Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Not much time had passed since their initial meeting, but there Lynn found himself seated in the serene ambiance of the teachers' lounge at the medical education wing of the facility, indulging in a steaming cup of tea. 

Across from him was Director Nolan, his face adorned with a broad, satisfied smile. He was clearly delighted that Lynn had accepted the offer to temporarily teach at the hospital. 

Besides the director, Gregory sat in a state of bewilderment. His brow furrowed as he nibbled on a biscuit, his mind racing to process the unexpected turn of events. 

Initially, he had regarded Lynn as a decent person, surprised by his willingness to allow them to observe his medical skills. However, he had never anticipated that within a matter of hours, this same person would transition to becoming one of his professors, even if it was just for a short duration.

After accepting the director's earnest request, Lynn had been given a brief tour of the hospital facilities. Director Nolan took the time to showcase the various departments and introduce Lynn to the dedicated medical professionals who worked tirelessly to provide exceptional care to their patients.

Eventually, they arrived at the teachers' lounge, a haven of tranquility amidst the hospital's bustling corridors. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with an extensive collection of books and manuscripts.

There were also some tables adorned with an array of refreshments, including the steaming cups of tea that Lynn now enjoyed and the fragrant biscuits that tempted Gregory's palate.

As the evening wore on, the last rays of sunlight outside the windows gradually disappeared, and darkness settled over the city. Inside the lounge, the soft illumination from the warm lighting fixtures cast a gentle glow, creating an inviting and peaceful atmosphere. The aroma of tea permeated the air, blending harmoniously with the scent of the biscuits.

Lynn and the director engaged in conversation, delving into various anatomical principles, such as shoulder dislocations. They exchanged insights, shared experiences, and discussed teaching methodologies, immersing themselves in the academic atmosphere. Eager to learn from these seasoned professionals, Gregory nodded along, occasionally chiming in with his own thoughts, relishing the opportunity to be a part of this intellectually stimulating environment.

"It's so rare to meet and converse with someone so knowledgeable, particularly in a remote town like ours," Nolan remarked with a sigh of admiration, breaking the flow of the discussion.

"Knowledge is meant to be shared," Lynn replied warmly. "Each person has something unique to offer, even if they come from different backgrounds or perspectives. By exchanging insights and experiences, we can broaden our horizons and collectively grow in understanding."

Nolan nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting a sense of familiarity. "My ancestor used to echo the same sentiment," he shared. Intrigued about the sudden mention of this figure, Lynn leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Your ancestor? Tell me more," he urged.

The hospital director took a deep breath and started explaining with a hint of pride and admiration in his voice. "He was a bold adventurer, traversing the vast kingdom and immersing himself in its diverse cultures. Along his journeys, he had a deep passion for collecting books from the places he visited."

He continued, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Many of the books you see here on these shelves were his cherished findings. While some may be works of fiction and literature, among these volumes, there are also hidden gems that played a crucial role in establishing this hospital.”

As he spoke, Director Nolan rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on a particular bookshelf. With careful hands, he retrieved two meticulously bound manuscripts, their worn wooden covers polished to a gentle sheen, and their corners rounded by time and use.

"These two texts," Nolan continued, his voice filled with reverence, "are our most treasured possessions. They form the foundation of the hospital's knowledge and represent the source of our medical teachings.”

"I hope their study may aid you in grasping our current level of understanding," he said as he handed the research papers to Lynn.

Lynn swiftly grasped the implications behind the director's act of sharing those invaluable books. Although he had willingly accepted the teaching role without expecting any form of payment, the director's gesture was intended to foster a sense of reciprocity and prevent potential issues down the line. By offering the manuscripts, the director subtly reminded Lynn to impart genuine and valuable knowledge to the apprentices.

“Definitely, it would be my honor." Lynn calmly accepted these books, curious about what was inside. As he slowly flipped through the aged pages, he was greeted by meticulously handwritten texts and intricately detailed anatomical drawings. The yellowed parchment and fading ink were a testament to the manuscripts' venerable history.

As the director and Gregory excused themselves from the lounge, Lynn was left alone with the treasured manuscripts in his hands.  He started quickly skimming through its pages, his keen eyes meticulously scanning the faded texts, checking the level of medicine in this world.

"Let's see here..." he muttered to himself.

In the first book, it’s about Somatology, which is the study of the human body. Right from the beginning, on the very first page, the author sets the stage by presenting their unique conception of the human body.

As he read the introductory passage explaining the ancient theory of the four fluids, a sense of familiarity washed over him. "The humoral theory...how intriguing. I never thought I'd encounter something so historic in a place like this."

A small smile formed on his lips as recollection took hold. After the trial dungeon, Lynn had immersed himself in an extensive collection of medical literature. The humoral theory was always confined to history books and medical archives.

To suddenly come across something similar in another world, it seemed history often repeated itself in similar ways.

"Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile...the very pillars of ancient medieval medicine," Lynn mused aloud. According to the theory, an excess or deficiency of any of these four humors results in disease. It was the physician's duty to restore balance through treatments like bloodletting.

Lynn closed the first manuscript and shifted his focus to the second one titled "The Structure of the Human Body". True to its name, the content was clearly elucidated from the title alone.

Flipping through weathered pages adorned with intricate anatomical sketches, Lynn was impressed by the level of accuracy and detailed observations documented within. While some concepts inevitably deviated from modern knowledge due to the limitations of the era, the overall structure and function of major organs were recognizable.

What caught Lynn's attention was how the author had implicitly used his findings to validate aspects of humoral theory in a subtly plausible manner based on structural evidence.

In short, it acknowledges the presence of clear, shiny white fluid in the brain and spinal cord, and attributes the yellow fluid to the liver, where it is stored in the bile and travels to the intestines. As for the red fluid, it represents the blood that circulates throughout the body.

However, the exact position of the black fluid remained unknown. Based on this understanding, the author concludes that the four liquid doctrine holds some validity and reliability, albeit to a certain degree.

Lynn seemed to have found the source of the theoretical basis for bloodletting therapy. According to these books, when the fluid balance was disturbed, you needed to adjust that balance by opening holes in different places in the body and letting a little bit of liquid escape.

“I wonder how many people died of complications from this kind of practice," Lynn pondered, his brows furrowing with concern.