Chapter 48: THE POISONED CLAWS

VIVIAN

Vivian shifted backward, her bands up..

The girl slowly stood up from the pile of blocks, she didn’t hurt a single hair.

Vivian smiled, that’s the power of an S class? Ina’s expression twisted with rage.

Her golden eyes suddenly flashed...Green.

She slammed both hands onto the ground. The earth beneath Vivian’s feet trembled.

Thick green roots burst from the ground like snakes, twisting rapidly toward her.

Vivian’s eyes widened. "Again?!"

The roots wrapped around her legs and waist before she could dodge.

With terrifying strength, they lifted her into the air. It tightens her body so tight..she felt her soul leaving.

At the same time, Ina bent her knees.

Then...She launched herself straight toward Vivian.

Her claws extended, sharp and gleaming as they aimed directly at Vivian’s eyes.

Serial screamed. "Vivian!"

Vivian gritted her teeth.

I can’t let those claws touch me!

She struggled against the roots, forcing her spiritual energy through her body.

The roots tightened more as she tried to get it off.

Vivian’s muscles tensed. She ordered. "Break!"

The roots began to split slowly.

But Ina was already there.

Her claws were only inches from Vivian’s eyes.

Vivian pushed harder. The roots finally broke apart.

Vivian dropped. "Ah!"

She fell...but instead of hitting the ground, a pair of arms caught her.

Serial. "Are you okay?"

Vivian nodded quickly. "Yes."

He slowly dropped her down. Then....she felt her eyes sting. "AHHH!"

Pain exploded through her eyes. Vivian immediately covered her face.

"It hurts!"

Her vision blurred. It felt as though thousands of tiny ants were crawling across her eyeballs while grains of sand were being rubbed into them.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Serial’s expression changed.

"Vivian!"

Ina laughed. "You thought cutting my roots would save you?"

Vivian froze.

Ina slowly raised one claw. "I already sent my spiritual power into your eyes."

A cold smile appeared on her face. "How does it feel Vivian?"

Vivian held onto Serial shoulders. "I can’t see. ...No!..no...I. ..can’t see...my eyes hurt so bad." she tried to open her eyes.but everywhere was pitch black. "Help..help..help..me.serial."

Before Serial could respond...

"STOP!"

Vincent’s furious roar echoed across the training ground.

Everyone froze. Vincent strode toward them, his expression dark.

"Ina Federick. You have obtained your goal.. Leave now!!"

Ina’s smile disappeared. "Leave?"

She looked at Vivian, who was still clutching her burning eyes.

"Why should I leave? Don’t you think she owes me an explanation? She interfered with my engagement and attacked me first..Everyone here saw it. I was only defending myself from.her attack."

She raised her chin. "She needs to pay for what she did."

Vincent’s eyes narrowed.

"Haven’t you gotten your revenge already?"

Vivian could barely hear them.

Her eyes were burning.

Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed Serial’s hand .

Serial immediately tightened his grip around hers.

Ina noticed. Her expression darkened. "Serial."

Serial looked at her.

"I’ll see you at the family house. You will have to explain yourself to your family."

She turned around and walked away.

Vincent glanced at the students. "All of you, leave!"

The students scattered immediately.

Within minutes, the training ground was nearly empty.

Vincent turned toward Vivian. "Are you okay?"

Vivian was still rubbing her eyes.

Vincent’s expression became serious. "She is from the Cat Clan. Their claws contain powerful poison. You won’t always know when you’ve been poisoned."

He looked at her eyes. "I think you may lose your sight. Until we get a higher class healer."

Serial’s expression hardened. "We need to take her to the Military Hospital."

Vivian shook her head. "I’m fine."

"You’re clearly not fine."

"I’ll just go home."

Vincent frowned. "Vivian..."

"I said I’m fine. Weren’t you watching the fight all along. Why act like you care now?"

She pulled her hand away from Serial and started walking.

Though she couldn’t see anything.

INAIna stepped into her private hover ship. Waiting for her outside it school.

She walked toward the back of the cabin.

Then she stopped. She bowed deeply. "It’s done, Princess."

A calm voice answered. "Are you sure she won’t be able to see again?"

Ina nodded. "Yes, Princess."

She lowered her head.

"I used the strongest poison in my claws. Even the best military doctors won’t be able to treat it."

She paused. "Only an SSS-Class healer could remove the poison."

Ina smiled faintly. "But the SSS-Class healers are all serving at the war front. She won’t be able to find one now."

The figure sitting in the shadows remained silent.

Then..."Good."

Ina hesitated. "But, Princess..."

The figure looked at her. Ina swallowed.

"What?"

"I just want to know..."

She immediately lowered her head. "Why do you want her to become blind?"

The temperature inside the hover ship suddenly rose.

The air became unbearably hot.

Elena stood up walking into the light. Her expression darkened. "So that’s what you want to ask me?"

Ina’s face paled.

She immediately dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead against the floor.

"I’m sorry, Princess! I wasn’t questioning you! Please don’t be mad at me. I will be whatever you ask without questions.... "

Silence. Then Elena smiled. She walked toward Ina. "I’m not angry."

She extended her hand and helped Ina back to her feet. "It’s actually a good question."

Ina’s hands trembled. Elena’s smile became so gentle and sweet. "My mother is very worried about Vivian’s safety."

She sighed.

"You know how stubborn she is. She’s only a Zero-Class, yet she insisted on going to the war front."

Elena shook her head sadly.

"I only want her to realize how dangerous the outside world is and come back home."

Ina stared at her. "But what about her eyes?"

"Don’t worry."

Elena smiled. "My mother will find a good doctor for her."

Ina nodded. Her tone changed "But she called you a fake sister." Her voice carried a hint of disgust. "She really is ungrateful. You’re an SSS-Class Saintess with so many responsibilities, yet you’re still worried about her."

Elena smiled sweetly. "She really is ungrateful."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "She doesn’t even know..."

Elena’s smile deepened. "...that I’m the reason she’s still alive."

VIVIAN

Thirty minutes later, Vivian arrived home. Arin carefully guided her into her room. "My lady, are you sure you’re okay?"

"I’m fine."

"You can’t even see."

"I said I’m fine."

Arin hesitated. Vivian gently pushed her toward the door. "Go. I’ll be fine."

Arin reluctantly left.

The moment the door closed, Vivian heard a soft whimper.

"Mimi?"

Her little dog stood beside the bed, whining as it watched her walk around with her eyes closed.

Vivian sat down. She reached out and patted its head.

"Don’t worry. I’m okay."

Mimi whimpered again. Vivian smiled. She kissed it. "Even a dog is worried about me. I am really loved by everyone."

Beeny said, in a low tone. "Vivian, this is not your style. I know how vindictive you can be. Are you really letting that Ina go? You should have let me take over her Brain and kill her at that moment. She really came to hurt you. Nothing else. Don’t you understand that?"

Vivian replied, with a smile. "And they will investigate if it is the Zerg again? What if they trace it back to me? The security in Haxia has increased since you harmed someone in the Astronova mansion!!"

She turned to the side of her hair. "Stay silent these days and avoid trouble!!"

Then her expression became serious. She closed her eyes. "Lotus."

The golden Lotus opened its eyes inside her consciousness. "Let’s start."

The Lotus gently released a stream of golden spiritual energy.

It flowed through Vivian’s body.

Toward her eyes. Warmth spread through her face. The burning sensation disappeared.

The pain vanished. The darkness she only saw lifted.

Vivian slowly opened her eyes. Everything was clear.

She blinked Once and Twice. Her vision was perfectly normal.

Vivian touched her eyes in disbelief. "I can see again. Thank you Lotus."

Then she sighed. "Ina is vicious!!"

She remembered the girl’s expression. "The way she attacked me..."

Vivian frowned. "I knew she came specifically for me."

She stared at the ceiling. "And she seemed familiar."

Her eyes narrowed. "I think..."

"I’ve seen her somewhere before."