I Became the Only Healer in the Academy - Chapter 2

“I-I’m alright. I’m alright.”

Seonghyun got up and tried to reassure his sister and mother.

‘What on earth happened… I should be dead…?’

It wasn’t just a simple death.

He had died for sure, with his heart pierced by a monster.

That terrifying memory and vivid pain couldn’t be more true for him.

“But Oppa, where are you going this early in the morning?”

“Where am I going? Of course, to wor…”

Seonghyun was about to say “to work,” but he seemed to realize something and closed his mouth.

The sound of chopping from the kitchen stopped at those words.

“…Seonghyun. ‘Going to work,’ you say? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“What? Uh, no, I mean… I’m just going on a trip with some friends.”

“Is that so?”

His mother had always disliked the idea of him working.

‘This was during the summer vacation of my first year at the academy, right?’

The first time he had mentioned working during vacation, his mother had immediately said there was no need for it.

“School is starting again in a few days, you should have good rest.”

“…Yes.”

Seonghyun bit his lower lip.

His mother had always been like this.

She was someone who believed sacrificing herself was only natural.

“Daughter! Could you please bring in the laundry from outside?”

“Ugh… okayy.”

Shortly after his sister went outside, Seonghyun was about to go to the bathroom to collect his thoughts when he heard a soft groan.

“Ah!”

“Mom!”

He knew perfectly well that there was nothing much going wrong, but his body reacted first.

Approaching his mother immediately, Seonghyun grabbed her hand, which had been cut by a knife.

“I’m alright. It’s not that big.”

Seonghyun’s memories showed him far more calluses on his mother’s hands than he could ever recall.

‘…Did I really do my best?’

Suddenly, memories of the time before he returned came flooding back.

Had there ever been a time when he blamed his surroundings while hearing that he was at rock bottom?

Had he truly put in the effort that would make him proud in front of anyone?

“This child… I’m really okay…”

His mother, about to withdraw her hand, suddenly realized that there was no pain at the tip of her fingers.

“Huh…?”

Seonghyun had the same reaction.

The blood that had been flowing from her fingers just moments ago was no longer there.

It wasn’t just that the bleeding had stopped.

The small opened wound seemed to close up as if it wasn’t cut.

“S-Seonghyun… is this…!”

“I-I don’t know either…”

Seonghyun and his mother stared at her hand with widened eyes.

No matter how they looked at it, the current situation could only be interpreted as Seonghyun having healed his mother.

Then, from outside, they heard his sister’s voice along with the sound of her footsteps.

“Mom! Should I bring in all the laundry?”

“Huh? Oh, yes! Bring them all in!”

Seonghyun’s mother, withdrawing her hand from his grasp, looked at him.

“Mom, I think some things are better left unknown.”

“…”

“Your choice, it’s up to you. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

But Seonghyun’s mother knew it well.

That in this country, no, in this world, Seonghyun’s ability was unique.

It was a common topic even on TV.

Many researchers had been studying for quite some time why, among the numerous abilities, there had been no manifestation of healing-related abilities, but, of course, there had been no results.

The ability that so many had longed for had manifested in none other than Seonghyun.

However, Seonghyun was not at all pleased with the ability he now possessed.

Rather, he resented it.

Why had he been given such an ability?

With his current ability, he couldn’t protect anyone.

The emergency ability that could only make the situation worse when he couldn’t protect someone, turning it from bad to worse, that was all it was.

As he sighed while staring at the mirror in his bathroom, an unidentified window appeared in the air.

 

[A new beginning]

[You who have obtained a new life! Will you stay like this?]

 

Seonghyun looked blankly at the contents that seemed like an advertisement.

“…Am I going crazy?”

 

[The Pioneer of the Past]

[Open: Healing]

[Healing: Heals the target. Small wounds can be returned to their original state without a trace.]

 

Considering what had happened, he didn’t seem to be seeing things.

And the information of that ability was probably this unidentified window.

“Can I really heal small wounds in an instant?”

To be frank, it was still at a rather low level.

Seeing that there was no concept like a level that he was familiar with, he wondered if it was an ability that he could grow.

“I should test it properly.”

Seonghyun immediately picked up a razor.

Then, he cut his own finger with the razor blade.

As a stinging sensation and blood began to flow, Seonghyun soon looked at his finger.

“Do I just have to think about healing?”

Certainly, he didn’t need to shout ‘Heal!’ or anything, so Seonghyun focused on the idea of healing his finger while keeping his gaze on it.

Suddenly, just like when he had healed his mother’s finger moments ago, the blood that was flowing down his finger vanished, and the open cut was closed in an instant.

“I wonder how far this ability can go…”

However, he couldn’t cut off his finger just to test its limits, so he decided to find out later.

“How should I use this ability?”

If it had been any ability related to combat, he could have wielded it without much worry, but this ability was different.

If this fact became widely known, it would be inevitable that countless top hunters from various countries, including politicians and injured elite hunters, would come rushing to him for treatment.

“And if I refuse… they might even attempt to eliminate me.”

Just as not all countries could get along, not all hunters had harmonious relationships.

And if he attempted to heal a captured opponent, Seonghyun could become the target himself.

“…I suppose I have no choice.”

Seonghyun had to survive at the academy.

He didn’t just need to survive; he had to achieve top-notch grades.

To do that, he had to reveal the healing ability he had just gained.

And if that happened, what Seonghyun needed most was the power to at least protect his own body.

And of course, the strength to protect his family, at the very least.

“Sigh… I’m at a loss.”

There was barely a week left until the start of the academy.

Within that time frame, gaining a significant power spike was virtually impossible.

“This is the only one choice.”

The first step was to determine the extent of his newfound healing ability, how far it could reach, and whether there were any limitations on its usage.

“Hey, brother! The food is ready! Why are you taking so long?”

“Oh, I’ll be out in a moment.”

Opening the bathroom door and stepping outside, Seonghyun found himself unable to move his feet as he gazed at the scene before him.

A sight he thought he might never see again.

The kimchi stew he used to enjoy caught his eyes.

“What are you waiting for? Sit down already.”

“…Alright.”

Seonghyun managed to overcome his trembling legs and took a seat.

“I…. will eat well.”

With slightly shaky hands, Seonghyun picked up his spoon and started eating while forcefully pushing down the emotions welling him up.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Be careful.”

Seonghyun stepped outside briefly to clear his thoughts.

“I have to make a decision.”

After enrolling in the academy, if he voluntarily reported the manifestation of his new ability, there was support available based on the value of that ability.

In fact, if someone who had barely managed to get into the academy triggered the manifestation of their ability, the academy will start providing extensive support.

“If it’s a healing ability, I should be eligible for support as well.”

Of course, there were inconveniences that came with it.

There were times when he had to work for powerful figures supporting the academy.

“Yeah, I’ll aim to graduate from the academy safely and in the top ranks.”

After making his decision and getting up to leave, he heard whimpering from somewhere.

“What’s that?”

Following the sound, it came from the bushes.

As he pushed through the bushes and entered, he saw a puppy lying on the ground, seemingly with a leg injury, and another puppy, possibly a sibling, licking it and whimpering.

“Oh no…”

The injured puppy’s condition didn’t seem too serious upon closer examination. It appeared to be out of breath, but its breathing didn’t indicate any immediate danger.

“I don’t have the money to take you to the vet…”

As Seonghyun was about to leave with a sympathetic expression, he paused for a moment.

‘Wait, is this the perfect chance though?’

Seonghyun approached the injured puppy without any ill intentions. The little one sensed it and looked at Seonghyun with pleading eyes, showing no signs of hostility.

“Hmm…”

Seonghyun placed his hand on the injured puppy’s body. Just like in the bathroom earlier, he began to use his ability to heal.

After a short while of having his hand on the puppy, its breathing started to stabilize.

The swollen belly gradually deflated, and the previously bleeding paw appeared to have healed, leaving no trace of injury.

As if sensing that the puppy was getting better, the other one wagged its tail and circled around the healed puppy.

“It doesn’t seem to take long.”

The healing process appeared to be smoother than expected.

Or at least, it seemed that way.

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, Seonghyun felt a sharp pain in his chest. He clutched his chest and sat down, bewildered.

“Cough…! What…?!”

He had tried to heal himself just like he had healed the puppy earlier, but unfortunately, it had no effect whatsoever.

“Whimper…”

The puppy, which had quickly recovered and had been lying down, got up and approached Seonghyun, licking his shoes, almost as if it was expressing concern.

“I-I’m okay.”

Seonghyun gently stroked the puppy’s head and took a deep breath, trying to endure the pain that had subsided. Eventually, he let out a heavy sigh and got up from his spot.

“This is just…”

Seonghyun was baffled by the situation as the window, which he had seen in the bathroom earlier, appeared again.

 

[Opening: Sacrifice]

[Sacrifice: The pain felt by the treated subject will be transferred to the healer and will be unaffected by the healing.]

 

“…Ha.”

It was absurd.

To grant an unexpected ability and then attach such a significant limitation to it.

“So, they’re basically telling me not to use this ability…”

He had a feeling that when he had healed his mother earlier, there was a slight tingling sensation at the tips of his fingers. It seemed like this was the reason behind it.

“Come to think of it, do I have to acknowledge it for this window to appear?”

Both when the healing-related window had appeared and now, it seemed like Seonghyun needed to be aware that something had changed in his power for the window to appear.

More than that, he hadn’t realized that the pain felt by this small puppy was this intense.

“…You’ve been through a lot too.”

Seonghyun continued to pet the puppy and then stepped out of the bushes.

“Although it’s not exactly good news, I did gain information about the ability.”

Certainly, such an ability wouldn’t be used normally.

Since there were no such things as potions, hunters received the same treatment as ordinary people.

“In a way, I find this more comforting.”

If this ability had been granted without any restrictions, it would have been even more unsettling.

Now that he had checked for any side effects, he had gained quite the harvest.