Chapter Three: Anna's speedy recovery

The black mist seemed to be drawn by some force, moving from Anna to Lucas.

"Oh gosh!" was Lucas's immediate thought.

If this black mist was the venom of the snake, wouldn't he be poisoned to death? Still, if it meant Anna would be cured, he was willing to take the risk, and sacrifice himself.

However, as the black mist entered his body, Lucas didn't feel any discomfort at all. Instead, it felt like a nourishing elixir, warming him up and making him feel stronger.

"What is happening?" Lucas was completely baffled. To be sincere since waking up, too many things had happened that he couldn't explain.

First, his vision that like an X-ray, able to see through clothes and stuffs.

Secondly, he was much stronger than before, no longer thin and weak, and could move swiftly.

Lastly, with just a wave of his hand, he had transferred Anna's poison out of her body. And the most surprising thing was that instead of harming him, the poison felt like a powerful tonic.

Lucas sat on the ground, trying to process everything.

His gaze suddenly fell on a statue lying nearby, and suddenly, he remembered something.

"Could it be.... could it really be that that dream was real, and the events that happened afterwards was real too?"

"The divine eyes of Ramas was said to see through all illusions, immune to spirits and ghosts. His hands can shatter mountains and pierce through the sky. Ramas medicinal knowledge can help you identify various plants herbs, which can cure all diseases".

"These three treasures are the essence of my teachings, and I bestow them upon you. Treat them well and do not disappoint me and the world!"

Lucas remembered a little piece from his dream last night.

"Lord Ramas if what you said about your legacy is true, and I succeed in life, I promise to rebuild this temple for you and honor you with bounty offerings every day!" Lucas said, his filled with determination.

Just as he got up from his kneeling position besides Anna something caught his attention from under the broken statue of Ramas.

Moving quickly he picked it up and discovered it was a scroll.It was an ancient scroll which carried the teachings and techniques of Ramas.

Picking a quiet position, Lucas began to study the scroll.

As he learned more about the powerful legacy of Ramas, Lucas's heart began to race with excitement. With such powerful tools at his disposal, why should he fear Mrs Smith and her useless good for nothing son, Michael? Why should he worry about going hungry or enduring the scornful gaze and remarks of others?

"Mrs Smith! Michael! All these years, you've owed me, and I'm going to get it back double times! Now that life has given me a second chance, I'll start with the both of you" Lucas thought, his gaze steely and resolved.

"Woof, woof, woof..." The barking of Rufus pulled Lucas back to reality. Anna was slowly waking up, with Rufus circling around her happily.

"Anna, how are you feeling?" Lucas asked, truly concerned about her.

"I feel much better," Anna replied weakly, nodding. She glanced at her leg and exclaimed,

"What happened to my leg?"

She distinctly remembered being bitten by a snake, but now the swelling on her ankle was gone, as if nothing had happened.

"I applied some herbs that can cure snake venom. Didn't expect it to work so well. Look, you're all better now," Lucas said, making up a random excuse.

He couldn't possibly tell her that he had healed her with his hands, or she'd think he was crazy.

"Herbs? Does this little town even have herbs that can cure snake venom?" Anna said finding what Lucas just told her too good to be true and even odd, but she decided to keep her doubts to herself. She looked at Lucas, surprised.

"Lucas, you seem different than before."

"What's so different about me?" Lucas asked, surprised also.

"I feel like there's something new about you, but I can't quite put my finger on it," Anna said, shaking her head.

Lucas hadn't changed in appearance, but Anna sensed a shift in his demeanor. He no longer seemed like the timid person he once was.

"Anna, maybe I've become more handsome?" Lucas teased her with a self-satisfied smile.

"Handsome, my foot" Anna rolled her eyes playfully, her eyes sparkling with a gentle charm.

Lucas looked at her with a kind of look that says "am I really that ugly to you" and this made Anna laughed so hard, covering her mouth as she did so.

"By the way, I have been meaning to ask you, why are you here in this rundown temple?" Anna asked Lucas, changing the topic.

"Mrs Smith and her wicked son kicked me out" Lucas replied with a bitter smile.

Seeing that smile, Anna felt a pang in her heart. She knew Lucas's situation well and was aware of how Mrs smith's family treated him poorly. Kind-hearted as she was, Anna often snuck food and small gifts to him. But since it was a family matter, she couldn't intervene directly, only offering small gestures of friendly support.

"So, what are you going to do next?" Anna asked.

"That house belonged to my grandfather. I have to get it back" Lucas said with determination, narrowing his eyes. "And as for Mrs Smith.....I won't let her and her son off so easily."

"Don't do anything rash. You're no match for them" Anna sighed, seeing the cold look on Lucas's face. Mrs Smith was notorious for being a troublemaker. Not only was she strong, but she also had a notorious gangster thug as a brother. Lucas, being young and slight, would find it hard to reclaim his house.

"Don't worry, Anna, I will take care of this my own way" Lucas reassured her with a smile, not elaborating further. "By the way, what brings you to this old temple?"

"Well... my mom's headaches have come back" Anna sighed. "I thought I'd light some incense and ask for blessings from the local deity. I didn't expect to find you here, and in such condition"

As soon as she finished speaking, an image of a graceful woman appeared in Lucas mind. Anna's mother, Miriam, was a renowned beauty in her youth. Despite having many suitors, she chose the honest and hardworking Carpenter Maxwell.

Unexpectedly, after giving birth to Anna, Mr Maxwell passed away suddenly due to an illness. Mrs Miriam chose not to remarry and instead raised Anna on her own through hard work and perseverance. With her frail shoulders, she managed to send Anna to the university by selling baskets of fruits and vegetables every day.

Mrs Miriam's chronic headaches were well-known in the entire town of Greenwood. Whenever they flared up, she would be bedridden for days. Lucas pondered whether, since he could neutralize Anna's snake venom with just one hand, he might also be able to help her mother with her ailment.

While he was deep in thought, Anna struggled to get up and said

"I'll go find you something to eat."

Lucas, on hearing this realized he was indeed a bit hungry. He touched his stomach and quickly replied

"Anna, don't worry yourself. Just stay put. I'll find something to eat myself."

"Alright then, pls pick a couple of cucumbers for me too. I'm quite hungry," Anna said, not wanting to argue with him.

"Sure!" Lucas agreed and quickly headed outside.