With this understanding in mind, Mark"s eyes light up in determination and renewed vigor for the training every night. Many times, only his sheer force of will was the cause of consistently practicing his powers every night like clockwork. His parents and grandfather all instilled a sense of values in him which included a sense of self-worth and that being lazy about something is not the best way to go through life. As exciting as his powers would seem to a outside observer or someone without powers, they have been mostly unchanging since he was 10 with only slight increases in his endurance. This could make someone without his determination or values think training like this was a ch.o.r.e much like going to work every day or studying.Mark then gets ready for his day by going downstairs and availing himself of the breakfast the Innkeeper included in his free night. This breakfast consists of the staple black bread and leftover stew warmed over the fire with an option to purchase some of the beer George kept in the cellar. After doing this Mark realizes he still has a whole day until he needs to leave with the village cart to Stone City. The majority of people in the village with a few exceptions work the fields all day, mostly with weeding and checking the animals. Some of the few exceptions are the elder, George, and the old man who was said to be the village doctor and priest. Mark had a very distinct impression of this old man, as he was the first person Mark saw when he entered the village of Brambleton. Sure, enough the man, just like yesterday, was slouched in his rocking chair next to the building with a garden. Mark showed a force smile at the man and said "h.e.l.lo again! I never did get your name when we last spoke?".
The man"s gaze seemed to almost harden as he made eye contact for the first time with Mark, "You can call me Theo." He finally replied. Mark as shocked by his gaze that seem to remind him of some of the travelers who would venture out into the wilds when he lived in the mega city. Mark asks a second question about the building next to the man. Theo then goes on to explain that the house is considered the closest thing to a hospital the village has with Theo himself being the closest thing the village has to a doctor. Mark is visibly surprised by this and an excited expression surfaces on his face. "Can you tell me a little about your profession here?". The old man makes a contented smile after this question and explains about the daily duties he has as a doctor in a small village. "The majority of patients I receive are injuries related to them working on their farms. This can be anything from bruises and sc.r.a.pes from using farm equipment or even missing fingers and toes due to accidents. There are also minor sicknesses like aches, coughing and sore throats which generally do not turn out to be much around here." Mark"s excited expression dims slightly at this mundane life but continues and asks about the doctors in Stone City. The aged Theo makes a wistful smile in remembrance as he explains that he used to live in Stone City and was trained by a Journeyman Doctor there. Mark has a slightly confused expression as he asks, "What is a Journeyman Doctor?".
Theo then explains how Doctors are cla.s.sified according to most kingdoms and how this ranking system closely resembles the ranking system used by adventurers.
"A aspiring doctor first starts out as a trainee or apprentice and works as an a.s.sistant to a regular doctor or in training at one of the many schools of different kingdoms, many of which have a Medical Department." Theo then explains how becoming an apprentice is enough for a small village like this one, but most towns have at least a regular rank doctor there as a resident.
"Journeyman Doctors are even more advanced in their training and have either been working as a regular doctor for 5 years or are apprenticed to a Master rank doctor. They go around to different towns and cities to practice their trade and most cities have at least a Journeyman level doctor as a resident. The second to last rank is Master doctor. This level is shown to be the pinnacle of their craft and the only way to reach this rank is to work as a Journeyman for at least 10 years with a few exceptions." Theo has an almost excited expression, similar to Mark"s expression when he first heard about the doctors here, from the thought of Master level doctors and all the people they have helped.
"The final rank is Grandmaster rank doctor and is a position of almost no worth as they specialize in the philosophy of medicine as compared to Master doctors still going and treating different patients. They almost exclusively work on n.o.bles and kings and are only given that rank as an empty t.i.tle but no real work." Theo says with a frown and aggrieved expression.
Mark is skeptical about this last remark Theo makes as he can only think of the nice sound of Grandmaster and how proud he would be to have the position and all the world he could help by furthering many people pa.s.sion for medicine and healing. Mark does not say what he just thought to Theo but Theo is able to read his thoughts from his expression all the same. Theo looks at him briefly and with a dismissive snort says, "Just wait until you get to Stone City and you will truly see how great those "Grandmaster" doctors are". With this final remark Theo visibly slumps back in his chair and seems to be trying to go back to sleep much to Mark"s amus.e.m.e.nt. Mark"s grandfather also used this kind of tone but Mark quickly learned it only hid a caring personality and heart underneath it. Mark also cannot help but think of all the people this old doctor has helped over the years. In Mark"s mind this kind of contribution outweighs any gruff or misleading words he might say in the favor of his previous good deeds.