Chapter 2198: Reawakened Power
Sage Kole Kellin knew on a logical level that it was highly unlikely that the Emperor of Harmony and the Dawnbringer were lying. However, it hadn't registered on an emotional level that she was going to be healed.
It was just hard to believe.
After more than a decade in her condition, she could scarcely believe that she was going to be unshackled from it and regain her power of the past. She just wasn't able to envision a future where such a thing would genuinely happen.
"Ah, the Shivering Disease." The Divine Doctor tutted with a bored tone.
His clinical eyes were devoid of any intrigue. "Such a trivial case. Is this truly insurmountable to the medical community?"
Sage Kole Kellin frowned. "No, but it requires resources that are astronomically rare. The Panamic Martial Federation did not have them."
The Divine Doctor lightly snorted with disdain as he began issuing several instructions to the medical team assigned to aid him in the procedure.
"So... you can heal me, doctor?"
"Too easily, in fact." His clinical tone was devoid of warmth. "If those two are going to have me practice medicine, I wish they would send me more challenging cases. Instead, they sent me this."
He peered at her with derision.
It took her a moment to realize that he wasn't even looking at her but at her condition.
She furrowed her eyebrows as she studied the doctor.
She expected the Divine Doctor to be a kind man as the greatest doctor to have ever lived, yet his eyes were cold and regarded her as no more than a defective lump of meat.
STEP
Her attention shifted as she felt the arrival of the familiar and powerful aura of a Martial Sage.
The bald man regarded her with respect as he stroked his salt-pepper beard. "It's been a while, Sage Kole."
"Sage Glacken." She nodded at him. "It has indeed been a long time. Are you perhaps here to ensure that my power doesn't go out of control?"
The leader of the Earth Sect simply nodded curtly. "No harm can be allowed to come to the Divine Doctor, even if he is immortal. Not to mention the untold devastation you might be spreading. I will suppress and harmlessly disperse your energy into the depths of Mother Gaia should the need ever arise. I hope you understand."
"I take no issue with the arrangement," she lightly replied. "I would be deeply upset if my inability to control my power impeded my recovery."
"Alright," the Divine Doctor interjected. "Let's begin."
CLASP
She was quickly strapped to a medical bed while a gas mask was put on her face. The Divine Doctor garbed himself in surgical attire in the meantime.
"Good night," he wished her as her consciousness drifted away upon the entry of a potent anesthetic.
What followed took hours, yet for her it was merely a second.
One moment, she closed her eyes.
The very next, she opened them.
Yet, she could sense the changes in her body the moment she opened them.
Tears welled up in her eyes as her body was stationary for the first time in a long time.
Words couldn't begin to describe how she felt.
The sheer amount of elation that she experienced was more than she had experienced in the past decade combined.
She gazed at her perfectly still hands that didn't twitch involuntarily.
She closed her eyes as she balled them into fists, activating a breathing technique.
WHOOSH!
Her fists ignited with fire as she activated her inferno technique.
A fiery red flame enveloped her fists, quickly stabilizing under her control.
It was the most basic technique of her Martial Art.
Yet, she stared at it like it was the first time she had seen it in her entire life.
STEP
She stood steadily upright for the first time in a decade.
Her leg muscles had been atrophied after a long time of disuse. However, given that she had a Martial Body, she still had far more power than any normal human despite her condition.
She took a deep breath, steeling her gaze.
BADUMP!
Her Martial Heart was reawakened from its long slumber, coming back to life as it spread its power across all cells, invigorating and empowering them. She indulged herself in the feeling of the ocean of power that was hidden within her. She couldn't help but feel immensely euphoric over the return of her power.
Soon enough, she dug up the remaining parts of her power as her Martial Mind and Soul were unsealed after more than a decade.
The aura of a full-fledged Martial Sage spread across the facility she was in as her flames evolved from red to purple to white. Ungodly power surged from within her, spreading across
her depths.
"It's been so long..." she whispered.
Her gaze shifted as she felt the presence of Sage Glacken entering the facility that held her. "Congratulations on your recovery, Sage Kole," he wished her. "The Divine Doctor has informed me that the procedure has been a complete success and you have regained your power without any drawbacks."
"I am grateful to the Divine Doctor and will forever be indebted to him." Her voice radiated power. "Now, however, what I need is time. Time to return my body, my rusty instinct, and my combat sense back to their former peaks. However, I don't know how I am to do this within the span of three months. The Void Prince mentioned something strange in that regard but..."
Sage Glacken smiled. "Come, let me guide you to your training place. One where you can train to your heart's content without worrying about making it in time. There is a reason that the Kandrian Empire is confident of facing the three Sage-level powerhouses in war. We have treasures, you see. Treasures that make the impossible possible. Treasures that will elevate this nation to a level of power untouched before."
She cautiously followed him with uncertainty, entirely unprepared for the revelations that awaited her.