Freeday, 14th of Septimus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Serena was meticulously taking notes and doodling everything the professor was saying as he dissected the cadaver in front of the class. Everyone in class had gotten out of their seats to observe the gruesome procedure. Though some – especially the female students – grew queasy at the sight of a real body being mutilated right in front of them, Serena had gotten over it relatively quickly.

This was a rare opportunity that she couldn't afford to squander. Back at home – while they had access to a great many anatomical books and the like – Serena had never directly seen a dissection like this. Her father had feared doing so would anger many within the realm and also embolden the followers of the old ways to not repent of their savagery.

Despite that, Serena couldn't fully describe the feeling of being able to learn anatomy directly from a body like this. Professor Ridgefort was an expert surgeon, showing his decades-worth of experience through his deft hands. Each slice, cut, or incision had meaning behind them. She couldn't see a single useless or unnecessary movement from the professor's stroke of the scalpel.

Today – the last formal day of an academic week – marked the class' first introduction to a real dissection. Earlier in the week, Serena and the rest of the newer students had been brought to the room where they kept all the old cadavers.

They were brought there in the dark, blindfolded and holding only candles. When the blindfolds were taken off, they were greeted by the embalmed forms of several rather gruesome corpses. Many of the more delicate nobles had screamed and fainted, but that much was nothing to the real experiences Serena had with actual corpses. She'd even seen her own father-in-law's decapitated corpse. Some rotting corpses being kept somewhat intact by preservatives was nothing.

But a fresh corpse, seemingly only having been dead for a few days at most? That was new and much could be learned from it.

Before the dissection, Professor Ridgefort had one of the campus chaplains – this time being her brother-in-law Timotheus – bless the cadavers first. He'd also promised that the corpse would be given a proper and respectful burial afterwards.

The professor had stressed ever since orientation day how much respect a human body deserved. He called the cadavers 'the greatest teachers' of any physician and Serena could appreciate the sentiment.

Apparently, the corpse currently being dissected was a criminal sentenced to death who had agreed to have his body donated for academic purposes. In return, his crime would be considered 'forgiven' and his family was spared from humiliation.

How much of the professor's story was true, Serena couldn't say. For her own sake, she had chosen to believe it. It wouldn't do well for her conscience if she were to find out that the body was sourced from less-than-honourable sources.

Regardless of that, the day's lesson was truly fruitful for Serena. Professor Ridgefort had given them an introduction to the basics of anatomy. Starting from the general anatomical position, the many regions of the body, the basic layers of the skin, and even the internal organs.

Serena disregarded the foul stenches and occasional spurt of blood and bile, especially with how close she was to the dissection. It didn't matter much as most of it only got to the surgical apron she had been made to wear. She'd been through worse.

To read about these things from old books and tomes was one thing, but to see the actual organs on a human body as well as the circulatory system. It was almost too much knowledge for her to handle. Yet still, she jotted down every word and explanation from her teacher.

"Alright, pay attention here…" Professor Ridgefort held his scalpel like a pen as he cut through several layers of the cadaver's thoracic region. "Just like with any other part of the body, here you'll see me cutting through the layers of skin, muscle, and finally bone here. Shortly, you'll witness one of the most important discoveries in medical history. Pioneered by my late, most-esteemed teacher, Dr. Howard Surlock."

Professor Ridgefort took a pair of shears and started opening the cadaver's thoracic cavity. He had already removed the sternum and was now cracking open the ribs. Each crack sounded like a branch breaking.

"Over here, you'll see the center of the human body's life force." With a few cuts of the scalpel, Professor Ridgefort held up the body's heart in all its reddened, bloody glory. Obviously it was no longer beating, but it was still fresher than any specimen Serena's seen before. "Over here, you'll see the aortic valve, tirelessly pushing blood out to the body. These parts here are where the veins return blood to the heart. A more comprehensive look into the heart and other internal organs would be saved for a later class though."

The professor continued his explanation on the circulatory system, relating it to the other organs. Most notably was how intricately connected the heart was to the lungs.

"We're currently conducting more research into these topics, mostly concerning rediscovery of facts from the ancient tomes of the Heroic Age. Sadly, the destruction of Megasras and subsequent strife caused by the deaths of the heroes had set us back millennia in knowledge. But that's a topic for the faculty of Law and History."

Professor Ridgefort concluded the dissection with a few more cursory overviews of other major organs. "Alright, with all of that out of the way, I do hope you all learned a thing or two." The professor put down his scalpel as he took off his gloves. "Are there any questions?"

Serena excitedly held up her hand, still grasping on her pen. Apparently, she wasn't the only spirited member of her class. Half of her classmates also had their hands raised. Some didn't even bother to wait before blurting out their questions. Only Ruth – who sat next to her – was nodding off in class. How she managed to remain sleepy throughout such an interesting class was anyone's guess.

The professor seemed delighted to answer any and all questions levied at him. He said 'there were no stupid questions, only stupid people asking them'. Despite the rather disparaging remark, the other students remained inquisitive. He must have gone through a couple dozen questions already. Serena's arm was starting to grow tired from being raised, but she held fast.

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"Professor, is there a way for us to see into the inner anatomy without a dissection?" A student asked.

"Currently, only a few physicians have the necessary and atypical magical skills to conduct such diagnostic tests. I've heard a few physicians within the Lowereich Empire are able to see through a person's anatomy by only looking at them. But, with the lack of replicability of magical abilities, I'd suggest we focus more on more physical and general methods. Next question. You, the one in the back."

"Professor, with the innate abilities of some to use healing magic, is any of this knowledge absolutely necessary to treat a patient?"

"We'll hold on to that question for a little while in case I find other similar questions. But, you're scratching over the surface of a deep rabbit hole there. Any others?"

"Excuse me, sir, but how is any of this anatomical knowledge related to the theory of Humorism? If only blood is circulated throughout the body, what of the black bile, phlegm, and yellow bile?"

Serena was shocked when she heard the question. She had thought the theory of the four humours were largely discredited as the ignorant musings of the ancients. Why would anyone speak of it as if it were an actual theory?

"...Where are you from, student? Where did you learn about humoralism?" The professor had a terrifying look, causing the small bespectacled young man who asked the question to shrink back.

"...I… I'm from Coldreach, professor… sir." The boy looked aghast as the attention of everyone in the classroom turned to him. Professor Ridgefort clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"I would've thought the center of northern trade would be more advanced in the knowledge of the sciences. It appears I've thought wrong. I'll have to ask my colleagues there about the resurfacing of hogwash theories like that."

Professor Ridgefort now had a frown on his face before he turned his gaze on the entire classroom. "The theory of humoralism is a result of centuries of ignorance by the ancients. There is no such thing as 'four humors' circulating through our bodies. Blood is what flows through our veins. Blood is what keeps us alive. Bloodletting to 'balance the humours' does nothing but to make your patient meet their maker quicker. You, Coldreach boy, what's your name?"

"...Emery Fellglow, sir…"

"Emery Fellglow..? From Coldreach?" The professor looked confused as he asked "Are you related to Doctor Derrick Fellglow?"

"He's my eldest brother…"

"How could a genius like him have a brother believing in humoralism? Tch. Nevermind that. Vanquish any thought of that asinine theory from your mind and I will hear no more of it from either you nor any student of mine here. Am I understood?"

The hall filled with murmurs of agreement. Serena was just happy to see that her professor very much seemed like a forward-looking person. She wondered if he'd be open to investigating new theories as opposed to the old ones.

The professor soon drew a deep breath before he calmed himself down. He continued, "You are all the creme of the crop. Students of the most prestigious academic institution in this blessed kingdom. With that being said, you'd do well not to grow complacent. There are many other academies and universities being opened and given charters throughout the land by his majesty. Even the Arcaneum of Coldreach is in the process of opening its own medical faculty. If none of you are prepared, in the future, you'd be in for a rude awakening…"

The class grew silent. Serena let the professor's words sink in. He had a melancholy in his voice, but she couldn't understand it. If highly advanced knowledge of medicine became more commonplace, wouldn't that be a good thing for the benefit of the many?

"...Anyways, that little rant had taken a good amount of energy out of me. I think that'd be enough for the questions…" as the professor said that, an audible disappointment could be heard permeating the air.

Serena didn't even get to ask her question. The look on her face must've been of severe disappointment as Ruth tried to console her.

"It's okay, kak Sere. It's only the first week of studies. You'll have plenty of time for boring lectures in our time here." Serena shook her head at Ruth's nonchalant consolation. How her friend could be so ambivalent to such a treasury of knowledge, she'd never understand. But to her surprise, the professor spoke up once more and pointed towards her.

"You, daughter of the Archbishop-physician." Professor Ridgefort clearly called out to Serena "What was your name again?"

"Serena, professor."

"Right. I've noticed you've been the most enthusiastic among our students here. At least the most enthusiastic amongst our more highborn trainees. I heard you and a few of your companions have already started practicing medicine in earnest where you're from. Tell me, have you learnt anything new in your first week here?"

"Oh, we've learned many things professor, truly. In fact, it's more truthful to say that we haven't really learnt much at all compared to the whole breadth of medicine." Serena wasn't lying. The more she learned and attended classes, the more she realised there was just that much more to learn. "...My approach to diseases thus far have mostly been symptomatic, but I've been trying recently to be more aetiological and holistic in my analyses. I can only hope for more guidance from the professors here."

Serena gave a slight bow and she saw the professor give a satisfied smile.

"I'm wondering whether you're just being modest or truthful. But regardless, I'm hoping for the best. I have high expectations for you, madam." The professor said "As a show of courtesy, you have the honour of asking the final question before I let you all off for the day."

She couldn't believe it. It was a godsent opportunity. Truth be told, she had a whole parchment list of questions, but she settled on something she wanted confirmation on.

"I thank you for the opportunity, sir." Serena cleared her throat as she looked through her notes "While I've mostly understood the concept of blood and the like being a transport system of our life force, I wish to ask where the concept of aura or mana come into this. While I personally believe that healing without use of magic is by far superior and would help the most people, how do these concepts intertwine?"

Professor Ridgefort furrowed his brows but smiled nonetheless as he crossed his arm and held his bearded chin. "I think I understand where you're going with this question but could you elaborate? What do you mean when the concepts intertwine?"

Serena was still formulating how best to ask her question. She knew what she wanted to ask but finding the words to convey her ideas coherently proved difficult. Still, she tried her best. "Perhaps I could put it like this, professor. Both my parents had the innate ability of healing and I inherited that. The ability came instinctively and naturally, like second nature. When I cut my hand on some branches when I was small, I held out my other hand and the wound closed.

"There was little need to know of any theory. I had just willed it, and it happened. Yet, as I grew older, a child within my late grandfather-in-law's court had been bitten by a venomous serpent. I was about to heal the person as usual but my father scolded me, instead he taught me to first tourniquet the wound and clean it. He had given the child an antidote before allowing me to finally heal him… Perhaps this is more of a conceptual question on healing magic itself."

Serena lowered her voice as she finished her question. She looked around the other students and saw that some were intrigued while others were confused. Only the professor was chuckling at her question.

"Dear me, I knew you were a smart one." Professor Ridgefort said "But your question is indeed both broad and profound. In fact, one of my colleagues' lifelong thesis is that very question you asked…"

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