Chapter 89

"Focus! What are you doing?!"

"Yes!"

It was the combat training I had been looking forward to.

This wasn't the usual combat training with just the new recruits and the instructors.

It was the combat training that took place only once every three months, where everyone except the off-duty guards from the outer security force gathered.

A crucial training ground that carried a practical atmosphere, something you couldn't feel or learn from just sparring with your peers.

Especially since our promotion exams were just around the corner.

Despite this, I couldn't concentrate at all, as the senior who was training us kept saying.

Even though we were in the same unit, the new recruits were a mixed bag.

Most of them had noble aspirations, aiming to improve themselves or master the way of the sword, and had entered the Northern Demon King's Castle for that purpose.

On the other hand, there were also those who had come seeking the prestige of being a member of the Northern Demon King's Castle, and such people were scattered here and there.

I got along well with the former.

But I just didn't click with the latter.

It's natural for those who work hard and have the ability to aim higher.

But the problem was that these guys hated the effort to improve themselves but craved status and fame.

Because they had enough mediocre skills to join the Northern Demon King's Castle, they overestimated themselves and were constantly frustrated by not being recognized.

As a result, they envied those who were clearly above them.

In the end, they would team up with others like them and, despite the outer security force's rule against private duels, they would secretly try to bring down those they envied through coordinated attacks and various other means.

Some of them even took pleasure in seeing the ones they envied fall below them.

It would be best to avoid such people, but they would come at me.

Usually, I could dodge their provocations, but this time, a moment's lapse in attention led to a mistake.

On my left arm, between the elbow and the wrist.

I managed to defend myself, so it only affected my left arm, and the bone was somehow unharmed, but I had a nasty bruise.

Or maybe it was a bit worse than that.

I knew I should have it checked by the medical team.

But I didn't want to miss this training at all.

I wanted to train as much as possible before the promotion exam.

If this injury were discovered, there was no doubt that I would be stopped from training.

Worst case, I might not even be able to take the promotion exam.

That was absolutely out of the question.

I didn't want to be left behind by the others.

Most of all, I didn't want to lose to the ones who were the cause of this injury.

I had entered the Northern Demon King's Castle to train myself and test my limits.

Somehow, I managed to hide my injury from everyone and participate in the training, but the injured part was throbbing.

Despite my determination, even moving was a chore, and the pain began to dominate my senses.

I could barely manage the minimum necessary movements, and none of the valuable instructions were sinking in.

The senior was getting very irritated.

Even the jeers from the sidelines were all insults, not encouragement.

It was especially annoying to see the ones who caused my injury smirking.

"Enough! Go get treated right away!!"

In the end, I was kicked out of the ring and told to go get my various injuries treated.

I bowed and followed the instructions.

After that, I would have to line up again to get back into the training.

"Next person, please."

After being judged as a minor injury and waiting in line for a while, I was finally seated for treatment.

Next to me, a small child, who had recently been the subject of rumors, was assigned to the treatment.

The child, who was standing next to me, was indeed very small, as the rumors suggested.

Why am I being treated by a kid?

Wasn't he in the cooking unit?

Why is he in the medical unit now? I don't get it.

What can a kid like this do?

To be temporarily assigned to the Northern Demon King's Castle just because he was picked up by Captain Dilnan is a bit much.

The outer security force had many members, and there were many applicants.

Do they know how much we struggled to pass the exams to join the Northern Demon King's Castle?

Given that, it's only natural that the outer security force isn't very friendly towards this child.

I don't feel good about it either. In fact, it makes me furious.

"...Big brother, please raise your arms."

After the treatment, to be told something so meaningless, I couldn't help but look puzzled.

Who would want to move a painful arm?

I ignored it and stood up, but the child grabbed my left arm.

I suppressed a groan, but the pain, which I was completely unprepared for, spread intensely.

"Phol, this big brother is injured!"

"Oh?"

"I'm not injured!"

Hearing the child's voice, I hurriedly denied it.

Did he notice?!

No way. If it were found out here, all the effort I put into participating in the training would be for nothing!

But then, instead of Dr. Phol, Dr. Grain appeared.

It was impossible to escape the eyes of this person and Captain Vincent.

I panicked, but the child had already pointed out the injury.

Dr. Grain, hearing this, skillfully removed my equipment to expose the injury.

"It's not a big injury. What do you call an injury if you don't call this one?"

"Dr. Grain, over here."

Ah, I can't escape. This is the worst...

I was led by Dr. Grain into Dr. Phol's treatment area, and it seemed the previous person's treatment had just ended. I was immediately restrained by both of them and the treatment began.

"The bone seems to be fine, but this is clearly an injury from a few days ago, isn't it?"

"Should we immobilize it so he can't move?"

"Wait, I still have training!"

Hearing the two doctors' words, I couldn't help but speak up, and they both turned to me with cold eyes.

...The medical team's eyes are really scary!

"The only medicine the medical team has for fools is one. Phol, use 'it'."

"Sure."

What was that exchange just now?!

Dr. Phol's smile only made me more afraid. Where is this cold air coming from?!

Even though I was restrained by both of them, I, who usually train hard, couldn't move at all.

Is it true that the medical team is secretly the strongest in the entire unit?

"Come on, we're busy, so let's get the treatment over with."

Without hesitation, Dr. Phol took out a towel and a medicine from the treatment case and made me bite the towel.

Why? To prevent me from breaking my back teeth from the pain?

Wait, what?!

-- On that day, I learned that pain can be so intense that it leaves you speechless.

If I couldn't train, I at least wanted to watch the others.

The two doctors, who said with a smile, "You won't say anything foolish like going back while you're in pain, will you?" were demons.

They left me there and went back to their regular treatments.

The intense pain from the treatment had subsided, but the pain continued, making even sitting a torment.

In a daze, I felt a hand wipe the sweat from my forehead.

"Kid..."

"Just a little more, okay?"

When I managed to look up, the child was standing next to me in the chair.

Maybe because I had just been with the demon-like doctors, the child, who had annoyed me so much, looked like an angel.

Thinking that, the child closed his eyes.

"〈Pain, pain, fly away!〉"

Then, words I had never heard before were spoken, and a faint light appeared on my injured left arm.

It quickly dissipated into the air.

"...Huh?"

"It's a spell to ease the pain."

When I looked at the child in disbelief, he explained.

...There's no noticeable change in the injury or pain yet.

"...Amazing, Kid. It doesn't hurt as much as before."

Still, I appreciated the gesture.

"Get better soon and work hard again."

"...Yeah. There will be a lot more training in the future."

I was about to thank him when he encouraged me, and I snapped back to reality.

There's still a long way to go, so I don't have to push myself here.

I had been so determined not to lose to the injury I got from those worthless guys, but pushing myself wouldn't have done any good.

It must be telling me not to push myself any further.

To be taught this by such a child.

"Then, I'll go clean up."

"Thanks."

I thanked the child, who wiped my sweat again and smiled brightly.

A warm, gentle smile that made me smile too.

Even though it was the same smile, it was a world apart from Dr. Phol's.

...Is this child an oasis in the medical team?

After a while, the training ended, and everyone started to clean up.

By then, the pain had started to subside, and I could observe the situation around me.

The child had finished cleaning up and was leaving the arena, led by Dr. Grain.

"Well, how is the effect of Yuri's 'spell'?"

Once the child was gone, Dr. Phol checked my injury again.

I honestly told him that the pain had indeed decreased, and he readily agreed.

What kind of medicine did they use? I shouldn't be able to talk normally until I take the painkillers!

"Just in case, I'll prescribe one dose of painkillers. If it gets worse, come to the infirmary immediately. And I'll make a reservation for you to come in first thing tomorrow morning."

"...Okay."

I wanted to point out a few things, but it felt like I was digging my own grave.

As I swallowed my words, something unpleasant was presented to me.

The 'reservation ticket.' In the outer security force, it's also known as the 'punishment ticket.'

If you get this, you have to show it to your instructor and go to the infirmary first thing in the morning.

If you try to skip it, the medical team will come to get you with a smile.

And it will be through the captain or deputy captain, and the instructor will call you in.

You will be forcibly taken to the infirmary, examined, and then, after the lecture from the instructor and others, you will be subjected to hellish training once you recover.

Reluctantly, I signed the ticket, took the backup and medicine, and slowly made my way from the spectator stands to the ring.

"Io, are you okay!?"

When I returned to my assigned group, my comrades rushed over.

"Sorry for the delay."

"That's mutual."

"Hey, that's a 'punishment ticket'!"

"You were that injured!?"

As they spoke, Instructor Kaiser also came over.

"Io."

"Sorry, Instructor Kaiser. I'll go first thing tomorrow morning."

"...Idiot. Next time, go to the infirmary right away."

"Yes."

I bowed my head, and Instructor Kaiser ordered the end of the training and dismissed us.

Our group had no more shifts for the day.

"Of course, Instructor Kaiser, but Senior Jol also said you were acting strange."

"Yeah. 'The usual Io would have more speed and power.'"

"That's why when you were caught by Dr. Grain and Dr. Phol, both of them nodded."

"We thought you had a bad stomach or something."

"You've been in the bathroom a lot lately."

"We can't call you 'Io-pee' anymore."

"...Hey, wait a minute."

I had thought I was hiding it, but apparently it was obvious.

I really need to think about what I've been doing.

It was nice that my peers were worried, but the last comment was unbearable.

Without thinking, I reflexively hit the guy on the head, but the impact didn't resonate in my left arm.

The next morning.

I woke up a little earlier than usual, had breakfast, and headed to the infirmary with the 'reservation ticket.'

The pain from the injury was not gone, but it was much less than yesterday.

It was barely noticeable in my daily life.

A change that seemed almost unreal compared to yesterday.

Still, I refrained from morning practice.

"Io from the outer security force. I'm here to see Dr. Phol..."

As soon as I announced myself in the infirmary, Deputy Captain Bax and Dr. Grain joined Dr. Phol and gestured for me to sit in the treatment chair.

As I approached the chair, people suddenly appeared from all over the infirmary.

I was completely surrounded, and the back was even surrounded by multiple layers.

"What... What is this?"

Confused by the situation, I couldn't even sit down and asked the three medical team members in front of me what was going on.

"Is this about the effect of Yuri's 'spell'? Everyone is very interested. After all, it might be an unconfirmed medical magic even in the medical team."

"...Huh?"

"When did you think Yuri came to the Northern Demon King's Castle? No one knew she could handle such a special technique."

Deputy Captain Bax's explanation made me feel dizzy.

Am I being treated like a lab rat?!

"Sit down."

"Okay, I'll remove the bandage."

While I was holding my head in my right hand, Dr. Grain made me sit in the chair, and Dr. Phol skillfully removed the bandage from my left arm.

The injured area appeared.

Yesterday, it was a dark purple and swollen to the point where it was obvious.

"...This is..."

"...Amazing."

"...Not only did it reduce the pain, but it's promoting healing."

As Dr. Phol, Dr. Grain, and Deputy Captain Bax said, the swelling had visibly subsided, and the bruise had become lighter in color.

"...Was there anything unusual yesterday?"

"...I was extremely sleepy, so I went to bed early after dinner."

"Did you take any painkillers?"

"No."

In response to Dr. Phol's question, I could only think of one thing.

As I answered, a murmur spread through the infirmary.

"Would you like to have Yuri cast the 'spell' on you again? But not during the night shift, after dinner."

"Huh? Why?"

In the midst of this, Deputy Captain Bax spoke to me.

"I looked at your chart, and an injury that severe usually doesn't heal this fast. Even if you said you iced it when you got back to your room, it wasn't the kind of swelling that would go down that easily. The fact that it's in this condition without doing anything is incredible. If this is the effect of Yuri's 'spell,' we want to see more. From what I hear, the only side effect seems to be drowsiness??

Besides, you have the promotion exam for the outer security force coming up soon, right? If it works, you might be able to participate in it in perfect condition??

"Really!?"

"Yeah, for real. It's not going to hurt, and it might be mutually beneficial, so it's worth a try, isn't it?"

I hesitated to nod at Deputy Captain Bax's suggestion, but I couldn't help but ask in response to his next words.

I had decided to give up on this promotion exam, but maybe I didn't have to!?

There's no way such a good deal exists.

It shouldn't, but I know it.

Still, I can't help but hope for the best from the child.

"Yuri is a sincere child and won't make a face if you ask her properly. Well, if you ask her to give up her food, that might be different.

Anyway, since she's off today, why don't you ask her tomorrow?"

"If I receive the spell, I'll come to the infirmary the next morning."

"Then we'll prepare another 'reservation ticket.'"

While I was still in shock, Deputy Captain Bax announced this.

Next to him, Dr. Phol nodded and re-applied medicine and bandaged my arm again.

The medicine wasn't the intense one from yesterday, and I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Furthermore, Dr. Grain confirmed my work schedule during the treatment.

Due to the overwhelming pressure from everyone around me, I found myself honestly answering that I wasn't on night duty.

"Then, see you the day after tomorrow."

I was quickly told that the treatment was over and ushered out by the three doctors.

From behind the infirmary door, I could hear the medical team members discussing the child's 'spell.'

Looking at the 'reservation ticket' in my hand, I couldn't help but sigh.

...How am I going to ask the child?

But the hope that it might work lightened my heart a little.

I'll think about the difficult things after work.

For now, I'll head to my job for the day!