Chapter 266: Ongoing Treatment
Kokoilo sighed.
Without thinking too deeply, it seemed he could only try ordinary treatment methods first.
He picked up the breakfast placed at the side, a few slices of bread and a simple drink.
Just as he was about to eat, there was a knock at the door.
A nurse pushed it open and walked in.
"Doctor Kokoilo, someone is here to ask you about a medical condition."
Kokoilo frowned.
At this hour, before he had even eaten breakfast, his mood was not particularly good.
"Have them wait outside for a bit. Tell them I'll be out in a moment."
"Yes."
The nurse turned to leave.
But at that moment, Kokoilo called out to her.
"Wait. Who is it?"
This was Marineford.
He had to be careful.
Although this was a place of justice, and the Marines took protecting the people as their duty, where there were people, there would always be struggles.
It was not as if everything was fine just because this place symbolized absolute justice.
If one accidentally offended the wrong person, it could still be dangerous.
"Um... the other party didn't say."
The nurse thought for a moment.
"But it's a stern, serious man, plus a child with an equally cold expression."
Then her tone became a little delighted.
"Although that child looks cold and indifferent, I remember him very clearly. He's just too cute, and his skin is so enviable."
Kokoilo picked up a photo from the desk, interrupting the nurse's daydreaming.
"Does he look like this?"
"Ah, Doctor Kokoilo, you actually have a photo of him?"
The nurse's eyes lit up.
"Can I have one?"
"We'll talk about that later."
Kokoilo coughed lightly and forced himself to maintain his professional composure.
"I've changed my mind. We can't keep the patient waiting. Bring them in."
"Yes."
Watching the nurse leave, Kokoilo looked back at his untouched breakfast and let out another sigh.
Soon, the nurse returned, bringing Zephyr and Axel with her.
"Then I'll take my leave now."
Before leaving, the nurse gave Axel a playful smile.
"Mr. Zephyr."
Kokoilo greeted him carefully.
Last time, he had addressed Zephyr by his military rank and received a lecture for it, which had clearly made Zephyr unhappy.
This time, Kokoilo had learned his lesson and addressed him as Mister.
"I wonder what brings you here this time?"
"I wanted to ask about the treatment."
Zephyr's voice was direct.
"You are an expert in this field. Have you come up with a treatment method yet?"
Kokoilo felt conflicted.
He struggled with how to answer.
To be honest, he had made no progress at all.
If he could develop a treatment plan just by looking at a child's photo, he would be a genius.
But he did not dare say there had been no progress.
When Zephyr came before, Kokoilo had solemnly guaranteed that trusting him was the right choice.
If so much time had passed and his answer was still "I don't know," would that not make him look like a fraud?
Although Zephyr did not seem like an unreasonable or tyrannical person, who could say for certain?
In a place like this, one had to tread carefully.
He had worked hard to climb to his current position in the medical field, and he had relied not only on his medical skill, but also on his ability to read the situation.
"Regarding this child's treatment, it is definitely not something that can be solved in a day or two."
Kokoilo adjusted his tone into something steady and professional.
"The brain is the most important part of the human body, so we must be especially careful during treatment."
"A single misdiagnosis could lead to a life-threatening situation."
"Therefore, my suggestion is to proceed slowly."
Zephyr fell silent for a moment.
"Fine."
Then he asked, "What is the treatment method, and what do I need to do?"
"There's no rush."
Kokoilo said calmly, though his heart was far less calm.
"In a few days, I'll give you the organized documents. You only need to follow them."
"However, the effects may not be visible in the short term."
Zephyr nodded.
It seemed this was another fruitless visit.
"Regarding the suggestion I made last time, what do you think?" Kokoilo asked.
Zephyr did not object.
He knew Kokoilo was referring to the brain examination.
He shifted his gaze toward Axel, waiting for his answer.
"I refuse," Axel said flatly.
Zephyr was not surprised by this answer.
When the examination was mentioned last time, Axel had already given a threat.
If they insisted on examining him, he would tear this place apart.
Kokoilo had thought Axel was joking.
But Zephyr could tell it was no joke.
Although Zephyr did not understand why the boy resisted so strongly, as a teacher, he never pried too deeply into his students' affairs.
This was not only his method of education.
It was also his way of respecting his students.
"Mr. Zephyr, you see... this..."
"Just do as he says."
"Uh..."
Normally, Kokoilo would be happy if a patient refused an examination.
That way, he could reject treatment on the grounds of non-cooperation.
But with this person, he could not bring himself to refuse.
This was equivalent to falling into a dead loop.
No examination meant no treatment.
No treatment meant the other party would continue to press him.
Then he would delay.
Eventually, this chain would break one day, and who knew what would happen then?
Seeing that Zephyr was unlikely to change his mind, Kokoilo turned to Axel.
"Rest assured, there will be no danger during the treatment."
He tried to soften his tone.
"You just need to lie down for a while."
Axel looked indifferently at the person trying to change his mind, showing no emotion.
His ability, or rather his Esper power, came from that abnormal region of his brain.
If examined, his difference from ordinary people would certainly be discovered.
Although everyone's physical structure and brain composition differed, his was not merely a matter of being different.
It was a completely different concept.
A tiger might be mistaken for a cat.
But would anyone mistake a dragon for a cat?
Different neural circuit structures were the reason why Espers in Academy City could use their abilities.
It was also because of this structure that Ability Users could not use magic, and this was considered one of the defining traits of an Ability User.
If this matter were exposed, would the people in the pirate world treat him as research material or as an ordinary Ability User?
Those who are not of our kind must have different hearts.
Even if some people did not care, others would surely come for him.
Especially the many ambitious people in this world.
And the decadent World Nobles, who enjoyed trying new things.
Refusal.
This was the judgment and protective behavior Axel made for his own safety, even in his emotionless state.
"I refuse," Axel said coldly and indifferently once more.
What an unpleasant child...
Kokoilo thought to himself.
He walked to the side and whispered to Zephyr, "Mr. Zephyr, can't you try guiding this child?"
"As I said just now, the brain is an incredibly important part of the body."
"We absolutely cannot apply treatment recklessly."
"Therefore, I suggest we do an examination first. It would be safer to treat him after that."
However, Zephyr only spread his hands.
"This child is just like that."
"Once his mind is set, even I can't change it."
"It must be caused by the sudden change in personality."
Kokoilo glanced at Axel.
"Otherwise, a child who looks this cute should be the well-behaved type."
"Uh... quite the opposite."
Zephyr's expression turned awkward.
"The previous one was even worse."
If it had been the previous Axel, he would definitely have toyed with this doctor with the goal of annoying him to death.
The current simple refusal was already a blessing in disguise.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Kokoilo coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment.
"That really sounds like quite a handful."
.....
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