The Martial Unity

"Indeed," The man nodded. "Thus, poisons employed by Martial Artists are carefully curated for their viability in regard to this condition. The conditions under which poisons employed by Martial Artists actually end up harming the brain of their opponent are scarce."

He turned to a copy of the details that Rui had given them for evaluation.

"Unfortunately, it appears that this particular patient has suffered those circumstances."

Rui felt a sharp weight on his heart, tugging at his optimism, festering anxiety.

He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling.

"It appears that this patient had suffered brain injuries, most likely due to blunt force trauma to the skull, while simultaneously being poisoned with the Cereneon Nectar," He continued with a matter-of-factly tone. "This has allowed the poison to severely affect the brain when it would not do so under normal circumstances."

Rui narrowed his eyes as he grimaced, recalling the fight that she had had with the four Kaddar Martial Seniors.

She had indeed suffered many head injuries and had bled profusely from her head despite her healing factor due to how many injuries that she had suffered there.

Those injuries were bad enough by themselves, but now it appeared that the presence of poison in those circumstances was far worse. It had crippled her brain, forcing her into a coma that she would not be able to wake up from under natural circumstances.

"From the data that you have presented, it appears that she consumed multiple healing potions as early as she could, yet it was too late. Poison has already occupied several lobes and sections of the brain. It is unclear what functions of the brain have been affected just by looking at the parts of the brain where the poison occupies, I'm afraid."

Rui recalled that this world had not made as many deep breakthroughs into the structures, systems, and divisions of the brain.

He looked at some of the images that the doctor provided him. He could already tell that it affected many parts of her cerebrum and cerebellum, parts that corresponded with the conscious mind, as well as mental faculties and cognition surrounding combat.

"With that brief summary of her condition and why it is the way it is, let us begin talking about the solutions," the doctor continued.

Rui's attention perked up as he began paying more attention to what the doctor had to say. What followed would greatly impact whether he would see Senior Xanarn alive ever again.

"As I mentioned at the start, there are solutions," He smiled. "The first solution is simple and straightforward blood replacement therapy. This is a special form of treatment where we take a sample of blood and produce identical blood to it before passing it through the patient's body. The intoxicated blood from any given patient is extracted out in exchange for the fresh blood that the patient will be flooded with, allowing it to extract toxins from across the body and flush them out."

Rui stared at him silently, waiting for him to issue his judgment on the matter.

"This solution is sub-optimal," the doctor immediately began. "However, it is the cheapest out of all three. It will most likely wake her up from her coma within ten hours."

Rui cocked his head back in surprise.

The actual evaluation of her condition sounded extremely dire. Yet the solution was remarkably effective if it was able to wake her up within ten hours of the administration of the treatment!

"Huh…" Rui tilted his head.

Something felt off.

"The restoration of consciousness will occur within half a day, and the rehabilitation of her body won't take too long either, given that she has a Martial Body."

Rui's face lit up in a smile.

This was extremely optimistic, and it meant that there was a good chance Rui would be able to ensure that she woke up.

"The only thing you'll have to take care of is the post-traumatic stress disorder once the truth behind her condition sets in," The man replied.

Rui's eyes narrowed. "What condition would that be?"

The doctor turned towards Rui with a resigned sigh. "The condition of being a cripple instead of a Martial Artist."

Rui's eyes widened in shock. "You're telling me she will lose the ability to practice Martial Art in her current condition?!"

The man nodded. "That's right, this treatment cannot extract all the poison in her brain. The greater the heart rate she experiences in such a condition, the greater the damage the nested poison inside her brain will do to her. A high heart rate will stress the blood vessels and neurons of the brain, allowing the poison to harm the stressed tissue, causing outcomes such as the shutting down her consciousness once more. A second time will be more fatal and hard to overcome."

"So you're saying that she can not only never utilize her Martial Heart if she is healed through this method, but she will also be unable to ever do anything that is physically strenuous?"

"Indeed," The doctor nodded simply, giving Rui time to process what he had just heard.

"That…" Rui murmured.

He couldn't even imagine how hellish and horrific it would be for a Martial Artist, a Martial Senior, to never again be able to practice their Martial Art or even fight at all despite an intact Martial Path and Martial Art.

It would drive him absolutely insane. He would lose his sanity very quickly if that ever happened, h did not trust himself to be able to endure such a horrific punishment for a Martial Artist.

He knew Senior Xanarn well enough to know that her identity as a Martial Artist and a Martial Senior, in particular, was central to who she was today. If she ever woke up with those two elements gone from her, she would very well begin unraveling.

She might even hate Rui for waking her up to such a terrible hell as opposed to letting her fall asleep and eventually die.