The Divine Physician's Rebirth: Ascension from Silverbrook

Chapter 5: The Rebirth of Silverbrook Hall

Dante took a big breath, cool air filling his lungs. He slowly let it out, focusing on each breath. He felt like tiny ants were racing inside him, all moving with a purpose. He was following the Sacred Path of Harmonious Healing, and his body was going through something big – a deep clean that went right to his bones. It wasn't just physical; it was like a total reboot for every cell.

After ten breaths, Dante snapped his eyes open. He raced to the bathroom. He stayed there for ages, but time didn't matter with such a crazy change happening.

When he finally came out, he was shocked to see a thick, gross, grayish-black gunk all over his skin. It showed how many nasty things were leaving his body! It was like a waxy, stinky layer oozing from his pores and guts. It smelled terrible, but Dante was glad – it meant it was working.

“This crud is from years of junk building up inside me, stuck in my organs, skin, and muscles. Now it's all coming out,” he thought, kind of pleased. “My insides are totally clean. No going back now.”

He took a really hot shower, scrubbing off the grime. He felt lighter with each scrub, like he could breathe again.

Clean, he went back to bed, sitting like he always did to train. His mind calmed down, and the warm, strong medicine he took earlier filled him with power. This time, his power flowed better, no blocks getting in the way. It felt like his body was one with nature, every cell humming.

Then came the pain.

It crawled and burned, like bugs biting under his skin. His whole body felt like it was being rewritten. Blood and energy surged under his skin, and little drops of blood even came out.

“Ouch! Still, Dante stayed calm,” his face didn't change. This pain was how much he wanted it, he realized. In training, it was just the start.

Time went by, and Dante didn't move, totally focused on his inner energy. When the sun peeked through, he opened his eyes. Everything felt… different. His senses were sharper, and he was more aware. He felt like he'd just woken up, his head clearer than ever.

“I thought I'd barely make it to the Early-stage of the Human Class in my first round of Rooted Heart. But this… I think I'm already in the Middle-stage. Being in such good shape helps,” Dante said, smiling a bit.

Feeling ready, he got up and walked to the front. He saw Theo, short and chubby, scribbling on some paper, looking annoyed. He was surrounded by leftover herbs from last night's test.

“Ah, Dante!” Theo mumbled without looking up, sounding irritated. “Your little test last night cost me three liang of chili pepper, two liang of garlic, six liang of mustard seed… twenty herbs total! You'll never pay me back, even if you worked here every day!”

Before Dante could say anything, Zara yelled from the kitchen, “Breakfast is ready!”

Theo stopped complaining as they all sat at the table. Zara grinned at Dante, and he winked back. Her precious laugh was like music to his ears. Theo grumbled and angrily chomped on a fried dough stick.

“Dad, I have classes all day. You two are on your own!” Zara said, obviously wanting to leave.

“Of course, Dante will cook!” Theo said, pointing at him.

Zara and Dante looked at each other, smiling.

Theo slammed his chopsticks on the table, acting dramatic. “Hey! What's going on? Flirting in front of me? Dante, don't push it! I'm warning you.”

Zara blushed, but pretended to be annoyed with a Dad, “you're impossible. I'm leaving!” She grabbed her bag and left, leaving Theo mumbling about ungrateful kids.

Once she was gone, Theo gulped down his soy milk, burping quietly before clearing the table. Dante stayed put, finishing his food quietly. The only sound was of chopsticks.

Afterward, he sat across from Theo. The clinic was quiet, no patients around. Theo, bored, flipped through a paper, but kept watching Dante, who was silently meditating.

“Are you praying?” Theo said, sounding annoyed. “You're so young, sitting there like an old man. Didn't move all morning.”

Dante opened his eyes, calmly. “Your clinic isn't exactly packed. What should I do?”

Theo's face turned red, but he snapped back, “If no one comes here, go find them!”

He blurted it out before thinking; “everyone knows you can't just find patients.” But Dante looked inspired.

“You know,” Dante said, standing up, “you actually make sense for once.”

“Huh?” Theo stared as Dante headed for the door. “Wait… could he actually find people who are sick?”

Rushing, Theo waddled after Dante, who was going towards Evergreen Park, where lots of old people hung out.

Dante saw a group of old men playing chess. Some old women gossiped nearby. He stood by the chess game, watching silently, interested by the strategy. His mind, now much sharper, got into the game, his eyes glued to the pieces.

After a while, Dante wanted to play. He stepped up, bowing politely. “Mind if I play?”

The old man smiled. “Sure, young man. Show me what you've got.”

The old man quickly realized he was no match for Dante. In a few moves, Dante won.

“Great, truly great! This young man is a chess master!” the other old men said.

Across the street, Theo nearly lost it. He stomped his foot, angry, but went back to the clinic, muttering.

Dante smiled modestly and made room for others. “Gentlemen, you all humble me showing me such welcome and skill. I'm an amateur to such veterans in these squares.”

“You're being too modest,” one of the old men said, impressed. “You played great. Haven't seen you around here before…”

Dante smiled. “I'm from Silverbrook Hall,” he said.

“Oh?” The man’s eyes widened. “That cheapskate Theo hired someone?”

Another man shook his head. “Will that clinic even last? No one trusts old medicine anymore. Everyone goes to real doctors these days.”

The talk turned skeptical, and they doubted old medicine would last. Dante, calm, nodded and turned away, already thinking about what to do next.