Chapter 74

Cameron paused for a moment at my words but soon nodded.

"Then, let me show you. I'll go and see if there is a suitable patient being treated."

As Cameron walked towards the row of curtains, Arabata came over with a furrowed brow.

"...Aoi-dono. The treatments in the special room can be quite gruesome. I don't recommend you see them..."

Though he said this with concern, I replied that it would be fine.

"I have hunted beasts before. I don't mind blood, flesh, or broken bones. However, it might be too intense for the students. Perhaps only the faculty should observe."

"Y-Yes, I also find it a bit intense..."

Eliza whispered, her face pale. It seemed she was not good with blood.

"...Then, I will go instead."

Coat, with an unusually stern expression, volunteered to observe.

"No, if you're not comfortable with such scenes, you don't have to go..."

Coat is not skilled in healing magic. There's no need for her to go, even though she's not a faculty member. I told her to refrain from observing, but she took a deep breath and shook her head with a determined look.

"No, the research on healing magic in Coat Highland is not advanced. If I can get any hints, I should see it for myself..."

It seems Coat has resolved herself for the benefit of her country. What a wonderful spirit of patriotism. I wondered if the others, being nobles from various countries, felt the same.

I turned to look, but Eliza and Ayl didn't meet my eyes at all.

"I... I..."

Shenry, looking pale and anxious, was hesitating. I silently offered my palm to her, and she seemed relieved, closing her mouth.

At that moment, Cameron returned as if on cue.

"Then, everyone, let's go to the far right."

"Understood. I will go with Strass and Coat."

Cameron narrowed his eyes and glanced at the people lining up behind us, then smiled gently.

"Indeed, those who are not comfortable with it should not see. However, as a magician, it would be beneficial to observe."

With that, Cameron walked briskly to the right. I followed, and the other two joined as well. Arabata also followed silently, apparently intending to guide us.

Standing in front of the curtain, we heard short, intermittent breathing, the rustling of clothes, and small sobs. Even Strass's face tensed at the sound.

Watching Strass and Coat's fear, Cameron casually opened the curtain.

"..."

Behind me, I heard Coat take a small, sharp breath.

Inside the curtain, there was a white bed that looked like an examination table, and on it lay a young man who had lost an arm. The jagged edge suggested he had been attacked by a beast. His body was covered in various wounds, and his clothes were tattered.

The young man, having lost too much blood, was breathing shallowly with a pale face. Two people, a man and a woman, were around the bed. The man was using magic, pressing his hands on the young man's chest, while the woman, wiping away tears, was wrapping a cloth around the young man's arm to stop the bleeding.

"...Will he survive?"

Strass muttered, almost involuntarily. Indeed, the wounds themselves didn't seem too severe, but the amount of blood he had lost was concerning.

Even if a blood transfusion was impossible, an IV might be possible.

As I thought this, I looked up and saw Cameron's serious expression. His gaze was on the students treating the young man, and he was rubbing his chin while muttering.

"...It's a close call. This is the difficult part. However, by continuing such challenging treatments, the students' magical skills will definitely improve. I can save this young man, but that wouldn't benefit the students. The best approach is to be strict and observe."

Cameron said this seriously and then addressed the students.

"Apply pressure precisely, focusing on the inside of the joints. If the bleeding is controlled, the treatment time can be extended. When using healing magic, imagination is most important. You must visualize the human body and determine where to start the treatment. In this case, it's the damaged blood vessels and abdominal organs."

The two students nodded frantically in response to Cameron's advice.

Strass and Coat were speechless in the tense atmosphere. Cameron, confirming this, turned to me.

"I don't know how Fidic Academy teaches, but we prioritize practical experience. That's why Maple Leaf's magicians are highly regarded across the countries."

I nodded at Cameron's self-praise and looked down at the young man on the bed, who was near death.

"Indeed, practical experience is the best way to learn. However, it's unfortunate if someone who came for treatment dies, and it can also hurt the students' hearts. Perhaps it would be better to let the students treat up to their limits and then have the faculty take over."

Cameron furrowed his brow and pulled his chin at my words.

"...Seeing someone die and experiencing the inability to help are also important. However, there is some truth to what you say, Aoi-dono."

Cameron's ambiguous words made me narrow my eyes, and I pointed to the young man receiving treatment.

"Then, Cameron, please treat him."

Cameron shook his head regretfully.

"...Unfortunately, it's past the point of recovery. No matter how skilled the magician, it's impossible to save him in this state. However, this has been a very important lesson for the students. This experience will make them stronger and better."

Cameron declared it was impossible before even trying and returned to the topic of the students' education. The students' expressions darkened, and their hands stopped.

I looked at the students with heavy hearts and spoke.

"Then, may I take over the treatment?"