#20. Reward

We headed towards the slums.

A cart was needed to carry the greater number of boxes than usual.

* * *

Clunk.

Clunk.

The cart lurched and rattled constantly on the unpaved road.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I am.”

“Here, give it to me, I’ll pull.”

“I’ll just keep going.”

“Then let’s pull it together.”

“……Yes.”

The destination was that same place we’d gone to before.

The noisy cart drew people out, one by one. They stared at us with curious faces.

*What’s that thing?*

*Looks like they’ve got more stuff today.*

They seemed to be thinking along those lines.

“Shall we get ready?”

“Let’s.”

Unlike last time, when all we had to do was open a box, there was quite a bit to set up today.

Folding chairs and a makeshift desk were unfolded, and a sunshade was erected to prevent anyone from collapsing in the harsh sunlight.

A sign was planted out front, to separate the sick from the hungry.

Everything used was newly made. We’d crafted them alongside the microscopes and medical supplies.

Thanks to that, my whole body still ached.

“It’s almost been a month.”

“You mean the research?”

“No, my absence from class.”

“Ah……”

It was my decision, but this was becoming a problem.

Magical Engineering and Alchemy, those I could handle…

But what about the others?

“……Well, hopefully, doing good will earn some leniency.”

“I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Appreciate what? I’m failing too, from not going to lectures.”

A decent number of people had gathered.

Most wore expressions of curiosity.

I chuckled softly and said to Peliana,

“Let’s begin.”

And so, ‘treatment’ began.

* * *

Going to the slums to see people continued for about a week.

Medical outreach, perhaps you could call it; selfless good deeds, performed without payment, were both exhausting and satisfying.

Of course, one couldn’t just offer shoddy, back-alley care, so I leaned on the system for that part.

There might not be medical laws here, but standards still had to be kept.

“Where does it hurt?”

“I feel like I’m constantly going to throw up, and I get fevers, too…”

“Just hold this here for a moment.”

The way I’d run a diagnosis went something like this…

“Have you eaten anything spoiled recently?”

“Ah, yes…”

[Confirmed: ‘Staphylococcus aureus’ infection due to food poisoning.]

Just like that.

After listening to symptoms, pressing a stethoscope here and there, the system automatically delivered the diagnosis.

The AI, not I, was essentially the doctor.

[ ‘Staphylococcus aureus’ is a species of Gram-positive bacteria in the Staphylococcus genus, that…]

‘Shut it.’

[Understood.]

It talks too much, that’s the problem…

But thanks to it, people were getting better.

Now, a week later.

“Felliana.”

“Hmm?”

“Didn’t I tell you? That it would work.”

A brighter light shone over the slums.

There were still those who went hungry for lack of coin, but at least people had stopped dying from illness.

“It feels good to see the results of our hard work.”

The antibiotic I made wasn’t just penicillin using blue mold. I used anything I could get my hands on to create several different medications.

I even made an antibiotic ointment to put on wounds.

It was probably a weaker version of Earth’s HuXidine.

…Something’s off. I can’t seem to pronounce that right.

Xucidine, I mean. HuXci.

What is it?

Anyway.

“It truly is. It feels good to see the results of our hard work.”

Felliana was gazing at someone, lost in thought.

He was someone we’d had to turn away, unable to treat, when she first came to the slums with me.

Now, he was outside, looking perfectly healthy. The way he watched over the playing children, making sure they didn’t get hurt, showed no sign of frailty.

“You know?”

“What?”

“I actually didn’t believe almost anything you said.”

Felliana spoke, as if confessing a lie.

“Really? For someone who doubted, you helped an awful lot.”

“Haha.”

A small laugh escaped Felliana, who then took a deep breath. She slowly released it before continuing. “Germs exist, so we must create antibiotics. It sounds obvious now, but back then, I was just a foolish girl, desperate above all else…”

Felliana had always been like that. She constantly pressed me, not quite demanding, but always asking when she could finally see these germs.

After I built the microscope, she spent her free time just observing bacteria. Need I say more?

“I thought, you’re a genius, so even if I don’t understand, you’ll figure it out somehow.”

“I guess that’s what you chose to believe.”

“Maybe? …Seems like it.”

I knew how desperate she was. Perhaps it was inevitable.

Even for a genius, from Felliana’s perspective, it was just unproven nonsense from some guy she barely knew.

To believe it all like that meant she was beyond desperate.

“I’m so glad.”

Something fell to the ground.

Felliana’s tears.

“You cry often.”

“Shut up…”

I had seen her cry before. Back then, I remembered being beside myself with guilt.

Not this time. Only pride.

The difference in the meaning of the tears.

“Hm?”

The children, who had been playing, came running towards us.

They stared at us for a moment before breaking into wide smiles and bowing their heads.

“Thank you!!”

In that instant, I understood why Felliana was crying.

I didn’t actually shed any tears…

But I felt a surge of emotion.

Something swelling up inside me.

I leaned down and patted each of the children on the head.

“Don’t be sick anymore.”

“Yes!!”

Their voices were full of life.

After the children left, Felliana smirked at my expression.

“You can even make faces like that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, just…”

It was getting close to sunset.

“You just looked so deeply moved.”

“Don’t tease me.”

“You’re always so gruff usually.”

“Those aren’t exactly the words of someone crying.”

“……Hey!”

I probably won’t have to come to the slums so often now.

So, in other words…

It’s time to go back.

To the Academy.

*

Morning had arrived.

It was a morning greeted in the dormitory after quite a while.

I yawned leisurely, and stretched just as leisurely.

What’s my first class today?

Ah, right.

Magical Engineering.

“……”

The belated rush of reality made me rub my face dryly.

The antibiotic development project lasted a whole month. During that time, I hadn’t attended a single Academy class.

What about my attendance?

I haven’t submitted any assignments either.

And to top it off, final exams are starting next week.

It feels good and rewarding to have done something good.

It feels good and rewarding, but…

“Ah.”

Slightly.

Just slightly.

Only very slightly.

I felt a pang of regret…

“Well, what can I do.”

I’ll just have to go from today.

I got out of bed.

I got ready, packed my textbooks, and then headed out.

Perhaps because it’s been so long since I walked the road to school, it feels somehow new.

The time is earlier than usual. I planned to stop by Professor Rachel’s lab before the lecture started.

Before long, I arrived at the department, and I carefully knocked on the research lab door.

Actually, I have more than one matter to discuss.

Apart from the absences, there was one important favor I wanted to ask.

The mass production and distribution of antibiotics and soaps like that.

I wanted to get help from Professor Rachel in that regard.

Of course, Professor Rachel can’t solve that alone. She’s a person with enormous influence, but she can’t handle that much work by herself.

What’s needed is her ‘influence’.

I may be but a student, but Rachel Arthe is a scholar of the highest caliber.

If the world needed proof of the microbes, it should come from her lips, not mine.

Yes.

Perhaps even an audience with His Imperial Majesty himself. Within the Empire, Professor Rachel held such sway.

“Come in.”

Professor Rachel’s voice drifted from within the lab.

A voice lacking in its usual vigor. Could something be amiss?

A flicker of worry.

Had she fallen ill? Perhaps I could offer aid….

“…Rain?”

I opened the door to find Professor Rachel, looking utterly ravaged.

Dark circles etched beneath her eyes, eyes hollow and haunted – she was a wretched sight, to put it mildly.

“…”

Professor Rachel stared at me, wordless, for what felt like an eternity.

It was… difficult to explain.

Terrifying. Her gaze was terrifying.

“Uh, it’s been a while, Professor…”

I stammered out a greeting, unable to bear the silence any longer.

Awkward in more ways than one, but I felt I had to say *something*.

But no response came.

Alright.

Maybe I should just bolt.

I turned to leave.

*SLAM!*

And the door was shut.

*Click.*

*Click-click.*

Naturally, the closed door refused to yield.

“Professor? I think the door might be stuck.”

*Thump, thump.*

Damn it, why won’t it open?

“Student Rain.”

Looking again, it was clear the door hadn’t closed of its own volition.

“Student Rain?”

Professor Rachel had locked it with magic.

I quickly abandoned all hope of opening it.

“Yes, Professor.”

“Was the research…interesting?”

A single sentence, slipping from her lips.

Still laced with her usual warmth, yet underscored with an unsettling chill.

“After all my efforts to win you over, not even a flicker…”

I took in the scene, quickly assessing the situation.

“Professor Felliana must have been more to your liking.”

This was bad.