Chapter 5: A Name the City Would Remember
Chapter 5: A Name the City Would Remember
For several seconds…
No one moved.
The bustling street had become eerily silent.
Samuel Ashcroft slowly sat upright.
His breathing was steady.
The deathly pale complexion that had frightened everyone moments ago was rapidly returning to normal.
The first to react was the head physician.
“Quick!”
“Check his vitals!”
Almost a dozen doctors rushed forward at once.
One checked his pulse.
Another wrapped a blood pressure cuff around his arm.
A third connected a portable heart monitor.
The readings appeared on the screen.
The doctor’s pupils shrank.
“Impossible…”
Another doctor snatched the monitor.
His hands trembled as he checked it again.
“The heartbeat…”
“It’s perfectly stable.”
A younger physician quickly examined Samuel’s eyes before listening to his heartbeat with a stethoscope.
His breathing became uneven.
“All of his vital signs are normal.”
“How…”
“How is this possible?”
The head physician refused to believe it.
He examined Samuel personally.
Again.
And again.
After nearly a minute, he slowly lowered his hands.
His voice trembled.
“…This defies everything I know.”
The surrounding crowd exploded into loud discussion.
“He actually did it!”
“The old man really woke up!”
“I thought the kid was bluffing.”
“So did I!”
“This is unbelievable!”
Only minutes ago…
They had mocked Charles.
Now…
They looked at him as though they were witnessing a miracle.
Samantha could no longer hold back her emotions.
She tightly hugged her grandfather.
“Grandfather…”
“I thought I was going to lose you.”
Samuel gently patted her shoulder.
“I’m alright.”
“I’m still here.”
After comforting his granddaughter, Samuel slowly stood up.
His bodyguards immediately rushed toward him.
“Chairman!”
“Please be careful.”
Samuel smiled.
“I’ve never felt lighter.”
The doctors froze.
Lighter?
Just moments ago…
He had been at death’s door.
The head physician stepped forward.
“Chairman Ashcroft…”
“How do you feel?”
Samuel slowly stretched his arms.
He clenched his fists.
Then looked at the doctor with surprise.
“My chest…”
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
The doctor stared blankly.
“Not… at all?”
Samuel shook his head.
“For the first time in years.”
The physicians looked at one another.
Every one of them knew Samuel Ashcroft’s condition.
His heart disease had troubled him for years.
Even the country’s best specialists could only slow its progression.
Yet now…
There wasn’t the slightest sign of illness.
The head physician slowly turned toward Charles.
His eyes were no longer filled with doubt.
Only respect.
He walked over before giving a slight bow.
“My name is Professor Edward Harrison.”
“I owe you an apology.”
“I judged you before understanding your ability.”
Charles remained silent.
Professor Harrison continued,
“May I ask…”
“Who taught you medicine?”
Charles hesitated.
“I don’t have a teacher.”
The doctors blinked.
“You… don’t?”
Charles shook his head.
“I’ve always learned by myself.”
The answer struck them like thunder.
A physician who had remained silent until now stepped forward.
He wore the badge of the National Medical Research Institute.
“My name is Dr. Richard Lewis.”
“I’ve practiced cardiology for over thirty years.”
“I’ve performed thousands of surgeries.”
“But today…”
He lowered his head.
“I realized how little I truly know.”
Charles was caught off guard.
Dr. Lewis looked directly into his eyes.
“If you are willing…”
“I wish to become your student.”
The crowd gasped.
“A famous cardiologist…”
“Asking to become someone else’s student?”
Another doctor quickly interrupted.
“Dr. Lewis, that’s unfair.”
He turned to Charles.
“I’m Professor Daniel Brooks from Eastbridge Medical University.”
“If anyone should learn from you…”
“It should be me.”
A female physician stepped forward.
“Professor Brooks.”
“You should line up like everyone else.”
She smiled politely at Charles.
“Mr. Charles…”
“I, too, hope you’ll accept me as your student.”
Within moments…
More doctors surrounded him.
Each introduced themselves.
Some represented prestigious hospitals.
Others taught at leading universities.
Several were respected specialists known throughout the country.
All of them had the same request.
“Please teach us.”
Charles stood frozen.
Only yesterday…
He had been an ordinary village boy.
Today…
Some of the nation’s most respected doctors were asking to learn from him.
He didn’t know whether to laugh or panic.
Samantha watched everything unfold.
Her beautiful eyes lingered on Charles.
He never bragged.
He never demanded praise.
Even after saving her grandfather…
He stood there as calmly as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
Samuel quietly observed Charles for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
This young man possessed something wealth could never buy.
Humility.
He walked toward Charles once more.
“Mr. Charles.”
Charles looked up.
Samuel extended his hand.
“You saved my life.”
“No amount of money can repay such a debt.”
“But allow me to at least thank you properly.”
He glanced toward Samantha.
“My granddaughter and I would be honored if you joined us for dinner at the Ashcroft residence.”
Samantha stepped forward with a gentle smile.
“Please.”
“We’d really appreciate it.”
Before Charles could respond…
The familiar translucent screen appeared.
Side Mission Completed
Rewards Granted
- 100 Ember Points
- Beginner Medical Knowledge
- Ashcroft Family Favor
Another notification immediately appeared.
New Main Mission
Accept the Ashcroft Family’s Invitation.
Reward:
- 50 Ember Points
- Hidden Opportunity
Recommended Choice: Accept
Charles stared at the glowing words before slowly looking back at Samuel and Samantha.
This was his first day in the outside world.
Already…
Fate had opened a door he never expected.
After a brief silence…
Charles nodded.
“I’ll accept.”
Samuel smiled warmly.
“Excellent.”
“I believe…”
“This meeting will be the beginning of a long friendship.”
As the Ashcroft family’s convoy prepared to leave, hundreds of people continued watching the mysterious young man.
None of them knew it yet…
But before long, the name Charles would spread far beyond this city.
And hidden in the shadows, someone had already begun paying attention.