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Chapter 6 …
At last, the man who had regained consciousness had recovered to the point where he still needed support but could walk.
As he walked with difficulty, he rubbed his forehead as if his head hurt and spoke.
“Thank you…….”
Again.
I let out a long sigh and replied.
“Hey. That’s the fifty-third time you’ve said that.”
“Still… By the way, where am I? I can’t even remember my name……. I feel uneasy.”
“Ah……. I see.”
Since this was the first time he said he felt uneasy, I stopped walking and looked at him.
He truly looked anxious and restless.
Seeing a bear-like man—tall and broad-shouldered—shaking made me feel a little sorry for him, so I softened my voice to reassure him.
“This is Aden Village, Haras Territory of the Lowell Empire. It’s a small but good and safe place, so don’t worry. Though I am curious how you ended up so badly injured.”
“I don’t really remember either.”
“Right. Then let’s fully treat you at my house before you go.”
At my words, he seemed to relax slightly, but then cautiously asked while glancing at me.
“Would that be alright, teacher?”
“Of course.”
I answered quickly.
Then he smiled brightly and removed the ruby brooch attached to his cloak, handing it to me.
“I’ll pay you. I do have some jewels on me right now.”
“Huh? You really don’t have to—”
I was about to refuse, waving my hands, but then I thought relationships are cleaner when they’re give and take, so I accepted the brooch.
Besides, if I was going to avoid the villain Grand Duke and move to the capital to open a clinic and live quietly, I would need some money anyway.
I smiled brightly and nodded.
“Alright. Then I’ll do my best to treat you with this. I’ll also provide meals and lodging.”
At my words, the man gave a faint smile.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Follow me carefully. And tell me if anything hurts.”
“Understood.”
I guided him to my house.
My home had been originally built by my father as a mountain clinic, so aside from the log house I lived in, there was also a separate treatment building used as a patient room.
‘Perfect timing.’
I led him there.
“You can use this place. If you need anything, knock on the main house where I stay.”
“Yes.”
The man obediently replied and looked around the room while removing his black leather gloves.
I stood by the doorway, quietly watching him.
It seemed like he had short-term memory loss due to poison… but who exactly was he?
He was clearly noble, so once he regained his memory, I should probably ask for more compensation.
I smirked inwardly.
‘Let’s take good care of him.’
I smiled and pointed to a laundry basket in the corner.
“Put your clothes there. They’re stained with blood, so you can’t wear them. And change into the clothes on the bedside table.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come check your condition in the morning. Good night.”
“Yes, teacher.”
He obediently responded.
He really looked like a well-behaved gentle dog—just with a massive body.
‘He’d get angry if he heard that. Ahem.’
I decided to keep that thought to myself and asked him:
“Ah, until your memory returns, what should I call you?”
I couldn’t keep saying “hey,” “you,” or “excuse me” forever.
The man looked troubled, then slightly blushed.
“Since I can’t remember… could you give me a name you prefer, teacher?”
“Me? What if I name you Bibi or something ridiculous?”
I said seriously.
He blinked slowly and replied.
“…I will accept it anyway.”
But soon he looked a bit disappointed, as if he didn’t like the name, which somehow suited him oddly well and made me burst out laughing.
“Hahaha!”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Ah, it just doesn’t fit your size. Then should Bibi be the fox instead?”
“Kyahng! Kkyang!”
I looked at the fox beside me and spoke, but the fox also didn’t like the name “Bibi” and pouted in dissatisfaction.
Tch. What’s so bad about Bibi?
It was the name of the most beloved dog at my orphanage.
After laughing, I named the fox Ain, and only then did it seem satisfied as it wagged its tail.
Seeing that, I smiled and patted its back.
“Good, Ain?”
“Kyang.”
Then the man smiled and said,
“This is the first time I’ve seen you smile, teacher.”
Seeing his handsome smiling face made me slightly self-conscious, so I scratched the back of my neck and tried to leave.
“We haven’t even known each other that long. There hasn’t been time to smile.”
“Still. It suits you.”
“You’re good at flirting.”
“I’m serious.”
“Hm.”
Anyway, I had no intention of giving a man like him a silly name like Bibi, so after thinking for a moment and looking at his black hair, I decided.
“Let’s go with Seit.”
The man thought for a moment, then nodded.
“That’s an ancient word for darkness.”
So he even remembers ancient languages? Yet he can’t remember his own name or identity. Strange.
“Yes. Because your hair is black.”
“That’s simple. But I like it.”
The corner of his lips lifted elegantly.
Feeling slightly embarrassed by how attractive he looked, I quickly left the room with Ain.
“Alright. Good night, Seit.”
“Yes, teacher.”
Politely responding, Seit watched me as I closed the door.
It felt strange.
Since possessing this body, I had always lived alone in this log house—but now someone else was here.
“Shall we sleep too, Ain?”
“Kyangkyang!”
Suddenly, instead of one, there were three living together.
My heart felt strangely excited.
Maybe I had been lonely.
Even at the orphanage, we were called siblings, but it didn’t truly feel like family.
And honestly, even in my past life, I had always studied alone in a small goshiwon room.
Even after possessing this body, I hadn’t enjoyed living alone much.
‘So this isn’t so bad.’
Smiling, I returned to my room, prepared Seit’s antidote, studied late into the night, and eventually fell asleep at my desk.
The next morning
“Kyahngkyang!”
I woke up, rubbed my eyes, yawned, and stretched.
It was already morning.
‘Huh? What’s that smell?’
A savory soup smell filled the house, along with Ain’s voice. I rushed to the kitchen.
“Ah, you’re awake, teacher.”
“Seit?”
In the kitchen, Seit was cooking soup and baking bread.
I blinked in disbelief.
“Kyang.”
Ain looked displeased as it stared at Seit cooking.
Seit smiled gently.
“Please wash up. Let’s have breakfast.”
“Huh? Y-yes.”
Only then did I realize I hadn’t even washed my face and hurried back in embarrassment.
‘What is going on?’
After washing up and returning, I saw the table neatly set with food.
Seit scratched his head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I found a beginner cooking book in the clinic. I couldn’t sleep last night so I read it, and it seemed doable. I made breakfast after waking up. I’m not sure if it’s edible.”
I blinked, switching my gaze between him and the oven in disbelief, then shouted.
“Why is a patient cooking? A-are you okay?”
“I’m much better than yesterday.”
And he truly looked almost completely normal.
‘Wow… what kind of recovery ability is this?’
His status gauge had jumped to 75/100.
It was terrifyingly fast recovery. How strong was his body originally?
And on the table, there was a surprisingly proper breakfast spread.
“Wow…”
“Please sit here, teacher.”
While I was still amazed, Seit pulled out a chair for me.
I sat down awkwardly.
Even with memory loss, he behaved so elegantly and politely.
I carefully asked,
“Do you remember things like this?”
Understanding my question, Seit smiled and nodded.
“Yes. I remember basic etiquette like this. I just don’t remember my name, where I’m from, or what happened to me.”
He sighed.
“I don’t want to rush. Since the poison was quickly neutralized, I think my memory will return soon too.”
“Right. Don’t rush it.”
So that’s why his status window still showed [???].
I nodded to myself when Ain suddenly cried out.
“Kyahng.”
“Hm?”
Ain looked up at me, asking to be placed on the table, but I shook my head.
“No. Foxes eat on the floor.”
Ain pouted but eventually ate from its bowl—then suddenly widened its eyes and began eating quickly.
