Chapter 11
“Welcome.”
Omar greeted Rubiana and her companions with a bright smile.
But the moment his gaze landed on Hailey, his eyebrows twitched sharply.
Even though her eyes were covered with a black cloth, he acted as if he could still see her.
Could it be that they know each other?
Judging by Hailey’s subtly stiffened expression, she seemed to recognize Omar as well.
“Hailey Escan? Well, this is a surprise!”
“Been doing well, Omar?”
“I’m always the same. And you?”
“Likewise.”
They clearly knew each other, but they didn’t seem particularly close.
“So, Hailey, what brings you here?”
“She’s the one I serve.”
“Ah, I see.”
Omar nodded immediately and pointed to the seat across the table.
“Please, have a seat… I mean, not the one with a lack of mana, but the one overflowing with it.”
“…”
Elion pressed his lips into a thin line and sat down in front of Omar.
“Alright, please place your hand on this crystal orb.”
Following Omar’s instructions, Elion set his hand on the transparent orb.
“Now… close your eyes and relax both your body and mind.”
Elion shut his eyes.
Just when he thought the orb was starting to feel warm, the examination was over.
Omar withdrew his hand from the crystal, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Judging by the dragonborn mana, you must be of the royal family.”
“…That’s right.”
Elion looked momentarily startled, but gave a brief reply.
“And you awakened as a Sword Master around the time you began experiencing mild fever and headaches, correct?”
“…”
Elion and Hailey’s eyes met, both wavering.
Hailey spoke cautiously.
“Omar, this is top secret. This information cannot leave this room under any circumstances.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t blab about things I hear from patients.”
Despite his assurance, neither Elion nor Hailey looked relieved.
Seeing this, Omar let out a small sigh and continued.
“The first thing you learn in your first semester at the Medical Academy is ‘professional ethics.’ It’s something any healer should engrain before all other knowledge. Even though I dropped out, I still have my pride as a medical professional. So you can rest easy.”
“…Alright. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Though still skeptical, Hailey finally nodded—and then shot a wary glance at Rubiana, who had just learned Elion’s secret.
Under her gaze, Rubiana swallowed hard.
I’ll keep the secret. I promise. Don’t worry.
She pressed an upright index finger to her lips, eyes firm with determination.
While Rubiana and Hailey exchanged glances, Omar began his explanation.
“Being a dragonborn descendant and awakening as a Sword Master at the same time—that’s what has caused your mana instability.”
“What?”
Elion frowned in disbelief.
Hailey’s expression was much the same.
Neither in medical texts nor historical records had they ever heard of such a condition.
Omar continued calmly.
“Your innate mana is already immense beyond comparison to ordinary people, and awakening as a Sword Master has amplified it further—beyond what a human body can endure.”
“Is there a cure?”
“If you could turn back time to before your awakening, that would be the cure.”
It was essentially saying there was no cure.
Elion’s face darkened sharply.
Hailey’s expression followed suit.
“Wouldn’t the mana stabilizers provided by the Grand Temple help?”
“They could ease the symptoms, but a full cure is impossible.”
Omar shook his head firmly.
“Strictly speaking, your body’s problem isn’t unstable mana—it’s too much mana.”
“…”
“If this continues, the overwhelming mana will eventually consume you. You’ll lose control entirely.”
At last, Hailey spoke.
“Omar, could you find a cure? You’re known as the greatest genius in Medical Academy history—if anyone can, it’s you. I can pay well.”
Rubiana clearly saw Omar’s lips curl upward in delight at the words greatest genius.
“If you put it that way… I’ll give it a try. But don’t expect too much.”
“…Alright.”
Hailey’s violet eyes dimmed with helplessness.
Omar turned back to Elion.
“But you’re rather fortunate. In losing mana, you’ve met someone who needs fresh mana every day. A blessing in disguise.”
“…”
“What if you both help each other endure? At present, mutual symbiosis is the only treatment.”
Elion didn’t seem to agree with the idea of it being a “blessing.”
His handsome face twisted with hostility.
Rubiana and Hailey tensed at his expression.
But Omar was unfazed.
“I have a request for the two of you.”
“What is it?”
“Could you show me how you transfer mana?”
“…”
Elion said nothing, staring hard at Omar.
Perhaps misinterpreting the glare, Omar quickly added:
“Oh, the reason I cover my eyes with black cloth is to train myself to see the world through mana alone, without relying on sight.”
“…”
“I’ve studied medicine for 20 years and traveled for 10, caring for patients. But I’ve never seen a case like yours. As someone who loves medicine, I can’t miss this chance, so I want to help you both as much as possible.”
Even with his kind explanation, Elion remained silent.
Perhaps he didn’t like feeling like a test subject.
Rubiana grew anxious seeing Elion sit there, fists clenched.
She, however, very much wanted to cooperate with Omar.
If they were to regain health, his help was essential.
She was ready to show him anything he asked.
Even if it meant being a test subject.
As long as she could survive. As long as she could truly become the heroine.
“Of course. If it’s for treatment, we should show him, shouldn’t we, Your Grace?”
Rubiana suddenly grabbed one of Elion’s tightly clenched fists.
His blue eyes flickered with surprise, but she ignored it.
Looking up at him, she silently mouthed, We don’t have a choice, and shrugged.
Grinding his teeth, Elion reluctantly complied.
Unaware of the silent tug-of-war between them, Omar’s gaze fixed on their joined hands.
“Oh-ho!”
A cry of excitement burst from him.
His pink eyebrows bobbed up and down, his mouth agape in awe.
He looked as if he were witnessing the rarest, most wondrous sight in the world.
What would the flow of mana from Elion’s hand into Rubiana’s look like, she wondered.
Suddenly, she wished she too could see mana the way Omar did.
Her thoughts were interrupted by his next question.
“May I make one more request?”
“Of course.”
Before Elion could refuse, Rubiana answered quickly.
“It’s more efficient to transfer mana bare-handed rather than with gloves. Similarly, contact between mucous membranes is better than skin-to-skin.”
Bare hands instead of gloves? Mucous membranes instead of skin?
The way Omar was building up to something felt ominous.
As Rubiana’s eyes darted suspiciously, Omar grinned and asked outright:
“How about trying another method of mana transfer? With a kiss.”
“What?”
“…”
Rubiana’s mouth fell open, stunned, while Elion’s eyes widened.
Hailey flushed red and shot to her feet.
