s house, their ears perked up. As I looked at them, they quickly rushed over.
“Yes, that’s right. We’ve come to hear Wot’s esteemed opinion.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly and looked at Giyet. As I silently pressured him with my lips, asking if they’d heard our entire conversation, he clasped his hands in a pleading gesture and shook his head vigorously.
This seems like it’s going to be a hassle. No, wait, isn’t this a chance to finish the promotion I couldn’t do earlier?
“To tell you the truth, there’s a secret technique passed down in my family.”
“A secret technique?”
Everyone held their breath in excitement.
I murmured in a very solemn tone. “It’s something like the <Goph> potion I showed earlier. The Kalinos family sells a lot of them.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I tried the mint potion Marquis Berto sells, but it wasn’t great. However, using something like <Goph> healed people right away. It’s especially good for relieving fatigue.”
Marquis Berto. Go bankrupt, you b*stard. Unaware of my sinister thoughts, the doctors took notes eagerly.
“Oh, and along with that potion, it might be good to have some healing at the coffee house. Emotional stability is important for patients, after all.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of the coffee house. I’ll keep that in mind.”
When I saw them exchanging glances, I realized. This was going to be a very satisfying ending.
* * *
Crash! Potion bottles clattered and rolled across the floor, their mint-colored glow tumbling everywhere. Even after smashing all the bottles, Marquis Berto’s anger didn’t subside as he glared at his aide.
“They say the medical academy won’t use our potions anymore. Why are we getting so many returns?”
“That, it’s because the doctor who saved the former Duke Kalinos said they use the Kalinos family potion. All the doctors insist on using the Kalinos family’s potion now.”
“Damn it!”
At first, everything was perfect. Everyone praised him and highly valued the effectiveness of his potions, but ever since <Goph> appeared, they had been completely replaced.
“Moreover, once the effectiveness was proven, even <Goph> unappealing packaging gained a cult-like popularity.”
At this point, what was the point of returning from my voyage?! The thought that everything was gradually falling apart made his head throb with pain. Marquis Berto gritted his teeth and muttered. “By the way, has there been any word from Giselle Florette?”
“There hasn’t been any contact, but we’ve done some background checks.”
“How is she?”
Whenever he was in great mental distress, he sought solace from that foolish woman. But the woman he expected to come wagging her tail didn’t approach him. It was as if she had vanished, like she was dead.
“She’s probably living miserably.”
“Well, about that, Milord…”
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