45 Complications

"You really can't give me anything stronger than that?" Teo asked, a hint of despair showing on his face.

"Look, kid. I already explained it to you. This is the strongest we have; infections are not easily dealt with. At the stage you described, anyone's best bet would be to swing their back-quarters over here as fast as possible to receive treatment from an experienced healer with Magic. I get that your anxious after what you went through, but is this really just about preparation?" a middle-aged healer explained with a stern look on his face. He was Dr. Salivarius, one of the leading figures in the clinic and a local expert on infectology.

"I'm sorry. I did not intend to bother you, sir. I just want to be prepared for any eventuality, and I think infections especially should not be taken lightly," Teo talked his way out of suspicion in an unusually skillful fashion.

"You're right, boy. It really is a seriously underestimated threat; in fact, more people die to infections than to hunger, accidents, and Magical Beasts combined... But I really can't help you — no one can. Unless you find a skilled Alchemist and acquire a specialized potion for a small fortune, there is literally nothing you can do," the man said as he turned to walk away. It was only due to Teo's unique standing here in the clinic that he had wasted even this much time on childish banter, he was a busy man after all, and rows of patients were already waiting.

Teo did not give up hope entirely, though.

"An Alchemist, huh? I guess I could try that," he murmured as he was left standing alone in the corridor.

Ever since Beast's condition took another turn for the worse, Teo desperately began to absorb as much knowledge in the shortest possible time, as he could. Through a mixture of pleading, feigning interest, and straight-up paying people to teach him, he managed to pick up several useful techniques, both magical and scientific, which allowed him to take his treatment methods to the next level.

Teo had tried to remove the infected tissue and disinfect the wound with Mana several times already, but all it managed to accomplish was slowing down the inevitable.

He was neither a real healer, nor did he possess a Light Magic Affinity, bringing the efficiency of his treatment down by a few notches compared to what he intended to accomplish.

The infection seemed to be of a pretty aggressive, Mana-resistant strain as well and quickly proved to be more than the young boy could handle on his own. It was to be expected since anything sensitive to Magic would not be able to infect a Magical Beast in the first place, but lacking prior experience in the field, Teo still failed to predict this outcome.

His last hope had been to acquire a suitable medicine from somewhere, no matter the price — but the clinic seemed to be unable to deliver in that regard. Still, a silver lining remained, because his last conversation with Dr. Salivarius gave him a direction to work towards.

Alchemists were a rare class of Magical Craftsmen, very similar to Enchanters in that regard. But, instead of focusing on the process of binding Magic to a tool through a complex process of carving Magic Circles and energy pathways, they studied the interaction of the natural Elements contained in various ingredients and how to use them to one's advantage. 

Through mixing and processing many more-or-less magical ingredients with each other, they were able to forge a wide range of elixirs, formulas, and consumables — many of which possessed incredible potency.

Just like with Enchanting, the rarity of the profession was founded in the high level of magical talent necessary for it. Correctly assessing the exact quality of the magical ingredients used and gently guiding the mixing energies during processing steps required both a keen sense for Magic and the Elements, as well as precise control over one's own power.

It was hard to decide which profession imposed heftier demands on its practitioners, but all agreed on one thing: these professions represented the pinnacle of craftsmanship — at least if real Magicians weren't taken into account. It was only natural for occupations created by and for the elite of society to prove more challenging and profitable — and thus, more highly regarded and influential as well.

Enchanting demanded exceptional mental and physical stamina, as well as an above-average Mana Capacity, whereas Alchemy focused on finer control of Magic and a sharp mind; they were not too different, really.

If he could just find an Alchemist able to prepare a healing elixir,  that would potentially solve his problem — given that he could persuade him to help. It was easier said than done, but it was a direction to work towards nonetheless.

Teo would have to look into that first thing tomorrow. For now, he was going to head home.

***

It was a rainy day and thick, billowing clouds covered the sky like a dense blanket, a lonely carriage scuttled along the country road, passing by empty fields. As he looked out the small window from the comfortable couch and rested his head on his arms, Teo could not help but fall into deep thought. Somehow the situation reminded him of the day he arrived in this marvelous town.

The weather did not do them any favors back then either, and it had rained for a whole week with barely any breaks. How long had it been? One or two... no, three. Three and a half years, more or less. And he could still remember it like yesterday.

A fresh new start. A bustling city to explore. New friends to meet. A new "family" to get to know.

How he longed for the simple and straightforward days of back then. Life was definitely easier when he was younger, yet he could not precisely put a finger on what had changed. He could, however, point out when it had all started.

To call his experience of being kidnapped and forced into a fight to the death, "traumatizing" would be a blatant understatement. It was not something any child should have to go through.

It was hard to deny that it had changed him. Somehow. How could something like that leave anyone unscathed after all? 

Maybe he had no choice but to accept the fact that the only thing that had changed about his life was he himself, yet that had changed everything.

Sure, ever since he decided to leave his hometown and his parents loving care, he had been forced to face some minor complications, yet it was barely worth a mention when he looked back at it now.

His grandfather had accepted him with open arms, and even his granduncle was a solid supporter at his side after Teo had overcome his initial skepticism. Of course, it had not been all smiles and warm welcomes back then either.

Especially the part of the family under his uncle Dalmore, his grandfather's brother, never thought too fondly of him. And Aunt Greta was the worst of the bunch.

By now, he could understand where her opposition to him rejoining the family came from, but that did little to improve his impression of her cold and unfriendly attitude.

Badmouthing him behind his back, spreading weird rumors and inciting her children to play pranks on him, she was not precisely someone he could consider as family.

Yet there was some truth to her words. Had he not miraculously appeared out of nowhere, possessing the gift of the ancestors, her husband would have succeeded the position of the family head in a few years, significantly boosting their branches standing in the clan.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting.

Teo did not feel a shred of sympathy for the old crone's loss, but he did think that he could not simply accept the position either. He still longed to explore the vast continent and its unexplored reaches; would he be capable of supporting this household while chasing his dreams? How could he accept such a heavy obligation, when he was just a selfish weakling?