“Oh, back already, Edgar-kun. This time, you suddenly went home, is everything okay?”
Upon his return to the Royal Institute of Medicine in Drieste, Edgar was approached by Cartier, his immediate supervisor and assistant chief.
“Yes, it’s all right. I apologize for imposing on you.”
Cartier smiled softly at Edgar, who bowed lightly and apologized for his sudden request for leave.
“No, I don’t mind. Your reports have been very beneficial to us. It’s been very helpful for us to know the actual results of taking ingredients that have been proven to work. It has helped us to find the optimum ratio.”
“No, it is I who wants to thank you. I am happy to see that she is getting better these days. That’s thanks to your kindness.”
“I’m glad to hear that it’s working. There are so few cases. Normally, we wouldn’t be able to do it so efficiently.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I wanted to hurry as much as possible… I don’t want it to happen again.”
“Edgar-kun?”
When his name was called in doubt, Edgar shook his head and said, “It’s nothing”.
“I will now return to my post.”
“Oh, please.”
With a bow, Edgar entered the department he was in charge of.
Several colleagues who had already started working noticed Edgar and greeted him.
One of them, Ronald, a fellow student, smiled at him ridiculously.
“Yo, Edgar. You left in quite a hurry this time. Did something happen to your beloved Artie-chan?
Always with this usual lighthearted pleasantries.
Every time he returned from his country, they would exchange these words as if it were a ritual.
Normally, it would end with a single word: nothing.
Normally.
Today, however, Ronaldo rolled his eyes when he saw Edgar’s face as he looked back at him.
It was the same smiling face as usual.
However, there was a hint of anger in his eyes.
“E, Edgar?”
Edgar spoke to the flustered Ronaldo with a smile on his face.
“You know, Ronaldo. I’d appreciate it if you stop saying that name so familiarly. I’m the only one who can call her Artie.”
“Eh?”
“Do you get it?”
“Ah, y-yes!”
Hearing his affirmative response, Edgar chuckled once more and hurried to his desk.
“T-that’s scary… I’ve never seen him in a bad mood before…”
Although he heard such a mutter, today’s Edgar didn’t seem to care about it.
I have to hurry.
Edgar was just a lowly third-year member of the institution.
There is not much he can do.
He could only be responsible for preparing materials, comparing data and selecting the most effective medical herbs, being in charge of ordering and managing medicinal herbs, and participating in experiments.
Just half a year ago, he finally discovered one highly effective medicinal herb, and he was proud about that achievement.
There was no doubt that the pace was faster than expected. Everyone agreed on that, however…
But, still…
I can’t believe I can’t make it in time. For such a matter…