Canaan was poised to fight back to protect Maria when he noticed Maria tugging at his clothes.

“It's fine. I'll handle this," Maria whispered, so quietly only Canaan could hear.

“That won't do, Maria. He's a top-notch medical master, rumored to be at the seventh or even eighth grade," Canaan whispered back, anxiety in his voice.

Maria smiled upon hearing this.

"Eighth grade of healer? That's not a big deal," she muttered to herself.