The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 19.2
Silver stakes were laid out, glinting in the light.
‘It’s impossible to remove the origin of the Devil’s Blossom, the ‘seed.’ Instead, we need to cut off the stems of the Devil’s Blossom with these silver stakes.’
I had previously weakened the Devil’s Blossom by administering medicine.
The problem was the location of the Devil’s Blossom.
They were in the mana Channel.
‘It’s an extremely delicate area.’
I had to precisely cut only the stems of the Devil’s Blossom. If I damaged the mana channel, it could lead to fatal problems.
‘I must do this perfectly.’
“Healer, what’s your name?”
“…It’s Gallak.”
“Alright, Gallak. When I cut the stems, your role is to heal the damaged mana channel.”
“!!”
“Remember this. If you fail to do it properly, it could have fatal consequences for this young man.”
It wasn’t just an attempt to shift responsibility; there was no room for even the tiniest mistake. Any error could be disastrous.
Gallak swallowed nervously.
“T-That…!”
“We don’t have time. Keep quiet and focus!”
With determination, I gripped the silver stake.
I traced the malevolent energy, understanding the path the stems of the Devil’s Blossom were spreading.
I had to cut each one from the top down.
From the Devil’s Blossom stems, tangled deep within the mana channel, precisely at the center. I had to cut through the channel where the malevolent energy flowed.
I recalled words I had heard during the progression of the storyline.
It’s something only the medicinal experts can do in this world.
I moved my hand.
Deep within the mana channel.
Towards the central channel in the tangle of thin, thread-like Devil’s Blossom stems.
It was a task only possible for someone who had treated countless mana channels.
But why?
At the moment the stake pierced through, the anxiety in my heart disappeared.
Instead, a single phrase came to mind.
I can do this.
Unexplainable confidence.
It wasn’t a lie.
As my stake pierced through the stem:
Kaaaaah!
With a chilling scream, one of the Devil’s Blossom petals that had manifested on Johan’s body disappeared.
“No, no?! How?!”
Healer Gallak exclaimed in astonishment, but his voice sounded distant.
The surroundings faded away.
In this world, there were only Johan and me.
Or rather, only the stems of the Devil’s Blossom were visible.
It was like seeing only the surgical field through a medicinal expert’s eyes.
It was an extreme state of concentration.
‘This is the versatility of a thousand transformations.’
I swallowed hard.
Proficient in any field, regardless of the domain!
It was true.
My hand moved as if possessed.
Every last stem of the residual Devil’s Blossom was pierced through by the stake.
All the brilliantly unfurled petals were bent and vanished.
“This is unbelievable! Master Van, wasn’t he a mediocre student? Could it be that the hidden identity behind the veil was not a mediocre student?”
“…That’s not the case.”
“Oh! I underestimated someone with such extraordinary skills. How ridiculous I must have looked.”
…Amidst the unfamiliar healer’s fuss, the familiar scent of the middle-aged mage filled the air.
Finally, we reached the last step.
Now that all the residuals were removed, I had to sever the connection between the bud and the remaining stems.
It was the most dangerous step.
Feeling the cowardly instinct creeping back, I earnestly instructed Healer Gallak.
“This is a crucial step. Suppress the interaction with Holy Magic. The outcome of the treatment is in your hands, so stay focused.”
‘If anything goes wrong, it’s your responsibility!’
That’s what I said, but the response was unusual.
“To entrust such an important task to me. I will do my best!!”
“…Sure.”
After nodding, I moved the silver stake.
Snick.
At the moment the last stem was cut, a change occurred.
Soothingly.
Malevolent energy began to seep into the mana channel!
‘The concentration of malevolent energy is more severe than expected.’
I wore a troubled expression.
Cutting the stems meant that some malevolent energy would inevitably leak out.
The problem was, as mentioned earlier, Johan’s condition.
With Johan’s current power level, even this amount of malevolent energy could be fatal.
“Why are you standing there blankly? Hurry and unleash Holy Magic!”
“Unleashing, unleashing it! Argh!!”
Healer Gallak shouted in agony.
He couldn’t handle the malevolent energy.
‘The concentration of malevolent energy is too intense. Even a high-level healer wouldn’t be able to suppress it.’
I needed to come up with another solution.
‘Me using Holy Magic? No way. My mana is only enough for basic spells.’
I bit my lip.
There was one option, as unpleasant as it was.
Like gambling.
I didn’t want to resort to it, but there was no room for hesitation.
‘For goodness’ sake, the principle of business is give and take. Make sure to fight for the world in my place!’
I grabbed Johan’s hand.
Was it an illusion?
I felt Johan’s hand twitch.
“In the name of Ecclesia, I declare that I will not let you die under any circumstances.”
Even in such a situation, with the annoying banter of the Dark Flame Dragon, my gamble began.
Johan’s malevolent energy flowed into my body.
* * *
“You are a great being who will illuminate us.”
In the depths of darkness.
Johan’s consciousness was floating.
“You are a great priest.”
‘…Boring.’
Johan thought absentmindedly.
Many people praised him, but he knew.
He was not a great being like a saint.
Instead, he was a rather despicable existence.
‘I’m dying like this.’
Johan calmly accepted his death.
For someone as wretched as himself, dying now might be for the better.
However,
“I… I declare in the name of…”
A voice echoed from beyond the darkness.
“I will not let you die under any circumstances.”
Ah.
Who could it be? It was a sublime voice that Johan had never heard before.
Completely different from himself, a fake saint.
Johan’s heart trembled.
‘…I don’t want to die.’
He wanted to grab the hand of the owner of that mysterious voice.
