Garrett Nordmark presented his research with a heart full of apprehension. Fortunately, the legendary mages listened intently without mocking or nitpicking. Even the slightly displeased Immortal merely clicked his jaw without grumbling:


    "Are we just going to end up cutting people open anyway?"


    Ms. Almeida of the Enchantment Control faction raised several pointed questions about Garrett’s understanding of the "Mechanized Mind" spell. Garrett responded earnestly:


    "Although it’s not mentioned in the spell’s description, I know more than one mage who has used this spell on themselves in battle to prevent pain from interrupting their casting," like Brother Andrew Lynn, like Minister Johnny Colin from the Emergency Management Department.


    "So, I want to know if this spell can allow one to ignore pain on a psychological rather than sensory level, and what exactly is its mechanism of action?"


    Garrett was especially curious about which part of the brain the spell affects. Perhaps it overly stimulates or suppresses the frontal cortex’s response to the emotion of pain?


    The notoriously problematic frontal lobotomy surgeries of the past indeed caused significant issues, but perhaps a temporary, reversible suppression using magic could be a viable therapeutic approach.


    "So, how do you plan to use it?" Ms. Almeida asked with a smile. Even without intending to unleash her charm, her charisma naturally soared above 20 whenever she raised an eyebrow or tilted her head. Garrett, however, seemed oblivious and continued ponderously:


    "For example, during esophagus, stomach, or intestinal examinations, or during brain surgery. If the patient is conscious, they can immediately inform the doctor if they feel pain or if something seems about to go wrong..."


    Ms. Almeida fell silent. High-ranking members of the Enchantment Control faction, while possessing spells like "True Word of Death" that cause instant death, generally dislike bloody affairs.


    Meanwhile, the Immortal, his eyes flashing red, clacked his jaw as if he were laughing...


    Garrett sighed inwardly. My lord, is it because people don’t usually notice your expression—or rather, a skeleton doesn’t have an expression—that you always have to make a scene?


    The legendary mages nearby watched the drama unfold without minding the stir. They whispered not so quietly:


    "It’s over."


    "He can’t be taught anymore."


    "Such a good spell for accelerating research, and he thinks about using it for brain surgery."


    "Even using it in combat would be better."


    "He should be sent to the Curse Department, let the medical branch take him... Hey, Helena, do you want him?"


    Garrett pretended not to hear, the Thunder Lord and the Immortal both looked straight ahead, also pretending not to hear. The legendary mage of the "Temporal Barrier," Steiner, grinned and beckoned Garrett:


    "Master Nordmark, I’m old enough to give advice. It’s good that you want to open a clinic to treat the poor, but you shouldn’t advertise low-cost or free treatments."


    The wealthy won’t be exempt from treatment fees. But if it’s not free, the poor can’t afford it. Garrett wanted to explain, but the "Temporal Barrier" continued:


    "Temples of the War God, the Spring Goddess, and the medical branches of the councils charge for healing. Even followers of the God of Nature ask for donations in one way or another. The port’s clinic offers some free treatments daily, but the quota is very limited."


    The implication was, if you offer free treatment, where does that leave other healers?


    In the face of great disasters, alternative payment methods can be used, but free treatment can’t be the norm.


    The white-haired legendary mage smiled warmly, his gaze passing over Garrett and becoming sharp as he looked into the distance:


    "Just check for any obvious nonsense or inconsistencies. If there are any, send them back; if not, attach your comments and send them to me. Don’t worry, although I’m a special reviewer for ’Arcane’ and ’Thunderclap,’ I can’t get through more than 20 papers a month. It’ll be quick."


    "..." It turns out, in this world as in others, graduate and even undergraduate students first review papers for a professor...


    Garrett received a slew of instructions and returned to his mage tower in a daze. Before leaving, Archmage Carlisle helped him refresh all the necessary permissions:


    The Thunder Lord’s study, the waiting area of the Thunder Lord’s guest room, the Thunder Lord’s laboratory...


    Most importantly, the laboratory. In theory, Garrett could use his teacher’s high-end laboratory, facilities, materials, and funding for his own research, making whatever he wanted.


    According to Archmage Carlisle, this was a privilege every new disciple enjoyed, generally lasting from three to ten years, or until the next disciple joined. After that, only projects designated by the teacher would be permitted.


    Garrett silently recalled when he had used a lab for electrolyzing saltwater...


    Ah, that tall column that attracted lightning was indeed thrilling, and importantly, the power was truly high.


    "But surely, I won’t fail to understand all their research topics?"


    "So you better start researching too!" This time, it was Archmage Carlisle urging him:


    "As long as you start getting involved, they also won’t understand your topics, and then there’s no problem!"


    It made so much sense...


    And starting the hospital—or rather, the medical research institute—wasn’t difficult at all. Garrett hurried back to the mage tower, where Mage Norwood was already waiting at the door, bringing a map as soon as he entered the study:


    "We’ve found four possible locations for the hospital. One is owned by the city hall, one by the Temple of the Spring Goddess, one by the Temple of the War God, and one is privately owned.—Boss, which one shall we negotiate with?"


    Garrett carefully examined the red circles on the map. The one owned by the city hall was the most remote, farthest from the mage tower, with the advantage of being near the wilderness, offering a large area;


    The one owned by the Temple of the Spring Goddess was originally an inn, with big courtyards enclosing smaller ones, but it had been abandoned after some incident;


    The one owned by the Temple of the War God had the best location, close to the main road, within a kilometer of a large slum area, apparently not lacking in patients. The only problem was the nearby slaughterhouse and coal warehouse


    , creating significant environmental pollution;


    As for the privately owned one, Garrett looked and wanted to cover his eyes:


    What had he done wrong to consider opening a hospital next to a cemetery?


    Even if he didn’t mind, shouldn’t he consider the psychological tolerance of the patients?


    ---------------


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