The doctor proceed to put the Mana Detection Paper on his chest. The paper seem to possess an adhesive property, allowing it to stick to his chest without falling, or it might be because of all the sweating. The world is lacking in air conditioner after all.
As the man put it on his chest, the paper turn from a simple white paper into a dim blue glow. The doctor inspected it, before looking Ardent's parent.
"We have to wait for a bit longer. It should take about an hour or so before I could give you my assumption."
Grace and Rowan nodded in gratitude as they decided to prepare the doctor refreshment and some snacks. Ardent remembered it was a common courtesy, at least in the village to do so, to show the appreciation they have for the doctor, the village sole healer.
While the Mana Detecting Paper did its job, Ardent did his. Namely pulling his Mana back into his body. Though, he did not pull all of it. Not only would that be impossible, he planned on using the Mana Detection Paper to convince the doctor that while he did not face Mana Development Death, he did get close to it.
-x-
One hour passed slowly to the point Roward decided to tend his farm. A small plot but enough to get him some extra money while he did not work at the village field due to harvest season already over and winter closing in.
"Hhmmm," the doctor looked at the paper with great scrutiny. Despite it glowing, it is only mildly so, which differ from those with proper Mana Development.
"I'm not sure, Grace, Rowan." he said honestly. "Your son is the first case I have seen such thing happen so I could not be completely sure of it but I do believe I found the reason."
"What is it?" it took all of Grace's patience to not shook the doctor.
"I believe your son was close to contraction the Mana Development Death, though he did manage to get a partial Mana Development." the doctor explained.
"Partial Mana Development?" Grade asked, never having heard of such thing.
"This is what I name it due to your son showing such sign. So, what I believe is your son develop the ability to control Mana but stop when it was about to get dangerous.
While full Mana Development is deadly to the young children, it seem a partial one allow your son to live another day, at the cost of terrible headache and being unconscious for nearly 3 days." the doctor said.
As Ardent was sitting on a nearby chair, he could hear everything.
'So, that's how long I have been knocked out for.' he thought for himself, slightly glad to know the length of time he was unconscious for.
'But, seriously. Is this really a healer from a boonies or just a prodigy that decide to become a healer here because he get kicked out.' it is hard for Ardent to believe a doctor living in what might be the middle of nowhere to possess such intellect.
He did not want to diss those living in the rural area, but there is a reason why the number of researchers and scientists were concentrated at the larger cities and capital of a nation, where their expertise were more valued there.
"Please monitor him for the rest of the week. If there is nothing wrong, I believe he could go back to his regular lesson." the doctor said.
"Thank you, Healer Russell." Grace told him, a relieve expression appearing on her face.
"No problem. I should go back to my house. Remember, should there be any compilation, contact me immediately."
Grace nodded, which the doctor took as affirmation as he take his leave. In time to bump with Rowan, who give a nod of appreciation to the village healer.
"Is everything fine?" Rowan asked Grace, hoping it is. Fortunately for him, there is only good news.
"Everything fine but he told to watch Ardent and make sure he will rest for the rest of the week." Grace parroted what the doctor said before telling her husband of what the doctor found out.
"So, he is not completely sure." Rowan sighed, "Then again, things related to Mana would be handled best by Mages but the village did not have many of them, only 15 or so."
Ardent was quickly reminded that a village could still be large, and from what he manage to learn from memory of 'Ardent', the village hold between 1000 to 2000 people. Which mean 10 to 20 Mages is to be expected.
'Though, the number could increase by one or two depending on 'Ardent's' generation.' he could not call the one the same age as the current body to be of the same generation, as he still have the mind of a thirty years old male.
'Getting a week rest is good. It allow me to test somethings.' he control his Mana as subtly as possible, not wanting his current parents to caught on.
After all, Mana Development is that, Mana Development. One could not use Mana just yet, merely sensing its presence and realizing its exist, at least from one of the lesson he learned in the lesson hall.
"Mom, I like to rest in my room." Ardent decided to speak up. His parents looked at him before nodding. His mother patted his head and said,
"Sure, and don't forget dinner." Ardent nodded as he replied,
"Alright mom." he then return to his room and took a meditative stance.
Unfortunately, his know of Mana and Mage is limited, as it is a subject not really considered to be important due to the rarity of Mages. However, the village still have access to such information, just located in the town library with the more confidential knowledge in the hands of the village's Mages.
So, he had to remember everything he read, mostly from manga on how to practice Magic. His best bet is through meditation as well as controlling Mana, which he hope will bear fruit, or at least sprout a flower during the week.