Chapter 4: The Hatching Ceremony
A meeting was held with Laura’s attending physician and the research team from Nightdragonfiles.
“This is quite a groundbreaking discovery. Who knew enhancement magic could be used in such a way?”
the doctor said, still visibly shocked.
After several detailed verifications, it was concluded that the walking enhancement I performed on Laura could indeed be useful as a walking aid for paraplegics.
“We’ll likely use Laura as the first patient in our research paper. If it gets approved, the idea of doctors who are also enhancement mages might start gaining traction.”
This technique not only allows someone who couldn’t walk to walk again but also has numerous other benefits.
Since the enhancement magic moves the muscles directly rather than relying on external devices, it stimulates the muscles, preventing atrophy and weakening. This means Laura can maintain her leg shape similar to that of an average person.
Furthermore, the simplicity of my enhancement magic made it highly adaptable and easy to learn. It doesn’t require high-level attribute enhancement, so even an average enhancement mage can cast it with enough time for chanting.
For medical use, this simplicity is a significant advantage. Unlike in the unpredictable and flexible application of magic in dungeon battles, using it for daily life doesn’t involve immediate dangers. Even if it takes an hour to chant, many patients would be eager to use this technique if it allows them to move.
The doctor and researchers took turns discussing their views.
The potential applications were vast. Parts of the technique could even be used for rehabilitation. Every proposed application showed great promise.
But there was one major issue.
“The problem is the duration of the enhancement. For a patient to live a normal life, they would need an enhancement mage with them at all times, and long-term use would deplete their magic,”
summarized Camilla as the meeting progressed.
“That issue could be resolved if the number of enhancement mages increases. If hospitals have enhancement mages, daily life could be much easier even if combined with wheelchair use,”
suggested one of the researchers.
“That’s a future possibility. But… Vim,”
Camilla addressed me directly.
“Yes, what is it?” I responded.
“You don’t plan to live in the hospital until Laura can walk on her own, do you?”
“…If necessary, yes.”
Camilla sighed heavily.
“I understand your sense of responsibility, but you’re too attached to Laura. You’ve been working on her enchantments without rest recently, haven’t you?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“It’s valuable work. Dedicate your time to it. But don’t sacrifice yourself. There’s no need to rush since we have a clear path forward.”
“But, if it takes years for her to live normally—”
“There’s a simple solution,”
interrupted Heidemarie, sounding exasperated.
“Laura herself can become a granter, an enhancement mage. She has magic power, right?”
“…Oh,”
I said, realizing the simplicity of the idea. The doctor and researchers echoed my realization.
It was an idea that had been completely lost on me, because everyone had been looking at it in a strange and overly broad way.
It was the best solution. If she becomes a mage herself, she won’t need to rely on others, making the process much more efficient and easier to learn.
“But didn’t the ceremony already take place this year?”
someone pointed out.
Indeed, the job acquisition ceremony held by the Sage Association occurs only once a year. If it’s over, we’ll have to wait until next year. The job acquisition is a special ritual only the Sages can perform.
“Can we wait? Even with rehabilitation, Laura’s legs will undoubtedly weaken over the year.”
“We should ask the Sage Association…”
“Who can approach them? Even Academy graduates rarely have connections with the Clock Tower.”
“This is such an invention! The Sages will understand its significance!”
“I wouldn’t count on the Sages acting rationally…”
The doctor and researchers voiced their concerns.
Camilla also looked troubled.
It was frustrating to be held back by procedural issues after coming up with such a good idea.
Persuading the Sages is no easy task.
The Sages are notoriously arrogant, extremely self-centered, capricious, and difficult. They’re not the type to be easily swayed, a well-known fact in Villeborn. Successfully persuading them would itself be a legendary feat.
This will be a tough challenge.
Even if it takes a year, my resolve won’t change.
I felt responsible for Laura. Even if it meant staying by her side for a year—
“…It’s clear how much I’m undervalued in this party,”
Heidemarie interrupted again, visibly annoyed.
“I’m the Sage. The 74th Sage.”
Once again, everyone realized, “Oh.”
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Laura carefully positioned her fingertip over the scale’s dish to avoid letting blood spill on the bed.
A drop of blood fell onto the dish.
The three of us watched intently as the Sage’s scale slowly tilted on its own.
“Seventeen degrees… She does have magic power, and quite a lot. Even if her aptitude is low, she can use enhancement magic once she acquires the job,”
Heidemarie said, making me breathe a sigh of relief.
“Now, you have a choice,”
Heidemarie continued, looking Laura in the eye.
“Of course, acquiring a job is irreversible, and you don’t have to decide immediately. But delaying too long means your lower body muscles will weaken, making recovery difficult. It’s best to act sooner if you decide to go for it.”
After much consideration, it was clear that having Laura become an enhancement mage herself was the best solution.
The hospital was enthusiastic about this promising case for the future. As it was an experimental attempt, the hospital agreed to cover all treatment costs and even provide compensation in case of accidents.
It was an exceptional offer.
…Although the treatment heavily relied on my enhancement magic, which was a significant pressure.
Laura seemed unable to fully grasp the situation.
She glanced between me and Heidemarie, then curiously at the tilted Sage’s scale, deep in thought.
We waited patiently for her to speak.
“Um, I’ll… do it,”
she said naively.
Heidemarie asked, gauging the firmness of her resolve.
“Are you sure?”
“Well… It’s not like I’ll lose anything. It wouldn’t make sense to take another job if I can’t walk… right?”
“Got it. There’s still time before the ceremony, so you can change your mind anytime. The process might seem grand, but don’t worry too much.”
“Y-Yes…”
Even after responding, Laura still seemed uneasy.
“What’s wrong? Are you worried about something?”
Heidemarie asked.
“Um, well…”
“Go ahead, say it. Even if it’s trivial.”
“Um, well, you know… …… “
“Um, really… Will I really be able to walk again?”
Laura murmured as if talking to herself.
Heidemarie returned to her serious expression before smiling and looking at me.
“Tell her, Vim. She still needs reassurance.”
“But I can’t guarantee—”
“You started this, remember?”
“Ugh…”
“Besides, it’s very likely to succeed. So, tell her.”
Pushed forward, I stood in front of Laura again. Heidemarie moved behind me, blocking any escape.
Laura stared into my eyes, waiting for my words.
I knew what to say.
It wasn’t my style. But if I was the only one who could say it, then I had to.
So I mustered my courage.
“You’ll stand again. By your own power. You’ll even run… I promise.”
There was a brief silence.
A single tear rolled down Laura’s cheek.
“Oh, uh, what? No, um, I’m sorry! Uh…”
She burst into tears.
It seemed like something she’d been holding back finally overflowed.
“Uh, uh, uh…wah…uh, uh, uh.”
“Sorry! Laura, um, what’s wrong? What? What?”
“It’s okay, Vim. Really.”
Heidemarie spoke with a hint of exasperation.
“You clueless fool.”
“Huh? Oh, um…”
“Here, at least put a hand on her shoulder.”
Following her suggestion, Vim placed his hand on Laura’s shoulder, and she cried even harder. When he tried to pull away, Heidemarie pressed his hand down firmly.
Through her sobs, Laura managed to say thank you, and Vim realized she wasn’t crying because of something bad.
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It isn’t just readers, Heidemarie was getting so little screen? time, even Nightdragonflies treat her as extra.