Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: It Was Worth It
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I headed to the slums. To carry more boxes than usual, I needed a cart.
Clunk.Clunk.
The cart jolted constantly thanks to the unpaved road.
"Not tired?"
"I am."
"Give it here. I'll pull it."
"I'll manage."
"Then let's pull it together."
"All right."
The destination was the same place as last time. People started peeking out one by one at the noisy cart. They stared at us with curious faces.
What's that?More stuff today, huh.
That sort of thing.
"Ready to start?"
"Let's do it."
Unlike last time, where just opening the boxes was enough, there was a lot to set up today. We unfolded simple chairs and a desk, and put up a shade to keep anyone from collapsing under the harsh sunlight. Up front, we stuck a sign dividing lines for the sick and the hungry.
All the items used were newly made. I'd crafted them while working on the microscope and medical supplies. Thanks to that, my whole body still ached.
"It's been almost a month."
"The research?"
"No, skipping classes."
"Ah..."
It was my decision, but now it was a problem. Magic Engineering and Alchemy were one thing... But what about the rest?
"Hopefully they'll cut us some slack for doing a good deed."
"I'll put in a good word for you."
"I'd appreciate that."
"No big deal. I skipped lectures too, so I'm screwed anyway."
A decent crowd had gathered. Most faces lit with curiosity. I smirked and said to Pelliana,
"Let's get started."
And so the "clinic" began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Going to the slums to treat people continued for about a week. Medical volunteer work, maybe? Doing good deeds without reward was exhausting but felt great.
Of course, I couldn't half-ass the treatments, so I relied on the system for that part. There was no medical law here, but I had to do it right anyway.
"Where does it hurt?"
"I keep feeling like vomiting, and I have fevers..."
"Hold on, let me check something."
The way I did treatments was like this...
"Eaten any spoiled food lately?"
"Ah, yes..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Confirmed: 'Staphylococcus aureus' infection due to food poisoning.
Something like that. I'd listen to symptoms, use the stethoscope, poke and prod, and the system would diagnose automatically. The doctor was this AI, not me.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
'Staphylococcus aureus' is a species of Gram-positive staphylococcus...
'Shut up.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Understood.
It talked too much, that was the problem... But thanks to it, I could heal people.
A week later.
"Pelliana."
"Yeah."
"Told you it'd work."
The slums were bathed in a brighter light. There were still those starving without money, but at least the ones dying from disease were gone.
"Worth all the hard work."
The antibiotics I'd made weren't just penicillin from blue mold. I'd used everything available to create as many drugs as possible. I even made antibiotic ointments for wounds. It'd be like a knockoff Fusidin, the common ointment back on Earth.
Something felt off. Like the name wouldn't come out right. Fusidin. Fusi-something. What was it? Anyway.
"It really was. All that effort paid off."
Pelliana gazed at someone, lost in emotion. It was the man we'd turned away untreated on her first visit here with me. Now he stood outside, hale and hearty, watching playing kids to keep them from getting hurt. Not a trace of frailty.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"Truth is, I didn't really believe most of what you said."
Pelliana confessed like she was admitting a lie.
"Really? You sure helped out a lot for someone who didn't believe me."
"Haha."
Pelliana let out a small laugh, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled before continuing.
"Germs exist, so we need antibiotics. Obvious now, but back then I was desperate and clueless..."
Pelliana had been like that the whole time. Urging me—not quite nagging, but close—about when we'd finally see these germs. After the microscope, she'd spend breaks observing bacteria, so yeah.
"You're a genius, so I figured you'd pull it off somehow, even if I couldn't understand."
"That's belief, right?"
"Is it? ...Kinda feels like it now."
I knew her desperation well. It was only natural, really. No matter how genius I was, to Pelliana I was just some guy she'd met recently spouting unproven nonsense. Believing it all took more than ordinary desperation.
"I'm so glad."
Something dropped to the ground. A tear from Pelliana.
"You cry a lot."
"Shut... up..."
I'd seen her cry before. Felt so guilty I couldn't sit still. Not this time. Just pride. The tears meant something different now.
"Hm?"
The playing kids ran over. They looked up at us quietly, then grinned wide and bowed deeply.
"Thank you!!"
In that instant, I understood why Pelliana was crying. Not that I was actually tearing up... But my chest tightened. A swelling emotion.
I knelt and patted each kid's head.
"No more getting sick, okay?"
"Yes!!"
Vitality rang in their strong voices.
The kids ran off. Pelliana smirked at my face.
"Didn't know you could make that face."
"What face?"
"Nothing, just."
The sun was starting to set.
"Looked really moved."
"Don't tease."
"Always so stoic."
"Says the crybaby."
"Hey!"
I probably wouldn't need to come to the slums so often anymore. In other words...
Time to head back. To the academy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Morning came. A morning in the dorm after a long time.
I yawned leisurely, stretched leisurely. What was my first class today?
Ah, right. Magic Engineering.
"..."
Reality hit late. I rubbed my dry face. A full month on antibiotic development. No academy classes the whole time.
What about my attendance? Didn't submit assignments either. And finals start next week.
Doing good felt great, fulfilling. Great and fulfilling...
But.
A little. Just a little. Really just a tiny bit.
I regretted it...
"Whatever." Guess I gotta go from today.
I got up. Got ready, grabbed my books, and headed out. The walk to class felt fresh after so long.
I'd left extra early. Planned to stop by Professor Rachel's lab before lecture started.
Soon reached the department building. Found her lab and knocked lightly.
Actually, I had more than one thing to discuss. Absences aside, there was an important request.
Mass production and distribution of antibiotics and soaps. I wanted Professor Rachel's help with that.
Of course, she couldn't handle it alone. She had huge influence, but not enough manpower solo. What I needed was her influence.
I was just a student, but Rachel Arte was the top scholar. To prove germs to others, it had to come from her, not me.
Yeah. Might even get an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. That's what Professor Rachel meant in the empire.
—Come in.
Professor Rachel's voice came from inside. Sounded drained. Something wrong?
A twinge of worry. Sick? I should treat her...
"Rain?"
I opened the door. Professor Rachel looked wrecked. Dark circles, sunken eyes, total mess.
"..."
She stared at me silently for seconds. What was it... Scary. Her gaze was scary.
"Uh, long time no see..."
Couldn't take the silence. I greeted first. Awkward all around, but had to say something. No reply came.
Great. Time to bail.
I turned to leave.
BAM!
The door slammed shut.
Click.Click click.
The door, naturally, wouldn't open again.
"Professor? Door seems busted."
Thud thud.
Damn, why won't it open?
"Student Rain."
Looking back, the door hadn't closed on its own.
"Student Rain?"
Professor Rachel had locked it with magic. I gave up on the door quick.
"Yes, Professor."
"Fun research?"
One line from her lips. Still friendly, but with an inexplicable chill.
"Wouldn't budge when I tried tempting you..."
I grasped the situation fast.
"Guess Professor Pelliana was more your type."
I'm screwed.