Out of the blue, I opened a treatment clinic.

It’s already midday, yet no patients have come.

The Red Dragon hasn't sold yet.

Considering the large sum of money involved, it’ll naturally take some time. But that's fine.

I opened this clinic to improve my proficiency in Life Magic [Creation].

Healing patients helps increase my skill level in Life Magic [Creation].

“So boring.”

“It really is.”

I’m lying on the treatment bed, watching Pal sitting at the reception desk. Her amazing backside still hasn’t lost its charm. I’m tempted to grab and knead it. If no patients show up, I might actually end up doing it.

Well, even if patients don’t come right away, it’s not a problem.

But, seeing as I’m offering treatments at a great price, any injured or sick people out there are missing out.

“Well, since we're bored, how about some cozy time?”

“I’d question that suggestion, but with this much free time, it’s hard not to consider it.”

Pal turns to me with a seductive smile.

She’s dressed in a nurse-like white coat, her plunging neckline revealing her ample bosom, which looks like it’s about to spill out. The skirt is short enough to tease glimpses of her thighs as she sits. Her voluptuous chest, sensual curves, and her figure-hugging waist create an erotic allure, especially with her tan skin against the white coat. Is she trying to catch my attention on purpose?

“When you look at me with those intense golden eyes, it makes me… a little wet.”

Pal touches her cheek and wriggles.

Was I really staring that intensely? I can’t deny the attraction, though.

Ding ding.

The doorbell chimes, and I look to see a dog-eared man with a cane standing at the entrance. I didn’t miss Pal’s small sigh of frustration at the bell. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed too.

“Is what it says on the sign true?”

The sign outside has “Sai’s Treatment Clinic” along with pricing information.

This man is probably here to confirm the cost.

“If you’re a fourth-class citizen, the fee is five large copper coins. For third-class citizens, it’s two small silver coins.”

Pal answers in her nurse mode.

A fourth-class citizen is essentially the poor, while a third-class is an ordinary commoner. Incidentally, second-class citizens are servants who work for nobles, like knights, who are treated as near-nobles, while true nobles are ranked by titles and referred to by their noble titles, not by citizen rank.

A large copper coin can buy you a loaf of bread, so five large copper coins are the equivalent of five loaves. Even two small silver coins would only be worth twenty loaves. In comparison, a priest would charge a small gold coin for minor injuries and a large gold coin for severe injuries. So it’s quite affordable.

“Can you heal my injuries?”

With a cane, it’s clear he has a leg injury, but he’s also wrapped in bandages all over his body.

“Payment upfront. Please show your identification.”

“For adventurers, you’re classified as a third-class citizen, so it’ll be two small silver coins.”

Adventurers are considered commoners by status, though many live no better than the poor.

Even so, getting healed for two small silver coins is a bargain.

“This good?”

“Yes, thank you.”

With Pal’s guidance, I directed him to the examination table where I’d been lying.

“Were you hurt by a monster?”

“Yeah, a Fang Viper got me.”

The Fang Viper is a snake-like monster, infamous for its venom.

“Let’s remove the bandages.”

With Pal’s assistance, we peeled off all the bandages.

Some areas had turned black and necrotic, and the smell of decayed flesh was overpowering.

The poison was definitely a factor, but a lack of proper treatment probably made it worse.

“If you leave it untreated, your body will rot, and you’ll die.”

“Wh-what?”

“The Fang Viper’s venom gradually rots the flesh around the wound, eventually spreading throughout the body. Dying from it is inevitable.”

“C-couldn’t you… treat it?”

He looks at me with a pained expression.

“I can treat it, but—”

“Are you going to charge more?”

He looks confused.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Treatment costs are fixed. No way I’d charge more for an injury like this.”

“Really?!”

Relief shines in his eyes.

“All you have to do is lie there and relax.”

Analyze

A line of light extends from my hand, wrapping around his body.

Checking over his body, I find he has twelve injuries.

• Three are light enough to heal naturally.
• Five are severe, with necrotic wounds, though they aren’t poisoned.
• The remaining four are infected, with poison spreading, decaying both flesh and bone.

In addition, he has kidney stones, a cavity, and athlete’s foot. Nothing else major.

Detoxify

I neutralize the poison in his body.

Cure

I purify the necrotic areas.

At this point, the wounds are still open, with red, raw flesh and bone exposed.

Regeneration

Flesh grows over the wounds, followed by new skin covering them.

“All done.”

“It’s… finished already? Wha—?!”

The man’s eyes widen in surprise as he leaps up from the table.

“I-I can move! My body’s moving again!”

“Calm down, don’t flail around on the exam table.”

“Oh, sorry!”

He jumps down and checks his body.

Honestly, a moment ago, he looked like death warmed over.

“The treatment’s done, so you don’t need any medicine. Don’t get into any reckless fights again.”

“Got it. Thank you so much. I’ll come to you again if I need help.”

“Did you even listen to what I said?”

“Haha. I get it. I’ll try not to, but if I do…”

As he reaches for the door handle to leave, he stops and turns back.

“I’m Dawson. What’s your name?”

“It’s on the sign. I’m Sai.”

“Sai-sensei, then. I’ll remember. I really owe you.”

Dawson waves as he leaves.

That day, Dawson was my only patient.

Having few patients is a good thing, but it’s not as if there are no injured or sick people around.