The nobles of the capital laughed at Count Garinson whenever they met.
"Hmph, this time Count Garinson has been disgraced by his uncivilized behavior."
"That's right, he paid a man to do such a thing. Where did he sell his nobility?"
The capital's nobles chuckled and looked at Count Garinson in disbelief.
"Moreover, bowing to an illegitimate child."
"Ah, I'm ashamed to be of the same nobility."
Just like that, Count Garinson's reputation among the nobility plummeted.
For the time being, he was not allowed to leave the manor, let alone socialize.
"Damn it!"
He cursed, but it didn't ease his anger.
Worse, he realized he couldn't do anything to Raymond right now, except curse behind his back.
He felt like a complete loser.
He was so angry he thought his heart would burst.
'Just wait. I'll never let you get away with it! Never!'
Count Garinson ground his teeth ugly like a third-rate villain.
***
With the threat of the Healing Tower thus averted, the next few days were peaceful at the Penin Healing Center.
When he finally had some time to spare, Raymond was all about discipleship.
"So... An infection is an inflammatory response caused by germs entering the body. Inflammation, as I explained to you last time...."
'Ugh, this is hard, my teaching skill level is still low.'
Raymond sweated as he explained.
Raymond's method of teaching his students was clear: practice and theory!
He would see patients on a daily basis, giving them instructions like, "For this disease, you should use this herb or that," and when he had time, he would teach them the basic concepts.
They all had experience as healers, so they knew how to use herbs and were comfortable with the practical treatment, but the problem was the basic medical concepts.
There were many concepts that didn't exist in Leifentina, so everyone had a hard time.
It was fortunate that the level of 'basic science' was quite advanced thanks to the research in the ivory tower of the wizards, the 'magic tower'.
If the basic sciences were as backward as they were in the Middle Ages on Earth, it would be very difficult to teach them.
'It would be easier to explain if I knew basic medicine, but I'm a resident, so I'm a watermelon.'
"Resident" only knows basic medicine at a very basic level.
You learn the basics as an undergraduate, but the focus is on clinical care.
Raymond was undaunted and continued to teach with all his heart.
Why?
'I want my students to grow up fast so they can make money for me! Hurry and grow up! Disciples, make me money! Show me the money!'
At this point, the Penin Clinic was very dependent on Raymond. It was unavoidable.
As his disciples' skills increase, so will the money he makes!
"I understand you're having a hard time with this. The immune system has two types of lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes..."
Meanwhile, the students were deeply moved by Raymond's sincerity.
'He is so sincere in his teaching. No other teacher in the world would be so eager to teach.'
Hanson gritted his teeth.
'But I'm not good enough, and I make him repeat himself every time. Shame on you, Hanson! You'll never be of any use to your master, and you'll always be a nuisance!'
Hanson made a desperate effort to be loyal, and Christine did the same.
'How can he teach so generously, with such a secret technique?'
Christine didn't understand Raymond.
How many teachers were too proud to share their secrets?
But Raymond had no such petty greed.
He only regretted that his students could not follow his example.
It was his compassion for his patients.
'I must learn quickly so that my students can improve.'
She remembered Raymond's wistful mutterings.
'The Master wants us to grow quickly so we can be of more help to the patients. He's a fool to think only of them.'
She bit her lip,
'And I'm not good enough to follow his instructions.'
She was so angry and her pride was hurt.
'From now on, I will cut my sleep time by another 30 minutes! I'll catch up with my master, even if it means falling down!'
For the record, she still doesn't sleep more than four hours. So Hanson and Christine worked feverishly, and Lyndon said.
'... I just want to take it easy, why is everyone working so hard, ugh.'
He sulked and followed them.
The disciples' knowledge grew at an explosive rate.
It was the beginning of a medical school that would shake the continent, the birth of medical sages, but that was still a long way off.
A few days later, something happened that shattered the peaceful routine!
"Master, we have a guest."
"Who?"
"The Lady of Viscounty Rose."
"...!"
Raymond jumped up from his seat in anger!
"R-really?"
The voice sounded more than surprised, it sounded terrified!
There was a reason for Raymond's reaction.
Lady Rose, the head of Healer Loans!
A creditor worse than the devil himself!
***
Lady Rose.
She was a shrouded figure.
It wasn't even sure if the name Rose was her real name.
Four years ago, she came to the Kingdom of Houston and began running several businesses and a healer's clinic.
Her vast wealth has led many to speculate that she may be the hidden daughter of a tycoon of the wealthy Peninsula Kingdom, or the illegitimate daughter of a capital noble, but nothing was certain.
One thing was certain: she was terrifying.
"Oh, these cookies are delicious, may I have some, Baronet?"
Her tone was anything but friendly!
"Take as many as you want, no, I'll come over and do it for you, Miss President!"
Raymond grunted, bending at a forty-five-degree angle at the waist.
To him, the Healer Loans representative, Lady Rose, was more terrifying than anyone else in this world.
To be honest, Raymond was many times more terrified of the pretty lady in front of him than he was of King Odin.
'Never be fooled by appearances.'
Raymond swallowed hard as he watched Rose take a bite out of a cookie.
She was pretty, really pretty.
A look that could be described as adorable.
Her pink hair flowed lustfully. Her red, blue eau-de-vie eyes were dreamy, like something out of a story.
But she was a demon.
Turned countless healers into debt bondage!
'Maybe she's here to put a foreclosure on the mansion. I need to wake up!'
Raymond gritted his teeth. Fortunately, a message popped into his head.
[Activated 'Heart of Steel' to defend the healing center!]
[Have a strong will and heart!]
Was it because he was so afraid?
His heart didn't completely sink, but he opened his mouth, feeling a little more at ease.
"But what brings you here?"
"I came to see you."
"Me?"
Rose smiled, her voice was fresh and pretty.
"You're our newest VIP client at Healer Loans, and I thought I'd come to say hello. I've heard a lot of rumors about you. Hmm."
Lady Rose swept her gaze over the healer.
Raymond's heart sank.
The look in her eyes seemed to say,
-This is how you repay your debt.
"You have a lot of patients. I've heard you try to keep your fees as affordable as possible for your patients."
This time it sounded like this.
Raymond clenched his fists.
-When are you going to pay your debts?
'I need to get a grip!'
There was no point in caving in here.
He had to be strong.
So that he could pay his debts!
"It's only the beginning."
"What?"
"The current state of the clinic is only a small step in the grand scheme of things, compared to what I envision."
Lady Rose made an intrigued face.
"A grand scheme, I'm curious."
"I intend to make this healing center the best it can be."
Hmmm, Lady Rose let out a snort.
"Beyond the top three healing centers in the kingdom?"
Best in the kingdom!
It was a lofty goal, but Raymond shook his head.
"No, that's not the goal."
"Then?"
"The goal is to be the best in the continent."
"...!"
Rose's eyes widened in astonishment.
Continent!
It was a word of enormous significance.
"Do you know what that means?"
"Yes. My goal is to become the best in the entire Houston Kingdom, the entire Ten Nations Empire, the entire Cross Federation, the Iron Empire, and the Holy Land."
He meant it.
Best in the continent!
Then he would have all the riches in the world.
He would be able to say he lived a good life.
'I'm supposed to aim high.'
"The Penin Clinic is just the beginning."
Raymond said.
-We're just getting started, so wait a little longer to call in the debt!
So Raymond made a big deal about delaying the debt call.
Crunch. Rose chewed her cookie in silence for a moment.
"Why are you chasing such a big goal? Honestly... it seems a little reckless."
"It is..."
For the best wealth and glory!
Unable to answer, Raymond put on his best "100% sincere" face and said,
"... for the patients."
Image-making was important any time, any day.
That's when Hanson, who was pulling up next to them, spoke up.
"I'm Hanson, the master's apprentice. With all due respect, do you mind if I say a comment?"
"Go ahead."
"The Master is a man who gives his all for his patients. A man who would carry straw and jump into a fire for his patients."
Hanson said, his voice firm.
"With a master like that, I believe he can make Penin Healing Center the best on the continent, for there is no obstacle that can stand in the way of my master's will for his patients."
Crunch. Rose chewed on her cookie once more.
Then she rose from her seat.
"Thank you for the nice words. I'm glad I came today, I was wondering what our VIP guest was like."
She smiled broadly.
"And this is a secret, but I'm actually a big fan of yours."
"... Pardon?"
Raymond looked puzzled.
"I've heard about all the things you've done for the commoners, and I admire you as a noble, so I thought I'd like to meet you sometime."
Rose clasped her hands together, her eyes shining.
"Now that I've seen you in person, I'm even more smitten. May I ask for your autograph later?"
"..."