Chapter 73

Following Cameron's lead, we entered the building and proceeded down the hallway. It seemed to be a two-story building, and we were currently walking on the east side of the first floor. Apart from the gray stone floor, the walls and ceiling were all white. There were no furnishings in sight, and no people either.

"Is it lecture time now? I don't see anyone around."

When I asked, Cameron turned around with a friendly smile.

"What is absolutely necessary when practicing healing magic?"

It seemed I had been given a question as if I were a student.

"…The object to be healed, perhaps?"

Eliza, who was right behind me, answered. Cameron nodded, tilting his head.

"That's correct. This is one of the most populous cities in Mapleleaf. Therefore, there are many injured people from the knights, mercenaries, and adventurers. They enter through the west entrance of the academy and wait in line in the large treatment room. The students are busy attending to them, so they can hardly move during the morning."

I nodded in agreement at Cameron's explanation and asked a question that came to mind.

"Then, is the treatment of injuries in this city provided free of charge?"

When I asked, Cameron laughed in a troubled manner.

"No, no, we can't quite do that. However, for the followers of the Mapleleaf Holy Church, we provide treatment with only a minimal donation. Many people become followers as a result, and I think it's a good system for both the academy and the users."

He replied with a somewhat proud tone. Indeed, it was a good system both economically and religiously, but I wondered if those who became followers could truly be said to have joined the Mapleleaf Holy Church of their own volition.

"I understand why there are no students practicing healing magic, but I don't see any students with aptitude for other types of magic. Are there significantly more students learning healing magic?"

When I asked further, Cameron nodded as if he had just remembered something.

"Yes, the other students. Many of those who study magic other than healing assist with treatments in the morning. Most of the faculty also help with the treatments, so there are fewer lectures, and they receive a small wage. It's a situation where everyone helps each other."

He said this with a cheerful laugh.

The Fidic Academy has a very different approach and management style. I realized this, but upon reflection, there were also few students at the Fidic Academy who used healing magic.

Perhaps the optimal system is built according to the situation.

"Here we are. This is the special room for treating severe injuries."

While I was lost in thought, it seemed we had arrived at our destination. Cameron turned to us in front of a large double door.

"Special room… So there are different types of rooms?"

Strass asked in return.

"Yes. In our academy, the level of a healing mage is also determined by the level of injury they can treat. Even if they can't use the highest-level magic, if they can quickly and effectively treat severe patients, they can be registered as a senior mage. This level is defined by the ability to heal a broken bone or a deep cut in one minute."

Cameron deepened his smile in response to Strass's question. Strass, Eliza, and Cort also let out exclamations of amazement.

"Students can perform such treatments… I see. So, the most outstanding students are treating patients in this special room?"

As Strass mused over what Cameron had said, Cameron nodded vigorously and reached for the door handle.

"That's right. Since a senior faculty member from the Fidic Academy is here, I thought it would be a good opportunity to show you the capabilities of our academy. Ha ha. I'm a bit childish, aren't I?"

With a sheepish smile, Cameron opened the door to the special room.

Suddenly, screams and muffled groans that had been completely silent until now leaked into the hallway.

"…!"

Shenry and Ayl, who were not expecting it, gasped. I had heard about the severe injuries and had anticipated to some extent, so I wasn't particularly surprised. Strass, Eliza, and Cort probably felt the same way. Alabata, who had remained silent until now, might have entered the special room before, judging by his stern expression.

Bracing myself, I passed through the open door where Cameron was waiting. Inside, it was a large hall divided into smaller sections by white curtains. It was about ten meters wide and twenty meters long, as far as I could see.

The actual size was unknown because the areas behind the curtains were hidden. However, the spaces divided by curtains could accommodate at least ten people for simultaneous treatment. At the front, boxes containing tools and supplies for magic and treatment were arranged, and people were working in groups of two or three around them.

Seeing them take tools and cloths and run into the curtains, I assumed they were students who couldn't use healing magic.

From inside the curtains, the constant sounds of patients and students treating them could be heard.

Surveying the room, which had the tense atmosphere of a medical facility, Cameron opened with a smile.

"Here, the students are learning the world's most advanced magic. They can heal major injuries and gain detailed knowledge of the human body in the process."

Cameron said this and waited for our reactions. What he said was not wrong, but the screams and groans coming from behind him made Shenry and Ayl quite frightened.

However, I couldn't outright deny Cameron's words.

"Indeed, I think it's very important to study the human body in practice. Hearing this, I'm very interested in how much knowledge of the human body the Mapleleaf Holy Empire has researched."

When I responded, one of Cameron's eyebrows raised slightly.