NOVEL NEXT Chapter 206: Head Physician
Hayden still had no idea of the Head Physician's name. However, it doesn't matter right now..
"Let's see…" Hayden decided to check the patients' bodies… Of course, he wasn't just checking them using his experience.
He was using his Ocularis Lens to check their condition.
Then, it didn't take that long for him to do it.
After checking them, Hayden realized that many of them had inflamed energy pathways.
They were obviously Aura Users, but there were traces of foreign Aura within their bodies…
It wasn't difficult to guess that they fought against other Aura Users or perhaps, Horned Beasts.
After some consideration, Hayden used his own Aura to stimulate some of their acupoints and help them release the foreign aura and calm their energy pathways.
Hayden moved quickly…
His precision helped stabilize their breathing, dulled pain without medication, and encouraged their bodies to begin mending from within.
It was a subtle action—never flashy.
It seemed as if he'd lean over to adjust a bandage, and with a slight press under the ribs, he easily calmed a man's spasming lung.
He'd clean a wound while simultaneously pressing a healing pressure point to reduce fever.
The Ocularis Lens also assisted him in real-time:
[ Vital Signs Stabilized – Patient #12. ]
[ Recovery Boost: +17% through Aura Channel Realignment. ]
"Where did you learn that?" one of the younger medics whispered at some point.
Hayden merely offered a tired shrug. "Basic fieldwork from a traveling surgeon. You learn what works."
The apprentice seemed too exhausted to press further and went back to her station.
By the time the sun was gone, the makeshift infirmary was finally quiet.
The groans or moans in pain had already subsided, and many of the injured were now sleeping peacefully under medicine-drenched cloths and blankets.
Hayden stood near the entrance as he finally started relaxing.
"Come," the head physician said.
He followed her beyond the edge of the tent, around a supply crate, to a quieter spot near an old granary.
She leaned against the wall and studied him carefully which made Hayden a bit nervous.
"You did good," she said.
Hayden stayed silent.
"You didn't flinch, didn't run," she added. "You didn't even speak unless necessary. That's a good trait for slave. You must've been trained really well."
Hayden wryly smiled and decided to just let her think that she was right.
"Yes… Habit…" he answered after a moment.
"Hmm." Shenodded. "So, 'Hayden'... What's your real name?"
He hesitated. "That name is real now."
She gave a smile, then finally extended her hand.
"I'm Marra. Just Marra. I'm a licensed physician under the Southern Concord Guild, formerly stationed in Arvale Province before Phyrexian annexation. Now I lead this team."
Hayden had no idea what he had just heard. However, it didn't really matter to him as he planned to leave this place soon.
Hayden then shook her hand.
"Miss Marra, why are you helping me?" he asked again.
Marra leaned her head back and looked at the sky.
"Because I've seen too many like you—boys and girls who should've been free, used up and discarded by this kingdom's endless hunger for magic and blood."
Her voice was calm but it seemed that she was recalling something from the past.
"And because we're headed east. Eventually. Past the borders. I have permits and contacts I can use to move around. I also help Aura Users where I can. But you… You're different."
"How?" Hayden was truly confused.
"For some reason, I just felt that you're just escaping to survive… It felt like you're on a mission. I don't know who trained you, but I know control when I see it. Even some Royal Knights can't use Aura Cloaking that cleanly. And those pressure points? That's not battlefield first-aid."
Hayden didn't answer.
She studied him for another moment, then stepped back.
"You don't need to tell me your story. Just know that, for now, you're safe here. You're part of my team as long as you wear that robe—and you'll work to earn your keep."
"Fine," he said.
"And when we move," she added, "I'll see if I can get you across the border."
She turned to go.
"Thank you," he muttered.
Marra paused, glancing back.
"Don't thank me. Not yet. You'll have to pull your weight when the hard part begins."
And with that, she disappeared back into the infirmary tent.
***
The next morning, Hayden woke to the voices outside the infirmary tent.
He had fallen asleep sitting against a wooden crate. As soon as he woke up, he triggered his Ocularis Lens to confirm that everything if fine.
After realizing that the people were just cooking breakfast, Hayden stepped out.
He saw how the Apprentices cooked for themselves and for the patients.
Some carried water, supplies, and clean bandages from the supply wagons as they would probably change the bandages of some patients.
On the other hand, Marra also started giving orders to the apprentices and physicians.
The moment her eyes landed on him, she called out, "Hayden—over here."
Several pairs of eyes turned toward him, but it was just a moment. The group was too busy, too used to newcomers being drafted in, to question much.
Marra handed him a roll of linen. "From today, you're with my team. You'll do what the others do, and you'll be paid as the others are paid. Five silvers a month."
Hayden blinked, caught off guard. That was the first coin he had been promised since escaping.
"Five silvers?"
"Enough for bread, a place to sleep, and perhaps even to buy a few things if you're smart. Don't complain."
He shook his head quickly. "Not complaining."
Marra's gaze softened just slightly, though her tone didn't change. "Good. Then get moving."
And that was it. From then on, Hayden was one of them.
He didn't want to attract so much attention as well, since there were possible Fourth Circle Mages or even higher within this town!
Even with his Blue Aura, there was no way he'd be able to deal with such a powerful mage, at the very least, not yet.