Mana energy gathered in Ruya's hands before it came together, forming a healing magic circle covered with ancient runes. Klara, meanwhile, still couldn't believe her eyes.
"Incredible..."
She thought.
"Being born with it is a feat on its own. But learning it? I never thought someone could be capable of something like that."
Ruya's eyes shut tight, his brows furrowing as he concentrated on the injured leg. The exposed muscles and bones slowly began to heal and reconstruct themselves, but suddenly, Hano shot back, groaning in pain. Her teeth clenched tightly as she struggled to endure the unbearable sensation.
"Oh no..."
Muttered Klara, her face hardening.
"The toxic acid on her leg is reacting to the healing magic... It seems like the acid was modified so it would cause immense pain if healing magic was used to counter it."
Thought Klara, her eyes fixed on Hano.
"Ruya!"
She called with urgency.
"You need to remove the acid first before treating the wound, before it spreads even more!"
Then, she turned her focus back to James, channeling even more energy into him. Ruya glanced at Klara, just as Hano screamed in agony. The acid was eating away at the growing cells faster than they could regenerate.
Alarmed, Ruya pushed more magic into his hands. The magic circle grew in size.
"Klara is right! I need to remove the acid before it causes more damage and spreads even further."
The magic circle's runes began to shine brightly and shift into different positions. Slowly, green steam began to rise from Hano's leg as the acid evaporated into thin air.
"Yes. It's working!"
Thought Ruya, a glimpse of hope flashing in his eyes.
But just as the situation seemed to stabilize, the veins in Hano's leg began turning a deep green, the color spreading rapidly under her skin, racing toward her neck. Ruya's eyes widened in horror.
"What is this?!"
Klara immediately snapped her gaze toward them.
"Poison?! Just what on earth is this acid?!"
Her mind raced. Then her eyes shifted to James. Her heart pounded. Doubt and fear paralyzed her. The memories of that fateful day, the day she lost everyone, flashed through her mind. Pain. Suffering. Despair. Guilt. Helplessness.
All of it came crashing back. Her thoughts unraveled. Her world collapsed. Darkness swallowed her whole.
"I lost them all..."
She whispered.
"It was all my fault."
Klara looked around, but saw nothing. Then, slowly, she let go. Her eyes barely open, her mind adrift in the void.
Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the darkness, shining down on her. She covered her eyes, wincing. Then, slowly, she opened them.
"Klara."
A voice called out.
"Klara!!!"
It called again, louder, urgent.
"Wake up! They need you, Klara!"
Klara stared into the light, her expression unreadable, confused.
"Who... is this?"
She managed to ask.
The light shifted, forming a small, shining sphere that slowly drifted toward her.
"I'm... you."
Klara's eyes widened.
"Me?"
"I'll explain everything later,"
The shining light said.
"Now go, and save the others!"
The light entered her body. In that moment, the darkness vanished, replaced by a radiant glow.
Klara opened her eyes.
She was back. With the others. Her eyes, now shining with resolve and a newfound, unshakable confidence.
She stretched her arm toward Ruya, and the magic circle on her hand floated through the air, landing directly on Hano's wound. It began to heal instantly.
"Ruya!"
Shouted Klara, now channeling both hands to empower another magic circle.
"Stop the poison from traveling further into her body! Under no circumstances let it reach the brain!"
Ruya nodded, snapping his focus away from the leg to the upper body. The magic circle pulsed brighter as he forced more mana into it. His hands trembled with the effort.
"It's so hard to control this..."
He thought.
The poison halted its advance. A wave of relief washed over Ruya as he continued the spell.
Meanwhile, Klara battled to stabilize James. Her face was drenched in sweat, her breathing shallow, her arms shaking.
"It's becoming harder and harder to maintain everything... Giving away the magic circle drained me even more..."
She thought, teeth clenched.
"I lost half of my mana reserves healing the humans held captive in Zaria's lab... It exhausted me, and now I barely have enough left..."
She turned to glance at Ruya, who had completely purged the poison from Hano's body and was now working carefully on the leg.
"That boy... continues to amaze me..."
She wondered, her gaze slowly lowering.
"Getting rid of the poison is something only someone at my level should be capable of... Just where did you learn this...?"
Then, suddenly, Klara raised her power. Her healing magic exploded into the air around her, spiraling upward, then collapsed inward, enveloping her entire body. Everyone turned toward her in awe.
"Is this... the true power of a Healer?!"
Wondered Ruya, eyes wide.
A brilliant golden aura surrounded Klara. Her magic circle grew even larger, glowing as the runes began to dance in the air around her.