Suteko Ni Narimashita 29

A thought struck me – Could it be malaria?

After all, insects had bitten Rico and me, and mosquitoes commonly spread malaria. 

Why hadn't I considered this earlier?

The periodic fever that lasted three days was a telltale symptom of malaria. Yet, it might also signify another unknown disease in this unfamiliar world. It was possible that malaria didn't even exist here.

However, regardless of the world, the basics of human biology remained the same. True, I could use magic and possessed a fighting spirit, making me somewhat more resilient, but fundamentally, my body wasn't different from any average human. 

Despite encountering unfamiliar trees and flowers, I could still identify them. And while there were monsters, the birds, fish, and even caterpillars I had eaten seemed quite similar to those from my previous world.

Most notably, the mosquitoes were identical.

Given this, it wasn't far-fetched to assume that similar diseases caused by similar pathogens could exist here, too.

So, I decided to approach the situation as if it were malaria. 

If that approach didn't work, I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. 

The malaria pathogen is a protozoan that, once inside the human body via mosquitoes, multiplies in the liver and destroys red blood cells.

Using my magic, I scanned my body, focusing on the right side of my abdomen where my liver and large blood vessels were located. 

By concentrating on the blood flow, I tried to differentiate between plasma and blood cells. But soon, my head started to pound with the effort, overwhelmed by the influx of information. 

It was like trying to listen to a cacophony of voices all speaking at once.

Determined to identify the problem, I focused on finding red blood cells. The cells were disc-shaped, with a concave center. As I scrutinized them, my eyes began to sting from the strain. 

Instinctively, I paused and rubbed my eyes.

"Uhm…?" 

Rico's confused voice interrupted me. I gestured for him to wait and resumed my examination.

Using telekinesis, I adjusted the blood flow, slowing it down and narrowing my focus until I could see the individual particles. After several attempts, I started getting the hang of it, and I could discern small structures within the blood.

Scrutinizing each blood cell, I identified what appeared to be platelets. Then, I noticed the amorphous white blood cells, larger and moving in a way that suggested they might be monocytes.

After a thorough examination, I finally made a crucial identification. 

These are red blood cells,

I confirmed, pinpointing the red blood cells among the many elements I had observed.

"Please excuse me for a moment," I said to Rico as I gently touched his chest. 

Due to his weakened condition, I needed to be close or have direct contact to channel my magic into his body effectively.

"Huh…?" 

Rico exclaimed in surprise.

With my hand resting against his thin chest, feeling the protrusion of his ribs, I focused on his heartbeat. 

To purify his blood, examining his heart seemed the most logical approach since it's where the blood constantly circulated. I infused his heart with magical energy, tuning into the flow of red blood cells.

The influx of information was overwhelming, like being forced to speed-read through a novel that held no interest to me. My eyes, though not directly involved, felt strained under the pressure. It was almost as if I could feel my blood pulsing in response to the stress.

Despite the overload, I examined a few red blood cells closely. Within one of them, I spotted a single-celled organism wriggling – a parasite. 

I was right – it's probably a protozoan, I thought. 

Observing a unicellular organism was quite the revelation.

Rico, clearly disturbed, started to panic. 

"Hey, what the hell is going on—?!"

Realizing I had inadvertently caused him distress, I quickly reassured him. 

"Oh, sorry. I found the cause, but it's quite unsettling to see."

Rico's face paled instantly at my words. The thought of having a foreign organism inside his body must have been disconcerting for him.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it right now," I reassured Rico.

Having identified the pathogen, it was time to tackle the next step: isolating and removing the infected cells.

The sheer volume of elements within the heart and those entering it was staggering. Considering there are about 5 million red blood cells in every microliter of blood, and Rico's small heart had a volume of around 50 milliliters, the number of red blood cells was immense.

The task felt daunting, but I couldn't afford to give up. I had come too far to back down now. Magic, in its omnipotence, could achieve the seemingly impossible, defying even the laws of physics. 

I wasn't about to be defeated by a disease.

Taking a deep breath, I focused my attention. My task was straightforward: eliminate the malaria parasites. 

My magic allowed me to create any substance I could envision – earth, ice, water, fire – so why not something more abstract?

With that in mind, I conjured a 'filter' at the point where the superior vena cava joined the heart. I endowed this filter with the ability to react to the microorganisms and break down their cell membranes, effectively neutralizing them.

As soon as I created the filter, my strength began to ebb away rapidly. 

A substantial portion of my magic was consumed, leaving me feeling weak and my vision starting to blur. 

I couldn't pass out now, not yet. 

Desperately, I slapped my cheek with my free hand. The sharp sting brought a momentary clarity to my vision. I had to push through.

I funneled the last of my magic into the filter, carefully calibrating it to destroy the microorganisms while sparing the red blood cells. 

My vision was becoming increasingly blurry, and my magic continued to wane. I wasn't sure if it was the act of destroying each protozoan or simply maintaining the filter that was draining me.

"If we cut the magic now, the filter will vanish," I murmured.

"Rico, the treatment is in progress, but it will take some time. Please stay calm," I instructed, my voice sounding distant even to my ears.

Rico nodded, his expression solemn.

I focused all my remaining energy on keeping the filter active. 

It wasn't just about Rico now but about my survival.

"Hylo, I need a favor," I said, each word feeling like a monumental effort.

"W-what is it?" Hylo asked, startled by my sudden request.

"Can you count out loud for me from 1 to 120?" I asked. 

Speaking was painful, but I needed to know how much time had passed.

After a brief pause, Hylo began to count softly, his voice a lifeline in the fading edges of my consciousness.

"Thanks," I said gratefully, focusing on Hylo's counting.

"30, 31, 32, 33…" 

His voice seemed to crawl at a snail's pace, each number stretching longer than the last in my perception.

"60, 61…" 

He reached the one-minute mark. Part of me wanted to stop there; the temptation to give in to exhaustion was overwhelming. But I pushed those thoughts aside, determined to see this through.

Hylo's voice grew fainter, almost blending into the background.

"118, 119, 120! Done!" 

His voice crescendoed into a shout as he finished counting.

I quickly dispelled the filter, feeling a slight lift in my vision. 

"Thank you very much," I managed to say, using the last of my magic to check one specific red blood cell in Rico's body.

I still needed to check his liver, but as I confirmed the absence of any protozoa in the blood cell I was observing, my strength finally gave way, and I lost consciousness.