Gulp.
Dan's father swallowed dryly as he watched my personal set of acupuncture needles resonate with a faint hum.
He must have visited external clinics a few times before, but this was probably his first time witnessing acupuncture treatment up close. No wonder he was nervous.
"You've heard that the head of the family and other members use acupuncture to treat injuries, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Judging by your expression, this must be your first time seeing it in person. No need to worry. The fact that a physician from the Claudius family is allowed to use acupuncture is proof that they've reached a significant level of mastery."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. I'd say there are fewer than ten people on this entire island who are permitted to practice acupuncture."
"Oh dear… But young master, I mean, Lord Heir, how did you manage to learn such a difficult art?"
"It just means our young master is exceptionally gifted. Didn't I tell you? You and your wife just need to watch closely and see how he treats this little troublemaker."
Was Almon trying to ease Dan's parents' anxiety?
He was talking more than usual, and while his words seemed to calm them somewhat, their wide eyes still betrayed their disbelief.
They must have thought that my youthful appearance didn't quite match the title of a "highly skilled healer."
But I ignored their skepticism and flicked my fingers.
Hum—
The needles lifted into the air, hovering over Dan's plump forearm.
"Hmm..."
Almon's eyes glinted sharply.
Among everyone in the room, only Almon and I could see the golden aura of Angelus flowing between my fingers and the acupuncture needles.
Dan's injury wasn't severe, but that didn't mean I could be careless.
If there was even the slightest flaw in my technique, Almon—who was responsible for overseeing all treatments—would stop the procedure immediately.
And if that happened, I'd likely have to spend at least another year training before I'd get another chance to treat external patients.
Perhaps my father was worried that the pressure might be too much for me.
He always acted indifferent to my progress, but I knew he paid close attention to everything I did.
For someone like him to allow his twelve-year-old son to treat an external patient—using acupuncture, no less—must have been a big decision.
'Father trusted my abilities and gave me this opportunity. I have to live up to his expectations.'
Hum—
With another flick of my fingers, the needles shifted into formation, ready to strike.
"Ugh…"
"Can we get a screen here? Since the patient is young, it's best if he doesn't see the needles going in."
"Yes, here you go."
As soon as I finished speaking, a nurse stepped forward, setting up a barrier between Dan and his arm.
"Are you scared it's going to hurt?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"Come on, I told you, didn't I? It won't hurt one bit. Don't you trust me?"
"I-I do, but… those needles are so sharp… there's no way it won't hurt…"
Tears welled up in Dan's eyes.
I reached out and gently ruffled his round, chestnut-colored head.
"Oh no, what will your little sister think? She's been waiting so eagerly to see you healthy again. But if her big brother comes back crying, won't she be disappointed?"
"M-My sister…"
"If she hears that her big brother was brave and didn't cry at all during his treatment, she'll respect you even more."
"I won't cry! I won't!"
Dan, thinking about his chubby-cheeked little sister waiting for him at home, clenched his fists and nodded firmly.
I pressed my hand a little more firmly against his head.
"Really? You're not gonna cry?"
"Yeah! I won't cry!"
"You promise?"
"I promise!"
The moment Dan shouted his second response, Almon's sharp eyes gleamed again.
"You, young master—"
But I quickly signaled to him with my eyes.
"Heh."
Almon chuckled instead of continuing his sentence.
"Good job."
"Huh?"
"Dan's parents, when you go home, be sure to tell his sister that he never shed a single tear and took his treatment like a champ."
"Huh?"
Both Dan and his parents looked utterly bewildered.
I had barely just asked for the screen to be set up, yet I was already talking as if the treatment was finished.
"I've said it before, haven't I? There's no need to worry. Our young master's skills are truly remarkable."
Smiling faintly, Almon pulled back the screen, revealing Dan's arm.
"Whoa! Whoa!! Mom, Dad, when did the needles go in? I didn't even feel them!"
"Oh my goodness… Young master!"
"This is incredible…"
Eight needles of different lengths and thicknesses had already been inserted at precise points on his arm.
Dan only now realized they were there, his eyes widening in amazement.
"When young master placed his hand on your head earlier, he infused his aura into you. That aura guided the needles to their proper positions automatically."
"Then… all that talking…"
"Was to keep your son distracted. Kids his age are usually more afraid of the idea of needles than the pain itself."
"Oh dear, you were so thoughtful towards us common folk… We don't know how to repay this kindness…"
"As a healer, it's only natural to consider the patient's feelings. There's no need to repay anything."
Hum—
I ran my fingers over the needles, causing a golden light to ripple across them.
"Oh my…"
Dan's mother gasped in awe.
The needles, responding to my movements, pulsed up and down like piano keys, threading through his torn muscle fibers.
The shimmering golden energy seeped into the injury, enhancing the healing process.
"Wow! The needles just came out by themselves! Young master, you didn't even touch them!"
With a flick of my finger, the needles soared through the air and neatly returned to their case.
Dan's father, still in shock, turned to Almon.
"Sir… do other physicians possess such skills?"
"No. As far as I know, there's no one else who can control acupuncture needles with this level of precision—especially not remotely."
"My goodness… How can someone so young be so accomplished…"
"You're lucky to have a mischievous son, or you'd never have witnessed such a rare sight."
Dan's parents looked even more in awe than before.
Well, it made sense.
This kind of acupuncture technique couldn't be found in any medical textbook on the continent.
But that didn't mean it was some crude, improvised trick.
If anything, it was an advanced fusion of two arts: the Claudius family's secret acupuncture techniques and the flying blade skills I had mastered in my previous life.
In my past life, I had used those skills to execute countless corrupt nobles.
But now, I was using them to save lives.
And if my old techniques could be repurposed for healing rather than killing…
Then perhaps that was a worthy pursuit in its own right.