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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Heading to the Ward (1)
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As Estina said, I did come to the hospital.
I don't know much about how hospitals operate in this world. Of course, there was something like a hospital in the imperial palace too. But judging by that standard wouldn't mean anything.
Today, I just planned to look around.
Estina gestured toward the ward area lined with a few beds.
They didn't look like beds meant for people yet. There weren't any blankets or anything like that.
"This is Professor Asterix's ward. It's empty right now, but once treatments start and nurses are assigned, we'll have about twelve patients."
It was more impressive than I'd imagined.
"This section is for patients with severe conditions handled directly by the professors. That side over there is managed by other healers on rotation."
I see.
Estina kept explaining.
"Yes. If a patient's condition improves here, they move to the general ward over there—or sometimes they come back up."
I nodded.
So, there's a special ward overseen by professors and a general one handled by the other healers.
The hospital was more put-together than I'd expected.
It had that classic early modern vibe, but none of the medieval brutality like chopping off an arm for an arrow wound.
Is magic making things a bit better?
"But what happens if there's a problem in the general ward that you apprentices can't handle on your own?"
Estina thought for a moment.
"We draw lots to pick the sacrificial lamb who goes to ask the professor. It was usually me. The other apprentices don't like me much..."
What.
It felt like a scene I'd seen somewhere before.
"Well, feel free to come ask me anytime. They're patients I have to see anyway. Better to double-check the treatment plan at least once more."
"Thank you!"
It might get annoying, but it's better than patients dying. Especially given the state of medicine in this world.
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I planned to start writing the paper as soon as possible. For that, there's another prerequisite: finding a suitable co-author professor.
Better than doing it all alone.
What criteria should I use to pick one? I don't know any academy professors personally.
Asking the healers I worked with in the palace might work, but the distance makes it a hassle.
I can handle the content and experimental design myself. Based on modern medical knowledge.
So, I need someone diligent in research who won't try to steal it—as a co-author.
Even better if they have a solid reputation to lend. It'd make submitting to the academic world smoother.
I glanced at Estina.
"Estina. In your opinion, who's the nicest person in the Academy Healer Faculty? Among the professors."
Estina pondered briefly.
"Professor Klaus. I've never seen him get angry. And he doesn't look down on commoners."
"Ah. Really?"
No idea. She's the one who's attended the academy; I've never set foot here.
"But why do you ask, Professor?"
"Just thinking. Publishing solo might hurt credibility. So, I figured I'd grab a random suitable professor for co-authorship."
From the academy and academic world's perspective, I'm an outsider who's never set foot in their circles.
Even if I publish solid work alone, it could get buried. That's why I need another professor's name attached.
"I see. But what about me?"
What?
"You're participating, obviously."
"I'm relieved."
"But your involvement won't boost credibility much... So, we're grabbing one more person."
Estina nodded.
"Thank you."
"Let's go see Professor Klaus later. We can chat about research plans too. Do you know where his lab is?"
Where is it? I looked at Estina, and she gathered her things and headed out of my lab.
Guess I should follow.
We reached Professor Klaus's lab quickly. Nothing stood out from the outside. Estina seemed a bit tense.
"Is it okay to just drop by his lab?"
"Well, I'm a professor too. Should be fine."
Knock knock.
I opened the door.
"Hello, Professor Klaus."
"Who are you?"
Professor Klaus was just your average middle-aged guy.
Not overweight, but he had that soft, bearish, approachable vibe. I could see why they called him the nicest. The atmosphere said it all.
"Ah. I'm the new Professor Asterix. I transferred here from being the Imperial Physician. This is my graduate student."
Estina bowed deeply.
"Nice to meet you. What brings you here...?"
I pretended to mull it over for a beat.
"I've been preparing some research since my palace days. It's about the root causes of diseases. But this is my first time as an academy professor. I was hoping I could ask for your assistance."
Professor Klaus nodded.
"Sure, no issue there. Why me, though?"
My grad student said you're the easiest mark.
"The student healers and ward staff all said Professor Klaus is the most outstanding in both scholarship and character."
"..."
Hm, too over the top?
"Heh, that's right. Good judgment."
Yeah, no need to overthink it. Estina and I quietly sighed in relief. Professor Klaus scratched his head.
"If you have a draft or plan, bring it next time. We'll go over it together."
Success for now. I took Estina and left his lab.
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Professor Klaus pondered.
'What kind of person is he, anyway.'
There had been rumors around the academy. The princess's personal physician was coming with her. Someone to be cautious around.
And just now, the man in question had shown up at his lab. Professor Klaus's first impression of Asterix was—
Well. He'd barged in out of nowhere spouting strange things. That weird self-assured confidence made him seem a bit off his rocker.
Imperial backing making him cocky? The confidence of a genius? Or... just a quirky guy.
Either way, Klaus decided to cooperate as much as possible. The rumors checked out: he'd been the princess's physician, escorting Princess Minaretia right out of the carriage.
The research he mentioned was intriguing too. He must have uncovered something—or wanted to investigate—and that's why he'd come.
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It's been almost a week since I arrived at the academy. Time to get to work. As a Healer Faculty professor, my role boils down to two main things.
Treating patients. And teaching students.
To be more precise, patients split into outpatients and inpatients, and teaching into lectures and research.
But simplified, that's it.
Three spaces to prepare: lab, clinic, and ward. Gotta make a stethoscope, microscope...
This is gonna be a grind.
Still, sending patients away just because I lack equipment would eat at me. Gotta prep what I can.
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And then, my first clinic day. Estina and I sat in the exam room, waiting. Wonder how many patients would show up today?
"Estina. What kinds of patients usually come?"
"All sorts really. I figured since it's the academy, it'd just be rich folks or nobles, but the city's so big—everyone shows up."
I nodded.
"Any recent ones stand out?"
"Trauma patients are common. Limb injuries top the list. Pneumonia cases too."
Oh ho.
In the hospital from my past life, adult diseases like hypertension and diabetes were routine. ER was mostly fevers or abdominal pain.
Usually nonspecific symptoms.
"No clinic work like this in the palace. You'll have to take the lead, Estina—"
Knock knock knock.
"Come in!"
Estina rushed to open the door for the patient. The first one to enter was...
"Hic!"
Estina let out a small gasp and clamped her mouth shut. The princess paid her no mind. Didn't even glance her way.
Today's first patient: Princess Mint. Honestly, disappointing. I'd come all the way to the academy to get away from treating the princess. And here she is again?
"I greet the empire's most noble moon, the pure Princess Minaretia. How do you fare?"
I bowed to the princess.
"Your memory seems to have returned."
"Yes."
No matter how I sliced it, the line was cringeworthy. Princess Mint glanced around the room.