ATKINS MEDICAL SCHOOL

Edmund was awake all night eager to hear the first cock crow. He looked outside and saw the sunrise, so he jumped off his bed. He put on his sandals and got on his horse heading to the stream.

He took his bath quickly and got back home in a jiffy. He didn't catch sight of his parents.

"They must still be asleep." He let out a sigh and proceeded to their room.

He heard voices in the room so he knocked on the door.

"Come in," Yetty said and he got in the room.

To his surprise, his parents were already dressed and prepared.

"You aren't dressed?" Culbert looked at his previously eager son.

Edmund dashed out of their room for his.

"He looked around for something good to put on and decided for the robe his 20 silver coins robe. It was suitable for the occasion.

He put it on and styled his brownish hair to the back before exiting his room.

Culbert and Yetty were joyful to see how cute their son looked. He looked like a noble man.

"How do u look?" Edmund asked his parents upon realizing the gaze they had.

"Splendid my boy!" His dad commented.

Edmund looked behind them and saw his friends. They came to greet him before his trip.

"Drax! Skurt! Ayan! This early." His eyes gazed at them in amazement.

"Are they coming with us?" He turned and asked his dad.

"No. They came to see you."

He gave each of them a hug before he left with his parents in the stagecoach they arranged for. It was like the regular one he always saw but never got the chance to be on. There was a reinsman but no coachman.

They got on it and rode away.

* * * *

Edmund sat opposite his parents and could see the building and places they had gone past. It has been over 2 hours since they left their house and it was impossible to see a single spot of it.

He had made it his routine to look and study every house they passed. Possibly to get familiar with things, and get used to leaving home.

He was beginning to think about a life without his friends and family making him want to tear up. So, he removed his gaze from the buildings and began to think of the life ahead of him.

"Could this have been a wrong decision, maybe I should reconsider?" He thought but instantly brushed it off.

"What of the money paid for his tuition? What would he tell his already excited parents."

He was thinking so deeply that he didn't realise the carriage stop. He was finally there!

"Come down Edmund."

Edmund moved his gaze to his parents who were out of the stagecoach.

"Come down son." His mum spoke this time. Edmund suddenly regained his senses and got out of the stagecoach.

Edmund turned around to the beautiful building at his front. It was far more gigantic than any he had ever seen. It was about 10 meters tall and was so wide that he couldn't see the end of the building. He moved his gaze to the beautiful 3-meter gate just in front of him.

They walked into the building to discover that the inside was more beautiful. It had different sections and blocks. What amazed him more was that he didn't catch sight of anyone except some soldiers guiding the place.

"Come with us son, we have to meet the head of the school," Yetty said, to a gawking Edmund.

They walked past some buildings and finally came to one. At the top was `SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE' boldly written.

"This is it!" Culbert spoke and they walked into the office.

"Wow!" Edmund couldn't hold his surprise. The room was so extravagant and large. It didn't look like it was built for a single person. The chairs were about 10 in number with one facing the other while a master chair was in front adjacent to the others.

A man in his early 60's was seated on it. He was putting on a red robe and a long hat almost looking like a fez. His face was a bit wrinkled and he had a moustache.

"Good afternoon supervisor!" Yetty greeted the man who replied instantly.

"Good afternoon." He looked around and spotted Edmund.

"Oh.. is this the gentleman?" He asked taking a good look at the handsome gentleman.

"Yes, he is," Culbert spoke this time.

"Have your seats." He said and stretched out his hand directing them for the chairs.

After they had sat, he looked at Edmund and asked him some questions.

"So what is your name young man?"

"Edmund." He replied cordially.

"Hmm. You are 17 years right?" He further asked.

"Yes sir."

"So why do you want to become a physician?"

"Well sir, I take this to be the most delicate and noble job in the kingdom. Moreover, I took a liking to save lives than killing. It is more peaceful just like this job and is well respected. Being a physician is the most important thing I can think of now. It is important to our kingdom."

The supervisor was surprised that a boy at this age already made a decision for himself and had already begun thinking of not just himself but the whole kingdom. Culbert and Yetty were also surprised. They never knew their son to be this sensible.

"What must have gotten into him." Yetty thought to herself. Although she was shocked, she was also happy with the new Edmund before her.

"Judging by your age, you should be the youngest person in this school. So I will advise you to take advantage of that. Just…take it as an opportunity to do things on time and build a name for your family."

"Yes sir," Edmund replied, cordial as usual.

"So you have the tuition bill right?" He asked, this time to Culbert.

"Yes." He handed over the bill to him on one hand and the fee on the other.

He counted it and put it in his left drawer. He stretched his hand to the drawer at his right side and brought out a card. It looked just like the one that the physician that came to check on Ayan had on him.

The supervisor took out ink and a pen and began writing on the card. When he was done, he handed it to Edmund.

"So, this in my hand is your identification card."

Edmund looked lost as he received it so the supervisor went on.

"Okay, I see you don't get what I meant."

"I mean, this is what would be used to tell that you are a physician."

Edmund's expression had changed. He was now more excited. He looked at it carefully.

The first block had his name, the second his year of joining the school and the last had his position. It was written, student.

It didn't matter to him though. It was all just for the meantime.

"It would one day change to something better." He said silently before putting the card around his neck. Just like the physician, he saw that day.

"So you are expected to resume on or after a month."

"Why a month?" Edmund thought. It was far for him.

"So, what am I to do till then." He thought again.

"Well I know you are surprised, well it's to give us time to send your name and details to the headquarters for approval. They have to confirm that you have no questionable record. Be it killing or any."

Yetty looked at Edmund. She kind of found the procedure silly! She was sad that her eager son had to wait for a whole month to live in his dreams.

"I trust the boy, but I'm afraid it's just the procedure."

"No need to apologize sir. I can wait, as long as I'm now a physician." Edmund said excitedly.

"Well… I wouldn't call it that. More like you are a medical student. You become a physician after a couple of years."

"Years!" He yelled. It was just too long the wait. He knew it wasn't easy but not years. It took him just some days to learn how to farm but this would take him years!

"Don't worry, you will understand why it takes that long when as time goes by."

"So, good luck!!"

They stood up and left the room. Edmund turned back midway to their exit and stared at the office. It would take him a whole month to see something like this again.

He returned his gaze and left.

They walked for some time and arrived at the gate. They got on the stagecoach and rode away.