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“I know. I saw them too. But I came back to find Master for something urgent, a matter of life and death. Davor, please, take me to him!”
Davor hesitated for a moment before nodding. “All right,e with me.”
Using the excuse of moving medicine, he had Alicia help him carry supplies and led her toward the Varga residence.
At the gate of the Healing Institute, Alicia signaled to the others. Together they followed Davor inside.
The two men in ck coats stationed at the entrance watched them enter but didn’t find anything suspicious.
Once the doors closed behind them, Davor set the bundle down and said, “Come with me. When Master sees you alive, he’ll be overjoyed.”
They were guided into the inner hall and told to wait. Davor hurried to his master’s quarters.
Inside, Aurelius sat in a wicker chair, sipping tea. His hair was silvered, his features thin and weathered, but his eyes remained sharp andmanding. His face bore the weight of years, lined with sorrow.
“Master, good news!” Davor announced breathlessly.
“What news?” the old man asked.
“Alicia has returned. She’s in the front hall.”
The elder’s expression didn’t shift. It was as though he had expected this moment all along. He waved his hand. “I know. I’ll go shortly. Leave me.”
“Yes, Master.”
Davor ran out, unaware of the storm beneath the calm face he left behind. Aurelius‘ brow furrowed deeply.
From behind a folding screen, a man emerged, his body wrapped in ck, only his visible–eyes cold with killing intent.
eyes
“Aurelius, you know what you must do,” the man said. “The lives of every member of the Varga family, and everyone in this Healing Institute, are in your hands. Refuse us, and don’t me us for the ughter.”
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“I’llply,” Aurelius said heavily. “But do not harm the innocent.”
“Do as we say, and they’ll be spared.”
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Aurelius had no choice. He was an old man, ready to face death himself, but he couldn’t risk the lives of so many others.
Momentster, he appeared in the hall, leaning on his cane, dressed in in robes with looped sps.
“Master!”
Alicia rose to her feet at once.
He recognized her voice, even if her disguised face was unfamiliar.
“Alicia,” Aurelius said softly.
“Master!” She rushed forward and embraced him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“My child, it’s enough that you’re alive. I knew you hadn’t perished.”
He patted her back gently, and she held his arm, asking, “How is your health?”
“Good, good.”
“I heard from Davor what’s been happening. I’ve brought trouble to you.”
He shook his head, answering with quiet resolve. “Don’t worry about us. We’re fine. And these people with you?”
Alicia introduced them. “This is Caitlin. We’ve reconciled now.”
Caitlin bowed. “Master Aurelius.”
“Oh, Caitlin… forgive me. I was too harsh with you before. I regret it.” He still remembered driving her away.
“It doesn’t matter,” Caitlin said softly. “You’ll always be my teacher. I’ll never forget your kindness<b>.</b><b>” </b>
The old man nodded, and Alicia pulled Zeke forward. “This is Zeke. And this is Caitlin’s husband, Sebastian. We’re all in disguise.”
“Well,” Aurelius said, “what brings you so far to find me?”
“Master, Caitlin’s brother has been poisoned. I couldn’t cure him. We need your help.”
After hearing Alicia’s ount, Aurelius asked, “Do you have photographs?”
“Yes.”
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They handed him pictures of James‘ injuries. He studied them for a moment. “I can identify several toxins.”
“What toxins?” Caitlin asked quickly.
“It looks like aposite poison–a mixture. There’s hemolytic venom, gelsemium alkaloids, and certain nt toxins. It requires further analysis.”
He lifted his eyes. “Does the patient lie unconscious, with muscle rxation, heavy breathing, and a faint sweet scent from the wound?<b>” </b>
“That’s right,” Caitlin confirmed. “Some of it was inhaled, the rest entered through the wound. The toxinsbined inside his body. Thankfully, the dosage isn’t high. I gave him your antidote pill to suppress the effects. But the poison won’t clear from his body. Why?”
Aurelius let out a long sigh. “This may be Scentbane.”
The name was unfamiliar to them all.
“What is Scentbane?”
“A rare, intricate poison carried by fragrance. It’s mild in quantity, but itsplexity makes it extremely difficult to treat.” He shook his head gravely.
Caitlin’s heart sank. “Master Aurelius, can you save my brother? Please–I beg you!” She clutched his sleeve, tears falling.
Aurelius looked at her with wearypassion and sighed again. “You’vee all this way. How could I stand by and do nothing? But I must examine him myself. Where is he now?”
“In the US,” Caitlin admitted. “We didn’t bring him to S–country because it was too dangerous. Please, will youe with us?”
The elder nodded. “Very well. Let me prepare. Alicia, help me gather my supplies.”
“Yes, Master.”
She guided him into the apothecary, where shelves were lined with medicines. Aurelius wrote out a list, and Alicia fetched the items, packing antidotes and remedies.
“Everything’s ready,” she said, bundling the herbs and vials. Then she hesitated. “Master… <b>is </b>Scentbane truly curable?”
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“It depends on the dosage,” Aurelius answered. “Lighter cases can be purged. Severe cases— like Caitlin’s brother–are far moreplicated.”
Alicia’s jaw tightened. “Who would create such a poison?”
Aurelius
gave a weary sigh. “Do you remember Quarta?”
Alicia froze. “You mean… your first disciple, Quarta?”