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Chapter 15
‘What are you going to do?’
It felt like Uncle (the eldest one) was looking at me with a curious expression.
‘He still seemed to be wondering why I came to them instead of treating Father first.’
Back to the present.
“Do you understand, Uncle?”
I was pulled out of my thoughts by a sharp voice.
Sigh…
I let out a deep sigh and turned around.
Not far off, my younger uncle was listening with a bored expression as my cousin lectured him.
“Do you understand? You must treat children with care.”
“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”
“…What kind of title is that?”
He was kneeling, but his attitude was as shameless as a local thug.
My younger uncle scoffed.
“You said we should treat the little brat like royalty. How’s that any different from a princess? And you’re still a kid yourself, aren’t you?”
“Please don’t swear with such pride. You have a daughter—how can you talk like that?”
“Hah, I plan to be the most dashing young gentleman in front of my daughter. So what?”
…Is that even possible?
I tilted my head as I listened to their exchange.
Sure, my younger uncle looked like a nobleman, but so what?
As soon as he opened his mouth, it ruined the illusion.
Heuk-Gyewon shook his head.
“…Even a five-year-old attending school would be more understanding than you, Uncle.”
“What? Are you looking down on me? I’m well-educated, okay? I’ve been to educational institutions too!”
My cousin sighed and walked over to me.
“Oppa, Uncle is glaring at you.”
“It’s fine. He’s kind at heart. He won’t hit me. And by now, he should understand why he shouldn’t pinch you. Unless his brain is the size of a worm’s.”
“I can hear you, you know? You’re badmouthing me, aren’t you?”
I rolled my eyes.
‘They sure get along well.’
Gyewon took my hand and dusted it off. He even brushed the dirt off my clothes.
“So, what were you doing here?”
“I was picking herbs!”
“Leave that kind of thing to the youngest uncle. He’s strong. Or I could help too.”
“Huh?”
Heuk-Birang clicked his tongue as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. My cousin held my hand tightly and looked at me.
“It wasn’t just Father and the youngest uncle you saved. You saved me too.”
His eyes were clear. Unlike Uncle’s red eyes and black hair, Gyewon had black eyes. He probably took after his mother. I nodded.
‘That’s right, I saved you. I’m also going to make sure you don’t become a villain.’
So be like the grateful swallow and repay your debt. Grow up strong and become my bodyguard or something.
I stood on my tiptoes.
‘Hmm, I still can’t reach?’
Gyewon lowered his head. I patted my cousin with my tiny hand and smiled proudly.
“That’s a very good attitude! Keep it up!”
“…What?”
“Get strong and repay your debt!”
My cousin looked blank for a moment before letting out a chuckle.
“Okay.”
His smile was so childlike, I felt a bit proud.
And then…
Beeep—!
‘Beep?’
A strange sound rang out.
I turned my head, but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Then I looked down at my clothes…
“Ahhh! That scared me!”
I nearly fell backward, but someone caught me—it was my younger uncle.
I looked back down at my clothes and finally saw what had startled me.
‘A fur…ball?’
It looked like a furball made of fine, soft down. It seemed incredibly fluffy and cute.
‘A chick with its eyes covered in fuzz…?’
Its jet-black eyes blinked as it stared at me. The color was familiar—it matched my cousin’s eyes.
Heuk-Birang, who was still holding me, muttered.
“That’s a Thunder Beast.”
“A Thunder Beast?”
I tilted my head.
“Like… in the brain?”
“…What kind of gross thought is that? No, it’s a divine beast made of lightning.”
Well, I’m a physician, of course I thought of that first.
‘Still, this furball is a Thunder Beast?’
I had a vague idea.
Among Easterners who use elemental abilities, some—particularly the strong—can manifest their power into a sentient animal form.
The closer it resembles a real animal, the more powerful it is.
‘Didn’t the heroine have a cute little wren too?’
My friend once said it was like a cute mascot that popped out whenever she cooked.
“You’re raising one of these too, huh? Just like your older brother with that black thing.”
Beeeeep!
Somehow, my uncle was now holding the furball by the scruff.
It looked displeased, its stubby legs flailing helplessly. But the legs were short and chubby, so it was futile.
“Do all the black-haired ones have these? Why didn’t it show up when you went berserk last time?”
“He probably sealed it on purpose. Imagine if that already-crazy guy unleashed a crazy beast on top of everything else.”
Ah, maybe that’s why I didn’t see it in the first timeline.
Anyway, it wasn’t unusual among Westerners with fire or earth abilities, so I wasn’t too shocked.
But I didn’t know Gyewon had this kind of power. I don’t recall it being in the original story?
Beeep, beeep!
The Thunder Beast cried pitifully, as if calling for its master.
But my cousin didn’t even glance at it—he averted his gaze.
My uncle extended his hand holding the creature, and Gyewon actually stepped back.
“…I didn’t summon it on purpose.”
Uncle’s expression hardened in disbelief.
“Are you… denying its existence? Unbelievable. Other people would kill to have one of these…”
“…”
“Do you not know? These creatures grow with their master’s recognition and trust.”
He glanced at the Thunder Beast in his hand.
“Look at it. It’s so weak it looks like it hasn’t even had a proper meal. If you deny it like this…”
Just like he said, the Thunder Beast was squeaking sadly and looked frail.
Beeeeep…
Cute but abandoned, it seemed like it would roll away and collapse if nudged.
“…I know. Father explained it. Even if he hadn’t, I still know.”
Gyewon’s face was full of displeasure. Unlike earlier when he was scolding Uncle, he now looked like a sulky child.
“Uncle, what are you talking about?”
“Ahh…”
Uncle explained it to me, even though I had a general idea.
“Among healers or elementalists, it’s extremely rare for powers to manifest as a divine beast like that. But that kid’s throwing his fortune away.”
“…Mm.”
“That thing won’t live long.”
He shook the creature gently in his hand. It drooped even more.
“That could’ve grown stronger. But he rejected it.”
“I didn’t reject it!”
Gyewon lifted his head with a scowl.
“It’s just… I…”
“Let me guess. You were scared your father’s illness would be passed down to you?”
Gyewon stiffened like he’d been hit in a sore spot.
‘Still just a kid… everything’s written on his face.’
Later on, it’s revealed that Uncle’s illness could be hereditary.
“If you went mad after forming a bond with a divine beast, you’d be afraid of hurting more people. Of becoming like your father. Isn’t that it?”
“…Please stop. What do you know, Uncle?”
Heuk-Birang answered casually, as if amused.
“What do I know? I’m terrified my daughter might inherit my illness too.”
It was a light remark, but it carried the weight of truth.
Both of them went quiet. The mood turned heavy.
I felt… oddly strange.
Kind of ridiculous, maybe?
“Um… why are you all getting gloomy?”
I slowly raised my hand.
“I’m going to treat you all anyway?”
I came here to heal you, remember? I’m the greatest medical prodigy on the continent!
In this life, none of you are going to end up as patients. Got it?
