Chapter 20: Healer Freeman and Old Grievances

"Matthew?"

Luca's curiosity was piqued.

This wasn't the first time he had heard this name.

Yesterday, Catherine mentioned that it was this person who had blocked her from reporting the Beast Forest issue to the lord.

He hadn't expected to run into him so soon.

Instinctively, he glanced at Sophia. 

He noticing her furrowed brows, indicating her displeasure with Matthew as well.

The truth was, Sophia indeed harbored strong dislike for Matthew.

Arrogant and debauched, Matthew often abused his status as the lord's son to bully ordinary people.

If it weren't for his connection to the Barton family—Sophia's maternal side—and technically being her cousin, she would have had him thrown into Riverfall City's prison long ago.

Though she knew he must have ulterior motives for showing such sudden concern today, she couldn't outright dismiss him since he came under the pretext of helping her mother.

Sophia turned to Luca with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect Matthew to bring someone over today. If he causes any offense, please don't take it to heart, Junior."

For her junior, Sophia felt it necessary to be considerate of his feelings.

After all, whether it was Luca's status as a Witch Doctor or his exceptional magical aptitude that surpassed her own, both indicated his extraordinary potential.

Luca shrugged nonchalantly and smiled. "Don't worry, Senior. If he can cure Lady Lenna, that's great. If not, I'll take a shot at it."

[Ding! Sophia's favorability towards you increased by +30]

"You're quite easygoing," Cassman remarked.

If another healer or Witch Doctor heard that a peer had arrived, they would likely see it as a slight from the host. Even if they didn't leave in a huff, they would certainly be seething inside.

This kid's temperament was much better than his teacher Franklin's.

Luca just smiled and didn't say much.

He had no intention of leaving.

He was still planning to treat Lady Lenna and then inform Sophia about the Beast Forest situation and the impending Hydra threat.

If he left now, he would have to find another way to bring it up.

Following Sophia, Luca headed to the manor house while Cassman went to prepare the materials needed to dispel the death energy.

Walking along the smooth path through the garden. 

They were greeted respectfully by maids as they made their way into the luxurious manor house.

The manor's hall was opulent, with a crystal chandelier casting light onto the polished floors, and the walls and furniture adorned with valuable collectibles. Luca even spotted a monster's head mounted on the wall, its intimidating horns indicating it was a diamond-level monster in life, a testament to Count Ryan's formidable power.

In the lavish reception area, two people sat on a white sofa made of some kind of animal hide.

One of them was a red-haired young man in his twenties.

He was dressed in a blue noble suit, with an air of arrogance that was impossible to conceal.

Beside him stood a middle-aged man in a healer's robe, sporting a goatee and an equally distinguished demeanor.

As soon as Luca and the others entered the reception hall, the two men's gazes turned towards them.

The red-haired young man's eyes briefly flicked over Luca before settling on Sophia.

He quickly stood up, his face lighting up with eagerness as he approached her." Cousin, it's been a long time. I heard Auntie was ill, so I hurried to bring Dr. Freeman from the neighboring Chifeng City. He's a Platinum Grade healer, and I'm sure he can cure Auntie!"

Luca assessed the red-haired youth and surmised that this must be Matthew.

The middle-aged man beside Matthew also introduced himself, "Freeman Rubin, at your service, Miss Sophia."

Sophia, clearly unimpressed by Matthew's enthusiasm, didn't respond to him.

Instead, she turned to Freeman and politely said, "Dr. Freeman, thank you for coming all the way from Redwind City. I sought you out previously, but you weren't available. I'm grateful that Matthew brought you here."

Freeman was a well-known healer throughout Emerald State, poised to soon break into the high ranks of Platinum Grade. Such a figure commanded respect.

Matthew, left standing awkwardly, appeared to be slightly intimidated by his cousin. He scratched his nose and didn't say much more.

Freeman, accustomed to dealing with important figures, remained composed and smiled, "Miss Sophia, you're too kind. This is my duty."

His gaze then shifted to Luca, looking puzzled. "And this young man is?"

Freeman sensed the aura of a Witch Doctor from Luca, initially assuming he was a student.

But upon closer inspection, he realized Luca was the only Witch Doctor present. 

It left him curious.

Was this low-level Witch Doctor here to do what?

Assist me?

Sophia hesitated briefly before introducing him, "This is my junior, Luca. He's also here to help treat my mother."

"So, you're a student of Councilor Lucia." Freeman's face showed a hint of surprise.

He had initially taken Luca for an ordinary boy, not expecting him to be Lucia's student.

But his surprise was short-lived. 

As Freeman himself was on the verge of becoming a high-ranking healer and was not easily impressed.

Hearing that Luca was also there to treat Lady Lenna, Freeman frowned, "If I'm not mistaken, he's only a low-level Witch Doctor. Miss Sophia, are you certain you want him to treat Lady Lenna?"

Initially, Matthew was somewhat surprised by Luca's identity.

However, upon hearing that Luca was merely a low-level Witch Doctor, he immediately advised, "Cousin, I understand that you're anxious to help Aunt, but you can't act recklessly! You've already had so many doctors come and go without success. What can a mere low-level Witch Doctor possibly do?"

"If he inadvertently worsens Auntie's condition, it will only create more trouble!"

Faced with their skepticism, Luca remained composed and uninterested in arguing.

After all, he couldn't very well explain that he was a Transcendent level healer in his past life.

While Luca wasn't bothered, Sophia's brow furrowed in displeasure.

She shot a cold glance at Matthew and said, "Luca is not only my junior but also Franklin Witch Doctor's only student. Matthew, I suggest you watch your words. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you!"

"Franklin's student?!"

Everyone's expression changed at that revelation.

If Luca were merely Lucia's student, they might have just admired his talent.

But being Franklin's student was different.

Franklin was known to be a madman who once barged into the Mages' Association threatening to tear it down.

Such a man's student was not someone to be trifled with lightly.

However, after the initial shock, Freeman's face turned cold.

He sneered, "So you're that old fool's student! No wonder a mere low-level Witch Doctor dares to treat the countess! Franklin is arrogant, and it seems his student is no better!"

The others looked at Freeman in surprise.

It seemed that Freeman had a grudge against Franklin from the past.

Being a Witch Doctor was a rare profession, and even low-level Witch Doctors were far superior to ordinary healers. That Franklin was a high-level Witch Doctor made Freeman's hostility even more notable, hinting at a significant past conflict between the two.

Luca was slightly taken aback but not entirely surprised.

Given Franklin's personality, it would have been surprising if he didn't have enemies.

Already displeased by Sophia's rebuke, Matthew sneered, "Dr. Freeman is right. Franklin might be impressive, but that doesn't mean his student is!"

Luca was not one to let this spoiled noble ruin his plans. He coldly retorted, "Whether I am capable or not will be evident soon enough. You need not worry, Lord Matthew."

Matthew's eyes flashed with anger at Luca's words.

As the son of Riverfall City's lord and a member of the Howard family's extended family, he had rarely been spoken to so disrespectfully.

However, a glance at Sophia's cold expression made him hold his tongue, though he shot a venomous glare at Luca.

If not for his father's warning not to cause trouble, Matthew would have already shown this insolent youth the consequences of offending a noble.

"Let's go up to the second floor and check on my mother. We mustn't delay," Sophia interrupted, not wanting to waste any more time on the argument.

Without further comment, they all headed upstairs.

As he passed Luca, Freeman sneered, "You may be arrogant now, but don't be surprised if you can't even diagnose the patient's condition!"

Luca didn't even bother to respond to Matthew, choosing to ignore him completely.

This attitude instantly made Freeman feel slighted.

"We'll see how long you can keep this up!" Freeman muttered angrily, watching Luca's departing figure.

Years ago, he had clashed with Franklin over a rare herb and was publicly humiliated by him. The memory of that grudge still burned vividly in Freeman's mind.

Now, having encountered Franklin's student, Freeman felt compelled to make Luca look foolish in public to settle the old score with Franklin.