Chapter 10: Two Classes
Nephis and Amon were walking down the long corridor towards the direction of the infirmary. Amon was helping Nephis walk properly. Nephis looked at Amon, who was still chuckling at what he had said in the dojo. She was taller than he was. Amon only reached her chin.
'Why is he laughing at someone making fun of him?' thought Nephis.
Nephis looked at Amon, thoughts turning in her mind.
'Why did he not use his full strength during his kicks?'
'Is he pretending to be weak?'
Nephis wanted to ask Amon why he held back. But did not know how to initiate the conversation.
Preparing herself mentally, Nephis spoke up. "You don't have to grovel at my feet."
Amon paused his steps to process what he had just heard. Then he looked at her face. Nephis had a serious expression.
'Was she really expecting me to grovel?'
'Did she not get that I was only joking?'
Amon, unsure of what to answer, replied, "Thank you for that?"
After getting a reply, Nephis still had that serious expression on her face.
Then she spoke again, "Why did you hold back?"
Amon answered the question.
"Well, you held back, too."
"Your hands were always aiming for my vulnerable areas, but because of my request, you did not strike. If not for my slight advantage in strength, the fight would have been over in only a few moves."
"And I am pretty sure if I didn't hold back, you wouldn't just be limping," Amon said with an awkward chuckle.
Nephis listens to Amon explain his reasons.
Then Nephis asked, "Why are you going to the infirmary? You don't seem to be injured?"
Amon replied, "I have signed up for a class there."
A bit confused, Nephis asked, "Which class?"
"The Emergency Treatment and Trauma Care class"
This was the first time Nephis had heard of such a class. Sensing the confusion on Nephis' face, Amon continued. "It's a class where they will teach you how to properly treat a wound, and how to do emergency surgery, though only the very basics."
"Why do you need to sign up for such a class? Aren't you a legacy?"
Amon looked at Nephis as if she had just asked the dumbest question. But nevertheless, Amon answered.
"I am not a legacy, Miss Nephis. I am from the outskirts."
"And this is so that I will be able to survive better in the Dream World. I am not a very good fighter, you see, so I have to know how to at least treat injuries properly."
He was not like Sunless, who would spit venom and say things so that others would antagonise him, because he knew he would not be able to survive the Dream world alone.
Nephis looked at the boy who was helping her with suspicion, but did not say anything.
Soon they reached the infirmary. Amon was here for the class he signed up for. Both he and Professor Julious had discussed it yesterday. Since he had an attribute that helped him learn quickly, it would be beneficial for him to utilize it. Though it was still taught in the wilderness survival class, it was limited to treating bruises and shallow cuts. They had decided that he would attend both of the classes. In the morning, before lunch, he will join this class, and after lunch, he will join teacher Julius' class
They stood in front of the infirmary. There were many awakened and non-awakened staff. Amon called one of the doctors and told them about the situation with Nephis' legs. Then Amon went to talk to the teacher who would be teaching him.
" Good Morning, Sir. I am Amon, and I have signed up for the Emergency Treatment and Trauma Care class."
The classroom was not separated from the infirmary. It couldn't even be called a traditional classroom. The room was filled with many medical equipment, and it can even be said that there is not even one teaching material.
The one whom Amon had just spoken to looked at him. The man was a middle-aged man with a few bald spots.
"You shouldn't have signed up for this class. The theory alone will take you months to learn." The man replied to Amon.
"Sir, I have an attribute that enhances my memory, so if you give me the materials, I will be able to learn the theory alone."
This is also something he and teacher Julius had discussed. Since he was smart enough to study alone, he will deal with the theory by himself, and will do the practicle in class.
The man looked at Amon, who was smiling at him, as if urging him to agree. Then he said, "Ok, fine, I will let you stay and learn, but I will give you a test first, and depending on your knowledge level, you will be allowed to stay."
Amon quickly agreed, since most of the knowledge in this world was similar to that of his previous one. The man looked at Amon, who nodded in confidence. He said, " You know, having a True Name isn't going to help, right?"
Amon replied, " I am very aware of the fact, Sir."
Nephis watched Amon from one of the beds, while an Awakened was healing her. She listened to the conversation between them.
Then the man began to ask Amon some basic questions,
"Why is the blood red?"
"Because of an iron-rich protein called Haemoglobin, sir."
He was a bit taken aback by Amon being able to answer the question. Yes, it was a simple question, but an outskirt rat knowing the answer, he was a bit taken aback.
He asked a simple question again to test him, to confirm it wasn't just a fluke.
"What are the components that make up blood?"
Amon thought, 'That's his test? Shouldn't he ask harder questions?' But undeterred, he answered.
"It is made up of four components: Plasma, also known as the liquid matrix, red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, and platelets, also known as thrombocytes."
The man who had asked the question even raised a brow. Then he said, "Ok, I will start asking harder questions now."
"How much volume of blood loss causes a person to start feeling weak?"
'Is this really supposed to be this easy?' thought Amon. But he quickly replied.
"An amount of blood loss that causes a person to start feeling weak depends on the percentage of total blood volume lost in relation to the weight of the body." Amon answered and continued, " A normal person will start feeling weak at 70 ml/ kg of body weight."
Amon noticed the man who had a sceptical look, now looked at him with intrigue.
' Though the questions I asked are very basic, being able to answer them shows that he has some level of knowledge.'
'Should I let him?' Thought the man.
Then the man sighed and spoke again, "Ok, I will let you stay in the class."
Amon was very happy with the result, and then he thanked the man for letting him stay.
'That's it, that was the test?'
'Well, who am I to complain? I am allowed to learn, and that's enough."
Nephis looked at Amon, who was beaming with joy, thanking the man. He was showing a relieved smile. Her suspicion of him deepened, and she looked at him with an unreadable blank expression. She could see it in his eyes, his almost robotic, shallow eyes. Though his laugh and actions feel genuine, there is no depth.
Amon noticed Nephis looking at him. He showed a smile in her direction and gave a thumbs-up. Nephis was a bit taken aback, and not knowing how to respond, she just nodded.
Then the man introduced himself, "Call me Dr. Callistratos or just Teacher Callistratos, whatever you want."
Amon nodded and said, " I will call you Teacher Callistratos, then."
Then Callistratos asked, "Ok, how much do you know?"
"Nothing special, only the general knowledge, sir," Amon replied.
[A/N: Guys, plz leave a comment and tell me how the chapter was. Also, plz leave a review.]