Chapitre 18: Chapter 18
As Cassandra stepped inside the building, she immediately realized that the interior was just as dismal and decrepit as the exterior had suggested. The moment her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed that every surface was coated in a thick layer of dust, hinting at years of neglect and abandonment. It was evident that this so-called 'store' had not seen any patrons for quite some time; cobwebs adorned the corners, and the shelves were lined with forgotten items, their purpose long lost to time. A strong, pungent scent of dried herbs filled the air, overwhelming the senses. Sir Paeris, caught off guard by the intensity of the aroma, began to cough uncontrollably, his eyes watering slightly. In stark contrast, the princess had anticipated this olfactory assault; she had come prepared with a delicate handkerchief, which she promptly held over her nose and mouth.
As she walked towards what appeared to be a counter, Sir Paeris followed closely behind her after recovering from the scent of herbs that lingered in the air. The aromas danced around them, swirling with notes of lavender and rosemary, filling the space with a calming essence. There was not a single person in sight, which directed Cassandra's curious eyes to the bell perched on the counter, gleaming under the soft light filtering through the dusty windows.
It was a good thing that she had experienced her first awakening because if she still had the form of a five-year-old, there would be no way she would reach the bell to ring it.
With a determined motion, her hand struck the bell, causing its ringing to echo through the otherwise empty store. The sound was bright and clear, cutting through the silence like a knife. Almost immediately, the sound of crashing soon followed, reverberating in the stillness as if someone had dropped or crashed into something, sending various items tumbling to the floor. Clearly, whoever they were, they had been startled by the sudden ringing of the bell, which served as a startling alert of someone's arrival to the otherwise serene and quiet establishment.
"Ah! Sorry!" A panicked voice called out from behind the counter in the back rooms, its tone laced with urgency. "I-I'll be right there!" The sound of crashing items followed, accompanied by the loud thumping of hurried footsteps, echoing through the otherwise quiet space. Cassandra glanced up at Sir Paeris, who stood tall and alert, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. His keen senses were on high alert, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice in case the man he could hear approaching posed any threat.
The door swung open abruptly, and just as the person stepped out of the door frame, they exclaimed, "I'm so—!" However, before they could finish their sentence, they tripped over what seemed like thin air and fell face-first onto the floor, the sound of their body hitting the ground resounding through the room.
All had gone silent as both looked down at the man on the ground, lying there in a heap. Sir Paeris relaxed slightly, though his eyes remained sharp and alert, scanning the scene for any signs of danger lurking nearby. The tension in the air was palpable, a heavy silence enveloping the trio as they awaited the man's next move.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man began pushing himself up off the floor, his movements slow and deliberate. "Why?" he groaned, his voice strained and filled with discomfort. He appeared to be in considerable pain as he rubbed his face, which had taken the brunt of the impact from the fall. It was evident that the encounter had rattled him. He seemed to have completely forgotten about Cassandra and Sir Paeris standing above him, lost in his own agony, until the knight cleared his throat with a deliberate cough to remind the man of their presence.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" The man exclaimed, his voice trembling with desperation as he once again began to panic, flailing his arms as he tried to get to his feet. He stumbled awkwardly forwards, which prompted Sir Paeris to instinctively step in front of Cassandra, his hands still firmly resting on the hilt of his sword. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. The man before them, clearly aware of the knight's protective stance, looked utterly terrified, his face pale and eyes wide with fear as he registered the unspoken threat in the air. However, the girl, sensing the escalating situation, had grabbed onto the back of Sir Paeris's arm, her grip tightening. He glanced back at her, noticing her eyes filled with authority, shaking her head vigorously in an attempt to calm both him and the frantic man. Seeing this gesture of restraint had caused him to release the hilt of his sword, taking a step back to reassess the situation.
"Excuse my guard," Cassandra said, her voice steady but edged with curiosity. She turned her attention fully to the man standing in front of her, taking in every detail of his appearance with keen interest.
The man was undeniably nerdy-looking, with an air of awkwardness about him. He appeared to be quite skinny, lacking any noticeable muscle definition, which made him seem almost fragile. His wide, light brown eyes, magnified by thick, black-rimmed glasses, seemed to dart around nervously as if he were constantly assessing his surroundings. His long-length dark brown hair was often tied back in an unkempt plait, strands escaping here and there, while bangs fell clumsily across his forehead, adding to his disheveled appearance.
Despite his lack of physical prowess, there was an undeniable intelligence in his gaze, hinting at a depth that lay beneath his unassuming exterior. Cassandra felt the weight of expectation on her shoulders; this was the man she had been searching for, the one of those who could help her navigate the complex web of challenges that lay ahead. She knew that beneath his nerdy appearance lay the potential for insight and knowledge that she desperately needed.
However, she still had to make sure that the human standing before her was indeed the right man she had been searching for. With a mixture of curiosity and determination in her eyes, she asked.
"Are you Milo?" Cassandra was looking intently at the man, her gaze unwavering as she awaited his response.
"Y-Yes, I am!" he stammered, his voice betraying a sense of shock and surprise. It was evident that he was taken aback by the presence of the small girl standing before him, especially since she seemed to know his name so intimately.
"Are you the one who has found a way to cure those suffering from an unknown ailment that mysteriously affects only half-blood Dragonoir?" This startling question caused him to look at her as if she had suddenly grown an extra head, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"H-How do you know that?" he stammered, his voice shaking with a mixture of fear and curiosity. The weight of her inquiry hung heavily in the air, and he could feel his heart racing, each beat echoing the gravity of the situation. The implications of her words sent a chill down his spine, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty that surrounded him.
"Good, because there is someone I want you to treat." Cassandra stated this fact to him, standing before the man called Milo, her eyes filled with determination and urgency. She had spent countless hours devising a plan, and now he was the crucial first step in her complex strategy to save this world from impending doom.
The carriage had once again begun moving through the bustling streets after Cassandra left the store, but this time, there was an unexpected addition to the occupants. In addition to the princess and her two loyal maids, Rose and Vanessa, there sat a rather anxious figure across from them. It was Milo, who had been trembling and sweating since they departed. His eyes darted nervously from one face to another, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.
Cassandra couldn't entirely blame him for his unease; after all, he was a very tame and gentle soul, and being abruptly commanded by someone of such high status to follow her must have been quite disorienting. The pressure was palpable, and it certainly didn't help that both Rose and Vanessa were sitting beside her, their expressions stern and their glares directed firmly at the man. Milo seemed to shrink under their scrutinising gaze, making it evident that he felt entirely out of place in this royal carriage.
"Doctor Milo." Cassandra spoke up, causing the man to stiffen at the sound of his name being called.
"I-I'm not a doctor…" He nervously informed her of this fact, his voice wavering slightly as he spoke.
As he sat there, Cassandra couldn't help but reflect on how much younger he had looked when he appeared in her dream. In that moment, it had been clear to her that he hadn't yet taken the Medical License exam, which was a requirement for anyone wishing to practice medicine.
It was common knowledge that the exam was incredibly costly, and only those from noble families, those sponsored by the wealthy, or individuals with substantial financial means could afford the fees associated with it. Milo, sitting before her now, had none of those advantages; he was merely a commoner with dreams that seemed just out of reach.
It would take him five long years to establish the necessary connections that would eventually pave the way for his future. In fact, the very person they were about to meet was the same individual who had provided him with the funds needed to finally take that all-important exam. However, sadly for that person they found him too late to save the one they wanted.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
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Power Stone 
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