A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 48: Doctor Spears
Chapter 48: Doctor Spears

The next day, Arix woke up and went through her morning routine, brushing her teeth and washing her face.

She carefully removed the sling to inspect her arm’s healing progress.

On the outside, her fair and flawless arm showed no sign of the previous injury.

She gently massaged it and then used a software on her opticomputer to check further.

The results indicated that her vitals were close to normal. However, her bones still needed some time to heal fully, so she’d have to rest for a few more days.

Medical technology in this interstellar age was truly astonishing. In her previous life, this sort of injury would have taken months to heal, often leaving lasting effects that would make intense physical activity impossible.

But now, such injuries were considered minor. After reattaching her arm in surgery, they used a healing device that quickly sealed the external wounds. A few days of rest would then restore her arm inside and out, with no lingering side effects.

The only bittersweet feeling Arix had was that her previously learned skills in bone-setting and emergency care had almost become obsolete in this high-tech era.

She thought about it with mixed feelings for a moment before leaving her hospital room and heading to the clinic. Even though she’d already checked her arm’s progress herself, she still needed to follow the doctor’s orders and go for a follow-up.

At the clinic, she politely knocked three times. After hearing the doctor say ”Come in,” she opened the door and walked inside.

”Arix, how’s your arm? Is it hurting these past two days?” the doctor asked. He was a young man with golden hair and sharp features. Seeing Arix enter, he adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and gave her a careful look.

”Thank you, Dr. Spears. There’s been no pain these past two days,” Arix replied, shaking her head.

”Good to hear. Let’s take a scan today so I can see how it’s healing,” Spears said, pulling out a scanner and instructing Arix to place her hand on it.

Arix obediently removed the sling and stretched her arm out straight into the scanner.

After studying the data on the virtual screen for a while, Spears finally spoke, ”It’s healing well. Give it a few more days, and you’ll be back to normal training. You can even remove the sling tomorrow.”

”Great, thanks, Dr. Spears. I’ll be off now,” Arix said, reassured, as she re-secured the sling before standing up to say goodbye.

”Take care, and remember, no intense physical activity for a few days,” Spears reminded her once more.

”Got it,” Arix nodded before leaving the clinic, heading toward the mecha department.

Not long after Arix left the hospital, Sims arrived at the reception desk and asked for directions to Room 505.

”Room 505? Are you looking for Miss Arix Kering? She’s probably not in her room right now,” the nurse replied.

”Not in? Do you know where she went?” Sims asked urgently.

”I’m not sure, but Miss Arix is a student in the Department of Mecha Manufacture. You might want to try looking over there,” the nurse suggested.

”Got it, thanks.” Upon hearing that Arix was in the Department of Manufacture, Sims frowned even deeper.

He turned and left the hospital, muttering as he walked, ”A brilliant chemistry prodigy, wasting her talent in the Department of Manufacture?”

The thought of such potential in chemistry going to waste filled Sims with frustration, and he hurried toward the mecha department.

’I must get this kid back on track.’

Meanwhile, Arix finally reached the entrance to the military mecha department. Just as she was about to step inside, she heard a heart-wrenching cry from behind her.

Sims ran over, out of breath, and shouted as soon as he saw her, ”Arix! Wait! Don’t go in!”

A chill ran through Arix’s spine as she heard the desperate shout. For a moment, she felt like she was the tragic heroine of a drama, but with an elder in place of the male lead.

”Hello, sir. I remember you’re from the Chemistry Department. Do you need something from me?” Arix asked, turning around and looking at Sims with a puzzled expression.

Sims finally caught his breath after running up to Arix. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself. However, as soon as Arix called him ”sir,” his expression soured.

”’Sir’? I’m your grandfather’s cousin. You should call me Grandpa Sims.”

”My grandfather’s cousin?” Arix blinked, slightly stunned. She tried to recall the last family banquet but didn’t remember seeing this elderly man.

Seeing her expression, Sims guessed she was skeptical and quickly retorted, ”Do you know Varden?”

”Yes, he’s my cousin,” Arix replied, confused as to why Sims was asking.

”I’m his grandfather! Your brother Kellan calls me Grandpa Sims, so what do you think you should call me?” Sims said, straightening out his disheveled clothes with an air of mystique.

”Grandpa Sims?” Arix blinked again.

”Yes!” Sims answered with a grin, his face creasing into wrinkles.

”So, what do you need from me?” Arix asked cautiously, suspecting that he might want to drag her off for an afternoon of potion-making practice. She really wanted to check out the mechas instead.

She cast a wistful look toward the Department of Mecha Manufacture, her hopes high.

Noticing Arix’s eager look at the mecha department, Sims quickly cleared his throat to get her attention. When he was sure she was focused on him, he asked with satisfaction, ”Moon Pie, how do you feel about chemistry? Want to study it with me?”

”Chemistry is great, but won’t we also learn it in class?” Arix countered.

Sims was nearly fuming at her response. What the school taught versus what he, a Master Chemist, could offer was worlds apart.

He silently thought to himself, ’Calm down, calm down, this is your Moon Pie. She’s a potion prodigy, but prodigies often think differently. They need understanding and support.’

Forcing a slightly contorted smile, he said, ”They’ll be teaching the basics at school, but you’re already so familiar with Planet-Class potions. Wouldn’t that just be a waste of time? Now let me ask you, do you want to learn potions above Star-Class?”

Arix definitely did. However, potions above Star-Class were state secrets, and she’d never had the opportunity to learn them herself.

With a quick flash of inspiration, Arix turned on her charm and smiled sweetly, ”Of course I do. Can you teach me?”

Sims finally broke into a bright smile. He coaxed, ”Teach you? Of course, I will! Whoever tries to stop me will have a problem on their hands.”

And so, with affection and smiles, the two headed to the Chemistry Department, each satisfied with the arrangement.