Becoming Aozaki Touko's Life

Rizovolt Sturlut's tone was solemn, his words laced with deep suspicion. He didn't believe that human woman possessed the ability, or rather, the willingness, to heal Altrouge.

An Altrouge who remained in her injured state was the ideal Dead Apostle Princess in the eyes of many. Neither the Dead Apostles nor the humans would welcome a full-powered Altrouge.

Therefore, he severely doubted that the girl named Aozaki Touko was merely going through the motions, intending to profit from the situation, and had no intention of wholeheartedly healing Princess.

"Not only will she heal me, but she'll also become my subordinate."

Altrouge tossed her long black hair, revealing a hint of confidence. She believed that once Aozaki Touko understood her power, a little coaxing would be all it took for her to abandon her human identity and fall into her embrace.

"Since Princess says so."

Rizovolt Sturlut nodded slightly and didn't intend to say anything further.

Chapter 71: The One Seeking a Cure

The next day.

As dawn broke dimly, Aozaki Touko left the Western-style house alone. Her steps were as elegant as ever, her confidence undiminished, even after facing the Dead Apostle Princess yesterday.

She was now heading to the Clock Tower to teach. She would be instructing on basic Magic Potion knowledge. The content wasn't profound or particularly engaging; the lessons could be described as perfunctory.

In fact, she only appeared for a short lesson once a week, making it impossible to fulfill the responsibilities of a mentor.

However, even under these circumstances, every class she held was invariably full. Many students without seats would even stand at the edges of the classroom.

"Hmm, there are some unfamiliar faces today. I hope you can keep up with the lesson."

Upon entering the classroom, Aozaki Touko stepped onto the podium, surveyed the seated individuals, and began her lecture.

The students present were accustomed to this scene and knew that the girl's teaching was merely a perfunctory duty.

Because her friend was the daughter of the Plant Department Monarch, she had naturally become a lecturer in the Plant Department, even though she wasn't particularly skilled in Magic Potions.

However, they didn't care about right or wrong and had no intention of condemning her for it, as most people's objective in coming here wasn't to learn Magic Potion knowledge.

Some were heirs to prestigious mage families, adorning themselves like princes, who came here intending to charm this genius girl and obtain her exceptionally superior magical bloodline.

Others came intending to ask the girl questions about interdisciplinary matters, presenting their research confusions in magecraft, hoping to use the girl's genius to overcome difficult barriers.

The two types above basically constituted the reasons people came here.

However, today there were many who harbored different intentions. They hoped to gaze upon the girl on the podium, who shone like the sun.

Her confident, self-willed demeanor, to their eyes, reignited hope in their hearts that had already lost it.

If it's her... she might be able to save them.

This thought appeared in the minds of this third category of people simultaneously.

That's right, many people who came today had actually come specifically because of the rumors about Aozaki Touko.

"The world's greatest doctor," "able to revive those who had fallen into short-term death," "solving nearly incurable diseases."

These were the rumors circulating about the girl during this period.

"Hmm... now it's time for questions. If you ask an extracurricular question, and it's troublesome, please be prepared to offer remuneration."

Aozaki Touko turned to look at the students below, speaking words that didn't sound like a teacher's.

"—I have something!"

A delicate-looking young man raised his hand, looking nervously at Aozaki Touko. At the same time, he anxiously lifted a heavy black case and struggled to run towards the podium.

This scene drew looks of disgust from many in the classroom, who disliked the boy's disregard for the rules.

At this time, it was usually nobles and powerhouses of high status who would ask questions first. If no strong individuals asked questions, then ordinary students would be able to ask Aozaki Touko some questions.

However, this young man broke this unspoken rule today, which undeniably caused displeasure.

"It seems... you're not going to ask about Magic Potions."

Aozaki Touko smiled helplessly as she watched the anxious young man approach.

"Yes, Teacher Aozaki."

The delicate-looking young man placed the black leather case on the table with some effort, then opened it, revealing a case full of gold bars.

Afterward, the young man performed a dogeza towards Aozaki Touko and said with utmost reverence:

"Teacher Aozaki, I have a very important matter to request of you. Please save my mother, whose life is nearing its end. After this is accomplished, I am willing to pay you ten times the compensation I am offering now."

He pressed his head firmly against the ground. In fact, due to his nervous emotions, the veins in his hands pressed against the ground even bulged.

He was the heir of a publicly listed company, and his family had some connection to the mage world. Upon unexpectedly learning that there was a Magician in the mage world who could cure any illness, he had rushed to the Clock Tower.

"A case full of gold. That's quite an impactful sight, but unfortunately, I'm busy during this period."

Aozaki Touko glanced at the gold on the podium, her eyes showing no fluctuation, and said very calmly, "Also, why do you believe I can save your mother?"

Although she had such rumors surrounding her, there were no actual cases of her saving someone yet.

Yet, even so, someone had come seeking medical help with a case full of gold.

—

In the classroom, people's gazes were uniformly fixed on the young man, wanting to see how this Magician, who couldn't even be considered low-tier, would answer Aozaki Touko's question.

"I don't know, but I'm out of options. When I heard that you could save anyone, I rushed here like a gambler."

The boy, maintaining his dogeza, spoke with sadness and pain, his tears wetting the lectern.

He had no other choice. Even the best hospitals had declared his mother dead.

However, he couldn't accept that outcome.

So, he came to the Clock Tower, seeking help from the girl before him.

He even chose not to use a convenient payment method like a check, all to increase the success rate.

He laid out a large amount of actual gold and silver, intending to make Aozaki Touko feel the weight of the money.

And hopefully, increase his chances of success.

"I see, I understand."

Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow slightly and chuckled, "Saving your mother is possible, but I'll adjust the price after reviewing her medical records. The cost might be high enough to bankrupt your family."

"..."

The handsome young man fell silent, caught in a moment of indecision. After a few minutes of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, "It's fine. If you can save my mother, I'll accept any price."

"Is that so? If you're sure."

Aozaki Touko smiled, "Then bring your mother to the Clock Tower's hospital."

Chapter 72: Mom, I Sold All Our Assets

"Is that all for today?"

Aozaki Touko put away her teaching materials and decisively left the classroom.

She had met many people seeking medical help today. Although they had offered very generous rewards, they held no real meaning for Aozaki Touko.

She didn't want to delay her magic research with such trivial matters, so she decided to set the prices impossibly high to dissuade most of the supplicants.

"Lady Aozaki, you haven't taken this chest of gold!"

Seeing this, the boy was slightly stunned, then noticed that Aozaki Touko hadn't accepted the chest of gold at all. He quickly picked it up and chased after Aozaki Touko.

He desperately wanted to see Aozaki Touko take the chest of gold, otherwise, his heart couldn't find peace.

Inside the classroom, most people had already left.

Only one monk remained, sitting motionlessly in his seat. Coupled with his tall physique, he resembled a heavy, silent boulder. His face was etched with distress, as if pondering an unanswerable question.

"..."

The monk stared at the writing on the blackboard until dusk settled outside. The golden twilight shone through the window, illuminating the classroom.

At this moment, he spoke in a low voice.

"She possesses an intellect lacking the compassion of a Buddha, yet she has the potential of a Buddha to save the world. If someone were to guide her correctly at this juncture, it would surely be a great fortune for immeasurable beings!"

As he spoke, his expression grew even more troubled.

Although he had grasped this level of understanding, he couldn't influence Aozaki Touko, nor could he find anyone who could guide her onto the path of saving sentient beings.

"Perhaps... I need to find someone who can guide her."

He stood up and left the classroom.

A month later.

At the Clock Tower's independent hospital.

"...What is this?"

A graceful woman awoke on a clean white hospital bed. She looked around the room in confusion, realizing it wasn't her original room but a completely unfamiliar environment.

Finally, she found her son asleep beside her bed.

"...Numata, wake up~"

She nudged her son and called out softly. The sleeping boy frowned, then opened his eyes dazedly, seeing his mother had awakened.

"Mom, you're awake?"

The boy's voice trembled, and large tears streamed down his face. Seeing his mother awake again, his emotions were a complex mix.

"Yes, you've worked hard."

Seeing her son's tearful state, the young woman smiled helplessly. If her body weren't so weak right now, she might have embraced 'Numata' to comfort him.

"It wasn't hard. As long as Mom is safe and sound."

As he said this, the boy's tears flowed even more freely. He was happy for his mother's recovery, but also pained by the money he had spent.

He had given all his family's assets to that girl, 'Aozaki Touko,' just to get a chance for her to treat his mother.

"Safe and sound? Wasn't I terminally ill?"

The woman blinked in confusion. Wasn't her illness a terminal, incurable disease? Why was he saying she was fine?

"Mother, your illness has been cured."

The young man's body stiffened slightly, his gaze drifting away. "I hired the world's strongest doctor, and she completely cured your illness."

"..."

Seeing this, the woman frowned. She knew her son extremely well; he always looked like that when he did something wrong and tried to hide it.

"Numata, are you hiding something from me?"

Her gaze sharpened.

"No,"

The young man's eyes darted around even more.

Right now, he was worried that telling his mother he'd sold off all his assets would anger her to the point of fainting, so he planned to wait until she was better.

"Speak!"

The young woman's gaze intensified, her tone leaving no room for doubt. The young man trembled slightly at this. After a moment of internal struggle, he asked softly:

"Mother, do you really want to know?"

"Yes, tell me?"

"Mother, you know, the world's number one doctor charges quite a bit for medical fees."

"How much?"

"…I gave her all of our family's assets~"

"All of them?"