A few minutes ago, as Rayven stepped out of the chamber, the heavy door closed behind him with a soft thud.

The hallway was quiet, but inside the room, tension lingered after Rayven revealed Elvira's true condition. As a matter of fact, no one doubted his words, as it all made sense. All the symptoms would indeed point to a Meridian Blockage.

The Baron remained standing near the bed with his clenched fist while looking at his daughter. The Baroness sat beside Elvira, her hand still resting gently atop the girl's. Around them, the estate's physicians, senior maids, and butlers exchanged glances…

For the first time in weeks, they had a lead.

"He said it's not a curse," murmured one of the older physicians, adjusting his monocle. "No poison or disease. Just blocked meridians… Impressive young man."

"Which means we've been treating the wrong problem," added another, a younger mage-healer who had tried three different cleansing rituals to no effect. "If her channels are obstructed, then no amount of detoxification or curse-breaking would've worked."

The Baron turned slightly. "Then we need someone who understands meridian theory. Not just surface-level healers."

"I'll send a message to the capital," said the steward promptly. "There are two known specialists in mana channel restoration, one in the Royal Academy and another in the southern provinces. Both have treated cases involving collapsed flow and congenital obstructions."

This case was simply too rare, and no one really knew how to properly diagnose such cases.

"Send both," the Baron said. "Offer triple their usual fee. I don't care what it costs."

Although he was only a baron, he had enough wealth to hire such prestigious people.

The Baroness nodded quietly. If it were for her daughter, she didn't mind spending even all her wealth…

"And in the meantime, we adjust her care. No more mana-infused meals. Her body isn't circulating properly. Forcing more ambient mana into her system might worsen the pressure."

"I'll inform the kitchen," said the head maid. "We'll switch to low-mana ingredients. Warm broths, herbal infusions, and grounding foods. Nothing that stimulates mana flow aggressively."

"And no more spell exposure," added the younger physician. "Even passive enchantments around her room might be interfering. We need to reduce magical noise."

The butler, a tall man with silver hair and a calm demeanor, stepped forward. "If I may, my lord…"

The Baron glanced at him. "Speak."

"Sir Rayven's spell… Stabilize was not a cure, but it had an effect. Her breathing steadied and her pulse grew stronger. Even if temporary, it shows his magic interacts well with her condition."

The room fell silent.

The Baroness looked up. "You're suggesting we ask him to try again?"

"Not just Stabilize," the butler said. "He's a registered mage now. He may have other spells. If he's willing, perhaps he could attempt a healing spell tailored to internal restoration. Something that targets the meridians directly."

One of the physicians frowned. "We don't know the nature of his magic. He's not a specialist."

"No," the butler agreed. "But he's the only one who's made progress. And he's still here."

The Baron considered this. "He said he wasn't sure. That he needed time."

"Then we give him time," the Baroness said softly. "But we can also ask, if he has anything that might help, even if it's just to slow the deterioration, we owe it to Elvira to try. We all know that the doctors, especially those who call themselves Specialists wouldn't hurry to come here. It might even take weeks or months…"

The steward nodded. "I'll prepare a formal request. And I'll have the guest wing readied for him, should he choose to stay."

The Baron didn't speak for a moment. Then he looked at his daughter again.

"Send the request," he said. "And tell him… If he succeeds, the Fumiya name will remember it."

***

Rayven had barely reached the end of the hallway when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"Sir Rayven!" the steward called out. It was a familiar, old but respectful voice.

Rayven turned as he recognized the steward. "Yes?"

The man slowed as he approached while catching his breath. "The Baron has authorized a formal request. We'd like to retain your services… temporarily."

Rayven paused for a moment. This actually sound really great. "For what purpose?"

"To continue administering your Stabilize spell…" the steward said. "It's not a cure, we understand that. But it had an effect. Her breathing steadied, and her pulse grew stronger. Until the specialists arrive, we'd like you to cast it regularly. Once or twice a day, if possible. Depending on her condition. We're just worried that before the Specialists arrived, her condition might've worsened already."

Rayven considered the offer. He didn't mind helping, but his spells weren't free. He was paying 2 Gold Coins for each cast, and that was not a small matter.

"Stabilize is not an easy Spell to cast… As you know, no one uses this Spell other than me." Rayven said plainly.

"I'll need compensation." He added.

The steward nodded. "Of course. What do you propose?"

Rayven paused. He didn't need to explain the system mechanics. But he had to price it fairly, without revealing too much.

"Six gold coins per treatment," he said. "That covers the cost and my time."

The steward blinked. "Six?"

Rayven nodded. "It's a specialized spell. And I'm the only one who's made progress."

The steward thought for a moment. Even without consulting the barron, he actually nodded. "Agreed. Six gold per session. In addition, you'll be provided with a guest room in the east wing. Meals, laundry, and access to the estate's facilities are included. If you require anything specific for your magic, we'll do our best to accommodate."

Rayven was stunned for a moment after seeing how decisive this man was...

"Oh… That's acceptable."

"I'll have the room prepared immediately," the steward said. "And I'll inform the Baron of the arrangement. He'll approve it for sure."

Rayven didn't ask for a written contract. The Fumiya name was enough. And if they tried to cheat him, well… he had ways of making that costly.

"I'll return tomorrow morning. I just need to prepare my things…" Rayven said as he couldn't help but feel excited. Perhaps, he could start his investigation into the Count really soon.

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