"Sit down. We'll start today's meeting."Sergius reclaimed his authority—taking command of the situation so swiftly that it left Bast in awe.Bast had encountered many men in power, but he rarely saw someone who truly seemed born to rule. Sergius perfectly fit the description.The man didn't need to bother trying to look authoritative or force his assertiveness. Sergius merely had to breathe, and that leadership aura naturally clung to him.Even with his health clearly failing and a cane supporting his steps, Sergius projected absolutely no weakness.Sergius raised his hand in a silent gesture, prompting the three senior physicians to follow him obediently. Bast naturally followed suit. They all took their seats on the

Jans stroked his thick beard doubtfully. "But testing him directly on city soldier patients... that will only worsen his position, Sir. Considering this young man lacks official clinical flight hours, he'll definitely panic, make mistakes, and ultimately just endanger the patients' lives."Sergius actually erupted into loud laughter upon hearing the fake concern tumbling from the old physician's mouth."Then what exactly is the problem for you?" Sergius challenged, a wide, defiant smirk painted across his face."Shouldn't that excuse of incompetence make you gladly agree to my idea, Jans? Because if Bast indeed proves to be panicked and careless and fails to treat patients due to his lack of experience, then I myself will immediately sign your petition of objection and send his rejection letter to the kingdom today.

Nurses ran frantically, carrying basins of clean water and hauling bales of linen bandages. They clearly felt completely overwhelmed and drained from facing this massive, simultaneous wave of emergency patients.Amidst that panic, Sergius stood calm yet highly vigilant. His tactical brain instantly took over, zeroing in on the objective."Jans!" Sergius called out firmly, his voice slicing through the screams in the room. "We're turning this into a live practical exam. I'm splitting this group of patients in two. Vidas, you're the youngest and most agile physician among the three. You will represent the association. Bast, you will compete against Vidas."Sergius pointed to two rows of emergency beds on the left and right sides of the main hall. "You will each take five patients with similar severities of claw and bite wounds. We'll see who can finish the job faster, cleaner, and more accurately.""Understood, Sir!" Vidas smirked confidently. Feeling victory already in his grasp, he wa

"I might not know the technicalities of stitching a patient's skin, but I can absolutely spot cheating. Just because I chose to stay silent and didn't point directly at your face this whole time, don't think I'm an idiot who doesn't know what dirty schemes you're trying to play here."Jans froze instantly. He swallowed hard, his tongue paralyzed and silenced on the spot."And do you feel absolutely no shame?" Sergius interrogated in a hissing whisper."Bast has been working incredibly hard this whole time, genuinely pouring all his energy into saving the lives of these arriving patients! And you? Amidst all this chaos, you and your deceitful brain still found time to think about winning this exam?!"Sergius tapped his cane on the floor and leaned his head close to Jans's

Bast breathed a sigh of relief, but he still laid down a condition. "Don't say a word to Jans about the knife or any of the equipment I use. Right now, besides me—only your eyes have seen this knife, and I want to make sure that number doesn't grow anytime soon."Sergius sighed. He already carried the heavy burden of worry and had no desire to add another, but Bast's eyes clearly conveyed the sheer gravity of his request."Alright." Sergius nodded.Bast smiled in satisfaction, then immediately turned around to prep his leather bag, ensuring he had all the necessary medicines and equipment.Sergius handled the rest. He turned around and slammed his cane against the foot of the bed. "Jans, Vidas, all of you, step aside!"