To Hell with Being a Saint, I’m a Doctor

Ray’s words left them unable to respond, their minds struggling to accept the impossible phenomenon they had just witnessed. Like confused children, they were unable to fully comprehend the reality of what had just transpired.

“Calculating the coordinates where magic occurs?” Ray had asked. “Determining the exact location of a magic manifestation just by sensing the trembling mana?”

These were individuals who had been hailed as geniuses or prodigies in their own towns. Yet, even they couldn’t replicate the technique Ray had just displayed. It was a skill beyond human capability.

The audience regarded Ray as if he were a monster. Not even a necromancer, considered the worst enemy of a mage, could instill such fear.

Negating all magic from any mage? Even high-level mages would be reduced to mere commoners in his presence. Their lifelong pursuit of magic rendered useless in his presence?

What could be more disheartening than that?

Ray smiled pleasantly and continued, “The relationship between mana is complementary. Since mana makes up the atmosphere, all mages in the same area must utilize the same mana. Thus, it doesn’t matter who casts the magic or what mana is used. The key is to continuously think about how to use the mana more efficiently than your opponent. A mage’s path is one of perpetual research.”

He signaled Clarice with a glance. Understanding his intention to demonstrate Wind Cutter again, Clarice began chanting quietly, “…Wind Cutter!” The blade of wind shot forth, but unexpectedly, Ray uttered, “Light.”

The simple 1st-circle magic, commonly known even among elderly traders, miraculously transformed Clarice’s Wind Cutter into a beautiful light. The room brightened, and Ray appeared almost haloed, further captivating the female students.

The professors and most of the students were stunned. Canceling a spell was one thing, but transforming it into another was astounding. If Ray had transformed the spell into another Wind Cutter, the opponent would have been defeated instantly. The fact that he chose a harmless Light spell for demonstration purposes was evident to all.

Clarice began to wonder if Ray was truly a Lord. “…Surpassing known magical theories, practical applications, and techniques… Could it be that a Lord has emerged in this era?”

Unaware of Clarice’s thoughts, Ray continued, “Sometimes, the most absurd ideas can be helpful. Magic is about breaking the shackles of common sense. If you remain stagnant, trapped in conventional thinking, that’s where your journey ends. It’s meaningless to think like everyone else if everyone can think it.”

The audience, heavy-hearted yet inspired, reflected on Ray’s words. Magic, after all, was an attempt by humans to break the bounds of common sense, to mimic the powers of gods. Though it was just an imitation, humans had always strived to explore the field of magic.

Listening to Ray, they realized they had been too textbook-focused. They hadn’t experimented enough, clashed ideas, or tried to realize seemingly absurd concepts.

Along with Ray’s words, another statement of his echoed in their ears.

“Isn’t a mage by nature a seeker of truth? Giving up on your goals because you’ve lost the means is nothing but an underestimation of your own abilities.”

“…….”

“…….”

Stung by each of his words, they found themselves unable to respond. A flicker of their childhood passion for magic seemed to rekindle slightly.

Observing the surrounding reactions, Ray awkwardly smiled and said, “This lecture has deviated a bit from the topic. I’ll end today’s lecture here. If I were to give an assignment, it would be for anyone to pair up and successfully execute the ‘Cancel’ technique I just demonstrated.”

“…Yes!?”

Students and professors alike were astounded by Ray’s words.

“What is he saying now? Partnering up to successfully perform a Cancel technique!”

Even if they had pre-arranged coordinates, aligning the timing was incredibly difficult. Wasn’t it just a theoretical technique, impossible for humans to execute in the first place?

It was like a swordsmanship academy professor asking students to execute an unbeatable sword technique as an assignment.

Just as they were about to protest this absurd task, Ray’s previous words came to mind, “Giving up on your goals because you’ve lost the means is nothing but an underestimation of your own abilities.”

That single statement ignited the competitive spirit of the ambitious mages.

After all, those at the Magic Academy were all exceptionally talented, handpicked from the kingdom.

Swallowing their rising objections, they blazed with determination. They resolved to earn recognition from this monstrous professor.

However, unbeknownst to them, Ray had no such expectations. Whether they succeeded or failed was inconsequential to him; canceling magic was a minor technique in his eyes.

His primary concern was to keep them from disturbing him. With the future of the Medical Academy to consider, having people constantly at his doorstep was a nuisance.

Though he was willing to teach properly, he didn’t want to devote too much time to it.

Ray’s second lecture thus ended, leaving many filled with newfound motivation.

---

Preparations for the Medical Academy were progressing steadily, thanks to Ray’s diligent work during his lectures.

Although officially approved, the academy had yet to conduct classes due to a shortage of students.

Ray pondered how to resolve this issue while walking through the academy’s garden.

“Students… How do I increase their number…”

Luring them with employment prospects proved futile in this world, especially when the academy’s attendees were either wealthy commoners or nobles’ children.

Medical science wasn’t exactly a popular subject, perhaps ranking as high as a decent dark mage at best.

Leaning back on a bench, Ray sighed. The beautiful central garden, large enough to be considered a park, was shared among the three academies and occasionally visited by prospective students, making it an ideal environment for recruitment.

However, he didn’t need just anyone; he sought those genuinely prepared to learn medicine, a field not easily mastered.

Although he began promoting the Medical Academy with the help of familiar professors, there was no significant progress after three days.

It seemed that they were more interested in the topics that would come up in the next lecture.

After all, medicine, as they called it, was unfamiliar to them, so it made sense.

Instead, wielding fancy magic was more popular among the students.

As Ray was sinking deeply into the bench with that thought, a female student spotted him and approached.

She extended her hand with a kind smile.

“Is there something wrong?”

Ray looked up at her.

Her tone and gestures were so genuinely kind that one could tell at a glance. Her expression seemed to convey a desire to help those in trouble.

Her dazzling blonde hair fell straight down, and she carried a familiar scent…

Ah, if there were a saint, would she be like this?

Oh, right, Iriel was a saint.

Ray chuckled to himself and waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing.”

Then she shook her head.

“Worries always show on the face.”

In Ray’s case, it was evident in his actions, not just his expression.

Sitting half-slumped on the bench with his head hung low, it was as if he was saying, ‘I’m a man with a story.’

It wasn’t because she was special that she noticed.

Ray straightened up on the bench and waved his hand again.

“Really, it’s nothing.”

“I mean, talking to you won’t help!”

Upon realizing what he was thinking, she didn’t press further.

She looked at Ray, smiled gently, and said,

“I understand. I’ll take my leave now. Oh, and… sitting on the bench like that for too long can strain your back. Please be careful.”

As she turned to leave, still wearing a comforting smile, Ray impulsively grabbed her hand.

“Ah.”

His sudden grasp startled her.

But she wasn’t the only one surprised. Ray himself was startled by his own action.

What surprised him even more was that she seemed to have a scent associated with medical training.

‘Mind your back bone?’ He had lived in this other world for nearly 16 years and had never heard such a phrase used.

People would warn to be careful with one’s back if it was injured, but they never specified muscles, bones, or other detailed aspects.

Moreover, the familiar scent he recognized was similar to one he knew well.

‘This smell is definitely ethanol!’

How there could be a scent similar to ethanol in this other world, he didn’t know.

But there was no doubt that the smell of disinfectant was emanating from her.

He was certain that the woman in front of him was connected to the field of medicine.