Being the only clinic in Glenwood, Dr. Hana's clinic was always bustling with patients.
Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Hana made a conscious effort to carve out time to teach Aziel basic first aid and medical practices.
She believed in hands-on learning.
Often, while treating patients, she would guide Aziel, demonstrating her techniques.
"Elias, come here for a second. I want to show you how to properly bandage this wound," Dr. Hana called one afternoon, beckoning Aziel over to a patient with a deep gash on his forearm.
Dr. Hana demonstrated how to clean the wound efficiently, her instructions clipped but clear.
"Watch carefully. The wrap must be right, and you must do it neatly. It's important to prevent infection."
Aziel practiced bandaging, his movements a little clumsy at first.
Dr. Hana patiently corrected Aziel's grip. "Like this. Not too tight, not too loose. You want it snug but not constricting."
Later in the afternoon.
"What herb is this? And its uses?"
Dr. Hana tested Aziel's knowledge of the herbs they used, testing his memory with a sharp but encouraging tone—pushing him to recall without belittling him.
As Aziel learned, he observed Dr. Hana treating patients.
He noticed the subtle glow that sometimes emanated from her hands, a sign of her healing magic.
Other times, she relied on traditional remedies, meticulously preparing poultices and ointments.
The combination fascinated him.
Why doesn't she just fully heal the patients with magic? The question gnawed at him.
He finally voiced his curiosity during a lull in the afternoon's activity.
"Dr. Hana, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you just use your healing magic to completely heal everyone?"
Dr. Hana gave a succinct, matter-of-fact explanation. "My healing power is low level. It will only deal with mild wounds and simple illnesses. Regular care is still necessary for severe wounds."
She added, "Not everything can be resolved with magic. I'm grateful enough that my magic power is in line with my profession."
Aziel nodded, absorbing her words, understanding the limitations.
"Why? You want to get magic power yourself?" Dr. Hana asked, tilting her head.
Dr. Hana didn't know that Aziel had magic powers. And Aziel decided not to tell anyone in Glenwood about it.
"Haha, no... I'm just asking," Aziel replied with a carefully casual shrug.
"Well, it's not easy to get a Mana Stone nowadays. The nobles have started to hoarding the Mana Stones, only giving access to their group."
"Oh, really? But if that's the case, how did you manage to get and consume this stone?"
"... I was just lucky since someone gave me," Dr. Hana said, her expression momentarily flickering, a hint of something unreadable in her eyes.
They finished treating the stream of patients for that day.
"Okay, that's all I wanted to teach you for today. For the next task, you can continue picking the herb leaves in the garden according to the list I gave you earlier."
"Okay, thank you for teaching me."
"Hmm," Dr. Hana grunted in acknowledgment.
Aziel moved to continue his work.
He thought about Dr. Hana's unique magic.
It has limitations, sure. But it's incredibly practical to have healing powers.
Suddenly, a dark thought flickered in his mind.
If I could collect Dr. Hana's arm, I would have that healing power too... What the hell am I thinking?!
Realizing the morbid direction of his thoughts, Aziel quickly erased the idea, a shiver running down his spine.
Just as he was heading towards garden to collect herbs, a loud horn blast pierced the relative quiet of the afternoon.
The sound was deep and resonant, shaking the air around him.
Dr. Hana suddenly shouted. "Ren, Rina! Hurry! Close all the doors and windows! Lock everything!"
Ren and Rina, without a word, sprang into action.
They moved with a practiced efficiency, securing the clinic.
The sounds of latches clicking and bolts sliding home filled the sudden quiet.
Aziel, caught off guard, frowned.
He walked back towards Dr. Hana, her gaze fixed on the closed door.
"Dr. Hana, what's happening? Why do we need to close all the doors and windows? What does the horn mean?"
Dr. Hana turned, her expression tight. "That horn... it's a warning. There's Crazy Beast attack."
Aziel's eyes widened slightly. "Crazy Beast? An attack?"
"Yeah, lately, these attacks have been happening from time to time," Dr. Hana explained, her tone matter-of-fact, though her knuckles were white where she gripped the edge of a table.
"From time to time?" Aziel pressed, a knot forming in his stomach. "You mean... this attack was expected?"
Dr. Hana replied. "Sort of, but we can't predict exactly when it will happen or how dangerous it will be. That's why, when the warning horn sounds, there are procedures to follow. Everyone has to stay inside a strong building, lock all doors and windows, and wait until it's safe. When the horn sounds again, it means the danger has passed."
"So... right now, we just have to wait here?" Aziel asked, looking around the now dim, shuttered clinic.
"Yeah, for now, that's all we can do," Dr. Hana confirmed, her gaze still distant. "Don't worry, the Crazy Beasts that attack this village usually aren't too strong. Our guards can still handle them."
"Alright, if that is what you said," Aziel said, though a sense of unease lingered.
The clinic fell silent.
Aziel, Dr. Hana, Ren, Rina, and a handful of patients who had been in the middle of consultations, were all trapped in a tense quiet.
Aziel, trying to dispel the growing anxiety, whispered to Blackie.
"Blackie, do you know what's happening outside?"
Blackie's voice, usually brimming with a know-it-all confidence, was surprisingly unhelpful. "Of course not."
Time seemed to drag on forever.
They waited, their postures rigid, listening for any sound beyond the thick wooden walls.
After what felt like a lifetime, but was probably closer to an hour, a new horn sound echoed through the village.
It was a series of ten short, sharp blasts.
Dr. Hana visibly sagged with relief, the rigid lines of her body softening. "Phew, that's the all-clear," she announced, her voice a little shaky. "The attack's finally over."
The air in the clinic seemed to lighten slightly.
With hesitant movements, Ren and Rina slowly flung open the windows and doors.
The golden light of the late afternoon poured in, along with the everyday sounds of Glenwood coming back to life.
Aziel went to a window and looked out.
He watched as people cautiously poked their heads out of nearby buildings, then slowly opened their doors and shutters.
The village, which had held its breath, began to exhale. Life, so rudely interrupted, started to stitch itself back together, bit by bit.
The village square, recently deserted, started to fill up again with the familiar faces of farmers, merchants, and all sorts of townspeople.