As it turned out, Clemence pretty quickly figured out that Anthony wasn't just an ordinary baby with a special physique despite Anthoyny's best attempts at concealing his extraordinary qualities relating to his past life. Well, Anthony had to admit that his best wasn't very good when it came to playing at being an ordinary baby, especially when he despised the experience.
Thankfully, Clemence hadn't said anything to Thomas and Vira or the other villagers, and he also seemed pretty adamant that Anthony's extraordinariness was due to a special physique. It was just that the physique he had in mind surpassed what he had told Thomas and Vira.
However, Clemence was also lately leaning toward the possibility of something else also causing Anthony's abnormality. Regardless of the details, Anthony was a case he wanted to crack on his own. So, while he was curious about what Anthony could tell him, he refrained from indulging that curiosity. He also made sure he was the only one aware of the extent of Anthony's uniqueness.
When the other villagers gossiped or talked to him about Anthony and the fact that he could walk and talk before reaching a year of age, Clemence did his best to cement the idea that Anthony was simply a blessed child who would bring good things to their village. There was no need to think too deeply about it.
"Have you made any progress with the Pulse-Raising Potion?"
Since Clemence wasn't making any guesses, Anthony took the chance to ask about his primary objective in learning from Clemence. If possible, he would have made the potion himself.
But he still didn't remember the exact details of the recipe, only the general gist of the ingredients. His baby body and its inherent lack of dexterity also made brewing difficult.
So, once he discovered Clemence wasn't going to spill the beans or order the villagers to pick up their pitchforks and torches, Anthony had left figuring out the first potion necessary for improving the effects of Natural Breathing to Clemence.
Meanwhile, he would do his best to remember or relearn the knowledge hidden in his soul.
"I think so."
"You think so?"
"Yep. I haven't tested it yet."
"Why not?"
"I've been busy."
"So you didn't dare?"
"...No."
Anthony sighed. The only daring thing about Clemence was the guesses he made about Anthony's state.
"Fine. Hand it over."
"No. I can't let a baby do that."
Clemence shook his head with a resolute expression. He was a doctor first and foremost. Regardless of Anthony's extraordinariness, Clemence couldn't let a toddler try out an experimental medicine.
"It's for my use anyway. Just give it to me."
Anthony gave Clemence a stern glare. They might be in a cooperative relationship where both gained things. But Anthony was still a Dragon King in his past life. The superiority he felt toward all other beings wouldn't be tamed by a mere few months of weakness.
To him, it was obvious that Clemence, regardless of the favors he had given Anthony, was in a position where he could only obey.
Of course, until recently, Anthony hadn't been in a position to give out orders or command the lesser beings around him since he had held his tongue. He also hadn't had many people around him. And while Thomas and Vira had subjected him to the most humiliation, they were also the ones most aware of Anthony's weakness.
They didn't know about his past life. They did know, however, that Anthony was their weak and harmless little baby boy. What was he going to do if they didn't obey his commands? Cry? As if.
Clemence, on the other hand, didn't dare underestimate Anthony.
But he still had his pride as a doctor and Anthony's tutor.
"I will bring it. But I will be the one to test its effects. And I will do it with the proper methods. There's no need for a live guinea pig."
"Good."
Anthony nodded in acknowledgment. Not having to try it himself with his current, powerless, and susceptible-to-harm baby body was good, even if he was eager to start enjoying the effects a successful potion would have.
Anthony skimmed the pages in his book while watching Clemence get dressed in a lab coat and safety goggles before setting up his lab.
'So fancy. Humans, for sure, didn't have things like this when I last went out.'
The humans had evolved their medicinal technology over the last centuries since he last went on a trip for new knowledge. And it wasn't only in medicine that things had advanced. According to Clemence, most of it had popped up relatively recently, which Anthony found curious since development usually took a lot of time.
Nevertheless, Anthony was still curious and eager to learn more about it. He couldn't wait until he grew further and could finally attend the Vidundra Empire's Imperial Academy.
When he asked Clemence, the doctor had told him that it was the center of technology, knowledge, and research in the continent. And anyone aiming for something beyond mediocrity would head there at least once in their life.
That was all Anthony needed to hear before deciding to make it his next stop.
Unfortunately, the age requirement for entry was twelve years.
In his past life, barely more than a decade wouldn't even have fazed Anthony. But as a human, time passed so painfully slowly.
Age also wasn't the only requirement to enter. And even after entering, he wouldn't be granted immediate and complete access to the library, which held most information.
''Vidundra.' I can't help but think it sounds familiar.'
However, asking Clemence didn't yield any results since the memories regarding that name were hidden too deep. And the only thing Clemence could tell him about the name Vidundra was that it was the founding emperor's name.
Anthony sighed and continued watching Clemence.
Eleven and a half years would be a long time. But at least he could keep himself busy if they were successful in developing the potions necessary to strengthen his body further.