I watched Mary work the whole time until noon.
Since I was considered as a patient now, the promise of teaching her will be shelved for now. That was until I have fully recovered.
She made about 60 sets of «Luminescence» circles before noon came. It seems that the failure rate was about 1 in 5 tries.
When I asked her why she's not making anything else, she said that it was because she was told to practice one type of magic circle until she can make it with only 1 mistake in 10 tries.
Looks like she had one hell of a Spartan teacher.
When noon came, a loud sound of a bell echoed in the surroundings. I was startled at first but let it pass after noticing the two of them ignoring it.
Just as the bell sound ended, a knocking sound came from the door.
Nina nimbly jumped towards the door, her chocolate brown hair tied in a twin-tails shook left and right as she moved.
After she dried her hands on the apron-like part of her blue and white dress, she quickly opened the door.
There stood an old lady. Her hair was already white but her face was devoid of any wrinkles. If not for her slightly arched back, I would have thought she was just in her 30's.
Her clothes, similar to Nina but was green in color, had visible stains of random things. As if a playful kid did a prank and painted on her apron using all the colors he can find.
"Good day Doctor Tessa!"
Nina greeted her in a very lively voice. The old lady just smiled and returned her greeting in a low voice.
"Nina seems to be as energetic as ever. Oh how I wish I had that much energy remaining…"
"Doctor Tessa is much more amazing! Making rounds around the village all day? Even I can't do that!"
"Haha. It's my job after all… Is he the one?"
Suddenly the old lady, Doctor Tessa, looked towards my direction. Her pale blue eyes look sharp but gentle. Her long experience in life could be faintly seen on her piercing gaze.
"You… Where did you come from?"
Right off the bat, just after her short observation, she asked something that was connected to the root of the problem. I really didn't want to tell them yet as they may think I'm crazy though…
"If I say that I'm not from here, would that be enough?"
I tried answering in a slightly ambiguous way. If she can get the truth from what I said, then she is quite a smart person indeed.
"..."
Her gaze sharpened even more. However, instead of a cold gaze of doubt, it felt more like the scrutinizing gaze of someone who saw something for the first time.
Looks like my words got through properly. What a frightening woman.
"Don't worry as this wasn't the first time. Though I doubt if you could return."
She spoke after placing her small basket above the table.
Just as I had thought, looks like she understood the hidden meaning of my words. She even provided information for me.
In the first place, I don't really know why but, I don't feel the slightest inclination to return to my original world.
… Wait? This wasn't the first time?
It means…
"About a hundred years ago, a similar thing occurred. The said man sought for a way to return but end up dying of old age in this village."
… Is she reading my mind?
"Just so you know, reading minds is a forbidden magic. Once found, the king's knights will come and arrest the practitioner."
She's an Esper! Or maybe this is the effect of her advanced age?
"… Are you thinking of something rude?"
For some reason, even Mary seemed to have read my thoughts. Am I really that easy to read? Or was the intuition of the women in this world really that sharp?
Before I could even think about it, Doctor Tessa quickly pulled a rolled up magic circle.
"Sit down on the bed, I'll heal your wounds."
I obeyed her words and walked a few steps before sitting on the edge of the bed.
Doctor Tessa came near me and pressed the paper containing the magic circle on my chest over my shirt.
Suddenly, a faint green light enveloped my whole body. I could feel some sort of warmth covering my body.
So this is magic…
"I have healed your injuries. For safety, you must not exert yourself too much for the rest of the day. If it is simple strolling, then you can probably go."
Am I already healed? That quickly? To check, I undid the bandage wrapping around my chest. There's nothing there except my pale white skin.
I tried to touch the part of my head releasing a pang of pain regularly but couldn't feel any discomfort.
Magic really was convenient. No question why science got ignored.
"Mary, the payment will be just like always. Is that fine?"
Payment… Does this world already had the concept of money? Probably yes as Mary even said that the drawing tools were expensive.
"Here. Please take it. Is 30 sets alright?"
Mary immediately handed half of the «Luminescence» circles that she made. So this is what they mean.
"Did you already move to «Luminescence»? Looks like you're progressing quite fast."
"It is all thanks to everyone that I can study like this. If I don't give it my all, how else could I ever repay them?"
"You got a point. Nina too can't work just yet. She's finally turning 15 this year if I am correct?"
"Yes. Until then, I need to work hard to earn our keep."
The two of them was talking with a wide smile. Looks like everyone in this village were on friendly terms. Or maybe not… I may need to stroll around later.
"But now it looks like you found someone to support you…"
For some reason, before Doctor Tessa went out of the door, she turned towards me with a grin on her face. I really don't know why but I shivered slightly under her gaze.
"D-Doctor!!!"
And for some reason, Mary turned red and quickly tried to push her out of the door. Doctor Tessa just laughed lightly on her reactions.
After she got out, the room turned silent. A very unpleasant silence. Nina was sending a cold gaze to me for some reason.
"S-Sorry for that earlier. Doctor Tessa's words didn't mean anything so please just forget what she said."
Mary turned to me with a wry smile. Her face was still with a red tinge, blushing lightly.
"… If you say so…"
I just agreed with her even though I don't know the reason why. Nina's gaze turned even colder for some reason though. I don't get it.
"By the way, can I go out for a stroll?"
I diverted the topic quite abruptly. Mary was a little bit surprised with my question but soon smiled gently.
"Of course. Nina? Can you go and tour him around the village? I still have some things to do so…"
"Okay. Just strolling is fine right? Do I need to introduce him to everyone?"
"That would be great. However, his name…"
Mary turned to me with an uneasy look. She must be thinking about my loss of memory.
"Just introduce me as 'Nazo' to everyone. I'll just correct them when I remember my name."
I muttered. Also, for some reason, the nickname 'Nazo' came quite natural to me. Was it because I felt mysterious about my loss of memory?
"Nazo huh… It's a nice name. Then, Nina, please."
"Leave it to me!"
Nina flexed her right arm and touched her nonexistent biceps. The "Guts" pose, or so if I remember correctly.
Her confidence was admirable but it instead gave me a feeling of unease. Would it really be alright?
Even Mary was smiling wryly. Maybe it's not alright after all.
Mary quietly walked to my side and leaned to my ears.
"(If she ever got ahead of herself, don't hold back and reprimand her. Please.)"
She whispered directly into my ear. I could feel her slightly hot breath tickling my earlobes. My heart skipped a beat and I felt my face turning hot for some reason.
"O-Okay. I got it."
I managed to reply properly. She gave a heartwarming smile right afterward.
"Un. Then I'll leave it to you."
I averted my eyes. For some reason, I can't face her gaze directly. I wonder what's wrong with me.
And so, together with Nina, we strolled around the village.