It did not take long for Naro's unusual behavior to capture the attention of the other people in the room.
As Song Kiro struggled to gently restrain his flailing limbs without inflicting any harm, Song Horo cast a glance in their direction. He had never seen a medicine man as seasoned as Song Kiro grapple with a baby so desperately.
What was going on?
He quickly noticed the source of the trouble.
The baby was panting heavily, its tiny chest rising and falling rapidly, while its little legs kicked out with frantic energy. It was easy to believe that the child was locked in a battle for its very survival.
Such extreme behavior…could there be a latent illness? A birth defect?
"What is wrong?" he asked. "Are these…symptoms…a cause for concern?"
At that same moment, Mo Seris turned his attention toward the commotion, his interest growing with each passing second. During his years spent acquiring infants from lesser families, he had never encountered such a display from a newborn.
What was happening?
Was this an opportunity?
Hearing the manager's words, Song Kiro looked back with a strained smile, wiping the sweat off of his brow.
"Third Manager, nothing is wrong with him. It just seems he was born with exceptional vigor. While I would not say he is a dragon of a child, I also would not consider it a bad thing. He will likely grow up to be a strong man," Song Kiro explained.
However, the moment he spoke, Song Horo's face darkened. The medicine man immediately recognized his mistake, the weight of his careless words hanging heavy in the air. He cast his gaze aside.
There was a phrase that lingered unspoken.
If he lives.
That strong man would likely be strangled in the cradle…
"Is there a problem with the testing, Master Kiro?" Song Horo asked, changing the subject. "You seem to be struggling, and as I remember, it is usually a shorter process."
"No, there is no problem," Song Kiro said quickly. "But, his restlessness is causing a delay. The testing will take longer than expected."
"Do we need to send for your assistants?"
Song Kiro shook his head. "No, no need. I will just use some extra measures." He chuckled. "This is the pride of a medicine man. How can I earn my position above ten and beneath none if I couldn't handle a mere baby on my own."
"As you wish." Song Horo waved his hand, accepting Song Kiro's words.
He did not know that under his breath, the medicine man had given his sour reply.
How can I act as I wish? We are in the presence of the Mo Family. Under ordinary circumstances, I would ask for help, but you have gone out of your way to alienate the representative. Now, I would bet anything that he would like nothing more than to disparage this poor old man!
In his usual work, Song Kiro had a team of apprentices and assistants working with him, but they did not follow him to the manager's chambers. He was merely delivering a baby and conducting some routine tests.
If he called them in now, how would it look to outsiders?
Of course, with the proper context, everything could be explained. Dealing with such an unusual baby, anyone would need help, but would Mo Seris relay that context?
More likely than not, the truth would get twisted and quickly become a rumor in all of the Brightsteel medicinal circles.
Medicine Master Song Kiro needs assistance even when testing the talent of a baby!
Does he have any skills of his own, or does he just rely on good apprentices while taking all of the credit?
Did he even get his position of Medicine Master legitimately, or was the Song Patriarch repaying a favor owed to his ancestors?