NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6
6th Episode. Reporting to the Ward (1)
****
As Istina had said, I did end up visiting the hospital.
I don’t really know how hospitals in this world operate. Sure, there was something resembling a hospital in the imperial palace, but judging by that would probably be meaningless.
Today, I’m just planning to look around.
Istina gestured toward a ward section with a few beds lined up.
They didn’t seem like beds for actual patients—there wasn’t even any bedding yet.
“This is Professor Asterix’s ward. It’s empty now, but once consultations start and nurses are assigned, 12 people can fit here.”
Impressive, considering.
“Here is where professors directly handle critically ill patients. Over there, other healers take turns overseeing general cases.”
So that’s how it works.
Istina continued explaining.
“Yes. If a patient improves here, they’re moved over to the general ward, and sometimes they come back here if needed.”
I nodded.
So, there’s a special ward overseen by professors and a regular ward handled by healers.
The hospital was in better shape than I expected.
Though it had a quaint feel of a near-modern hospital, there was no sign of medieval barbarism like cutting off an arm just because of an arrow wound.
Is it because magic makes things easier?
“But what do you do if there’s a problem in the general ward that you guys can’t handle?”
Istina thought for a moment.
“We draw lots to decide who goes to ask the professor. Usually, it was me. The other apprentices don’t like me much…”
That sounds familiar.
“Well, you can always come ask me casually. Since I’ll have to see the patients anyway, it’s better to confirm the treatment direction at least once more.”
“Thank you!”
It might be a bit annoying, but anything’s better than letting patients die. Especially considering the medical level in this world.
****
I plan to start writing a paper as soon as possible. But there’s one prerequisite—I need to find a suitable co-professor collaborator.
It’d be better than doing everything alone.
What criteria should I use to choose a co-professor? I don’t really know anyone personally among the academy professors.
I considered asking the former royal healers I worked with, but that seems inconvenient due to the physical distance.
Anyway, I’ll design the research and experiments based on modern medical science knowledge.
So, I need someone who will diligently conduct research and won’t try to steal or sabotage it.
Someone whose name carries weight would be ideal, so submitting the paper to academia would be smoother. I looked at Istina.
“Istina, who do you think is the nicest person in the healing department of the academy?”
Istina pondered for a moment.
“Professor Klaus. I’ve never seen him get angry. And he doesn’t look down on people from humble backgrounds either.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Guess I wouldn’t know. I haven’t attended the academy myself.
“But why does the professor need this?”
“Well, publishing research alone might lack credibility. So, I was thinking of selecting a random professor for joint authorship.”
From the perspective of the academy and academic circles, I’m an outsider who hasn’t stepped into the academic world.
If I publish something alone, there’s a risk it might get buried. That’s why I also need the reputation of another professor.
“I see. What about you?”
What do you mean?
“You obviously need to participate.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“But your participation alone won’t boost the credibility of the study…so I’m looking for one more person.”
Istina nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s go see Professor Klaus later. We can discuss how to proceed with the research. Do you know where his lab is?”
Where is it? I looked at Istina, who gathered her things and left my lab.
Guess I should follow.
We quickly arrived at Professor Klaus’s lab. There was nothing particularly noticeable from the outside. Istina seemed a bit nervous.
“Is it okay to visit the professor’s lab?”
“Well, I’m a professor too, so it shouldn’t matter, right?”
Knock knock.
I opened the door.
“Good day, Professor Klaus.”
“Who are you?”
Professor Klaus was just an uncle-like figure.
Not overweight, but overall, he had a bearish, warm presence. Now I understand why he’s considered the nicest professor.
“Oh, I’m the newly appointed Professor Asterix. I used to work as the royal physician and have now transferred to the academy. This is my graduate student.”
Istina bowed deeply.
“Nice to meet you. May I ask what brings you here?”
I pretended to think for a moment.
“I have a research project I started preparing while I was at the palace. It’s about the fundamental causes of diseases. Since this is my first time as an academy professor, I came seeking your assistance.”
Professor Klaus nodded.
“Well, that’s fine, but why me?”
My grad student told me…
You seemed the easiest target.
“The student healers and ward staff mentioned that the most scholarly and virtuous professor here is Professor Klaus.”
“…”
Hmm, maybe that was a bit overdone?
“Hehe, thank you. You have a good eye.”
Yeah, no need to overthink it. Istina and I quietly sighed in relief. Professor Klaus scratched his head.
“So, if you have a draft or plan for the research, bring it next time, and we’ll review it together.”
Success for now. I left Klaus’s lab with Istina.
****
Professor Klaus pondered.
“What kind of person is this?”
Rumors had spread through the academy. The royal physician was coming with the princess. He was someone to watch out for.
And just now, the mysterious professor visited Klaus’s lab. Klaus’s first impression of Asterix—
Well, he just showed up out of nowhere and started talking nonsense. Seemed strangely confident, almost like a loose screw.
Is it because he has royal backing? Or is it the confidence of a genius? Or…maybe he’s just a weird guy.
Regardless, Klaus decided to cooperate fully. The rumors about being the royal physician were true after all. Escorting Princess Mint from the carriage was also confirmed.
The research topic mentioned was intriguing too. He must have discovered something or wanted to investigate something, which is why he came.
****
It’s been nearly a week since arriving at the academy. Time to prepare for work. As a professor in the healing department, my role mainly involves two things:
Seeing patients and teaching students.
To elaborate, seeing patients splits into outpatient and inpatient care, and teaching includes lectures and research.
But simplified, that’s the gist.
There are three spaces to prepare: the lab, the clinic, and the ward. I also need to make stethoscopes and microscopes…
This is going to be tough.
Still, it feels wrong to turn away patients just because there’s no equipment. I’ll prepare as much as I can.
****
And now, the first consultation. I sat in the clinic with Istina, waiting. How many patients will come today?
“Istina, what kinds of patients usually come?”
“All sorts. I thought only rich or noble patients would visit the academy, but since the city is so large, all kinds of people show up.”
I nodded.
“Have you seen any recent patients?”
“Well, trauma patients are common. Limb injuries seem to be the most frequent. Pneumonia patients also often come.”
Oh ho.
At the hospital where I worked before reincarnating, adult diseases like hypertension and diabetes were more common. In the ER, fever and abdominal pain were the most frequent complaints.
Typically non-specific symptoms.
“At the palace, I didn’t handle these kinds of consultations. Istina, you’ll have to help me a little—”
Knock knock knock.
“Come in!”
Istina rushed to open the door for the patient. The first patient to arrive today was…
“Hmph!”
Istina let out a small sigh and covered her mouth. The princess didn’t seem to care—or rather, she didn’t even glance at Istina.
The first patient today was Imperial Princess Mint. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing. I came to the academy to stop handling royal consultations, but here she is again?
“To the most illustrious moon of the empire, the graceful Princess Minaretea. Good day.”
I bowed to the princess.
“So, your memory has returned.”
“It has.”
As embarrassing as this line feels, Princess Mint glanced around.