Chapter 26: Crazy Alchemist (2/2)
”... Three.” Sergio groaned. Nikolai was taken aback but Sergio explained the reason. ”I break a lot of things, so I need to pay for them too.”
”Oh,” Nikolai chuckled. ”I'll give you ten silvers per month, excluding the materials you will use for the potions.”
”Are you serious?” Sergio's eyes turned into the shape of silver coins. He grabbed Nikolai with his bandaged hands. ”Lead the way, boss!”
”Your enthusiasm is frightening me.” Nikolai's brows twitched. ”You don't have any debts, do you?” He feared people will be coming after him just because of this workaholic.
”None!” Sergio smiled proudly as he waved his hand. ”Except for one gold coin, I'm debt free!” He said with such confidence and smugness that Nikolai needed to look at his face again.
'Is this really the Genius Alchemist?' Nikolai had some doubts about this. However, there was no mistaking it. Other than his knowledge and passion for potions, future-grandmaster-alchemist Sergio was nothing but an airhead.
”I'll pretend to be dissatisfied about the prices of Painful Glees and storm out of here. Meet me at this clinic after you're done.” Nikolai drew a quick map of the doctor he knew before turning to leave.
”Wait!” Sergio grabbed his wrist. Nikolai turned to see his eyes sparkling. ”Do you really have Painful Glees?”
”Are you mad? Who would carry around those things?” Nikolai was speechless. ”However, I promise to get you some in a while.”
Nikolai then put on a show of being dissatisfied before storming out. However, no one even paid attention to him. He went toward the clinic next to Hunters Street and knocked on its door.
”... You're back.” The doctor stared at him silently. ”That's unexpected.”
”Is that kid here?” Nikolai asked before walking inside. The doctor pointed toward a closet that had its door open and Nikolai saw the kid sleeping inside.
”I don't have any other rooms.” The doctor sighed. ”He came here shaking, I had to sedate him. After that, he grew quiet. What happened?”
”He's worried about his sister.” Nikolai studied the doctor's expression. ”Why didn't you treat her?”
”It's a curse, not a disease.” The doctor sighed. ”I'm not an alchemist but a simple healer.”
”Did it look something like this?” Nikolai raised his shirt and revealed the curse Madness left on his body. The doctor's eyes shook and nodded.
”How did this...” The doctor furrowed his brows. Nikolai shook his head and took off his shirt. The wounds were still bleeding through the bandages. ”By the Gods, how can you even stand?”
The doctor panicked and hurried to bring his tools. He took out the shards from Nikolai's body before using mana and herbs to heal his wounds.
All that was left was a raised fibrous tissue of where the wounds were. Nikolai traced them silently. He never had these marks before.
”Prepare some herbs for a friend of mine too.” Nikolai gave the doctor thirty coppers, enough to heal two people. ”As for the kid's sister, tell him I'll take care of it when he wakes up.”