Are you okay, Carmilla? Are you sick?
Very humorous, suggesting that the greatest of the undead
could get sick.
Well, if you're sure.
Someone might have me on their mind.
You must be popular!
You little flatterer!
Your stew was quite flavorful, Lily.
You're good at flattery yourself!
Zenos! Welcome back.
The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows
I see.
Undead being drawn to stronger undead, eh?
You knew about that?
I did not, but it's no surprise.
I suppose my overwhelmingly charismatic aura must have also overflowed!
Kneel down, human fools!
What now? Will you kick me out?
Nah.
Given how you affect your surroundings, it's probably safer to keep you by my side.
I... I want him to say that about me, too!
"Lily. Stay by my side."
Carmilla? Something wrong?
It's 'cuz I'm Zenos's ideal wife!
It's nothing.
Asking a wraith, an entity despised by all, to stay by your side...
You are as odd as they come.
Very well. I will dedicate all my energy to being a nuisance, then.
Did you actually think that sounded cool?
Cresson, you seem to have performed quite wonderfully during the undead extermination.
W-Well, sure!
The other students who joined you have been singing your praises.
It's impressive.
That said, the fact that you did such an amazing job
means that the special research student, Zeno, failed to live up to expectations.
Continue to dedicate yourself to the professor's cause.
You're free to go, Cresson.
Right...
Actually...
I was awesome,
but he—the special research student— was actually really impressive.
The hordes of undead and zombie king... He's the one who defeated them.
What are you saying?
The truth, sir. I saw it happen.
If you'll excuse me.
Damn it!
We're even now, special research student.
Zenos! The Goldran Research Lab is calling for you.
Looks like you'll be invited to his faction.
That's amazing!
Really?
I have to say, I'm impressed.
I guess your undead extermination must've caught their eye.
Huh...
Are you surprised?
I kinda thought the story was that Cresson took care of that.
I'm not clear on the specifics, but...
Guess this means we've cleared the first big obstacle.
I'd think of it more as reaching the starting line.
You still have to be interviewed by the professor.
What? There's still more?
I was hoping this'd be more casual.
Professor Goldran is a major mover
who commands the majority of support in the Royal Hospital.
He doesn't meet with just anyone.
The more organized they are, the more of a pain they are, huh?
I don't think I'm cut out for this stuff.
And Professor Goldran is exceptionally particular when it comes to authority and honors.
But isn't he an advanced healer?
Doesn't that make you, an elite healer, more important?
Unfortunately, political power and titles don't equate.
Especially in my case, given that I earned my title via developing drugs.
Well, for now, I should probably go answer their call.
I'll be praying for your success.
You've got this, Zenos!
Welcome, Zeno.
I am the professor's second secretary.
You're the special research student?
What can you do?
Healing's about the only thing I can do.
How small...
Any healer can do that.
If you have power, then you should aim higher.
You should know that healers hold special sway in our country.
Wait, they do?
You could even say this country's history is the history of healers...
Yet, at the moment, the ruling class reaps the majority of the benefits.
I intend to join them in the near future.
This will ensure that our faction earns proportionate gains.
Everyone deserves treatment equal to what they are capable of.
That includes healers.
Not all life is equal in value.
It stands to reason that the wealthy
and the impoverished would receive differing quality of care.
Could you reproduce the magic circle you drew in your class right now?
I'd like to see for myself whether or not you'll be of any use.
And if you prove valuable,
I'm prepared to welcome you.
What exactly does this prove, though?
The depth of your healing magic knowledge.
And whether or not said knowledge has questionable roots.
There are several different schools of magic circle conception,
and with healing magic, there are certain principles that need to be minded.
Any signs that they are not is an indicator that you did not receive an official education.
Those who work for me must prove to be as legitimate as they are capable.
What do you think, Professor?
A fascinating magic circle.
I've never seen these particular applications.
And it does a fine job of minding the fundamentals, as well.
You may join the lab starting tomorrow.
What is all this?
Look sharp, man!
Hurry and line up!
It's you...
I'm Cresson, your senior in this group!
Looks like you're a member of the Goldran Lab starting today.
Which means you're gonna have to follow the rules!
Sure, all right.
I hope you realize the only reason you're a part of this is because I recommended you!
You basically owe me your life!
Really?
Well, I am grateful. Why'd you do it, though?
Isn't it obvious?
I can use you to make my way up in the faction!
You're an honest guy, huh?
What's with the procession, anyway?
It's for Professor Goldran's general rounds.
He goes around visiting the patients
with an entourage that he's at the head of.
So... until I showed up, you were at the back of the line?
Sh-Shut up!
Just watch! I'm going to claw my way up!
Okay. Good luck with that.
Don't give me that pitying look!
Does he really need all these people?
It's all about creating an impression.
Besides, the professor only visits people from the upper-upper crust.
I wanna get a better look.
Whoa! Where are you going?!
I need to know more about Goldran
if I intend to find anything out about the disappearances.
Dr. Goldran, the pain has been so bad since I twisted my ankle on the side of the bed...
It's a sprain.
Three should be sufficient for this.
What is that?
Woven into a single ray of light,
let the lost embers of life be your guidance,
so that they may find their way home.
Give Heal.
The pain's gone!
Thank you so much!
Dude, don't just wander off!
Sorry. But what was that magic where he used multiple healers?
You don't even know that?
The professor's specialty is health transfer magic.
Health transfer magic?
It's basically magic that transfers life force between people to heal.
Pretty revolutionary, right?
It can provide major results even if the caster isn't particularly powerful.
Say you've got someone who's injured.
You transfer someone else's life force into them
in order to boost their recovery. That's health transfer magic.
The worse the injury, the more life force it requires,
so you need to prepare a larger number of
healthy people to transfer the necessary bit of health to the patient.
That way the patient is healed,
and the burden on the donors is minimal.
They only have to deal with a bit of exhaustion.
That is interesting.
It explains why he wants so many people for his faction.
That's a part of it, yeah, but the biggest reason is probably the election for director.
There are rumors that the current director, Shalbard, is going to retire soon.
So he's trying to secure votes in preparation for the next election.
At this rate, Professor Goldran's basically guaranteed to win.
And if I ride the coattails of a winner, it'll mean a path straight to the top.
I appreciate you filling me in like this.
You're nicer than I figured.
D-Don't be stupid! I'm just trying to use you!
Since you're feeling so generous with info,
I don't suppose you know someone named Afread, do you?
Afread?
The idiot who went missing despite the professor's hopes for him. Not a fan.
Did anything seem off before he went missing?
Hell if I know.
He was invited to dinner and vanished right afterward.
Dinner?
The professor occasionally has dinner parties, and he invites all his favorites to them.
Getting the invite basically guarantees you're one of his people in the future.
Damn it! So jealous!
This has all been very enlightening.
Well, that about does it for me, right?
Oh, hardly!
This is a good hint, but still far from the evidence we need.
The best thing to do would be to have you become one of Professor Goldran's favorites
so that you could infiltrate one of these dinner parties.
Pull that off and I'll pay you extra.
In addition to making sure,
as we originally agreed, that your underground operations aren't interrupted.
I was kind of hoping to go home soon...
However this plays out, once I'm done,
I want you to tell me about my teacher.
Of course. Everything I know.
Zenos, I have a question for you.
You see these coins scattered on the floor, yes?
Now, I'd like to pick them up,
but unfortunately, between research and meetings,
I don't have the necessary time.
So, if it was you, which would you pick up first?
Do you believe that lives should be valued equally?
Are you in, Dr. Becker?
Oh, Zenos is here, too.
Am I interrupting?
Not at all. Just chatting a bit.
I've got a meeting, right?
Where was it again?
Ugh... I'll show you the way.
I'm always in your debt.
I'm counting on you.
I'll do what I can.
Lynga might be a genius!
Now I can sneak into Sir Zenos's bed on my own and sniff it as much as I want!
Zophia?!
Lynga?!
What are you doing here?!
I was gonna ask you the same thing.
Oh, I see.
You came to clean up, too?
You, too?
I'm a genius! Who else would think of cleaning the clinic while Zenos was out?!
I kinda saw this coming, y'know.
And a broken door means even more work...
I guess the two of you showed up ahead of me.
This is looking good! I did a fine job!
Lynga did over half the work!
And I have perfectly repaired the door!
You're the one who broke it!
I'm providing you the opportunity to help my glorious self!
That means looking after the professor's beloved pup!
You just have to watch her.
Uh... you do more stuff for the lab than this, right?
Of course I do!
Other than walks, I also provide Madam Milk with her meals!
In addition to washing and grooming... and more!
Not exactly the answer I was expecting.
The professor's meeting with the seven major nobles that he's currying favor with.
Man, that's so cool!
Then again, if I climb my way up the faction's ladder,
I could be in the same position soon enough!
You're hoping for a promotion, then?
Of course I am!
Once I become a big deal and join the upper crust,
I'll have good food, good women, and peons to push around!
That's why I'm working hard to be a healer!
I thought being a healer was about, y'know, healing people.
Ideally, maybe.
I mean, sure, even I had a time when
I dreamed about saving a bunch of lives or curing a terrible disease,
but healing magic isn't all-powerful.
There are things it just can't do.
Y'know what's more reliable? Money and power!
What?
Hey, Cresson!
Looking after Goldran's high and mighty mutt again?
Mr. Bons!
I'm doing what I can, yes.
Damn it all...
That is one smug-looking mutt.
Ticks me off.
Don't let the professor hear you say that, sir!
Takes more than sucking up to get anywhere in life, boy.
Who was that?
Professor Goldran's first secretary.
That guy?
Unbelievable, right?
They're apparently old friends, but he barely does any work,
and he's usually drunk all day long.
Can't believe he gets the spot of first secretary, even if they do go way back.
Hey, Cresson!
Y-Yes?! You called for me?
You can have this booze!
Oh, no! Madam Milk!
Milk! Milk!
Light of life that dwells deep within,
hear my prayers, and let your blessing shine forth here!
High Heal!
It... It's not enough.
She should be fine once the bleeding's stopped, right?
That's not enough!
There'll be scars!
The professor loves Madam Milk's beautiful fur!
I'm done for...
I'm sorry for making a mess of you, too, Madam Milk...
Heal.
What do you think you're doing?!
What's it look like? Casting healing magic.
It's pointless! Maybe you have enough magic output to take out a zombie king,
but the kind of finesse needed to regenerate skin is...
She's fixed?!
There's no trace of a scar!
Isn't that the kind of magic Heal is?
I fixed the ribs that had been cracked, too, so you can continue the walk,
but I'd recommend letting her rest for today.
That's not the kind of magic Heal is, man.
Making yourself sound like an elite-grade...
Stop right there, special research student! Looking after Madam Milk is my job!
Hello, Zenos... er, Zeno.
What's up?
Well... if you don't mind, would you join me for a walk?
A walk?
Is there something you need to tell me?
Well... it's...
I... wanted to apologize.
It's just...
If I were more capable,
I would've been able to get Professor Goldran's attention.
Then you wouldn't have been dragged into this...
I feel guilty.
And you asked me out for a walk to tell me that?
Yes. I'm sure an apology from me doesn't amount to much, but...
I'll be taking payment for my efforts from Becker, so it's all good.
Don't let it bother you.
Be that as it may...
Besides, without opportunities like these,
I never would've set foot inside the Royal Hospital.
I never would've had a chance to learn more about my teacher.
There's plenty for me to gain.
So you honestly don't need to worry.
Still, if there's anything I can do, just ask.
Come to think of it, what kind of person was your teacher?
I honestly don't have much of a clue.
He seemed kinda shady, but he taught me how to read and write, and about the outside world,
to say nothing about diseases, injuries, and magic. Taught me a whole bunch.
I basically owe him my life.
That sounds a bit like Dr. Becker and myself.
You owe him your life?
Certainly!
When I decided to become a healer, he mentored me closely.
Granted, his dedication to research caused his girlfriend to leave him,
so I'm basically looking after him...
How do you even know him?
Did I not mention it?
He's my mother's little brother.
My uncle, in other words.
But I didn't amount to much, either in magic or in research.
What kind of research are you doing, anyway?
To put it simply, the storage of medication.
At what temperature, what humidity, and other factors for how they should be stored.
It's pretty boring.
It is.
But the most important things in life tend to be the boring ones.
Zenos...
That's just something my teacher told me.
I was trying to apologize, and you ended up cheering me up.
Sometimes it's best to rely on other people.
I get plenty of help in my daily life, too.
I can barely even get out of bed on my own in the morning.
You're an interesting person, Zenos.
Another prospective wife, eh?
What was that?
Don't worry about it. I think we were followed.
By who?
And yet, not as exciting as I had hoped. One star.
Quit scoring people.
Please! You've gotta help me!
Uh...
I'm in a real bind here!
Please help me!
Now, this looks interesting! Three stars.
Seriously, no more scores, okay?
A Request from a Noble Lady
"A Request from a Noble Lady."