A Background Character’s Path to Power

"You mean it takes at least 3 days to prepare the medicine?" I asked the old man, Avir.

"Yes," Avir nodded with a sleepy sigh. "Thankfully, the ingredients are high grade and quality. Or else I wouldn't even be sure if I could succeed."

"...Alright, I understand." I nodded.

I still didn't know about alchemy or medicine that much. My knowledge was limited only to the Apothecary's First Compendium, which I managed to finish reading just yesterday with my phantom twin's help.

I understood the difficulty and complexity involved.

From what I'd learned from his explanation, creating medicine for someone with such severe internal injuries wasn't like brewing a simple healing potion.

Every ingredient had to be processed at precise temperatures, combined in exact sequences, and the entire process required constant monitoring to prevent contamination or degradation, and so on.

"Sorry, I didn't think about that." I apologized.

"No, don't worry, young healer," Avir chuckled. "This just means you have to learn more."

"Mm, that's right."

I was probably impatient because of my parents' situations and those stories. They would always create powerful potions in hours or at most a day.

But this world was different. It had its own rules and systems. Besides, Avir was a healer, not an alchemist. To know this much, he was pretty skilled, too. And he was just a Tier 4 Resonator, too.

"Then, can you give me books to learn? If you have them?" I decided to use the opportunity. "It's better even if they are beginner stuff. I want to understand the fundamentals properly."

Avir stared at me, studying my expression. His weathered eyes seemed to peer straight into my soul, weighing my sincerity and dedication.

After a long moment, he nodded slowly. "Very well. Your eagerness to learn is admirable, and frankly, we need more people who understand the healing arts properly."

He was right. Many people preferred combat-related paths in almost every settlement and across all classes of society.

"Wait a moment."

He disappeared into his house, leaving me standing outside with Seren sitting quietly on my shoulder. We could hear the old man rummaging around inside, the sounds of things being moved and papers rustling.

When he returned, he carried an armful of worn leather-bound volumes and one particularly thick notebook that looked like it had seen decades of use.

"You can read these for now," he said, handing them to me. "Basic Herbology and Its Applications, Fundamental Principles of Medicinal Preparation, and Introduction to Anatomical Systems. They're not the most exciting reads, but they'll give you a solid foundation."

He held up the thick notebook separately, treating it with obvious reverence. "And this is my personal diary. I've been documenting my experiences, experiments, and observations for over thirty years now. Every success, every failure, every breakthrough - it's all in here."

My eyes widened. A master healer's personal notes would be invaluable, containing insights and practical knowledge that couldn't be found in most of the published textbooks.

"I don't usually share this with anyone due to certain reasons," Avir continued, his expression serious. "But given the circumstances, and your genuine desire to help, to grow... I think you can take it. Just promise me you'll treat it with care."

"I promise," I said solemnly, accepting the precious notebook after storing the other books in my storage ring. "I won't let you down."

"Good. Now, don't try to rush through everything at once. Understanding takes time, and wisdom comes from experience, not just memorization. And I think you are pretty good at that. So don't just read but practice too. You can come to our workplace and help out to gain practical experience."

"I was planning to ask about that, but thank you for offering it yourself," I replied to his thoughtfulness. "I'll come tomorrow morning if it's alright."

"Yeah, it's actually better that way. We're short on staff, you know." The old man nodded approvingly. "Observing real cases and assisting will teach you more than any book. Just don't always use that secret art of yours. It's good, but you have to improve yourself and become self-sufficient in all aspects of healing, not just rely on powerful techniques."

"Mm..." He was indeed right.

I had been relying on my basic knowledge of the healer role and Mender's Paradox till now.

I really needed to improve.

Both to keep my new identity intact and to truly become a capable healer.

"You can ask me directly if you don't understand something, or just search the diary. I've organised it chronologically, so you should be able to find relevant info easily enough."

"I understand. Thank you again, Master Avir."

"...Alright, Master Avir, then. Now go on, get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

We bid each other farewell, and I began walking back through the town with Seren still perched on my shoulder, both of us enjoying the scenery.

The settlement was slowly awakening to its daily morning life. Shopkeepers were opening their shutters and arranging their wares, the aroma of fresh bread drifting from the bakery mixing with the smell of honey tea.

Housewives emerged from their homes, sweeping snow off the stoops and the surrounding areas of their houses and exchanging greetings with their neighbours.

A few of them who recognized me nodded in respect and thanked me.

I even bought bread and a few more things along the way at discounted prices or as gifts. They were really good people.

What's more, it has been only one day since they returned to their homes after the blizzard incident. To be able to show such warmth and get back to their daily lives so quickly was truly commendable. It spoke volumes about their resilience and the deep sense of community that thrived here, even in the harshest of times.

I could still remember their fearful but hopeful expressions during the underground shelter period.

{Isn't this nice?}

I asked Seren. As he had been a guardian of the Keep and its people till he got corrupted.

{...Yes. I feel that same satisfaction from the time I met you, friend. To see them safe and happy... It is the thing, no, the peace I sought to protect.}

{That's right. This is a small piece of peace I've been collecting as well. And now, we can do it better together.}

{...Mmm.}

I smiled faintly before stepping into the castle.

I wonder if Mother and Cassandra like these...