Previously: Zenos accepted Becker and the others’ request and decided to go to the Royal Healing Institute.
The Royal Healing Institute.
It is said that the reason why the Kingdom of Hazes, once a small nation on the continent, rose to the status of what is now called the Sun Kingdom, was due to the presence of excellent healers.
With the support of these healers, frontline soldiers were able to win consecutive battles while minimizing casualties, and the nation expanded.
That is why healers hold a somewhat special position in this country.
The fact that a specialized institution for healing magic, which is essentially just one branch of magic, was established separately from the Ministry of Magic, shows how much emphasis is placed on it.
The Royal Healing Institute is the headquarters of all such healers.
“Wow… this is amazing.”
Zenos, who had just set foot in the Royal Healing Institute in the noble district for the first time, let out a sigh of admiration.
The entrance hall, all in white, was so high he had to look up, and bright sunlight was shining down. Healers wearing white cloaks were walking briskly and proudly in the sparkling light.
“It’s so big I still get lost.”
Becker, who was walking ahead, said, scratching his head.
“Well, Umin will give you a more detailed tour later, but for now, let’s go to my lab.”
“Yes. Zenos-san, the research building is to the left.”
Umin, who was walking beside Zenos, pointed ahead.
They went outside the building and walked along a wide corridor, gazing at the green courtyard.
The research building they were heading to was, again, a towering structure.
There were also a treatment building, an education building, an administration building, staff dormitories, a cafeteria, a general store, and a grocery store on the premises.
“It’s so luxurious, it makes my head spin. Honestly, I feel like I don’t belong here… Isn’t there a narrower, darker place…?”
“You don’t have to talk like you’re some kind of outcast.”
“I am a full-fledged outcast.”
“It’s troubling when you say that with such confidence…”
While conversing with Umin, they entered the research building and took the magic elevator to the 10th floor.
When they entered the room at the back, it was cluttered with books and experimental equipment, and there was a faint, musty smell.
“Somehow… this room is relaxing.”
“Can you please stop referring to my room as an outcast’s den, Zenos-kun?”
Becker smiled wryly and sat down in a chair at the back.
He straightened his posture and offered Zenos a sofa.
“Now, let’s confirm the details of your request again, Zenos-kun.”
“It was an investigation into a missing person, right?”
Becker nodded slowly. According to what he had heard on the way, a staff member of Becker’s lab had disappeared one day.
“It seems they haven’t returned to their family home either. I consulted with the administration department, but they didn’t take it very seriously…”
Umin, standing behind him, added an explanation.
At the Royal Healing Institute, which houses a large number of staff and trainees, it seems that there are occasionally people who disappear due to stress from not being able to keep up with their studies, research not going well, or other various reasons, and this case was judged to be one of those. Since there was no clear evidence of foul play, they couldn’t ask the Royal Guard for help.
“But the person who disappeared this time was an excellent researcher and healer with a promising future. So, we thought it was strange…”
“Hmm, I understand what you’re saying, but searching for people is not my specialty.”
Becker spoke to Zenos, who was frowning, in a cheerful voice.
“We’re in a situation where we have no other options, so we’d be grateful if you could just gather information without putting too much pressure on yourself.”
“I was planning to accept it anyway, since you said that would be enough, but I’m wondering how much I, as an outsider, can actually investigate.”
“There are times when it’s easier to move around precisely because you are an outsider.”
Becker pointed to the permit hanging around Zenos’s neck. The mark of a special trainee was engraved on it.
“Special trainees are allowed to take various research and education programs through recommendations, separate from the regular route. You can show your face in various departments, so it should be easy to gather information.”
“By the way, is my identity safe? I don’t even have a citizen’s card. And, thinking about the future, I don’t want to show my face too much.”
“Please wear a large mask at all times. We’ve told them that you have a weak respiratory system and that a mask is essential for infection control. We’ve also registered you under the alias ‘Zeno’.”
“Won’t that be discovered?”
“Normally, there’s an identity check, but if I, as a Special Grade Healer, vouch for your identity, they’ll let you through with a specially light check.”
“Hmm… so, if I do something wrong, it will be the responsibility of you, the recommender.”
“We’re in this together, fufufu.”
Becker laughed mischievously, as if enjoying the situation.
“For now, the program starts tomorrow. We’ve secured a room for you in the dormitory, so please use that during your stay.”
After that, Umin guided him to the staff dormitory at the back of the grounds. When he opened the door, someone came pattering from the back.
“Zenos, welcome back~”
“Eh?”
The person who appeared was an elf child.
“Why is Lily here? Weren’t you supposed to be waiting at the clinic?”
Because he couldn’t abandon the people in the slums, his contract with Becker allowed him to return to the clinic in the ruined district on weekends. Umin, standing next to him, spoke up.
“I have Becker-sensei’s permission. According to the dormitory rules, it seems that you can live together if you are a spouse or a blood relative.”
“Spouse or blood relative…?”
“Yes. Lily is Zenos’s spouse.”
“No, she’s supposed to be your sister.”
“Boo…”
Lily, pouting her cheeks in dissatisfaction, was hiding her elven ears with earmuffs. Umin bowed her head with an apologetic look on her face.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into our situation. I thought it would be reassuring to have someone you know, and this was the least I could do. See you tomorrow.”
“O-oh…”
As the door closed behind him with a click, Lily said with a big smile.
“Dear, would you like dinner? A bath? Or, perhaps… Lily?”
“You got the setting wrong, Lily?”
“Boo…”
“And who taught you that line?”
“It was I.”
“You’re here too?!”
Camilla the wraith came floating out from the back room.
“What did you come here for…?”
“Kukuku… I just came to tease you, of course!”
“I figured as much!”
Zenos shrugged and sighed.
“Anyway, if you come to a healers’ nest like this, you’ll be exorcised if you’re found.”
“Kukuku… What kind of teasing would it be if I were afraid of exorcism?”
“That’s just like you.”
“Well… there are not many who can use healing magic as well as you.”
“Did you say something?”
“It was nothing.”
Camilla floated back into the room.
“And so, the small request from the Royal Healing Institute would eventually develop into an enormous incident…”
“Can you please stop with the ominous narration so soon after I arrived?”
The dark healer’s life at the Royal Healing Institute was about to begin.