Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Healer's Instinct

"What do you mean... poisonous?" Kyle asked.

Lyra stepped toward the clay bowl without hesitation and covered it with a wooden lid.

"The smoke."

She took a slow breath before continuing.

"It isn't dangerous to healthy adults."

"But children with weak lungs inhale it too deeply."

She looked at the unconscious boy.

"It makes breathing even harder."

Kyle immediately carried the bowl outside and poured water over the burning herbs.

The smoke disappeared.

He returned to the bedside and examined the child once more.

His breathing...

Was already becoming steadier.

Kyle's eyes widened.

"...He's improving."

The boy's grandmother covered her mouth in shock.

"We've burned those herbs every night."

"The herbal seller said they would help with fever."

Lyra picked up a few dried leaves from the floor.

"They help when they're boiled."

She crushed one gently between her fingers.

"But burning them changes their scent..."

"And their effect."

Kyle took the leaves from her hand and smelled them carefully.

After a long silence, he nodded.

"...You're right."

He looked at the frightened family.

"Don't burn these herbs again."

"I'll prepare a proper medicine instead."

The old couple bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, Master Kyle."

"And... thank you, Miss Lyra."

Lyra smiled politely but said nothing.

As they left the house, Kyle walked beside her in silence.

Only after they reached the village path did he finally speak.

"I've studied medicine for twelve years."

He looked at her with genuine curiosity.

"But today..."

"You taught me something I didn't know."

Lyra lowered her gaze.

"In my homeland..."

"I learned that every herb has more than one nature."

Kyle smiled.

"Then I have a feeling..."

"I'll be learning a lot from my new assistant."

When they returned to the clinic, the waiting room was already full again.

Kyle sighed with a tired smile.

"It seems the village never runs out of patients."

Lumi giggled.

"That's because everyone trusts you."

Kyle placed his medicine bag on the table.

"Then let's not keep them waiting."

For the next few hours, Lyra stood beside him.

She sorted herbs.

Prepared bandages.

Measured dried roots.

Before Kyle asked for anything, it was already in her hands.

"...Mint leaves."

She handed them to him.

Kyle looked up in surprise.

"I didn't even ask."

"You were about to."

He blinked.

"How did you know?"

"You looked at the shelf three times."

"And your hand reached toward the wrong jar."

A faint laugh escaped Kyle.

"I've never had an assistant who could read my thoughts."

"I wasn't reading your thoughts."

Lyra replied calmly.

"I was watching you."

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Lumi looked back and forth between them before covering her mouth to hide a smile.

An elderly woman sitting nearby chuckled.

"You two work together like you've known each other for years."

Kyle smiled awkwardly.

"We only met yesterday."

The old woman laughed.

"Sometimes fate introduces people faster than time does."

Lyra froze for the briefest second.

Fate...

The word echoed strangely inside her heart.

She quietly lowered her eyes and continued arranging the herbs.

Kyle noticed her silence but chose not to ask.

Instead, he reached for another basket.

"Lyra."

"Could you prepare the willow bark tea?"

She nodded.

"Three pieces of bark."

"One spoon of dried mint."

"And half a cup of hot water."

Kyle smiled.

"Exactly."

Lumi folded her arms proudly.

"I knew Master Kyle made the right choice."

By sunset, the clinic had finally grown quiet.

Kyle stretched his sore shoulders and let out a long breath.

"I think that's the last patient."

Lumi smiled as she swept the wooden floor.

"We treated twenty-three.

The sun had already disappeared behind the mountains.

Kyle locked the clinic door and picked up the medicine basket.

"I'll walk you home."

Lyra looked at him.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

He smiled.

"But the forest path isn't safe after dark."

Lumi quickly stepped between them with a playful grin.

"I'll go ahead!"

Before either of them could reply, she ran down the narrow road, laughing to herself.

Kyle shook his head.

"She never walks..."

"She only runs."

Lyra let out a soft laugh.

"I noticed."

For a while, they walked in comfortable silence.

The evening breeze carried the scent of pine trees and wild flowers.

Kyle glanced at Lyra.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You may."

"Where did you learn so much about herbs?"

Lyra's smile slowly faded.

"...From someone I can no longer return to."

Kyle noticed the sadness in her voice.

"I'm sorry."

She gently shook her head.

"It's alright."

A few more steps passed before Kyle spoke again.

"Then..."

"Until you find your way..."

"You'll always have a place at my clinic."

Lyra looked at him in surprise.

No one had ever said those words to her since she arrived in the Human Realm.

"...Thank you."

They reached Lumi's house.

Lumi opened the door with a bright smile.

"You're finally here!"

She looked from Kyle...

To Lyra...

Then covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Lumi grinned mischievously.

"Nothing..."

"I just think you two look good together."

Lyra blinked.

Kyle coughed awkwardly.

"Lumi."

The little girl laughed and hurried inside the house before either of them could answer.

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck.

"I should go."

Lyra gave him a small smile.

"Good night, Kyle."

He smiled back.

"Good night... Lyra."

As he walked away, he found himself smiling without realizing it.

At the doorway, Lyra watched him disappear into the quiet night.

For the first time since leaving the Emerald Realm...

The Human Realm didn't feel quite so lonely anymore.