In the Emeralkan, Hramm City's Academy where all the Imagis and potential Imagis have gathered near the vicinity of the city, Merim started the day with a dispirited look.
He was walking down the hallway that only the superiors could step on casually. Merim's colorless eyes were staring at the empty space in front of him.
Even though he had successfully become an Academy Elite, reaching the peak of his life just last year, his mood fell due to the infamous "Incurable Scream"
Two years ago, a small town that had a connection with the Viscount offered a severance. This was a good deal as this town is just a burden with no contribution.
The heat had already been plaguing the city and the rainy year is about to reveal itself again after more than a decade.
'What is wrong with that child?' Merim pondered until he had a headache.
The dark bags under his eyes suggested that he didn't have a good night's sleep.
'I have been trying to figure out what his illnesses that I'm becoming more of a Medicine Imagi rather than a Combat one.' he gritted his teeth.
Remembering how he nonchalantly accepted the request two years ago made him want to smack his past self.
'We all thought that it was just an uncommon disease. It could be scanned by an Artifact but such treasures are not for some commoner's use! However, I am unfortunately at my wit's end. If the others learned about my stagnant progress over some commoner's illness, I would become a laughingstock.'
On the surface, he looked calm but inside, he was boiling. As the new eighth member of the Emeralkan as an Academy Elite, he is a rising star.
'If not for this, I should be out there right now, doing deeds that will spread my name and get a title of my own. I want the title of Earth's Spear but I have already promised the Headmaster to complete the task for severance.'
Merim couldn't help but sigh when there was no one around.
Exiting the prestigious academy that can be easily spotted as a castle in the middle of a kingdom, Merim took the surrounding attention just by his presence.
His cool stature yet domineering aura took the hearts of the ladies on the spot.
"Take me to the usual."
However, he took no heed to this small farce as he stepped into the golden embraided carriage.
Four horses galloped with people making their way.
Acting high was one of Imagi's jobs.
It took them more than two hours before the coachman pulled the horses to a stop even with four strong horses.
Without saying anything, Merim went to an old house that seemed unkempt for months. Not hiding the disdain on his face, he knocked.
If he was not already used in this place, he would've hesitated to go inside where hygiene is questionable.
"Coming!"
A hurried woman's voice resounded followed by the footsteps.
The door opened.
"Imagi Merim, thank you for keeping your weekly visit even though the heat is almost unbe-"
Lyssa, who had lost some of her beauty due to her tired look, greeted but was sharply interrupted.
"Enough with the formalities, I heard this a hundred times already." Merim raised his hand.
"... t-then, come on in..."
Even with a cold remark, Lyssa retained her tired smile. Even if this Academic Elite were to slap her, that polite smile should still be on her face, Lyssa thought.
Furthermore, it has already been two years since they began welcoming Merim into their house that they felt less shame showing their now shabby house. What's only impressive about it is its above-average size.
Merim walked in and straight to Elihim's room where he saw the siblings playing together.
"Ellie, come here." Lyssa abruptly took the little sister's hand before she pulled her out of the room, leaving Merim and Elihim alone.
Elihim had just turned seven years old.
"Let get this over with, child." Merim emotionlessly said as he sat on a chair.
Like the other parts of the house, Elihim's room had less things than before.
"..." Elihim immediately sat down on his bed.
Noticing the little child's behavior, Merim raised an eyebrow.
'There's something different in him...' he thought as he observed Elihim.
"..." Elihim just looked back with a plain expression.
Before he would squirm from shyness, seeing a real Imagi in front of him. Even after two years, Elihim had learned of this Imagi's stern attitude towards him, thus, the little child would always feel pressured.
However, this time, there was no trace of nervousness in Elihim's face.
Soon, Merim shrugged it off.
'It's about time he gets used to me. It's already two years, I would be more surprised if he stayed timid even though I'm being so kind to him by giving him my time.'
Bringing out the notes from his scholarly bag, Merim was ready to take notes.
"How many time did you feel your headache in the past week."
"12" Elihim answered.
Merim nodded, "Fewer than last time." and wrote it down.
An Imagi is not all-powerful, they can't remember everything they sense, that's why they study so furiously.
"Scale of pain?"
"9"
"9?" Merim's eyes widened. He had always asked this question and he didn't doubt that this child is going through unimaginable pain.
Once, to see that Elihim's answer is accurate, Merim pinched the little child's thigh and said, "1" then coagulated a soil knife from the dust around him and-
Elihim's scream back then resounded once again.
"10" Merim said right after stabbing the poor kid's thigh.
He pulled off the knife and disintegrated back to dust.
"So from the scale of 1 to 10, how much pain does your headache usually is?"
But even though the little kind is writhing in pain, he answered, "13"
Merim frowned back then and then repeated his action to himself, stabbing his thigh.
"Ugh-!" he sharply groaned before pulling out the knife and closing the wound from sheer imagination. He did the same to Elihim to stop his cries.
"Are you sure it's 13?" Merim then put pressure on Elihim, doubting his answer.
However, Elihim was adamant, "Yes, Sir... it's 13."
That was less than two years ago. Hearing a 9 now made Merim a little bit ecstatic.
'Doesn't this mean that he's recovering? Even if I don't find out the cause of his illness, if he recovered my long task will finally end!'
Merim continued his questioning to examination until dawn.