“Yeah, we really do need to do clinical trials to complete the medicine,” Shannon said.
“They’re vital, of course,” Glim agreed. “But we’re in no state to start them yet—the toxin is still too strong. That’s why we’re trying to neutralize it first.”
Two days had passed since Shannon joined Glim, and while they had certainly made some headway on the cure, their overall progress had been stymied by the limited number of trials they could do and the fact that no one had ever tried to cure saluena before. In the meantime, their ingredients were running short, and so was Lily’s time.
“But unless we make a breakthrough, we’re gonna be in a real pinch,” Shannon pointed out.
Glim’s expression was stony. “I know, I know, but doing clinical trials with this medicine is too dangerous! Who knows how many people would die?”
Shannon gave Glim a sidelong glance as she picked up the unfinished potion. Her goal was to die, wasn’t it? Maybe now was the perfect time to make that dream come true. Her eyes lit up with anticipation. “Hey, why don’t we try it out on me?”
“Huh?” Glim’s expression hardened. He blinked rapidly in surprise, furrowing his brow. “No, no, no. What, do you think—”
“Try it on me.”
“Why?! Y-You know you might die, right? I think you’ve seen this yourself over the past few days, but the side effects are really, really bad! Did you see how violently those mice died?! It’s made me pray to any gods who are listening that when I die, I’m not reborn as one of those rodents. You will die if you take the medicine. Funny joke, but I’m not laughing.”
“But don’t we have to make sure of that?” If they tested the medicine now, then sooner or later, they’d manage to eliminate any toxic side effects. If they were ever going to do a clinical trial, this was the time.
Glim pressed his lips together. His eyes seemed sad. “Shannon, you are a kind girl, and you even saved me from the debt collector. Are you thinking of sacrificing yourself to save Lily?”
“Oh...no. I’m not trying to come off as noble as that.”
Thinking that she was trying to be modest, Glim patted her head comfortingly. “I’m grateful you feel that way, but the side effects are no joke. You don’t have to push yourself. You can keep sharing your knowledge with me just as you have been.”
Shannon tutted and wagged her finger. This was bad; if things continued along this path, she wouldn’t be able to achieve her primary goal. Of course she wanted to save Lily, but her first concern was finding a way to die.
“Besides,” Glim went on, “if you did take it, the only thing we would be able to confirm is the medicine’s toxicity. You aren’t infected with saluena.”
“Oh!” An idea pinged in Shannon’s head. There’s no way he could refuse me if I was sick! “You know, Mr. Glim, you’re right. If I don’t have the disease, then there’s no point.”
“You get it now? That’s why you— Hey! Hey, wait! Where are you...?”
Shannon, smiling widely, was bouncing up the steps to the ground floor. “I’m going to go get infected. Then we can test it on me.”
“Well, it’s true that if you were to contract the— Wait, what?!” Glim’s eyes bulged so much they looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. For a second, Shannon thought he might drop the vial in his hand. “A-Are you an idiot?! Saluena is terminal! Unless we finish the cure, you’ll die too!”
“I know that.”
“Do you have a death wish?!”
She laughed. “I caught it once and didn’t die.”
“Ah, I see, it was all fine because you’re a mage. As if! Stop with the jokes! I’ve known mages who died of saluena! What’s your aim? Are you trying to martyr yourself?!”
Shannon just shook her head. “I’m telling you, this will be faster—and aren’t we running out of time? I’m going to do it!” She smiled radiantly, flashing a thumbs-up.
Glim watched her, looking like he was about to be sick, then covered his face. “Is there something wrong with your head?” He laughed nervously. “Are you so desperate to complete this medicine you’ll make me a murderer?!”
“Lily’s the one who’ll die if we don’t get results.”
Glim stood in silence for a moment, and Shannon took the opportunity to rush up to Lily’s sickroom. “Hey, wait!” he called after her.
Shannon hurried into Lily’s room and over to her bedside.
“Oh, Ms. Shannon,” Lily began. “This necklace you gave me—”
“Don’t move for a sec,” Shannon instructed her.
“Huh?”
“I’m telling you, Shannon!” Glim called. “Don’t—”
A shocking scene awaited Glim when he came into the room. Shannon was leaning in, right in front of Lily’s face—and then she pressed her lips to Lily’s in a kiss!
“Wh-What?” Glim gasped.
“Mm?!” was Lily’s response.
Glim was gobsmacked and trembling all over. He had never met anyone like Shannon before.
“Pah! Think I got infected?” Shannon said, smiling and licking her lips.
“Wh-What...” Lily touched her mouth, her face beet red.
“Oh, was that your first kiss?” Shannon asked. “Sorry about that...”
“Oh, um, that’s not it,” Lily stammered.
“Good! So, Mr. Glim...”
“Wh-What?” he asked.
“I’m now another patient with saluena. Let’s start the clinical trial.”
Glim’s face went slack with astonishment. She was insane...but, he realized, now they had a chance. “We can conduct a clinical trial, but...Shannon, you’ll—”
“Oh, I’ll be fine.” Glim looked sorrowful, but Shannon smiled as if nothing was wrong. “I’m immortal. Forever young.”
There was a moment of silence. It felt like time had stopped. Not even the air in the room moved. Then, finally, Glim broke the silence:
“Huh?” His face contorted with shock that came from his very core. Then he snorted. “Ha ha ha, I was wondering what you were going to say. No, no, my brain immediately refused to believe it—I was just thinking about how terrifying people can be. I was completely frozen.”
“Aw, you don’t believe me?”
“Of course I don’t believe you.” Glim shook his head, exasperated. “I guess you don’t want to worry me, but listen here. I may be a crappy doctor, but I’m still a doctor. I know that there is no such thing as immortality. I don’t care how good a mage you are; no one can change the laws of nature. Hmph.” He crossed his arms.
It didn’t seem like he was ready to believe in a fairy tale. Well, circumstances being what they were, it was probably inevitable that he’d assume she was lying to try to keep him from worrying about her.
“Well,” Glim continued, “I guess I’m happy you feel that way, at least. Now, more importantly, I need to evaluate whether you’ve been infected. Come with me.” He said this simply, as if nothing had happened.