Led by Sophia, the group ascended to the second floor and approached Lady Lenna's bedroom.
At this moment, there were two maids standing guard outside the door.
Seeing the group approaching, the two maids quickly bowed respectfully.
Sophia waved her hand dismissively and led Luca and the others into the room.
Inside, the bedroom was lavishly decorated, but the drawn floor-to-ceiling curtains made it dim.
On the intricately carved golden bed lay a middle-aged woman, appearing to be in her forties or fifties, well-maintained, and deeply asleep.
She breathed evenly, looking as though she was merely sleeping, albeit a bit pale.
Luca took one look at her and frowned.
This situation seemed familiar, as if he had encountered it before...
"Mother?" Sophia called out worriedly as she walked to the bed, trying to rouse her.
However, Lady Lenna remained motionless.
Sophia turned to Luca and Freeman, sighing, "Please, both of you, examine my mother. If you can cure her, the Howard family will not spare any expense in your reward."
Freeman nodded, while Luca stood in thought.
Seeing this, Matthew and Freeman exchanged mocking glances.
Matthew taunted, "Weren't you so confident earlier? Why aren't you stepping up now?"
Freeman sneered, "I thought Franklin had taken on an exceptional student, but it turns out he's just a useless brat."
At this moment, Luca snapped out of his thoughts.
His lips curling into a smile. "Since that's the case, Dr. Freeman, please go ahead and examine Lady Lenna first. I'd like to see what skills you have."
Freeman, thinking Luca had conceded, lifted his chin arrogantly and said, "Kid, you better watch closely!"
With that, he approached Lady Lenna, his hand glowing with a green light.
The room filled with a rich vitality, making everyone feel lighter.
Except Luca.
The group was impressed by Freeman's display of power.
Freeman gave Luca a challenging look, saying, "See the difference now?"
Sophia frowned, displeased with Freeman's arrogance, but she couldn't afford to offend him at the moment. She apologized to Luca, "I'm sorry, junior. I didn't expect this to happen. I should have asked you to come tomorrow."
She hadn't known about Freeman and Franklin's enmity. Otherwise, she wouldn't have invited Luca at this time.
Luca reassured her, "Don't worry, senior. This doesn't bother me, and besides, he won't be able to cure Lady Lenna."
Hearing this, Matthew scoffed, "If even Dr. Freeman can't do it, then you might as well call your teacher."
"Shut up!" Sophia snapped, making Matthew flinch.
He opened his mouth to retort but quickly closed it, intimidated by Sophia's frosty expression.
Matthew was puzzled.
If it were any other time, his cousin would never have bothered to explain herself.
Was there something special about this Luca?
As he was lost in thought, Freeman, who was examining Lady Lenna, suddenly asked, "When did this start? What are the specific symptoms?"
Sophia looked at the old butler since she wasn't fully informed.
Charles sighed, "It's just been these past few days. For some reason, madam started becoming increasingly sleepy. Since yesterday, she has been asleep and hasn't woken up or eaten anything."
Upon hearing this, Freeman's frown suddenly relaxed.
He laughed heartily, "That makes sense. From the onset, the patient becomes increasingly sleepy, and as the condition worsens, she falls into a deep sleep. Lady Lenna's condition matches a description I found in an ancient text."
Everyone except Luca brightened at this revelation.
Freeman had quickly identified the cause!
Sophia hurried forward and asked, "Dr. Freeman, what exactly is wrong with my mother?"
The others also looked at Freeman expectantly.
Freeman stroked his goatee and smiled, "This isn't an illness but rather a poison from a plant called 'Sleeping Beauty Grass.' "
"The needle-like leaves of this grass carry a neurotoxin. If not treated promptly, the toxin invades the brain, causing increasing drowsiness until the person falls into a deep, unending sleep."
"Sleeping Beauty Grass is rare, typically growing near forests and rivers. If I'm not mistaken, Lady Lenna must have been outside the city recently."
Hearing this, the butler recalled, his face lighting up with excitement, "Yes! A few days ago, madam went on a picnic outside the city with the ladies of Riverfall City. That must be when she was poisoned!"
The group was thrilled.
If this was indeed the case, Lady Lenna's condition was almost certainly identified, and the next step would be finding the right treatment.
Sophia's eyes sparkled with hope, "What medicine do you need, Dr. Freeman? I will have it prepared immediately!"
If Freeman could identify the cause, he must also have a remedy.
It seemed Lady Lenna's illness would soon be resolved.
Seeing this, Matthew couldn't help but mock Luca, "Haha, kid, looks like you're not needed after all. It's a pity we couldn't see you make a fool of yourself. I should have let you go first."
Luca gave him a half-smile and said, "That's not necessarily true. After all, it's still uncertain if it's actually Sleeping Beauty Grass poisoning."
Though Luca's voice was not loud, everyone in the room heard him clearly.
Freeman, who was about to provide the prescription, paused.
Hearing Luca's words, Freeman immediately became furious, "Lady Lenna's condition matches those who have been poisoned by Sleeping Beauty Grass in the ancient texts perfectly. How could it be wrong? "
"You call yourself Franklin's student? If you don't understand, don't just show off here!"
Matthew also shouted angrily, "You're just a low-level Witch Doctor. How dare you question Dr. Freeman?"
Sophia looked at Luca, her eyes filled with doubt.
Though she hadn't known Luca for long, she didn't think he was the type to boast.
After a moment of thought, she hesitantly asked, "Why do you say that?"
Luca shook his head, "Because Lady Lenna's symptoms don't match those of Sleeping Beauty Grass poisoning."
Matthew sneered, "You're acting like you've actually seen someone poisoned by Sleeping Beauty Grass!"
Freeman's expression turned cold as he retorted, "If that's the case, then tell us, what exactly is wrong with Lady Lenna?"
All eyes turned to Luca.
If he disputed Freeman's diagnosis, he needed to provide a reasonable explanation.
"This isn't an illness, nor is it a simple case of poisoning," Luca said calmly despite everyone's gaze.
He then walked over to Lady Lenna's bedside under their puzzled looks.
He gazing at Lady Lenna's pale face.
Luca said seriously, "This is the work of a high-level monster, a Nightmare!"
His words caused an uproar among the crowd.
Sophia was taken aback, "Luca, are you sure? This isn't a small matter."
Matthew burst into laughter, "Haha, kid, if you're going to make up a story, at least come up with a better one!"
"With the Magical Association's defensive barrier, how could a monster enter Riverfall City, let alone a high-level monster?"
No one noticed that Freeman, upon hearing Luca's words, seemed to recall something.
His body trembled, and his eyes filled with fear.
Because if he remembered correctly, those afflicted by a Nightmare's influence did indeed show symptoms similar to Sleeping Beauty Grass poisoning!
However, Freeman had never considered this possibility.
With Riverfall City's defensive barrier, no monster should be able to enter, especially not a high-level one like a Nightmare.
If such a creature had entered, it would have caused significant disturbances.
Facing the crowd's skepticism and ridicule, Luca didn't bother to explain further.
He concentrated, and a blue glow characteristic of a Witch Doctor's power appeared in his hand.
Hand Of Witch Doctor!
In the stunned silence that followed.
Luca gently placed his hand on Lady Lenna's forehead.
Suddenly, the room fell into a dead silence.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock!
They watched in disbelief as Luca slowly pulled a transparent, worm-like creature from Madam Lenna's forehead!
Suspended in mid-air, the creature wriggled continuously, its movements mesmerizing and horrifying everyone in the room.