"Whose mana" Valeria whispered in a trembling, quiet voice, "is inside you?"
"Valeria…" Zen started.
Her eyes widened. "Vitality," she hissed. "It is Vitality mana."
She stepped back, the pieces clicking together in her mind with terrifying speed. "A healer. The little F-Rank girl from the extraction zone. The one who was looking at you."
Before Zen could even blink, Valeria's hand shot out. The air warped around her palm, and the massive, blood-red hilt of her broadsword materialized into her grip.
"I am going to rip her spine out through her throat," Valeria stated. It wasn't a threat. It was a scheduling update.
She turned toward the door.
Zen moved faster. He didn't have his old strength, but he had the layout of the room and the element of surprise. He threw himself between her and the heavy oak door.
"Move, Zen," she growled, her aura flaring hot enough to singe the carpet.
"No."
