The wheels rumbled, horses neighed, and the travelers... Oh no, the casters didn’t need bows and arrows; they had more convenient and sharper means.
Garrett had completed all his tasks in his hometown and set off on the journey home with his companions. Little Avril was recovering well, with her left atrial diameter slightly above the normal range and her left ventricular end-diastolic diameter already normal.
Big Brother Raymond’s wife was also recovering well postpartum, with no signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation after a significant blood transfusion.
Even the cadmium-polluted valley, where the mine and workshop were located, was beginning to see the construction of pollution control facilities, supervised by priests of the God of Nature.
Everything was reassuring. The only regret was that Uncle Calrend and his family hadn’t returned to Nevis with him...
About this decision, Uncle Calrend had a long talk with him alone. The captain of the city guards confided:
“Little Garrett, your uncle believes you mean well for us. It’s just that I’m old, and all my acquaintances and relatives are in Hartland City, where I live comfortably.”
It was like many parents who move to big cities with their children, only to return to their hometown eventually. Captain Calrend didn’t think he would live any better in Nevis. As for his children...
He stroked his beard and sighed. Garrett empathized:
Indeed, big cities have their scenery, and small cities have their comfort. Edward and David, neither of the young men had the aptitude to be casters, and even with unrestricted resources for martial training, they could at best become knights.
Such talent, like a second-tier college student, could live well in a small city, within their parents’ network; but in the capital, or the ‘magic capital,’ what would such an education amount to?
So, Garrett didn’t force the issue. He simply signed the papers to leave his manor and shops, including the new properties granted by the lord, under Uncle Calrend’s management.
All profits, 40% would go towards the medical facility’s expenses, 40% d to the local church of the Nature God, and the remaining 20% as remuneration for Uncle Calrend’s family managing these properties.
He took with him only a few casters from Hartland City:
Priest Joanna of the Church of the Nature God, who after witnessing that cesarean delivery, was determined to learn the technique;
Priest Kristin of the War God’s Temple, along with young John, came to study transfusion spells and battlefield first aid;
And Priest Donald of the Spring Water Temple, who got permission from his temple to continue studying medicine. He was the first in his temple to learn ultrasound magic, though so far, it was only good enough to not kill a rabbit;
Oh, and Mage Elliott, the first to reach out to him at the Mage Tower, stubbornly followed him. Mage Gelman wanted to come along too, but being the head of the Mage Tower, he couldn’t just leave without reason...
These casters agreed to study healing techniques or magic at his medical institute and Mage Tower under the guise of apprenticeships. They had agreed to return to their hometown and serve at the medical facility for at least five years after completing their studies.
During the apprenticeship, Garrett would provide for their food and lodging, give them some pocket money, and teach them relevant spells. In return, these casters would work at Garrett’s hospital or Mage Tower. What? Pay for working?
You’ve got to be kidding; since when do apprentice doctors earn the same as regular doctors!
The convoy moved slowly along the official road. Priest Donald still rode in the same black walnut carriage with daffodil patterns, which Garrett had first found exceedingly luxurious; now, it was just so-so;
The two priests from the War God’s Temple shared a spacious carriage, which looked more like a flatbed truck with a canopy. Of course, as a carriage used for transporting the injured, it was very suitable;
As for the Church of the Nature God... if it weren’t for Garrett’s return to Nevis, and the lord providing a carriage, Priest Joanna would have had to walk or summon a wild horse to ride. Of course, whether her animal companions would be jealous, that was another matter.
Two summoned magic horses trotted shoulder to shoulder, pulling the carriage. The noble silver moon deer, which couldn’t possibly be harnessed to the carriage, carried the barbarian, walking alone beside them. From time to time, it would stick its head into the carriage window and snort at Garrett:
! I’m trying to write my paper!”
“Write, write, write, when will you ever finish!” Seraina rolled over on the spacious carriage seat, propping her chin with her hand, utterly bored:
“We’re moving so slowly... When will we ever get back to Nevis...”
When they had arrived, the three had ridden swiftly on Apa, covering the distance from the mountains to Hartland City in three days; now, laden with a large group and three carriages, the journey they used to complete in a day took three...
And the road was so dull! There weren’t any new medical cases~~~rolling over~~~
Garrett had no time to soothe the young silver dragon. He sat cross-legged in the carriage, focusing on a specially minimized floating disc, hurrying to finish his writing:
Being away for more than a month meant no new magic learned, no tracking of the latest academic research.
If he couldn’t even bring back a paper, let alone establish the next direction for research, his mentor would probably kill him upon his return.
“Interventional Surgery for Patent Ductus Arteriosus—Some Experiences”... No, this paper was too practical and not theoretical enough to pass muster with his mentor;
“Detoxification Spells for Cadmium—Principles and Locking Methods,” this paper was too vague theoretically, mainly because he couldn’t directly write about the atomic weight of cadmium, which would be problematic if his mentor asked;
“Cesarean Section—Indications, Preoperative Preparation, Surgical Techniques, and Postoperative Care”... Just one case study for a paper would definitely be rejected by his mentor!
What else could show he hadn’t been idle these days...
“Seraina, would you like to visit the peak of Igor Mountain?”
The young silver dragon was immediately excited. She had explored the entire city of Nevis and hadn’t been to that place yet!
Garrett was low-level, couldn’t make such decisions on his own, and didn’t dare invite her; that place, with N legendary figures stationed there, strong locks, and a mage tower, she didn’t dare to intrude recklessly. Jokingly, even a mature dragon wouldn’t dare to trespass into Igor Mountain!
“You’ve thought of a way to let me go?”
“Hmm... Let me think... Didn’t you say last time that besides infrared and ultraviolet, you could sense some other types of radiation? I have a senior studying that topic, I’ll ask him if we can fit you in!”
Garrett bowed his head again, his pen flying.
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