I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy Novel

Episode 6. Starting Work at the Ward (1)

Episode 6. Starting Work at the Ward (1)

As Istina suggested, we did visit the hospital.

I don’t really know how hospitals in this world operate. Of course, there was something similar to a hospital in the imperial palace, but it wouldn’t make sense to use that as a standard.

Today, I only plan to look around.

Istina gestured towards the ward area where several beds were lined up.

They didn’t seem to be beds for people. There were no blankets or anything yet.

“This is Professor Asterix’s ward. There’s no one here right now, but once the consultations start and nurses are assigned, twelve people will be in here.”

It’s more grandiose than I thought.

“This area is for patients with severe conditions that the professors see directly. Over there is the area where other healers see patients in their allocated time.”

I see how it is.

Istina continued her explanation.

“Yes. If the condition improves here, they are sent over there, to the general ward. Conversely, they can be moved up here.”

I nodded.

So, there’s a special ward that the professors see, and a general ward that other healers manage on their own.

The hospital was in better shape than I expected.

It had the quaint feel of a Renaissance hospital, but there was no medieval barbarism like cutting off an arm just because it got hit by an arrow.

Is it because there’s magic that the situation is a bit better?

“But, what do you do if there’s a problem in the general ward that you can’t solve among yourselves?”

Istina pondered for a moment.

“We draw lots to decide who will go ask the professor. It was usually me. The other apprentices didn’t like me very much…”

What?

It was a scene I’d seen many times before.

“Well, you can come ask me comfortably. After all, I have to see the patients anyway. It’s better to check the treatment direction one more time and proceed.”

“Thank you!”

It might be a bit bothersome, but it’s better than killing the patients. Especially considering the level of medical practice in this world.

I plan to start writing the thesis as soon as possible. There is one more prerequisite for that. I need to find a suitable co-author professor.

It would be better than doing it all alone.

By what criteria should I choose a co-author professor? There is no one among the academy professors that I know personally or have a close relationship with.

I thought about asking the imperial palace healers I used to work with, but that seems cumbersome due to the physical distance.

Anyway, I can handle the content and experimental design. Based on modern medical science knowledge.

So, I need to work hard on the research and select a co-author who won’t try to swallow the research or pose such a risk.

It would be even better if the professor could lend their name value. That way, it would be easier to submit the thesis to the academic world. I looked at Istina.

“Istina, in your opinion, who do you think is the nicest person in the academy’s healing department? Among the professors in the healing department.”

Istina thought for a moment.

“Professor Klaus. I’ve never seen him get angry. I don’t think he ever looked down on anyone for being of commoner origin.”

“Oh, really?”

I don’t know. Someone who attended the academy would know, but I’ve never been to this school.

“But why, professor?”

“Just. If I present the research alone, it might lack credibility, right? So I thought I’d pick any suitable professor to co-author with.”

From the academy’s and academic world’s perspective, I am an outsider who has never set foot in academia.

Even if I present valid points alone, the research might get buried. That’s why I need another professor’s name value.

“I see. But what about me?”

What is she talking about?

“Of course, you have to participate.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But your participation in the research doesn’t necessarily increase its credibility… So, I’m thinking of recruiting one more person.”

Istina nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go see Professor Klaus later. We need to discuss how to proceed with the research. Do you know where his lab is?”

Where could it be? I looked at Istina, and she packed her things and left my lab.

I guess I should follow.

We soon arrived in front of Professor Klaus’s lab. There was nothing particularly noticeable from the outside. Istina seemed a bit nervous.

“Can we visit the professor’s lab?”

“Well, I’m a professor too, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Knock, knock.

I opened the door to the lab.

“Hello, Professor Klaus.”

“Who are you?”

Professor Klaus was just an ordinary man.

He wasn’t fat, but he had a generally warm and bear-like impression. I could see why people said he was the most good-natured professor. The atmosphere itself was like that.

“Ah. I am Professor Asterix, newly appointed. I used to work as the royal physician before coming to the academy. This is my graduate student.”

Istina bowed her head deeply.

“Nice to meet you. What brings you here…?”

I pretended to ponder for a moment.

“I have been preparing a research project since my time at the royal palace. It’s about the fundamental causes of diseases. As this is my first time holding a professorship at the academy, I thought I might seek your assistance.”

Professor Klaus nodded.

“Well, that doesn’t matter. Why me?”

My graduate student told me.

They said you’re the easiest to approach.

“The student healers and the people in the ward said so. They said Professor Klaus is the most outstanding in both scholarship and character.”

“……”

Hmm, was that too much?

“Haha, indeed. They have a good eye.”

Right, no need to overthink it. I quietly sighed in relief with Istina. Professor Klaus scratched his head.

“Well, if you have a draft or plan for the research, bring it next time. Let’s review it together.”

For now, it’s a success. I left Professor Klaus’s office with Istina.

Professor Klaus pondered.

‘What kind of person is he?’

There were rumors circulating in the academy. They said the princess’s personal physician was coming to the academy with the princess. They also said he was someone to be cautious of.

And just now, the problematic professor visited Professor Klaus’s office. Professor Klaus’s first impression of Asterix was-

Well. He suddenly showed up and started spouting strange things. He seemed oddly self-assured, almost like someone who was a bit off.

Is it because he has the backing of the royal family, or is it the confidence of a genius, or… maybe he’s just a bit strange.

Anyway, Klaus decided to cooperate as much as possible. The rumor about him being the princess’s personal physician was true. He did escort Princess Minaretia and helped her off the carriage.

He should take a look at the mentioned research, but it was an interesting topic. He must have discovered something or had something he wanted to investigate, which is why he came looking for him.

It’s been almost a week since I arrived at the academy. I should start preparing for work soon. As a professor in the Department of Healing, my role is mainly twofold.

Seeing patients. And teaching students.

To elaborate a bit more, seeing patients can be divided into outpatients and inpatients, and teaching can be divided into actual classes and research.

Simplified, that’s what it is.

There are three spaces I need to prepare: the laboratory, the clinic, and the ward. I need to make a stethoscope, and I need to make a microscope…

It’s going to be a lot of work.

Still, it would be too distressing to send patients away just because we lack equipment. I should do everything I can to prepare.

And then, the first consultation. I was sitting in the clinic with Istina, waiting. How many patients will come today?

“Istina. What kind of patients usually come?”

“They really come in all varieties. I thought only rich or noble patients would come since it’s the academy, but the city is so big that all sorts of people come.”

I nodded.

“Have you seen any patients recently?”

“Well, a lot of trauma patients come. I think the most common ones are those with injured limbs. Pneumonia patients also seem to come frequently.”

Oh.

At the hospital where I worked before reincarnating, it was common for patients to come in with chronic diseases like hypertension or diabetes. The most common cases in the emergency room were fever or abdominal pain.

Usually non-specific symptoms.

“In the royal family, we don’t see patients like this. Istina, you should…”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in!”

Istina ran out and opened the door for the patient. The first patient to enter was…

“Gasp!”

Istina let out a small sigh and covered her mouth. The princess didn’t care. No, she didn’t even glance at Istina.

The first patient to visit today was Princess Mint. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing. I mean, I came all the way to the academy to stop seeing the princess’s patients. And yet, here she is again?

“I greet the most noble moon of the empire, the graceful Princess Minaretia. How are you?”

I bowed my head to the princess.

“It seems your memory has returned.”

“Yes, it has.”

No matter how I think about it, it’s an embarrassing line. Princess Mint looked around.